Chapter 43 He left during the rainy season, and her heart felt empty. ...
Liang Yanzhe hung up the phone, and Lin Fei stepped forward with concern, asking, "Is your grandmother sick? Are you going back to Hong Kong?"
"I'll most likely have to go back. I'll decide after I contact Xiaoyi." Liang Yanzhe walked behind his desk, opened the first drawer, and took out a document wrapped in a brown leather bag.
"Well..." Lin Fei had just started to speak when Liang Yanzhe handed her the document in his hand.
Lin Fei hesitated before accepting the gift, wanting to ask him if he wanted to go back to Hong Kong together.
"I'll look into it tomorrow morning. Get some sleep first," Liang Yanzhe interrupted. "I need to go to the hospital to hand over my work."
Lin Fei, holding the materials in her arms, followed Liang Yanzhe in a daze, standing in the middle of the living room watching him change clothes and pack his luggage.
Shunshun squatted down at Lin Fei's feet, her expression mirroring Lin Fei's.
"Didn't you say there was a high probability of going back?" Lin Fei asked, puzzled. Why were his luggage already packed?
Shunshun jumped into the suitcase and lay down directly.
It was as if they were trying to persuade Liang Yanzhe to stay, and also as if they were saying, "Take it with you too."
As Lin Fei watched Shunshun's behavior, his discomfort grew stronger.
Liang Yanzhe pulled Shunshun out, packed her change of clothes, and said, "Just in case. Go to sleep now, I'll contact you tomorrow morning."
How could Lin Fei sleep? Just watching him pack his clothes made her feel empty inside.
He said it was probably to comfort her, but he had already made up his mind.
Liang Yanzhe closed his suitcase, walked up to Lin Fei, and gently hugged her: "I'll let you know when we get to the port."
"No...don't you need me to come along?" Lin Fei finally regained his composure and asked the question he most wanted to ask.
Liang Yanzhe didn't answer, but said, "After you finish reading that document tomorrow morning, deal with it first. We'll talk about the rest later. Be a good boy/girl."
Lin Fei wanted to retort, but his last two words made her swallow her words.
This material might be very important, otherwise Liang Yanzhe wouldn't have given it to her.
"Okay... let me know when you're ready to go." Lin Fei hugged the materials tightly.
Liang Yanzhe smiled slightly at her, let go of her hand, and left with his luggage.
Lin Fei stood in the center of the living room, feeling a tightness in her chest. She decided to stop thinking about it, follow Liang Yanzhe's instructions, go back to her room to sleep, and deal with everything else in the morning.
After tossing and turning several times, Lin Fei faced the side where Liang Yanzhe was sleeping and went straight to sleep in his spot.
His scent still lingered on the pillow, finally calming my restless heart after a night of turmoil.
Lin Fei woke up at nine o'clock in the morning.
Liang Yanzhe sent a message an hour ago, informing her that she had landed in Gangdu.
Lin Fei anticipated that he wouldn't tell her before takeoff. He always seemed to be like this, considering everything carefully, not letting her worry about anything, and arranging everything for her.
In the past, she would have enjoyed it.
Now, however, she felt that his excessive politeness made her feel distant and uneasy, and she wished he hadn't been so considerate.
Lin Fei only opened the document Liang Yanzhe had left her after she finished breakfast.
The first page that catches the eye is Guo Guyun's personal profile.
The thick stack of pages contained records of important events since her birth. The beginnings were brief, but as she turned to the ninth page, her hands trembled uncontrollably with each line she read, finding it hard to believe what she was seeing.
Guo Guyun runs a weaving workshop, which sells Zhuang brocade. The workshop has been listed as a key support target of the province, and her shop is always featured in any publicity related to folk customs.
Moreover, the shop is located on Shui Tiao Old Street, which is also a popular tourist attraction.
Lin Fei closed her eyes and stopped, trying to calm her complicated feelings. Suddenly, a feeling of nausea rushed over her, and she ran to the toilet and vomited up everything she had eaten that morning.
That's disgusting.
It's absolutely disgusting.
After rinsing his mouth, Lin Fei leaned against the cold wall, panting heavily.
All the things I couldn't figure out a while ago have come together.
After the excitement came endless calm.
She took a deep breath, walked out of the bathroom, and forced herself to read through all the information, trying to verify whether it matched her guess.
Liang Yanzhe's prepared materials were very thoughtful, detailing some suspicious events.
The first conflict between Zhao and Guo Guyun was likely related to Zhao's guesthouse business.
After learning that Lin Fei wanted to do business with Boss Zhao, they secretly contacted Boss Zhao several times and offered him a very favorable price. The two sides had a pleasant conversation and Boss Zhao was very keen to cooperate. However, they were told that the cooperation was canceled two days before the signing, which was the day after Lin Fei hosted a banquet for Boss Zhao.
The second conflict was something Lin Fei was unaware of.
Guo Guyun's shop has also put on a batch of Zhuang brocade cultural and creative products. The postcard series and hair tie series are very similar to her cultural and creative products. Because the shop is located in a high-traffic area, the business is not bad. It has also become a little popular online because of the innovation of Zhuang brocade, an intangible cultural heritage.
Lin Fei was trembling with anger once again, almost unable to bear watching any longer.
She felt that all her hard work over the past six months had been plagiarized, but she was completely unaware of it.
Turning to the next page, Lin Fei calmed down a bit.
The copied Zhuang brocade cultural and creative products were poorly made, resulting in numerous complaints about their poor quality. Many customers complained about them on social media accounts. One post received over 5,000 likes, and the top comment suggested buying from the provincial museum for better quality. This comment spread widely, and people avoided Guo Guyun's shop, opting instead to buy from a more authoritative museum.
No wonder the museum's sales seemed good a while ago. I thought it was because the visitor traffic was increasing, so the items were selling well. I never expected this to happen.
This led to the third conflict—Guo Guyun causing trouble at the Zhuang brocade shop.
Lin Fei forced himself to read all the materials, then closed the book and spent half an hour relieving himself.
Since opening her Zhuang brocade shop, she has rarely surfed the internet extensively, so she hasn't paid attention to online opinions and didn't think that her intangible cultural heritage shop on Chunxi Street, where tourists rarely visit, could cause such a stir online.
Unfortunately, a low-probability event still occurred.
Lin Fei leaned back on the sofa, staring blankly at the ceiling. She finally understood why Liang Yanzhe had told her to take a nap and look at it later. If she had seen these things last night, she definitely wouldn't have been able to fall asleep.
These materials...
Liang Yanzhe had been preparing for this for a long time. During this period, she was in a bad mood, but he didn't mention it at all, nor did he make decisions for her on his own. Instead, he waited until she was in better spirits before taking it out. This kind of protection and trust made her feel supported.
He could have easily taken credit from her, but he remained silent.
It took Lin Fei a long time to calm down. He took a deep breath, picked up his computer, and searched for detailed images of the cultural and creative products that Guo Guyun's shop had copied.
I spent the whole day collecting data, almost enduring nausea.
Before 9 p.m., Lin Fei called Ying Shuiying and told her the general outline of what had happened.
As a professional designer, Ying Shuiying was both surprised and unsurprised by this kind of thing. There are many cases of plagiarism and copying in the industry, so it's nothing new. But she didn't expect that Lin Fei's niche intangible cultural heritage shop would also encounter this.
"Don't worry, I've applied for patents for all my designs." Ying Shuiying is experienced in dealing with this kind of thing. "Send me a copy of the materials. I know a lawyer who specializes in these kinds of cases, and I'll handle it."
Upon hearing Ying Shuiying's words, Lin Fei felt half relieved and sent a copy of the materials.
After sitting there for a while, she went out and asked Tu Xia for the bar where she would be performing that night.
Tu Xia was surprised that Lin Fei would go out in the middle of the night. Since returning to Jiangdu, she seemed to have reformed. Every time she was asked to go out for drinks, she had to ask several times, and she would not stay for long, returning home within an hour at most.
Lin Fei entered the bar and saw Tu Xia standing at the bar counter. No matter how many times he saw her sweet and cool outfit, he was always a little surprised.
It looks good, but it's too wild.
"Come on, your confidante is ready to listen to your troubles." Tu Xia ordered a glass of whiskey sour from the bartender, a drink that Lin Fei often drinks.
Lin Fei took a small sip, and the sweet and sour taste stimulated her brain nerves, making her less tense than before.
"I have no worries, I'm just thinking about how to get rid of the other person." She rested her chin on her hand, looking around casually. "Sitting with you for a while makes me feel more at ease."
She feels uncomfortable whenever she faces an empty house.
“I thought you wanted me to tear someone apart for you, but I can totally do that!” Tu Xia patted his chest. “Or the two of us could go at it together and tear the other person to shreds.”
"I'm a law-abiding citizen." Lin Fei took a big gulp of water. "I won't use knives or sticks."
Tu Xia smiled and said, "Just kidding!"
"You're just going to graduate school to mess around? You quit the job your senior was working for?" Lin Fei was a little confused about Tu Xia. After graduating, she got a good job, but the following year she suddenly decided to take the graduate entrance exam.
Tu Xia sighed: "My good days are numbered. I'll be joining the crew next month when filming starts, and you won't have anyone to drink with. Aru is like she's possessed. She took action immediately after the baby was born, going to bed early and getting up early to actively prepare for pregnancy. Don't envy me. I'm taking the postgraduate entrance exam to systematically study directing. I'm not just messing around."
"Okay." Lin Fei felt pretty good; all three of them had their own careers to keep them busy.
"How have things been between you and Dr. Liang lately?" Tu Xia leaned closer, almost touching Lin Fei's face as she spoke.
Lin Fei ate a few snacks and scoffed, "I have a bad feeling. Dr. Liang keeps avoiding me and said something like if we really talk, we won't be as close as we are now."
"You didn't reply to him with that tone, did you?" Tu Xia put her hand on her heart, afraid that her friend had gone too far with her direct approach.
Lin Fei shook her head, leaned on Tu Xia's shoulder, and said aggrievedly, "I've become very strange too. I've actually started to have reservations. I would never have done this before. Tu Tu, I'm not being honest anymore!"
“It’s good to have concerns, it means you care.” Tu Xia took a sip of Lin Fei’s whiskey and said, “I’m not good at saying nice things, I can only say the dagger. I’m bound to be a jerk. He Jingshi has a lot of flaws. Whenever I want to be a jerk, I always warm up my words before saying them, because I want him not to be angry after hearing them.”
"Is that so?" Lin Fei pondered. "I've thought a lot these past few days. I feel like I've never actively tried to understand Liang Yanzhe before. As long as he meets my expectations, that's fine."
"You're really ruthless." Tu Xia, after her sarcastic remark, also offered a sweet touch. "Mu Mu, the purpose of life is to form bonds with special people; that's what makes life meaningful. Don't always resist your body's true reactions, and don't run away from a relationship out of fear. Since you like to express your feelings passionately in a relationship, why not be bolder? Even if this relationship fails, wouldn't you be cool for giving your all? You won't be unable to move on. You haven't even tried, so don't prematurely predict your own failure. Dr. Liang doesn't think it will end badly, do you think?"
Lin Fei is good in every way, and she is always generous in everything she does. However, when it comes to relationships, she is always afraid of bad outcomes. Perhaps because she has always lost important people in her life, she is afraid of forming too deep a bond and afraid of having to wander alone in the world again.
"Alright, that's all for tonight. I'll treat you to a drink. After you drink, get a good night's sleep and be ready to go all out tomorrow!" Tu Xia said to the bartender. "Give me a glass of Silver Mountain Spring, a bit stronger."
Lin Fei has a high alcohol tolerance; two cocktails didn't make her drunk, not even slightly tipsy, but she did manage to get a good night's sleep, which was quite rare for her.
-
Lin Fei got up early. After half a month, she finally walked into Chunxi Street again.
When Aunt Ruo saw her appear, she was overjoyed and excitedly said, "I was so scared! I was afraid you would come a few days ago, and this week I was afraid you wouldn't come at all."
"I haven't even made back the money I invested yet, how could I not come? Don't worry. I haven't been idle these past few days. For the next product, I want to make clothes for pets and cotton dolls." Lin Fei took out her tablet and opened the PowerPoint presentation. This was a specially prepared explanatory slide to explain to Aunt Ruo and the employees in charge of weaving, so they could understand what it was more quickly.
After Aunt Ruo finished reading, she understood what it meant and said, "Whatever you say, Aunt Ruo will do. I absolutely trust you!"
Lian Li nodded in agreement: "Afei, you're smart, your ideas for making money are definitely better than ours."
"Then it's time for design and prototyping. I'll let you know when it's done." Lin Fei has been making doll clothes for several years and can do it all by himself without having to hire a designer.
Grandma heard the commotion at the shop and came out from the weaving room at the back.
The grandfather and grandson exchanged a glance, and Lin Fei blinked without saying a word.
"I thought you were angry because I scolded you that day, and that you wouldn't come to see this old woman anymore." Grandma stood at the door, glaring at Lin Fei. "I cooked your favorite stuffed mushrooms, do you want some?"
Lin Fei scoffed, "Who calls someone to eat in such a rude manner?"
"I'll eat it myself." Grandma turned and left.
Lin Fei jogged up to catch up and put his arm around Grandma's shoulder: "Grandma, look at you. People say that the older you get, the more patient you become, but you're getting fiercer as you get older."
"Stop being so cheeky." Grandma gently patted Lin Fei on the back and said with a smile, "What do you want to eat? I'll make it for you tonight."
Lin Fei ordered food without hesitation.
It's always been like this since childhood. When conflicts arise between grandmother and granddaughter, there's never a formal apology. They just say a few nice words to each other to save face, and that's it. Lin Fei wouldn't really blame her grandmother for yelling at her without asking what happened that day. You can't expect a naturally hot-tempered old lady to stand up for important matters while also being gentle and considerate.
Since Lin Fei himself cannot be perfect in every aspect, he certainly wouldn't expect others to be.
After Lin Fei finished eating and drinking, she returned to the front yard. Jiang Hua came looking for her. She turned around smoothly, preparing to run away, but he stepped forward and blocked her way.
"Secretary, what brings you to my humble abode?" she said. "I already said that once the manuscript is submitted, it's no longer my concern. You should send it to the experts at the architecture institute and have them help revise it."
"It's not about explaining the ancient buildings. This project has already started, and Xiao Qiao is in charge now. She takes everyone around Chunxi Street with her little bee every day, attracting a lot of tourists." It was rare to see Jiang Hua smiling so much that his eyes were almost invisible.
Lin Fei still had a bad feeling and didn't dare to laugh along, afraid that he wouldn't be able to laugh after he finished speaking.
Seeing Lin Fei's expression, Jiang Hua said speechlessly, "I called you here to tell you some good news!"
"Then...can I listen?" Lin Fei said anxiously.
Jiang Hua: "The promotional video that the students from the School of Media Studies filmed last time was seen by the Provincial Department of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism, and it was posted on their official account. Is that a good thing?"
"It's just so-so."
"The media converging team wants to do an exclusive interview, would that count?"
"What...what!" Lin Fei's eyes widened. "Is there really such a good thing?"
Jiang Hua smiled and said, "Yes, thanks to you, Chunxi Street will also get publicity. I'll come back to you when the follow-up plan is finalized."
Lin Fei felt a little unreal; he hadn't expected that a good deed could bring so much reward.
Before the celebration could even begin, Ying Shuiying showed up at the door with a dark expression.
Lin Fei was surprised. She had spoken to Ying Shuiying on the phone yesterday and she was quite calm. But after just one night, she had become a volcano that could erupt at any moment.
"Are you alright?" Lin Fei asked softly.
Ying Shuiying turned on her computer. The screen was covered with dense patterns and text. She poked it hard with her index finger: "I had someone make a comparison image overnight. This isn't just plagiarism; it's a one-to-one copy. When I was designing the postcards, I designed a logo in the lower right corner, a combination of bat and trumpet vine lines. They had no idea what it meant, but they copied it too. I'm furious! I've never encountered such an outrageous plagiarist. I'm going to sue them until their store goes out of business!"
"Calm down." Lin Fei poured water for Ying Shuiying. She didn't get angry easily, but once she did, she wouldn't let the other person off easily.
Ying Shuiying said, "Give me all the materials you have on hand, and after I organize them, I will go to the court to file a case."
"Okay, I'll give it to you tonight." Lin Fei changed his words, "I'll give it to you now."
I had an electronic copy of the material on my phone, so I immediately transferred it to them.
"You're planning to let her go?" Ying Shuiying clenched her fists. If Lin Fei dared to nod, she would really throw a punch.
Lin Fei: "Of course not. The other party's behavior constitutes malicious competition. I have already contacted a friend to help me find a lawyer."
She contacted Liang Yanru before going to bed last night and has already found a lawyer for her. Because her condition is not very stable in this matter, the lawyer is responsible for securing evidence in the early stages, and will contact her as soon as there is progress.
"That's good." Ying Shuiying stormed back to the coffee shop across the street.
Lin Fei returned to the cashier, opened the drawing software, and pondered the design of the small coat.
After dinner, she rushed to take the subway home before dark. She usually loved staying in Chunxi, but now that Liang Yanzhe wasn't home, she was eager to go back.
Lin Fei leaned against the corner of the elevator, checking WeChat several times, but there were no messages. He wondered how things were going with Liang Yanzhe.
The elevator doors opened, and Lin Fei saw Ruan Huilin standing at the door.
"Mom, what brings you here?" Lin Fei stepped forward and opened the door. "Have you been waiting long?"
Ruan Huilin was a little flustered: "No... I just arrived too, I know you're busy during the day."
Lin Fei led Ruan Huilin into the house, poured her a glass of warm water, and turned on the heating.
"Mom, you should have told me you were coming. By the way, have you eaten?"
Lin Fei was about to go to the kitchen to find something to eat when Ruan Huilin stopped her.
"Afei, no need. I came to talk to you about something, and I'll leave after I'm done."
Lin Fei's first thought was about Liang Yanzhe, and she asked anxiously, "What happened to Liang Yanzhe? Did something happen to him in Hong Kong?"
"No...no." Ruan Huilin had too much to say, but in her anxiety she didn't know where to begin. "I don't know the situation in Gangdu either. They won't let me go there. Even if I get there, I won't be able to enter the Liang family. Could you go to Gangdu and keep an eye on Xiaoze and Xiaoyi for me? I'm afraid they'll start arguing."
"Why...why did they start arguing?" Lin Fei thought that even if their relationship was terrible, Liang Yanzhe would never argue with Liang Yanyi.
Ruan Huilin: "I suspect they called Xiaoze back to provoke Xiaoyi, which won't do. Xiaoyi isn't in a good state, she definitely won't be able to handle it."
“Mom, you have to tell me the specifics, otherwise I won’t be able to help even if I go over.” Lin Fei sat down next to Ruan Huilin. “Besides… Liang Yanzhe probably doesn’t want me to get involved.”
Otherwise, he wouldn't have interrupted her with Guo Guyun's information, keeping her busy so she wouldn't be thinking about the port city.
Ruan Huilin's eyes welled up with tears, as if she was recalling the past: "Over the years, whenever their grandmother was dissatisfied with Xiao Yi's performance, she would promote other people to put pressure on her. She was under too much pressure, which led to her poor mental state. When they found out that Xiao Yi had been hospitalized, they thought that handing over the management of Xiao Ze's R&D department to the second young lady was a way of putting pressure on her, but it seems that it was more than that. She probably wanted someone to replace Xiao Yi."
Lin Fei's expression was grave.
If I'm not mistaken, that person is Liang Yanzhe, who was urgently recalled.
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Author's note: [shy][shy][shy] Here we go again, let's enter the Jiangdu chapter.
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