She was so angry that her whole body was trembling.
"Fang Xiaoli, do you dare to say that this design theme was your own idea? It was clearly you who complained about having no ideas while we were eating in the cafeteria, and brought up this topic with me."
"The theme of 'hope,' as well as the inspirations of sunrise, sea level, and rising sun, were all my own ideas. In the adult world, taking something without asking is stealing!"
"Can you please have some basic human decency?!"
Jiang Jianhuan spoke with extreme emphasis, almost emphasizing each word as he questioned her. His voice was heard throughout the office, and everyone put down what they were doing and gathered around.
Having one's work borrowed or plagiarized is a serious matter, especially when it happens between colleagues in the same company.
"What's going on?" Xie Shuang and Zhou Ran squeezed over first, their tone full of morbid curiosity. But Fang Xiaoli, who was confronting her, seemed to have suddenly found support. She spoke up as if she had seen a savior, and her eyes reddened as soon as she spoke, as if she had suffered a great injustice.
"Jianhuan said my artwork resembles hers, but I clearly painted it first, and the whole process was documented. I even showed it to Director Jiang last week..."
"Is that so?" Xie Shuang's gaze darted between the two men with suspicion before she finally spoke as if she were in charge of the whole situation.
"Then show everyone your design drafts."
Fang Xiaoli bit her lip, somewhat unwilling, but still sniffed and went to the drawer to rummage for the manuscript. After taking it out, Jiang Jianhuan's already completely cold heart chilled for a moment again.
It's pretty much the same as what Xu Xue described.
The overall color scheme is very similar: jet black, orange-red, light orange, dark blue, and fish-belly white, just as Jiang Jianhuan had envisioned. These colors look great together.
Fang Xiaoli's expression is much more straightforward, the colors are a bit darker, and the sunrise and seawater have specific outlines on them. There are even some small details, such as the cuffs, corners, and pockets, which are designed as miniature versions and made using embroidery.
In comparison, Jiang Jianhuan's design is much more abstract, with soft and light colors. The sunrise and sea horizon are like ink washes, and you can vaguely see the artistic conception from the color distribution. The whole picture is very grand and beautiful.
Compared to Fang Xiaoli's works, this is a level higher.
Of course, there are many possible explanations for this. For example, she may have seen Fang Xiaoli's design, improved upon it, eliminated its shortcomings, and made the final work even more outstanding.
It could also be said that Fang Xiaoli adopted Jiang Jianhuan's design philosophy: even if something is passed off as genuine, the essence remains unchanged. Gold in the hands of someone who doesn't know how to use it is just a piece of scrap iron.
Everyone's attention was focused on the two sets of drawings, each with their own thoughts.
"You say you drew this a long time ago, but Jiang Jianhuan said that she came up with the design concept. How do you explain that?" Xie Shuang asked after reading it, voicing the doubts of most people.
Upon hearing this, Fang Xiaoli wiped away her tears, her shoulders trembling slightly. Her voice was choked with sobs, yet clear and steady, as if she were suppressing immense grievances and sorrow.
"I did talk to her about the competition when we were having dinner that day, but the ideas about Hope and Rising Sun were my own." Fang Xiaoli said, looking up at Jiang Jianhuan with a hint of accusation.
“Jianhuan, I know I can’t compare to you. You were more capable than me from the moment you joined the company. Director Jiang also thinks highly of you and likes you. But even someone like me has moments when inspiration strikes. You can’t take it all for yourself just because you think I’m not good enough.”
"Yes, I admit that your design is indeed better than mine, and you brought out the theme of 'hope' more perfectly than I have, but that doesn't change..." She paused, her gaze as if she were looking at a child who had made a mistake and was being unreasonable, her voice gentle and sincere.
"The design inspiration did indeed come from my own idea."
Jiang Jianhuan clenched her fist, feeling an urge to sneer. She glanced at the ceiling, feeling that her worldview had been completely shattered today.
"Fang Xiaoli, have you no shame?" she said softly, straightening her posture. All her manners and upbringing had crumbled at this moment, leaving only a bellyful of unvented anger and disgust.
Fang Xiaoli's face turned deathly pale, and tears streamed down her face like they were free. She already had a pitiful appearance, and she always got along well with the others in the office, so now it seemed even more like Jiang Jianhuan had gone too far.
For example, Zhou Ran and Xie Shuang were the first to chime in.
"Jiang Jianhuan, that's not how it works. It's not certain who stole whom. In my opinion, Fang Xiaoli drew the design first, so it seems like you're just trying to scam her."
“No matter what, you can’t swear. Besides, Xie Shuang is right, the matter isn’t settled yet,” Zhou Ran said with a frown. Xie Shuang immediately chimed in.
"What conclusion do we need? They drew it first, and the timeline is the evidence. You say someone used your inspiration, but do you have any proof?" She questioned Jiang Jianhuan, her chin raised, her eyes blatantly mocking.
Grief, anger, resentment, and the humiliation of being powerless against the status quo surged into Jiang Jianhuan's mind. He stood there frozen, his eyes stinging with anger.
"How could you do this?" Xu Xue couldn't stand it anymore and whispered, which immediately drew Xie Shuang's questioning.
"What's wrong? What did we do wrong?! We didn't call anyone shameless."
"You—" Xu Xue's face turned red with anger, and she was about to retort when Jiang Yuan's scolding voice came from behind her unexpectedly.
"What are you all doing gathered here? Don't you have anything to do?!" Her stern gaze swept over everyone, glancing at Fang Xiaoli's pitiful crying face, and finally lingered for a few seconds on Jiang Jianhuan, whose eyes were red and stubborn, before moving away.
"Can anyone tell me what happened?"
......
Having learned the details of what happened, Jiang Yuan stood there silently, while everyone looked at her expectantly, hoping to reach a conclusion.
Fang Xiaoli's gaze was somewhat evasive, while Jiang Jianhuan didn't even look at her, only quietly staring at the ground, lost in thought.
"I can't handle this matter." After a long while, Jiang Yuan slowly said, her gaze shifting from the scattered drawings on Jiang Jianhuan's table, her expression complex and meaningful.
"You two should resolve this privately and come up with a solution."
"As for the rest of you, disperse immediately and go do what you were doing!"
Because of Jiang Yuan's words, the office returned to silence, and everyone went back to their seats, seemingly engrossed in their computers. Only Jiang Jianhuan and Fang Xiaoli remained there.
Xu Xue was the last to leave. Before she left, she couldn't help but gently tug at Jiang Jianhuan's arm and whisper.
"Jianhuan, I believe you."
"Thanks."
Jiang Jianhuan didn't look at anyone, but slowly began to tidy up the design drafts scattered on Fang Xiaoli's table. She lowered her head, and the rubber band that tied her hair had come loose, with a few strands of hair falling down, vaguely covering her face.
His appearance was somewhat frightening. Fang Xiaoli watched from the side, biting her lip, but still couldn't help but speak up.