Design drawings and actual buildings are different things.

One is a half-finished product, with lines falling on paper. Whether these can become real architecture, and how much of the effect shown in the renderings can be realized, are two separate matters.

If designs, however imaginative, cannot be realized, they are meaningless.

Real implementation is closely tied to current construction capabilities. Architects must understand various building materials and construction techniques to balance practicality and artistry in their designs.

Monde was reviewing Xia Xiaolan’s portfolio for the second time. This review was more detailed, and there were new additions – actual photographs!

Her style remained undefined.

The evolution of her works was untraceable.

This wasn’t a flaw – rather, an advantage. She wasn’t confined by rigid boundaries. Such architects would always keep people anticipating – Monde knew well that Lisa wasn’t her equal.

Neither was Heidi.

Monde felt regret about this.

He looked up and could see the confidence of a certain victory on Xia Xiaolan’s face.

Monde did not doubt that if he claimed he couldn’t make an assessment, or made one that Xia Xiaolan didn’t want, she wouldn’t give up. She would pursue this matter relentlessly, determined to quarrel with him for life.

No, it was already happening.

Xia Xiaolan had orchestrated such a grand display, convincing the AIA headquarters to send someone to China to view her design works, all to fight him to the end. If he said today he couldn’t make an assessment, Xia Xiaolan would find others to reassess everything.

“Mr. Monde, have you reached your conclusion?”

Monde appeared to be staring blankly at the two portfolios for quite some time, prompting the judge to speak up.

“If Mr. Monde cannot make an assessment, the court will have to request an evaluation from other professional institutions—”

“I can.”

Monde looked up.

“If I say I cannot assess this, then there wouldn’t be many others who could or would dare to make an assessment.”

…

“Why hasn’t the trial ended yet?”

“It probably won’t end today.”

“Wonder who won!”

“Why isn’t this a public trial…”

If it were a public trial, the media could observe. They had waited outside the court all day to report the news firsthand. The trial process would surely be a brilliant debate and attack. Lisa had many newsworthy points, and Xia Xiaolan was equally notable. Her pre-trial performance had already blown away the reporters present!

Dropping design drawings from a helicopter.

Appearing at the last moment.

Leaving a multiple-choice question for all her supporters.

All these signs indicated that Xia Xiaolan was someone who wasn’t afraid to make headlines!

The reporters were discussing, and others were anxiously waiting too. Only passersby had left; supporters from both sides remained, and even Chinatown’s Chinese weren’t rushing back worried about their businesses – it was truly peculiar. Before the trial results came out, nobody wanted to leave. If they left, who would support Xia Xiaolan?

This was America.

They were all Chinese people, who wanted to unite just this once.

Would uniting necessarily bring the results everyone wanted?

Perhaps not.

But without unity, there definitely wouldn’t be good results!

The Cornell Architecture School students hadn’t left either. They hoped Xia Xiaolan would win because she was a Cornell Architecture student – they were natural allies.

The Chinese Embassy in New York was also following the case. As this was a civil rather than criminal case, the embassy couldn’t condemn it officially, but they found ways to show support, providing water and food to those supporting Xia Xiaolan.

Whether Chinatown Chinese, New York students, or Cornell students – all were treated equally.

Not hungry or thirsty, everyone could wait longer.

Zhou Yi kept flipping through the design drawings in her hands, examining them one by one:

“This one must be Xiaolan’s… this one’s ugly, probably Lisa’s, who knows where she stole it from… hmm, this is Xiaolan’s…”

Qi Wei found her constant muttering annoying, but Zhou Yi wouldn’t leave her alone, poking her arm:

“Will this strategy work? Lisa’s been jumping around in the newspapers for so many days, can the situation be turned around so quickly?”

The helicopter was impressive indeed.

But the judge couldn’t see that moment, Zhou Yi felt uneasy, still worried the judge would favor Lisa, that American woman!

Qi Wei, having been Temperature Mannie’s assistant for some time, understood the American judicial system’s operation well. She explained the ‘jury’ system to Zhou Yi, who became more worried – how could jurors with no legal knowledge help make a fair decision?

Tsk tsk tsk, what was she thinking? Xia Xiaolan would win!

Qi Wei hadn’t been involved and didn’t know that Xia Xiaolan’s complex strategy of first appearing weak and then strong was aimed at General Monde Dawson.

She could only guess based on her assumptions that Xia Xiaolan wanted to disrupt Lisa’s plan and move the jury.

Zhou Yi hadn’t developed such legal thinking yet. That such a person wanted to study law – Qi Wei was speechless.

Lisa’s supporters’ feelings were more complicated because Xia Xiaolan was so confident that they dared not voice their choices, nervously holding the design drawings, occasionally stealing glances before quickly putting them down—

“They’re coming out!”

Someone with sharp eyes spotted movement.

Today’s trial wasn’t just about Xia Xiaolan suing Lisa. Every time someone came out, reporters would get excited, only to be disappointed.

But this time was real!

Because they had already seen Xia Xiaolan.

Given Xia Xiaolan’s shocking entrance that morning, no one could mistake her.

Xia Xiaolan walked out of the court surrounded by friends and family, reporters swarming around like bloodsucking leeches.

“Who won?”

“Was there an immediate verdict?”

“Where’s Lisa? Where is Lisa?”

Lisa lagged behind Xia Xiaolan’s group, equally pursued by reporters. Xia Xiaolan was triumphant, while Lisa hurried her steps. Some had already vaguely guessed the result. Lisa and Attorney Myers tried to squeeze into their car to leave but were surrounded.

“Lisa, can you tell us the result?”

“Lisa, you won, right?”

Won?

No, she hadn’t won… Monde Dawson had discarded her as a pawn, choosing to preserve his reputation!

Myers blocked the microphones with his hand: “We absolutely do not accept the first instance verdict, my client will appeal!”

Uh?

So this means they lost?

The court determined that the Broadway theater was the Chinese intern’s work?!

“Lisa—”

Lisa had already gotten into the car, urging the driver to leave quickly. She didn’t want to be interviewed at all. Myers said they would appeal, but Lisa knew she was finished!

The trial’s big winner was surrounded by reporters, the atmosphere somewhat awkward.

Unbelievable, a shocking reversal – they didn’t know what to ask Xia Xiaolan.

Xia Xiaolan herself wasn’t shy at all, grabbing a microphone:

“I’ve heard a saying that justice may be delayed, but it will never be absent. I won. As a Chinese student, I experienced the fairness of American justice, but I only want to praise myself… This judicial justice was something I fought for myself, not hoping for others’ sympathy and pity!”