Everyone was in a rage. In the face of such injustice, they didn't know what to do.
The Chinese Arts Association was big. Whatever they said was taken as right. The public didn't have any say in this at all.
But at that moment, Wu You Lan started getting excited.
"Brother Lin, take a look at Weibo, quick. The Chinese Arts Association has apologised."
"What? The Chinese Arts Association has apologised? Is that true?" Fraud Tian was astonished and in disbelief. Then, he started roaring with laughter, "Haha! I knew that they would apologise for sure. What do you think now, kid? They've already apologised, what are you going to do?"
Lin Fan sat there and placed his phone on the table. "Alright, no need to care about this matter then. Let's leave it at this. I've already severed all ties with the Chinese Arts Association. Whoever they apologize to, it has nothing to do with me."
Fraud Tian said, "You can't be serious. Are you really not going to have any contact with the association at all?"
Lin Fan didn't say anything as he just continued sitting down. Meanwhile, Wu You Lan nudged Fraud Tian. "Let's not talk about this anymore. It has already passed. Brother Lin doesn't want to talk about it so we shouldn't either.
Fraud Tian understood what Wu You Lan meant and didn't say much else. "The prizes looked so attractive but we're just giving up like this. It's a shame."
…
Chinese Arts Association.
Zheng Zhong Shan had been waiting for Lin Fan to make a post on Weibo the whole time. But after a long time, there was no post uploaded. At that instant, he said helplessly, "It looks like Elder Lin is really angry."
Yue Qiu Ju Shi replied, "That can't be, can it?"
"You don't know. I judge people very accurately. Elder Lin, his character is...sigh, I shan't say." Zheng Zhong Shan sighed. Then, his expression became stern as he glared at Director Chen.
Meanwhile, Director Chen was drenched in sweat and trembling. He felt a sense of danger and even a sense of terror. He realized the situation had gotten grave. In particular, the President looked at him as if he wanted to kill him. It sent a chill down his spine.
'President, I…" He wanted to say something but before he could finish, Zheng Zhong Shan interrupted, "From now on, you are relieved of all your duties. As for the bribery money you accepted, I'll slowly settle that with you."
When Director Chen heard that, he was dumbfounded. His legs started to soften and become unstable.
If he was to be relieved of all his duties, he would be done for.
On the Internet.
Chinese Arts Association Official Weibo: "I am the President of the Chinese Arts Association. For such an incident to happen, it is heartbreaking to me. The goal of the Youth Chinese Arts Cup was to dig out younger generations of talents, but I never expected such a thing to happen. As President, I bear full responsibility. On this platform, I'd like to apologize to everyone who has been observing this incident. Also, Master Lin, our association's only treasure, said that he wants to leave us. Our association cannot take this…"
It was a very long post. This Weibo post shocked everyone.
Those netizens who had been clamouring were all shut up. They felt as if they had been slapped in the face.
"Haha, where are all those people who were clamouring just now. Come out now. Look at what the association has to say."
"Master Lin is a treasure, understand?"
"This President didn't expect corruption? But at least the corruption didn't last for long until it got abolished."
"Why isn't Master Lin saying anything? The association has apologised. He should come out and say a few words."
"Why do I feel like Master Lin is angry? He tore his association ID, could it be that he really wants to quit?"
…
At that moment, over at Cloud Street, Lin Fan pulled Elder Liang and Elder Zhang with him as he went out.
Elder Liang asked, "Little Boss, what are you doing?"
Lin Fan replied, "Buying prizes for the children. I don't want the prizes given by the association. I'll buy prizes for the children myself to give them some encouragement.*
Elder Liang and Elder Zhang looked at each other. Then, they understood. Little Boss was angry. Even if the association had admitted their mistake and changed the winners list back, Little Boss wouldn't forgive them.
"Good, that's the way it should be. They thought they could say whatever they want but they can't. The children's drawings are very good, we should buy prizes for them," said Elder Liang.
…
The next day!
This incident had initially been just a small matter but after the ruckus on the previous day, it went on the headlines. But even if it was a big deal on the Internet, Lin Fan had already stopped caring about it.
Nanshan Children's Welfare Institute.
A small truck came.
Although Lin Fan wasn't some wealthy man, his savings weren't small.
When the vehicle arrived, Director Huang was already waiting at the entrance.
"Master Lin, yesterday's incident…" She already knew about it. She had not expected to see that scene of the Chinese Arts Association being bribed. Lil' Fatty was supposed to get the first prize but in the end, he only got the second prize.
But the good thing was that the situation had turned over very quickly. The association had admitted their mistake.
However, judging by Master Lin's expression, it seemed that the matter was still in his heart.
Lin Fan waved his hand. "Don't talk about that. The children are all brilliant and after some thinking, I realized that the placing isn't important at all. Moreover, it's not good for the children to chase after placings at such young ages. To me, they're all number one."
Director Huang nodded. She felt that what Master Lin said was very true. Then, she smiled, "That's true. The children are all the best."
Lin Fan gestured for the workers to bring down the goods. "These are awards that I'm giving to the children. Don't talk about that matter later on."
"Mmm." Director Huang nodded.
Han Lu joined in to help with the moving of the goods. Of course, he knew about the incident with the Chinese Arts Association. When he had found out, he had been extremely angry but now, he had thought things through. There was no point in caring so much about these things.
Lin Fan's arrival naturally drew the attention of the children.
Lil' Fatty rushed over. "Uncle Lin, how did I do?'
Lin Fan patted Lil' Fatty's head. "Mmm, you did very well. You're all the best. You've all been super brilliant in the competition. Look, I've brought many prizes for you all…"
"Really?" When Lil' Fatty heard that, his big, round eyes started to glimmer.
Getting praised was better than anything else. He didn't even ask about the placing.
The gifts were given out and the children were exceptionally happy.
"Elder Lin." At that moment, a familiar voice rang from the entrance.
When he saw who it was, Lin Fan was a little startled. He hadn't expected Elder Zheng and the rest to come all the way here.
It wasn't just Elder Zheng. Even Yue Qiu Ju Shi and Tao Shi Gang were there.
Lin Fan had initially wanted to greet them with a smile but then, he thought about the previous day's incident and asked wilfully, "Why are you all here?"
Elder Zheng smiled, "You're good, Elder Lin. We personally came all the way here and you're still angry. Your Brothers here are ashamed to face you but we've already investigated and punished the instigator."
Yue Qiu Ju Shi and Tao Shi Gang both nodded. "Yeah. Yeah."