Chapter 79 United Against a Common Enemy

Chapter 79: A Common Foe

Early the next morning, Attorney Hong visited the publishing company listed on the name card and returned with shocking news for Jian Sha.

The editor named Wang Hui had indeed once worked for Lingzhi Cultural Publishing Co., Ltd., but by the time he contacted Jian Sha, he had already quit!

As for where he went afterward, the company wasn't aware. However, before leaving, Wang Hui had signed an agreement prohibiting him from soliciting manuscripts under Lingzhi’s name or recommending works within the industry.

The owner of Lingzhi Culture was livid and told Attorney Hong that if it was confirmed Wang Hui had deceived Jian Sha, the company would also sue him.

Between classes, Jian Sha received the news. She wasn't one to keep things to herself—if she was scammed, she’d definitely call her friends to vent and gang up on Wang Hui.

So, apart from Zhao Zhangfeng, who was away training in the capital, the other four gathered on the rooftop of the teaching building. Even the usually meek Cai Ji didn’t hesitate to let loose with insults at Wang Hui.

“A guy like Wang Hui deserves nothing but rat soup and roach-seasoned noodles!”

“May his 911 calls never go through and may he drop dead on the spot!”

Lu Guifan scratched his neck uncomfortably, realizing that while he was quick to learn most things, he couldn’t quite keep up with their colorful language.

After the rage fest, Jian Sha gradually calmed down.

“But the problem now is… even if we confirm Wang Hui deceived me, we still can’t connect him to that upcoming TV series. The script won’t be made public, and that notorious plagiarist Zhang Chun can still steal whatever he pleases. Everything can be dismissed as parallel thinking—I can’t lay a finger on him.”

Lu Guifan patted Jian Sha’s shoulder. “Trust me, Attorney Hong is a top-notch attorney. If she hasn’t told you to give up, then you don’t need to.”

Cai Ji then said seriously to Jian Sha, “As long as Ruo Tang is on your side, you’ll definitely win in the end.”

Jiang Ruotang was stunned. He didn’t understand where Cai Ji’s blind faith in him came from. “Am I… really that capable?”

Cai Ji nodded firmly. “You are! When the class president’s glasses were deliberately crushed by Meng Yang, it was you who suggested switching to contacts so he could keep his scholarship.”

Lu Guifan nodded in agreement.

Cai Ji continued, “And it was also you who saw Meng Yang’s jealousy coming and warned Zhang Feng, so he didn’t get played by Meng Yang in the locker room.”

Lu Guifan nodded again, a small smile on his lips.

Cai Ji patted his own chest. “And there’s my situation too. You were the first to support me in standing up for myself.”

This time, not only Lu Guifan nodded, but even Jian Sha suddenly felt a surge of confidence.

Jiang Ruotang turned red from the neck up. In his past life, he had worked so hard yet never received recognition. But now, he had become the rock of his friends.

Suddenly, he felt the burden of responsibility. But wasn’t protecting his friends the very meaning of his second chance?

“Jian Sha, don’t worry. You’re not alone. There are others who are on your side—just relax,” Jiang Ruotang reassured her.

Jian Sha was confused. Who else could share her interests?

At that moment, her phone rang—it was Wang Hui calling.

Jian Sha’s eyes widened as she looked at Jiang Ruotang, her chest tightened, her shoulders trembling slightly.

Jiang Ruotang gave her a firm nod. “Just say what I taught you. Get him to meet you—stall for time, like setting the meeting for Sunday. That’ll give Attorney Hong time to prepare.”

And also give Bai Yingchuan time to gather evidence from Zhang Chun.

With her friends by her side, Jian Sha felt much calmer.

Wang Hui, still speaking in a condescending tone, asked, “Sha Sha, why did you call so many times last night? My phone died, so I missed them. Did you want to discuss the novel’s plot, or is there something else?”

Holding her phone, Jian Sha locked eyes with Jiang Ruotang and said, “My parents took away my laptop! They’re way too controlling! Can I ask you for a favor—could you lend me a laptop?”

Jiang Ruotang silently applauded. Jian Sha’s tone was so natural—she had a real talent for acting!

Wang Hui was more than happy to have Jian Sha’s manuscript on his own computer, ensuring there’d be no paper trail left.

After arranging to meet on the weekend, Jian Sha felt much calmer. At least she’d soon face that con artist face-to-face.

“Does anyone have a *Xinhua Dictionary*?” Jian Sha asked.

“What do you need that for?”

“To smash that damn liar’s head! He’s shamed the whole profession of literary editing!”

Lu Guifan remarked dryly, “Shouldn’t we use the *Dao De Jing* instead? This Wang Hui clearly lacks virtue in all five elements.”

Back in the classroom, everyone returned to their seats.

Lu Guifan quickly grasped Jiang Ruotang’s plan and reminded him, “Don’t drop the ball on Zhang Chun’s side. We need concrete evidence of the deal between Wang Hui and Zhang Chun to truly get justice for Jian Sha.”

Jiang Ruotang hummed in agreement and nodded.

Seeing how composed he was, Lu Guifan couldn’t resist messing up his hair.

“Why do you keep messing with my hair? What if you make me dumb—will you take responsibility?”

“Sure,” Lu Guifan said flatly.

“You should know—just feeding me radish pickles and gruel doesn’t count as taking care of me. I’m high-maintenance!”

“Fine, high-maintenance Jiang Ruotang, let’s go over the motion of electrons in a magnetic field.”

“Okay.”

As Jiang Ruotang obediently worked on the problem, he didn’t notice Lu Guifan resting his chin on his hand, watching him.

You’re not just high-maintenance—you’re precious.

Rather than saying I want to take care of you, it’s more like… when you soar high and far, I want to stand on the ground, looking up, so you’ll always know the way back.

For Jian Sha, time dragged on endlessly. Finally, the weekend arrived, and she waited for Wang Hui in a café.

Her heart pounded, her hands trembled—she was about to meet the man who had taught her a harsh lesson, though she felt no gratitude whatsoever.

Wang Hui arrived—a middle-aged man in his forties, wearing glasses, the picture of false respectability.

In her mind, Jian Sha played a funeral dirge on the suona. How she wished she could shove him into a coffin right then and there!

No sooner had Wang Hui sat down and ordered coffee than two uniformed officers strode in.

Guilt-ridden, Wang Hui tried to stand, but Jian Sha grabbed his arm, flashing an innocent smile. “Editor Wang, where are you going?”

When he looked up again, the police were already in front of him.

“Mr. Wang Hui, we’ve received a report alleging your involvement in fraud. Please come with us.”

“Fraud? What fraud?” Wang Hui was utterly bewildered.

The policeman retorted, "Then what are you doing here with this student?"

Wang Hui looked at Jian Sha, who immediately explained to the police, "He's my assigned editor!"

"Editor from where?" the policeman asked again.

"Lingzhi Culture... a very famous publishing company!"

Jian Sha's answer plunged Wang Hui into an icy abyss—he had already resigned from Lingzhi Culture long ago...

Yet here he was, still fraudulently soliciting manuscripts under the guise of being an editor, lying about manuscripts being approved for publication.

At first, Wang Hui thought it was a trivial matter, that the police were overreacting. He argued that it was normal for a former editor to stay in touch with authors, claiming he would eventually join another publishing house and bring Jian Sha's work to a new publisher. He hadn't defrauded a single cent from her, so it couldn't possibly meet the threshold for criminal charges.

But then the police played a recording—a conversation between Bai Yingchuan and screenwriter Zhang Chun!

Recording one's own calls are admissible as legal evidence.

In the call, Bai Yingchuan directly pointed out that the first three episodes of the script Zhang Chun provided were highly similar to a novel published online by his classmate, which had been published much earlier. Concerned about potential backlash, Bai Yingchuan pressed Zhang Chun on whether he had secured permission from the original author.

Cornered by Bai Yingchuan's firm stance, Zhang Chun forced a laugh and promised to have a middleman contact the original author, assuring that they would resolve it amicably with generous compensation.

When Bai Yingchuan demanded to know who this middleman was and whether they could be trusted, Zhang Chun finally revealed it was Wang Hui, an editor from Lingzhi Culture. He vouched for Wang Hui's experience, skilled in handling online authors, and guaranteed that Jian Sha would be paid for her work—even offering her a high-paying position in his studio later.

By the time the recording ended, Wang Hui was completely stunned.

He never imagined he'd be undone by Zhang Chun! Nor did he expect Jian Sha to be Bai Yingchuan's classmate. Clearly, Bai Yingchuan had recorded the call to establish the connection between Jian Sha's work and Zhang Chun's script.

"Under Article 217 of the Criminal Law, you fraudulently obtained Jian Sha's manuscript for profit, infringing on her copyright. The maximum penalty is ten years in prison. Will you confess for leniency, or wait until we uncover evidence from your accounts and chat logs to face harsher punishment? Or perhaps you'd like to consider what Zhang Chun will say when we question him."

Wang Hui's earlier confidence crumbled.

If the police questioned Zhang Chun, he would undoubtedly pin everything on Wang Hui—claiming the "intermediary fee" as copyright payment meant for Jian Sha, making Wang Hui the fall guy.

Yet Wang Hui hadn't paid Jian Sha a single cent.

Hearing this, Wang Hui's defenses collapsed.

Jian Sha had private-view records of her serialized novel's posting dates, digital submission timestamps, and Wang Hui's promises in their chats.

If Zhang Chun proceeded with scripting using Jian Sha's characters, plotlines, and even her original gu-worm and poison concepts, she could sue for infringement once the adaptation aired.

To avoid litigation, Zhang Chun would have to rewrite—but could he? Lin Chengdong's project already had major investors. Delays would anger them.

Wang Hui confessed: Zhang Chun targeted Jian Sha's novel and enlisted him to "acquire" it. Their plan was to first reject publication, then offer a film adaptation as bait—offering ¥20-50 per thousand words for anonymous rights transfer, plus a confidentiality agreement. Thus, her work would become Zhang Chun's.

Even if Jian Sha protested online, Zhang Chun could dismiss it as coincidental similarities, even accusing her of attempting to ride coattails—creating buzz for the show.

The investigating officer seethed with anger.

Wang Hui had already taken ¥50,000 from Zhang Chun as a "deposit"—none of which reached Jian Sha.

Wang Hui quickly proposed a settlement with Jian Sha and pay her the ¥50,000.

Learning of this, Jiang Ruotang felt this was divine intervention.

After years of Lin Chengdong and chronic plagiarizer Zhang Chun stealing copyrights, retribution was coming!

But... the controversy needed to grow. How to make the flames engulf Lin Chengdong too?

Jian Sha's parents, upon hearing the case details, considered it fortunate—their daughter earned ¥50,000 just by writing. Litigation would waste time; with national college exams three months away, she should focus.

They couldn't comprehend her fixation on credit. Wasn't it enough to have Bai Yue star in the adaptation? She got the money!

Moreover, suing a heavyweight like Zhang Chun could take months. Since the show wasn't filmed yet, damages would be minimal.

This lack of understanding choked Jian Sha. Her novel was her very essence—every character painstakingly crafted. To have it reduced to ¥50,000, her name erased—was her creativity just raw material for others' profit?

Her parents even went over her head, telling Attorney Hong to settle once Wang Hui paid.

Strangely, Jiang Ruotang—a friend of less than a year—along with Cai Ji, the class monitor, even Zhao Zhangfeng just back from national team selection, all stood firmly by her. Why couldn't her own parents understand?

She barricaded herself in her room, refusing food or conversation.

Then her phone buzzed relentlessly—Lu Guifan calling.

"Hello, Monitor..." Jian Sha sighed exhaustedly.

"Sha Sha, though Ruo Tang hasn't mentioned it, I think we need to stoke the fire further to take Zhang Chun down properly."

"Let it burn! Just tell me how—unless we burn them, I'll be the one dying from rage!"

"Good, listen carefully..."

After hanging up, a mysterious visitor arrived, greeted effusively by her parents.

Hours later, her door was knocked again.

"You squander time on frivolous writing instead of studying! We've been patient with you—what more do you want?"

"You don't understand how the world works! If we lose the case after paying legal fees, you'll end up with nothing!"

"You can write more novels later—why dig in your heels now?"

Every syllable pierced Jian Sha's heart, widening the chasm between them.

Reaching her breaking point, she flung the door open and screamed, "Enough! The fraud and thief should bear the blame—why blame me?!"

She then dashed to the window, climbing onto the desk. As she began climbing out, her parents pulled her back violently.

"Sha Sha, let's talk—"

"Haven't I tried? Did you listen?!"

Sobbing uncontrollably, she cried, "My novel is my intellect, my self-respect! If that means nothing, why stop me?!"

Though only the second floor (with bushes below), her anguish alerted the neighbors.

Their upscale community housed her parents' colleagues. Humiliated, they dragged her inside—but someone had already called the police... and the press.

Soon after, reporters arrived, holding cameras beneath the window while listening to Jian Sha weepingly accuse how Wang Hui and Zhang Chun conspired in tricking her out of her manuscript.

At first, Jian Sha was just delivering her prepared speech.

But as she spoke, she got carried away, growing more and more convincing, even making the reporter tear up. The reporter thought to themselves—now this was headline material!

Zhang Chun, this cancer in the industry—if not uprooted soon, should we wait for him to be reborn?

Upon hearing the news, Jiang Ruotang rushed to Jian Sha's home. When the door opened, he expected a heavy atmosphere, but to his surprise, Jian Sha's parents seemed remarkably calm!

"Ah, you must be Jian Sha's good friend, Jiang Ruotang, right?"

Jiang Ruotang dumbly nodded.

"Come in, come in! Did the news scare you? Sha Sha is fine!"

Jiang Ruotang began to suspect that Jian Sha's window ledge incident was fake news.

Her parents' attitude... why did it seem like they were secretly pleased but putting on a serious act?

He sat in the living room while Jian Sha's mother poured him water and set out some snacks on the table, as if Jiang Ruotang were a holiday visitor.

"Where's Jian Sha?" Jiang Ruotang asked.

"She's fine... we'd been putting too much pressure on her and didn't consider things from her perspective."

Huh? What was going on? I thought Jian Sha's parents were the ones forcing her to accept 50,000 yuan to settle the matter?

"Sigh... We thought that by providing for her education and getting her into a good university... was what's best for her..." Jian Sha's father sighed.

"Her own parents siding with the infringing party, even believing she was the one causing trouble—this 'blaming-the-victim' attitude might haunt her forever, even affecting her college entrance exams..."

Jiang Ruotang was stunned. "Did... something happen? Was it the reporter's interview? Or did Jian Sha... do something rash that upset you?"

"Your mom stopped by. Lawyer Hong invited her to walk us through copyright law."

Jiang Ruotang's eyes almost bugged out. "My mom? The... audit director of Universe Pictures?"

Jian Sha's parents nodded. "Yes, we met her at a parent-teacher conference. She left before the reporters arrived, so don’t worry—her name won’t appear in the news!"

"What... did she say?"

"First, the film that plagiarized Sha Sha's work reportedly had an investment of over a hundred million. At a conservative estimate, the adaptation rights for her original novel alone should be worth hundreds of thousands. Fifty grand is a slap in the face!"

"Exactly, they were playing you!" Jiang Ruotang nodded.

"Director Zhao also mentioned that beyond the film, there are TV series, potential web dramas on platforms like Yunfeng Video and Qilin Video, and even potential game adaptations since it's a fantasy-mystery story. There’s also the possibility of print publication and overseas distribution. Sha Sha’s work is a series—she could keep adding to the series endlessly. Its value isn’t just fifty thousand."

Jiang Ruotang nodded. Looking at it in terms of value was indeed Zhao Yunshu's style.

"With streaming platforms exploding, their demand for copyrights surpasses even TV stations. By the time Jian Sha graduates, her work could be worth five or even ten million."

Jian Sha's father took a deep breath. "Though we wouldn’t dare hope for that much, we were too dismissive of her creativity."

Jiang Ruotang gave a quiet chuckle. "Uncle, Auntie, the only reason you were so adamant about Jian Sha giving up was because Zhang Chun had someone 'talk sense' into you, right? Unable to pressure Jian Sha directly, he targeted her parents, using her college entrance exams as leverage to make you the millstone around her neck."

Jian Sha's mother let slip, "Director Zhao said the same thing..."

Jiang Ruotang smiled. "We're all too familiar with Zhang Chun’s tricks. Did he tell you that since you have no influence in the industry, if Jian Sha makes a big stink about this, the film’s investors would demand such massive damages it would bankrupt your family?"

Jian Sha's parents nodded. "How did you guess?"

Jiang Ruotang smirked to himself. From past experience, hadn’t he heard all about Zhang Chun’s methods?

Wasn’t his entire career made by screwing over young writers without connections into abandoning their rights, securing his position as Universe Entertainment’s top screenwriter?

Compounded by Jian Sha’s parents’ lack of interest or knowledge about the film industry, they only saw filmmakers as wealthy and powerful.

Thankfully, Lawyer Hong brought in Zhao Yunshu. As an investor, her status far surpassed a mere screenwriter’s, making her the real expert to them.

Moreover, Zhao Yunshu was a mother herself, speaking to them as an equal. Her words hit much harder than any student’s desperate attempts to sway them.

"Director Zhao said our Sha Sha isn’t some celebrity—how could she damage the film’s reputation? Internet trolls and anti-fan campaigns do far more harm. So why did Zhang Chun send lawyers after us? Because he knows he and Wang Hui can’t win this copyright case," Jian Sha’s father explained.

Jiang Ruotang nodded, glad they'd finally come around.

"Even the most experienced lawyer must respect evidence. First, Wang Hui will throw Zhang Chun under the bus to save himself—payment records, chat logs, they’ve done this before. Second, Jian Sha has copyright proof. If she sues after the film’s release, Zhang Chun could face even greater damages and reputational loss. Third, the police have a recording of Zhang Chun admitting to obtaining the manuscript through Wang Hui, which is enough for the police to investigate. He’s more desperate to settle than you are."

Jian Sha’s parents nodded. "Right, so when the reporters came, we went along with Sha Sha’s little performance... We didn’t expect her to perform so well—or maybe she just finally got the chance to give us a piece of her mind."

Jiang Ruotang almost spit out his drink.

This whole thing was staged with her parents’ cooperation?

Jian Sha’s mother said solemnly, "We won't let anyone steal our daughter's work. If we back down now, we’ll watch plagiarists profit endlessly while she loses everything. She has all the cards—we can’t let her surrender and lose it all. Protecting her copyright will earn her public respect. After graduation, she could even become a screenwriter. This IP is her career’s foundation. We’re not giving up a novel—we’re giving up her future."

Jiang Ruotang exhaled. Zhao Yunshu’s persuasion was masterful—her reputation as a self-made woman made her words undeniable.

Just then, Jian Sha’s father’s phone rang. It was Zhang Chun’s lawyer.

News of Jian Sha’s near-jump must have reached Zhang Chun—he was panicking over the PR disaster.

"So soon?" Jian Sha’s father glanced at Jiang Ruotang.

Jiang Ruotang remained calm. "Answer it, Uncle Jian. Let’s see what that hack writer's trying to pull."

Zhang Chun, claiming sympathy for Jian Sha’s "impulsive act" hours earlier, offered 100,000 yuan in compensation—on the condition she signed a supplementary contract surrendering all copyrights for a "win-win resolution."

Jian Sha’s father asked to review the contract. Within half an hour, Zhang Chun’s assistant arrived—not the lawyer.

Jian Sha finally emerged from her room, and her parents handed her the contract.

She skimmed it, then glared at the assistant. "So not only do I get no credit, but I also have to finish the story and hand it over to Zhang Chun?"

"What? Seriously?" Jian Sha’s father snatched the contract, flipping through it before erupting in anger.

The assistant sighed. "Little girl, you must understand—this novel is worthless in your hands. No other company will buy it. And with legal disputes, its value will plummet. No one wants the trouble."

Jian Sha exhaled sharply. "If it’s worthless, why did Zhang Chun go through Wang Hui to steal it?"

The assistant faltered, scrambling for an excuse.

"Enough," Jian Sha’s father cut in. "We see no sincerity from your screenwriter. He still refuses to credit my daughter, blatantly trying to steal her work. Let the police and lawyers handle this."

He stood, opening the door to usher the assistant out.

The assistant panicked. "We can renegotiate the credit—"

"Get out, you bloodsucker!" Jian Sha’s father snapped coldly.

Jian Sha's mother also shouted, "If you can't write, then don't! Does stealing other people’s work make you proud?"

The assistant was about to knock again, but unexpectedly, neighbors opened their doors, and some even took out their phones to film him.

"Look! That’s the guy sent by Zhang Chun!"

"I heard he’s a repeat offender, coming to threaten the victim—shameless!"

"Relying on capital backing to get away with anything, huh?"

The assistant shielded his face with his briefcase, bracing himself like he was about to get pelted with rotten eggs.

After exiting the elevator, he stumbled down the steps in a hurry, then limped toward the neighborhood exit, thinking to himself—their "Plagiarism King" Zhang Chun had finally bitten off more than he could chew!

Jiang Ruotang, who had been waiting in Jian Sha’s room, pushed open the door and leaned against the wall, smiling at her. "Seems like your whole family is standing together against him now."

Jian Sha gave Jiang Ruotang a big smile.

Meanwhile, the hashtag #ZhangChunPlagiarismVictimJumps# was already trending on Big Eyed Boy.

Zhang Chun had plenty of rivals—just as his side tried to suppress the trend, his opponents bought more exposure, keeping the topic exploding on Big Eyed Boy—total chaos.

Jiang Ruotang smirked. The firestorm he’d been waiting for was here—not only would Zhang Chun go up in flames, but Lin Chengdong would inevitably get burned too.

Now, only the two of them remained in Jian Sha’s room.

Jiang Ruotang looked at her and said softly, "I thought you’d dig in your heels against your parents."

Jian Sha chuckled. "I’ve gotta thank the class monitor for tipping off Lawyer Hong."

"Lu Guifan? What did he remind Lawyer Hong about?" Jiang Ruotang was surprised.

"He reminded Lawyer Hong to invite Auntie Zhao as a mediator. The monitor said Auntie Zhao carries weight in the parents’ chat."

Jiang Ruotang let out a breath. Indeed… Lu Guifan knew Lawyer Hong and Zhao Yunshu were besties.

Jiang Ruotang narrowed his eyes. "But who called the reporters?"

"Who else? The monitor…" Jian Sha tilted her head, eyeing him.