A Flawless Facade, A Hidden Truth

Zhou Yi felt a slight unease under his gaze, instinctively lowering her head to adjust the lapel of her suit jacket.

“What’s wrong? Does this outfit look… strange?”

“No.” Jiang Chen quickly averted his gaze, his tone regaining its usual composure, yet unable to completely mask his true feelings. “It’s… so striking, one can’t look away.”

It was just a simple compliment, yet it sent Zhou Yi’s heart fluttering a few unwelcome beats faster, a faint blush quickly rising to her cheeks.

She cleared her throat, forcing a calm demeanor. “Don’t just throw out compliments. I’m already under enough pressure as it is.”

Jiang Chen chuckled, leaning in slightly to look at her. “Nervous?”

Zhou Yi honestly admitted, “A little.”

Jiang Chen nodded, then suddenly, with a serious expression, patted her shoulder. “Good, because I’m nervous too.”

Zhou Yi couldn’t help but laugh at his remark, the tension she had been holding easing considerably.

Her bright smile, illuminated by the morning light, was exceptionally captivating. Jiang Chen’s gaze lingered on her for an unconscious moment longer.

In the distance, Li Yanze jogged over, clutching his laptop. Spotting the two standing side by side, his pace slowed.

‘Senior Sister looks radiant today. Brother Chen also seems particularly distinguished.’

He cleared his throat. “Se-Senior Sister, the Counselor wants us to be backstage fifteen minutes early. I heard the corporate representatives have already taken their seats.”

“Let’s go.” Zhou Yi turned sharply, her high heels clicking crisply.

Jiang Chen stepped to follow, walking alongside her.

The three exchanged a glance, then walked into the auditorium together.

The heavy wooden doors slowly closed behind them, shutting out the external clamor. Inside the auditorium, a low hum of conversations, rustling pages, and the faint static of equipment adjustments filled the air.

The stage lights had yet to fully illuminate, but the front-row judges’ panel was already filled with people.

****

Meanwhile.

On the judges’ panel, several corporate representatives and school evaluators were discussing the merits of the shortlisted projects in hushed tones.

Suddenly, an academic staff member swiftly approached, handing a newly delivered dossier to the main judge and whispering a few words into his ear.

The main judge’s face registered surprise as he quickly opened the dossier. After just the first page, his expression darkened considerably.

After rapidly scanning a few more pages, he pointed at the materials and chastised in a low voice, “This is simply preposterous!”

Professor Chen, seated beside the main judge, turned his head at the sound. “What’s happened?”

The main judge pushed the materials towards him. “Take a look at this.”

Professor Chen’s brows furrowed deeper with each page he perused. He looked up at the waiting academic staff member. “Have the verification results been confirmed?”

“Confirmed. We cross-referenced it multiple times.” The academic staff member wiped sweat from his brow.

“This material questioning the originality of the work was received several days ago. However, due to the intricate nature of code comparison and conceptual tracing, the technical review required considerable time. Only just now have all verification processes been fully completed.”

Subsequently, the materials challenging the originality of the work were passed among the judges.

“It was a report received after the preliminary round.”

“The school requested a strict re-evaluation, and it has already been verified through multiple rounds.”

“The attached technical comparison report shows that the structural similarity is indeed too high.”

The atmosphere among the judges abruptly shifted.

The previously relaxed chatter gradually subsided, replaced by scrutinizing glances and hushed whispers.

“The timing is indeed awkward,” another female judge sighed. “But since the verification results are out before the defense, we must treat this with utmost seriousness.”

The main judge surveyed the assembled panel, then delivered his final decision: “The procedure will remain as scheduled; allow the team to present their work in full. However, during the Q&A segment, we must specifically address these points of overlap. We must uphold academic integrity while also granting the students the right to prove their innocence.”

Other judges exchanged glances, finally nodding in agreement.

“Agreed.”

“On-site questioning is the most direct.”

“This will prevent any misjudgment.”

Soon, this decision quickly reached a consensus among the judges.

The main judge turned to Professor Chen, solemnly entrusting him: “Professor Chen, your professional authority in software engineering and information security is well-recognized. I’m relying on you for this technical inquiry.”

Professor Chen nodded solemnly. “It’s my duty.”

****

In the waiting area below the stage, the preceding teams took their turns presenting.

Bright lights shone, and applause rose intermittently as Zhou Yi and her two teammates waited in the designated area.

Soon, it was Su Xiao’s team’s turn.

Gazing at Su Xiao’s smug expression, Li Yanze unconsciously clenched his fists. “How dare a thief be so brazen!”

“Steady,” Zhou Yi whispered, turning her head towards him. “Don’t panic and disrupt our own rhythm. Losing composure now will only hinder our performance later.”

On stage, the spotlight descended.

Su Xiao’s team made a dazzling entrance.

Today, she wore a sharp suit dress, her makeup impeccable. Standing on stage, she began their presentation with confident composure.

“The project our team is presenting is—the Campus Part-time Rights Protection Platform.”

“The platform’s core philosophy is to safeguard the rights and interests of university students in part-time employment…”

It had to be acknowledged: Su Xiao’s team’s presentation was nearly flawless.

Su Xiao’s delivery was seamless, her PPT meticulously crafted. She articulated the stolen, excellent proposal with absolute clarity and conviction.

From the judges’ panel, occasional nods of approval could be seen.

Some judges leaned down to record key points, while others turned to exchange views.

“The entry point is very precise.”

“If this platform truly comes to fruition, its social value will be considerable.”

“It’s no small feat for a student team to achieve this level.”

Su Xiao on stage clearly sensed the judges’ commendation.

Her tone grew increasingly confident, her entire being radiating brilliance under the lights, as if she could already glimpse the dawn of victory.

During a brief pause in the presentation, she even subtly turned her head, deliberately casting her gaze towards Zhou Yi, a provocative curve playing on her lips.

Standing beside Zhou Yi, Jiang Chen could distinctly feel her breath suddenly tighten.

He leaned in slightly, speaking in a voice only they could hear: “No matter how authentic a counterfeit appears, it can never become the real thing. When it’s our turn, we’ll simply crush them with our strength.”

Zhou Yi did not reply.

She simply watched Su Xiao on the stage quietly.

On stage, Su Xiao completed the final summary page:

“Through this platform, we hope that every effort will be respected, and no part-time job will ever again feel helpless.”

Her words fell.

Applause broke out.

It wasn’t thunderous, but it was certainly warm.

Su Xiao bowed in thanks, an undisguised air of triumph on her face.

As she put down the microphone, she glanced once more towards Zhou Yi’s direction.

On the judges’ panel, several evaluators did not immediately assign scores. Instead, they unanimously opened the document that had arrived earlier but had only just been verified.

One judge lightly tapped the table.

Others exchanged glances, and the atmosphere subtly shifted.

The main judge did not speak immediately, but instead turned his gaze to Professor Chen beside him.

Professor Chen adjusted his glasses, perusing the materials in his hand. “Student Su Xiao, the overall structural design of your platform is very standardized, which is commendable.”

“However…”