588: Chapter 583 Lawsuits Don't Just Happen in the Courtroom

Shen Yan walked out of the coffee shop, the afternoon sun was a bit harsh.

He settled into the back seat of the Cullinan, the cool air inside isolating him from the external heat.

The driver smoothly started the car.

"Mr. Shen, returning to the company?"

"No, go to the project site of 'Shen Yan Plaza'."

"Understood."

The vehicle merged into the traffic flow, heading towards the new district.

That once desolate piece of land had now transformed into the most eye-catching super construction site.

'Shen Yan Plaza' was a gift he was giving to his daughter Youyou, and besides technology, it was another crucial cornerstone of his business empire.

The car stopped in front of the temporary command center at the construction site.

The project manager, Zhou Heng, a dark-skinned middle-aged man, had long been waiting at the entrance.

Wearing a yellow hard hat, he immediately trotted over upon seeing Shen Yan get out of the car.

"Mr. Shen, why did you come in person?"

Shen Yan didn't speak, merely accepting another white hard hat handed over by Zhou Heng and placing it on his head.

"Show me around."

His tone allowed for no refusal.

"Yes, yes!"

Wei Guoliang quickly led the way, reporting as they walked.

"The main structure is fully topped out. We are currently installing the exterior glass curtain walls and laying internal pipelines. We are using the highest specification materials, exactly as you requested."

Shen Yan’s gaze swept over the scaffolding that resembled a steel forest, and the workers bustling on it like ants.

The air was filled with a mixed odor of concrete, dust, and electric welding.

The massive tower crane moved slowly, hoisting tons of building materials to the heights.

The noise was deafening.

Yet, he seemed detached, his steps steady, his eyes sharp.

He looked less like he was inspecting and more like he was reviewing his own army.

"Which supplier are we using for the fire safety system?"

He suddenly spoke.

Wei Guoliang paused, then quickly replied, "It's 'Hoffmann' from Germany, a top global brand."

"Send the inspection reports for the pipe wall thickness and the fireproof coating to my email this afternoon."

"Yes, Mr. Shen."

Wei Guoliang’s forehead began to sweat.

This young boss's control over details was simply appalling.

They walked through the lobby of Building One's podium, which would become the largest luxury center in Sea City in the future.

Shen Yan stopped, looking up at the dozens of meters high atrium design.

"Add another layer of carbon fiber cloth reinforcement to the load-bearing columns here."

"Mr. Shen, this... it's not in the blueprints, and the current structural strength already far exceeds national standards."

Wei Guoliang hesitated slightly.

Shen Yan shifted his gaze from the blueprints to his face.

"I am not consulting with you."

Wei Guoliang's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately straightened his posture.

"Understood! I will arrange it immediately!"

Just then, Shen Yan’s private phone vibrated in his pocket.

He took it out and glanced at it.

It was an email from Li Jing, with a very simple subject line.

"All Materials"

The attachment was huge, several gigabytes.

He didn't open it immediately, just locked the screen and put the phone back in his pocket.

The inspection was still ongoing.

From the commercial area to the office buildings, and then to the rooftop helipad.

The questions Shen Yan asked became increasingly tricky, ranging from the elevator running speed to the drainage slope of the underground garage.

Zhou Heng went from answering fluently at the beginning to sweating profusely later on.

An hour later, Shen Yan returned to the entrance of the command center.

He took off his hard hat and returned it to Wei Guoliang.

"Progress is good."

He said lightly.

"Safety is always the first priority."

Wei Guoliang let out a long sigh of relief, feeling as if he had just finished a tough battle.

"Don't worry, Mr. Shen!"

Shen Yan nodded, turned around, and got into the car.

The Cullinan started again, heading towards the company building in the city center.

Inside the car, Shen Yan finally opened the email sent by Li Jing.

He downloaded the attachments and began flipping through them one by one.

There were messy design drafts, inspiration sketched on napkins.

There were screenshots of computer files with clear creation dates.

There were chat logs of her discussing design details with her ex-husband, Gao Jun.

And there were several youthful photos of her holding an award trophy and design drawings when she won prizes.

The chain of evidence was long and messy.

But it was enough to prove that the designs taken by 'Brilliant Era' to be heavily marketed, and even win awards with, originated here.

Li Jing was indeed a genius.

Gao Jun was merely a despicable thief.

Shen Yan finished viewing all the files with an expressionless face.

Then, he sent a text message to Li Jing.

"Received. Come to my company, I'll wait for you there."

Shortly after the message was sent, he received a reply.

It was just one word.

"Okay."

One hour later.

At the company reception.

Li Jing stood somewhat awkwardly on the polished, mirror-like marble floor.

She looked up at the huge, high-tech company LOGO overhead, feeling slightly out of place.

Everyone here was hurrying, their faces bearing the halo of confidence and elitism.

And she was just a desperate single mother.

"Hello, are you Ms. Li Jing?"

The sweet voice of the receptionist interrupted her thoughts.

"Ah, yes, yes, it's me."

"Mr. Shen's assistant is waiting for you downstairs, please follow me."

Li Jing was led to the VIP elevator.

A capable and beautiful female assistant wearing a professional skirt suit was waiting there.

It was Bai Ling.

She had been recommended by Wu Ya to be Shen Yan's assistant.

Bai Ling’s gaze lingered on Li Jing for two seconds—it was an appraisal, containing a hint of undetectable scrutiny.

"Ms. Li, hello, I am Mr. Shen's assistant, Bai Ling."

"Hello."

The elevator ascended smoothly.

Bai Ling didn't say much, and Li Jing was too nervous to speak.

The elevator doors opened to the top floor, Mr. Shen's exclusive office area.

Quiet, solemn, exuding an aura of money and power.

Wu Ya led her to the door of a small conference room.

"Mr. Shen is waiting for you inside."

Li Jing took a deep breath and pushed the door open.

Shen Yan was seated in the main seat at the conference table.

He didn't look up, focusing on the tablet computer in front of him.

Outside the huge floor-to-ceiling windows was the busiest CBD view of Sea City, with towering buildings and heavy traffic.

Sitting here, it felt as if one could step on the entire city beneath their feet.

"Sit."

Shen Yan's voice came.

Li Jing pulled out the chair opposite him and sat down cautiously.

The conference room door was gently closed by Wu Ya.

Only the two of them remained inside.

Shen Yan then raised his head and turned the tablet computer towards her.

On the screen was a clear structure he had created using mind-mapping software to organize her scattered evidence.

"I have reviewed your materials."

"The core evidence exists, but it is weak. The opposing counsel can easily classify them as 'similarities during the creation process,' or even 'your clumsy imitation of their finished product.'"

Li Jing's face turned pale.

"Then... then what should we do?"

"Fighting a lawsuit has never only happened in the courtroom."