22

Ye Yinchuan was deep in thought, wondering how to properly deal with this mischievous brat who had been putting on a show.

If one looked at it lightly, it was just a childish prank done for fun.

But taken more seriously, it was emotional manipulation, exploiting sympathy, and potentially even online fraud.

His upper body remained still, but his fingers discreetly tapped on the keyboard.

Just earlier, he had added Officer Tan as a friend—filing a report was as easy as a few keystrokes.

Officer Tan was currently running a live stream campaign on online safety. This case? It would make a perfect example for their records.

Even if the kid wasn't old enough for formal charges, his IP could still be tracked, and he could receive a real-world lecture from the authorities—something terrifying enough for a child.

After all, in the eyes of children, a police officer with a badge was even scarier than a strict teacher.

If this had happened before his connection with Officer Tan, Ye Yinchuan might have lacked an immediate solution. But now…

Heh. Kid, you walked right into this one.

Disciplining deceitful brats? That's a duty I won't refuse!

Soon, Officer Tan responded:

[Got it. I'm still live, but I've already assigned someone to monitor your call. Keep him talking—let's confirm the details. If it checks out, we'll track his IP and send someone over. Scamming people under the guise of Pokémon evaluation? We have zero tolerance for this kind of thing. Even if he's just a kid, he needs a serious lesson!]

"Damn, that was fast! This efficiency is top-tier!"

Ye Yinchuan mentally gave Officer Tan a big thumbs-up.

Just thinking about how the brat was about to be punished made it hard for him to suppress his smirk.

[Streamer, what's going on with you? Are you even real?]

[Wow, the vibe just shifted hard!]

The audience, unaware of what was happening behind the scenes, was confused.

They had seen the streamer start with sympathy, then shift to amusement, and now he was outright smirking with satisfaction. The rapid changes in his demeanor felt completely out of place, almost eerie.

Ye Yinchuan didn't explain. Instead, he addressed Lippi directly:

"Lippi, listen, I have a wealthy friend who loves doing charity work. If I tell him about your situation, he might just sponsor you a starter Pokémon."

The sobbing from the other end immediately stopped.

"Really?"

But the very next moment, as if realizing something, the voice wavered slightly, as if struggling to keep up the crying act.

The faint smirk at the corner of Ye Yinchuan's lips deepened.

This kid had some acting talent. If it weren't for a few small mistakes, he might have fooled everyone.

Good thing he had sharp observation skills!

[Wow, I wish a rich guy would sponsor me too!]

[Streamer, are you talking about yourself?]

[…The window…]

Ye Yinchuan caught sight of a few sharp-eyed comments. Some viewers had noticed the same thing he had.

Internet users are incredibly sharp-eyed… just not when it comes to finding a significant other.

"It's true," he said, keeping up the act. "But I have one condition."

"What condition?"

Lippi's tone was impatient, eager to seize the opportunity.

"Follow my instructions now. Pick up your phone. Yes, pick it up."

The kid, focused on the idea of getting a free starter Pokémon, didn't seem too wary and did as he was told.

[What is the streamer planning?]

[Is this part of the show?]

"Alright. Now take a few steps back."

Lippi, still oblivious, moved backward. Ye Yinchuan held his breath.

Just a little more… Almost there…

The camera gradually moved back. Lippi wasn't paying attention to his own screen and hadn't noticed the major problem yet.

"Good, good. Now turn slightly to the left… yes, just like that!"

At that moment, Ye Yinchuan clapped his hands together, as if he had pulled off some incredible feat.

And then—the chat exploded.

[HAHAHA, I FINALLY GET IT!]

[Damn! What kind of "little girl" looks like THAT? You tricked us all!]

[I was totally fooled! Thank god for the streamer!]

[Streamer 666! (Internet slang for 'awesome' in China)]

"Ah!"

Lippi saw the chat and finally realized something was wrong.

He checked his camera feed—right near the window reflection, his own face was visible crystal clear.

He had been completely exposed!

Panic-stricken, Lippi hurriedly turned the camera away, then angrily demanded:

"You tricked me?! Does your offer still stand?!"

[Bro, you got caught scamming and still have the nerve to ask?]

[This kid has NO shame. What if he's actually the younger brother?!]

Ye Yinchuan was stunned for a moment before bursting into laughter. "You still have the guts to question me? What about the fact that you were the one lying? Do you even understand what you did? You exploited people's trust and sympathy! What happens when someone genuinely in need asks for help, but no one believes them because of liars like you? You're closing doors for real victims, do you get that?!"

His voice was sharp, righteous and indignant.

The frustration from almost being played, the anger for his tricked audience, all poured out in that moment.

The kindness of the viewers, their willingness to help others, should never be taken advantage of.

"I-I'm sorry! I'm really sorry! Streamer, I swear I didn't mean to! Please, please give me another chance! At least… at least evaluate a few more Caterpie for me!"

"I don't need much! I just want my sister to have a good Caterpie!"

[HE'S STILL LYING!]

[Scamming others is one thing, don't scam yourself too!]

"…What sister?"

Ye Yinchuan was growing numb.

"Lippi, cut the act. Listen carefully—the Dream Protection Bureau is now monitoring this stream. You're currently under investigation for deception using live connections. If you think disconnecting will save you, it won't—your IP has already been logged!

"You have one option: Apologize to everyone right now and admit your mistake. That's your only way out."

[Oh damn, I forgot he's connected to Officer Tan!]

[I'm starting to suspect the streamer works for the authorities, but I have no proof.]

[The kid's face just turned ghostly pale. Is this too harsh?]

[Nah, he deserves it! Imagine how many more people he would scam if no one stopped him!]

"Don't bully my little brother!"

Just as the situation seemed wrapped up and justice was about to be served, a crying female voice burst into the call—

A girl ran into the camera frame, tears streaming down her face.

"Please, streamer! Don't evaluate any Caterpie! Just let my brother go!"

She looked terrified, pleading desperately.

She was genuinely scared.

Ye Yinchuan was stunned.

The viewers were stunned.

The Dream Protection Bureau officers monitoring the call were stunned.

[Wait… you ACTUALLY have a sister?!]

[What the hell is going on?! My head hurts—I think I need more brain cells!]

[Are WE the bad guys now?!]

(Chapter End)