Chapter 33: Was It You Who Swapped My Work?
Under the spotlight, Shen Chuyan brewed his emotions for a few moments. With a face full of sincerity and a gaze filled with a light sadness, he looked over the many photographers below and requested in the tone of a victim:
“Please, everyone, stop attacking Jian An verbally. Words without weight are like invisible knives; they hurt no matter who they stab. Although he ‘borrowed’ from my oil painting, I don’t hold a grudge against him, nor will I hold him responsible. On the contrary, I want to thank him for recognizing my work.”
He turned to Jian An. “I also believe Brother Xiao An had no malicious intent; he was just too eager for success. After this setback, I believe he will be able to draw strength to forge ahead from this, until the next competition when he can stand on this stage with me fairly and squarely.”
As soon as he finished speaking, a surge of thunderous applause and cheers erupted throughout the hall. Some felt it wasn’t worth it for Shen Chuyan, while others were moved by his gentleness and kindness.
Jian An stared at him with furrowed brows. An indescribable emotion rose in his eyesāa thick resentment and disbelief. His throat was choked for a long time before he finally questioned:
“Was it you who swapped my work…?”
The other person looked surprised. In his bright eyes, waves of innocence and grievance flickered. He said sadly:
“Brother Xiao An, what are you talking about? How could I possibly swap your work? Iām trying so hard to clear things up for you, yet you turn around and wrongly accuse me…”
Shen Yunheng grabbed his hand and scolded:
“Shen Chuyan, how can you do this? Youāve lost all the face of our Shen family! Hurry up and apologize to Xiao An, and admit your mistake to everyone!”
Shen Chuyan struggled, saying pitifully: “I am clearly the victim! Why should I apologize? Is it wrong to protect the copyright of my own work? Iām not even holding it against him, so why are you turning black into white? Are you still my brother?!”
“It’s obvious that Jian An plagiarized. Why blame Professor Shen? This is so infuriating!”
“As far as I know, Shen-zong is famously impartial. Now that the facts are before him, why is he still protecting that copycat? Could it be that he likes him?”
…
Countless voices swept in from all directions. Jian An covered his ears tightly, but those foul words still crawled through the gaps between his fingers like an invisible giant net, tightly wrapping around his heart and tightening further.
He was truly on the verge of a complete breakdown!
Ji Songting instantly stood up from his seat and walked swiftly to the center of the stage. He brushed away the arm holding Shen Chuyan and shielded him tightly behind him, his tone carrying a warning:
“Bullying Xiao Yan in front of so many peopleāwhat do you take me for? The evidence is right there. Shen-zong isn’t going to pretend he doesn’t see it, is he? Who plagiarized whom is clear in everyoneās heart.”
Hearing this, Jian An was visibly stunned. His eyes were so dry they pained him. Tears swirled within them, as if the last nerve in his braināthe one named reasonāhad snapped.
That man really didn’t care about him at all…
Had he really been nothing more than a piece of trash who would plagiarize others’ work in Ji Songtingās eyes all these years?
Jian An covered his mouth tightly, afraid he would let out a sound that wasn’t right. His mind was becoming more and more muddled from the fever. He then turned and ran toward the stage exit.
“Xiao An!”
Shen Yunheng shouted anxiously, gave those two a look that said “watch yourselves,” and chased after him.
Watching the retreating back as it stumbled through the crowd, a trace of pain flashed through Ji Songtingās eyes. He instinctively took a step forward but was held back by Shen Chuyan.
The youth immediately wrapped his arms around the man’s arm, fearing he would leave. He said pitifully, “A-Ting, thereās an award ceremony later. Where are you going?”
The man suddenly snapped back to his senses. He used his fist to cover his mouth and coughed a few times, saying in a low voice: “Nothing. He plagiarized your work; he should pay some due price.”
…
“Xiao An! Youāre sick, don’t run around!”
Just as Shen Yunheng finished shouting from behind, Jian Anās entire body began to shake as he gasped for breath. Cold sweat broke out on his forehead. Then, with a close of his eyes, he leaned against a pillar and fainted heavily.
“Xiao An!”
Shen Yunheng was struck with horror. He rushed over and picked him up in a bridal carry. Seeing the person in his arms as pale as paper with a sallow complexion, he couldn’t help but feel both heartache and regret.
He hurriedly carried the man and ran outside.
Twilight deepened, and a light breeze blew. The quiet hospital room was so silent that one could hear the sound of the medicine in the IV drip, along with intermittent, weak breathing.
Jian Anās blurred vision gradually found focus, and the snow-white ceiling came into view. He slowly moved his arm, wanting to sit up, but was immediately stopped by the anxious man beside him:
“Youāre on an IV, don’t move! The blood will flow back.”
Hearing the familiar voice, Jian An came back to his senses from his daze. He turned his head to look at the hand with the needle, bitingly curling the corners of his mouth, but he had nothing to say.
How many times had he been admitted to a ward and lain in a hospital bed by now? Even he had lost track.
“Yunheng…”
“I’m here.”
Shen Yunheng set down the water glass and knelt on one knee by the bed. He meticulously smoothed the creases of the blanket and said:
“What do you want to say? I’m listening.”
The person on the bed hesitated for a long time, his long eyelashes drooping slightly as if he were contemplating something. His dry lips trembled twice before he spoke with difficulty:
“Can you help me turn on the TV? I… I want to see the award segment of the art competition.”
“Xiao An…”
Shen Yunheng stood up, his expression a bit conflicted. He feigned a relaxed tone and said: “What is there to see? It’s just a trophy. Once you’re better, weāll participate in another one.”
The other person shook his head gently, his voice growing lower and lower: “No… I don’t want the trophy.”
“Then what do you want?”
Shen Yunheng looked confused, but he still comforted him:
“You don’t need to care about the messy things those people say. I will find a way to suppress the media and public opinion. As for Shen Chuyan swapping your work…”
“Don’t say it. I have no evidence. No one will believe me. Songting won’t either… I’m afraid.”
Jian An covered his ears with both hands. Images of being pointed at by everyone uncontrollably surfaced in his mind.
He desperately pounded his own head, wanting to forget the humiliation on that stage, but it was to no avail.
Seeing this, the man hurriedly grabbed those two wrists and pulled him into his arms, gently stroking his hair. He said:
“I believe you. Don’t be afraid. I’m always here. I will shield you from those rumors.”
This sentence struck right at the memories deep in Jian An’s heart. His body trembled slightly. Tears welled in his reddened eyes, but they never fell.
However, his anxious and panicked emotions gradually calmed.
His tears suddenly soaked through the man’s clothes. The dampness and coldness made Shen Yunhengās body stiffen. His usually steady voice actually took on a trace of panic and helplessness:
“Xiao An, itās fine. Cry. Some sadness shouldn’t be kept inside; it’s better to cry it out.”
Jian An sat still, letting the tears at the corners of his eyes be gently wiped away by the manās thumb.
“Yunheng, I want to watch TV…”
“Okay. Iāll turn it on for you.”
Shen Yunheng carefully let go of him, covered him with the quilt, and turned to turn on the television in front of them.
The moment the TV started, the channel happened to be broadcasting the award ceremony of the Venice Art Competition.
Shen Yunheng wanted to change the channel, but was stopped by the other man.
“Let’s watch.”
Jian An let out a light sigh, but his gaze was fixed on the TV. Envy and sadness flashed in his eyes.
On the stage, Shen Chuyan was dazzling. Behind him, the large screen showed an approval vote of over 96,847 people. He was ranked first in the art competition, and the organizers personally presented the award.
Ji Songting went onto the stage to hang the medal around his neck. He stood side-by-side with him, his eyes gentle. The two smiled at each other as the applause below rose and fell in waves.
Everyone said that at this moment, they were a match made in heaven, and no one could match such glory.
Watching them, Jian An turned his head to look out the window. His fingers gripped the bedsheets until they turned white.
That position… should have been his…
Seeing him so sad, Shen Yunheng also felt bad. He turned off the TV.
“Xiao An, Iām going to get some hot water. Stay here. My assistant will bring dinner later.”
The door was gently closed. Jian An leaned against the headboard in exhaustion. Suddenly, he took the paper and pen beside him and began to draw.
The sound of the pencil rubbing against the sketch paper rang out in the empty hospital room.
After a while, the room door was suddenly pushed open brutally. The person who entered wasn’t Shen Yunheng. Instead, it was…
Ji Songting?!
For several seconds, Jian Anās entire body was stiff. Even the paper and pen in his hands felt heavy. He said:
“Why… are you here?”
the man glanced indifferently around the room. The sinister aura in his eyes spread to his entire body. Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly fell silent upon seeing the drawing in the youthās hand.
On it, was a drawing of a four-leaf clover.
What made it different from other four-leaf clovers was that one of its leaves was broken.
The most unforgettable memory in Ji Songting’s mind was deeply touched. He immediately snatched the drawing.
That was right. The four-leaf clover this person drew was exactly the same as the one on Shen Chuyanās lucky bracelet.
He had seen that bracelet when he was being rescued after accidentally drowning three years ago. It was the last thing he saw when he was conscious.
At that time, the owner of the lucky bracelet was Shen Chuyan. Those broken four-leaf clovers on the bracelet were also the most uniqueāa witness to his savior.
Ji Songting stared at the youth on the hospital bed, his dark eyes full of disbelief and rage. He asked in a deep voice:
“Why are you drawing this?”
“I…”
The other person suddenly choked up, looking like he had a guilty conscience. Ji Songting immediately tore up the drawing and said in a sinister tone:
“Isn’t plagiarizing Xiao Yanās work enough? Now you even want to use the kindness he showed me by saving my life to make a fuss? Are you trying to imply that the one who saved me back then wasn’t Xiao Yan, but you? Have you no shame?!”
In an instant, Jian An felt helpless and lost. All the truths he wanted to speak were held back by a knife to his throat, forced down his throat.
Truth without evidence was nothing.
Seeing his look of tacit acknowledgment, without even a word of rebuttal, Ji Songting suddenly felt uncomfortable. His full-blown rage turned into irritation.
Why didn’t Jian An continue his sophistry?
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