CHAPTER 47: CHAPTER 47: BAI YUEGUANG’S STAND-IN

"What do you mean by showing me this? What is this?"

"It’s surveillance video. Oh right, I’ve talked to everyone from that night, Shen Liao also individually chatted with them, and everyone denied entering my room. Especially Mu Chen, she said you took the items and it has nothing to do with her, told me to go ahead and sue. In the end, only you admitted it, those people really have good friends."

With that, Jiang Lai directly walked away, leaving Wei Fu silently pondering the shadow in the video just now.

The next day, Jiang Lai took Wei Fu to court.

Soon after, a project Wei Family had just started was found to have quality issues and was forcibly paused.

In an instant, the financial shortage severely hit Wei Family, forcing them to borrow money and finance the project to cover the monetary loss.

However, just as they managed to secure funding and the project was about to restart, the companies they borrowed from suddenly demanded withdrawal and repayment like they received some instruction, inflicting even more severe damage on the seemingly foolproof Wei Family.

Within just a few days, the Wei Family, on the verge of collapse, became a pariah in the circle, stigmatized as defaulters.

Wei Fu did not have a good time, as the family realized the crisis was orchestrated with malicious intent, and quickly linked everything back to Shen Liao through the fiery plagiarism scandal online recently.

Shen Liao targeted Wei Family, willing to suffer personal losses just to trouble them.

But why?

Was it just over a woman?

Wei Fu’s involvement caused him to suffer along with Wei Family, naturally displeasing them.

Those cousins who usually flattered Wei Fu now come by to mock him, given that Wei Family is a family business, and most executives are family members, Wei Family’s crisis became theirs, making it impossible for them to treat Wei Fu nicely.

Even his doting parents frequently criticized him for his irresponsibility, urging him to apologize and reconcile.

Wei Fu, being arrogant, initially refused to yield, until realizing he became the family scapegoat, even his doting grandparents sighed when looking at him. Feeling pressured, Wei Fu drove to Mu Chen’s house.

"Everyone tells me I was wrong, telling me to apologize to Jiang Lai. Why? Just because she has Shen Liao backing her?"

"Xiao Fu, everyone is saying it for your own good. Just apologize already, it’s just conceding."

Wei Fu frowned.

"You want me to apologize too?! That’s not what you said earlier!"

"Xiao Fu, the impact is growing greater, if apologizing can solve it, why not do so?"

Mu Chen tried coaxing, attempting to grab Wei Fu’s hand, but he dodged forcefully, accidentally scratching Mu Chen’s arm with his nails, leaving a red mark.

"I am in this situation all because of you."

"Xiao Fu, how can you say that? I’ve been struggling too, trying to help, yet sitting here listening to your complaints instead of working."

Wei Fu chuckled softly upon hearing, but his eyes were cold.

"When I gave you the USB stick, I didn’t say you could use the designs inside recklessly. I only wanted to expose Jiang Lai’s secrets, who allowed you to directly plagiarize her designs? Now you blame me for complaining? I’m like this all because of you!"

Mu Chen’s face froze.

"Wei Fu, you entered Jiang Lai’s room, not me. If you keep making unreasonable noise, I won’t want to hear your whining anymore."

"Mu Chen, you’re saying I’m the only one who entered the room? Dare say that again?"

Mu Chen was startled, noticing Wei Fu’s angry eyes, about to speak when Wei Fu directly stood up with his bag.

"Mu Chen, I really misjudged you in the past. I thought we were friends. Turns out I’m just a paw to be used."

"Xiao Fu... what happened?"

"I’m so disappointed in you."

With that, Wei Fu turned and left, leaving Mu Chen sitting there, contemplating in dismay.

She wondered how Wei Fu found out she also entered the room that night, and how the video Wei Fu had initially recovered when she thought it was cleaned.

She didn’t expect a small-time Jiang Lai to force her into such a corner, everything—Shen Liao who was easily reachable, close childhood friends, Xiao Jun who secretly admired her—all evading her.

Mu Chen panicked, doubtful of herself and Jiang Lai, wondering what other evidence Jiang Lai held.

——

In the group chat, Li Yahan and Wang Nan Nan started frantically @ Mu Chen.

[Ms. Chenchen, please help us, Shen Liao has withdrawn his investment in our family]

[Ms. Chenchen, has Shen Liao stopped liking you?]

[Mu Chen, we got here trying to help you, and now you’re just feigning ignorance?]

[Mu Chen, why say Shen Liao is just angry when he no longer likes you?]

[You’ve ruined us, do you know that?]

After many messages, Mu Chen finally responded.

[I never asked you to do anything.]

Wang Nan Nan: [You are high and mighty, you’re the untouchable Immortal, leaving the dirty work to us, without doing anything you get a good name, Mu Chen you’re really despicable, I was blind.]

A minute later, Wang Nan Nan posted a Weibo.

[I sincerely apologize to Jiang Lai, everything I said before was in anger, the true plagiarist is indeed Mu Chen.]

Li Yahan quickly followed.

[We endured everything for you, yet you claim to have done nothing, Mu Chen you truly are manipulative!]

Their reversal quickly propelled the plagiarism incident to the global trending list.

This wealthy circle’s bullying of poor girl Jiang Lai became widely known.

What truly brought Mu Chen down from her pedestal was the statement from her best friend, Wei Fu.

[Indeed, it was me who entered Jiang Lai’s room, copied the drafts from her computer, and handed the USB to Mu Chen. Later Mu Chen’s folk aesthetic cheongsam displayed the same design from the USB, as seen in Jiang Lai and Xiang Family’s collaborated perfume packaging.

To sum up, I stole the drafts, Mu Chen plagiarized Jiang Lai.

Therefore, I apologize to Jiang Lai and hope none are misguided by previous public opinions; Jiang Lai truly is a talented original illustrator.]

With that, Wei Fu revealed the photo he took while copying the USB, even released prior recordings discussing Jiang Lai with Mu Chen.