Spoiled by Eight Uncles (Lily)

After eleven o'clock at night, All the shopping malls had closed down, and the stores facing the street had lowered their shutter doors.

Only a few streets and alleys, along with night snack stalls, bars, and nightclubs, remained open, creating a lively nighttime atmosphere.

Lilly and the others stood in front of a coffee shop.

The ambiance was serene at night, but having encountered the girl that was burned multiple times during the day, Josh and the others felt that the scene before them was even more peculiar now.

Josh tightly clung to Lilly’s arm.

Hannah, too, tightly held onto Lilly’s other arm.

Zachary could only tag along.

Blake asked, “Where are we going?” Lilly squeezed her fingers and finally pointed in a certain direction, saying, “Daddy, where does this direction lead us?” Blake took a glance and replied, “A small alley behind the shopping complex.” This area was a bustling commercial center. Recently, the small alley behind the coffee shop had undergone renovation and was intended to be leased to the owner of a food street, transforming it into a charming alley of culinary delights.

In big cities, commercial centers often featured such hidden alleys offering delicious yet affordable delicacies, although the hygiene standards might not always be met.

Since it was still in the planning stage, the alley remained vacant.

Josh asked, “Uncle Blake, did the missing girl enter this alley?” After returning home, he searched the internet and discovered various rumors. Some claimed that the girl had been taken into a coffee shop to be... dismembered, while others suggested she had walked into the alley and was abducted, or that her organs were being sold.

In any case, panic and anxiety tend to escalate quickly online through forums, attracting the attention of those seeking clout and fueling their intentions.

Blake responded, “I'm not sure, it's difficult to say.” The group proceeded into the alley.

Josh stared at the empty alley stretching before them and murmured, “This doesn’t look like what | saw on the Internet...” Blake glanced at him and asked, “What did you see on the Internet?” Josh chimed in, “It was said that a bloodstained cloth was found in a corner of the alley... | guess the girl was murdered.” “Someone also mentioned discovering a dark and mysterious dog hole in the alley, not knowing where it led to. Another person said that the girl might have been dragged into it, disappearing from this spot.” Blake sneered, “What else?” Nervously, Josh added, “Some people claimed there's a back door in this alley leading to the mall’s bathroom. They guessed that the girl disappeared from here and was taken away through that door.” Blake responded indifferently, “So, while they were busy filming, did they beg for gifts and likes before tically kicking open the door and going in to film the girl?” Josh nodded, saying, “That's right!” Lilly asked curiously, “Is something wrong?” Blake stated, “Nothing seems right.” “If a bloody cloth was found at the crime scene, would the bloggers be the ones taking pictures? How is it possible that investigators failed to notice such a prominent and bloodstained cloth? Moreover, once discovered, the evidence would have been swiftly collected, rather than leaving it in place for others to take pictures of. Lastly, crime scenes are typically cordoned off, preventing non-investigators from entering. How could those bloggers have taken photos?” “Only a fool would believe such an obvious mistake. If you think about it for a while, you'll realize it's fake,” Blake commented with conviction.

Under such comments, numerous anxious internet users would undoubtedly be tempted to ask, “Where is the DNA evidence? Why wasn’t DNA testing conducted? Are the investigators incompetent? Is there some hidden agenda?” Faced with their skepticism towards the official explanation, they opted to place their trust in certain alleged evidence and collectively embarked on their speculative detective work.

Josh's face was red and asked awkwardly, “What about the dog hole?” Blake could not help but feel speechless. “Are the investigators, who failed to notice such a conspicuous dog hole, all blind? And did the influencers miraculously discover it?” “In other words, the investigators found no evidence in the dog hole, but the influencers did and flaunted it to the public?” “If passers-by stumble upon clues, they would promptly contact the police. So why do those vloggers film it without reporting it to the police?” Without exception, those influencers claiming to have found the back door and the dog hole all urged their followers to explore it, with promises of rewards and gifts.

If they were evidence, it would have long been under official scrutiny. Would their viewers donate money to them? Blake looked meaningfully at Josh and asked, “So how gullible can you be to believe everything you see on the internet?” Josh was silent.

Lilly's eyes lit up, exclaiming, “Oh! Oh! Daddy, you're so smart!” Blake could not help but pursed his lips and ruffled Lilly's hair affectionately.

Despite her naivety, Blake could not help but feel powerless in the face of Lilly's gaze. Whenever she looked at him with those starry eyes, his resolve would soften, and he found himself unable to resist her innocence.

Continuing his explanation, Blake stated, “There are numerous so-called pieces of evidence, but why do so many people believe in them? Firstly, everyone is deeply invested in this case, and secondly, a fear propagated on the internet and caused panic.

People are naturally cautious and attentive when they are afraid. And then...” “There are too many fools and not enough liars.” Josh was silent.

Hey, Uncle Blake, you've made your point clear enough!