Chapter 533 - Conflicted public opinions

Translator: Sparrow Translations  Editor: Sparrow Translations

Time flew by.

The news related to Master Lin had gradually died down on the Internet. Every day, there was new eye-catching news that drew everyone’s attention away.

However, the shop owners of Cloud Street missed Little Boss very much.

Elder Liang and a few other people came to the ‘Master Lin’ shop.

“Little Boss should be back soon, right?”

Elder Zhang said, “It should be soon. It’s already been twenty-something days. He should be back in just a few days.”

Sister Hong smiled, “I wonder how it feels like to be in there for a month. But why do I keep feeling as if Little Boss is being lazy?”

Elder Liang said in surprise, “Sister Hong, you have that feeling too?”

Sister Hong smiled, “This isn’t just a feeling, it’s the truth!”

Fraud Tian came over. “Sigh, it’s like this everytime. With a flick of a wrist, he’d be gone and we’d be out of luck. The townsfolk wait for his scallion pancakes every day. Why have I followed such an unreliable person?”

“Haha, Elder Tian, you should be content with your situation. Look at how, ever since you’ve followed Little Boss, those scallion pancake-buying townsfolk pass you a cigarette every time they see you.”

Fraud Tian said cheerily, “Don’t talk about that. That has to do with my personal charm. That’s why they pass me cigarettes.”

“Hey, there’s been a development on WeChat. A one dollar art sale and it’s by our Nanshan Children’s Welfare Institute. What’s going on?” Elder Liang said in astonishment as he used his phone.

“Nanshan Children’s Welfare Institute?” Fraud Tian was startled as well. He took over the phone. “You’re not kidding. I know, it must have been done by him. When I went to Nanshan Children’s Welfare Institute a while back, all their artworks had been taken away. They said it was for some activity, to raise funds for the children’s education.”

Wu You Lan unlocked her phone. “I’m buying an artwork. These children’s artworks are really pretty good.”

Zhang Zhong Yang was broadcasting, “Brothers, open your WeChats and participate in the one dollar art sale. Do your part to help the children. I, Brother Yang, will thank you all by broadcasting while dressed up as a female as long as the donations reach a certain level. I don’t go back on my words.”

“666…in order to see Brother Yang’s broadcast, I shall contribute a hundred dollars.”

“Haha, I am waiting for the female clothing broadcast. I’ve already bought from the sale.”

“Although these drawings are average-looking, they are pretty good as screensavers.”

“I’ve already bought.”

“Brothers, WeChat really is problematic, selling one piece for one dollar. How long do I need in order to buy ten thousand pieces? If only I could change the price on my own.”

“Wealthy man, please share some wealth with me.”

“That’s a really wealthy man.”

Zhao Zhong Zhang smiled. He was just doing his best on Weibo in order to contribute an effort for the children.

“Brothers, no need to spend too much. Buying one piece each is enough.”

“What a kind broadcaster. I’ll give you a ‘like’.”

…

In a certain group.

Autumn Sword Fish Killer: “My underlings, come out. Participate in the one dollar art sale. Whoever doesn’t participate, don’t call me your Brother anymore.”

The group members sprang to life.

“Wow, that’s just what I want.”

“Haha…”

“This is to help children. One dollar isn’t much. We have to buy.”

WeChat was now widespread and in everyone’s hands, hence, the impact of this was very huge. Many people saw this activity promoted by WeChat when they opened their WeChats.

One dollar sale?

What kind of activity is that?

Many citizens were puzzled when they opened their WeChats.

“D*mn, this kind of sh*tty drawing for one dollar? I wouldn’t want it even if it was free.”

“WeChat must have gone crazy for money. This is a high-level money-earning method.”

“Hey, this is to help children from an orphanage to receive education. It’s a charity activity.”

“This Nanshan Children’s Welfare Institute is here in Shanghai. Most of the children in there were previously kidnapped by human traffickers.”

“I never thought these children would be able to do such good drawings. I have to buy them. It’s time to change my screensaver.”

“F*ck, didn’t you just say that they were a sh*tty drawings? Why are you saying that they’re good now?”

“This is different. This is charity. ”

“I agree.”

“This drawing is not bad. It has a good creative concept.”

“Creative concept my a*s. These children might not even know what that means.”

“Enough nonsense. As long as I like them, it’s fine.”

…

In the detention house.

Lin Fan knew that today was the time for the WeChat promotion. He unlocked his phone to take a look.

*ring ring*

A call came from Zhang Long.

“Master Lin, the activity is online. We just checked. In ten minutes, we’ve raised fifty thousand dollars. This is just the beginning. The number of buyers will keep increasing.”

Lin Fan said gratefully, “I really have to thank you, Chief Zhang.”

Chief Zhang said, “No need to thank me. This is something that we should do. But are you doing well in the detention house, Master Lin? You should be coming out soon, right?”

Lin Fan replied, “Mmm, I’ll be out in a few days. I’ve had to trouble you with this matter, Chief Zhang.”

Chief Zhang said, “Master Lin, you’re too courteous. Being able to help these children is the wish of all our staff members. Don’t you worry, this activity will definitely succeed.”

Lin Fan had very much confidence in this as well. The people of this country were very charitable, so this kind of activity would definitely receive large support. However, the follow up must be done well too.

After all, nobody liked not knowing how their donated money would be used. Hence, they had to be transparent with their follow up work.

Also, this kind of matter would definitely draw questions. The charity industry in the country was simply too complicated. There were many cases of people using charity funds to feast and dine, drive luxurious cars and live in luxurious villas. These cases cause even the organizations that do real charity work to be tainted black.

In a certain work unit.

“What are you all doing?”

“Choosing drawings. WeChat promoted an activity, a one dollar art sale, to help those pitiful children.”

“I feel that the drawings are really pretty good. I wonder what kind of brains these children have to be able to make such abstract artworks.”

“Look at this drawing I’ve chosen. How is it? Doesn’t it look great?”

“Hey, it’s really pretty good. What’s its serial number? Although I don’t know what it’s supposed to be, I think it looks pretty good.”

“Serial number 003. This is drawn by a Lil’ Fatty. The description says that it’s a tiger.”

“???”

In a certain household.

The daughter said, “Daddy, I want to buy an artwork. I want to help the little children.”

The father looked at the activity, then smiled as he patted his daughter’s head, “Okay, okay. My daughter is really kind. Daddy will buy it for you.”

Across the country, countless people had noticed this sale. To them, one dollar wasn’t much and they could buy it on a whim.

Moreover, such a charity project was sure to receive positive comments.

However, what soon followed was negative news.

On a certain web forum.

A thread had been posted.

‘Discussion about the feasibility and dark secrets of the one dollar art sale’

“Today, I’ve been flooded by people in my circle of friends who were all buying artworks. But when I saw them, they simply could not be called art. They should be called scribbles. If I drew these, I could draw several thousand in a day. Of course, that’s not the important part. The important part is the motive of this one dollar art sale. Below, I will give an analysis for everyone to see. They say that they’re doing this to raise education funds for the Children’s Welfare Institute but according to what we know, these Children Welfare Institutes are managed by the government. We aren’t needed to worry about their educational aspect. Although one dollar isn’t much, WeChat is relying on quantity. If everyone buys from them, it will be a tremendous amount. I can’t help but suspect that this one dollar art sale is a way of dredging for money. Everyone, please do not be cheated.”

“D*mn, is this true? I feel that it makes some sense.”

“Did you all realize that this is all just for one orphanage? What about other orphanages? Just what is the history of this Nanshan Children’s Welfare Institute, for them to specially do such an activity?”

“That does make some sense.”

“This is f*cking annoying. Everyone in my social circle is raving about this. I won’t give a single cent.”

“Some of the artworks are really not bad but some are clearly done by four-year-old kids. Do you really believe that a four-year-old kid can draw good Chinese artworks?”

At this moment, another type of public opinion had arisen.

This type of public opinion became more and more popular.