Volume One, Chapter 11: The School Holds a Meeting to Discuss Handling Yang Feng

In fact, Ma Rongrong was already a small internet celebrity with tens of thousands of followers during her university days. But after the Yang Feng incident was exposed, her follower count skyrocketed to one million. Now, she was live-streaming in front of the East Sea Medical University, partly under Song Jiji’s orders and partly to boost her own popularity. Within just a few minutes, over 100,000 viewers tuned into Ma Rongrong’s live broadcast. To put that into perspective, a live stream with 100,000 concurrent viewers is usually hosted by a major influencer.

Yang Feng and Ma Rongrong were both students at East Sea Medical University. They had been dating since their university years. The reason Ma Rongrong was live-streaming outside the university gates was to demand that East Sea Medical University revoke Yang Feng’s diploma. Everyone was eager to see how the university would handle Yang Feng’s case.

“Who would have thought Yang Feng was a student at East Sea Medical University!”
“I’ve heard of Yang Feng—he was even the student council president while he was here!”
“It’s unbelievable he would do something like this!”
“A person like Yang Feng is a disgrace to East Sea Medical University!”
“I strongly demand the school rescind his diploma and expel him from the alumni association!”
“That’s right! A fraud like Yang Feng doesn’t deserve to be a student here!”

The students around East Sea Medical University buzzed with chatter. Yang Feng’s scandal had spread like wildfire across campus. Although he had already graduated, tales about him still circulated widely. He was not only handsome and academically excellent, but he had also served as the student council president. Otherwise, someone as calculating as Ma Rongrong wouldn’t have been interested in an orphan like him.

The news of Yang Feng’s wrongdoing caused a huge uproar at East Sea Medical University.

“Everyone, Yang Feng and I both studied at East Sea Medical University!”
“We met during university and later became a couple.”
“But now Yang Feng has become blinded by greed, cheating patients out of their hard-earned money!”
“I’m here today to demand the university take action against Yang Feng!”
“I won’t allow someone like him to tarnish the reputation of my alma mater!”

Seeing the students gathering around and the number of viewers in her live stream climbing, Ma Rongrong began to build her public persona—a woman willing to sever ties with her boyfriend for the sake of the patients. In truth, she was doing this intentionally.

Her goal was to attract public attention. If the university didn’t punish Yang Feng, it would provoke the online community’s indignation, damaging the school’s reputation. To quell the online uproar, the university would be forced to take strict action against Yang Feng. That was why Ma Rongrong chose to live-stream outside East Sea Medical University.

“The dean of student affairs is here!”
“The dean is coming over—must be about Yang Feng!”
“I wonder how the dean will handle this?”
“Yang Feng’s actions are so egregious the school will surely deal with him sternly!”

At that moment, the crowd stirred in commotion. It was the dean of student affairs arriving. Seeing the dean approach, everyone’s anticipation grew.

In truth, most people weren’t particularly upset about Yang Feng cheating patients. Many were simply curious onlookers.

“Everyone, our university is aware of the Yang Feng situation,” the dean announced.
“Please rest assured, the school will handle this strictly according to our rules and regulations.”
“If Yang Feng has indeed violated laws or school policies, we will not tolerate any wrongdoing.”
“Please give us some time; we will announce the outcome of our investigation as soon as possible.”

The dean’s statement was meant to calm the anger of the patients and the public. Seeing this, a faint, triumphant smile appeared on Ma Rongrong’s face. She knew her plan was working. Once public opinion formed online, the school would have no choice but to act.

Meanwhile, inside the conference room of East Sea Medical University, the seats were filled. The university’s top leadership—the vice president, deans of various faculties, and others—were all present. Their expressions were grave. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss how to handle the Yang Feng matter. Though Yang Feng had graduated, he was still connected to the university.

“This Yang Feng is despicable—exploiting patients suffering from ALS for his own gain!”
“I recommend we deal with him harshly!”

At that moment, the vice president of East Sea Medical University spoke. Since the president was away, the vice president was chairing the meeting. As he spoke, his gaze turned toward Guan Zhiming, a professor at East Sea Medical University and Yang Feng’s teacher.

“I believe we should not jump to conclusions before the investigation is complete,” Guan Zhiming said.
“I know Yang Feng well.”
“I don’t believe he would do such a thing.”
“Our university must investigate thoroughly and not act hastily.”

Guan Zhiming wasn’t trying to shield Yang Feng; he simply could not believe his student was capable of such actions. Yang Feng was Guan’s most accomplished pupil, and he was well acquainted with his character. Upon hearing of the scandal, Guan refused to accept that Yang Feng could be guilty.

“Professor Guan, we know Yang Feng is your student,” the vice president replied.
“But to protect our university’s reputation, we must deal with Yang Feng strictly.”
“That’s right—we must take firm action!”
“This incident has severely impacted our university.”
“Professor Guan, I understand Yang Feng was your prized student.”
“But now that such a serious issue has arisen, we must act decisively.”
“You cannot shield him simply because he is your student.”

Others quickly chimed in in agreement. Everyone believed Yang Feng must be dealt with severely. Whether or not Yang Feng was truly at fault was of little concern to them. Their primary worry was whether this incident would harm East Sea Medical University’s reputation.

“I am not trying to shield my student,” Guan Zhiming said firmly. “If Yang Feng has indeed broken the law, I will not protect him.”