3
Alex was angry and left without looking back.
The girl followed him, smiling triumphantly,
giving me a final, condescending look.
I went home, the sky darkening.
I sat in the living room until dark, then turned
on my computer, wiping my tears under the
dim light, submitting my portfolio elsewhere.
My phone buzzed twice. It was Cheng
Yingnan, whom I’d added to my contacts last
night.
He asked if I’d eaten.
“Are you still working on your art? I remember
you’d forget to eat when you got absorbed.
Are you free tonight? Dinner?”
L
I replied listlessly, “At home. Don’t feel like it.”
A moment later, my doorbell rang.
Cheng Yingnan was standing there with a hot
food container.
“Food from Fu Rong Ji. My aunt says you like
- it. It’s still warm.”
He looked at me in the dim hallway light, his
expression tightening. “Who made you cry?”
I sighed, letting him in, briefly explaining the
situation.
“That’s it. I met the wrong person. He’s rich
and powerful, and I can’t fight him.”
But Fu Rong Ji was delicious. As I ate, my
mood improved.
But Cheng Yingnan’s face darkened. He sat
at my computer, sending emails. He took off
his coat, revealing a black shirt. His profile
was stunning.
“Those companies aren’t very good. My
company also has a similar department; come
I looked down for a moment, then burst into
tears. “It’s not that. Why are you all so rich?
What difference does one more rich person
make?”
Cheng Yingnan laughed, relaxing. “So,
consider my suggestion?”
I poked at my rice, uneasy. “But what if we
fight someday, and you fire me?”
Cheng Yingnan leaned closer, staring at me
intently. “You told me you’d be friends with
me forever when we were kids. Don’t go back
on your word.”
I stepped back, hesitant. “That was then. But
what if you change…”
Cheng Yingnan shoved his phone into my
arms. “Save my mom’s number. If I bully you,
go cry to her.”
“I’ve seen your talent and effort. Don’t be
afraid. I’m not that powerful to control you.
The interview is up to you. Just try.
く
Under his determined gaze, I calmed down
and nodded slightly.
Several days passed peacefully. Cheng
Yingnan moved into the apartment across
from mine. Seeing him leave in the morning
felt like old times.
I started to get replies to my applications.
Aside from Cheng Yingnan’s
recommendation, I had a few good options
and decided to give them a try.
But the next day, the company I had an
interview with rejected me.
“Ms. Li, as you know, we have zero tolerance
for plagiarism. So, we’ve decided not to hire
you.”
I was confused. Before I could explain, I was
asked to leave.
Thankfully, the HR who called me showed me
an interview video.
It featured Alex’s girlfriend, Su Xia,
showcasing her hit webtoon.
The cover was almost identical to the one I’d
submitted to my previous company, only the
characters‘ clothing and hair color were
changed.
I frantically searched for her comic online.
Although only a few chapters were available,
it was 80% similar to my incomplete draft,
even the storyline.
I was struck by lightning.
My work had been plagiarized.
I rushed home, gathering evidence.
Chat logs with my former supervisor,
submission dates, computer logs I took
screenshots of everything.
I posted about the plagiarism on my fan
account, but before I could post the evidence,
my account was reported and suspended.
Alex called. It was noisy on his end, like he
was at a bar.
He said playfully, “Lily, I don’t like you defying
me.”
My blood boiled. “Alex, you’re letting your
girlfriend steal my work. Aren’t you
shameless?”
Alex chuckled. “I don’t consider her my
girlfriend. Don’t be so jealous.”
“I’m drunk and feel bad. Come pick me up.
Let’s make up. I’ll handle this for you.”
I said nothing, calmly saving the call
recording, and hung up.
Cheng Yingnan was helping me with my color
palette. He glanced at me. “I’ll use my
company account to speak out for you. Don’t
worry, we’ll get justice.”
We worked until midnight, exhausted.
Then we heard the sound of the fingerprint
unlock. Alex walked in, calling out my name.
“Baby, why didn’t you come get me…”
He squinted in the dim light of the entryway.
“Lily, whose shoes are these?”
