Chapter 7

Yanny’s voice was so soft that it was almost inaudible.

The adults around her didn’t hear a word she said. Instead, their argument grew even more heated.

The viewers of the livestream couldn’t stand it anymore, and comments scrolled endlessly:

[You’re scaring the child. Can’t you be a little more reasonable?]

[Look at yourselves right now. This isn’t about wanting to adopt a child. You’re just trying to snatch a cash cow to take home!]

[Enough, just leave! Stop causing a scene here!]

[Adoption has strict regulations and requirements! Why are these streamers bringing the child here? Aren’t they just trying to ride the wave of popularity? Causing a scene right in front of the child? She already has no parents!]

[My heart goes out to Yanny! Who's going to protect her?!]

[Yanny just asked if you were here for the money. Don't you feel even a shred of shame?! Get the hell out!]

[As a mother, I can’t stand watching this. Are you really doing this for the child’s sake? It's purely to satisfy your own greed!]

Meanwhile, the hashtag Unscrupulous Streamers Scrambling for Yanny trended on social media.

The video highlights the grandiose promises the streamers made while fighting over the child, along with their greedy expressions.

It also captured Yanny looking bewildered and helpless as she quietly asked them if they were there for the money.

It was heartbreaking to watch.

The caption read Do these adults really want to give the child a bright future, or do they just want the child to provide them with a life of comfort and ease?

Netizens were outraged. [These streamers should all have their accounts banned—they’ll do anything for views! They’ve lost all sense of decency! A little girl just lost her mother, and they’re making such a scene right in front of her?]

[Didn’t they say Yanny had already taken a paternity test? Why are so many people still showing up? What’s going on with the orphanage staff? How could they let this group of streamers just walk in?]

[Didn’t you see how they pushed the orphanage teacher aside? She was blocked outside and couldn’t get in. These people are practically bandits, trapping Yanny in the middle so she can’t get out.]

[My heart goes out to Yanny! They don't genuinely care about her; they're just after her current popularity.]

Even the director who had taken a liking to Yanny shared the video and fiercely criticized the situation. [I hope whoever adopts her truly wants to give her a home. If they're only interested in her for profit, I'd rather not cast her than let her become a tool for adults to make money!]

The controversy on both sides was heating up.

The comments in the streamers’ live chat became increasingly nasty.

They were all telling the streamers to get lost. But, seeing the buzz pick up, the streamers went even wilder, defending themselves with righteous indignation. "I genuinely care about Yanny! I’ve said it before—I’m the only man here who can’t have kids, and I’ve decided I won’t have any more children. Adopting Yanny is enough for me!"

The comments exploded: [Bullshit!]

[Get out of here! If you don’t leave, we’ll report you to the platform and get you banned!]

[Let’s all report them together!]

Seeing the tide turn against them, the streamers quickly grabbed Yanny and pressed her. "Come on, Yanny. Tell us. Have we made you uncomfortable? We genuinely want to adopt you. You have no family right now. You’re an orphan. You should be happy, shouldn't you?"

Happy?

She had just lost her favorite dad. How could she possibly be happy?

She glanced at her teacher outside, mustered her courage, and refused. "I don't need you. Please leave!"

The adults froze for a moment, their expressions growing even grimmer.

“Hey! How dare you talk to us like that? We’re looking out for you. How can you make us leave?"

Her tone was firm. "I don't want to be adopted right now! And I don’t want to be adopted by you!”

The adults’ eyes widened. "You're an orphan. How can you be picky?"

"Exactly! Since when do orphans get to choose their parents? You should be grateful if anyone wants you. Do you think you’re special just because you’re famous? How dare this child speak to us like that!”

Yanny’s eyes widened in surprise. "You're are very rude!"

Her chest heaved with anger as she stood up and tried to run away from them.

But the adults blocked her path even more roughly. "We haven't finished talking yet! We came here with the sincerest intentions to adopt you!"

Yanny stumbled, lost her balance, and fell flat on her bottom. A dull pain shot through her instantly.

The woman gasped, "Yanny, are you hurt?"

Yanny brushed off her pants, gritting her teeth against the pain. Just as she was about to get up, a pair of adult hands reached out to pull her up.

"Come on, grab my hand!"

"Take mine! Take mine!”

She frowned in even greater disgust.

She didn't want them to touch her.

She hated these people!

Suddenly, a dark figure charged forward and pushed aside the hands reaching for her.

Hayes’s loud, powerful voice rang out immediately. "You bunch of devils, get the hell out of here!"

Yanny looked up in surprise, her gaze meeting Hayes’s sharp jawline.

He held her tightly, his eyes like those of a wary young wolf as he glared fiercely at the adults.

The atmosphere in the livestream suddenly shifted.

[This little cutie is way too handsome! I’m in love!]

[Ah, I was so angry just now, but why do I suddenly think their interaction is so sweet? So weird!]

[That guy is so handsome! He makes me feel so safe!]

Yanny stared blankly at Hayes. “Hayes, what are you doing here?”

The streamers snapped out of it and sized Hayes up from head to toe. "Who the hell are you? Is this any of your business? We'll do whatever we want. Mind your own business! Get lost!"

Hayes looked toward the door. "Get something to chase them away!"

The streamers froze, horrified to discover several young boys had appeared behind them. They stared at the streamers intently, like little wolves. They grabbed books and hurled them at the streamers with a clatter.

"Get out!"

"Don't come over here!"

"Get out!"

Caught off guard, the adults were forced to retreat, finally clearing a path.

The children grew even more frantic. "What are you doing? Are you out of your mind? We’re here to adopt children—how can you treat us like this? You have no manners at all!"

Hayes retorted angrily, "Manners?! You come to an orphanage looking for manners? What about you? You barged in out of nowhere, approached Yanny, and didn't follow the rules. Where are your manners?"

He held Yanny’s hand tightly and stood straight, not flinching at all.

Yanny gazed at him with sparkling eyes.

Hayes really is the coolest!

Seeing this, a female streamer rushed forward and shouted, "How can a kid like you have such bad manners? Let me tell you, I’m recording this whole thing, and your face is perfectly clear in the footage!"

[Ma’am, aren’t you the one with no manners? You're the one acting all high and mighty?]

[Bastard!]

Hayes’s eyes turned icy as he snapped back directly at her camera. "Yanny is under my protection, and I'm going to protect her. Do you think I’m afraid of you just because you’re filming?"

He grabbed the Cinderella storybook from the table and threw it at the female streamer. "Get the hell out of here!"