Chapter 049: Response

As the incident continued to ferment, Lin Feng’s phone was bombarded with calls.

The first to call was Shen Ziqiang.

“Is what they’re saying on the news true?” Shen Ziqiang went straight to the point.

“More or less.”

“Damn! You really hit a fan?” Hearing Lin Feng admit it, Shen Ziqiang couldn’t help but curse, “You’re something else. Just after winning the Finals MVP, you get yourself into this huge mess!”

“They made the first move,” Lin Feng replied.

“That’s not the issue now. As long as you threw a punch, this won’t be easy to handle. Sigh, where are you? I’ll come over right away,” Shen Ziqiang said, annoyed. “Looks like our celebration dinner is off. You really are a trouble magnet!”

“I’m at the hospital, but I’ll have to go to the Zhongshan precinct soon to give a statement. Don’t bother coming, I can handle it myself.”

“Forget it. Someone from the Basketball Association just called me about this. I’ll wait for you at Zhongshan precinct,” Shen Ziqiang said, hanging up immediately.

Right after, Lin Feng received a call from his mother, Guo Shuzhen.

“Son, I heard you got into a fight. Are you hurt?” A mother’s first concern was always her child’s well-being.

“I’m fine. Not a scratch.” Lin Feng was puzzled. “But, Mom, aren’t you in America? How did news of my fight reach you so fast?”

“Not at all! I just got back to the country. Saw the news as soon as I got off the plane,” Guo Shuzhen replied, then asked, “So you’re not hurt, but did you hurt the other guy? And what’s going on with you and Qin Ruolin? The papers say you two are dating? I’m telling you, I absolutely don’t approve of you two together. Qin Ruolin is a nice girl, but she’s way too old for you!”

“Bro, I support you guys! Don’t forget to get me Queen Qin’s autograph!” A girl’s voice suddenly jumped in.

“Wenwen? You’re back too?” The speaker was Lin Feng’s sister, Lin Wen, who had been studying in America.

“Yeah, school’s out for the holidays,” Lin Wen replied with a laugh. “Bro, I saw the news about Jiangning winning the championship, and you got Finals MVP. Congratulations! Dad must be proud.”

“By the way, son, have you delayed the recording for ‘Original Good Songs’ because of the Finals?” Guo Shuzhen still cared more about Lin Feng’s progress in music.

“No, I’ve finished recording.”

“Really? Did any mentors hit the button for you?” Guo Shuzhen asked eagerly.

“All four of them did,” Lin Feng replied with pride.

“Really?!” Guo Shuzhen exclaimed with delight. “I knew it, my son’s a musical genius. When I get home, I’ll cook you something special to celebrate!”

“Sounds good, I’ll hold you to it.”

While Lin Feng was still on the phone, Qin Ruolin emerged from the medical room, her wound freshly bandaged. She held her phone in her hand, her expression dark—clearly, she’d seen the news.

“Mom, Wenwen, be careful on your way home. I have things to take care of here, talk later.” Lin Feng hung up and asked Qin Ruolin, “How’s the wound? Still hurt?”

“It stopped hurting ages ago. Besides, I’m not that fragile.” Qin Ruolin waved her phone and asked, “Did you see the news?”

“I did,” Lin Feng nodded.

“The media is really too much, spouting nonsense without getting the facts straight. Especially that guy Black and White—completely twisting the truth!” Qin Ruolin fumed.

Lin Feng shrugged, looking unconcerned. “They can say whatever they want; the truth will come out sooner or later.”

“You’re taking this lightly,” Qin Ruolin said with a pout.

“Not that I have a choice. Public opinion is already like this,” Lin Feng said, spreading his hands.

“I just posted on Weibo to clarify things for you. I hope it helps,” Qin Ruolin said.

“Uh…” Lin Feng was startled. “Actually, the news didn’t involve you much. You could’ve stayed silent. I’m guessing Beicheng deliberately leaked this after hearing about the scuffle, mainly to target me.”

“I don’t care what their motives are. You stood up for me, so how could I stay silent? What kind of person do you think I am?” Qin Ruolin said, cheeks puffed out in anger.

Lin Feng looked aggrieved. “Alright, whatever makes you happy. I just think it’s not good for a superstar like you to get dragged into a brawl.”

“There’s nothing wrong with it. I’ve never tried to act like some dainty lady. I am who I am—the real me! Those who like me will love me; those who don’t, that’s their business!” Qin Ruolin said with a proud, commanding air.

Lin Feng nodded and chuckled. “Sister Ruolin, a true heroine—tougher than any man!”

“Get out of here! You’re the one who’s manly!” Qin Ruolin shot him a glare.

—

In front of the Zhongshan Precinct of Beicheng Public Security Bureau.

A large crowd of reporters, having caught wind of the incident, had gathered. Almost every sports and entertainment reporter in Beicheng was present.

“Look, Qin Ruolin just updated her Weibo!” someone shouted in the crowd. Immediately, the reporters pulled out their phones and opened their Weibo apps.

Qin Ruolin’s Music Kingdom: I have three things to say about Lin Feng’s conflict with Beicheng fans. First, the so-called long post by “Black and White” is pure fabrication. Second, yes, there was a conflict with Beicheng fans, but it was us, not Lin Feng alone. Third, Lin Feng only acted after a Beicheng fan hit me with a can and injured me.

At the end, she attached a selfie of her wound before it was bandaged.

In the photo, half of Qin Ruolin’s face was smeared with blood, and the gash on her forehead was clearly visible.

The moment Qin Ruolin’s Weibo was posted, the internet erupted.

“Damn, someone actually injured Queen Qin!”

“Goddess, are you okay? My heart aches for you!”

“Damn those Beicheng fans. Animals! How could they even hit Queen Qin!”

“Total plot twist! Knew Lin Feng wouldn’t hit someone for no reason!”

“Black and White, come out and explain! How do you account for Queen Qin’s injury? And didn’t you say Lin Feng started it?”

—

Fifteen minutes after Qin Ruolin’s update, Lin Feng first reposted her Weibo, then posted his own.

Black and White, I suggest you change your name to “Distorting Black and White.” Other than the punctuation, not a single word in your post was true! Oh, but my name was real! With your talent for making up stories, does your family know? It’s a real shame you’re not writing fiction! Just for this post, I think I went too easy on you. If I get another chance, I’ll make sure you can’t post on Weibo again!

—