Han Yue didn't bother ending her livestream.
Still seated, dazed, head slightly bowed, tears pooled at the corner of her eyes but didn't fall yet. The silence on screen felt suffocating — and yet somehow intimate — as millions watched her blank expression in real-time.
Comments scrolled faster than any human could read.
@StrawberryLava: Did… did she really do it? 😟
@GiveMeFiveYuan: Unrelated but Han Yue sis… can I borrow like 200k? Just a loan. Just vibes.
@JusticeForHan: HELLO?! She JUST donated 50 million to orphanages and charity foundations yesterday!
@LunarBitch: She just returned. How is she capable of orchestrating a heist this big?!
@MidnightRatKing: She's an orphan, right? Maybe she knew some bad people from her neighborhood…
@HanJiaojiaoFan011: Open your eyes!! She's obviously acting!!
Within minutes, the livestream soared to 30.2 million viewers, and climbed #1 trending on Weibo, accompanied by headlines like:
Breaking: Heiress Han Yue Under Investigation for Major Jade Heist! Caught Live on Stream?
Just then — footsteps.
Han Yue didn't look up, but the door opened. Her family filed in, one after the other.
First was Han Jifu, her father, eyes dark with fatigue and fury. Then her mother, cold and aloof. Her older brother followed, arms crossed, silent but sharp-eyed. Behind them came Second Uncle, Second Aunt, and their obnoxious, fruit-devouring son: Han Zisheng, munching on dried mangoes like nothing was wrong.
Third Uncle arrived next, his spine already bent under pressure, and beside him stood his wife and their daughter, Han Feifei, with a vindictive glint in her eyes.
Last of all was Han Jiaojiao, lingering by the door, arms crossed, an unmistakable smugness on her painted lips. She looked like she was trying not to outright grin.
None of them realized that they were being broadcast live.
Han Jifu was the first to speak. "Han Yue, did you do it?"
His voice was laced with anger and… regret?
"Why? Were you deceived by someone? This is exactly why I asked you to hand over the shares. You're too young. Too naïve. And now look what's happened. The entire company is in shambles because of your foolishness!"
@CabbageCat: Wait… he told her to hand over the shares?
@TrueCrimeStan: Isn't that suspicious? Like hello? She's the one who inherited it!
@OopsIDidItAgain: Why is NO ONE letting her speak?! 😡
Her mother just sighed, arms crossed. Her brother's eyes were distant.
Second Aunt let out a loud snort. "Hmph! I KNEW she wasn't a good thing. Not even a full year back and already she's brought disaster! That's what happens when you raise children outside—filth brings filth!"
Third Uncle didn't speak — but his silence was heavy. Disapproving.
Han Feifei couldn't hold back any longer. She stepped forward, finger pointed, voice shrill.
"You poor bastard! I knew you were cursed! Isn't it suspicious you were 'found' at sixteen, just when the company is about to split the inheritance? Don't lie, you and your little thugs planned this from the beginning! You little bitch, GET OUT of this family! No one wanted you!"
She spat on the floor.
"Don't act like anyone loves you. If not for your inheritance, you think we'd even look at you? You're nothing."
A heavy silence followed.
The stream exploded.
@DragonSpine: She said the quiet part OUT LOUD.
@MilkTeaMommy: If not for her inheritance??? You mean they only took her back for her money?!
@StreetCatRescue: CUT TIES NOW. They don't love you.
@HanYueIsBaby: She's 16. She just a baby, why are they like this to her, Wtf.
@OrphanPride: Han Yue, we got your back. Blood don't mean love.
@HanYueProtectionSquad: #JusticeForHanYue trending now!!!
Viewer count spiked again — now at 50.4 million and rising.
Han Yue finally raised her head.
Tears had fallen. Her lashes clumped together. Her expression was one of disbelief… and deep disappointment. Like a little deer abandoned in the woods.
"We're putting you under house arrest," her father said coldly. "You're not allowed to leave until the investigation is over. A maid will bring your meals."
"…Understood," Han Yue whispered.
Once they left and the door shut behind them, Han Yue sat on the edge of her bed, tears still quietly falling. She glanced at the screen, seemingly forgetting it was on.
She muttered to herself — and 50 million people:
"Is this… what a real family is supposed to be?
I grew up without one, so I'm not really sure…"
The stream went completely silent. Then:
@SunsetTeaLeaves: No, Han Yue. No. That's not how families are.
@KindBigSis: My mom packs my lunch every morning, even though I'm 29. That's love.
@SingleDadClub: My dad worked three jobs just to buy me school shoes.
@QuietInMyRoom: My family ignores me but at least they don't call me a thief.
@StandWithYue: We're your family now, Han Yue.
She sniffled, wiped her cheeks, and nodded slowly.
"…Okay. If I'm proven innocent, I'll leave this family. Since they don't want me anyway."
The chat burst again, full of encouragement and love. After a few more heartfelt exchanges, Han Yue gently ended the stream.
Later that evening, a maid silently entered and placed a tray of food on her desk. She didn't greet Han Yue as "Young Miss." She didn't say anything at all.
Han Yue accepted the tray with a smile, no longer crying.
In fact — she was giggling.
Cheerfully, she ate her dinner.
The storm was only beginning.
Her phone buzzed. A call from Long Yi.
"Are you okay?" he asked. "Should I send someone to get you out? You can live at my place."
"No need," Han Yue said, voice sweet and casual. "I'm just pretending."
"…You're terrifying," Long Yi chuckled. "You could win awards."
They chatted for a while.
Long Yi reported that he'd found the mysterious ring in his grandfather's study, and asked what to do.
"Drop a bit of blood," Han Yue replied. "Let's test it later."
He agreed and reminded her that Secretary Wen was on standby. "If you want something, anything—just say so."
"Then…" she grinned, "I want milk tea."
"…Five kinds coming up," Long Yi said.
Twenty minutes later, someone knocked on her balcony window.
Han Yue turned. Her eyes widened.
Secretary Wen stood there with a takeout bag.
"I didn't know what flavors you liked," he said awkwardly, handing her five different kinds.
Han Yue accepted the bag with delight. "You're amazing!"
They sat and chatted about what came next. Wen asked about the Jiaojiao footage — the one that showed her sneaking into Han Yue's room with the access card.
"Send it to the gossip channels tomorrow," Han Yue said, sipping her boba. "Let the world see her true face."
He nodded and left quietly.
Han Yue returned to her bed, pulled out Baby Bunny from her space, and let him hop around her room. He flopped into her lap, twitching his nose and being cute. She fed him apple slices and leftover carrots from dinner.
One milk tea down.
The rest?
Safely stored in the Space Jade Amulet.
When the moon reached its peak, Han Yue curled under the blanket and closed her eyes, finally resting.
The storm hadn't peaked yet — but tomorrow, it would begin.