Mr Mermaid | LK Adaptation

Chapter 4

The middle-aged man did not disappoint. With a cold smile, he said, "From what I know, three years ago, the General Administration of Sport issued a 3-year ban on Jungkook. This is the root cause behind Jungkook's absence from all competitions in the past three years. And the reason for this punishment was that his urine had tested positive for stimulants back then. May I ask Mr. Jungkook whether this matter is true?"

Finished speaking, he turned to Jungkook, smug and very confident.

The reporters rallied, their gazes turning to pin Jungkook like searchlights as they waited for his reply.

Lisa also looked towards Jungkook. His expression was still that usual calm, but she could see the faint sorrow he could not hide within his limpid eyes.

That person had spoken the truth — Jungkook had truly been banned from competing before this, and the reason was due to a drug-positive urine test! In a flash, Lisa realised this, but no matter what, she was still unwilling to believe that Jungkook would use stimulants. She did not know why, but she just could not believe it.

Watching a person doing his best for a collective win just a while ago, only to face an interrogation by the media prodding at old wounds right after when it should have been time to celebrate the victory ... Lisa felt very sad. She stared mutely at Jungkook, who seemed to sense her gaze for he suddenly glanced back at her.

And then, the corners of his lips lifted into a small smile. This silent smile bloomed quietly within the air thick with tension, like a lotus flower springing from the mud, clean and composed.

Lisa knew he was trying to comfort her ... even at this time, he was still trying to comfort her. Her eyes suddenly felt hot; blood was rushing up into her head. Brushing aside all concerns almost recklessly, she stubbornly said to the middle-aged reporter, "Does a positive urine test definitely mean someone has taken stimulants? There are many cases domestically of athletes whose urine test turned out positive due to the mistaken ingestion of certain foods. If you consume weight-loss supplements with your rice every day, your urine drug test may also turn out positive."

After she said all this, several reporters could not help but laugh, diffusing some of the tension.

That middle-aged reporter retorted angrily, "Who would eat weight-loss supplements with rice every day?!"

"I'm just making an example. As a veteran reporter, don't tell me you can't differentiate between a fact and an analogy!"

"I ..."

"In short, even if Jungkook's urine had tested positive, you still can't know for sure that he used stimulants. If you want to accuse him of doping, please provide more evidence. You all call yourselves proud members of the media — is this your pride as journalists?"

Lisa's argument was aggressive, even stunning Teacher Taeyang. The hand he had initially reached out to pull her back retracted. That middle-aged reporter's face was suffused with awkward embarrassment. In the end, he stiffened his jaw and purposefully ignored Lisa. "Could Mr. Jungkook please answer my question?"

"Hmph!" Lisa turned her head away in exasperation, fully displaying her contempt.

Seeing her act so huffily, Jungkook smiled softly. He replied to the middle-aged reporter, "All I want to say has been said by this reporter." Then, turning to Lisa, he said, "Thank you."

Lisa answered softly, "You're welcome."

A meticulous reporter asked, "So, you're saying that it's true that your urine tested positive?"

"Yes," Jungkook nodded, his expression open and unguarded, "The positive urine test is true, and the ban from competing is also true. But I have never used stimulants. Never before, and I never will."

"Could you speak a little on what could be the reason behind your positive urine test?" a reporter pressed.

He smiled softly. "No."

"..." Dammit, couldn't he answer that a little more indirectly?!

At this moment, that middle-aged reporter who had first started this exposé still did not seem to have given up yet. He continued pushing, "Then why wasn't this matter revealed in the media?"

Jungkook broke out in silent laughter, his expression amused and baffled at the same time. "You're asking me?"

That's right ... why the media had not reported the incident was naturally the media's own problem. How could they turn around and ask the subject involved instead? These three brief words were like a direct slap to the middle-aged reporter's face; his expression was unsightly. However, very quickly, he realised that this was actually a logical ruse by Jungkook. Hence, suppressing his anger, he said, "If your side had not deliberately controlled the news, the media naturally would have reported it."

Jungkook's patience seemed to have run out. "You can go ask the General Administration of Sport. It's pointless to ask me."

The middle-aged reporter clenched his teeth. If he could get a straight answer from them, would he have had to run all the way here?!

At this moment, two on-site staff came over to notify the crowd that the time for interviews was over; they could not continue staying here. The reporters reluctantly departed, still tossing out a question or two as they left in the hopes of getting lucky. Jungkook just faced it all with a smile, pretending he heard nothing.

At this point, the reporters had to admit that they had encountered a very powerful opponent.

"Let's go," said Teacher Taeyang to Lisa. He was actually rather angry, but he did not chastise Lisa in front of all these people, merely saying, "You were too impulsive."

Lisa stuck out her tongue. Now, she could admit that she may perhaps, probably, very likely have been too impulsive earlier ... but she really couldn't help herself back then!

The two of them were just about to leave when Jungkook called out her name. "Lisa."

"Hm?" Lisa turned to look at him with some surprise. He actually still remembered her name.

Jungkook walked over to stand before her. He nodded at her, his gaze warm and gentle. "Thank you."

"Er ... you're welcome." Lisa scratched the back of her head, vaguely embarrassed. She hadn't done anything much.

Jungkook handed her the flowers he had in his hands. "For you." This was accompanied by a smile even lovelier than the flowers.

The flowers were a bouquet he had received during the awards ceremony. It was huge, containing many different types of flowers all in full bloom. Holding it in her arms, Lisa could smell a light fragrance coming from it. No girl would be unhappy to receive flowers. Hugging the large bouquet, Lisa's face was red as she said, "Thank you!"

Jungkook smiled once again, his eyes bright and enchanting. Lisa was dazed just staring at him.

At this moment, a voice abruptly rang out, "I never expected you to be such a gutsy girl. Very good! I have already forgiven you."

Lisa sweatdropped. With a troubled expression, she looked at Jaehyun. "Who would ever praise someone the way you do ..."

Jaehyun's expression was haughty as he thrust the flowers in his hand over to her, "To reward you."

Can I not accept them? thought Lisa, looking at the new bouquet of flowers in her arms.

However, things did not end there. Very soon, Jungkook's teammates as well as Jaehyun's teammates all came over, each with their own bouquet of flowers for Lisa. These youths' spirits were pure and simple. Still inexperienced with the ways of the world, they had been unable to help when Jungkook had been besieged by the media. Now, they were using this method to express their gratitude for Lisa's righteous outspoken defence. Lisa could not refuse such lovely intentions, and so she soon found her entire person submerged in flowers.

After this incident, Teacher Taeyang gave Lisa two nicknames: Friend of the athletes, public enemy of the media.