Liu Shanhe felt somewhat helpless about Starry's decision to broadcast the Pursuit Team's conversations on the big screen.
After all, no matter how realistically simulated it seemed, to the audience, they were still participating in a variety show.
It was understandable that Starry's organizers wanted to enhance the auction's entertainment value through this broadcast.
This was a consideration the Pursuit Team members should have anticipated when they agreed to join the show.
Ignoring the murmurs of the surrounding audience, Liu Shanhe turned to Lin Zhiyuan, his eyes filled with admiration and a hint of awe for the younger man's potential.
He nodded slowly, his voice steady and authoritative:
"Little Lin, your analysis is truly brilliant. The logic is airtight, and you've reconstructed Cifera's likely methods almost perfectly.
"While, as you said, many technical details remain unverified, this is undoubtedly the closest we've come to the truth so far."
His gaze swept over the other team members, who were still reeling from the revelations. He continued:
"We deserved to lose this 'first half' of the game.
"Cifera didn't just exploit advanced technology we couldn't comprehend; she also possessed a deep understanding of human psychology, exploiting our cognitive biases and the patterns of attention allocation.
"She never simply broke through our defenses; instead, she constantly wove 'stories' that we willingly immersed ourselves in."
Liu Shanhe's tone grew solemn:
"The lessons we've learned are profound.
"First, we must never underestimate her simply because she provides advance notice. Her predictions themselves are part of her psychological warfare.
"Second, we must maintain the highest vigilance toward anyone or anything she might have come into contact with. Her schemes often begin in the most unassuming places.
"Third, and most importantly—from now on, no matter how shocking or supernatural the phenomena we witness, we must force ourselves to divert a portion of our attention to scrutinize the underlying 'rationality' that must exist behind the apparent 'irrationality.'
"Moving forward, we must counter her with more multidimensional thinking and a wider range of technological countermeasures."
"She's an opponent who perfectly combines technology, psychology, and performance art. We must counter her with thinking that transcends conventional methods."
The live stream audience nodded in deep agreement with Liu Shanhe's summary:
[Old Liu nailed it! Cifera's game is all about playing with people's minds and artistry!]
[Lord Lin is incredible! His deductive ability is insane! He's practically analyzed Cifera down to her underwear!]
[Holy crap, a shrimp-headed troll just appeared in the comments! (Dog emoji)]
[Even if Lin Zhiyuan's analysis is brilliant, isn't he just being a Monday morning quarterback? He's still miles behind Cifera, who masterminded and executed this perfectly.]
[It's a battle of gods! Let's mortals just enjoy the spectacle!]
[So... is Aya really Cifera? Aaaaah! Even the Pursuit Team's experts say so, but it still feels so surreal!]
[Cifera's still flying in the sky. If Aya doesn't reappear, that'll be the final nail in the coffin.]
[But if Aya's still at Starry... then things are about to get really interesting!]
[Director, quick! Check the cameras for Aya! Is she back?!]
Studio.
Host Qiu Qiu's face radiated excitement, almost overflowing with joy. As a die-hard "Cat Fan," she felt immense pride at this moment.
"Absolutely brilliant!" she exclaimed. "Whether it's Cifera's magical thievery or Pursuit Team expert Lin Zhiyuan's meticulous analysis, it's all utterly captivating!
"This is truly the pinnacle of intellectual warfare!"
Composing herself, Qiu Qiu turned to Inspector Nie Junfeng, deliberately drawing him into the conversation:
"Inspector Nie, what are your thoughts on expert Lin Zhiyuan's analysis? Do you believe Miss Aya is merely a fabricated identity created by Contestant Cifera, as they've suggested?
"Could our elegant master tailor truly be the mischievous Kitty Phantom Thief herself?"
She barely suppressed a laugh, clearly eager to capitalize on the "Poison Milk" Inspector Nie trope to create sensational program content.
Nie Junfeng adjusted his posture. Despite having been thoroughly humiliated by Cifera's successful theft of the Starry Light earlier, his expression remained composed and confident, as if he possessed complete insight into the situation. Truly a testament to the steely composure of a police force veteran.
He cleared his throat and said:
"Host, I believe Expert Lin Zhiyuan's analysis is exceptionally insightful, logically sound, and meticulously structured. I can find virtually no apparent vulnerabilities in it.
"This is indeed the most logical conclusion, and it best explains all the suspicious points currently."
He looked directly into the camera, his tone utterly certain.
"As for your second question, considering motive, ability, and opportunity, Contestant Cifera impersonating Aya is the most optimal solution.
"Moreover, as the Bullet Comments have pointed out, Cifera herself has already flown away in full view of everyone, and she's still hovering in the sky.
"If 'Miss Aya' never reappears after this, that will be the most compelling evidence."
Hearing Nie Junfeng immediately "poison milk" the situation without preamble, the Bullet Comments section erupted with activity:
[Lin Zhiyuan is in danger! The Patriarch is channeling his power! He's directly endorsing Lin's analysis!]
[Qiu Qiu is such a great host! I've been waiting for Patriarch Nie to unleash his "poison milk"!]
[Can the Patriarch's "poison milk" still work this time? It seems almost impossible, doesn't it?]
[But on the flip side, if the Patriarch could still successfully Poison Milk under these ironclad circumstances... that would be an achievement of epic proportions!]
[I refuse to believe in such mystical nonsense! If Nie Junfeng manages to Poison Milk this successfully, I'll livestream myself doing a headstand while washing my hair!]
[Damn, bro, you're hardcore! But I'm the opposite—I do believe in the mystical! If Patriarch Nie pulls off another Poison Milk miracle, I'll spam the most expensive voice-activated Bullet Comments, begging him to curse my investments to fail!]
Nie Junfeng clearly saw the last Bullet Comment. A rare, relaxed smile spread across his face, and he even started teasing himself:
"Oh? Looks like I can't shake the title of 'Poison Milk Inspector.' There are even friends who want me to Poison Milk their wishes now?
"Alright then, if the evidence later proves me wrong and Miss Aya really does appear...
"The friend who wants to send the voice-activated Bullet Comment, you don't need to spend the money. I, Nie Junfeng, will personally bless you right here—I wish your investments fail and you lose everything! How's that?"
His humorous words drew roars of laughter from the studio audience and the live stream viewers, creating a lighthearted and jovial atmosphere.
[Hahaha! I'm dying of laughter! The Patriarch said he'd give you his blessing after your Poison Milk works, and you just blurted it out like that? What the heck?]
[Simple! It proves the Patriarch is utterly confident in his Poison Milk too!]
[The Patriarch is baring his fangs! So everything he said was deliberately the opposite?! Such terrifyingly cunning middle-aged man!]
[Alright, the Patriarch has gone this far. I wouldn't even be surprised if Aya shows up in the next second!]
Though many viewers were spamming memes, deep down they all felt Nie Junfeng had this in the bag. The Poison Milk was about to fail.
Yet—
Just as Nie Junfeng finished speaking, before the smile had even fully faded from his face!
The live stream feed abruptly cut!
The camera swung violently to focus on the hall entrance leading to the restrooms!
There, a graceful blonde woman in a magnificent platinum gown strode into the hall.
None other than—
Aya!
She... she was still here?! She hadn't vanished!
Hiss—!
A collective gasp swept through the hall like a gust of wind!
All eyes, like spotlights, suddenly snapped to focus on the newly appeared "Aya"!
The audience, who had been engaged in fervent discussion just moments before, fell into stunned silence. Their faces were etched with massive question marks and incredulous shock!
"Aya's" originally composed and elegant expression now carried a hint of confusion. She seemed perplexed by the sudden silence and the audience's astonished gazes, as if her very presence was impossible.
The reactions among the Expert Team were particularly intense!
Zhang Hong, Feng Chiyu, and Wang Lei simultaneously gasped, exchanging complex glances with Lin Zhiyuan.
Lin Zhiyuan's earlier smugness, fueled by Liu Shanhe's praise for his analysis, instantly froze. His eyes widened behind his black-rimmed glasses, as if he had witnessed a ghost story come to life—something utterly impossible.
Liu Shanhe's usually composed expression also faltered, his brows furrowing tightly as his piercing gaze locked onto "Aya," as if trying to see right through her!
Nie Bing instinctively clenched her fists, her eyes brimming with profound confusion and turmoil—
If Aya was Cifera's fabricated identity, and Aya is here now, then who just fled?!
If the one who fled was Cifera herself, how could her fabricated persona, Aya, still be here?!
Could it be... that they really aren't the same person?!
Were Lin Zhiyuan and Master's deductions wrong?!
Could her own sixth sense be mistaken?!
No! Even if Lin Zhiyuan and Master's deductions were wrong, her sixth sense couldn't possibly be wrong!
Nie Bing recalled her first meeting with Cifera at the Pursuit Team's base.
At the time, her sixth sense told her that Cifera was definitely not a member of the Expert Team. But later, due to Cifera's invitation letter and Master's authoritative confirmation as a microexpression expert, she had been forced to concede that her instincts were wrong.
Yet the subsequent events had proven her sixth sense right all along!
Now, the same situation was unfolding. This Aya was undoubtedly Cifera!
She hadn't left at all!
After stealing the Starry Light, she was still planning to toy with them!
In an instant, Nie Bing's gaze at "Aya"—or rather, Cifera—blazed with surging battle intent.
This time, I won't let you get away with it, Cifera!