Wen Ying’s university life began in this way.
At the start of term, the courses for first-year freshmen were not particularly difficult. Military training for new students at Aurora University was usually scheduled during the summer holiday before the second year, so this batch of first-year students like Wen Ying had no other commitments. Everyone was currently in the adjustment period.
University students enjoyed more freedom than senior high school students.
Some students could still exercise self-discipline in university, while others completely let themselves go.
Along with the beginning of Wen Ying’s university life came the second court session of the Blue Whale plagiarism case.
The evidence that “Crown of Thorns” had plagiarised “Star River and You” was overwhelming. Zheng Zhihe, having been looked down upon by Wen Ying during the Zhang Liqun divorce lawsuit, went all out in this plagiarism case. After two court sessions, the court ruled that “Crown of Thorns” had indeed plagiarised.
“Crown of Thorns” was not just plagiarised; the extent was particularly severe. The entire book was Blue Whale rewriting the story of “Star River and You” in her own words.
From character designs to plot development, climactic moments to the ending, only the names and occupational backgrounds were changed. The main structure and framework were identical.
This was far more serious than copying a paragraph or two, or dozens of original sentences.
Copied sentences could be revised, but how could an entire story copied from beginning to end be altered?
Such a plagiarised work had actually been openly sold for film and television adaptation rights. If the original author had not sued, the plagiarist would truly have profited handsomely.
Zheng Zhihe had prepared ample evidence, leaving Blue Whale’s representing lawyer speechless during the hearings.
Wen Ying, as the plaintiff, did not even need to appear in court. The court ruled: first, all copies of “Crown of Thorns” currently on sale must be withdrawn; second, Blue Whale must publicly apologise to Wen Ying; third, Blue Whale must compensate Wen Ying 2.8 million Hua coins for economic losses from improper gains through plagiarism.
Wen Ying had sought 5 million in compensation, but the court ultimately awarded 2.8 million from Blue Whale.
Wen Ying herself was quite satisfied with this outcome. To her knowledge, this was likely the heaviest penalty to date in the country for plagiarism of a literary work.
The reason for such a ruling was twofold. First, the plagiarised book “Star River and You” had achieved outstanding sales. As of 31 July this year, it had sold 1.85 million copies in actual sales, with total print runs exceeding 2 million.
Priced at 38 yuan per copy with a 12% royalty rate, 1.85 million copies equated to over 8 million in royalty income.
Second, the initial print run of “Crown of Thorns” was impressive, reaching 600,000 copies in one go. This figure had surprised even Mu Fan and others who participated in the variety show recording at the time. Now, this 600,000-copy initial print run became a key indicator in the court’s decision on economic compensation.
Even if Blue Whale had not earned 2.8 million from royalties alone, she had sold the film and television adaptation rights for “Crown of Thorns”, so the total certainly amounted to at least that sum.
“When the judgment was handed down, Blue Whale was in floods of tears. She said she had no money to pay.”
Zheng Zhihe sighed over the phone. “She definitely could not afford 5 million, but 2.8 million should be possible. Seeing her cry so heartbreakingly, I could not help but show some concern.”
Zheng Zhihe’s tone was full of compassion, but Wen Ying did not believe a word of it.
“Lawyer Zheng, I would like to remind you that securing 2.8 million in compensation owes much to your efforts.”
As the plaintiff’s lawyer, showing concern for the defendant after winning the case struck Wen Ying as suspicious.
Zheng Zhihe firmly denied it. “I was worried that if she truly had no money to compensate you, enforcement by the court would be difficult…”
Wen Ying interrupted his righteous words. “Do not change the subject. Tell me, what came of your concern for Blue Whale?”
“There really is something behind it. It turns out most of Blue Whale’s royalties were taken by Bao Lixin. I thought, one thing at a time: Blue Whale was wrong to plagiarise your book, but she is also a victim of Bao Lixin harvesting her royalties. So I gave her my business card and said I could help her sue to recover that money!”
Even over the phone, Wen Ying could sense how nobly righteous Zheng Zhihe felt.
“Lawyer Zheng, outsiders often misunderstand people in your profession and accuse lawyers of taking fees from both sides. I do not know about other lawyers, but you truly live up to that reputation!”
Wen Ying teased while unable to hold back her laughter.
She was not genuinely criticising Zheng Zhihe. Rather, he was increasingly resembling the “Senior Brother Zheng” from her memories, steadfastly practising his life motto of “harmony is precious”.
Zheng Zhihe snorted. “You do not appreciate kindness. If I do not help Blue Whale sue, how will Bao Lixin face punishment?”
Wen Ying’s plagiarism suit could only target Blue Whale, not her publisher or Bao Lixin.
When signing with authors, publishers require guarantees that the work involves no plagiarism or infringement, with responsibility lying solely with the author if issues arise. The publisher is deemed deceived.
The plagiarism case could not touch Bao Lixin, but his private appropriation of most of Blue Whale’s royalties could. This amounted to exploiting his position to accept large bribes.
For an author to publish a novel yet have most royalty income go to the publisher’s editor-in-chief was behaviour that, once exposed, would cost Bao Lixin not only his current job but also severely impact future employment prospects.
On a grand scale, Zheng Zhihe was purging harm from the publishing industry. On a smaller scale… Bao Lixin bullying Wen Ying was one thing, but why bully Little Whale?
Without Bao Lixin causing trouble, Wen Ying might not have switched publishers.
Little Whale had generously wished Wen Ying better prospects, but Zheng Zhihe felt sorry for his girlfriend.
Moreover, taking on another client meant another income stream.
Little Whale had worked in Rongcheng for less than three years, yet through her own efforts had saved enough for a down payment on a flat there and been promoted to deputy editor-in-chief of “Spark” magazine. His girlfriend was so ambitious and hardworking, with no immediate plans for marriage due to her career focus. Zheng Zhihe admired her independence and drive, yet worried that if he did not work harder, she would leave him behind. Thus, he approached his work with greater seriousness than before.
Zheng Zhihe’s improving professional skills even earned praise from his mentor, Liao Shiyan.
A practising lawyer on the right track earns a good income. Zheng Zhihe had already bought a property in Rongcheng and was now planning to invest in a first-tier city.
Feeling so triumphant, Zheng Zhihe prompted Wen Ying to secretly worry about his hairline. She reminded him, “Lawyer Zheng, money is endless, but in youth one should take care of oneself. I have heard that staying up late too much causes hair loss.”
On the other end of the line, Zheng Zhihe instinctively touched his still thick hair.
He initially wanted to retort, but upon reflection realised that recently, when washing, he seemed to lose more hair than before.
Zheng Zhihe suddenly thought of his colleague Editor Wan, who worked in the same unit as his girlfriend Little Whale.
It was said that Editor Wan was actually two years younger than Song Foxiang.
Yet in appearance, Editor Wan looked like Song Foxiang’s older brother.
Both editors, yet after his divorce Song Foxiang attracted endless romantic interest. Reaching middle age yet publishing “Elopement at Dawn” to become a new emotional guru, it was probably not just talent.
Balding had a huge impact on a man’s looks.
Poor Editor Wan.
While pitying Editor Wan, Zheng Zhihe strongly resisted becoming the next one. He lost interest in boasting to Wen Ying and hurriedly ended the call.
From Zheng Zhihe’s guilty reaction, Wen Ying knew that poor Senior Brother Zheng likely already showed early signs of balding.
Alas, she had reminded him anyway. If he could salvage it, great; if not, Wen Ying could only console him: in the process of becoming stronger, one always loses something.
The verdict in the plagiarism case was a carnival for Wen Ying’s readers.
They rejoiced for Wen Ying while leaving comments on her blog urging her new book.
As for the new book “Exploring Jing”, progress was currently just the opening 20,000 words written.
Wen Ying was in no rush.
“Searching for Yong” had only been released in February this year, barely over half a year ago.
The publication schedule for “Exploring Jing” would be no earlier than early 2008.
Thinking about the timeline for “Exploring Jing” led Wen Ying’s thoughts to Shui Mingyue. Following the trajectory from her previous life, Shui Mingyue would publish her final novel at the end of this year, followed by a pen name hiatus lasting over a decade.
Without any explanation to readers, Shui Mingyue had simply vanished.
It was now September, with Shui Mingyue’s last book due in over two months.
Wen Ying’s thoughts drifting here, she called Shui Mingyue after class.
Shui Mingyue answered laughing. “I was just about to call you, but you contacted me first. Little Fish, have you planted a listening device near me?”
Nonsense, Wen Ying was not Zhang Zhijun… She quickly realised. “You would not happen to be in Modu, would you?”
“Yes, I am in Modu. Not only me, Mu Fan is here too. I just spoke with him. Would you like to join us for dinner?”
Wen Ying naturally would not refuse such an invitation to a free meal.
Xie Qian, far abroad, always received timely shares of Wen Ying’s daily events. Today he learned that she had won the plagiarism case and that someone had invited her to dinner.
The host was fine, but the companion was the problem.
The companion was Mu Fan.
That fellow who was not particularly handsome yet very talented, and who clearly had feelings for Wen Ying.
Xie Qian felt a crisis, as if his own corner was about to be dug away.
Today the nurses had sent sunflowers.
Vibrant sunflowers in the ward brightened the plain white walls.
Sunflowers themselves were innocent, but the most famous painter of sunflowers was Van Gogh, and Van Gogh shared syllables with Mu Fan.
Thus, unusually, Xie Qian voiced an opinion, asking Zou Weijun if the flowers in the ward could be changed.
Zou Weijun asked why. Xie Qian muttered, “I do not like sunflowers.”
Zou Weijun looked her son up and down.
“Really? I have never heard you say that before. What shall we do? Auntie Zhu told me that Wen Ying seems quite fond of sunflowers.”
Did Wen Ying like sunflowers?
Xie Qian did not know.
He had been stabbed again by his own mother.
“…Then leave them.”
Young Xie Qian, not yet formally in a relationship, had already tasted the accompanying emotions of love.
Possessiveness and jealousy, even Xie Qian could not escape them.
