My daughter clutched my hand, her body trembling with sobs, as she choked out words into the live camera: “Dear netizens, even if it means giving every last bit of my bone marrow, I will save my dad! He raised me, now I’ll care for him in his old age!” My son stood beside her, eyes red-rimmed, bowing deeply to the camera: “Thank you for all your donations. We’ll sell everything we own to make sure Dad gets better!” The comments instantly flooded the entire screen: “Now *these* are truly filial children! So touching!” “That old man must have done good deeds in his past life to have such amazing kids!” “Already donated! Wishing a speedy recovery to the uncle!” The whole internet envied me, saying I had a pair of devoted children eager to donate their bone marrow. Only I knew they were here to claim my life. The live stream ended, and from the end of the hallway, I heard the siblings’ conversation. There wasn’t a hint of their earlier sobs, only cold calculation: “Bro, I really don’t want to donate bone marrow to that old man. It’ll hurt my body and mess up my wedding photos next month!” “Don’t worry, silly sis, who’s actually going to donate to him? We’ll just tell the netizens the transplant failed due to rejection, and they can’t check the records anyway.” “Oh, right! And when he dies, that downtown apartment of his and his fifty thousand in savings, we’ll split it evenly!” “Plus, the eighty thousand from the netizens’ donations, we’ll divide that too. It’ll be just enough for your wedding fund!” I lay in my hospital bed, listening to them plot how to divide my assets, and quietly activated a hidden live stream. Today, I would expose these “internet’s most filial children” and ruin their lives. 0
My fingertip lightly pressed the frame of my glasses, and the live camera feed synchronized online. The next second, my daughter came over with a bowl. “Dad, let me feed you some chicken noodle soup. I specially made this for you, it’s good for your stomach.” She spoon-fed me, one spoonful at a time, with their camera set up beside her. “As long as my dad gets better, I’ll do anything. I’d trade my life for his.” I looked at the soup offered to my mouth and deliberately knocked the bowl over. The scalding soup spilled all over my daughter. The comments instantly flooded the screen. 【Is this dad sick in the head?! His daughter is so good to him, and he’s still not satisfied!】 【I think he deserves to be sick. This kind of person shouldn’t be a burden to his children anymore.】 Ethan immediately rushed over, gripping my emaciated hand, his voice choked. “Dad, don’t worry, Chloe and I will get you cured, even if we have to sell everything we own.” “We’ve already prepared to donate our bone marrow to you. As soon as you give the go-ahead, the surgery can happen.” Chloe picked up a towel, delicately trying to wipe the soup off me. On camera, she looked patient and kind, but only I knew. Every movement of her hand was so heavy it felt like it could peel off a layer of skin. The comments were still full of angry remarks. 【These children are so incredibly devoted. What bad luck to have a dad like this.】 【The internet’s most filial children, truly deserving of the title.】 Watching their phony act, I spoke. “I suddenly feel like having some pecan pie.” It was a treat I’d been mentioning for years. Chloe immediately nodded. “Dad, don’t worry, I’ll go buy you some right now, the most authentic kind!” She pulled Ethan out, thinking I couldn’t hear them. “Do you even know which bakery’s pecan pie he wants?” Ethan scoffed. “How would I know? Just buy the cheapest pie and bring it back. That old man won’t taste the difference; just get it over with.” Before long, Chloe walked back in with the pie. Comments flashed wildly before my eyes. 【This daughter is too good. What more could the protagonist be unhappy about?】 I merely took a bite, then abruptly threw the box to the floor. Ethan and Chloe immediately surrounded me again. Looking at their feigned concern, then at the barrage of insults in the comments. My heart was calm. I just wanted to see how long they could keep up the act. That night, I was in too much pain to sleep, so I faked a cough and a restless turn. But I heard muffled arguing from outside the hospital room. “Bro, how much longer? I can’t keep this act up, seeing him every day drives me crazy.” It was Chloe’s impatient voice. “Just hold on a little longer. Once that donation money clears, and we get his apartment, we’ll be free.” Ethan whispered. “Don’t mess up, don’t let him find any cracks in our story.” “What if he suddenly gets better?” “Relax, the doctors said his condition has progressed to its advanced stages. He wouldn’t last much longer. Then we’ll just say the bone marrow transplant failed. Netizens will only sympathize with us more.” As soon as he finished speaking, I deliberately coughed loudly a few times. The voices outside instantly vanished. Seconds later, my “children” pushed open the door, their faces again filled with worry. Ethan reached out to feel my forehead, his voice tender. “Dad, are you feeling bad again? We’ll stay with you, don’t be scared.” I lay still in bed, letting them perform. The whole internet was still praising their deep affection. Only I knew that these two were wolves in sheep’s clothing. 0
After that day, Ethan and Chloe constantly talked about taking me for check-ups and pulling strings to find specialists. They put on a show of being devoted children, worried sick about me. But in reality, they deliberately delayed every check-up. They even secretly changed my appointment times. Important bone marrow re-examination dates were secretly changed again and again, postponed repeatedly, and finally, simply missed. I suddenly remembered how before, they’d held up their phones, constantly filming me. Completely ignoring how my skin had already ulcerated from the illness, red and broken in patches. The pain at night was excruciating. The slightest movement tore at my flesh, making even the blanket unbearable. During filming, Chloe would gently dab ointment on my sores, crying into the live stream about how much it pained her to see me suffer. But as soon as the camera was off, they wouldn’t even spare me a glance. I’d whimper in pain, and they’d only complain that I was noisy, that I was a burden, that my rotting appearance was an eyesore. Forget applying medicine or wiping me down; they wouldn’t even bother to hand me a glass of water. One time, I was in such agony that I begged Chloe to help me change a bandage. But she recoiled in disgust, her brows furrowed. “It’s so gross. Don’t touch me. Can’t you just deal with it for a few days? It’s not the first time.” Ethan was even more direct, waving his hand impatiently. “Don’t bother. Medicine isn’t free, you know? Just endure a few days, it’ll pass.” All those tears shed on camera, all that feigned sympathy, were just an act for the netizens. When the doctor made rounds, I pretended to know nothing. “Doctor, why haven’t my last bone marrow re-examination results come back yet?” As soon as I spoke, Ethan’s face changed, and he hurriedly stepped forward to smooth things over. “The doctor is busy; maybe they haven’t sorted them out yet. Dad, don’t worry, we’ll ask them for you.” The doctor frowned, looking puzzled. “The re-examination date was long ago. Didn’t you say the patient wasn’t feeling well and canceled it?” That sentence, clear as day, was recorded verbatim by the camera. The comments were still a chaotic mess, defending them, but my heart had turned to stone. I pretended my phone was dead and reached for Ethan’s phone. “Let me call a relative.” He reluctantly handed it over. My fingers swiftly swiped open his bank statement. A large, unfamiliar transfer stood out, marked as ‘advance payment’. Scrolling further up, recent cash withdrawal records—amounts, times— They perfectly matched the records of my retirement savings that I had secretly checked. My retirement savings were being slowly drained by them. Late at night, I suddenly developed a high fever, my body burning hot. I desperately pressed the call button, the bell ringing repeatedly, but no one came in. Dragging my heavy body, I slowly shuffled out of the hospital room. My “children” were arguing in hushed tones in the hallway. “How much longer do we have to endure this, Bro? I’m really starting to break.” It was Chloe’s annoyed voice. “Just hang in there. This is a critical time. Once this period is over, everything will be fine.” Ethan gently persuaded her. “He’s lucid one moment, confused the next. What if he slips up on camera one day and all our previous efforts go to waste?” “Don’t worry, he’s so far gone, he wouldn’t be able to cause any trouble. Just wait patiently.” After confirming the camera captured their conversation, I quietly retreated back to my room. The comments were silent for a moment before someone hesitantly typed: 【Did anyone just hear voices outside?】 【It sounds like the siblings chatting? Too quiet to hear clearly.】 【They’re probably worried about their dad. Taking care of a sick person is hard work, after all.】 【It sounds a bit like complaining, but that’s normal. Anyone would have complaints after caring for someone for so long.】 Seeing that doubts were finally appearing in the comments, a faint smile touched my lips. This was only day one. These two’s true faces would soon be impossible to hide. 0
The next morning, as soon as I opened my eyes, I saw Ethan and Chloe had already set up their camera and were filming me. The two were chatting and laughing, discussing how much money they could make today. Online, they claimed all that money was for my treatment. But in the end, they were spending all *my* retirement money. And the money they earned from the videos had long since gone into their own pockets. I suddenly raised my hand and fiercely swept the water glass on the nightstand to the floor. Chloe’s face stiffened, then instantly plastered on a smile. “It’s okay, Dad, just an accident. We’ll get you clean sheets right away.” Ethan also leaned in, wiping his eyes for the camera. “As long as Dad is comfortable, we’re willing to endure any hardship.” The comments were full of praise. 【What wonderful children. If it were me, I’d have lost my temper already.】 【This dad is too much trouble.】 The camera turned. They stood with their backs to me, changing the sheets, their voices hushed, yet every word was swallowed by the microphone on my glasses. “Such a hassle. If it weren’t for the traffic and the money, who’d want to wait on this old man?” “Hurry up and change it. Don’t let him cause any more trouble. Once the money is ours, I’ll show him.” The live stream momentarily froze. Finally, a few doubtful comments popped up. 【Wait, I think I heard something?】 【Did I mishear? It sounded like they were badmouthing him?】 They couldn’t see the comments in front of me, so they naturally didn’t know that everything was being recorded by me. Before long, they composed themselves again, holding up a piece of paper to film a video. “Everyone, don’t worry, we found a match! Bone marrow transplant can be arranged soon!” They turned the camera to me. “Dad, you finally have a chance to recover. Then we’ll take you on a world trip, and we won’t have to suffer from illness anymore.” The two wiped away tears, looking as if they’d finally seen light after hardship. “We’re still a bit short on surgery fees. We’ll just work extra shifts and sell everything we can, and we’ll have enough.” Ethan and Chloe finished filming and started editing. The so-called matching report was tossed aside. I clearly saw the blurred handwriting and crooked stamp on it. Seeing this, the comments grew more suspicious. 【It feels like a setup, that report looks fake.】 【These children are completely different when the camera is off, so weird.】 While they were out taking a call, I secretly pressed the doctor’s direct line. My attending physician sounded surprised. “Matching? Both of them failed the matching test a week ago. I thought you already knew.” That single sentence hit me, making my whole body go cold. They never intended to save me. The so-called bone marrow donation was a scam from beginning to end. Before long, Mr. Henderson, an old neighbor, rushed in with fruit. Ethan immediately blocked the doorway, a fake smile on his face. “Uncle, Dad just fell asleep, it’s not convenient to see anyone.” “I’ll just take a quick look, I won’t bother him.” Mr. Henderson insisted on entering. Chloe frantically rushed over, pushing him out while giving Ethan a look. “Quick, cover Dad up properly, don’t let him catch a cold.” She spoke with feigned concern, but her hand pressed hard against my ulcerated skin, making me tremble all over. As soon as Mr. Henderson left and the door closed, Ethan’s face instantly changed. “Dad, please don’t do that again. If outsiders find out anything, won’t all our efforts be wasted?” Chloe also stood by, sighing softly. “We’re doing this for your own good, trying to raise more money for your treatment. If you keep acting like this, it makes things very difficult for us.” “If we weren’t thinking about your apartment and savings, which could support your subsequent treatment, we wouldn’t have to go through all this trouble.” His tone held a hint of subtle menace. “Just rest and recover, don’t overthink things, and don’t say anything to outsiders. It’s better for you, and for us.” I didn’t say a word. And the camera on my glasses clearly captured the impatience in his eyes and the falseness in her voice. At the same time, the live stream, which had remained on, completely exploded with comments. 【That tone just now… that wasn’t concern, was it?】 【His eyes were terrifying, where’s the filial piety? That was clearly a threat!】 【I felt something was off before. They only put on a filial act in front of the camera.】 They didn’t realize the live stream from my glasses had gone out of control. After lecturing me for a few minutes, they slammed the door and left. That night, I pretended to be asleep, closing my eyes and listening to them conspire in low voices outside the hallway. “Once the apartment is successfully transferred to our names, don’t let that old neighbor say anything else, to avoid any further complications.” “Don’t worry. Once the old man… then no one will suspect us.” A chill ran from my feet to the top of my head, freezing my limbs. I lay quietly in bed, watching the now out-of-control comments on the live stream, my mind clear. The real show was just beginning. 0
Over the next few days, I deliberately feigned a worsening condition. They thought I was too disoriented to hear or remember anything, so they stopped being cautious, conversing directly by my bedside. “Bro, he won’t last much longer.” Chloe’s voice was full of impatience. Ethan scoffed, kicking the foot of my bed. “Once he hands over the rest of his retirement savings, we’ll just dispose of him. The apartment and savings will all be ours.” I lay there, my body cold. The glasses camera live-streamed every word, every expression, crystal clear. The comments instantly blew up. 【They’re not even pretending anymore! Are these really his biological children? These are demons!】 【I praised their filial piety before, I must have been blind!】 I appeared unconscious, but secretly, I had already sent the live stream recording, bank statements, and the forged matching report. All of it went to Detective Miller, my retired police uncle. As soon as the message was sent, I clutched the fruit knife I had secretly taken from the cafeteria, hiding it under my pillow. To make one last big score, they decided to host a fully live-streamed “filial piety” birthday celebration on my sixtieth birthday. They would publicly announce a successful bone marrow transplant and share the good news at the banquet to scam more donations. As soon as the banquet ended, they planned to eliminate me. Then they would claim I died on the operating table due to transplant failure. They would walk away scot-free. That day, the hospital room was decorated festively with red. Ethan forced a smile. “Dad, happy sixtieth birthday. May you live a hundred years.” Chloe held her phone, live-streaming. “Thank you, everyone, for your continued support! My dad will be fully recovered soon!” The comments were already flooded with bots. But the viewers of my secret live stream tacitly agreed not to expose their true nature. They, too, wanted to see what these two “children” would do. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a menacing-looking stranger standing outside the door—one of their accomplices. A fellow patient and a few enthusiastic netizens came in to wish me a happy birthday. Someone smiled and asked me, “Uncle, your children are so devoted, you’re truly blessed.” I offered a weak smile and a gentle nod, secretly adjusting the camera to high definition. It captured them exchanging glances with the man outside the door and secretly passing him a note. Chloe brought a cake and held it to my mouth. One whiff told me something was wrong; the cream had a strange smell. I pretended to eat it, but spit it out the moment they turned away. The celebration soon ended, this “filial piety” birthday banquet was a complete success. The final act was over. My “children” stopped bothering to hide their true intentions. Ethan looked at his phone, checking the payouts, and scoffed. “Why were the donations from this live stream so low? But with the previous ones, it’s enough for us to make a clean break and disappear overseas.” Chloe, after seeing off the guests one by one at the door, turned her gaze to me. “We’ve been acting for so long, finally no need to pretend. Old man, you should just accept your fate.” The secret live stream instantly erupted. 【Holy sh*t! They’re completely dropping the act! These two aren’t even human!】 【I pitied them before, now I want to slap myself twice!】 I slowly raised my eyes to them. “You thought I wouldn’t recognize you?” “You are not my son and daughter at all. From the first day you stood by my hospital bed, I knew.” Both of them visibly froze, clearly not expecting me to have known the truth all along. After a brief moment of shock, they burst into arrogant laughter. “Didn’t expect you, old man, to be quite clever. Too bad, what good is knowing? You’re still at our mercy.” I used all my strength to question them. “What did you do to my real children?” Chloe leaned closer to me. “Your good children? They’ve long been buried on some distant hillside, their bones probably rotten by now.” The live stream exploded completely. 【Animals! They’re absolute animals!】 【Call the police! Quick, call the police! These are murderers!】 Ethan saw my face turn pale and my breathing become rapid, assuming the drug in the cake was finally taking effect. He leaned in smugly to provoke me. “They were crying and begging us back then, that sight was much more entertaining than you now.” “Just wait patiently. Once that fake surgery tomorrow is over, you can go join them for a family reunion.” With that, he reached out to tie me up. The moment he came closer, I suddenly pulled out the fruit knife hidden in my sleeve. Using all my strength, I plunged it into Ethan.
🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “418994”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster
Leave a Reply