Chapter 055: The Basketball Association's Sanction

Afternoon.

Lin Feng was dragged out shopping by his younger sister, Lin Wen.

He hadn’t realized it until he stepped into the mall—once inside, Lin Feng was immediately surrounded. Thanks to his dazzling performance in the championship finals, turning the tide singlehandedly, Lin Feng had become the hero of Jiangning. Now, in Jiangning, even if Liu Hua, the king of pop, showed up in person, he might not attract as much attention as Lin Feng.

People crowded around asking for photos, autographs, even hugs…

The crowd grew larger and larger; forget shopping—Lin Feng even found it difficult to take a few steps forward. Lin Wen was squeezed out of the throng by zealous fans, and finally, the mall had to dispatch over a dozen security guards to extricate Lin Feng.

“Brother, you’re way too famous!” Lin Wen complained as she sipped her water in the mall’s lounge, where they’d been temporarily taken.

“I only just found out myself,” Lin Feng replied with a helpless shrug.

“So what do we do now? You promised to go shopping with me, but I haven’t bought a single thing!” Lin Wen pouted.

“How about this: you go buy me a mask and sunglasses, maybe a hat too. Once I’m disguised, no one will recognize me,” Lin Feng suggested after thinking for a moment.

“That’s a great idea, I’ll go right away!” Lin Wen dashed out and quickly returned with the requested gear.

A British-style cap, a cotton mask like those worn by sanitation workers, and a pair of oversized sunglasses.

Though the combination was a bit mismatched, it worked wonders—once Lin Feng donned them, his face was completely concealed.

The siblings left the lounge, and as expected, Lin Feng was no longer recognized.

Lin Wen was delighted, pulling Lin Feng along as she finally started her shopping spree…

…

Meanwhile.

Basketball Association office building.

“He’s getting out of hand! He hit a fan and thinks he’s justified? Refuses to apologize?! Refuses to apologize! Then he shouldn’t expect to play at all next season!” Director Zhu Deli of the Basketball Administration Center slammed the table in fury.

Across from him, staff member Zhao Jian had just reported Jiangning team’s feedback on the altercation between Lin Feng and the Beicheng fans.

“Director, Shen Ziqiang said Lin Feng was the passive party in the incident, and the Beicheng fans made the first move, so he’s upset about being asked to apologize. However, Jiangning Club is willing to apologize to the injured Beicheng fans on Lin Feng’s behalf, hoping the Association might consider reducing his penalty,” Zhao Jian explained.

“It was Lin Feng who threw the punch, and now he won’t apologize himself? Letting the club do it for him, what does that even mean?” Zhu Deli snapped angrily. “I think Lin Feng’s played a few good games, won the finals MVP, and now he’s gotten cocky—he treats our opinions like they’re nothing. Does he even respect the Association, respect his superiors? I think it’s time to put him in his place, remind him who he is!”

“Go, publish the penalty announcement on the official website, just as the regulations stipulate!” Zhu Deli ordered.

“Director, should we wait a bit on this? After all…” Zhao Jian hesitated.

“After all what? Speak up!” Zhu Deli glared.

Zhao Jian leaned closer and whispered, “Director, perhaps you’ve forgotten—Lin Feng is dating Qin Ruolin. Strictly speaking, he’s basically Director Qin’s prospective son-in-law. If we penalize Lin Feng so harshly, won’t it be difficult to explain to Director Qin?”

At these words, Zhu Deli frowned, finally recalling that Qin Weiguo himself had picked up Lin Feng outside the arena on finals night.

“Hmm, you make a good point,” Zhu Deli tapped the table thoughtfully. “Has Director Qin given Lin Feng his approval?”

“That, I’m not sure about,” Zhao Jian replied with a wry smile, shaking his head. “But I did hear that after the incident, Director Qin scolded Lin Feng at the police station for not protecting his daughter.”

“Really?”

“That’s just what I heard.”

“Alright, you can go now.”

“What about the penalty announcement?”

“Hold off for now, I’ll call you later.” Zhu Deli dismissed Zhao Jian, then picked up the phone and dialed.

“Hello, this is Zhu Deli from the Basketball Administration Center. Could you transfer me to Director Qin’s office…?”

“Director Qin, hello, it’s Zhu. There’s something I’d like to report, yes, it’s about Lin Feng’s penalty. Proceed according to regulations? Understood, Director Qin, I’ll let you get back to work…”

Hanging up, Zhu Deli smiled. From Qin Weiguo’s tone, he could tell Lin Feng was not regarded as any sort of future son-in-law.

Zhu Deli then called Zhao Jian: “Publish the announcement!”

…

Three o’clock that afternoon.

The Basketball Association’s website and official Weibo account simultaneously updated.

Regarding the “Lin Feng and Beicheng fans altercation”—penalty results.

First, the Association deeply regrets such a severe altercation occurring after the finals.

Second, Beicheng High-Tech Club, as the event organizer, failed in post-match security and bears some responsibility. The entire league is notified of their criticism, and they are fined fifty thousand yuan.

Third, according to Chapter Ten of the League Disciplinary Regulations, athletes engaging in disturbances, fighting, or other serious violations outside the arena with opposing athletes or other individuals will be strictly and heavily penalized by the Association. The penalty for Lin Feng is as follows: 1. Public criticism across the league. 2. Sixty-game suspension. 3. A fine of five hundred thousand yuan. 4. The suspension covers both domestic and international matches.

The penalty takes effect immediately.

…

As soon as the Association’s penalty was announced, Lin Feng’s Weibo comment section exploded.

“Damn, that’s way too harsh!”

“These Association guys are real jerks. The Beicheng fans started it, so why punish Lin Feng so severely?!”

“Sixty-game suspension? But a season only has forty-eight games!”

“It’s over, next season we won’t get to see Lin Feng’s dazzling three-pointers!”

“Real slick—slapped Beicheng with a measly fifty thousand fine, but fined Lin Feng five hundred thousand! I heard Lin Feng’s annual salary is only a hundred thousand, so even if he doesn’t eat or drink, he’d still be short four hundred thousand for the fine!”

“Actually, you miscalculated—last time Lin Feng was fined ten thousand for cursing Wang Chunsheng…”

“So Lin Feng probably doesn’t have the money to pay such a huge fine. Why don’t we all pitch in to help him?”

“That’s a great idea. Lin Feng has over five million fans now. If everyone donates just a dime, it’s enough!”

“No need to make it complicated—just for bringing Jiangning the championship, I’ll personally donate five hundred!”

“I’ll donate five hundred too! I’ll just eat instant noodles for half a month!”

“I’ll contribute a thousand!”

“I’ll give two thousand…”

“What’s the point of just shouting? Here’s what: if you all trust me, I’ll start a crowdfunding campaign on Wealth Treasure, and everyone can join in.”

Wu Xiaonao’s Magical Castle, captain of the Divine Feng Guard, shouted in the comments.

Her proposal was instantly met with enthusiastic response from the fans.

Wu Xiaonao worked fast. Within fifteen minutes, a crowdfunding campaign titled “Help Lin Feng Pay His Fine” appeared…

…