Chapter 531: 527. Is There Original Sin? (Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets)

Zhang Ran only knew about this matter because Zhang Sicheng informed him; he had never really cared much about things on the internet.

Upon learning of this, Zhang Ran just smiled helplessly, but he didn't say much else.

Huo Zhiyuan, on the other hand, let out a fierce sigh of relief.

Over these years, the Yuanran Charity Foundation has done so much charity work, so much that people have absolutely no reason to slander it in this regard.

Moreover, the most important thing about the Yuanran Charity Foundation is that it never raises funds from society; in fact, most of the money is voluntarily sent over by wealthy individuals.

There are actually quite a few wealthy people who genuinely want to do charity, and handing it over to the Yuanran Charity Foundation saves them a lot of headaches.

And for every cent they spend, the Yuanran Charity Foundation provides them with detailed documentation afterward, making it convenient for them to verify.

Therefore, wealthy people who truly have the heart to do good deeds will also silently donate money to the Yuanran Charity Foundation without publicizing it; they also want to genuinely do some good deeds.

Now the public opinion on the internet has suddenly shifted, but everyone still has some doubts about how Zhang Ran made his fortune.

However, there are also people maliciously speculating that the reason Zhang Ran works so hard at charity is because he has a guilty conscience.

Whenever she sees these comments, Huo Zhiyuan gets very angry, and sometimes she personally opens a burner account to fight on the internet.

At these times, Huo Zhiyuan doesn't look like an adult at all; instead, she is just like a child.

Although Zhang Ran doesn't want to deal with these things, many matters find their way to him on their own, such as He Qing's arrival today.

"Uncle Zhang, CCTV sent an invitation saying they want to conduct an interview with you," He Qing said.

Actually, she had already helped Zhang Ran decline it several times, but CCTV didn't give up, and this time the higher-ups called her directly to communicate, so she could only ask Zhang Ran for instructions again.

Just as Zhang Ran was about to say something, his phone rang. He picked it up, took a look, and then sighed, knowing that this matter could not be avoided.

"Zhang Ran, stop hiding; just stand out openly," Xin Youmin said directly.

Zhang Ran said helplessly: "Can't you all just let me have some peace? I just want to live a quiet life; why is it so difficult?"

Upon hearing this, Xin Youmin was speechless for a long time: "Zhang Ran, do you feel no shame saying that?"

You really have the nerve to say such things.

You want us to let you have peace? You should look at what you've been doing lately.

If it weren't for the higher-ups constantly keeping an eye on things and helping to suppress many matters, do you think you could really have been this relaxed all along?

However, these were just Xin Youmin's inner complaints; he didn't say them out loud, and he believed Zhang Ran knew them too.

Take the imprisonment of Tian Yaohui and Zhuo Fan, for example; did it really happen so quietly? Except for a little stir at the beginning, it was as if everyone had forgotten about it instantly.

Wasn't that the higher-ups helping? Of course, this wasn't entirely for Zhang Ran; it was more so that this matter wouldn't blow up too big and become difficult to resolve in the end.

"Sigh, can I really not go? I really don't want to be gawked at when I go out. I'm not used to that, and you know it," Zhang Ran said, not answering Xin Youmin's question.

Xin Youmin said: "You must go this time; otherwise, the longer it drags on, the more intense the final explosion might be. It's easier to guide it now."

Zhang Ran said: "Can I let Meng He represent me instead?"

Seeing that Zhang Ran was still making excuses, Xin Youmin said speechlessly: "This is a good thing that many people pray for but can't get; why are you so resistant?"

"Didn't I say it? I don't want to be gawked at like a monkey. You also know that I have to pick up my grandson and granddaughter from school every day. If this gets exposed, how can I go pick them up?

Furthermore, they would have to transfer schools, and I might even have to move. This series of consequences would follow."

Xin Youmin said: "I am truly seeing a wealthy person like you for the first time; even though you are so rich, you are still used to this kind of life."

After saying that, Xin Youmin added: "But this is very good, and I envy it too."

Hearing this, Zhang Ran tentatively said: "Then let Meng He represent me?"

Xin Youmin said irritably: "What are you thinking? This time, consider it a favor from your old brother. And don't worry; have you forgotten what you look like now?"

"What do I look like?" Zhang Ran didn't understand what he meant.

"With your current appearance, I wouldn't dare let you go up there either. There will be people to do your makeup. You look like you're only in your twenties right now; with a little makeup, you can look like you're in your forties.

In this way, who would recognize you if they aren't familiar with you? Even if you look familiar, they won't think you are Zhang Ran," Xin Youmin said.

Zhang Ran was somewhat moved upon hearing this; this really was a good method. This way, there wouldn't be many people who could recognize him.

Moreover, he also knew that this counted as a task from the higher-ups. After all, there are many outrageous speculations about Zhang Ran on the internet now, and people have even started suspecting things they shouldn't; an explanation must be given to everyone.

"Fine, day after day, it's really impossible to have any peace," Zhang Ran sighed.

Xin Youmin couldn't be bothered to talk to him anymore; after hearing him agree, he hung up directly.

He Qing had been listening on the side and now knew Zhang Ran's answer, so she said: "Shall I go tell them now?"

"Yes, tell them. Let's set the time for the day after tomorrow," Zhang Ran said.

"And the location?" He Qing asked.

Zhang Ran thought for a moment and suddenly said: "Let's set it at Biaoxue Company."

This was a very good promotional opportunity; CCTV would be helping to promote it for free, and Zhang Ran could also help his son in the process.

"Understood." He Qing responded and left; she was becoming more and more familiar with her secretarial work.

In the evening, Zhang Ran told Zhang Sicheng about the situation and then asked: "Is this okay?"

"Of course, this is a good thing," Zhang Sicheng said immediately upon hearing it.

"Alright, you see for yourself whether you want to show up or not. If you do show up, it's best to wear a little makeup," Zhang Ran said.

He didn't care much about Zhang Sicheng; in fact, within this residential complex, Zhang Sicheng didn't know many people.

Every day, apart from work, it's just work. Where would he have time to interact with people in the complex? This is also the situation for most people in the complex; basically, other than feeling that some people are familiar, most probably can't even name them. If they just changed their clothes and hairstyle, they wouldn't be recognized.

Zhang Sicheng said: "I'll pass; I don't want to be gawked at like a monkey either."

"Suit yourself," Zhang Ran said indifferently.

Zhang Sicheng then dialed Wang Tao's number, explained the situation, and gave him some instructions. Wang Tao knew Zhang Ran's identity and felt even more that the decision he had made back then was truly wise.