The Genesis of a Dispute

That, at least, was commendable.

Su Xiao immediately straightened her posture, a faint, pleased smile gracing her lips.

Professor Chen, however, swiftly changed his tone. “However,” he began, “I’ve observed that you’ve designated the solidification of the evidence chain as one of the platform’s core functionalities.”

Su Xiao nodded in agreement.

Professor Chen then pressed further. “I’d like to understand,” he continued, “what specific type of typical labor dispute served as the primary inspiration for this feature’s design?

“Was it the prevalent issue of unjustified wage deductions in the catering industry?”

“Or perhaps the malicious scheduling often faced within the service sector?”

“Could it be the problematic shifting of responsibility common in the express delivery sector?”

He gently tapped his finger on the tabletop.

“Please elaborate, using a concrete real-world or research case, on how you incrementally translated this challenging aspect of rights protection into the language of product design.”

This question landed on Su Xiao like a sudden deluge of ice-cold water.

The confident smile on her face visibly faltered, freezing for a brief moment. This query was entirely absent from her meticulously prepared defense script.

She had flawlessly memorized every operational mode and linguistic design, yet she had utterly failed to anticipate the judging panel’s direct inquiry into the very genesis of the design.

She instinctively licked her lips, then raised the microphone to speak.

“This feature… the design of this particular function, it stems from our extensive research into the demographic of university students working part-time…”

The elderly professor offered no interruption, merely gesturing with his eyes for her to proceed.

“We discovered that many students, when attempting to assert their rights, frequently encountered issues of insufficient or easily manipulated evidence. Therefore, we devised this… this module for evidence solidification…”

“That is merely a conclusion,” the elderly professor gently countered, shaking his head. “I inquired about the fundamental design philosophy.”

“Which specific type of labor dispute did it address? What industry was involved? And what was the most pressing pain point for the individuals concerned?”

The elderly professor pressed on. “This feature’s design—”

“Without the backing of a real-world case, the rationale behind this feature’s design will inevitably remain purely theoretical.”

Su Xiao’s complexion slowly drained of color.

She cast a pleading glance at her teammates behind her, only to be met with similarly bewildered expressions.

With no other recourse, she steeled herself and continued to fabricate a response.

“Well… at the time, we began with a macroscopic data analysis… and as for a specific industry, actually… many industries face this very issue…”

“Like the catering sector… or domestic services… or even express delivery…”

Her words grew increasingly disjointed, her logic fracturing with each utterance.

The elderly professor offered a faint smile, then pressed on relentlessly.

“Then, please select any one of the industries you just named and thoroughly describe the complete process, from the inception of a dispute to the platform’s intervention.”

“For instance, if an individual faces a wage deduction, what is their initial action? What follows? At what precise juncture does your platform intervene? And how is evidence solidified and subsequently accessed?”

This barrage of questions struck like a series of precisely aimed, relentless blows.

Su Xiao’s face visibly crumpled, her composure shattering.

Her fingertips, clutching the microphone, trembled imperceptibly. Her lips parted and closed several times, yet she remained utterly unable to construct a coherent logical response.

“This… this process is outlined in our proposal… it’s… first, evidence is uploaded, then the platform reviews it, and then…”

Her answers devolved into a mere recitation of the platform’s functional descriptions, devoid of any genuine insight.

The elderly professor closed the documents he held, his patience visibly exhausted.

“What you are currently describing is merely a list of platform functionalities.”

“My question was: from which specific societal pain point do these functions truly originate?”

The low hum of discussion that had permeated the auditorium ceased almost in unison, a sudden stillness descending.

Su Xiao stood frozen on the stage, her face draining of color, fine beads of sweat beginning to prickle her forehead.

She parted her lips, but ultimately could only manage to stammer, “I apologize… in this area… our research was indeed not thorough enough…”

In that singular moment.

Her entire team’s previous poise, confidence, and sharp edge were utterly shattered by that single question, revealing the stark emptiness within.

A distinct murmur of unrest began to ripple through the audience.

Voices started to whisper. “She can’t answer it at all,” someone muttered.

Others swiftly rustled through their own documents, cross-referencing information.

The atmosphere at the judges’ table had palpably shifted, becoming decidedly grim.

After exchanging significant glances with the other judges, Professor Chen asked in a grave tone, “So, you are unable to provide the original foundational requirements for this core functionality, is that correct?”

Su Xiao’s palms grew cold, and the faint static from the microphone seemed to amplify endlessly in the oppressive silence that followed her inability to respond.

The entire hall plunged into an excruciating awkwardness, prompting the host to glance helplessly towards the judges’ table.

Just then, Professor Chen unexpectedly shuffled a document on the table, then leaned in to exchange a few quiet words with the head judge.

The head judge nodded once, then immediately made an announcement.

“Concerning the originality of this project, the judging panel had already received relevant objections prior to the semi-finals. We have now decided to conduct an immediate, on-site verification.”

“We request the project advisor for Zhou Yi’s team to please come to the stage and clarify the relevant circumstances.”

A collective gasp of astonishment swept through the entire hall.

The Counselor, clearly taken aback by being called upon at this juncture, nonetheless rose swiftly and made his way to the stage.

The head judge spoke directly. “Teacher Wang,” he began, “as the submitter of this documentation, please confirm whether the disputed project mentioned within these materials is indeed the same project currently being presented by Su Xiao’s team?”

Counselor Wang nodded gravely, confirming, “Yes, esteemed judges.”

A fresh wave of commotion instantly rippled through the audience below.

Su Xiao’s expression completely transformed in that instant.

The head judge pressed further. “Then, are the members of the original creative team, as claimed in the submitted materials, currently present?”

“They are,” the Counselor replied without hesitation, directly turning his gaze towards Zhou Yi. “Student Zhou Yi is the original core member of this project.”

In that moment, an abrupt silence descended upon the auditorium.

The host froze for a fleeting second, then quickly regained composure, announcing into the microphone, “Student Zhou Yi, please come to the stage to assist the judging panel with their inquiry and explanation.”

Under the scrutiny of countless gazes, Zhou Yi calmly rose and walked with steady steps towards the stage.

As the stage lights illuminated her, a low ripple of discussion spread amongst the judges, like waves across a still pond.

The head judge, noting her emergence from the contestant waiting area, confirmed with a hint of surprise, “Are you a participant from another team in this competition?”

“Yes,” Zhou Yi replied with unflinching candor. “Furthermore, I am also the original conceptualizer and designer of this very platform for protecting part-time workers’ rights.”

A single, concise sentence, yet it carried an immense weight of information.

The head judge nodded, then shifted his gaze to the elderly professor who had initiated the probing questions. “Professor Chen,” he stated, “as this issue arose from your keen observation, please continue to lead the inquiry.”

Professor Chen, his expression grave, picked up the microphone. “Alright, Student Zhou Yi,” he began, “I need you to explicitly state: who originally designed these two core modules—evidence chain solidification and two-way confirmed scheduling—and what specific real-world scenario served as their foundation?”

Zhou Yi accepted the microphone from the staff member, took a steadying breath, and met Professor Chen’s gaze with calm composure.

“Professor Chen,” she began, “the initial inspiration for this core functionality sprang from the true experience of a junior student from our university, who worked part-time at a bubble tea shop.”

A low murmur began to spread among the audience.

Before her shift ended, she had been asked to stay an additional two hours for overtime. However, in the absence of any written or systemized record, the manager later denied the arrangement. Consequently, she not only failed to receive overtime compensation but also had her wages for that entire day deducted.