IBO -Chapter 166 The Storm Subsides

This novel contains sensitive and taboo content like R*pe, Mu**er etc. Read only if you are comfortable.

The glow from the light screen reflected in Song Yiran’s eyes. Since seeing these comments, his furrowed brow hadn’t relaxed.

He carefully observed Song Xiufu and Song Yuexin’s expressions.

Song Xiufu furrowed his brows, eyes fixed on the light screen, his fiery tail lashing at the soft sofa in frustration.

Song Yuexin hugged his tail tightly, as if drawing strength from the fluffy fur. His grip flattened the fur, but he seemed unaware, eyes still glued to the screen.

Song Yutu couldn’t bear it any longer. He feared that if he didn’t act, Song Yuexin might injure his tail.

With a pair of large hands, he gently freed Song Yuexin’s tail from his paws. Song Yuexin looked up, seeing Song Yutu.

“Little one, your tail is about to get hurt,” Song Yutu said, poking the tail gently with a finger. “Such a beautiful tail shouldn’t be injured.”

Song Yiran patted Song Xiufu and Song Yuexin’s heads. “Don’t worry about this for now. I’ll handle it.”

Song Xiufu opened his mouth to say something, but Song Yiran gave him no chance. Instead, he signaled Song Yutu, who immediately understood.

Song Yutu pretended to cough into his fist, clearing his throat. “Let’s think about what to bring for tomorrow’s camping trip! What do you all want to take? Let’s start preparing now!”

Song Xianyue tilted his head in slight confusion. Weren’t they just talking about the controversy over Song Xiuhu and Song Yuexin’s rankings in the competition? Why had the topic suddenly shifted to tomorrow’s camping trip?

Curious, he decided to ask, “But—”

He had barely spoken two words before a paw from the side covered his mouth.

Looking over, Song Xianyue saw that the paw belonged to Song Buli.

Song Buli shook his head at him seriously, then quickly put on a nonchalant expression and suggested, “Yeah, yeah, let’s all get the things ready for tomorrow’s camping trip together!”

Song Xianyue glanced at the expressions of the other little friends. Everyone’s eyes held an unspoken understanding.

Swallowing his doubts, Song Xianyue quickly put on an expectant expression: “Yay! Then I’ll bring all my toys!”

At this point, Song Xiuhu no longer tried to say anything. Instead, he took Song Yuexin’s hand and joined the group.

Song Yutu led the children to gather the things needed for tomorrow’s camping trip. Before leaving the living room, he deliberately turned back and winked at Song Yiran.

Song Yiran gave him a thumbs-up, signaling that he had done well.

Now, Song Yiran could finally focus entirely on planning their next steps. Meanwhile, just during this short moment, the comment section under the official drawing competition account had already erupted into chaos.

Sample of online comments:

“Who are the fifth and fourth place kids? Are they from some big family? Here to gild their resume?”

“Don’t slander others before the facts are clear.”

“Is that really slander? Dare to do but not dare to admit? Someone who can make a drawing like this—only four years old? Many adults can’t even do this.”

“Maybe they’re just naturally talented? And the top three are also very young, so why is it only fourth and fifth place being doubted? Double standards much!”

“Top three might be famous prodigies or from a family of artists, but fourth and fifth? No info anywhere.”

“Maybe they just don’t want to reveal personal info online. Isn’t that a reasonable possibility?”

“Yes, but they still participated in the competition. Doesn’t that logic seem off?”

“Can people stop being so mean to kids? Even prodigies need competitions to get recognition.”

“Not all talents need competitions; regular practice can reveal a genius too.”

“If they were prodigies, parents would have already boasted online. How could there be no trace?”

“Some people just don’t like sharing privacy online.”

“Not sharing privacy but still competing? Interesting.”

“Privacy protection doesn’t mean you can’t join competitions!”

“Everyone calm down; we can’t declare the truth yet.”

“Oh, look at the voice of reason.”

“Why don’t ordinary participants get a say? We’re so unlucky that the little masters take the spots.”

“Wait, the results aren’t out yet. How can people claim fourth and fifth cheated?”

“Then why not livestream their drawing to prove innocence?”

“Who asked for proof? Don’t make the kids justify themselves.”

“They’re scared to livestream; obviously they didn’t draw it themselves.”

“Stop it! Enough!”

“These kids are only four, yet people speculate so wildly.”

“Those are probably paid online defenders. Rich people really can buy armies.”

Essentially, the comments under the official competition account split into three groups: one claiming Song Xiuhu and Song Yuexin cheated, one defending them, and one neutral group trying to mediate but often getting criticized from both sides.

Xiao Zhong’er sighed, his eyes drooping in worry. “Song Yiran, what should we do next?”

“We know they didn’t cheat, but the netizens don’t. These little ones are young; I’m worried they’ll be hurt by online rumors…”

“And if left unchecked, repeated rumors can be taken as truth. The label of cheaters could be pinned on them completely.”

Song Yiran pinched his brows, thinking for a moment. “Let’s hire a lawyer.”

“We’ll send legal notices to the netizens making accusations. Anyone claiming cheating must provide proof. If they slander our cubs without evidence, we’ll take it to court. I will see it through to the end.”

Xiao Zhong’er stared, slightly stunned. He suddenly realized that Song Yiran wasn’t as soft as he had imagined.

He had always thought Song Yiran’s gentle demeanor made him easy to manipulate, and that he needed protecting. But now he understood he had been mistaken.

Song Yiran wasn’t a pushover. His nature was gentle and resilient. He was mild-mannered in dealings with others, but that didn’t mean he could be pushed around.

Xiao Zhong’er scratched his head, realizing that was fine as long as Song Yiran wasn’t bullied.

Song Yiran acted swiftly, contacting a well-known law firm and securing the cooperation of their top lawyer.

All netizens spreading baseless rumors were served legal notices. Initially, they had confidently claimed the kids cheated, but after receiving the notices, they deleted their comments, and some even deactivated their accounts.

The comment section quickly returned to calm.

“Hahaha! Where are those loud netizens now?”

“They won’t come back, parents sent real lawyer notices!”

“Spreading rumors is easy, but a lawyer notice silences them instantly—hilarious!”

“By the way, the competition prizes were distributed. My little sister got an encouragement prize—1,000,000 credit points! She even gave me 500,000 as pocket money. She’s the best!”

“Wow, so envious! Encouragement prize is a million points!”

“I’m so jealous… why wasn’t I born 200 years later?”

“My plush toys, dollhouse, dress-up dolls… all done, I’m ready!”

Song Chiyu sorted through his toys and chose the ones he wanted most to bring.

He put the selected toys into his Light Brain, then asked the other kids, “Have you all packed?”