A Tale of Two Cities Supporting Xinjiang

When Lin Wei saw the plight of Guzalinur's team in the group chat, and heard Chang Peng talk about the copyright disputes, the impact of counterfeit products, and the team's split, she immediately made a decision: "No way, we have to go to the site and lend a hand!"

Before the school approved the funding, Lin Wei bought a plane ticket at her own expense and rushed to Shihezi.

Along the way, she compiled cases of intellectual property rights protection in mainland China, the quick process of copyright registration, and contacted familiar lawyer friends, preparing to bring all these resources to Guzalinur's team.

But as soon as they arrived at the entrance of Shihezi Vocational College, Teacher Li and two other teachers blocked their way, their faces showing no politeness whatsoever: "Teacher Lin, you should go back. Teachers from out of town shouldn't meddle in other people's business."

Lin Wei was taken aback for a moment, then quickly explained, "Teacher Li, we're here to help the students resolve their rights issues. Their designs have been infringed upon, and they've even been falsely accused. We've brought a lot of experience and resources with us..."

"Solve the problem?"

Teacher Li sneered and interrupted her, "This is a local education problem. We know how to handle it, and we don't need outsiders to interfere."

Besides, it's not even certain whether the student's design is original; don't be fooled by appearances.

Teacher Zhang, who was standing next to him, chimed in, "That's right!"

I heard that their designs were copied from mainland cultural and creative products, and now they are being complained about by counterfeiters, which is their own fault.

You've come all this way; don't let it backfire and ruin your own reputation.

Lin Wei immediately became anxious upon hearing this: "That's impossible!"

The student's design has a complete creative process record, and we provided guidance throughout. How could it be plagiarism?

"Wasn't the record just something you made casually?"

Teacher Li said with a disdainful tone, "These days, students will do anything to get good grades."

We've already reported the situation to the school leaders, and they've said it will be handled internally. So please stop making things worse.

As she spoke, Teacher Li deliberately raised her voice so that passing students and parents could hear: "Everyone, come and see! These teachers from out of town are blindly supporting the student, unaware that the student's design is plagiarized. Now they're trying to frame the company!"

Several parents, unaware of the situation, gathered around and pointed at Lin Wei's team, saying, "So they're helping students who plagiarized. No wonder they're so enthusiastic."

"People from out of town are unreliable; I wonder what benefits they get from taking students."

Lin Wei's team of teachers were so angry that their faces turned red. They tried to explain, but Teacher Li and others blocked them from speaking at all.

Teacher Li also secretly pulled aside passing students and whispered rumors: "Don't believe the teachers from Dalian. They just want to take credit for this. The students' designs were indeed copied from others, otherwise why would the counterfeiters sue them?"

These words quickly reached Guzalinur's ears. She rushed to the school gate and saw Lin Wei surrounded by people. She felt anxious and ashamed: "Teacher Lin, I'm sorry, we've caused you so much trouble."

"Don't be so polite with me. Now that I'm here, I won't just ignore you."

We have evidence of plagiarism. No matter how difficult the road to protecting your rights is, we will help you see it through to the end.

However, Teacher Li and others persisted and even went to the school leaders' office to complain, saying that Lin Wei "interfered with local teaching" and "misled students."

The school leaders, already worried about things escalating, quickly spoke with Lin Wei after being instigated. Their tone was tactful but their attitude was firm: "Teacher Lin, thank you for your kindness, but we still want to resolve this internally. You can go back now, and we'll contact you again if we need anything later."

Seeing the school leaders' troubled expressions and then at the smug faces of Teacher Li and the others, Lin Wei knew that there was no point in forcing them to stay.

Lin Wei quietly pulled Guzalinur aside and handed her a stack of rights protection materials and lawyer's contact information: "Take these and follow the steps on them to secure the evidence. We will also help you connect with resources remotely."

Don't be afraid, original works should be protected, and we won't let you suffer injustice for nothing.

Watching Lin Wei's helpless departure, Guzalinur's eyes welled up with tears.

Just when Guzalinur was at her wit's end and couldn't even gather enough evidence to defend herself, a call came in from an unknown number.

"Hello, is this Guzalinur? I have the evidence you need. Meet me at the back gate of the old factory area at 8 PM. Don't bring anyone else, and don't ask who I am."

The other person spoke in a very low voice and hung up the phone after speaking.

Guzalinur was both surprised and suspicious. After hesitating for a long time, she decided to go to the appointment alone.

Upon arriving at the agreed location, a man wearing a mask and hat handed over a sealed document bag: "Inside are internal emails from the company secretly modifying design parameters and deliberately lowering the price of genuine products to squeeze out counterfeit products, as well as meeting minutes where General Manager Li instructed the substitution of materials."

Guzalinur quickly opened it and was both angry and delighted by what she saw. These were the key pieces of evidence refuting the company's claim of leaked designs.

"Who are you? Why are you helping us?"

The man took a half step back, his tone serious: "I am a shareholder of the company and a design graduate. I can't stand seeing them bully students like this."

However, due to my special status, General Manager Li has suspended my authority on the grounds that I have harmed the company's interests. I obtained this evidence at great risk.

He stared at Guzalinur and emphasized, "I have only one request: you must not reveal my identity. Whether it's a lawsuit or a negotiation, you must not mention a single word about me."

"If my identity is exposed, this evidence will be immediately invalidated, and I'll be completely finished. Can you guarantee that?"

Guzalinur nodded emphatically: "I promise!"

Thank you. Without this evidence, we would have had no choice but to accept our defeat.

The man said nothing more, turned around and disappeared into the night.

Holding the file bag, Guzalinur felt a glimmer of hope rekindle in her heart and hurried back to share the good news with her team.

But before they could even process this surprise, new troubles came knocking.

Several parents felt both pain and anger as they watched their children, burdened by lawsuits and plagiarism accusations, lose their appetite and suffer emotional breakdowns.

The previous opposition to education reform has all turned into dissatisfaction with businesses. Some have suggested, "Let's protest in front of the companies and demand they drop the lawsuit, clearing the children's names!"

These words immediately garnered responses from more than a dozen parents.

The next morning, they blocked the company's main gate with signs demanding justice for the students and rejecting malicious lawsuits.