Wednesday, October 14th.
Just as expected, they still didn't give up.
Lin Feng stood outside the chairman's office, having received a summons earlier that morning.
He pushed open the door and stepped inside.
Unlike yesterday's conference room filled with administrators, this time it was just the chairman seated behind a large desk.
"Please, sit," the chairman said, gesturing to the chair across from him.
Lin Feng sat down.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then the chairman leaned forward, his fingers interlaced.
"I'll be straightforward with you," he said. "You're a smart person. I can see that."
Lin Feng remained silent.
"I can also see that you're not afraid of consequences." The chairman's gaze was steady. "Based on your actions yesterday, you would probably retaliate if we pushed any further."
Lin Feng said nothing, his expression calm.
The chairman let out a breath and rose from his seat. He walked over to the window, looking out at the campus below.
"You're a smart kid," he repeated. "And someone who cares about justice."
He turned to face Lin Feng.
"But you're young. You probably see us as the big villains who don't want justice to be served."
Lin Feng just looked at him.
The chairman sighed.
"The world of adults is much more complicated than you think."
He returned to his desk but didn't sit. Instead, he leaned against its edge, arms crossed.
"You don't have to worry," he said. "We're not going to intimidate you anymore."
Lin Feng's expression remained neutral, but internally, he was listening closely.
"In fact," the chairman continued, "it's quite the opposite."
Lin Feng blinked.
That was unexpected.
The chairman noticed his reaction and smiled faintly.
"Since we can't prevent it from happening," he explained, "we've decided to go all out."
He picked up a folder from his desk and set it down in front of Lin Feng.
"The university will be conducting a comprehensive investigation into Wang Zhenguo's conduct. We will uncover everything we can to support the case against him."
Lin Feng opened the folder. Inside were preliminary documents outlining the scope of the investigation.
"Additionally," the chairman continued, "we will be issuing you an Outstanding Citizen Award for protecting victims and standing up against injustice. There will be a ceremony. A banner presentation. Media coverage."
Lin Feng closed the folder and looked up at the chairman.
He understood now.
This was indeed their best choice.
Instead of being exposed for attempting to cover up the scandal, they wanted to blow the entire thing wide open. They would position themselves as the harbingers of justice who uncovered a predator within their ranks.
Instead of losing face, they would be seen as an institution that cared deeply about protecting its people.
And as for the award...
It was a bribe.
A way to tie his reputation to theirs and ensure he wouldn't release the recording.
…
The chairman watched him carefully.
Lin Feng considered everything laid before him.
Did he care if the school came out as the hero in all this?
Well, not really.
As long as it benefited his teacher, the details didn't matter to him.
"I understand," he said.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone.
The chairman's gaze followed his movements.
Lin Feng tapped the screen a few times, then looked up.
"It's done," he said.
The chairman's lips curved into a smile.
"You catch on quick."
He extended his hand across the desk.
Lin Feng stood and shook it.
The chairman's grip was firm, and he wore a friendly smile.
This kid will definitely accomplish great things in the future, he thought. It's best to get close to him now.
"I look forward to working with you, Lin Feng."
"Likewise, Chairman."
Lin Feng turned and walked out of the office.
The door clicking shut behind him.
…
Later that day.
Lin Feng had just finished his coding lesson with Zhang Wei and Li Jun when Li Jun received confirmation that their business license had been approved.
The three of them were excited.
Lin Feng and Li Jun decided to go pick it up - there was no point in bringing everyone just for document collection. Yu Shen had also received his approval, so the three of them went together.
The process was straightforward as it was just going and picking up the documents.
Afterward, they visited a seal engraving shop, submitted their paperwork and paid the fee, then were told to wait for results. Lin Feng estimated it would take a day or two at most.
Once the seals were ready, he planned to personally accompany Li Jun and Yu Shen to open business bank accounts. As a major shareholder, his finances should factor into the inspection, and if things went as smoothly as before, the manager would likely open accounts for both businesses within minutes.
When they returned to campus, Lin Feng noticed a message he had received.
Class monitor?
He opened it. Sun Xiao mentioned she had heard they would be working together and asked him to take care of her.
Lin Feng was confused. Working together?
It was then that he noticed another message he had missed - this one from the chairman.
It explained that while staff would conduct the internal investigation among their own ranks, for students, it would be best if other students handled the questioning as it would be easier for the students to open up to their fellow students than to the intimidating staff.
The chairman had appointed Lin Feng to work with the class monitor to carry out the investigation on the freshmen side. They were to focus primarily on female students and report any findings.
Lin Feng sighed. The chairman was actually giving him even more work. He had thought the man was reasonable.
He wondered if this was payback for earlier.
Well, it didn't matter.
He smiled. This could also be a good thing. It would be a great opportunity for the class monitor. If she performed well, she could be considered for higher positions in the student council.
He texted her back, confirming he had heard the same and asking that they both do their best.