Xu Hongzhuo had been holding this question in for almost twenty years.

Twenty years ago, these three were already among the top artists in China, and they were sworn brothers with the elderly man surnamed Chen.

Xu Hongzhuo firmly believes that if the old man surnamed Chen had refused the matter back then, Xiao Shen, Lin Xiangqian, and Xu Ying would never have immigrated to the United States.

“Old Xu, you’re looking at the issue from a somewhat one-sided perspective. Xiao Lin may not have many ulterior motives, but he’s no longer a lone wolf.”

The old man surnamed Chen's gaze swept over him with a profound look: "Leaving aside others, if I were to refuse him today, what would you think?"

"Of course..."

"Don't say those polite things, I don't like hearing them."

Xu Hongzhuo, who was interrupted, was silent for a moment, his expression somewhat complicated: "Although I can understand, it still makes me uncomfortable."

"Look at you, you're practically treating Xiaolin like your own grandson."

The old man surnamed Chen smiled and then said, "If even you are like this, what about the others?"

"Others?" Xu Hongzhuo frowned slightly. "You mean Li Donglai?"

"Yes, if it's just Li Donglai alone, I will refuse."

The elderly man surnamed Chen tapped his fingers lightly on the table and said slowly, "Li Donglai, and the two behind Li Donglai, followed by Ding Chang'an, Bao Chongxin, Rong Zhengyi, and so on."

"This kid has that much power?!"

Xu Hongzhuo's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

The elderly man surnamed Chen glanced at Xu Hongzhuo and said calmly, "He has it, because he is the most important piece of the puzzle in the plan to seize the sea."

"If he were to abandon the project and say he's quitting, then everyone involved in the plan to seize the sea would probably be disheartened."

"I admit that Kobayashi is indeed very talented, but do you really think that he could have achieved such great fame today based solely on those works?"

Plan to seize the sea!

Xu Hongzhuo slightly raised his eyelids.

There have always been many versions of the plan to seize the sea, but only those who were involved in the matter probably know which ones are true and which ones are false.

Unfortunately, even with his current status, he still cannot access the core details of the plan to seize the sea.

The elderly man surnamed Chen clearly had no intention of explaining the plan to seize the sea to Xu Hongzhuo. He simply said, "I will agree, and the others will agree as well. As for whether he can win the award, that depends on him. Even if we intervene, it will only be within our capabilities."

This time, Xu Hongzhuo did pick up on some hidden meaning.

Don't you want fairness?

Here you go!

The afternoon's piano mixed group was similar to the morning's. Lin Rui continued to offer his comments in a reserved manner until the competition ended, when Secretary Liu, who had been waiting for a long time, finally handed over a list.

There were only twenty people.

"The president mentioned that gold medals in less popular sports are not very meaningful."

Lin Rui glanced at the list and nodded: "Have these people assemble at Tianrui."

"Yes, Mr. Lin, is there anything else you need to tell me?"

To be honest, Secretary Liu was quite surprised when he learned that Lin Rui was going to compete for the Best Contribution Award at this year's World Arts Festival.

But after the initial surprise came excitement. If Lin Rui could truly win the Best Contribution Award, it would not only be an honor for Lin Rui alone, but also an honor for the entire Divine Continent!

"No more for now."

"Okay, I'll go and inform these people first."

After Secretary Liu left, Lin Rui entered the internal passage.

Chen Bin's car was already waiting in the parking lot inside the passage. After seeing the list handed over by Lin Rui, Chen Bin didn't ask any more questions, because he already understood the official attitude.

That's enough!