E-Ladies: Navigating the Wired World-Chapter 46 - Episode 46 Zero Tolerance for Plagiarism 8

Chapter 46: Episode 46 Zero Tolerance for Plagiarism 8

Chapter 46: Episode 46 Zero Tolerance for Plagiarism 8

Zhou Xueyin and Li Jiniang were bewildered upon hearing Ya Rui’s words. As founders, how could they be so unfamiliar with the content of their own magazine?

“Ya Rui, if I may be so bold to ask,” Zhou Xueyin paused for a moment, “are the August and September issues really produced by the same team?”

“Ah…” Ya Rui sighed, walked cautiously to the glass wall, then twisted the blinds to an opaque state and closed the door, “You’re right to question. I too wish those two issues were made by the same team.”

“Oh? What’s going on?” Zhou Xueyin looked at Ya Rui, who seemed hesitant to speak further, “If it’s convenient, could you tell us? Maybe…”

“Let’s do this… There are too many people around here, let’s talk outside.” Ya Rui glanced at the time, noting that it was almost lunchtime. She walked to her desk, fetched her keys, and then headed towards the others.

“Sure.” Zhou Xueyin and Li Jiniang nodded and stood up.

The three of them pretended to be in lively conversation as they left Ya Rui’s office.

“I am taking a client out for lunch, call my cell if anyone’s looking for me,” she told the receptionist.

As they passed the workstation area, Zhou Xueyin inadvertently noticed a computer screen that seemed to belong to an editor. Coincidentally, this person was using software to copy content that was prohibited from being copied on 51buy.

“Tsk…” She frowned and clicked her tongue.

Even though she wanted to confront them immediately and ask why they were doing this, freēwēbηovel.c૦m

unfortunately, she was on someone else’s turf, and she was about to discuss matters with their boss, so she had no choice but to let it go.

“Smile… don’t be so grim!” Li Jiniang had also seen the screen, but still kept a professional smile and whispered a reminder to Zhou Xueyin, whose face showed displeasure.

“Hmph…” Zhou Xueyin forced a distressed smile.

“Hey, Ya Rui? Who are these?” In the elevator lobby, a flamboyantly dressed, swaggering man greeted Ya Rui.

“Oh, taking a client to lunch,” Ya Rui replied, her smile obviously feigned.

“New faces, huh? Which brand are the two beauties from?” The frivolous man stared intently at Li Jiniang’s chest, almost drooling.

“51buy! Ever heard of it?” Zhou Xueyin felt sick at the sight of this man, wishing she could vomit last night’s dinner.

“…” The frivolous man glanced at Zhou Xueyin with an expression that said, ‘I wasn’t talking to you.’ He then turned ingratiatingly towards Li Jiniang, “How about a business card, beautiful?”

“Ding!” The arrival of the elevator couldn’t have been more timely!

“The ladies have other appointments to attend to after the meal, let’s hurry,” urged Ya Rui, pulling Zhou Xueyin and Li Jiniang into the elevator.

“Do you need me to come along?” The frivolous man clung to the notion of not wanting to leave, hand resting on the elevator door.

“Luo Haojun, don’t forget your responsibilities! We agreed, I handle business, you handle content!” Ya Rui glared fiercely at the frivolous man named Luo Haojun.

“Pfft… got it,” Luo Haojun rolled his eyes, reluctantly returning to the office.

The elevator doors closed smoothly, and Ya Rui slowly exhaled in relief.

‘Disgusting! That coquettish, affected demeanor. Ugh…’ Zhou Xueyin murmured to Li Jinang with disdain.

‘Absolutely, that guy kept staring at me, how impolite!’ Li Jinang agreed, nodding her head.

‘I’m sorry, you two… please bear with me a little longer.’ Ya Rui turned around, her face full of apologies once more.

After all, an elevator is only so big; no matter how quietly you speak, the other person is sure to hear it.

The two women awkwardly smiled at Ya Rui and waved their hands, ‘It’s okay, no problem…’

After exiting the elevator, Zhou Xueyin and Li Jinang followed Ya Rui, hailed a taxi, and headed straight to a quiet Japanese restaurant in the commercial area to the north of Deboty Road.

‘This place is a bit pricey, so not many people come… Let’s go to a private room to talk.’ Ya Rui seemed very familiar with the place. As soon as she entered, she led them to the innermost private room as if she were at her own home.

Once seated, Zhou Xueyin glanced at the menu and was genuinely startled by the high prices.

A sashimi platter for 688 yuan! How could she and Li Jinang afford that?

She quickly closed the menu, deciding not to be further shocked by the prices.

Li Jinang did the same, casually flipping through then promptly shutting it; without asking, it was clear that the prices had alarmed her as well.

‘Order whatever you like, see what you want to eat. It’s my treat!’ Ya Rui said warmly.

‘Ya, we really shouldn’t… These prices, well, they’re not something two recent graduates starting a business could afford…’ Zhou Xueyin pushed the menu toward Ya Rui, ‘Just order whatever you like to eat… we can just grab something from M later.’

‘Hey, I’ve said I’m treating you all, so just relax and enjoy! This place belongs to a friend of mine… They only charge me cost price when I eat here. Go ahead, order freely!’ Ya Rui laughed at Zhou Xueyin’s timidness.

‘Well… then… This should be good. I’ve always seen it in Japanese dramas, it must be quite tasty…’ Zhou Xueyin pointed at the oyakodon on the menu and ordered it.

‘Then I’ll have this…’ Li Jinang pointed to a very luxurious-looking seafood bowl.

‘Xiaotang, come, one oyakodon, one seafood bowl. I’ll have this, and tell Old Huang to send us a sashimi platter,’ Ya Rui ordered without hesitation, to the Xiaotang waiter.

‘Whew… That Luo Haojun we saw earlier, he’s the chief creator of the September issue,’ Ya Rui stretched lazily, speaking in a relaxed tone, ‘He’s been assigned by the corporation. I don’t dare to mess with him.’

‘But he’s plagiarized our content! You can’t just let it slide because he’s sent by the corporation, can you?’ Zhou Xueyin protested.

‘To be honest, it’s quite a headache for me too. My best friend completed the August issue and then went on maternity leave. She really was a dedicated and responsible worker, finalizing every last punctuation mark before going into the delivery room,’ Ya Rui spoke emotionally, ‘But then, look at this scum they’ve sent down, always lazing around, even harassing the attractive female staff. It’s intolerable.’

‘Isn’t he some high-level executive’s son? Those Japanese dramas have too many of these plots; a thriving company suddenly gets an arrogant scion typically related to some high-level executive.’

‘Excuse me, this is the sashimi platter from Old Huang… He says he’s busy right now but will come over to say hello when he’s done,’ Xiaotang spoke politely.

‘Thanks!’ Ya Rui placed a piece of premium salmon sashimi on Zhou Xueyin’s plate, ‘Try this, it’s really delicious! Let’s see, where were we? Oh right, Luo Haojun isn’t the son of anyone from the corporation, nor is he tied to anyone…’

‘What? Then what’s his background? Why would they insist on placing him in your magazine?’ Zhou Xueyin was even more puzzled.