78: Chapter 78 So-called "funding" for public welfare organizations

Lin Ning sat down dejectedly on his own, "I heard you cursing, so I was subconsciously curious, but I didn't hear anything."

Chen Zhi felt sorry for him, but was also very angry, "Can't you be more steady? What kind of place do you think this is?"

Lin Ning didn't make a sound.

Chen Zhi coughed twice to explain for Li Chao, "Li Chao is a bit simple-minded and stubborn. His performance in all assessments, especially combat ability, is excellent, but his emotional intelligence is a bit low."

"Yeah, I was in the wrong too." Lin Ning nodded.

Chen Zhi didn't have the time to coax Lin Ning and asked, "What do you want with me?"

Lin Ning perked up a little, "I'm curious, did you find out any results?"

"We have grasped the basic situation," Chen Zhi pondered for a moment. Because he was the whistleblower and also held the status of a consultant, he revealed a little, "Collamela International Co., Ltd. has its own public welfare organization that specializes in finding and funding potential artists to study and visit abroad. They also select some outstanding individuals to sign and cultivate before they become famous, providing funding for living expenses, publicity, and momentum."

Chen Zhi said the two words "funding" and "cultivate" through gritted teeth with emphasis.

Lin Ning understood in a second. Isn't this the same trick those N-something organizations used in the late 90s? How many "public intellectuals" were created just like this.

Visiting and studying abroad is just a brainwashing process. They select a group of people and give them so-called "living funding." Naturally, people will speak in favor of those who give them money. Over time, they can output the values these organizations want to output through these cultivated "agents." To put it bluntly, it's cultural infiltration, or should we call it cultural castration?!

They've been using the same method for so many years and have even expanded to various fields. This shows how effective it is!

Damn it!

Then Director Li Zheng is definitely not clean! And those "artists," how many of them were cultivated by them to promote distorted aesthetics?

"Brother Chen, why doesn't our country have a 'Foreign Agent Registration Act' and 'Anti-Infiltration Act' like Europe and the United States? Aren't those cultural figures shouting every day about learning from Europe and the United States? Why don't they learn from them regarding this act? We should strip off these people's 'clothes' and let them show their true faces. Let's see what kind of dirty business is behind their speech and behavior."

Chen Zhi was silent for a moment and reprimanded, "Alright, don't say divisive things."

Seeing Lin Ning feeling indignant, he explained, "We monitor these organizations regularly. We have records of what they do and who they have co-opted. If they go too far, we will definitely deal with them. But we need solid evidence, and we can't stop people from speaking. If we controlled them that strictly, or even closed them off, have you considered the consequences? Thoughts and speech cannot be blocked. Just look at North Korea to know. Do you want to live in that kind of social atmosphere?"

Lin Ning didn't say anything. He knew that as long as the door was open for exchanges, such things would inevitably happen. This is unsolvable.

Chen Zhi praised him, "We hadn't noticed this organization before. Thanks to you, you've done a great service! Rest assured, these monsters and ghosts only hide in the dark to do their little tricks. Once exposed to the sun, they are nothing but paper tigers! We will arrest those who need to be arrested and monitor those who need to be monitored."

He understood Chen Zhi's meaning: arrest those with clear espionage activities, and monitor the others without actual evidence. Once they are within sight, their ability to do anything is limited.

Lin Ning still felt uncomfortable, "They should all be arrested and shot!"

Chen Zhi laughed. If only it were that simple. It's still the passion of youth, but he liked it.

"You'll be free in a day or two. Alright, go play by yourself and stop bothering me."

"Let me know if you need any help." Lin Ning got up and left.

When he went out and saw Li Chao, Lin Ning remembered the awkward incident earlier. He opened his mouth, but ultimately couldn't say anything.

Li Chao was very calm and natural, and even asked, "Comrade Lin Ning, are you going out again?"

Lin Ning waved his hand powerlessly, "Back to the lounge. I'm not going out. You should go back and rest too."

Li Chao righteously refused, "I'm not tired. My mission is to follow you."

Lin Ning: "..." He really didn't know how to interact with such a simple-minded person.

Ultimately, he couldn't bear it, so he moved a chair from the lounge for Li Chao. "Don't just stand there, sit down."

"Thanks!" Li Chao didn't refuse and even smiled at Lin Ning to thank him.

"..." He really admired this kind of thick-skinned attitude.

Just as he was about to practice his Psychic Power, the WeChat notification sounded—Lin Jing.

It was a voice message. He clicked play, and a little milky voice whispered, "Uncle, I'm hungry. Can I have some sweet cream cake? Weiwei was very good today. I didn't misbehave or cry!"

A smile bloomed on Lin Ning's face. He subconsciously pinched his voice and replied in a breathy tone, "Oh my, is our Weiwei so good? Then Uncle must reward you! A strawberry-flavored cake will fly to you right away!"

"Okay~ Uncle is the best! Can you talk to Grandma? She always only lets me eat half. I want to eat a whole one today. I can eat it all up, *nom nom*."

Holding back his laughter, he continued to pinch his voice: "Well... Grandma is Uncle's mom. Uncle is afraid of Grandma, just like Weiwei is afraid of Mom. In our family, Mom is the boss, right?"

"Ah, okay then. Uncle, when are you coming back? I miss you."

Lin Ning fell silent. Although he felt it was very good and lucky to have two relatives who cared for and loved him in this lifetime, whenever he thought about actually facing them, he always felt a bit guilty and uncomfortable.

"I'll be back soon. Be good, and Uncle will bring you something delicious. Alright, Uncle still has to work. The cake will arrive in a while. Don't open the door yourself. You must call Grandma, okay?"

"Okay~~~ Weiwei will be good!"

He ordered a cake on a food delivery platform and had it sent to his sister's house.

Lin Ning lay on the bed with his head resting on his hands.

It was time to go back. Since the incident, Lin Ning hadn't been back. Although he told them everything was resolved and there were no more debt collection calls, they wouldn't feel at ease without seeing him in person.

Besides, there must be many rumors in his hometown. If he didn't show his face, the gossip wouldn't stop.

People always say not to care about what others say, but in small places, apart from food and clothing, people often live for their reputation. Sometimes, seeing you in trouble, some people will try to step on you and bully you for no reason at all.

Wait a bit. Once this case is closed, his bonus and such should be coming. By then, he could buy a car to go back, which would also shut the mouths of petty people.

Lin Ning sighed. He really didn't understand; not everyone lives such a great life themselves, yet they stare at other people's business every day and whisper endlessly.

When the time comes, he would leave the car for his brother-in-law. There are children and elderly people at home, so having a car is more convenient.

The kindness of lending him money back then wasn't fully repaid just by returning the money.

And the house at home, which his mom sold to pay off his debts back then—this time, he should buy a house for the old lady. At her age, renting a house feels like having no roots. A house is a reassurance for the older generation.

Hmm, if he drives back, he can bring more things. After all, online shopping can't compare to seeing the actual items, especially since buying clothes nowadays often results in getting something different from the pictures. He needs to buy clothes, toys, and delicious food for Weiwei. After all, he had already promised her a bunch of things.

Sorting through these trivial matters one by one in his heart, a heavy sense of peace and security welled up. These were the attachments he had once craved but couldn't get, the care he couldn't give away even with money. Now that he had them, how could he not be happy?