ABT Chapter 0033 Accused of Plagiarism
The competition was still in the preliminary stage, so the media didn't pay too much attention to the competition venue. They only reported on some strong teams from prestigious schools, warming up for the upcoming awards ceremony in a few days.
After receiving congratulations and praise from some other teams, the group returned to their apartment to carefully refine and perfect the clay model. A 5:1 scale model didn't require too many details; it just needed to capture the core concepts and the interior and exterior designs. But while it wasn't required, the team was determined to make it perfect. They made repeated color adjustments and created intricate details. Finally, on the night before the submission deadline, the i8 model was completed.
They looked at the masterpiece before them with satisfaction, reluctant to look away.
On the night before the preliminary round, four out of five members couldn't sleep, while Li Fanyu slept soundly, much to the annoyance of the others. As Cheng Ke put it, she had never seen someone with a heart as big as a durian.
The next day, Li Fanyu led the group with high spirits, carrying the model to the preliminary round venue. They weren't early, as more than ten teams had already finished setting up their displays.
The preliminary round was democratic; the organizers provided booths for the teams to set up their displays. Journalists and spectators were invited to observe and tear off recommendation tickets attached to their entry tickets, placing them in the boxes of their favorite exhibits. The top thirty entries would be selected based on the number of votes received.
Li Fanyu and his team quickly found their booth, which had a good position facing the entrance. Just as they were finalizing their display, a serious-looking staff member approached their booth. He spoke rapidly and then covered the model with a cloth.
Cheng Ke, infuriated, argued with him despite the others' confusion. The man shrugged and walked away.
Li Fanyu grabbed Cheng Ke as she tried to chase after him. "What did he say?"
Cheng Ke's face flushed with anger, tears welling up in her eyes. "He said that a participating team reported our entry for plagiarism, and the organizers want us to come and defend ourselves."
"What! Which team did this? They have some nerve!"
"Let's go find them! We have to sort this out!"
"Agreed!"
Although Li Fanyu was furious, he quickly calmed down. He had carefully researched the information; there was definitely no BMW i8 in this world, so how could someone accuse them of plagiarism? And from a participating team? Could it be sabotage?
But he soon settled down and patted Cheng Ke's shoulder. "Cheng Ke, don't cry. Let's go and figure this out."
The team blocked their booth and went to the judges' area.
As soon as they entered, Li Fanyu's attention was drawn to a clay model on the ground. The lines resembled those of the i8, the size was similar, and the shape bore a striking resemblance. Why did he say "resembled"? Because the i8's design was flawless, with every detail exuding smoothness and astonishing creativity. But this thing in front of him looked a lot like the i8 at first glance, but the details couldn't withstand scrutiny, and many of the designs were glaringly abrupt. In his opinion, it could only be described as a half-hearted imitation.
Similarity level: 60 points, not a point more.
A German with a full beard calmly spoke a lot, and Cheng Ke immediately began to defend passionately. However, the other party kept interrupting and asking questions until Cheng Ke couldn't continue. Choking back tears, she said to the others, "He's the head judge, and he said the team from the University of Tokyo's Automotive Engineering Department reported us for plagiarism. He compared the two works on-site and felt that the similarity was indeed too high. He asked us to defend ourselves. And until we can prove that our work isn't plagiarized, we're not allowed to participate in the preliminary round."
Li Fanyu and the others were furious. They knew what their work was all about. They had put in blood, sweat, and tears into their creation, from design to construction. Accusing them of plagiarism was absolutely unfounded!
But how could they prove themselves?
Li Fanyu thought for a moment and said to Cheng Ke, "Tell him that we can explain the design concept and specific solutions, and we can even make a 1:1 clay model."
Cheng Ke urgently replied, "I already told him, but the judges didn't listen. The team that reported us has already submitted all this! Making a 1:1 model would take too long; the voting for the preliminary round is this afternoon!"
A 5:1 scale model only emphasized the concept, but a 1:1 model included the interior and engine compartment, showcasing almost all the major technical features of the vehicle. If they could make it, it would be clear who was original and who was copying. But Cheng Ke was right, there wasn't enough time.
Chapter 0033 Accused of Plagiarism
Making a 1:1 model would take too long, and the preliminary round had already ended. Even if they proved themselves, what good would it do? They still wouldn't be able to win any awards.
Li Fanyu clenched his teeth, his facial muscles twitching. The University of Tokyo's Automotive Engineering Department, I'll remember you!
"So, does that mean the i8 can't compete?" Cheng Ke translated his question, and the head judge expressed his apologies, shrugging helplessly.
"Damn it! I'm going to find those Japanese idiots!" Liu Qing tore off his entry card from around his neck and angrily threw it on the ground.
The eyes of the group reddened. They had plummeted from the clouds to the depths of despair. The sense of loss was overwhelming. Their dreams and efforts, loaded onto their creation, didn't even qualify for the preliminary round. They felt both aggrieved and angry.
Cheng Ke raised her head again, attempting to argue, but one of the judges beside the head judge said that the University of Tokyo's Automotive Engineering Department was a top-ranking design powerhouse in the world and wouldn't ruin their chances of winning awards by falsely accusing others.
"This is not fair! I quit!" Cheng Ke took off her entry card and gently threw it on the ground. Xu Fufang and Zhang Yu also removed their entry cards simultaneously, throwing them down with resentment.
They could accept failure, but they couldn't accept such accusations and humiliation. Why should their hard work be accused of plagiarism? Why should they be disqualified just like that?
As the group turned to leave, Li Fanyu slowly bent down, picked up the scattered name tags from the ground, and clenched them tightly in his hand.
"What are you doing? We can't compete anymore. Are we going to stay here and be laughed at?" Cheng Ke was somewhat hysterical, shouting at him.
Li Fanyu's expression remained neutral, but his eyes gleamed coldly. He looked at the four angry and aggrieved individuals and said calmly, "I still have four hours. Since the i8 can't compete, let's redesign it now!"
Liu Qing gasped angrily, "Are you out of your mind? Making a rushed piece of junk? This J8 competition is completely unfair. I'd rather not participate!"
"What about the bold words you said when we arrived? Do you remember what we said at the airport? Why did we come here? Are we here to endure a little injustice and quit, just to show some temper?"
Li Fanyu's suppressed emotions finally erupted, his expression resembling that of a lion, frightening even the head judge nearby.
"If we don't compete, what are we going to do next? We've been supporting each other all the way here. We're going to throw our hopes and dreams in Europe and bring back resentment and regret to our country? Can you face Old Zhang? Can you face yourself? Can you face our efforts?"
"Liu Qing, you can use old lighters to make motorcycle models. Xu Fufang, you can watch movies while making structural layout diagrams. Zhang Yu, you can use 3D graphics to create models that rival special effects. Cheng Ke, you clearly have the talent to design your own work, but you willingly play the role of a vase translator for the team. With such great talents, are you willing to go back now? Won't you regret it in the future? Doesn't your heart ache?"
"My heart aches! Damn it, it aches! When I came, my motives were impure. I just wanted to mix with you and get an award, to complete a damn mission! But now, I want to fight again, for you, for me, for the people who want us to succeed, and even for those who don't! If you're willing, take your entry cards. Let's conquer Munich!"
As Li Fanyu shouted, his voice became hoarse, piercing through the wind like the roar of a wild beast.
The four stood still for a long time. Zhang Yu lowered his head and quietly took his name tag from Li Fanyu's hand.
Xu Fufang, Liu Qing.
Cheng Ke held her name tag, rushed into his arms, and burst into tears.
The other three silently approached, and Li Fanyu reached out, pulling them over.
The five hugged tightly, and at that moment, they truly came together as one.