Chapter 21: Turmoil Arises Again, Holding Firm to One's Original Resolve
The lingering success of the holographic fashion show still warmed the studio, which was immersed in joy. Yet beneath the calm surface, dark currents began to stir once again.
Suddenly, rumors spread throughout the industry. Anonymous individuals posted on major design forums and social media, accusing Zhou Dan’s studio of stealing creative ideas from other teams involved in the holographic fashion show project. They claimed the studio had won collaborations and praise through unscrupulous means. These posts included seemingly plausible “evidence,” such as blurry comparisons of design sketches, alleging that key scenes and creative elements had appeared elsewhere long ago, merely “borrowed” by Zhou Dan’s team.
The uproar was immediate. Uninformed netizens joined the chorus of accusations, flooding comment sections with scorn: “I never thought they’d rise through plagiarism. So disappointing!” “Their reputation was probably all hype. Now their true colors show.” Even clients who had once praised the studio began to adopt a wait-and-see attitude, with several small projects suspended pending reassessment.
When Zhou Dan saw these accusations, his fists clenched in fury, his face ashen. He knew this was a malicious slander, but in an age when information spreads rapidly and public opinion can be easily misled, clearing the truth was no easy task. His team shared his indignation, gathering together to strategize.
“Boss, this has to be the work of rivals. We can’t just sit back and do nothing!” Zhang, a key technician, slammed his hand on the table.
“Exactly. We need to expose whoever is behind this and restore our good name,” others chimed in.
Suppressing his anger, Zhou Dan calmed himself to analyze: “Judging by the content and timing of these posts, they were well prepared and clearly know our project’s workflow. It must be someone from within the industry. Let’s start at the source and see if we can find flaws in their so-called ‘evidence.’”
The team split into several groups: one to investigate the IP addresses of the posts and trace the publisher’s clues; another to meticulously compare the accused design sketches, seeking professional grounds to refute the claims; and a third to liaise with the show’s partner, Radiant Galaxy, gathering all project documentation to prove the originality of their ideas.
After days and nights of grueling effort, progress was made. The IP investigation team discovered that all posts originated from the same proxy server. Although they couldn’t directly identify the culprit, it was clear someone was deliberately concealing their identity, an extremely suspicious act. The sketch comparison team produced a detailed professional report, explaining the fundamental differences between the studio’s works and the alleged “plagiarized” designs—from conceptual philosophy and technical execution to fine details—demonstrating that the similarities were superficial and the core ideas entirely different.
Meanwhile, the group liaising with Radiant Galaxy brought back excellent news. The brand fully supported the studio, providing complete records of emails and meeting minutes from initial brainstorming sessions to final proposals. They were also willing to publicly affirm the originality of Zhou Dan’s team.
Armed with this compelling evidence, Zhou Dan decided to take the initiative. He contacted several influential industry media and held a small press conference. There, he presented the evidence in detail and spoke with righteous clarity:
“Our studio’s journey has always been built on relentless effort and innovation. Every project is the result of our team’s dedication. We will not tolerate any defamation or slander. The holographic fashion show—from concept to technical realization—is entirely our original creation. The evidence speaks for itself. We urge everyone to remain rational and not be misled by false information. To those who maliciously defame us, be warned: the law’s boundaries must not be crossed.”
As news of the press conference spread, public opinion began to shift. Some netizens who had joined in the accusations reflected and, upon reviewing the evidence, began apologizing in comments: “We misunderstood you. We were used as pawns. Sorry!” Industry professionals also voiced support, praising Zhou Dan’s team for their professionalism and integrity. Clients who had paused cooperation regained trust, and projects resumed.
Though exhausted by the ordeal, Zhou Dan and his team emerged more resolute than ever in defending originality. They understood that the pursuit of dreams inevitably faced storms, but only by staying true to their principles and letting their strength speak could they stand firm amid the unpredictable tides of the industry, forging ahead toward loftier goals with unwavering courage.