Chapter 148: Afraid They

Qin Feng, returned from the forest training, was like refined steel tempered in fire, his aura deeper and more restrained, every gesture radiating a chilling pressure. He did not immediately launch new actions against Chuangsheng Technology or the Prometheus Foundation, but redirected his focus toward the demonstration project of Jingyuan Technology and the operations of the Qin Feng Life Science Foundation.

Under Su Jin's meticulous management, Aileen Foster's treatment showed encouraging positive changes: the activity of her premature aging cells was effectively suppressed, and signs of limited healthy cell regeneration emerged. Though complete cure remained distant, this was undeniably a ray of light in the darkness, proving the immense potential of the Gene Optimization Fluid technology.

Yet, just as Qin Feng concentrated on these noble endeavors, a malicious attack targeting the Qin Feng System erupted again in an unexpected manner.

This time, the target was not Qin Feng himself, nor his core medical or tech operations, but the Chenxi Orphanage—undergoing vigorous renovation in the remote southwestern mountains!

A web media outlet renowned for exposing "dark secrets" suddenly published a lengthy investigative report with an alarmingly sensational headline:

【Charity or Embezzlement? Exposing the Hidden Scandals Behind the Qin Feng System's Exorbitant Orphanage Renovation!】

The report brimmed with malicious speculation and out-of-context distortions:

It questioned whether the five million yuan in renovation funds were truly spent entirely on construction, implying possible subcontracting chains and embezzlement; it seized on unavoidable noise and dust during construction, exaggerating them as "massive environmental destruction" and "disturbance to locals"; it even interviewed several so-called "insiders" (actually villagers bribed by competitors), claiming the orphanage renovation occupied their "ancestral land" and suggested "forced demolition"; the report's conclusion maliciously pointed the finger at Qin Feng himself, insinuating he used the charity project for money laundering and tax evasion, and cultivated a "fake benevolence" persona.

Upon release, the report was instantly forwarded and commented on by vast numbers of trolls and uninformed netizens. Toxic labels—"fake benevolence," "fraud," "heartless capitalist"—poured over Qin Feng and his company like sewage.

"Boss Qin! Look at this!" Chen Ming's face turned pale with rage as he slammed the Tablet Computer onto Qin Feng's desk. "This is pure slander! Grandma Zhao and the children have been waiting for their new home like stars in the sky—our team works day and night to do the best job, yet they…"

Qin Feng stared at the malicious report on screen, his expression calm and unruffled—but those who knew him understood that beneath this stillness lay a terrifying storm.

He did not react immediately, but first called the project manager responsible for the orphanage.

"How's the construction site? How are Grandma Zhao and the children holding up?"

"Boss Qin!" The voice on the other end was filled with anger and grievance. "The report is pure nonsense! Every expenditure has detailed records, and our construction standards far exceed local requirements! Grandma Zhao burst into tears after reading it, and the children are terrified… Today, several people claiming to be reporters tried to force their way in—we stopped them!"

"Protect Grandma Zhao and the children. Calm their emotions. No unauthorized personnel may approach the site without my permission." Qin Feng gave his orders calmly. "Also, compile all construction contracts, financial records, and supervision reports for public release."

After hanging up, Qin Feng's gaze returned to the report.

This time, he did not prepare a thunderous business counterattack or legal lawsuit as he had against the Liang Family or Chuangsheng Technology.

Because this target had crossed his bottom line—the innocent children and that kind old woman.

He picked up the internal phone and contacted the Shield intelligence division.

"Find out who's behind this report. Specifically, identify who orchestrated those so-called 'insiders' and 'land-occupied villagers.'"

"Understood."

The response was swift. Less than half a day, Shadow delivered the results.

"Boss Qin, confirmed. The PR firm behind this is controlled by Chuangsheng Technology. Funds originated from several offshore accounts linked to the Foundation. Those 'villagers'? Paid actors—none of them are locals."

Of course—it was them!

A flash of cold light gleamed in Qin Feng's eyes. Liu Shiyin and the Prometheus Foundation, unable to gain advantage in direct confrontation, now resorted to underhanded tactics, attempting to smear and disgust him morally.

"Boss Qin, should we immediately issue a clarification statement and sue the media outlet and Chuangsheng Technology?" Chen Ming asked.

"No." Qin Feng slowly shook his head, a cold, strange smile curling at his lips. "Suing is too slow. Clarifying… they'll just keep twisting things."

He stood, walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, and gazed down at the city.

"They love playing with fire?" Qin Feng's voice was soft, yet carried an icy, chilling weight. "Then I'll help them burn it… even hotter."

He turned to Chen Ming and issued an instruction no one expected:

"Issue a public announcement in my name and the Foundation's joint name."

"The content: In light of recent false online information causing severe distress to the Chenxi Orphanage renovation project and its beneficiaries, to fully clarify the facts and submit to public oversight, we decide—"

Qin Feng paused, then spoke slowly, word by word:

"A global, 24/7, no-blind-spot live stream of the construction site, lasting three days!"

"Simultaneously, invite the world's most reputable third-party auditing firms, architectural experts, and media journalists to form a joint observation team, free to conduct surprise inspections of any corner of the site! All accounts and contracts will be fully disclosed!"

"Additionally," Qin Feng's tone carried a hint of mockery, "I personally will donate an additional one hundred million RMB, exclusively for improving infrastructure and villagers' welfare in the surrounding villages, thanking the locals for their understanding and support of the orphanage project. Every single yuan of this donation will also be fully transparently disclosed!"

Chen Ming froze.

24/7 live stream? Full financial disclosure? Surprise inspections? Plus an extra hundred million for the surrounding villages?

This… this was too extreme! This wasn't just clarification—it was literally exposing his underwear under a magnifying glass for the entire world to scrutinize!

"Boss Qin… isn't this… too passive? And the investment is so massive…" Chen Ming hesitated.

"Passive?" Qin Feng chuckled lightly, his gaze sharp as a blade. "When your house is built with real gold, silver, steel, and concrete, do you fear others looking?"

"I want everyone to see clearly—whether every brick and tile of the Chenxi Orphanage is clean or not!"

"As for the additional donation…" Qin Feng's gaze drifted far away, as if seeing the distant mountains, "I'm not afraid of those bought-off 'villagers' causing trouble."

His voice lowered, carrying an unshakable force:

"I'm afraid…"

"That once this fire burns out and the truth is revealed, those truly behind the incitement and rumor-mongering…"

"Will be burned alive by the fury of public opinion!"

The announcement sent shockwaves across the world!

Such an open, unyielding response had never been seen before!

The 24/7 live stream instantly drew tens of millions of global netizens watching: workers toiling diligently, a brand-new, beautiful school rising from the ground, Grandma Zhao and the children beaming with hope, every expenditure clearly listed in the transparent accounts…

All rumors collapsed before this naked truth, appearing laughable and vile.

And the additional hundred million donation? It was a thunderous slap across the faces of the slanderers!

Public opinion flipped instantly. Formerly misled netizens furiously condemned the unscrupulous media and the mastermind behind the scenes! Chuangsheng Technology and its affiliates were exposed down to their bones, engulfed in a massive public storm!

In her office, Liu Shiyin stared at the blazing live stream and the one-sided condemnation comments, her face dark as if dripping with ink.

She hadn't expected Qin Feng's counterattack to be so… reckless, so… upright! He crushed every conspiracy with absolute strength and transparency!

Her carefully laid fire had not harmed Qin Feng even slightly—instead, it had backfired, placing her and Chuangsheng Technology on the volcanic edge of public outrage!

"Qin Feng…" She clenched her fists so tightly her nails dug into her palms.

You've won this round.

But the game is far from over!

And Qin Feng, calmly watching the children's joyful smiles on the live stream, and the new, hopeful home slowly taking shape, said nothing.

Burned to death?

He did not care about the fate of those petty clowns.

What he cared about was that those children's dreams would not be tainted by this filthy mire.

That was enough.