God, I would have HATED it, if it had actually happened. It would be like ripping someone's arms off and sewing up two Frankenstein's monsters. I can believe that 'reasoning' I guess. Anyway, Luan Bo baby pairs should be good to go, if there's no central body anymore. Can't really mess with her team.
It's actually kind of unfortunate, I think the rumour mill works so effectively in China because the skaters themselves don't tend to say much/can't say much. Not really like the US, where the skaters can make instagram lives about anything and everything if they want. Goodness even knows what's really happening. I think ignoring it is self care for me, but I do get some of it my way sometimes lol.
ETA: Which Yao Bin interview, by the way?