Chapter 111: The Adorable People's Daily

Lin Feng updated his Weibo with a famous quote from Nelson Mandela, the "Father of South Africa." The words perfectly captured his current mood. He had never intended to burn bridges with the Basketball Association; like the first part of Mandela’s quote, he hadn't naively tried to change the entire system by his own strength alone. He was willing to adapt and make compromises. But if they thought they could walk all over him, that was absolutely impossible!

As the last line of the quote suggested, he could be as humble as dust, but he would never be as twisted as a maggot. Therefore, he would resist and fight back—that was Lin Feng’s stance.

His fans were baffled by the sudden update, confused as to why he had posted it. They flooded his comment section with questions, but Lin Feng offered no further response.

However, a post on the Basketball Association’s official Weibo soon seemed to provide an answer.

"Any player who refuses to comply with the Basketball Association's penalties will have their qualification to participate in professional leagues revoked indefinitely! Furthermore, effective immediately, the Association will strictly review the qualifications of all professional league players. Any player lacking a professional basketball athlete qualification certificate will be prohibited from participating in the professional basketball league (with the exception of foreign players)."

The Association’s post didn't mention any names, but netizens immediately linked it to Lin Feng, as he was the only player recently penalized by the organization. Soon, fans dug up the fact that Lin Feng did not hold a professional basketball athlete qualification certificate. With that, the "code" of the Association's post was completely cracked.

Clearly, the Basketball Association was targeting Lin Feng.

Having been filled with pent-up rage over the national team's crushing defeat, the fans were now seeing the Association lash out at Lin Feng, the man they considered their "savior." The Association’s official Weibo was instantly besieged by angry netizens denouncing them and standing up for Lin Feng.

The Association, however, played it "tough." They disabled comments and fired off another post.

"Lin Feng has refused to pay the fine and refused to accept the Basketball Association's penalties. In accordance with relevant regulations, the Association is revoking his eligibility to participate in next season's CBA league!"

When this post went live, the internet exploded. The Association was openly defying the public, showing no regard for the fans' feelings and instead rushing to assert that its authority was not to be challenged.

*So, you're scolding us? You're standing up for Lin Feng? Fine! Then we’ll go even harder. We will "ban" the very person you worship as a hero and savior!*

The Association’s attitude was clear: *Do you really think you, a mere Lin Feng, can outplay the mighty Basketball Association?*

***

The Association’s hardline stance infuriated all the fans. Weibo, WeChat Moments, major sports forums, and portal comment sections were filled with blunt, harsh condemnations. Fans realized that reasoning with the Association was completely futile.

The Association’s website, having just been repaired, was breached once again. This time, the homepage featured a video of Lin Feng and Smith’s three-point shootout—a hacker’s way of expressing their disdain for the Association and their support for Lin Feng.

Netizens spread the news like wildfire, but the Association soon shut down the website entirely.

Yet, the verbal onslaught from the public did not cease; it remained overwhelming. What puzzled everyone was that Lin Feng, the party at the center of the storm, remained silent.

"This isn't right. Silence isn't Lin Feng's style, is it?"
"Maybe he's cooking up something big!"
"I still prefer the Lin Feng who acts rather than argues."
"Come out and fight, Lin Feng! We support you!"

Netizens left message after message on his Weibo, but Lin Feng remained quiet.

It wasn't until the next day that people saw the latest issue of the *People’s Daily*...

*“The Youngest Finals MVP in History, the Backbone of China’s Basketball Future: This Issue’s Sports Figure—Lin Feng!”*

Only the top figures in their respective fields were featured in the *People’s Daily* sports segment. No one had expected that this issue would feature Lin Feng, who was currently locked in a heated battle with the Basketball Association.

Seeing the report, netizens were thrilled. The *People’s Daily* had delivered a professional slap to the face!

The Basketball Association had just dismissed Lin Feng as worthless and stripped him of his right to play, yet here was the *People’s Daily* presenting him as an "idol" of the sport, offering a comprehensive, positive report and hailing him as the backbone of the future of Chinese basketball. The irony was palpable.

"Hahaha, the *People’s Daily* is awesome! As expected of the national media! Just for this report on Lin Feng, I’m buying ten copies to show my support!"

"First time I’ve ever found the *People’s Daily* so lovable. Hahaha, so satisfying! F*** the Basketball Association, they’ve really screwed up this time, haven't they? Haha! I’m going to buy ten copies too..."

"No words needed, we have to support the *People’s Daily* this time! We can only scold the Association, but we can support the pro-Lin Feng stance with real action. I’m buying a hundred copies, if only to let 'them' know how the public feels!"

"I agree with the person above, I’m buying a hundred copies to support Lin Feng, too!"

"I want to tell the *People’s Daily*: Well done! I’m buying a hundred copies to support Lin Feng as well!"

The *People’s Daily* report on Lin Feng triggered a massive social reaction. The newspaper, previously often mocked, became the object of universal praise. Many people bought copies to demonstrate their support for Lin Feng, causing the paper’s sales to skyrocket.

By noon, the *People’s Daily* was sold out everywhere. This was a phenomenon that hadn't been seen in years. As the internet became more developed, fewer people read newspapers, so even a "national media" outlet like the *People’s Daily* had a daily circulation of only about three million, mostly subscribed to by government agencies and enterprises.

But today, thanks to the report on Lin Feng, the paper sold out completely. Netizens who managed to snag a copy posted photos on Weibo and WeChat, using them as a symbol of their support for Lin Feng!

Inside the Basketball Association office building, Zhu Deli looked at the *People’s Daily* on his desk and was trembling with rage, his face turning a sickly liver color.

"What is the *People’s Daily* doing?! Opening a special feature for Lin Feng? Have they lost their minds? Don't they see the stance we’ve taken?!"

"Director Zhu, please calm down. The fact that the *People’s Daily* published this at such a time... I don't think this is simple. I’m afraid Lin Feng’s background is far more complicated than we imagined," his confidant, Zhao Jian, whispered.

"Could Qin Weiguo have intervened?" Zhu Deli frowned. "He told me personally before that he didn't want Lin Feng with Qin Ruolin, and he even hinted that I could stir up trouble for Lin Feng. Could he have changed his mind?"

"That’s hard to say," Zhao Jian suggested. "Director, why don't you probe Bureau Chief Qin’s stance again? The news has been saying for the past two days that Lin Feng and Qin Ruolin are getting married. If that’s true, even if the Bureau Chief isn't happy with Lin Feng, he wouldn't just stand by and watch his son-in-law get destroyed..."

"Hmm, that makes sense. I’ll go see Qin Weiguo tonight..."