Chapter 72: Leaving the National Team

"Bro, something bad just happened—you’ve been singled out by the Basketball Association again."

In the backseat of the taxi returning to the hotel, Lin Wen suddenly exclaimed in alarm.

"Huh? Why is the Basketball Association calling me out?" Lin Feng was completely baffled.

"See for yourself." Lin Wen handed her phone to Lin Feng.

"Unprofessional conduct? Poor sportsmanship? Control your fans?" Upon reading the Association’s social media post, Lin Feng instantly flared up. What kind of nonsense was this? If they didn’t want him on the national team, fine—the right to choose players was theirs. But to deliberately post such a statement just to disparage him—this was beyond tolerable!

"Bro, these people at the Association are really going too far. It’s obvious they’re targeting you!" Lin Wen said indignantly.

Lin Feng didn’t reply. He returned her phone, then pulled out his own and logged onto Weibo.

By now, Lin Feng’s comment section had already exploded. The public was overwhelmingly on his side, denouncing the Basketball Association en masse.

After scrolling through several pages of comments, Lin Feng finally pieced together what had happened: fans had been upset over his omission from the men’s national training squad, berated the Association online, and in response, the Association issued this so-called announcement.

Lin Feng was not the type to let himself be bullied, especially since he had the system on his side—why should he fear the Basketball Association?

Worst case, he’d just stop playing their game!

Without hesitation, Lin Feng updated his own Weibo:

"Respected leaders of the Basketball Association, I have deeply realized my mistakes. I shouldn’t have incited the fans to curse people. I shouldn’t have provoked them to cause trouble. I shouldn’t have—no, I’m sorry, I really can’t keep making this up!!!

I know, the words you want to see are the ones above, but that’s not my style. The fans have their own voices; whomever they scold is none of my business. And I haven’t done anything from start to finish—why should I be blamed for your criticism? Was defeating Smith somehow a crime?

Finally, whether I make the national training squad or not, I actually don’t care. Serving the country is an honor, and if the organization needed me, I would go without hesitation. However, since the leaders of the Association consider my conduct unworthy and my skills lacking, I’d rather not shame the country. Therefore, I solemnly announce: Lin Feng’s basketball career will never again be in service of the national team!"

The moment Lin Feng’s post went live, the internet erupted again.

"Damn, Lin Feng just announced he’ll never play for the national team again."

"That’s real guts—he’s probably the first ever to dare say it openly."

"Definitely the first! Back when Dayao played in America and the national team called him back, he always used injury as an excuse."

"Speaking of Dayao, it still makes me mad. If not for the Association’s obsession with results and their own careers, forcing Dayao to play injured so many times, his career wouldn’t have ended so soon! This time, I’m backing Lin Feng all the way! So what if he joins the national team? It’s not about national honor anymore, just a bunch of officials’ careers—that kind of team isn’t worth joining."

"Lin Feng, awesome! I support him!"

"Basketball Association, you idiots! I support Lin Feng!"

All over the internet, the voices were firmly on Lin Feng’s side.

Meanwhile.

Inside the Basketball Association’s office building.

"What? Lin Feng declared he’ll never play for the national team again? Hmph, the arrogance—who does he think he is? The savior? Does he really think we can’t manage without him?" Zhu Deli slammed his fist in anger after reading Lin Feng’s post.

"Fine. If he wants to be arrogant, if he says he won’t serve on the national team—so be it. As long as I, Zhu Deli, am at the Basketball Administration, he’ll never set foot on the national team!"

...

At the Mingdu Hotel.

Every member of the Fanquan team was busy working on their assigned themes.

Ten minutes ago, Sun Hao had finished his composition, becoming the first in the team to submit his work. Mentors Chen Fan and Hu Jiangquan both praised his creation highly.

Sun Hao was quite pleased with himself. The real reason he was able to finish so quickly was that he had drawn the theme of “dreams.” He’d written a song on this subject before, and this new piece was just an improved version of his earlier work—hence the speed and the quality.

"Hao-ge."

In the corridor, after submitting his work, Sun Hao ran into Feng Yao.

"Ah, it’s Yao Yao." Because they were in the hallway, Sun Hao didn’t dare act too familiar, lest anyone discover their relationship.

"How did your work go, Hao-ge?" Feng Yao asked with a coy glint in her eye.

"I just handed it in," Sun Hao replied smugly.

"You’re amazing, Hao-ge. I’ve hit a wall with my own composition. Why don’t you come to my room and give me some pointers?" Feng Yao said with a flirtatious giggle.

"Pointers in your room?" Sun Hao’s lips curled into a salacious smile. "Sure, no problem. I’ll do my best to instruct you!"

The two slipped into Feng Yao’s room one after the other.

As soon as the door closed, Sun Hao pressed Feng Yao against it, his hands quickly becoming restless...

"Wait, Hao-ge, I have something to tell you," Feng Yao struggled to say.

"We can talk after we’re done," Sun Hao replied impatiently.

"It’s about Lin Feng," Feng Yao said.

"Him?" Sun Hao paused. "What about him?"

"He’s caused trouble again—got into a spat with the Basketball Association. Now the internet is full of news about him," Feng Yao said with a laugh. "I bet he’s got his hands full right now. Which means he’s got no time to compose any new songs. So, Hao-ge, you’ve definitely got this PK in the bag."

"Well, that is good news!" Sun Hao grinned, then scoffed. "But Lin Feng really thinks he’s all that, doesn’t he? Daring to go up against the Association—he’s just digging his own grave!"

"And also, Hao-ge, my theme is friendship and I really can’t think of anything good. Didn’t you write a song about friendship before? Could I borrow it?" Feng Yao wrapped her arms around his neck, pouting sweetly.

"Of course, but that depends on your performance in a minute..." Sun Hao leered, then pounced on Feng Yao...

Returning to the hotel, Lin Feng happened to pass by Feng Yao’s door and suddenly heard some odd noises. At first, he thought she was making music, but upon closer listening, it was anything but...

Given Feng Yao’s behavior the previous night, Lin Feng wasn’t surprised at these sounds coming from her room.

"Wonder who she’s hooked up with this time," Lin Feng sneered, shaking his head as he was about to leave, when Feng Yao’s coquettish voice floated through the door.

"Hao-ge, you’re so bad..."

...