Lu Ying told the two that after a detailed investigation and information from the police station, their judging panel confirmed that Xu Qingning's "Four Seasons Story" was an original work and retained its first-place ranking.
Although Chen Meili did not admit to plagiarism, serious similarity is still plagiarism. She has been disqualified and banned from participating in any clothing competitions in the province for life.
Moreover, she has a criminal record with the police station, and if the leader of the theft organization is caught and confesses to her, she will be subject to legal punishment.
As for the prize money, the judging panel will distribute it to the companies after announcing the competition results. As for when it will reach the individuals, it depends on the company's arrangements.
Lu Ying left after she finished speaking; she had many things to do and didn't have time to chat with them.
"As soon as the bonus arrives at the factory, Director Wang will definitely give it to you immediately." Liu Caixia breathed a sigh of relief, feeling proud. "Our factory has finally made us proud and won a place in the provincial competition, and it's first place."
The bonus is for the individual.
The company's reputation, however, is what matters.
This competition will allow them to stand out among numerous state-owned garment factories and attract attention, which is more important than the 500 yuan prize money.
"Now that things are resolved, let's go back!" Zhao Jingyu was even more excited. This trip to the provincial capital was quite interesting. Although there were some minor setbacks, the result was still satisfactory.
"You go back first, I want to stay for a couple of days." Liu Caixia said, a little embarrassed. "The day we came, my husband was not at the factory. Director Wang said he would be back today. Since I'm here, I have to see him."
"Understood." Zhao Jingyu understood and joked with Liu Caixia in a great mood, "You two are like newlyweds after a short separation, you should have a good get-together."
“We’re an old married couple, what’s the point of being newlyweds?” Liu Caixia teased him in return. “On the contrary, you young people miss each other like it’s been three autumns if you don’t see each other for a day. You should go back quickly.”
Zhao Jingyu excitedly returned to the guesthouse to pack his luggage. The long-distance bus departed at noon, and it would be dark by the time he got home.
When Wang Wenjian heard that Zhao Jingyu was going back, he immediately came over to persuade him to stay, saying that there would be a celebration party that night and that he should go back the next day.
The celebration party should have been held yesterday, but because the plagiarism issue is still unresolved, they are actively cooperating with the investigation.
When Lu Ying arrived, he was in a meeting outside. After hearing about the matter from Liu Caixia, he arranged a celebration banquet at the guesthouse.
Zhao Jingyu had no interest in the victory celebration banquet and was in a hurry to get back.
He didn't know anyone in his workplace, and they didn't have anything in common to talk about. He didn't want to waste another day.
Wang Wenjian couldn't insist any longer. Knowing that Xu Qingning was about to give birth, he picked out a few bolts of floral fabric from the storeroom and gave them to Zhao Jingyu, saying it was a New Year's bonus for Xu Qingning to make some clothes for the baby.
Zhao Jingyu readily accepted and carried the fabric to the long-distance bus station.
It was already dark when I got home.
Yang Yuelan waited for him at the alley entrance several times, but he didn't come back. The provincial capital was so far away, and she was unfamiliar with the place. She was worried that something might happen to him again.
Xu Qingning comforted her mother-in-law: "He must have been delayed by something. He won't be back today, but he'll definitely be back tomorrow."
It's normal to encounter unexpected events when you're out and about.
She trusted Zhao Jingyu and said he would come back once he finished his work.
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Jingyu entered the house, looking travel-worn. He carried a large bundle of cloth on his shoulder and his luggage bag in his hand. Although he was wearing a military overcoat, his face was still red from the cold, and the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law almost didn't recognize him.
"Jingyu, you're finally back!" Yang Yuelan exclaimed, both surprised and delighted. "How come there's so much fabric?"
Xu Qingning looked at him, smiling without saying a word.
Although she also likes fabric, what she cares about most is the result of the competition.
"It was given to me by Factory Director Wang. He said it was a New Year's bonus from the factory." Zhao Jingyu teased Xu Qingning, who was standing silently at the door, "What, don't you recognize me?"
Xu Qingning glared at him and went inside.
Zhao Jingyu immediately took off his military overcoat and handed it to Yang Yuelan: "Mom, this was bought for Dad. I just wore it back home."
"Oh, you even bought a coat for your dad?" Yang Yuelan's first reaction was heartache. "How much did that cost? You don't need to buy it for him."
Zhao Jingyu didn't have time to talk to Yang Yuelan. He followed Xu Qingning into the house and hugged her as soon as they entered: "Congratulations on winning first place. From now on, you are my idol."
Although Xu Qingning was confident, she was still very happy to hear the definite news: "Did you get the bonus back?"
Zhao Jingyu touched his suit pocket, then his trouser pocket, and his expression changed: "Oh no, it's gone."
"Really?" Xu Qingning's heart sank, and she also checked his pockets. "Did your pocket tear and the contents fall into your clothes? Weren't you carrying a suitcase? Where's your handbag?"
Her hands, white and tender, reached into his pocket and patted him back and forth.
It made his heart flutter.
But she still kept touching him with a serious expression, not even sparing his inner pocket.
Zhao Jingyu couldn't stand being touched by her any longer, so he took a deep breath and said, "Wait here, I'll go get my bag. It might be in there."
He brought the suitcase from the living room in, took out a rattle from it and handed it to her, saying, "This is for the child, and these scarves and gloves are for you and Mom."
Xu Qingning was both amused and exasperated.
She cared about the prize money, not the gifts.
"Wait for me, I'll go look outside. I might have left it there." Zhao Jingyu picked up the basin and went out.
Seeing his calm demeanor, Xu Qingning knew that he hadn't lost the prize money and was just teasing her.
When he came back from washing up, she was no longer in a hurry. She sat on the bed playing with a rattle drum, making a "dong dong dong" sound, which was quite nice.
"I don't know where I put the prize money either." Zhao Jingyu added some coal to the stove, took off his shoes, got into bed, and continued to tease her, "How about I take off my clothes and you help me look for it?"
"Okay, take them off!" Xu Qingning looked at him seriously. "Take them all off, don't leave a single piece behind."
That bastard, he started flirting with her as soon as he got back.
Today she'll flirt with him too; if he's got the guts, he can take his clothes off.
If he dares to take his clothes off, she dares to look.
"You said it yourself." Zhao Jingyu really started taking off his clothes. He took off his suit jacket and hung it on the wall, then started taking off his sweater. After taking off his sweater, he started unbuttoning his shirt. Yang Yuelan walked in and said, "Jingyu, dinner's ready. Oh, it's so cold, why are you taking off your clothes?"
Xu Qingning smiled, pursing her lips.
Let him show off...
"I...I'm so hot." Zhao Jingyu then realized he had forgotten to close the door. He put his shirt back on and said awkwardly, "I'm not hungry, I'll eat later."
"Even if you're not hungry, you have to eat something, otherwise it'll get cold." Yang Yuelan glanced at the two of them, then turned and walked out. "You just came back from outside, no matter how hot it is, you can't take off your sweater, or you'll catch a cold."
"Okay," Zhao Jingyu said quietly, buttoning his shirt. "I'll show it to you tonight."
Seeing Yang Yuelan busy serving food to Zhao Jingyu, Xu Qingning took the opportunity to kick him: "Who cares about you? Where's the bonus?"
"The bonus hasn't been paid out yet." Zhao Jingyu grabbed her foot and kneaded it in his hands. "When you get your bonus, you have to reward me properly."
Xu Qingning awkwardly pulled her foot back: "Me, you, and Mom, we'll split it equally."
“I don’t want money.” Zhao Jingyu looked at her intently. “What I want is you.”
“I am who I am, and I cannot be your reward.” Xu Qingning met his gaze. “Next time, find another reason.”
"Auntie, is my brother back?" Wang Yaqiang led Zhao Chengjun in, and Liu Dawei, who was carrying a stack of comic books, followed him in.
Zhao Jingyu had no choice but to put his sweater back on, put on his shoes, get out of bed, and go outside.
Are these two people born in the Year of the Dog?
How come they always know as soon as he comes back?
Thank you to readers Monkey Goes Up the Mountain to Fight the Tiger, YANchUN, and Northeast Rain Sister-dc for the monthly tickets.
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