Category: English

Eight. Eight toilets in this house, and I was on my hands and knees in the last one, the sickly-sweet scent of bleach and raw sewage clinging to my uniform T-shirt. My phone buzzed on the floor, pushing a forum post to the top of my feed. “Second marriage to a wealthy man, how do I deal with a bratty stepdaughter?” The suggestions flew fast, but one comment, already flagged with 9,999 downvotes, snagged my eye. “Establish dominance. Go hard on your own kid—make an example of him. She’ll fall in line fast.” I instinctively tapped the downvote button to push the number past ten thousand. No father could be that cruel, I thought. Just as I set the phone down to scrub the final bowl, the bathroom door was kicked open. My father, Gavin, stormed in. Without a word, he grabbed the heavy leather belt I used to hold up my too-big shorts, and the pain began, lashing across my back and legs. “Did you break my razor? You can’t even clean a toilet without messing up. What good are you, you little waste of space!” “No… Dad, I didn’t…” I knelt on the cold tile, begging, but his strikes only grew harder, fueled by a rage I didn’t understand. Through the doorway, my stepsister, Patricia, stood, her face chalk-white, as she timidly called out, “Daddy?” The fleeting, ugly spark of pleasure on Gavin’s face was sickening. “It’s okay, Patricia. Your brother messed up, and he needs to face the consequences,” he said, his voice suddenly thick with false concern. Then he grabbed a fistful of my hair, dragged me toward the washing machine, and shoved me inside the drum. As he walked away, a small, black and white cat named Snowball, who had been hiding behind the hamper, crept onto the touch control panel of the machine. 1 I slammed my palms against the thick glass door of the washer. “Dad! The machine started! Let me out!” “The water is coming in! Dad, please!” I watched the doorknob turn. I clung to the glass, a surge of desperate hope flooding my chest. I knew he loved me. He couldn’t possibly let me drown in here. “D—Dad…” Click. The lock engaged—a sharp, final sound. Gavin’s roar followed instantly. “Still lying! You’ll invent any garbage story to escape punishment, won’t you?” “You’re going to stay in there and reflect on what you’ve done! You come out when you realize your mistake!” The water level rose frighteningly fast, already sloshing above my waist. My forehead cracked against a sharp plastic ridge, and everything went black for a second. “It hurts… Dad… I’m really hurt…” I sobbed, the cold water mixing with my tears and flooding my mouth. Outside, I heard Patricia’s muffled, crying voice. “Daddy, I hear water…” “Don’t listen to him, Patricia!” Gavin’s voice was suddenly loud, the tone laced with concealed satisfaction. “Your brother is a drama queen. He’s an expert at faking distress to get pity. You must never be like him.” The water passed my chest, then reached my neck. I clawed at the drum seal, struggling to gasp for air. “Dad… please… just look…” If you just looked, you’d know I was dying. But all I heard was my father’s sweet, gentle tone. “Patricia, you’ve been so good today. Daddy is going to reward you with some gourmet ice cream.” Their footsteps receded. In that moment, a raw, wrenching scream tore itself from my throat—a sound no one heard. I don’t know how long passed. Just as the frigid water was about to submerge my head, my pocketed phone flickered to life. I grabbed it, adrenaline giving me a last burst of strength, desperate to dial 911—even a one-in-a-million chance. My finger hovered over the screen when a new reply to the forum post popped up. “That ‘make an example’ trick works wonders!” “I locked my son in the washing machine, and the kid quieted down instantly. He even called me ‘Dad’ nicely afterward!” The comment section immediately exploded. “Are you insane? This is sick! That’s actual child abuse!” “He’s sacrificing his own son to please a woman?” “I’ve called the police! Get ready for jail, dude! Who puts a person in a washer?” My father’s panicked reply appeared instantly. “What do you know? It’s easy to judge when you’re not in my shoes!” “Do you know how hard it is to live with a piece of baggage like him? If I don’t please this woman, my son and I will be homeless!” “He can take a little pain so we can have a good life. What’s the big deal?” I stared at the words on the screen, and the hand I’d raised to call for help froze mid-air. In my father’s eyes, I was just baggage. A piece of dead weight. That’s what I was—the poor, disposable kid you see in old movies. I had no strength left to type. I simply stared at those three words. I thought: If I’m not here, you’ll be much happier. Then, Dad, I’ll grant you that wish. A small smile touched my lips. Air bubbles gurgled from my mouth. I remembered when I was five, burning up with a hundred-and-four-degree fever. Dad carried me on his back, running two miles straight to the emergency room. I was scared of the needle, clutching the fabric of his shirt. He squeezed my hand, his palm warm. He said, “Sammy, be a good boy. Listen to your father. You have to live.” But Dad, I can’t listen to you anymore. My body slipped down with the current, curling up at the bottom of the drum. The only sound was the deep, terrifying roar of the machine’s turning drum. My awareness began to fade. The drum lurched, flipping my body violently. The back of my head smashed against the metal wall. But I felt no pain. I sat up in the water, only to realize I was floating in the air. Looking down, the washing machine was still spinning, filled with murky water and foam. A small, thin body was curled inside, bobbing with the current. Was that… me? I reached out to touch the glass door, but my hand passed right through. 2 Fear made me instinctively search for my father. I floated out of the bathroom and into the first-floor living room. No matter how many times I apologized or called out, my father only had eyes for Patricia. “Why aren’t you eating, sweetie? It’s your favorite strawberry flavor.” Gavin stroked her hair. “Daddy will buy you this every day, as long as you promise to be a good girl.” Patricia burst into tears, dropping the ice cream cup onto the floor. “Daddy, I promise I’ll be good. Don’t lock me in the washing machine… I’m scared…” Seeing the ice cream fall, I lunged to catch it, but my hand passed straight through the cold cup. Gavin picked up the fallen ice cream, his smile growing. “Patricia is so good. Daddy cherishes you too much to ever punish you like that.” Patricia nodded furiously, snot and tears smearing her face. Standing behind them, I asked my father sadly, “Dad, didn’t you say you cherished me, too?” He didn’t seem to hear me, simply wiping Patricia’s tears with tender care. Just then, the sound of a key in the lock signaled the return of my stepmother, Tracy. Normally, Patricia would rush to Tracy for hugs and demands, but today, she just called out timidly, “Mom.” Tracy paused. “The sun’s coming up in the west? Why isn’t this kid throwing a fit?” Gavin rushed to meet her, taking her designer handbag. “Honey, I told you I had a handle on things. Kids just need the right guidance.” Tracy kicked off her shoes and walked to Patricia, reaching out to pinch her cheek. Patricia flinched but didn’t dare pull away. “Well, I’ll be. You actually did a flip. I didn’t think you could manage her,” Tracy said, a rare satisfied smile on her face. “You really know how to discipline her. She’s usually wild.” Hearing the affirmation, Gavin beamed. This was what all of it was for. The three sat down to dinner, the atmosphere unnervingly harmonious. On the table was the sweet and sour pork ribs—my favorite, which Dad had promised to make for me if I finished cleaning the toilets yesterday. Tracy paused, glancing around the room. Her brow furrowed. “Where is he? Why isn’t that kid eating?” My heart leaped. I drifted closer to Tracy. Aunt Tracy, I’m right here. I’m watching you eat. Gavin paused while scooping soup. “He messed up today. Broke my electric razor and then denied it.” “I locked him in the washing machine to reflect. A little starvation will sort him out.” Tracy looked toward the bathroom, then sniffed the air, her frown deepening. “What is that smell?” Our laundry machine was a wash-dry combo. With hot water and the dryer setting running, my body had already begun to putrefy. Tracy put down her fork and started walking toward the bathroom. “I’ll check the toilet. That smell is way too strong. It must be clogged.” Smack. Gavin slammed the ladle down on the table. “What else could it be! It has to be that brat doing it on purpose!” “Tracy, don’t go. Don’t spoil your appetite. The little monster actually relieved himself right there as a protest!” He started walking toward the second-floor bathroom. “We are eating! Are you deliberately trying to gross us out? You think shitting yourself is going to get you out of this? It won’t!” I frantically waved my hands, trying to dissipate the stench of decay. “It’s not that, Dad! I didn’t relieve myself!” “That’s the smell of Sammy decomposing… Dad, please don’t go near it.” Hearing no response from the bathroom, Gavin was instantly enraged. “Fine. Playing mute, are we? You think if you don’t talk, I’ll forget about this?” “If you like the smell of rotten filth so much, then you can stay in there and enjoy it!” He grabbed a can of air freshener and sprayed the hallway outside the door aggressively. “I was planning to let you out tomorrow morning. Now you’ve earned another twenty-four hours!” Tracy wrinkled her nose in disgust. “He’s getting completely out of hand. A boy that age, pulling stunts like this.” “Forget it. The house smells awful. I can’t eat here.” She smiled at Patricia. “Since Patricia was so good today, let’s go out for a seafood buffet.” Gavin’s eyes instantly lit up. He put away the air freshener and angrily glared at the bathroom door. “He can stay in there and reflect. Let’s see if he ever pulls a stunt like that again!” Watching them put on their shoes to leave, I spun in the air frantically. “Don’t go… Please don’t go…” “Don’t leave me alone in the house. It’s so dark in the bathroom. I’m scared…” But my father couldn’t hear me. Because I was already dead. 3 The next afternoon, they returned. I floated in the foyer, watching Dad take Tracy’s shoes, his face covered in a placating smile. “Honey, what do you want for dinner? I’ll cook whatever you want.” Tracy was in a good mood, humming as she walked toward the bedroom. “Anything. Just don’t let the house smell like it did yesterday.” Gavin’s face tightened, and he quickly laughed it off. Patricia followed, excitedly holding the huge box of Legos Tracy had bought her. Clatter. The Lego box was too big, and Patricia fumbled it, knocking over the large decorative vase in the entryway. The sound of ceramic shattering was deafening. “What was that noise out there!” Tracy’s angry shout instantly echoed from the bedroom. Gavin’s face went white. He clapped a hand over Patricia’s mouth and shouted toward the bedroom. “Nothing, Honey! Just my clumsy hand! I knocked over the vase by accident!” “Stop being so careless! Keep it down!” When Tracy didn’t appear, Gavin finally let out a long sigh. Patricia’s eyes were filled with tears, about to burst into wails. “Daddy, I’m sorry! I won’t do it again! Don’t lock me—” Gavin clamped his hand over her mouth again, whispering fiercely. “It’s okay, Patricia, you’re fine. Daddy would never lock you up.” He peered at Tracy’s closed door, then pulled Patricia toward the second-floor bathroom. “Come on, let’s go check on your brother.” I floated behind, watching Patricia’s face contorted with fear as Gavin pressed her against the bathroom door frame. The foul stench wafting from the crack under the door was stronger than yesterday. It was the smell of advanced decomposition. Gavin covered his nose in disgust and slammed his fist on the door. “You brat! Still playing dead, are we?” “It’s been a day, and you still haven’t cleaned up your mess? Making a stench like this—you deliberately don’t want to come out, do you!” The bathroom was silent. After a few more angry curses, the lack of movement made Gavin’s brow furrow, a flicker of panic in his eyes. “Did he pass out from hunger?” But just as he unlocked the door and prepared to push it open, Snowball, startled by the noise, jumped back onto the touch panel. This time, the small cat paused right on the Heavy Duty button. The clear, electronic chime of the machine starting up rang out. The washing machine violently shuddered, and the drum began to spin at high speed. Gavin froze, shocked by the sudden noise. When he realized it was the washing machine running, his panic instantly turned to blind fury. “Oh, you think you’re clever, you little bastard! I call for you, and you don’t answer, but you can start the machine yourself?” Seeing the machine whirl, I cried out in despair. “It wasn’t me, Dad! I didn’t start it!” “My body is already falling apart!” “Please, open the door and stop the machine!” But my father couldn’t hear my cries. He slammed the door shut and locked it again. Then he picked up Patricia and walked quickly toward the living room. “Patricia, you must never be naughty like your brother. Otherwise, you’ll have to be punished too.” Patricia trembled, nodding her head vigorously. I floated in the air, watching the wildly spinning machine with hopeless dread. The drum speed increased. The body, already badly swollen, was being crushed and distorted by the sheer force of the centrifuge. Finally, a strange gurgling sound came from the drainpipe. That was the sound of me clogging the drain. 4 Back in the living room, Tracy was on the sofa, her brows deeply furrowed. “Still not finished? What is that awful smell in this house?” She covered her nose, turning up the volume on the TV impatiently. “You can’t even manage one child. I have to live with this stench every day.” Gavin’s face instantly paled. He feared nothing more than Tracy thinking he was incompetent or that we were a burden. “Don’t worry, Tracy. It must be the sewer backing up. That kid was too lazy to clean the toilet.” “I’ll clean it! I’ll be good!” Patricia jumped off the sofa. She was terrified of being locked inside that roaring metal box. To prove herself, she stumbled toward the downstairs bathroom. “Clean it… If I clean it, the smell will go away…” Patricia muttered to herself, stirring the water in the toilet bowl with the brush. A gurgling sound came from the sewer. Patricia pressed the flush button. Whoosh. A reddish-brown liquid backed up and overflowed. “Why won’t it flush…” Patricia was nearly crying, afraid that failing at this simple task would lead to her own punishment. Suddenly, a fleshy, rounded object floated up with the churning water. Patricia froze, then her eyes lit up with excitement. “An action figure! It’s a superhero!” She screamed with joy. She thought this was a reward from the heavens, confirmation that she was a good girl for cleaning the toilet. She reached out her small hand, grabbed the object, and ran out. “No! Patricia, drop it! That’s not an action figure! That’s…” I lunged, trying to knock the object from her hand, but I passed through her body again and again. In the living room, Tracy listened to the scrubbing sounds from the bathroom and looked satisfied. “See? She has a sense of responsibility now. She’s proactively helping out. Much better than before.” Gavin’s lips curled into a smile. “Of course. Who do you think trained her?” Just as he spoke, Patricia’s excited voice rang out. “Daddy, look! The toilet flushed out a superhero!” “I cleaned it really well. This is my reward!” Gavin looked at Patricia. The next second, his face turned ghastly white.

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I had failed the mission, spectacularly. So, I went rogue. I threw the rulebook out the window. I imprisoned him. I took him. And then, I staged a glorious, definitive, dramatic death. I barely had a moment to catch my breath in the afterlife when the System shrieked in my mind. [Male Lead has hit critical corruption level! Urgent need for a second intervention!] The next second, I was back. I walked through the fog of disorientation, and then it happened: a gleaming, blood-slick blade pressed flat against the skin of my neck. The man’s voice was a ghost in my ear. “Another fool who thinks she can try.” “That face—you think you can wear it?” My mind went blank. 01 I was mid-bite of a chip when the System’s scream broke through the quiet of my new life. [Host, there’s been an… issue with your mission.] [The Male Lead has hit critical corruption level. The world is collapsing. We need you to go back for a secondary fix.] I had no idea what it meant. Critical corruption? In my memory, Caspian Bellwether was an emotional glacier—stoic, untouchable, the kind of man who floated above the base desires of the mortal world. He was a god carved from marble. How could someone like him corrupt? The world could burn, and he would still be standing, perfectly still, perfectly unperturbed. But before I could dwell on the absurdity, my vision swam, and I was abruptly shunted back into the alternate reality. Specifically, I was back at the secluded estate where I had once kept Caspian prisoner. I caught sight of the pomegranate tree I’d impulsively planted years ago. A sudden, jarring thought hit me: That tree was half-dead when I left. When did it get so tall? The System answered the unspoken question instantly. [Host, the timeline in this world moves differently than yours.] [Seven years have passed since you left.] Seven years. Caspian couldn’t possibly still be here, could he? I stumbled forward in a daze. In that instant, my right foot hadn’t even landed when a chilling sensation grazed my neck. A strand of my hair—snipped clean—drifted down before my eyes. A cold steel blade was pressed tight against my throat. And worst of all, warm blood from the sword’s edge was sliding down my skin. I froze, terrified. My fingers trembled. I couldn’t remember how to breathe. The spectral voice drifted from behind me. “Another fool who thinks she can try.” “That face—you think you can wear it?” I turned slowly. Caspian’s devastatingly handsome, ice-cold face was inches from mine. His eyes were bloodshot, feral, the eyes of a creature driven mad. My words came out in broken fragments. “Caspian, it’s m—” The razor-sharp blade suddenly pulled away from my neck. I was about to take a step forward, but my gaze snagged on a figure just beyond him, sprawled motionless in a pool of blood. The woman’s eyes were wide and vacant. She was a disturbing replica of me—strikingly, horribly similar. My knees gave out. I collapsed onto the ground. What had happened to him? How could Caspian have become this monster? Caspian seemed to be in total shock. Naked bewilderment washed over his perfect features. His eyes flickered with a desperate, frantic uncertainty. Suddenly, the sword clattered to the floor. He stepped forward, instinctively blocking my view of the body. I gasped, finally letting out the breath I’d been holding. “Damn you, Caspian Bellwether! You actually tried to murder me!” He didn’t register my fury. He simply stared, blood-veins webbing his eyes, his brow furrowed in a tight, frightening knot. I struggled to stand, wanting desperately to flee, but he grabbed my wrist, yanking me into his embrace. His eyes were fixed on me, the way a predator watches its prey. His grip was too tight, making me wince. “Aubrey.” I paused. After a long silence, I heard the thick, ragged sound of his voice. “Is it really you?” “Please, don’t lie to me again.” Again? 02 Caspian should despise me. Logically, he wouldn’t feel a flicker of emotion even if I were to die right in front of him. Yet, I looked down at my ankle. The heavy shackle around my leg was padded on the inside, as if he were worried it might bruise me. That was utterly unlike the Caspian I knew. He should hate me. Seven years ago, I was bound to the System and sent here. The promise was ten million dollars if I successfully completed the “capture the male lead” mission. For five years, I failed. No matter what I tried, the mission progress bar didn’t budge. Caspian remained an unscalable peak, emotionally sterile. His gaze never lingered on me. Eventually, I simply broke. I drugged him. I kept him captive. Day after day, I forced intimacy on him. But even with skin-to-skin contact, he never offered me a single, genuine glance. The contempt that radiated from him was a sharpened blade, cutting through my last shred of pride. Heartbroken, I decided to abandon the mission. On the last day, I leaned down to kiss him as I had countless times before. He kept his eyes closed, unmoving. The kiss deepened, a desperate, silent farewell. Then, I unlocked the restraint. “Caspian, you’re free.” His eyes opened, a flash of suspicious confusion in their depths. “What game are you playing now?” I managed a faint, bittersweet smile. “No games. I just finally saw the light.” The sheer irritation in his eyes wounded me instantly. I had forced him, yes, but after a year of being together—intimate and constant—even a stray dog would have developed some attachment. But not him. I gave a bitter twist of my mouth. I watched him push open the door and walk out without a single pause. He didn’t look back. As the System signaled my imminent departure, I lit the match. Everything after the blaze was a blank slate. But now… I tugged the shackle on my ankle, the metal links clanging dully. I fell into a confused contemplation. Had my year of obsession finally, irrevocably, broken the unbreakable man? 03 The door creaked open. Caspian walked in, carrying a covered tray. He was still lean and classically handsome, but the years had etched a harder, more dangerous charm into his features. His body was long, a sharp silhouette of broad shoulders and a narrow waist. Paired with that stoic, impossibly perfect face, he could make any magazine cover model look like a rookie. He took a bowl of hot soup from the tray. The steam rose gently. He scooped a spoonful, blew on it, and lifted it to my lips. “Eat up, Aubrey. I wouldn’t want you to run out of steam later.” My fists clenched, then slowly relaxed. I was, currently, in his cage. I had to yield. His demeanor was unnervingly gentle, as if we truly were a devoted couple of many years—if I could only ignore the crushing weight of the metal on my ankle. The meal was heavy with unspoken tension. I sighed, setting the bowl down. “Caspian, is this what you want? To repay the humiliation I inflicted, piece by piece?” He said nothing, only smiled—a deep, slow, and utterly chilling smile. I shuddered. Was he going to…? The thought was terrifying. Suddenly, I watched him lean forward slowly. His beautiful face was inches from mine. A shallow, yet utterly evil curve lifted the corner of his mouth. He raised his hands and cupped my head. His lips, hot and damp, crashed onto mine. It wasn’t a tentative exploration. It was a torrential, overwhelming flood of taking, of demanding penetration. He drowned me in it, sweeping me away until I was desperate for air. Finally, he pulled back. I gasped, frantically dragging oxygen into my lungs. His eyes were bloodshot again. He roughly shoved me back onto the bed. “If I didn’t believe you were her, I’d already have gutted you.” His voice was cold, sharp, like ice water. I finally broke free of my stupor and struggled, screaming. “Caspian, how can you do this to me?” Tears streamed down my face. I stared at him, my eyes red and furious. He let out a short, dismissive laugh. “Why wouldn’t I?” His long, cool fingers traced my eyebrows and the curve of my cheek. His intent was clear. “Didn’t you do this to me that year?” “You set the rules, Aubrey. Why do you suddenly object to playing by them?” 04 Caspian kept me pinned and broken all night. After that, he spent every night in my room. He held me tight again that night. The candlelight flickered around us. I traced the perfect contours of his face with my eyes, trying to solve the puzzle of his constant frown. Had Caspian actually fallen for me? “No…” A soft whisper escaped his lips. “What is it?” I leaned in. My gaze instantly collided with his cold, clear eyes. He was suddenly wide awake. Our breath mingled, close enough for a kiss. I awkwardly pulled back. He didn’t speak, just stared at me, unblinking. It was so intense I felt the hairs on my arms prickle. I shivered, about to make a lame joke, but his next words silenced me completely. Caspian’s fingertips lightly stroked my cheek. His eyes held volumes of mockery and chilling indifference. “Of all the pretenders, you are the closest replica.” “And you get to stay.”

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It was New Year’s Day dinner when my wife, Sienna, slapped the debit card for our joint bank account down on the marble table in front of me. Her face was stony. “You are going to explain this to me. Why is there only thirty-two cents left in this account?” “I deposited half a million dollars this year. Where is the money?!” I stood up slowly, keeping my voice level. “Take a breath, Sienna. I have the statements right here…” I reached for my phone. My mother-in-law, Carol, interrupted me with a voice dripping in sweet venom. “Your sister just bought a brand-new luxury SUV. Where do you think she got the cash? You clearly took my daughter’s money and handed it over to your family!” I ignored Carol and placed the detailed bank statement in front of Sienna. She glanced at it, then violently swatted my hand away. … “Enough. Get your sister to return the five hundred thousand dollars before the end of the week, or we’re getting a divorce!” A cold, hard laugh escaped me. I picked up my phone, sending the entire year’s expenditure report directly into the Richard family group chat. In the accompanying draft divorce agreement, I demanded that Sienna and her family repay me eighty thousand dollars. The family group chat instantly exploded. People who hadn’t spoken to me in months suddenly started begging me not to go through with it. A surge of icy rage hit me. I looked at Sienna and smirked. “Are you sure you want to go through with this divorce?” Sienna barely glanced at me. “If your sister returns the money, I might drop it.” “But let me be clear: starting next year, I will never put another dollar into that joint account!” My smile became openly mocking. I nodded slowly. “Fine. Let’s get divorced, then.” Carol shrieked, slamming her chopsticks down. “Cameron Mitchell! I’m telling you, even if you divorce my daughter, you will return that money! Otherwise, I will sue you!” I looked at her calmly, speaking each word distinctly. “Don’t worry, before we divorce, I will account for every single penny.” I paused, my voice dropping an octave. “Just one question, though: Are you saying that whoever spent the money is the one who has to pay it all back?” Carol snorted, her chin lifted high. “Exactly! You spent my daughter’s money on your family, and you’ll repay every cent of it.” I nodded. With that statement, I was set. I went back to our bedroom, grabbed my phone, and sent one simple message into Sienna’s family group chat: “I have decided to divorce Sienna.” The group had been a flurry of cheerful holiday emojis and gift card links moments ago. My message dropped into a silence that was deafening. I didn’t care if they replied or not. I tossed the phone onto the bed and started packing a suitcase. Sienna burst through the door. “Are you insane?!” “It’s a holiday, and you’re sending that kind of garbage in the chat? It’s bad luck! Recall it immediately! Say it was a mistake!” I didn’t look up. “I won’t recall it.” I was only telling the truth. Why would I take it back? Besides, it was just a divorce. What was so unlucky about finally being free? My phone suddenly began pinging relentlessly. Messages were pouring into the family chat. Carol was wailing in text: “What kind of life does my daughter live? My heart aches, seeing this!” “He does nothing all day and steals Sienna’s money to buy his sister a car! Sienna simply asked a question, and now he’s demanding a divorce!” “Have you ever met such a shameless son-in-law? That was five hundred thousand dollars! Since he didn’t earn it, he doesn’t care about it!” “I don’t care if you laugh at me, but I have been sick of this man for a long time. Divorce is fine! I’ll take care of my daughter myself from now on!” I curled my lips into a sneer of contempt. If it hadn’t been for her constant meddling, Sienna and I might never have reached this point. Besides, I thought about the account statements. I honestly couldn’t comprehend how Carol could claim she hadn’t touched a penny of that money. The moment she discovered Sienna was depositing a large amount into the joint account every month, she started hitting me up for cash. Today, she needed fifty thousand for a couples’ cruise with my father-in-law. Tomorrow, her distant cousin was getting married and needed twenty thousand for a down payment. The day after, she needed a quarter of a million to ‘lend’ to a struggling former classmate. And Sienna herself… Her colleagues would chip in fifty dollars for a wedding gift. But Sienna insisted that, as a team leader, she had to save face and send a check for ten thousand dollars. Five colleagues got married in one year; that was fifty thousand dollars just on cash gifts. On top of that, there were expensive holiday gifts for her senior executives. Two or three thousand dollars minimum per holiday. She had no idea that her fifty thousand dollar deposits hadn’t even covered the family’s actual lifestyle expenses. I had always told myself we were family. I wasn’t a man who counted every penny. I simply covered the difference, quietly transferring money from my personal account whenever the joint one ran dry. But I never imagined my generosity would be so deeply misunderstood and warped. I thought, out of the eighteen people in the family chat, someone would have the decency to speak up for me. I was wrong. As soon as Carol’s messages came out, the chat erupted in a chorus of condemnation. “What?!” “How could he take all of Sienna’s money for his own family? That’s disgusting!” That was Helen Sawyer, Sienna’s aunt. Six months ago, she told me her nephew needed a hundred thousand for a house down payment. To put my mind at ease, she’d given me a signed IOU, promising to pay it back as soon as possible. I had transferred the money from my own personal funds. I never pressed her, and she never paid it back. “A guy like him will never make five hundred thousand dollars in his life. The old saying is right: the worst thieves are the ones in your own house!” That was Brett Harris, Sienna’s cousin. Three months ago, he came to me asking for two hundred thousand for a startup. I refused, but Carol stepped in, guaranteed the loan, and I begrudgingly transferred the money. As far as I knew, he’d blown through the entire two hundred thousand within a month. He hadn’t said a word about a repayment plan. There were a few attempts at mediation. “Cam, I’m not judging, but you were being insensitive. My sister is busy working all year. Your job is to handle the logistics. Spending her money on your sister—what’s that about?” “Listen to me, man. Go get the five hundred grand back right now, apologize properly to my sister, and this will all blow over.” That was Jamie Richard, Sienna’s younger brother. He was currently in college. Last month, he’d hit me up for three thousand dollars for a trip to Cabo for the holidays. All year, he’d demanded money from me with an air of entitlement. “I’m spending my sister’s money, not yours. What right do you have to refuse me?” I reminded myself he was young, he was Sienna’s brother. Even knowing the money was a dead loss, I transferred it without question. Now, as I watched the messages jump up and down in the family chat, the contempt in my eyes sharpened. Ever since I married Sienna, I had been the one managing all their social and financial dramas. When they needed loans, they were full of sweet talk. Now, they were calling me a shameless thief. I slowly typed and sent a message: “The money was not spent by me or my family. I will not be repaying it.” At that, the rest of the relatives who had been silently watching suddenly jumped in. “Cameron! It’s the holidays, stop causing drama! Everyone knows your sister doesn’t have a real job. How did she buy a car?” My sister, Paige, didn’t have a nine-to-five job. But she wasn’t a freeloader, either. She managed my parents’ domestic businesses. My parents are entrepreneurs who are constantly busy, often traveling abroad to scout for investments. They’d set up a private holding company for Paige to manage our US interests. My parents gave Paige a monthly allowance of two hundred thousand dollars as a formality. So, her new Rolls-Royce—she could easily afford that after saving for a few months. I scoffed. “My sister’s car cost over a million dollars. Sienna’s joint account only had half a million. How could it possibly have been Sienna’s money?” I hadn’t wanted to say anything. Even after marrying Sienna, I had only ever told her that my parents were business owners and financially comfortable. I never told her that their net income was in the tens of millions annually. But Sienna refused to believe it. She was convinced I’d spent the joint funds on my sister. Sienna stood at the door, clutching her phone, reading my message in the chat. She gave a cold laugh. “Still lying? If it wasn’t for my five hundred thousand, how else could your sister have cobbled together enough cash to buy that car outright?” She looked disappointed. “Cam, I told you when we got married, you could help your sister, but you had to ask me first.” “How could you just take the money without a word and give it to an outsider?” I suddenly found her profoundly ridiculous. I put down my phone, looked up, and took a deep breath. “I’m saying it one more time. My family didn’t touch a single cent of your money.” Just as I spoke, Carol burst back in, slamming the door. “Sienna! Don’t waste your breath on him! Your Aunt Helen just told me she saw Cameron’s parents at the airport last month!” Carol glared at me, pointing a finger at my face. “Your parents went on vacation, didn’t they? That was my daughter’s money too, wasn’t it?” “If I had known you were capable of such shameless behavior, I never would have let Sienna marry you!” I recalled the conversation. My mother had mentioned running into Helen at the airport. The Richards were going on a family trip and Helen had bragged about flying first class. I curled my lip. They had money to travel, but no money to repay their loans. It was clear my easygoing nature had made them believe I was a pushover. I zipped up the last item of clothing in my suitcase. I stood up, giving Carol a fake, chilling smile. “You’re right. I shouldn’t have married Sienna.” “I’ll send you the final accounting and the divorce papers as soon as possible.” With that, I grabbed my suitcase and walked out. Sienna’s face paled. She yanked the suitcase handle. “What do you mean? You’re serious about the divorce?” I gave a light laugh. “You know I don’t make jokes like this.” Carol yelled from inside the apartment. “Let him go, Sienna! I’d like to see where he finds a woman as good as you once you’re divorced!” She faced me, speaking with a defiant, arrogant tone. “You walk out that door today, and you can forget about ever coming back—even if you get on your knees and beg me!” I looked at her deeply. I sincerely hoped she would keep that promise once I finished sending out the rest of the statements. It was New Year’s Eve, and late at night, making it difficult to get a cab. I called my sister, Paige, to come pick me up. On the way home, I told her everything. When we arrived, Paige’s eyes were red. She rushed over and hugged my mother. “Mom, you didn’t see how pathetic Cam looked! On a holiday, he was standing alone downstairs with his suitcase in the cold wind!” She gritted her teeth in fury. “That woman didn’t even offer to help him leave!” My mother, having heard the whole story, put an arm around my shoulder. “Get the divorce. You absolutely must!” All the accumulated frustration and humiliation I’d endured at the Richards’ house instantly vanished. Home truly was the warmest harbor. My brother-in-law, Tyler, came over to me. “So, Cam, you’re just going to let them get away with this?” I gave a slight, cold smile and shook my head. “Let them get away with it?” “I’m going to make every single one of them regret this. I’m just getting started.” I began the process of exporting every single bank statement for the year. Every expense was documented clearly and precisely. The joint account received five hundred thousand dollars. But my total personal expenditure this year was one million three hundred thousand dollars. After Sienna and I married, she told me to quit my job and focus on managing the household. Sienna always thought she was providing for me. What she didn’t know was that my mother gave me an annual allowance of three million dollars, which was even more than she gave Paige. It wasn’t that my mother favored me. It was because I had moved into Sienna’s home after we married, and she was worried I would be mistreated. Sienna’s family was comfortable, but they were worlds apart from mine. When I married Sienna, my mother hadn’t objected. She only had one condition: don’t tell the Richards the true extent of our family’s wealth. I had agreed. Now, it seemed my mother had been right all along. My phone vibrated. Sienna had sent a message to the group chat. “Cameron Mitchell! I’m giving you one last chance. Get your sister to give me back the money, and I won’t divorce you!” I gave a dry laugh. “I won’t.” “Fine! You won’t return it? Then don’t blame me for not respecting our marriage!” “Wait for the court summons!” Carol was also screaming in the group. “See? This man is a disaster waiting to happen! Any woman who marries him is doomed!” Helen Sawyer chimed in: “Don’t worry, we’ll all go to court and testify for you!” “Why should our Richard family money go to outsiders?” I laughed mockingly. She seemed to forget she wasn’t a Richard. Even Jamie, Sienna’s brother, chimed in from his vacation in Cabo, supporting her. “Go for it, Sis! Divorce him!” “I’ll introduce you to a younger guy with six-pack abs! Who needs this old man of a husband!” I didn’t reply again. I called the lawyer who often handled my parents’ corporate issues. I asked her how to draft the divorce agreement and how to reclaim the eight hundred thousand dollars I had spent on the Richards. “I have the transfer records, the IOUs, and the signed guarantees from the person who vouched for the loan.” The lawyer replied, “That’s all we need. Furthermore, the allowance your parents give you is a personal gift, transferred directly to you. That does not count as marital property.” I let out a sigh of relief. Sienna, I’m going to settle this debt, item by item. Ping. The annual bank statement export was complete. The next day, my lawyer came to my house, ostensibly to wish us a happy new year, but she brought the finalized divorce agreement. The last item was a demand for Sienna’s family to repay my personal funds of eight hundred thousand dollars. I signed my name first. Then, I forwarded the exported bank statements directly to the Richard family group chat. Every expense was listed in excruciating detail. Every penny lent to them was documented as coming from my personal savings account. Now that I was divorcing Sienna, I was demanding that the entire family, including Carol and Sienna, repay the eight hundred thousand dollars they owed me. Five minutes later. The group chat exploded.

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My cousin earns $500k a year at a top international firm, yet she constantly treats me like her free personal assistant. From picking up her parents’ prescriptions to changing lightbulbs in her house, one call from her and I’m expected to drop everything. Afterward, she sends me a measly Venmo of $6.66 or $8.88, calling it a “labor fee” because she “doesn’t want me running errands for free.” It wasn’t even enough for gas. But for the sake of family, I endured it for three whole years. Until Thanksgiving dinner. My uncle praised me for being sensible, but my cousin chimed in with a passive-aggressive tone: “Young people these days only care about money. Family ties mean nothing to them.” “Take my cousin Mia, for example. I ask her to check on my parents, and without a red envelope, she won’t even budge.” The elders at the table instantly looked at me differently. My mom pinched my leg under the table in anger. I looked at her smug face and laughed. Two days later, her mom fainted in the middle of the night. She called me frantically: “Quick! Take my mom to the ER! I’m booking a flight back right now!” I went, but when it came time to pay the hospital bills, I didn’t front the money like I used to. Instead, I posted the payment QR code directly into the family group chat of over 50 people and tagged her: “Cousin, you said it yourself. Family shouldn’t talk about money. You can pay for your own mother’s medical bills.” 1 I posted the QR code in the family group chat. No one spoke. A few minutes later, my cousin Chloe Lin called me. “Mia Lin! What is the meaning of this!” Her voice was sharp, carrying her usual arrogance. The background noise was an airport announcement. “Literal meaning.” My tone was calm. “Didn’t I say I’m booking a flight back immediately? Venmo transfers have delays. Would it kill you to pay first?” “Cousin, sorry. My paycheck hasn’t come in this month. My card is empty.” Of course, it was an excuse. Over the past three years, the medical bills, utilities, and various miscellaneous expenses I fronted for her family amounted to at least ten thousand dollars. She always waited days or weeks before remembering to pay me back. And she always rounded down, saying, “We’re family, why be so calculating?” “You have no money? You’re lying to a ghost! Didn’t you just get your year-end bonus? My mom is waiting in the hospital. Pay the bill now! Don’t play games with me!” She roared on the other end, hurting my ears. I moved the phone away and looked at the long line at the payment window. I whispered, “Cousin, you said it yourself. Family shouldn’t talk about money.” “Since we don’t talk about money, isn’t it only right for you to pay your own mother’s medical bills?” “You!” She was speechless with anger, finally spitting out a vicious sentence, “Just you wait!” The call ended. In the family group chat, someone carefully posted a question mark. Then, my uncle sent a voice message, his tone full of authority: [Mia, stop throwing a tantrum with your cousin. Pay the money quickly. Your aunt’s health is what matters.] [Your cousin is busy with work and under a lot of pressure. She didn’t mean it like that.] Following that, the elders in the family group started taking turns. Aunt Carol: [Yeah, Mia. Your cousin makes $500k a year. Would she stiff you on that little money? It must be a transfer delay.] Uncle Bob: [Young people shouldn’t be so petty. We are all family.] My own mother also sent me a private message, scolding me fiercely: [Are you crazy? Making a scene with your cousin in the family group? If you don’t want face, we do!] [Pay the money quickly, then apologize to your cousin in the group. Say you were joking!] I looked at the messages popping up on my screen, my heart turning cold. Look, this is my family. Right or wrong, they will only stand by Chloe. Just because she’s successful, earning $500k a year, the pride of the entire family. While I, earning $4k a month, am the one who can be sacrificed for the “greater good” at any time. I didn’t reply to anyone. I just silenced my phone and put it back in my pocket. The nurse shouted: “Next, family of Susan Liu!” I stepped forward and handed over the payment slip. “Hello, we’ll pay when someone else arrives.” 2 About twenty minutes later, a notification of successful payment popped up in the group. Chloe paid the money. She didn’t private message me again. Instead, she posted a screenshot of her flight ticket in the group with the caption: [Landed. Rushing to the hospital. Some people really treat family affection as a transaction. For a little money, they ignore the safety of their elders. Fortunately, I, the daughter, can still be counted on.] With a few light words, she portrayed herself as a filial daughter, while I became the ungrateful wretch who ignored my aunt’s life for money. People in the group immediately agreed. [Chloe is truly filial. Flying back overnight despite being so busy with work.] [Unlike some young people nowadays, calculating everything so clearly.] My mom called again. This time her voice was choked with tears: “Mia Lin, what exactly do you want to do! Must you make our family unable to lift our heads in front of relatives?” “Do you know your uncle just called and scolded me!” I leaned against the cold wall of the hospital, listening to my mom sobbing on the other end. “Mom, on Thanksgiving, when Chloe said in front of everyone that I wouldn’t move without a red envelope, why didn’t you feel our family couldn’t lift our heads then? Did you ask her to apologize to me?” “That was…” My mom choked, then said after a while, “She’s your cousin. She speaks without thinking. Why are you so petty with her?” “I’m not being petty. I’m just tired.” With that, I hung up. Not long after, my uncle appeared at the end of the corridor with a dark face. He walked straight up to me, his eyes devoid of gratitude, full of suppressed anger. “Mia Lin, you think you’re capable now? Daring to play tricks on your cousin like this?” I looked at him without speaking. “Your aunt is lying inside, and you’re causing trouble for your cousin outside, not giving her a moment of peace even on the plane! What is your intention?” His voice grew louder, attracting side-eyes from passing patients and families. I didn’t want to argue with him in the hospital. “Uncle, is Auntie better? I’ll go see her.” “See what!” He suddenly raised his voice, raised his hand, and slapped me across the face without warning. Slap! Crisp and loud. My face went numb instantly, burning with pain. Everyone in the corridor looked over. “If I don’t teach you a lesson, you really think your wings have hardened!” My uncle pointed at my nose and scolded, spit almost spraying on my face. “For a few lousy bucks, you’ve embarrassed the family completely! I tell you, when Chloe gets here, you must kneel and apologize to her!” A passing nurse couldn’t stand it anymore and whispered: “Sir, this is a hospital. Please keep it down.” My uncle glared at her but finally lowered his voice. He turned to check on his wife, leaving me a cold, hard back. I covered my face, humiliation and anger filling my heart. The little nurse walked over and handed me a tissue, with a small packet of wet wipes on top. “Wipe it. It’s all red.” Her eyes held sympathy. I took it and whispered thank you. Tears finally couldn’t be held back and fell. 3 When Chloe arrived, she was imposing. She wore a well-tailored designer trench coat, high heels, not a hair out of place, exquisite makeup on her face. She didn’t look like a worried daughter, but more like an executive on inspection. She didn’t go to the ward to see her mom first but blocked me in the corridor. “Mia Lin, you’ve got some nerve.” She crossed her arms, scrutinizing me condescendingly. I ignored her, trying to walk around. She grabbed my arm with surprising strength. “Did you hear what my dad told you? Giving you one last chance. Now, immediately, kneel and apologize to me!” Her voice wasn’t loud but full of threat. I shook off her hand, looking at her coldly: “Keep dreaming.” “Heh.” She sneered, her eyes turning vicious. “Seems like I need to teach you a lesson. You don’t know your place.” She suddenly reached out and shoved my shoulder hard. Caught off guard, my back slammed into the wall with a dull thud. My uncle also walked out of the ward, blocking my way left and right. “Ungrateful thing!” He scolded, reaching to grab my hair, trying to force me down. “What are you doing!” I struggled desperately, the humiliation almost driving me crazy. This is a public corridor in a hospital. People coming and going. They actually dared to lay hands on me here. Chloe had a cruel smile on her face: “Today I’ll let you know the consequences of offending Chloe Lin!” She increased her strength, knee pressing against the back of my leg, trying to make me kneel. I held on grimly, nails digging into my palms. Just as I was about to collapse, a roar came from the other end of the corridor. “Stop! What are you doing!” It was my dad. He and my mom had arrived. My dad rushed forward, shoved my uncle away, and shielded me behind him. “Brother! Chloe! You’ve gone too far!” My dad was shaking with anger. My mom also rushed up, seeing my swollen face and messy clothes, tears falling instantly. “How can you hit someone! What did Mia do wrong for you to treat her like this!” Seeing my parents, Chloe didn’t restrain herself but became more self-righteous. “Uncle, Aunt, perfect timing! Look at your good daughter. For a little money, she wouldn’t even pay for my mom’s life-saving treatment, and she ruined my reputation in the family group! Was I wrong to ask her to apologize?” “Is that asking for an apology? You’re trying to force her to death!” My dad roared. Hospital security arrived, dispersing the onlookers. “Stop arguing! This is a hospital! Take your issues outside!” A family farce ended embarrassingly under the intervention of security. 4 Our two families were invited to a hospital conference room. It was called mediation, but it was really a struggle session against me. The family authority, my grandmother in her eighties, was also summoned by my uncle with a phone call. As soon as she arrived, she held Chloe’s hand, asking painfully: “Chloe, did you suffer?” Then she turned to me, her face sinking: “Mia, why are you becoming less and less sensible!” Chloe immediately squeezed out a few tears, leaning aggrievedly into Grandma’s arms. “Grandma, I’m really heartbroken. I work so hard outside, just wanting our family to live a little better.” “I helped Uncle with connections, thinking we are all family, help if I can.” “But my cousin, she took care of my parents for a bit, I even gave her a labor fee, yet she thought it was too little and embarrassed me in front of the whole family.” Her words stung my parents’ hearts. Especially the “helped Uncle with connections” part. My dad was currently running for a deputy director position at his unit. The competition was fierce. Chloe had said before that a relative of her friend was a leader in my dad’s unit and could put in a good word. My parents treated this as a huge favor, repeatedly telling me never to offend Chloe. Sure enough, my dad’s face changed. He looked at me, eyes full of pleading and difficulty. My mom tugged at my clothes directly, whispering: “Mia, forget it. Your cousin didn’t mean it. Just soften up, don’t affect your dad’s job.” Looking at them, I felt suffocated. Seeing this, the smile on Chloe’s lips deepened. She straightened up from Grandma’s arms, walked up to me, and issued an ultimatum. “Mia Lin, I don’t want to be ruthless.” “Now, bow and apologize to my parents, and to me. Then write a long post in the family group admitting you were petty and misunderstood me.” “As long as you do it, I guarantee your dad’s job will be settled properly.” “I have a flight tomorrow night. Before that, I want to see your sincerity.” Everyone’s eyes focused on me. Pressure surged from all sides. My parents, grandmother, uncle, and Chloe. They were certain that in face of my father’s future, I would compromise. Chloe crossed her arms, wearing the arrogance and pride only a winner possesses. I looked at her determined face, then at my parents’ anxious and expectant eyes. I slowly took out my phone. Chloe’s smile widened, thinking I was going to type an apology. Without looking at her, I found a number in my contacts and dialed.

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At the company’s mid-year gala, my boss offered to set me up on a blind date. Drunk and emotional, I tearfully admitted I hadn’t moved on from my ex. My colleagues, hungry for gossip, pressed for details. The boss sitting at the head of the table looked increasingly uncomfortable. “This ex of yours… his last name wouldn’t happen to be Sterling, would it?” 1 The executives immediately sobered up, exchanging glances. I was slumped on the table, enjoying a baby-like slumber. I completely missed the boss’s question. The colleagues around me, energized by the gossip, shook me vigorously. “Don’t sleep, Autumn! Tell us more!” I lifted my head with difficulty. “Tell you what?” “Is your ex’s family rich?” “Extremely, obscenely rich.” I spread my arms wide. “His kitchen… has a whole row of fridges, all filled with premium seafood people gifted him.” “How did you meet?” “We were high school classmates.” I mumbled a response, sitting there trying to recover. My body found the camera before my eyes did. I immediately started managing my expression. Only to realize it was the big boss at the head of the table, Charles Chen, sneakily filming me with his phone. “Mr. Chen, why are you filming me?” Charles was handsome, and scandalous rumors about him were plentiful. Among the group executives, he was the most gossiped about. He was known as the Second Prince. He had a Crown Prince older brother above him. But a year ago, the Crown Prince was transferred, and Charles took over management. Rank-wise, I shouldn’t be sitting at the same table as him. But today was the mid-year gala. And I was one of the top three revenue-generating streamers across all sectors last year. Sales, interviews, group broadcasts—I hit every target. To show appreciation, the leadership allowed top-performing employees to sit with them. Charles pursed his lips and gestured for me to continue. “Nothing, go on. I want to hear it too.” “Let’s not talk about relationships… it’s embarrassing.” I subconsciously dropped a cherry tomato into my wine glass. Realizing belatedly that I was drinking with clients (or bosses), I fished the fruit out and ate it. Sour. Charles hissed. “Embarrassing?” He seemed to want to laugh but held it back. “Is dating that ex of yours embarrassing?” I shook my head. “Not that he’s embarrassing. I was just a failure back then.” “That shouldn’t be,” he led the conversation. “If you were a failure, why would he be with you?” I didn’t say anything. He winked at the people around him. Several half-drunk executives immediately got up, saying they were going to mingle at other tables. Seeing this, my colleagues also slipped away one by one. Baffled, I decided to leave with them. Charles quickly looked up, clearing his throat. “Where are you going? Your performance last year was excellent. Let’s talk about a raise.” I shivered and scooted back to my seat. I filled my glass, following muscle memory to give a thank-you speech. “Thank you for your appreciation, Mr. Chen. Cheers.” “Sit, sit. Don’t drink.” He held down my glass. “Tell me, Sterling… how did your ex’s mom persuade you to break up? Did she scold you or threaten you?” She didn’t. She was very kind. That was when I was a senior in college. Since confirming my relationship with Ethan Sterling in sophomore year, I would stay at his place for a few days during winter and summer breaks. His mother showed up suddenly one afternoon. I was sleeping on the sofa and was startled awake by a knock. I thought Ethan was back. Running to open the door, I found a strange woman. She looked 30% like Ethan. She saw me and wasn’t surprised. And she didn’t seem to be looking for Ethan. I greeted her very slowly, “Hello, Auntie.” “Autumn, hello.” She smiled. “Shall we go inside and chat?” I guessed her intention immediately. She said her last name was Hoffman, from the Hoffman shipping family in Hong Kong. Her marriage to Mr. Sterling was an alliance. Their businesses complemented each other perfectly. They had been harmoniously married for years, and Ethan was their only son. Perhaps Mr. Sterling had selfish motives. But Ethan’s position was secure. Provided he didn’t mess up. Provided he didn’t expose a weakness for outsiders to exploit. “Ethan is capable, and I trust him. He doesn’t really need marriage to secure himself.” Mrs. Sterling gathered her clutch, changing the subject. “However, marriage alliances are a way to gather support.” “If he doesn’t do it, someone else will.” “If others realize his wife’s family is weak and use marriage to find allies to wrestle with him, that wouldn’t be good.” With every sentence she spoke, my back stiffened a little more. Pins and needles. Let’s get this over with. I kept my head down. “Mrs… Mrs. Sterling, what… what do you want me to do?” She watched me picking at my hands, seemingly with a hint of pity. “Autumn, I’ve known about you since high school.” “Back then, Ethan mentioned your name all the time at home.” “Later, I looked into your school. I know your parents are traditional, you came out of the mountains thanks to poverty alleviation programs, and got into a top university on grades alone.” “A very difficult path for a girl.” “You are smart and pretty.” “But to be our daughter-in-law, you don’t have to be exceptionally excellent, but you can’t have too big of a shortcoming.” “Originally, I didn’t want to separate you two so quickly.” “But Ethan is graduating. You’re staying in the country, and he’s unwilling to go abroad.” “So, Autumn, consider him, and consider yourself.” She opened her clutch. And pressed a thin check onto the coffee table. I quickly wiped my face, daring not look up. “Okay, okay, I understand. I won’t… won’t see you out, okay?” Her soft shawl brushed past my fluffy pajamas. The scent was faint, like sandalwood in a temple. The sandalwood scent faded. She closed the door as if she had never been there. I went to the room to pack. Only when I started packing did I realize there was so much stuff. Clothes and socks filled a corner of the walk-in closet. Jewelry, hair ties, and toiletries Ethan casually bought for me. Plants I raised, pillows, dolls, ornaments I bought, unused sanitary pads. It was impossible to fit into the one suitcase I came with. I stuffed things in and took them out. Jewelry with no obvious price tag stayed behind. Toiletries had to be taken. I definitely wouldn’t bear to buy such expensive ones myself. Take more pajamas. That cashmere shawl was a celebrity style, very long. When we bought it, Ethan laughed that I was small but insisted on acting cool, looking like a manta ray in it. Take it. His sound system was the brand I picked, supposedly excellent. Although I realized after getting it that it was just internet hype. But I still liked it. Pity I really couldn’t take that. What about the plants on the balcony I raised for two years? Change a place, spend another two years raising them? I sat by the messy suitcase and suddenly broke down. Footsteps outside the living room door. Sounds of footsteps and bags being placed on the table. “Autumn,” Ethan called from outside. “Shall I cook for you?” I didn’t answer. He muttered to himself in confusion. Probably glimpsed the check on the coffee table, his steps faltered. The bedroom door opened. “Who from my family came to see you…” Ethan’s face was ugly, fingering the thin paper. I turned to look at him, quickly wiping my face with my sleeve. “Okay, don’t cry, don’t cry.” He half-squatted, pulling me into his arms. “Who came? Tell me.” His fingertips were a bit cold, his collar chilly. I rubbed my face against his coat, burying it in his warm sweater. But his cashmere sweater also smelled of sandalwood. They are a family. Was I dragging him down, putting him in a difficult spot? Panting, I tried to pull away, but he pulled me back. Fingers threaded through my hair, undeniably pressing the back of my head against his chest. “Speak. Was it a man or woman? How old?” He lowered his head, nose against my forehead, breathing with annoyance. I shook my head. “I… let’s talk.” “Talk about what? Autumn, what do you want to talk about? Breaking up?” His gaze was severe. “When we got together, didn’t you promise not to give up easily?” I wanted to say we’re together, but I dared not. He said he thought clearly when he confessed. So he hoped I would consider the obstacles we would face in the future before answering him. I promised him I would be with him properly. But being young, I always thought obstacles were light. Only when facing them did I realize one sentence was enough to negate everything. I retreated. Would he retreat at some moment too? “Why don’t we… break up?” Meeting his gaze, my voice got smaller and smaller. “I’m afraid you, afraid you will regret it later, feel that I… am a burden…” “Enough!” Ethan interrupted me, swallowing hard several times. I spoke very little in high school. At first, classmates asked me questions. I didn’t speak, just wrote down the solution steps for them. Classmates thought I was pretentious. The grade called me “the silent, pretentious exam expert.” Later, teachers called on me to answer questions. After many times, they realized I had a speech impediment (stutter). So I got immunity from answering questions. No one made it difficult for me to speak. They just occasionally advised me to practice speaking more. Classes during the day, back to dorms at night, washing up time was tight. I couldn’t find time to practice, nor was I willing. Only after getting together with Ethan did I occasionally open my mouth. He always waited for me to finish. Even if describing one thing took ten minutes. He had never interrupted me like this. I shut my mouth tight. “Autumn,” he took a deep breath, cupping my face with both hands, “Do you still like me?” I looked at him and nodded. “Then don’t mention breaking up. Just consider it for me, practice speaking well. I’ll practice with you at home.” He used a bit of force. “Hear me?” I nodded again. He pulled me into his arms, tightening his embrace. “Good girl.” After that day, neither of us mentioned the two million dollar check. He hired a live-in maid to do housework and dragged me to chat all day. Sometimes I woke up late at night and heard him on the balcony on the phone. The tone on the other end probably wasn’t good. He was silent for a long time, responding in low tones. Usually the next day he would apologize to me, saying he had to attend high-level meetings and would be away for a few days. I saw the documents on his desk. Meeting materials, industry reports, financial statements. Confidentiality level unknown. I didn’t dare look closely. I only knew I was probably really dragging him down. When he wasn’t there, I practiced with my phone. Opened a voice chat livestream. Regardless of whether anyone was there, I forced myself to speak. Some viewers who entered the room were startled. University classmates bumped into me in the woods and thought my mental state wasn’t good. There was even a period where my weird livestream was screenshotted and discussed on forums for a while. I replied to comments one by one explaining the reason. Unexpectedly, netizens were very understanding and came specifically to chat with me. But it was so painful. The livestream got more popular. Some encouraged, some mocked. Some deliberately guided me to read bad comments. My speech was still stuttering. After accidentally reading vulgar words and homophones, the livestream room was banned again. I couldn’t take it anymore. Why torture myself like this, and drag Ethan down too? How can chronic symptoms be recovered by short-term training? I wanted to give up. But this time I didn’t have the courage to face Ethan. I left all miscellaneous items, only taking clothes I needed. At a hotel, I texted him to break up. That night he returned to the city. Insisted on talking face to face. I opened the door and saw a travel-worn Ethan. Eyes bloodshot, standing stiffly. Neither spoke. I couldn’t hold back tears. Crying and crying. At the end of crying, I spoke the most fluent sentence. “Ethan, the pressure is too much, I really can’t go on.” He pursed his lips tight and asked me. “Really can’t go on? Can’t we try again?” I said, “I’m so tired.” He put the gift bag on the floor, lowering his eyelids. “If it’s really that painful, then forget it.” I squatted on the floor, watching him turn his back. “Ethan!” He stopped, looked sideways. I realized then that his eyes were red too. I said, “Can we still be friends?” Will we meet again? He laughed lightly, “Mn. You can find me if you need anything.” But I understood. He meant he wouldn’t find me anymore. Later, indeed, no contact. It’s been over three years. If he knew my speech is very, very clear now… Wonder if he would be happy for me. Alcohol brings up old memories. Illusory emotions rush to the head, ignoring reality. I lay on the table, completely forgetting this was a group mid-year gala. Sitting opposite was my boss’s boss’s boss. Charles Chen frowned and patted me. “Autumn, Autumn, wake up… Ancestor, probably alcohol poisoning? Dammit, Ethan Sterling is gonna chop me.” I was shaken awake, face tilted from my bent arm. Exposing one eye to look at him. “Hm? Mr. Chen?” Charles breathed a sigh of relief. Handed a tissue, chin lifted. “Wipe your face, crying like that.” “Sorry, drank too much, got emotional. This wine is strong, can’t handle it.” I forced a smile, realizing belatedly. “Hey, Mr. Chen, weren’t we talking about a raise?” He waved his hand. “Raise, 50% raise. But tomorrow, no, day after tomorrow, you have to come with me to… um, a cross-company exchange meeting.” “Is my rank high enough to attend with you?” “Oh, just a simple meal.” “Oh. No can do, annual leave starts day after tomorrow.” “Triple overtime pay. It’s a rare networking opportunity, I’m taking you because you’re motivated.” Charles said with certainty. I didn’t suspect him, making an OK gesture. He let out a breath, smiling like a smug fox. “I’ll have the driver take you back, rest well. I’ll pick you up day after tomorrow.” 2 I slept until 2 PM thanks to the alcohol. Woke up and sat on the bed thinking for half an hour. I couldn’t remember exactly what I said at the gala last night. But I didn’t forget Charles Chen’s mischievous expression at the end. His reputation with women wasn’t good. Sending a female star to a cover shoot today. Dining with a newly debuted girl tomorrow. Although hadn’t heard of him involved with female employees. Still scalp-numbing. Before I could think of an excuse to refuse, a work message popped up. “Tomorrow’s dinner is a birthday celebration for a buddy of mine, you better bring a gift.” “Seize the opportunity, maybe someone casually gives an opportunity, and you can pay hundreds of thousands more in taxes.” “5:30 PM, Secretary Lee will pick you up.” Your family gathering, I shouldn’t go. I drank too much yesterday and blabbed, Mr. Chen please bear with me. There are people with better performance than me in the company, why not give them the chance? I deleted the refusal. Cowardly replied “Received.” After washing up, realized I forgot to ask key info. Is his buddy old or young, prefers western or traditional style, sexual orientation. Know nothing. Searched gifts for leaders on phone, homepage showed shops I bought from before. Scarf, belt, briefcase. Prices weren’t high, price range I couldn’t choose now. But giving those to Ethan, he was always happy. I was suddenly in a trance. Not long later is Ethan’s birthday too. He happened to be born around Lunar New Year. Every year on his birthday, he celebrated with me first, then rushed home to celebrate again. Came back the next day with bags big and small. Gifts from relatives and Sterling family partners. Some knew he was dating, so gifted popular new season luxury goods to please him. He picked through them, packing what I could use. Still had to be coy, wouldn’t give to me easily. Insisted I circle him for half a day, stuttering anxiously. Only then would he lift his chin, slowly handing over the suitcase. I sat on the floor opening gift boxes one by one. Ethan bent his leg leaning aside, drinking water slowly. “Anything you like?” I held up the most satisfactory one to show him. He recognized it, smiling. “Got it, talk projects with their family more next year.” I said, “You, you abuse power for personal gain.” My birthday is in autumn. Specific day, unclear. His gifts piled aside, as if I also had a very good birthday. In the years apart, I haven’t picked gifts for anyone. Nor received gifts from anyone. Screening items matching the other’s temperament, preference, and status from massive options consumes energy. I emboldened myself to contact Charles. “Mr. Chen, what does your friend prefer? I’ll prepare accordingly.” He said, “Anything is fine.” … Then anything is fine. I asked someone to buy a tea cake, just said expensive. Sending tea can’t be wrong. Shop owner said the tea cake grade I wanted wasn’t low, the only one in the store happened to be reserved. Other stock needed time to transfer. Luckily delivered before the dinner. I picked a semi-formal commuter suit, carrying the gift box out. 3 Charles and his secretary were already waiting downstairs. I got in the car, instinctively wanted to say hello, didn’t see anyone. Secretary Lee glanced at me. “Looking for Mr. Chen? We’re picking him up now.” “Oh, okay.” I paused, “Secretary Lee, do you accompany Mr. Chen to these dinners?” “Mr. Chen doesn’t drink much, no need for company. I wait in the car.” “Then do you know who Mr. Chen is meeting this time?” “Not clear on this one.” He slowed down, stopping by the roadside. Charles just walked out of a tea shop. The packaging bag in his hand looked very familiar. My back sweated, looking down at the gift box beside me. No way, such a coincidence? Charles opened the door, putting the stuff beside him casually. I peeked through the rearview mirror. Headache worsening. Identical gift, how to give? Eyes met. Charles reported a location, then asked me. “Autumn, brought the gift?” I turned back, slowly lifting the gift box for him to see. He almost choked laughing. “Young people drink this tea?” “But you bought it too.” “I’m taking this to give to his dad casually! You’re a bit tactless, only focused on picking expensive ones right?” “…Mr. Chen, men’s gifts, get too personal and it crosses the line.” Cufflinks, ties, belts, watches, all intimate items. Truly versatile are tobacco, alcohol, tea. Turning the intersection, the car stopped by a Chinese courtyard. I carried the gift following Charles. In the restaurant private room, several people were chatting. Turned to glimpse us, greeting and pulling chairs. I locked eyes with one person, both stunned for seconds. Zack, seeing me enter with Charles one after another, eyes wide. I nodded at him, heart skipped a beat. Running into a high school alum here? I wasn’t close with Zack. Met a few times, all because of Ethan. Noise all around. “Early, Prince Chen, not late this time?” “Hm? Brought a sister too?” “Changed taste? Remember the last one wasn’t this style.” “We gather once, only you bring a girl.” “Seriously, restrain your playing. If we had your scandals, our legs would be broken.” Charles scoffed. “Sick? Go treat it. This is my employee. Autumn, put your gift on that table.” Gifts on the table were open. Jade raw stones, jewelry, riding crops, watches. Two identical tea cakes placed there, incredibly abrupt. Teasing that just calmed down returned. “Why give the same thing?” “Wearing couple outfits, giving couple gifts?” “Zack, usually you talk the most, why silent now?” Zack looked indescribable, squeezed out words after a while. “This… I dare not say.” I sat in the corner smiling bitterly. This kind of occasion, can’t pass without a few teases. Footsteps approached steadily from the corridor. People around suddenly started touching things quickly. The second the door opened, confetti exploded. “Congrats Prince Sterling on getting another year older!” I applauded with everyone, suddenly sitting up straight. Who? Named Sterling? Confetti fell. The person at the door dusted confetti off his shoulder, half helpless half silent. “How many times you gonna play this trick?” Across years, voice no longer familiar. Shedding some clarity, adding steadiness. My back stiffened, face steaming. Ethan stood by the door hands in pockets, face slowly cooling. Silence for a moment. People at the table confused, looking at each other. “Prince Sterling come sit.” Waiter waited aside, waiting to take his coat. I lowered my head, actively avoiding gaze. Zack coughed a few times, smoothing things over. “Sit first Ethan, talk later.” After a while, he pulled a chair and sat. Drank a glass of warm water, eyelids lowered looking at Charles. “Not introducing?” Charles patted my chair back. “Autumn, my company’s most capable streamer, whatever she pushes goes viral. Brought her to meet people, you guys look after her if there’s business.” I stood up and smiled at the right time, bowing slightly. “Whoa, who’s worth you bringing personally for face?” “Should we call her sister-in-law?” Zack held back, “Stop asking, stop asking.” Charles cleared his throat. “Just have fun with me, don’t drag innocent people in, is this really my girlfriend?” “So she’s here.” Ethan didn’t lift his head, “Thought I’d be drinking Prince Chen’s wedding wine soon.” I stared at the cup in front of me, playing background. Two or three at the table responded. “Sorry girl, I’ll punish myself a cup.” “Charles Chen you too, not discussing business, why bring an employee?” “Right, haven’t toasted the birthday boy yet. Come come come drink one.” “Fortune as wide as the East Sea, life as long as the South Mountain ha.” “Stealing my lines?” Ethan refused no one, drinking toasts one by one. I listened to laughter, feeling unreal. Brain buzzing, dizziness like just waking up. His birthday, isn’t it in New Year? Everyone toasted, only I was silent. Charles kicked my chair leg lightly. I snapped back from silence, holding wine glass standing up. “I’m clumsy with words, wish President Sterling success in career, good health.” Ethan leaned back in the chair, raising hand for someone to pass the bottle. Drank half glass in front of him, refilled. He raised glass casually, toasting me, drinking it all. Charles half joking. “Cup after cup, haven’t seen your capacity this big usually, don’t drink too much.” He pressed his brow, tone indifferent. “Can talk if you can speak.” Atmosphere weird, someone threw the topic to me. “How many years has Miss Autumn done new media?” “Two years.” “Results so good in just two years.” That person slightly surprised, “Solid foundation?” I smiled, “What foundation, back then I had a speech impediment. Later graduated and did sales for a year, forcing speech fluent.” Zack stunned, “Sales with your degree?” People looked sideways. “Zack, you know her?” “Met a few times before.” Zack explained, looking at me, “Why not find an easier job?” I mocked myself. “Who wants an employee who can’t speak fluently?” Every year prestigious graduates are countless, companies can choose the best. Motivated, strong ability, energetic. Willing to learn, self-reflecting, good image and temperament. Introversion became a big flaw. Poor communication skills, couldn’t pass round one. Used to circle a safe zone with Ethan. Always felt he wouldn’t ignore me. With him, it would be fine. Since someone covers the bottom, why work hard? I escaped every day. After all, doing one thing might encounter many difficulties. But doing nothing, the only difficulty is making up your mind. Until after breakup I started facing my own issues. Can’t speak fluently, waiting to starve without finding work. Fall recruitment, spring recruitment, thesis, graduation destination confirmation, urging employment. I practiced retelling news broadcasts every day, gave up fall recruitment. Spring recruitment failed again. Soon finished thesis and graduated. Then became a member of the unemployed army. At a dead end, I found the gift Ethan gave me on breakup day. Wanted to sell it, exchange for some buffer living expenses. Opened to find a rare leather bag in the box. And a two million dollar check. The one his mom gave was torn long ago. In the gift box was a new one, signed in his name. He still left me a way out. I sat in the cramped rental, suddenly lost control of emotions. Everything ended. From the moment I decided to use this money, it was parting ways, never seeing again. With that money, I didn’t worry about livelihood. So found a sales job. Rejected in interview. I stopped HR, said I didn’t want base salary. Just give me a platform to open my mouth. Successfully stayed. Every morning and evening, company required employees to read work goals aloud, excited like chicken blood. Those looking not wild enough would be nitpicked for attitude. I let go, called out and scolded many times. After morning reading, back to desk making harassment calls. Hung up directly when lucky. Cursed parents when unlucky. Every time cursed by clients on the other side, I sincerely said thank you. Other side confused, I took opportunity to sell insurance. Then cursed idiot again, hung up. When lucky, could cover rent with sales. No one mocked my stuttering anymore. I switched jobs, started as assistant streamer. Promoted to streamer on face, stricter work requirements, often scolded by audience and supervisor. Secretly cried at first. But when I earned 50k a month for the first time, didn’t feel scolding anymore. I love work. I want money to fill the spent savings. Like making up two million makes me owe Ethan nothing. Work is busy. Rarely have time to think of him. I miss him very much. Ethan focused on food. I watched him secretly. Picking key nodes, stating past few years truthfully. Not far away, someone handed a business card. “My friend’s designer brand doing promotion recently. If Miss Autumn is interested, can contact her to discuss cooperation.” I quickly took the card. New jewelry brand in the industry. Invited promotion ambassadors usually famous rich wives and ladies. Normally I couldn’t take this private job. Charles raised a brow, “Take it if they flatter you, doesn’t count as private work.” I put palms together bowing, whispering. “Thank you boss.” Turning face, met Ethan’s gaze. He lowered eyes looking at phone, stood up leaving table. “I’ll make a call, you continue.” Birthday boy left, atmosphere relaxed immediately. I stopped participating, eating silently. Charles turned to me. “Open another table for you next door, call Secretary Lee to send you back after eating.” “No need, Mr. Chen eat slowly, I’ll go back myself.” I took bag to leave. Just out the door, uproar in the private room. Zack jumped up pouncing on Charles. Grabbing collar, exasperated. “Good one Charles Chen, I kindly told you stories, you brought the protagonist to stir shit right?” “Autumn can’t forget him, isn’t it good for them to meet? Maybe Ethan still likes her, just reunite.” “Does he look like he’s still interested?” Charles laughed loudly. “Zack you haven’t dated don’t bark. I say they are guaranteed to get back together, believe it?” Several unrecognizable voices mixed together. “No… what are you saying?” “What do you mean still like? That was Prince Sterling’s ex?” “Brain damage crashing ex bureau, bro stumbled onto guillotine. Whoever joked about her apologize quickly.” “I see no feelings left.” “That’s best.” Conversations faded, turning to toasting.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “390895”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

After two months of online dating, I decided it was time to lose weight. Suddenly, comments popped up in my vision: 【Why is the supporting character dieting? If she gets slim, how will the female lead replace her with the male lead?】 【Don’t worry, she’s insecure. A few taunts from the female lead and she’ll quit—she never succeeds anyway.】 【Isn’t the female lead unethical? Even if the supporting character edited her photos thinner, they were still hers. The female lead lied and accused her of using them.】 【The supporting character has potential—if she slims down, she’d be elegant and cool.】 【What do you know? She’s 5’6″, 130 lbs—a total pig! How dare she date a rich, handsome guy?】 I froze, stunned. Then my roommate Luna peeked from behind her bed curtain, still masked, scanning my desk. “Wow, Audrey, just a veggie salad tonight?” She smiled sweetly. “I get it—trying to lose weight again? But you’re so big, you won’t look good even if you slim down. Don’t bother.” 1. Luna said this while scrutinizing me from head to toe. Her voice was laced with a smile, but her eyes held a strangely knowing look. If it had been the old me, my face would have flushed crimson by now. I would have hidden the salad away like I’d committed some offense. Then, I’d hastily explain that I was just trying it out, not necessarily aiming to be stunning. Honestly, more than once, I’d felt a subtle malice from Luna directed at me. She’d always complain about how she’d lost weight again whenever I intended to diet. And if I skipped dinner, she’d suddenly ask loudly during evening study hall, “Audrey, are you not eating anything all day?” Then she’d sigh dramatically, “Dieting must be so hard; everyone who does it is so amazing.” But these thoughts were quickly dismissed. Luna was the campus queen; why would she bear any ill will towards me? Until now. I saw the comments scrolling by with a gleeful tone: 【Hahaha, the female lead is so cute even when she’s being sneaky.】 【Actually, the female lead deliberately doesn’t want the supporting character to lose weight. At the start of the semester, even though the female lead was there, the other roommates complimented the supporting character’s cuteness several times. The female lead, with her lifelong high self-esteem, would naturally dislike her.】 【She’s just so proud and insecure, like a cat, you know. Honestly, even if the supporting character, that pig, slims down, she couldn’t be half as pretty as our kitty.】 【Don’t worry, our girl is putting on a face mask; she’ll be all dolled up soon to go meet the male lead! Afterwards, the male lead’s love will give our girl all the security she needs!】 My hands clenched into fists, almost instinctively. Meeting Luna’s innocent gaze, for the first time, I didn’t rush to explain or tacitly agree. I didn’t know what emotion propelled me. I pressed my lips together, then suddenly said: “Not necessarily. What if I look quite good after I slim down?” “I’ll give it a try.” 2. The atmosphere froze for a moment. The next second, comments scrolled frantically across my vision. 【I’m taking shelter from this storm. She photoshopped herself twenty pounds lighter for online dating, found she looked a bit like our girl, and now she actually thinks she’s a beauty?】 【Is she deliberately saying that in front of the female lead? Is this a catfight???】 【I can’t take it. Does every chubby girl in the world fantasize about becoming a beauty if they just slim down?】 The comments were incredibly animated. It was then I understood: I was the insecure, chubby roommate of the campus queen, the female lead in a sweet romance novel. The so-called villainess. In the story, consumed by insecurity, I sent my online boyfriend photos of myself after Photoshopping them to look much thinner. One day, the female lead accidentally discovered that my online boyfriend, who constantly sent me expensive gifts, was actually the campus heartthrob she’d secretly admired for two years. While she secretly looked down on my actions, she also noticed that my edited photos bore a slight resemblance to her own appearance after she put on makeup. So, the female lead had a flash of inspiration. She secretly approached the male lead in real life. She claimed I was using her photos for online dating, and that she was the girl in the pictures. She then orchestrated several situations, making the male lead completely believe I was a vain, lying fatty who stole my roommate’s photos for online dating. In the end, the male lead deleted me and began a sweet romance with the female lead. As for me in the original story, completely unaware of all this, I simply assumed the male lead had found someone else after learning the “truth,” and quietly transferred to another school. I knew my actions were wrong. But was Luna’s behavior right? After my retort, Luna, who had already turned away like a victor, suddenly paused. A flicker of surprise, quickly followed by coldness, crossed her eyes. She gave me a half-smile, half-sneer. “Alright then, good luck.” After that, the dorm room became unusually quiet. Luna finished her mask, then went downstairs to wash her face. Then she sat at her desk, opened her makeup bag, and began meticulously applying her makeup. I, meanwhile, quietly made my diet plan. As I passed Luna’s spot on the way to throw out trash, I suddenly froze. Since arriving at Westwood, both in real life and on social media, Luna had always embraced a sexy, outgoing style. But this time, she had put on a fresh, demure, light makeup. She had even somehow dug out a white dress that looked perfectly innocent and student-like, wearing it. It was almost as if… she was imitating that photo I had sent to my online boyfriend. 3. After Luna hummed a tune and left, I used the information from the comments to search for the male lead’s photos online. He had actually told me his name was Lucas, but I hadn’t known he was the second son of the powerful Monarch Group. He was a private person, rarely showing his face online. But a young man in his social circle was very active on social media, and Lucas had made a brief appearance in one of his videos. A quick-fingered netizen had taken a screenshot, and although it was blurry, you could still see the man’s striking profile and thin lips. Just then, my phone buzzed several times. WantToAdoptARiley: “You there?” WantToAdoptARiley: “What are you doing? Miss you.” WantToAdoptARiley: “I sent you a gift, remember to pick it up and see if you like it.” A string of messages, as active and direct as ever. I hesitated for a long time, but decided to tell him the truth. I didn’t know if this would change the “plot.” Even if the readers scolded me for being manipulative, for not speaking up sooner, only now, just as the female lead was about to meet the male lead, to deliberately sabotage their romance. I accepted all of that. I just felt unwilling to concede. Unwilling to become a stepping stone for Luna, as the comments said, and unwilling to bear the accusation of “online dating using a roommate’s photos.” I messaged him: “Are you free now? Let’s meet.” “The address is The Daily Grind Cafe on Maple Avenue.” Sitting in the cafe. Looking at the chat box, which still had no reply, I suddenly felt uneasy. Had Lucas really seen the message? Why hadn’t he replied if he had? What if he had already met the female lead? As my thoughts raced, the crisp chime of a bell rang at the door. A tall man pushed his way in. His expression was cool, his unemotional eyes scanning the room. When his gaze landed on me, he suddenly froze for a moment. Before I could react, He was already striding towards me, his voice somewhat uncertain. “…Are you, Audrey?” At his words, I looked up, carefully studying the man. The familiar profile… very similar to the photo, his lips seemed a little thinner? But the screenshot was too blurry, a slight deviation from reality was normal. I nodded. “Are you Lucas?” The man paused, pressed his lips together, then pulled out the chair opposite me and sat down. “…Yes, I am.” He was very tall, with a strong brow bone, a high nose bridge, and sharp, dark eyes that had an intense, almost intimidating presence when he looked at someone. “Is there something you wanted to discuss?” 4. To be honest, being looked at like that made me a little nervous. Fortunately, I had prepared myself mentally before coming, and laid out the entire story of how I had used a photo editing app to deceive him. I didn’t mention Luna. Firstly, I couldn’t explain how I knew her plans. Secondly, I thought that if Lucas, after knowing the truth, decided to break up with me and still ended up falling for Luna, I could actually accept that. I just didn’t want to be treated as a stepping stone, and falsely accused of “online dating using my roommate’s photos.” “…So, that’s pretty much it.” After I finished speaking, I kept my head down, not daring to look at him. But I waited for a long time. The shock, anger, or questioning I had imagined never happened. After a long silence, I finally couldn’t help but look up at him. The man was still staring blankly at me. His gaze unwavering. “…………” I asked, puzzled, “Mr. Lu… I mean, Lucas?” He snapped back to reality, his voice somewhat lost: “…Huh? Oh.” As if to cover something up, he picked up his coffee cup. After a moment’s thought, he said calmly. “Are you saying you think you’re fat? Why would you think that?” “I think you’re perfectly fine, not fat at all.” He looked at me again, stating with certainty: “You’re very lovely.” I: “…” Huh? I was completely dumbfounded. This male lead… why did he seem so different from the story? Just then. The comments reappeared before me. 【The supporting character is still foolishly​ waiting for the male lead to reply to her messages, huh? Actually, the male lead is busy wrapping his arms around our girl’s slender waist right now, ahhh, I’m dying, so much chemistry!】 【The female lead is so smart, deliberately bumping into the male lead who’s looking at his phone, then pretending to fall. The male lead instinctively catches her in a full embrace! Hehe, a warm, soft beauty in his arms, tell me, wouldn’t anyone be smitten?】 【Hahaha, the female lead said she was working and missed the bus back to Westwood University, so she just ran off. This ‘playing hard to get’ tactic has the male lead completely hooked.】 【Soon it’ll be the part where the male lead actively seeks out the female lead! I’m so excited!】 I was stunned. Realizing something, I sharply looked at the man in front of me. “You’re not Lucas?!” The man paused. He glanced down at his phone, and when he looked up again, the faint trace of bewilderment that had been on his face disappeared. He straightened his back, his posture still relaxed, but his gaze settled calmly on my face. “It seems Lucas won’t be coming today.” He spoke, his voice steady: “I apologize for deceiving you just now. I am Lucas’s older brother, Liam.” 5. Liam said that the family had actually discovered Lucas’s online romance long ago. “For families like ours, we don’t really encourage free relationships among the younger generation, especially…” Liam paused, “online dating of all things.” “My elders asked me to take some time to look into it. Lucas left his tablet at home today, and his account was synced. I saw your message and came to see.” Hearing this, I asked with some confusion, “Then why didn’t you say so from the beginning?” Liam lowered his gaze, saying softly: “I’m sorry, I didn’t react quickly enough at first.” “I also didn’t expect… Lucas to stand you up, not coming to the appointment at all.” Seeing him like this, I also felt a little embarrassed. But remembering that my efforts today were all for nothing, I couldn’t help but feel a little deflated. I sighed, “It’s fine, it doesn’t matter.” “Anyway… I’ve already said what I needed to say.” “The situation between Lucas and me… it’s not suitable for us to continue. I’ll find a chance to clarify things and break up with him later.” Saying this, I picked up my bag, intending to leave. But Liam suddenly called out to me. “Audrey.” He looked directly at me, his expression calm. “Lucas is still a student; his family keeps a tight leash on him.” “But I’m different.” “Huh?” I froze. Liam continued, “I’ve already joined the company and have a certain say in the family. I can freely choose my spouse.” By the end, his face remained impassive, but his earlobes suddenly flushed red. “To be honest, it was love at first sight for me. Would you… consider me?” “I’m different from Lucas; everyone in the family would bless us.” “Go home and think about it, okay? I’ll wait for your answer.” 6. When I returned to the dorm room that night, I was still a bit dazed. As I pushed the door open, Luna was chatting with our two other roommates, laughter echoing continuously. Seeing me, the smile on her face deepened. “Audrey, you’re back!” “Let me tell you, I met an exceptionally handsome guy today! He’s incredibly attractive, and his family is very wealthy too.” “He seems to really like me.” She was still wearing the white dress from earlier, her makeup untouched. When she smiled, she really did look quite similar to me in that photoshohopped picture. But I wasn’t as upset as I thought I’d be. My heart was surprisingly calm. I simply hummed, “That’s great then.” Luna stared at me intently for a long time. Finally, she seemed to confirm that there was no hint of envy or jealousy in my eyes. She apparently found it uninteresting and went back to chatting with our roommates. I sat at my desk, opened my phone. I saw a message from Lucas, sent half an hour ago: “Sorry, I was busy today and didn’t see your message.” “Are you working? Don’t push yourself too hard.” Then, a transfer of twenty thousand dollars came through. It was accompanied by a close-up, high-definition selfie. The young man’s face was handsome and bright, a completely different type from his brother. WantToAdoptARiley: “Just in case you don’t recognize me.” The comments scrolled: 【Hehe, the male lead really thinks our girl is his online girlfriend! He feels sorry for her working and transferred a large sum of money to the supporting character.】 【Oh come on! Male lead, you transferred to the wrong person! It’s not for the supporting character, it’s for the female lead! This money all belongs to the female lead!】 【Don’t worry, isn’t this just setting the stage? First, an accidental meeting with the male lead, then tomorrow the male lead will actively ask the female lead out. The real show is yet to come.】 【Hehe, the female lead will first pretend not to know the male lead at all, then “accidentally” mention how her roommate seems to constantly ask for her photos recently, without knowing why…】 【These small amounts don’t matter! Once the female lead marries into the Monarch family, what won’t she have? With Liam, the most capable elder brother, inheriting the family business, the female lead just has to lie back, collect dividends, and enjoy life with her husband. Life couldn’t be sweeter.】 Seeing the comments mention Liam, the elder brother of the Monarch family, I paused. The handsome face of the man from the cafe earlier flashed through my mind. For some reason, my cheeks suddenly felt warm. I hastily returned the transfer: “I’m not short on money, and I’ve never worked a day in my life.” “You must be mistaken?” Then, without waiting for a reply, I switched off my phone. Over the next few days, Luna would meticulously doll herself up every day before leaving. Still with that pure, innocent “demure sweetheart” look. The other unsuspecting roommates asked her why she suddenly changed her style. Luna just smiled shyly: “I just suddenly felt this style suited me better.” I also clearly felt it. Lucas started to reply less to my messages. His attitude was distinctly colder. Before summer break, Lucas suddenly messaged me. WantToAdoptARiley: “Let’s meet.” 【Here it comes, here it comes! The catalyst for the male lead truly falling in love with the female lead! He’s actively asking the supporting character to meet!】 【The chubby supporting character is too cowardly to meet, she’ll refuse immediately. But our girl will trick her into meeting the male lead later! The contrast when the female lead and supporting character stand together will be undeniable, haha.】 【I remember the male lead immediately believed the female lead, didn’t he? He immediately said he didn’t know the supporting character and walked away with the female lead.】 【Hahaha, the supporting character cried miserably alone in the restaurant then. Although pitiful, it’s also a bit funny.】 I lowered my eyes and replied, “Okay.” “However, I’ll set the time. Let’s do it after summer break.” Lucas was visibly taken aback. After a long pause, he replied: “…Okay.” “I’ll wait for you.”

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The summer after my high school graduation, my dad fell from a construction scaffold and died. As soon as the funeral ended, my aunt told me to forget about college. “Your mom’s struggling alone. A girl like you should go out and work to help the family.” I refused. I rented a basement room in a cheap part of the city, worked on construction sites during the day, and studied at night. One day, just after collecting my pay, a black sedan blocked my path. The window rolled down. It was my mother, Linda, sitting next to a stranger. She looked at my dust-covered clothes, frowning deeply. “Hope, get in. We need to talk.” In the cafe, she pulled a document from her designer bag. “Sign this waiver, and consider your dad’s affairs settled.” “I found you a job at an electronics factory. Food and housing included. It’s better than this.” I stared at the words “Voluntary Renunciation of Inheritance Rights” on the document. My blood froze. My gaze drifted past her to the luxury watch on the man’s wrist. She had a new life, and I was the obstacle that needed to be cleared. 1 I didn’t respond. My mind was blank. “Hope, your dad’s death was an accident. Most of the settlement money from the company went to pay off his debts.” She pointed at the man beside her, a hint of boasting in her tone. “This is your Uncle Dave. We’re planning to get married.” Her exquisitely made-up face contrasted sharply with my dirt-stained hands. I forced myself to calm down, staring silently at the document. She seemed to lose patience, pushing the paper toward me. “Hurry up and sign. We have a wedding dress fitting.” This scene was all too familiar. A year ago, when my dad was still alive, it was the same. That day, Dad had just brought home his wages, ready to pay for my SAT prep classes. “Hope is taking the SATs soon. This money needs to be spent where it counts.” Linda’s face changed instantly. “My brother needs to buy a house. As his brother-in-law, shouldn’t you contribute?” “What’s the use of a girl studying so much anyway!” Dad’s face flushed red. “The kid’s future is the most important thing! Let your brother figure out his own house!” The argument quickly escalated into shoving. Linda grabbed a water glass and threw it. Dad’s forehead started bleeding immediately. Things in the house were smashed everywhere. In the end, Dad squatted on the floor clutching his head, while Linda snatched the money and slammed the door. “I can’t live like this! Divorce!” After that, she went back to her family. She didn’t return until Dad’s accident. When she calmed down, she looked at me with a strange, calculating gaze. “Your dad is gone. This family relies on you now.” That night, she cleared out all of Dad’s belongings, not even leaving a single photo. “He’s dead. Keeping these things just takes up space.” “Go to the labor market with your aunt tomorrow and find some work.” I grabbed the hem of her shirt, my voice trembling. “Mom, my college acceptance letter is coming soon.” She shook off my hand. “College? Are you trying to drag me down?” I thought she said those things out of grief. Now I realized she had planned everything long ago. So, I stopped reminiscing and looked up at her. “Mom, I got in. It’s a top university…” She cut me off directly. “I’m not interested in what school you go to.” “High school graduation is enough. If you want to keep studying, earn the money yourself.” “Sign this, and don’t come looking for me again.” She leaned on Dave’s shoulder, smiling happily, but her eyes stared at me coldly. “I have a wedding to plan. Don’t waste my time!” All my illusions from the past year shattered in that moment. 2 I forced back the stinging in my eyes. Taking a deep breath, I calmed myself. “I can sign, but I want my share of the settlement money.” Tuition and living expenses for a top university aren’t cheap. Dad’s settlement was $250,000 in total. Legally, I was entitled to at least half. But I only asked for $50,000. Enough to get me through the start of college. I could walk the rest of the road myself. Unexpectedly, hearing this number, Linda started wiping away tears. “Hope, when did you become so materialistic? All you talk about is money!” “Your dad’s debts aren’t even paid off. Where would I get money for you?” “I thought you’d be sensible now that you’re grown up. I didn’t expect you to just want to bleed me dry.” I sneered internally. Her story was watertight. She was afraid I’d become a burden to her new family, and even more afraid this money would affect her and her new husband’s lifestyle. So she used this chance to solve the “me problem” once and for all. Seeing me unmoved, she seemed to think of something, her eyes shifting as she picked up her phone. “Hope, if you don’t believe me, you should believe your aunt.” “She’s your dad’s biological sister!” The call connected quickly on speaker. “Sis, how’s it going? Did that girl sign?” My aunt’s urgent voice came through. “Hope is here. She won’t sign and is asking me for $50,000.” Linda’s tone was full of grievance. My aunt’s voice instantly spiked on the other end. “$50,000? Why doesn’t she rob a bank! Ungrateful brat!” “Your dad’s bones aren’t even cold, and you’re thinking about splitting the money! How can you face him?” “Your mom’s hair turned gray paying off debts. Do you have no conscience?” Every sentence was a knife in my heart. I looked at Linda, trying to find a trace of maternal warmth on her face. But I failed. “If you don’t give me the money, I’ll apply for legal aid and investigate where that money went.” My answer silenced both ends of the call for a moment. Then, Linda stood up abruptly, pointing at my nose. “You dare!” “Fine! For money, you’d even sue your own mother!” “I’m telling you right now, you won’t see a cent of this money!” People in the cafe looked over, pointing at me. “Kids these days are unbelievable. Being a mom is hard.” “Suing your parents for money? That education was wasted.” “An unfilial daughter like that needs a reality check.” Many took out their phones, seemingly filming. I felt the air around me thinning. Linda looked at me triumphantly. “Hope, do you still want it?” How ironic. $50,000 meant nothing to her, who was about to marry into wealth. But she just wouldn’t give it to me, using this method to trample my dignity. I clenched my fists and spoke word by word. “Linda, I’ll see you in court.” 3 Linda immediately switched to a heartbroken expression, crying to the people around us. “What sin did I commit to raise such a daughter!” “Her dad just died, and she’s forcing me to split the assets. What’s the point of living!” The man named Dave immediately hugged her, comforting her softly while giving me a warning look. The whispers around us grew louder. I felt like a heinous criminal. Eventually, we were taken to the community mediation center. Learning I was suing my mother for $50,000 of the settlement, the mediator, Ms. Wang, frowned deeply. “Young lady, your mother raised you alone. It wasn’t easy. How can you be so insensible?” I pressed my chest to ease the pain, trying to keep my voice steady. “That’s my dad’s settlement money. I’m just asking for my rightful share to pay for tuition.” Linda started crying immediately. “Tuition? She’s always spent money recklessly since she was little, hanging out with bad crowds! I’m afraid if she gets the money, she’ll blow it in three days!” I looked at her in disbelief. For money, she could fabricate facts out of thin air. Feeling that wasn’t enough, she called my aunt again. My aunt rushed over quickly. Upon entering, she pointed at me and cursed. “Hope, you heartless thing! Your mom used all the money to pay off your dad’s gambling debts, and you’re still pressuring her!” “How did our family produce something like you!” I completely gave up. My dad was an honest man. When did he ever gamble? Even his own sister was willing to splash dirty water on the dead to embezzle this money. Ms. Wang’s gaze on me became severe. “Hope, today, you must apologize to your mother and aunt.” “Don’t mention the money again. Go home with your mom.” Seeing me stand still, Linda and my aunt grabbed my arms, trying to drag me out. I broke free with force, holding onto the table to stand steady. “I’m going to sue.” This sentence silenced the entire mediation room. Hearing this, Linda sat on a chair, covering her face and pretending to sob. “My life is so bitter. My daughter, whom I raised so hard, wants to send me to the defendant’s seat for money.” My aunt patted her back incessantly, muttering about my faults. Their performance attracted onlookers from other staff in the center. “Is that the girl suing her mom for money? People really have changed.” “Looks quiet, didn’t expect such a vicious heart.” Ms. Wang sighed heavily and waved at me. “Child, you’re too extreme. This won’t solve the problem.” Linda wiped her dry eyes and stood in front of me. “Ms. Wang, don’t persuade her. If she wants to sue, let her! I’ve had enough!” “Let the judge decide whose fault it is!” With her words, Ms. Wang said no more, just letting us leave. Before leaving, I looked at Ms. Wang and asked softly. “Ma’am, what materials do I need to prepare for a lawsuit?” She looked at me with annoyance and pulled a flyer from a drawer. “The Legal Aid Center’s number is on it. Ask them yourself.” I cherished that thin piece of paper, turned around, and walked out of the mediation center. 4 The day I got the copy of the complaint, my rented basement was trashed. The landlady pointed at my nose and told me to get out immediately. “I won’t rent to an ungrateful wolf who sues her own mother!” In the following days, I found myself isolated by the whole world. In the family group chat, my aunt posted my “crimes” daily, accompanied by Linda’s haggard selfies. “My poor sister, forced to tears every day by her unfilial daughter.” “That girl was vain since childhood, asking her dad for money to buy brand names. Now that he’s gone, she torments her mom.” They even fabricated rumors about my dad’s gambling. Helpless, I left all the group chats, burying my head like an ostrich. But trouble still found me. At the construction site where I worked, the foreman found me and said he couldn’t use me anymore because someone had “said something.” I knew it was their doing. Desperate, I worked odd jobs during the day and hid in the city library’s basement reading room at night. It was quiet and empty. Finally, the court date arrived. As soon as I walked out of the library, I was surrounded by a group of people. The leader was my cousin, my aunt’s son, whom I used to be closest to. “Hope, you really shame our family!” The people behind him also pointed at me. “That’s her. Disowns family for money.” “Heard she wasn’t a good girl in school, hooking up with boys everywhere.” These filthy words made it hard for me to breathe. I stared at my cousin. “You believe them too?” His eyes dodged, but he stiffened his neck. “My mom said if you drop the lawsuit, she’ll buy me the latest phone.” “Hope, don’t be ungrateful. Just for you, our whole family has no peace!” I walked through the crowd expressionlessly toward the courthouse. In the plaintiff’s seat, I sat alone. On the defendant’s side, Linda, my aunt, Dave, and a crowd of relatives filled the seats. The judge banged the gavel, tone serious. “Plaintiff Hope Lin, please present evidence proving the defendant Linda Xu embezzled the settlement money. Otherwise, the court will dismiss your claim.” Linda’s hired lawyer stood up immediately. “My client has used the entire settlement to pay off the deceased’s debts. The plaintiff, as a daughter, not only fails to understand her mother’s hardships but also makes unreasonable demands for property division. This is purely vexatious.” The legal aid lawyer beside me pushed his glasses and whispered. “The situation is very unfavorable for you. You have no direct evidence.” Whispers inside and outside the courtroom surged toward me like a tide. “See? Just making trouble, no evidence at all.” I looked up, meeting all the questioning gazes, and took out an MP3 player so old the paint was peeling off. “Your Honor, the evidence is here.”

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At this company, no one has spoken a word to me in three months. I enter the break room; they leave. I get in the elevator; they wait for the next one. Around my desk, there is a three-meter dead zone where no one dares to step. My desk was moved to the storage room. My neighbors are the office printer, a broom, and a stack of calendars from last year. Today is the Annual Gala. I woke up at 5 AM. Not because I was nervous, but because I was excited. I’ve been waiting three months for today. 1 The gala invitations were sent out yesterday. A company-wide blast to 128 employees. I counted. 127 emails were sent. None for me. I didn’t ask why. I learned three months ago that asking only invites humiliation. At 8:30 AM, I arrived at the office on time. The time clock flashed: Sarah Miller, 08:27. The light in the storage room has been broken for two weeks. I filed three maintenance requests. No one came. I turned on my phone flashlight to find my desk. It was covered in a layer of dust. It’s not that no one cleans; it’s that the cleaning lady stops at the door. “No need to sweep Sarah’s room,” I heard her tell another cleaner. “Nobody goes in there anyway.” I pulled out a wet wipe and cleaned it myself. At 8:45 AM, I heard the office outside buzzing with life. “Chloe, what are you wearing to the gala?” “I haven’t decided. Brenda said red is lucky, so I bought a red dress.” “Brenda treats you so well.” “Of course, I’m her mentee.” The laughter faded down the hall. I opened my laptop and started working. Yes, you heard that right. I’ve been isolated for three months, but I still work every day. Not because I’m a saint, but because I have a mission. At 9:00 AM sharp, a new email popped up. From: HR Manager, Mr. Lee. Subject: Gala Seating Arrangement. “Sarah, due to limited seating, you are not required to attend this year’s gala. You may watch the livestream if needed.” I stared at the email for thirty seconds. Then, I smiled. I hit reply and typed three words: “Noted, thank you.” Send. At 2:00 PM, I ate takeout alone in the storage room. Spicy shredded potatoes and rice, $12 total. The cafeteria lunch is $15, but I don’t go there anymore. Three months ago, I walked into the cafeteria with my tray, and an entire table of eight people stood up and walked away. All of them. I stood there holding my tray while the whole cafeteria stared. Someone laughed out loud. That was the last time I went to the cafeteria. I finished my food and threw the box in the trash. Then I opened a folder on my desktop. Folder Name: 2024 Work Log. Inside were 387 files. Every meeting minute, every email screenshot, every recording of client calls. Including the one from three months ago—the $5 million deal. I looked at those files and took a deep breath. Tonight is the night. 2 Three months ago, I wasn’t alone. Back then, my desk was by the window, next to Chloe. Chloe was Brenda’s girl, but she was decent to me. “Sarah, lunch together?” “Sure, where to?” “Cafeteria. They have sweet and sour ribs today.” Back then, I thought I was lucky. I had only been at the company for a year and was already in Brenda’s sales team. Brenda was the Sales Manager, an eight-year veteran with top-tier connections. I learned a lot from her. How to drink with clients, how to make pretty PowerPoint decks, how to perform in front of leadership. But there was one thing she didn’t teach me. The unwritten rules of the workplace. On a Monday three months ago, I got a call. “Hello, is this Sarah Miller?” “Yes, this is she. May I ask who’s calling?” “I’m the assistant to CEO Mr. Zhang of Apex Group. Mr. Zhang would like to meet you tomorrow to discuss a partnership.” Apex Group. I almost dropped my phone. Apex was the whale our company had been chasing for two years. Brenda had made no less than twenty trips in two years and hadn’t even met Mr. Zhang. How could I, a rookie, possibly… “Are you sure you’re looking for me?” “Mr. Zhang said he enjoyed chatting with you at the industry forum last month and wants to continue the conversation.” I remembered. A month ago, I was sent to work the registration desk at a forum. Fetching coffee, signing people in—grunt work. During a break, I sat in a corner checking my phone. A middle-aged man sat next to me. He asked for my thoughts on the industry. I thought he was just a regular employee from another company, so I chatted casually. I had no idea he was the CEO of Apex. “Um… I need to report this to my manager.” “Manager Brenda, right? We know her,” the assistant paused. “Mr. Zhang’s intention is to discuss this partnership only with you. If your company has an issue with that, we can forget it.” Only with me. After hanging up, my hands were shaking. I knew what this meant. It meant the client Brenda couldn’t land in two years might be landed by me, the rookie. It also meant— I was about to steal Brenda’s client. I sat at my desk and thought about it all afternoon. Finally, I went to Brenda. “Brenda, I need to report something.” I told her everything about the call. Brenda listened, silent for a few seconds. Then she smiled. “Sarah, this is great news! You have talent, the client recognizes you. That’s your capability.” “But Brenda, you’ve been chasing this client for two years…” “If I didn’t get him in two years, it means we weren’t meant to be.” She patted my shoulder. “Go get him. If you land the deal, it’s yours.” “Really?” “Of course. We’re a team. Your success is our success.” I was so moved. That night, I worked until 11 PM preparing materials. The next day, I met Mr. Zhang. The third day, I got the letter of intent. The seventh day, the contract was signed. $5 Million. The biggest deal of the year. The day I signed it, I was nearly crying with excitement. I texted Brenda: Brenda, signed it!!! Brenda replied: Great. Just one word. I didn’t think much of it. Until a week later, at the sales summary meeting. On the projector, the cover slide read: Apex Group $5M Project Review. Presenter: Brenda. I sat in the audience, stunned. Brenda stood on stage, radiating confidence. “This project… we chased it for two years. We faced countless rejections, cold shoulders…” I listened as she described the proposals I wrote, the all-nighters I pulled, the meetings I attended. My name was not on the slides. “Finally, I want to thank the team for their hard work, especially Chloe, who followed up the whole way. Massive credit to her.” Chloe stood up and bowed. Applause filled the room. I sat in the corner, motionless. After the meeting, I found Brenda. “Brenda, about the project…” “What’s wrong?” She was packing her laptop. “Why wasn’t my name on the presentation?” Brenda stopped and looked at me. “Sarah,” she smiled, “you’ve only been here a year. You’re young. Just because you signed the paper doesn’t mean the credit is yours.” “What do you mean?” “Clients are company resources. Projects are team efforts. Did you think you did this all by yourself? Without the company platform, you are nothing.” I stood there, speechless. “Alright, don’t overthink it. You have a long road ahead. You need to learn to share if you want to go far.” Brenda packed her bag and left. Leaving me alone in the conference room. That was the first time I learned what “workplace rules” really meant. 3 I understood. But I didn’t swallow it. The day after Brenda’s lecture, I did something “against the rules.” I sent an email to the Big Boss, the CEO. Subject: Supplementary Information Regarding Apex Group Project. The content was simple. Attached were chat logs with Mr. Zhang, meeting minutes, and the signature page of the contract. Evidence of one fact: I landed this deal alone. As soon as I hit send, I knew I was done for. Not because the CEO wouldn’t see it—later I learned he did see it, but chose to ignore it. But because Brenda found out about the email. I don’t know who told her. Maybe the CEO’s secretary, maybe IT. But on the third day, my desk was moved. “There’s an empty spot in the storage room. You can sit there,” the admin said expressionlessly. “We’re reorganizing the office layout.” I didn’t say a word. I picked up my laptop and moved to the storage room. From that day on, no one spoke to me. No meeting invites. No CCs on weekly reports. People in the break room turned around when they saw me. I became invisible. No, worse than invisible. I was a plague. “Did you hear? Sarah tried to go over Brenda’s head and got caught.” “Serves her right. Ungrateful.” “Brenda treated her so well, mentored her, and she stabbed her in the back.” “People like that deserve to be shunned.” I heard these whispers in the bathroom, by the water cooler, near the elevator. Countless times. I didn’t explain. What was the point? In their eyes, Brenda was the veteran, the mentor, the good leader who bought them drinks. Who was I? A rookie, a rule-breaker, an “ungrateful” snake. Three months ago, I cried once in the storage room. Just once. After that, I wiped my tears, opened my laptop, and created a new folder. 2024 Work Log. From that day on, I recorded everything. Every email, every meeting I was excluded from, every detail of the ostracization. Including what Brenda did later. Like reassigning my other clients to different people. Like telling leadership I “lacked capability and couldn’t keep up.” Like ensuring I wasn’t even nominated for Employee of the Year. I kept it all. Not for revenge. But to give myself an answer. I was going to let everyone know who signed the $5 million deal. Who put my desk in the storage room. And what the people isolating me were so afraid of. Today is the Annual Gala. I’ve waited three months for this. I don’t have an invitation, but I have something else. I have Mr. Zhang’s personal number. Last week, I called him. “Mr. Zhang, I need a favor.” “What is it?” “Can you come to our Annual Gala?” Silence on the other end for a few seconds. “I can,” Mr. Zhang said. “Actually, I have a few words I’d like to say myself.” I hung up and smiled. Three months. I finally made it to this day. 4 You might ask, why didn’t I just quit? I asked myself that too. Three months ago, I almost did. It was the first week in the storage room. Friday evening, I packed up to go home. I walked to the elevator. The doors opened. Seven or eight colleagues from Sales were inside. They saw me. No one spoke. I walked in and pressed ‘1’. The elevator descended. 12… 11… 10… Silence. I stood in the corner, staring at the numbers. 9… 8… 7… Someone whispered something. The others laughed. I didn’t know what the joke was, but I knew it was me. 6… 5… 4… Chloe’s voice suddenly rang out. “Where are we eating tonight?” “Brenda booked the usual spot. She said it’s a celebration dinner for the team.” “That $5 million deal is enough to brag about for a year.” “Totally. All thanks to Brenda.” 3… 2… “Hey, I heard that deal was originally…” someone lowered their voice. “Shh—” another cut her off. 1st Floor. Doors opened. They poured out. No one looked back. I stood there, frozen. The doors closed again. I didn’t press a button. I just stood there. The elevator started going up. 1… 2… 3… I leaned against the metal wall, and finally, I broke. Tears fell one by one. Not from sadness. From hate. Hating myself. Why am I hiding in a corner when I signed the $5 million deal? Why am I treated like a criminal when I did nothing wrong? Why am I being isolated while they steal my credit? Top floor. Doors opened. Empty. I stood there, wiped my tears. Then I pressed ‘1’. That night, I went home and wrote a resignation letter. I didn’t send it. I saved it in drafts and lay in bed, staring at the ceiling all night. Resign? Then what? Go to another company? Will the next company not have a Brenda? Will there be no credit-stealing bosses, cliquey colleagues, or unfair rules? If I leave, what will they say? “See? Sarah couldn’t handle it. She quit.” “Serves her right. She didn’t know the rules.” “Who would dare cross Brenda now?” They would turn me into a joke. A failed, pathetic, self-inflicted joke. And that $5 million deal would forever be “Brenda’s achievement.” No. I refuse to leave with that label. I will let everyone know the truth. Even if I only get one chance, I will speak up. The next day, I deleted the resignation letter. And I began to prepare. For three months, I waited for one opportunity. The Annual Gala was that opportunity. 5 The Annual Gala is the company’s biggest event. Every department performs, awards are given, all the big bosses attend. And there’s one special segment—Project of the Year. The $5 million Apex deal was a lock for the award. And the person accepting it would obviously be Brenda. I had a plan. I didn’t need to accept the award. I just needed the truth to be seen. In early December, I started compiling materials. Chat logs, emails, recordings. I organized them into a PDF. 32 pages. Illustrated, annotated, undeniable evidence. Title: The Real Story of the Apex Group Project. Page 1: My first call with Mr. Zhang, dated October 12th. Last Page: The contract signature page. Under “Company Representative,” there was only one name—Sarah Miller. I saved this PDF in three places. Laptop, phone, email drafts. Then, I called Mr. Zhang. “Mr. Zhang, just confirming about the gala.” “Don’t worry. My assistant already sent the RSVP. I’ll be there, and I’m bringing a small gift.” “What gift?” “You’ll see,” Mr. Zhang chuckled. “Sarah, I’ve done business for twenty years. I hate credit-stealers the most. Don’t worry, I’ll speak up for you.” I was speechless. “I remember the ideas you shared with me. You have talent. You shouldn’t be buried.” “Thank you, Mr. Zhang.” “No need. In this workplace, someone has to be willing to tell the truth.” I hung up and sat in the storage room, breathing deeply. Three months of waiting. Three months of preparation. Three months of silence. It all comes down to tonight. At 4:00 PM, the office got loud. “Is your makeup done?” “Yeah, Brenda lent me her lipstick.” “When Brenda goes up for the award, we have to cheer loud!” “Obviously!” I listened to their laughter from the storage room. At 5:00 PM, the office cleared out to change and prep. No one came to get me. I didn’t need them to. I pulled a dress out of my bag. Black, simple. I bought it myself last month. Today, I didn’t need to stand out. I just needed to look like a normal employee. At 6:00 PM, I locked the storage room and headed to the venue. The banquet hall downstairs was glowing with lights. At the check-in table, two admin girls were greeting guests. I walked up. “Sarah?” One of them blinked. “Aren’t you…” “I have friends inside,” I smiled. “Just going in to look.” Before she could react, I walked in. The hall was packed and lively. I found a corner seat and took out my phone. The PDF file sat quietly on my screen. Thirty minutes until showtime. I looked at my colleagues in their gowns and suits, smiles plastered on their faces. I felt strangely calm. Three months ago, I was one of them. Three months later, I am an outsider. But after tonight, everyone will know who the real victim is.

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1 Three years after I buried the man who died saving my life in an earthquake, I watched him get married again. There he was, under the brilliant spotlights, his hand outstretched to welcome his bride. But Tristan froze, his face draining of all color as his eyes locked on mine. The same friends and family who had held me through my darkest nights of grief were now rushing to push me out, their voices a frantic whisper. “Anna, please. It’s a happy day. Don’t make a scene.” I sidestepped their grasping hands, my own voice so calm it felt alien. “So, all of this… all these years… my attempts to jump off buildings, the scars on my wrists… was all of that just some pathetic joke to you?” The music was the only thing that dared to move in the cavernous hall. Every single person avoided my gaze. Rosalind, the bride, stumbled forward and dropped to her knees before me, her eyes shimmering with tears. “Anna, I’m so sorry. But I truly love Tristan. I can’t live without him. Please, I’m begging you, let us be happy.” They formed a circle around me, a human cage meant to contain the hysteria they expected. But I just smiled, a quiet, hollow thing. It turns out the man who swore he’d love me for a lifetime really did die in that earthquake. 2 I helped Rosalind to her feet. “Rosalind, tell me. When did you know Tristan was alive? And when did you two get together?” A flicker of triumph, quick and sharp as a cat stealing cream, flashed in her eyes before it was drowned by a fresh wave of tears. She wept beautifully, her hand clamping around my wrist, nails digging into my skin. “Anna, I’m sorry… It’s all my fault, every last bit of it! But I… I just love him so much, I couldn’t control myself… That’s why I asked everyone to keep it a secret from you. We were all just so afraid you couldn’t handle the truth…” “Afraid I couldn’t handle it…” I murmured the words back to myself. Then, in one fluid motion, I snatched an empty wine bottle from a nearby table and smashed it against the corner. The sound was a sharp crack, and glass sprayed across the floor, catching the light like cruel, glittering stars. I gripped the jagged neck of the bottle, its menacing points aimed directly at Rosalind’s perfectly made-up face. “Ah!” she shrieked, a short, sharp sound of terror, her face turning a ghastly white. “Anna! What are you doing?” “Put that down! Don’t do something stupid!” The same friends who had just been telling me not to “make a scene” were now in a panic, trying to inch closer. “Don’t move!” I snarled, my wrist as steady as stone. The sharp edge of the glass moved an inch closer to Rosalind, almost brushing the tip of her trembling nose. “Anyone takes another step, and I can’t guarantee where this thing ends up.” They froze, paralyzed as if by a spell, their faces masks of horror. Rosalind was shaking uncontrollably, babbling. “I’ll talk, I’ll talk! It was… three days after the earthquake. We got together then.” Three days after the earthquake. So, while I was making my first attempt to die, drowning in a sea of grief and guilt, Tristan was whispering sweet nothings to another woman. It all made sense now. The hazy memory I had from the hospital, of seeing Tristan standing in the corner of my room, his face a mask of anguish and worry. When I woke up, everyone told me it was a hallucination, a side effect of the sleeping pills and blood loss. They cried as they held me, saying how heartbroken Tristan would be if he knew I was trying to hurt myself. I believed them. After that, I sank even deeper, using alcohol and pills to numb the agony, living in a private hell built from my love and guilt for him. It wasn’t a hallucination. He was probably there, not because his heart was breaking for me, but to make sure I wouldn’t die before he could run into the arms of his new lover. “Anna! Are you insane? Let Rosalind go!” A furious shout ripped me from my thoughts. A powerful force yanked me back. Pain shot through my wrist, and the broken bottle slipped from my grasp, shattering again on the floor. In the struggle, my ankle twisted with a sickening, sharp pain. My lower back slammed hard against the edge of the cake table, and a cold sweat broke out across my skin. Tristan, like a guardian angel, swept a trembling Rosalind into his arms, murmuring reassurances. “Shh, it’s okay, Rosie. You’re safe now. I’m here.” His voice held the same tender, protective tone that had once been mine alone. When he finally turned to me, his face was a complex mess of exhaustion, blame, and a deep, weary sorrow. He stared at me for a long time, the silence in the room so thick it felt solid, before his voice emerged, raw and raspy. “Anna, these past few years… I’ve failed you. I know I owe you everything, that nothing I do can ever make up for it.” He paused, searching for the right words, and then he delivered the line that turned my blood to ice. “I truly did love you. But I love Rosalind now.” I looked at the two of them, wrapped in each other’s arms, and I started to laugh. A wild, broken sound that soon dissolved into tears streaming down my face. Tristan was the boy I grew up with, my childhood sweetheart. But Rosalind… she had been my childhood friend, too. 3 In middle school, our school organized a charity drive to sponsor kids from struggling rural communities. That’s how I first saw Rosalind, in a photograph. A girl with enormous eyes, dressed in worn-out clothes, but her smile was pure sunshine. I saved almost every penny of my allowance to support her. When Tristan found out, he quietly started giving me half of his. Rosalind was deeply grateful. She’d send me packages of wild herbs and nuts she’d gathered from the mountains, her letters filled with wide-eyed dreams of city life and endless thanks. Eventually, she earned a scholarship to the university in our city. Tristan and I picked her up on her first day. I’ll never forget the way her eyes lit up, like twin flames, the moment she saw Tristan standing there, tall and handsome in a crisp white shirt. From that day on, she was a constant presence, always finding an excuse to be around us. I wasn’t stupid; I could see the way she looked at him. A teenage crush is impossible to hide. The sight of it felt like a ball of cotton stuck in my throat, suffocating me. I started to avoid situations where it would be the three of us, giving them space, giving myself a chance to breathe. Until one evening, Tristan cornered me in the alleyway behind my house. The setting sun stretched his shadow long and dark on the pavement. His eyes were red-rimmed with frustration as he stammered out his explanation. “Anna! Why are you avoiding me? There’s nothing going on with me and Rosalind, I swear! You’re the only one I’ve ever liked, since we were kids! I don’t like her! I promise!” It was the first time he’d cried in front of me since he was thirteen. He looked like an abandoned golden retriever. The tightness in my chest dissolved instantly, replaced by a wave of sweet relief. That night, Rosalind showed up at my door with a case of beer. She got completely wasted, sobbing in my arms all night. The next morning, her eyes were puffy and red, but she smiled and wished Tristan and me a lifetime of happiness. I didn’t understand the complicated storm of emotions in her eyes back then. I do now. It was a potent cocktail of resentment and unyielding envy. 4 Waves of pain from my back and ankle pulled me back to the present. I set down the bottle I was holding and looked for a chair. But every face I once knew now looked back at me with wariness and distance. They formed a protective wall around Tristan and Rosalind, treating me like a contagion. “Just let it go, Anna. It’s supposed to be a happy day.” “Yeah, what’s past is past. Making a scene won’t help anyone.” “Tristan still cares about you. Once Rosalind has the baby, they’ll get a divorce, and you two can be together again.” Their words swirled around me, a sickening blend of placating lies and the ghosts of their seemingly sincere comfort over the past three years. I lowered my gaze, refusing to look at them any longer, and silently pulled out the nearest chair to sit. I took out my phone. First, I messaged my best friend, asking her to send over the wedding dress I’d treasured for so long via a courier service. Then, I booked an Uber. With that done, I poured myself a glass of red wine from the table. “I didn’t mean to crash your wedding, and I didn’t bring a gift. But I’ve arranged for one to be delivered shortly.” I raised my glass. “Congratulations. May you have a long and happy marriage.” But before the glass could touch my lips, a large hand clamped down on my wrist. It was Tristan. He took the glass from me, his brow furrowed in that familiar, scolding way he always had when he was worried about me. It was a mix of exasperated affection I had known since childhood. “You know you can’t handle your alcohol. Don’t drink, or you’ll have a splitting headache tomorrow.” How ridiculous. He didn’t seem to care about the heart-splitting agony I’d endured believing he was dead, but he was concerned about a potential hangover. I suppressed the bile rising in my throat and met his gaze, my voice flat. “I can drink just fine now, Tristan.” Disbelief was written all over his face. He looked like he was about to argue when one of my aunts standing nearby spoke up awkwardly. “Tristan, for the past three years… Anna hasn’t been able to sleep without alcohol. I imagine her tolerance is quite high by now.” Tristan’s body went rigid. He stared at me, his eyes filled with a raw, disbelieving pain. He searched my face for any sign of a lie but found only a numb, placid emptiness. I was done with him. I glanced at my phone; the car was almost here. Gritting my teeth against the shooting pain in my ankle, I tried to stand. The moment I put weight on my foot, a lance of agony shot up my leg, and I stumbled. The next thing I knew, Tristan had swept me off my feet, holding me bridal style, and forced me back into the chair. “Don’t move!” he commanded, kneeling before me without a second thought. He gently took my swollen ankle in his hand. When he saw the angry purple bruising, his brow tightened into a knot. “How did this happen? It looks bad.” Seeing that familiar concern in his eyes, and then glancing past him to the barely concealed hatred in Rosalind’s, a wave of nausea washed over me. I yanked my foot back, repulsed by his touch. Just as I was about to speak, my phone rang. It was the courier. I told him to come inside. After hanging up, I saw a message from my best friend, Sarah, sent over ten minutes ago. [You haven’t let anyone even touch that dress for three years. Why are you having me send it to you now?] I quickly typed a reply. [I’ll explain tomorrow. Let’s meet.] My screen was immediately flooded with her question marks. As I was figuring out a short reply, the courier, conspicuous in his bright uniform, pushed through the crowd. “Delivery for an Anna?” I pointed a finger at Rosalind, who was still being sheltered by Tristan. Rosalind looked at Tristan, who gave her a slight nod. Hesitantly, she took the large garment bag. When she unzipped it, a shrill, strangled scream tore from her throat. She threw the box and its contents away from her as if it were on fire. “Ah! What is this?!” The bag fell open on the floor, revealing the wedding dress within. It was white, yes, but a long, ragged tear marred the skirt, and the fabric was stained with huge, shocking patches of dried, brownish blood. Our blood, from the earthquake.

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My mother is a spiritual healer who preaches “Absolute Positivity.” She says, “Keep smiling, and the world will love you back.” When I was sad, she made me practice smiling in the mirror. When I was scared, she made me shout positive affirmations. I lived like a puppet wearing a smiling mask. Later, I was bullied at school. They dragged me into the boys’ bathroom, forced me to drink urine, stripped me naked, and filmed it. Covered in filth, I went home to ask my mother for help. She smiled and handed me her new book, 100 Ways to Reconcile with the World. “You need to embrace them. Use love and sunshine to influence them.” “Remember, never bring negative energy home.” The next day, I stood on the school roof, facing everyone below. I flashed the most standard smile I had practiced, then jumped. When I opened my eyes again, I was back to the day before the bullying incident. A cold voice exploded in my mind: [Negative energy accumulation complete. Darkening System activated. Rebooting life…] 1 After the mechanical voice vanished, my mother Linda’s voice sounded in my ear. “Ava, good morning. Be grateful for a new day.” She held a glass of celery juice, wearing her signature smile. I glanced at the clock on the wall. 6:00 AM sharp. Yesterday—or rather, this day in my past life—I stayed in bed for five extra minutes because of period cramps. As a result, she made me copy “I love this vibrant world” a hundred times. I sat up in bed. My stomach still ached faintly—a phantom pain from my shattered internal organs in my past life. I didn’t speak. Linda frowned slightly. “Ava, your energy field is very low.” She handed the celery juice to me. “Drink it. Purify your magnetic field.” The juice smelled raw and fishy. I didn’t take it. “Mom, my stomach hurts.” I said words I didn’t dare say in my past life. Linda’s smile froze for a second. “Pain is an illusion. It’s because your heart isn’t pure enough, attracting negative energy.” She almost shoved the glass into my mouth. “Say ‘I love you’ to this water three times, then drink it. The pain will disappear.” I looked at her eternally smiling face. Ridiculous. In my past life, I believed her nonsense. When I was being bullied, I chanted “I love you” in my heart. The result? Louder ridicule and harder slaps. The mechanical voice in my head rang again: [Detected mental oppression. Resentment Points +10.] [Current Darkening Progress: 1%.] [Please continue accumulating to unlock the ‘Eye for an Eye’ Starter Pack.] So that’s how it works. I took the celery juice. Linda nodded in satisfaction. “That’s right. Learn to submit to the universe’s arrangement.” I loosened my grip. Smash! The glass shattered on the floor. Linda screamed. “Ava! What are you doing?!” Her perfect mask finally cracked. “Slipped.” “Maybe the universe didn’t want me to drink it.” Linda took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She was regulating her breathing, trying to suppress her anger. In her view, anger was a sign of a lower organism. She was a high-level spiritual mentor; she couldn’t break character. Half a minute later, she opened her eyes and put the smile back on. “It’s okay. This is the universe testing my patience.” “Go put on the Smile Corrector.” “You can eat when your smile satisfies me.” The Smile Corrector. It was a pink plastic mouthpiece used to forcibly widen the corners of the mouth. Wearing it kept the mouth open constantly; you couldn’t even swallow saliva. In my past life, I spent countless nights wearing it. The corners of my mouth were worn raw, scabbed over, and worn raw again. I watched her take the torture device from the drawer. “Mom, I don’t want to wear it.” “It’s not up to you.” Linda walked over and pinched my chin hard. “Ava, I’m doing this for your own good.” “That gloomy face of yours brings bad luck to anyone who sees it.” “Only a smile can change destiny.” She forced the corrector into my mouth. The plastic stretched my lips, stinging my gums. I was forced into a comical yet hideous grin. Linda clapped her hands in satisfaction. “Look, how beautiful.” “Keep this state and go to school.” “Let everyone feel your positive energy.” The voice in my head kept pinging: [Suffered physical torture. Resentment Points +20.] [Suffered personal insult. Resentment Points +30.] [Current Darkening Progress: 5%.] I grabbed my bag and walked out. Linda shouted from behind, “Remember to be grateful for everyone you meet!” Grateful my ass. Since you want me to smile. I’ll smile for you. Until the moment I can’t smile anymore. That will be when you cry. I put on a mask to cover the bizarre Smile Corrector. But I knew something more disgusting was waiting for me. Just as I entered the classroom, a half-dead cockroach flicked onto my shirt, its antennae still twitching. Laughter erupted in the classroom. “Yo, our Smiling Angel is here?” It was Caleb. The class bully, and one of the culprits who drove me to death. In my past life, he put the cockroach down my shirt. I was terrified, and he filmed it, laughing. I cried and called my mom. Mom said: “Flies don’t bite seamless eggs. You need to reflect on why they only bully you.” “Is it because you’re usually too gloomy and don’t fit in?” So I endured it. I smiled at Caleb and said it was okay, only to receive worse treatment. This time, I reached out and pinched the cockroach. In front of Caleb, I crushed it. Yellow-white fluid stained my fingertips. I pulled down my mask, leaned in close to Caleb, and flashed the bizarre grin fixed by the corrector, drool dripping down. Caleb’s face turned green instantly. He covered his mouth and retched. “Ava, you f*cking…” [Counterattack successful. Mentally polluted the bully. Resentment Points +30.] [Darkening Progress: 12%.] After school. Caleb and his gang blocked me at the bathroom entrance. This was the main event of my past life, and the beginning of my nightmare. “Ava, you’re acting tough today, huh?” Caleb held a box cutter, the blade pushed out, glinting coldly. “Dare to disgust me? Believe it or not, I’ll cut that rotten mouth of yours open.” The students beside him jeered. “Strip her clothes, let’s see how she pretends to be a saint then.” “Heard her mom is a charlatan? Then she must be good in bed too.” They shoved me, dragging me into the boys’ bathroom. I didn’t resist. Because the system prompted: [Major Trauma Node detected.] [Host will obtain key item: “Social Death Recording”.] I let them drag me in obediently. Caleb kicked my knee. Thud. I knelt on the floor, knee piercing with pain. But the corrector was still in my mouth. I was still smiling. Caleb peed into the urinal, then grabbed my hair and pressed my face into it. “Didn’t your mom tell you to be grateful? Come on, be grateful for this smell!” The stench of urine rushed into my nose. But I didn’t beg for mercy; I just counted silently in my heart. One. Two. Three. Every impact was accumulating power for my counterattack. They stripped off my jacket, tore my shirt, and started filming. “Look at this bitch, still smiling! Born to be a whore.” “Hey, Ava, tell the camera: ‘I’m enjoying it.’” Caleb held the phone, the lens almost touching my face. I looked up. My face was a mix of urine, dust, and blood. The corrector still propped my mouth open. I looked at the lens. “Caleb, I’m going to make you famous.” Caleb froze, then slapped me hard across the face. “Still talking back!” The slap knocked the corrector flying. The corner of my mouth tore. Blood gushed out, dripping down my chin onto my clothes. Finally. I wasn’t smiling anymore. [Resentment Points accumulation complete. Darkening System Phase 1 complete.] [Item obtained: Panoramic Invisible Camera. Automatically recorded the entire process, cloud backup, indestructible.] [Skill obtained: Pain Transfer. Every bit of pain you suffer will be returned hundredfold to the perpetrator.] Tired of beating me, they threw my bag into the urinal and left. “Bring five thousand dollars tomorrow, or this video goes online.” Caleb dropped these words before leaving. I climbed up from the floor, my whole body in pain. But I felt an unprecedented pleasure in my heart. I picked up the corrector from the floor, wiped the blood off, and put it in my pocket. This was important evidence. I looked at my disheveled self in the mirror and twitched my mouth. This time, it was a genuine smile. Showtime. 2 When I got home, I was filthy, missing two buttons on my shirt, exposed skin covered in bruises. Linda was livestreaming in the living room, her new book 100 Ways to Reconcile with the World displayed in front of her. “Family, as long as our hearts turn to the sun, the shadows will be behind us.” Comments scrolled fast. [Teacher Linda speaks so well!] [Listening to Teacher Linda cured my depression.] I slammed the door. The loud bang interrupted her rhythm. Linda frowned, then quickly adjusted her expression, saying to the camera: “Sorry family, my daughter is back.” “She might have encountered some setbacks. This is actually a great teaching case.” “Let’s see how to use love to dissolve negative emotions.” She walked towards me, aiming the camera at my wretched face. “Ava, did you have friction with classmates again?” “You always forget what I told you: love and tolerance.” “You look really low-frequency right now.” I looked at the camera. Vicious comments started appearing: [This is Teacher Linda’s daughter? Her eyes are scary, not sunny at all.] [Feel sorry for Teacher Linda having such a troublesome daughter.] I sneered. “Mom, I was beaten.” “They dragged me into the boys’ bathroom, forced me to eat sh*t, and took nude photos.” The livestream exploded. [WTF? Real or fake?] [School bullying?] Linda’s face changed. Not out of heartache for me, but fear that I would ruin her persona as the Happiness Mentor. She quickly covered the phone’s microphone and whispered: “Shut up! Tens of thousands are watching, don’t splash your dirty water on me!” Then she let go, showing a helpless, bitter smile to the camera. “Everyone, don’t misunderstand. This child is writing a novel lately and got too into character.” “Ava, go shower quickly, wash away this negative energy.” She reached out to push me into my room. “I’m not lying. Look at my injuries.” I rolled up my sleeve, revealing the purple bruises on my arm. Linda yanked my sleeve down to cover them. “Enough! It must be the darkness in your heart that attracted these demons.” “Quantum mechanics tells us everything has attraction. If your heart was full of love, how would violence find you?” This is my biological mother. She packaged victim-blaming as quantum mechanics. I looked at her, tears swirling in my eyes. Not from sadness. From rage. “So, if I get raped, it’s my fault?” “If I get beaten to death, I deserve it?” Slap! Linda moved the phone away and slapped me hard, right on the torn corner of my mouth. Drilling pain. “Don’t say such unlucky things! Go back to your room and repent in front of the mirror!” “Come out only when you’ve adjusted your mindset!” She shoved me into the room. Then she turned back to the camera, eyes teary. “Family, being a mother is really hard.” “But I won’t give up on her. I will use my love to slowly influence her.” “Please pray for my daughter, that she exorcises the demons in her heart soon.” The chat was full of [Go Teacher Linda], [Teacher Linda is so great]. Gifts flooded the screen—rockets, yachts. Money earned with my blood and tears. Linda took the opportunity to hold up her new book. “If your children are also in a rebellious phase, you must buy this book. It contains my original Smile Therapy.” “Just $19.99 to buy back family harmony.” At this moment, the system voice sounded. [Suffered betrayal by loved one. Resentment Points +50.] [Suffered public humiliation. Resentment Points +50.] [Darkening Progress: 50%.] [Warning: Resentment Points overflowing. Suggested to release immediately.] Release? No. Not enough yet. Tomorrow is Linda’s new book launch. There will be many reporters, influencers, and her fanatical followers. She wants to package me as the “problem teen saved by mother’s love.” That will be the peak of her career. And also her funeral. “System.” I chanted in my heart. “I want the most exciting, explosive, blood-pumping revenge version.” [Received. Generating the ‘Destruction Edition’ for you.] Outside, Linda ended the stream. She hummed a song, in a good mood. Probably because gift income hit a new high today. She knocked on my door. “Ava, there are many VIPs tomorrow. Don’t embarrass me.” “If you perform well tomorrow, I’ll buy you that phone you wanted.” A slap and a sweet date. Animal tamer tactics. I flashed a sweet smile at the door. “Understood, Mom.” “Tomorrow, I will definitely perform well.” “I will definitely make you… famous across the internet.” The next day, the house was decorated like a funeral hall. White lilies everywhere, white gauze curtains. Linda said this was the pure color of higher dimensions. I just found it ominous. Early in the morning, Linda rushed into my room with a concealer palette. “Get up and get ready.” She roughly applied concealer on my face, covering the bruises. Then blush and lipstick. Trying to disguise me as a healthy, happy girl. “Remember, on stage later, say you were ignorant before.” “Say my love influenced you.” “Say my book saved your soul.” “As long as you do this, I won’t pursue your nonsense yesterday.” I responded obediently. “Okay, Mom.” 10:00 AM. The living room was packed. Reporters with long lenses, fans holding light signs, and several influencers livestreaming. Linda wore a white gown, standing in the center of the stage. “Welcome everyone to my new book launch.” “Today, I want to share a miracle.” “My daughter, Ava, used to be a child full of negative energy, rebellious, and prone to self-harm.” The audience gasped. Linda wiped the corner of her eye, though there were no tears. “As a mother, my heart ached.” “But I didn’t give up. I used my mindfulness therapy to accompany and guide her day after day.” “Finally, a miracle happened!” “She changed. She became sunny, confident, and full of love.” Thunderous applause. “Teacher Linda is amazing!” “A mother’s love knows no bounds!” Linda smiled and extended her hand towards the stairs. “Now, please welcome my daughter, Ava.” Spotlights hit the stairs. Holding 100 Ways to Reconcile with the World, I slowly walked down. My face wore Linda’s favorite, standard smile. Linda walked over and took my hand. “Ava, my daughter, tell everyone, how did you walk out of the darkness?” She handed me the microphone, eyes full of expectation and warning. I took the mic and took a deep breath. “Hello everyone, I’m Ava.” “My mom is right. The old me was indeed full of negative energy.” “I was bullied by classmates and dared not resist.” “I was misunderstood by teachers and dared not explain.” “I even thought about dying.” The audience was quiet. Linda’s smile brightened; she was waiting for the “but.” This time, I turned and looked at her. “But, my mom taught me one thing.” “She said negative emotions are trash to be thrown away.” “She said pain is an illusion to be ignored.” “She said as long as you smile, the world will get better.” Linda nodded frequently, pride overflowing from her eyes. In my past life, I cooperated obediently. This time, I decided to raise the stakes. “So.” I suddenly raised my volume. “Yesterday, when I was pressed to the floor of the boys’ bathroom by five people and forced to eat sh*t.” “I smiled.” Everyone in the hall looked shocked. Linda’s smile froze. “Ava! What nonsense are you talking about!” She tried to grab my mic. I dodged and continued: “When they stripped me naked and filmed a video, I smiled too.” “Because my mom said to be grateful for every tribulation.” Reporters below started snapping photos frantically. Fans looked at each other, bewildered. Linda panicked completely. “Cut the mic! Cut it quickly!” 3 Linda roared at the backstage crew. A piercing screech of feedback came from the speakers, and the microphone went dead. Linda rushed over, grabbing my arm tightly. “Ava, what do you think you’re doing?! Do you want to ruin me?!” She growled in a low voice. Ignoring her, I raised my hand and wiped the concealer off my face forcefully. Revealing the shocking bruises underneath. The swollen cheek, the split corner of my mouth, and the distinct finger marks. Gasps erupted from the audience. “Oh my god! Those are injuries!” “She was really beaten!” “Didn’t Teacher Linda say her daughter was doing well?” Linda was in complete disarray. She tried to block me with her body. “Th… this is makeup! Special effects makeup!” “She’s joking! This child is rebellious and likes pranks!” I took out my phone. With the system’s help, it connected to the large screen behind the stage. “Does everyone want to see a miracle? See how a saint maintains absolute positivity in pain.” Just as Linda backed away in horror, I pressed play on the big screen. It wasn’t a heartwarming home video, but the dark footage from the bathroom. “Smile! Why aren’t you smiling?” “Didn’t your mom tell you to be grateful?” Caleb’s vicious voice broadcast through the top-tier sound system to every corner of the room. On screen, I was kneeling on the floor, covered in filth. With that pink Smile Corrector stuffed in my mouth, being humiliated without dignity. “Strip her!” The scene changed to my naked upper body. The system automatically enabled privacy protection, blurring sensitive areas with high-grade mosaic. In contrast, my smile forced by the corrector was particularly clear. “Caleb, I love you.” In the video, I mechanically recited the slogan taught by Linda. At this moment, everyone in the hall was stunned. Those fans holding “Love and Peace” signs were shaking. Linda stood still, frozen. Her face was ashen, lips trembling, unable to make a sound. The video continued. It cut to last night. Linda’s exquisite face appeared on screen. “Ava! Don’t splash your dirty water on me!” “It must be the darkness in your heart that attracted these demons!” Those were her words after muting the livestream microphone. But the system’s invisible camera recorded it all. Including that resounding slap. The video ended. The screen went black. The hall was silent as a grave. Only Linda’s heavy breathing could be heard. I walked up to her and gently placed the bloodstained Smile Corrector in her hand. “Mom, do you like this gift?” Linda looked at the thing in her hand, trembling, then at me. Her eyes finally showed fear. True fear. The mechanical voice in my head exploded: [Antagonist’s mental defense successfully destroyed.] [Resentment Points exceeded limit!] [Darkening System Advanced: Nemesis Mode activated.] [Current Mission: Make everyone pay the price.] I flashed a brilliant smile at Linda. “Mom, why aren’t you smiling?” “Smile.” “The world is watching you.” “Ah—!” Linda finally reacted, letting out a piercing scream. She threw the Smile Corrector away violently. “It’s not true! This is all fake!” “It’s AI generated! She framed me!” Linda lunged at the reporters, trying to snatch their cameras. “Stop filming! Stop filming!” “Security! Throw them out!” But no one listened to her. Flashes went off like crazy, freezing her hideous, wretched appearance in time. The fans who once worshipped her as a god now looked at her with utter disgust. “Liar! So you’re this kind of person!” “You didn’t even care when your own daughter was bullied, calling it karma?” “Refund! Give me my book money back!” Someone threw the book 100 Ways to Reconcile with the World onto the stage. Smack. The book hit Linda’s face, the sharp corner cutting her forehead. Blood flowed down. But this was just the beginning. More and more books and water bottles flew towards the stage. “Get out of the healing circle!” “Scum mother!” The scene was completely out of control. Linda huddled in the center of the stage, holding her head, her expensive white gown now filthy. She was still stubborn: “You are all controlled by negative energy!” “You are creating bad karma!” I stood aside, watching coldly. System notification: [Antagonist’s social status collapsed. Satisfaction Points +100.] [Detected massive crowd anger, converting to Host Energy.] [Unlocked new item: Truth Megaphone. Forces target to speak their true inner thoughts for 10 minutes.] At this moment, the police arrived. Someone had called the police, reporting a riot and suspected child abuse. The leading officer saw the frozen image on the big screen, his face grim. “Who is Linda?” Linda rushed over. “Officer! Save me! These people are crazy!” “I’m the victim! My daughter conspired with outsiders to frame me!” The officer pushed her away coldly. “Ms. Linda, we received reports that you are suspected of abusing a minor and covering up school violence.” “Also, regarding the content in that video, we need your cooperation in the investigation.” Linda froze. “I didn’t! I’m an education expert! I’m a spiritual mentor! I did it for her own good!” The officer didn’t listen to her nonsense. “Save it for the station.” As Linda was taken away, she kept looking back to glare at me. “Ava! You ungrateful wolf!” “I gave birth to you and raised you, and this is how you repay me?” “Just you wait! When I come back, I’ll send you to a mental hospital!” I stood on the high platform, looking down at her. “System, use Truth Megaphone immediately. Target: Linda.” As soon as I chanted in my mind, an invisible wave spread out. Linda was still cursing, but suddenly, her expression went blank for a second. Then, her mouth opened uncontrollably. Her voice, amplified invisibly, spread throughout the venue. “Damn money-losing goods! I should have strangled you at birth!” “I gave birth to you to build my persona and make money. Who knew you were so useless!” “As long as I can sell books and make money, so what if you get raped?” “My reputation is worth ten thousand times more than your rotten life!” The venue fell silent again. Even the police stopped, looking back at her in disbelief. Linda covered her mouth in horror. She didn’t want to say these things. She wanted to say “Mom loves you,” “Mom is innocent.” But her mouth wouldn’t obey. The darkest, most vicious thoughts hidden in her heart poured out. “You stupid fans deserve to be scammed by me!” “What positive energy? It’s all bullshit! A bunch of losers with unhappy lives deserve to pay me!” “Hahahaha! A bunch of leeks…” Linda wept in despair, but her mouth kept spewing insults. In this moment, her saintly mask shattered into powder. The fans went berserk. If not for the police blocking them, Linda might have been beaten to death on the spot. I watched coldly as she was stuffed into the police car. Is this the end? No. Linda is just the beginning. There’s Caleb. And others at school. Are you ready? It’s your turn.

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