Chapter 4, Stimulants and Flowers

Suddenly, everyone's gaze was drawn to her. Everyone focused their attention on the girl who spoke: it was unclear which family's reporter she was, but she was very young and quite beautiful. She had a delicate oval face, with thin, arched eyebrows that were slightly furrowed at that moment; her eyes were standard almond-shaped, wide open due to her anger.

When that man posed the question, the noise at the scene was abruptly cut off. The reporters surrounding Qi Ruifeng also sensed that the silence here was somewhat eerie, and they turned their heads in confusion.

However, this is not the end. Soon, Tang Yibai's teammates, as well as Qi Ruifeng's teammates, each holding a bouquet of flowers, came to present them to Yunduo. These young individuals, with their simple and innocent thoughts, inexperienced and unaware of the complexities of the world, were unable to assist when Tang Yibai was besieged by the media, and now they express their gratitude to Yunduo for her principled stance in this manner. Yunduo could not refuse such beauty, and thus she was completely enveloped in the flowers.

The cloud stuck out its tongue. It now realizes that it may have been a bit impulsive at that time, but it truly couldn't hold back!

The reporters on the scene exchanged glances, all feeling quite intrigued. The questions posed by reporters can sometimes be quite outrageous, but regardless of how outrageous they may be, they are faced by the individuals being questioned. Today marked the first time I witnessed one reporter stepping forward to refute another reporter. What is this? Is it a public dismantling among peers? This young woman seems to lack decorum

The cloud knew that he was comforting her, even at this moment he was still thinking of comforting her. She suddenly felt a warmth in her eyes, blood rushing to her head. Without regard for anything, she almost desperately said to the middle-aged journalist, "Does a positive urine test necessarily mean the use of stimulants? There are many cases of domestic athletes testing positive due to the accidental consumption of certain foods. If you eat rice mixed with lean meat essence every day, the urine test can also be positive."

A meticulous reporter inquired, "So, is it true that the urine test is positive?"

A crisp female voice, laced with palpable anger, exclaimed: "How can you be like this? On what basis do you accuse others of using performance-enhancing drugs?"

At this point, the reporters had to admit that they had encountered a formidable opponent

Qi Ruifeng, with a cool expression, raised his hand and handed her the flowers, saying, "This is a reward for you"

Tang Yibai smiled again, his bright eyes overflowing with a captivating brilliance. Yun Duo looked on, somewhat dazed.

In that moment, Tang Yibai gathered the attention of everyone present. Their gazes were as tangible as substance, compressing the air into a tense stillness. This invisible force pressed upon people's chests, causing their breaths to slow down as they collectively held their breath and focused their attention on him

The cloud replied softly, "You're welcome"

The male journalist is a middle-aged man wearing glasses. When he encountered a young girl who rebutted him on the spot, he felt that she showed no respect for the elderly or care for the young. He was somewhat annoyed and said, "The question I posed is meant for Mr. Tang Yibai to answer, who do you think you are?"

The middle-aged man indeed lived up to expectations, responding with a cold smile, "As far as I know, three years ago, the General Administration of Sport imposed a three-year suspension on Tang Yibai, which is the fundamental reason why Tang Yibai has not appeared in any competitions for over three years. The reason for the suspension was that his doping urine test at that time was positive. May I ask Mr. Tang Yibai, is this matter true?"

Indeed, why has the media failed to report this? Naturally, it is a problem with the media. Why instead go and question the parties involved? These three short words felt like a slap to the face of the middle-aged journalist, and his expression turned sour. However, he soon realized that this was actually a logical trap set by Tang Yibai, so he suppressed his anger and said, "If it were not for your deliberate control of the information, the media would naturally be able to report on it."

However, it is also one of the most favored terms among the media. Journalists enjoy uncovering anything that can instantly capture people's attention, whether it is beautiful or evil, real or hypocritical. Therefore, when this question was posed, after a brief moment of silence, almost all the media personnel displayed a certain degree of excitement on their faces, their eyes fixed on Tang Yibai as if famished wolves were staring at tender lamb.

Teacher Sun quietly tugged at Yun Duo's sleeve, "Forget it." He truly regretted not stopping her in advance; young people are just so impulsive

The middle-aged journalist gritted his teeth. If only he could ask, would he have come all the way here?

At that moment, a voice suddenly sounded from beside me, "I didn't expect you to be quite the tough woman; very well, I have already forgiven you

At this point, everyone understood that it was essential to present evidence, so they all turned their attention to the middle-aged journalist, hoping he would provide compelling evidence and significant revelations

The cloud, like others, was taken aback by the term "stimulant." The implications of this word for an athlete are self-evident. It is synonymous with deception, darkness, and disgrace, and is something that athletes strive to avoid at all costs

Is it possible not to accept it... The cloud looked at the additional bouquet of flowers in her arms and thought to herself

Tang Yibai handed her the flowers in his hand, "These are for you." Along with it, he presented a smile even more beautiful than the flowers.

Tang Yibai was rendered speechless with a laugh, as if he had witnessed something unbelievable, "You are asking me?"

The middle-aged journalist angrily exclaimed, "Who would mix lean meat powder with their rice every day!"

Tang Yibai seemed to have run out of patience, "You should go ask the General Administration of Sport, asking me is useless."

What could be the reasons that led to a positive result in the urine test? the reporter pressed for an answer

What that person said is true, Tang Yibai has indeed been suspended, and it was due to a positive urine test! In that moment, Yunduo realized this, yet she was unwilling to believe that Tang Yibai would take performance-enhancing drugs, for some reason, she just could not accept it

Could you not respond in a more tactful manner

At this moment, the middle-aged journalist who first broke the story seemed unwilling to give up, and he pressed further, "Then why has this matter not been reported in the media"

As the two were about to leave, Tang Yibai called out her name: "Yun Duo"

In conclusion, even if Tang Yibai's urine test is positive, you cannot simply conclude that he has used performance-enhancing drugs. If you want to assert that he has used such substances, please provide more evidence. You claim to be a media outlet with a stance; is this truly your stance

Tang Yibai walked up to her, nodded slightly, his gaze gentle, "Thank you"

At this moment, two staff members on site approached to remind everyone that the interview time had arrived, and they could not continue to linger here. The reporters reluctantly departed, still holding onto a glimmer of hope as they asked a few more questions. Tang Yibai smiled, pretending not to hear.

The flowers were a bouquet he received during the award ceremony, a large bunch containing several types of flowers, blooming vibrantly, and when held close, one could still smell a faint fragrance. When a girl suddenly receives flowers, there is not a single one who is not delighted. Yunduo, holding such a large bouquet, had a rosy complexion, "Thank you!"

He smiled slightly and said, "No."

I am merely using a metaphor; having been a journalist for so many years, you surely can distinguish between facts and metaphors, can't you

Eh? The cloud turned its head in surprise to look at him, as he actually remembered her name

What am I? I am merely an ordinary journalist. It is precisely because I am a journalist that I constantly bear in mind the importance of objectivity and truth, and that everything must be substantiated by facts. Sir, may I ask what evidence you have to support your claim that Tang Yibai used performance-enhancing drugs? Do you have any proof? Without evidence, it is slander, which not only violates your professional ethics but also breaches the fundamental principles of being a decent person.

Indeed," Tang Yibai nodded, his expression calm, "The positive result of the urine test is true, and the suspension penalty is also true. However, I have never used performance-enhancing drugs, not in the past, and I will never do so in the future.

I ... ...

After this incident, Teacher Sun gave Yun Duo two nicknames: Friend of Athletes and Enemy of the Media

When she reached this point, several journalists couldn't help but laugh, and the tense atmosphere eased somewhat

The imposing presence of Yunduo left Teacher Sun speechless; she had originally intended to grasp her hand but withdrew it instead. The middle-aged journalist was also rendered awkward by her words, and with a stiff neck, he deliberately ignored Yunduo, saying, "Please allow Mr. Tang Yibai to answer my question"

The cloud also looked at Tang Yibai, whose expression remained calm as always, yet she could see the faint loneliness that could not be concealed in his clear gaze

In contrast to their impatience, Tang Yibai's expression was calm and composed. His gaze swept slightly across the crowd and soon found the questioner. Tang Yibai fixed his eyes on him, his gaze as clear as ever, and just as he was about to speak, he was interrupted by another person

As one person had just exhausted all their efforts for the collective championship, it should have been a moment to celebrate victory, yet they were faced with various probing questions from the media, exposing their wounds... Yun Duo felt very sad. She stared blankly at Tang Yibai, who seemed to sense her gaze and suddenly looked back at her.

The cloud-like figure with three black lines on its forehead looked at Qi Ruifeng with a puzzled expression, "Is there really someone who praises others like you..."

Humph! The cloud huffily turned its head away to express its disdain

Then, he curled the corners of his mouth and smiled gently. The silent smile blossomed peacefully in the tense and suffocating air, like a lotus emerging from the mud, clean and composed

"Let's go," Teacher Sun said to Yun Duo. He was actually a bit angry, but in front of so many people, he did not blame Yun Duo; he only said, "You are too impulsive"

"You're too kind." Yun Duo said, feeling a bit embarrassed as she scratched the back of her head, for she had not done anything special.

Seeing her tilt her head in a sulky manner, Tang Yibai smiled. He replied to the middle-aged journalist, "Everything I wanted to say has already been answered by this journalist," and then looked at Yunduo, "Thank you"

Yun Duo did not think too much about those trivial matters. She is very angry right now. An athlete, diligent and hardworking, is immediately accused of doping by reporters with just a few words, which is unethical

After he finished speaking, he looked at Tang Yibai with pride, as if he were fully confident in his plans

The journalists were invigorated, their gazes converging on Tang Yibai like searchlights, awaiting his response