Chapter 2

My finger hovered over the screen, unable to press down.

The bathroom door suddenly cracked open.

Ava poked her head in with a tight frown.

"Mia, why is it taking you so long to wash one pair of underwear?"

"That silk pair is expensive. Don't ruin it by scrubbing too hard."

I hurriedly turned off my phone screen and lowered my head.

"Okay."

Only then did Ava slam the door and shuffle away in her slippers.

The living room outside was bright and warm. Laughter drifted through the apartment again and again.

Mom, Dad, and Ava were squeezed together on the couch watching a variety show.

On the coffee table sat the apple slices I had just peeled for them.

Holding the basin, I quietly walked around them.

After hanging up the laundry, I still had to mop the floor.

I wrung out the mop with all my strength. The cracked chilblains on my hands stung so badly that my vision blurred.

Only when no more water dripped out did I drag the heavy mop into the living room.

I had barely swiped twice when Dad frowned at me.

"Mia, did you even wring that out?"

"There are water marks everywhere. What if your sister slips?"

Mom glanced over and said coldly, "Exactly. You're always so careless."

I lowered my head and carried the mop back to the laundry area.

I soaked it again, then wrung it out with every bit of strength I had left.

Ava looked up, annoyed.

"Keep it down, okay?

"How am I supposed to watch TV with all that noise?"

I froze where I stood and even softened my breathing.

When I finally finished, I returned to my little room.

Everywhere else in the apartment had heated floors except my room.

Every winter, it felt like an icebox.

I curled up on the bed and lit my phone screen again.

The forum was still open.

Against a black background, one line of white text stared back at me.

[Do you want to make a trade?]

Under it was a small input box, the cursor blinking.

What did I still have that could be traded?

If any part of me could buy even a little warmth, even a little recognition, I would hand it over.

I didn't want to be useless anymore.

With trembling fingers, I slowly typed into the box.

[I want my parents to acknowledge me.]

[I want to rank first like Ava.]

The screen went dark.

Then new words appeared.

[Evaluating request...]

The line pulsed for a long time without showing a result.

My heart hung in midair with it.

[Scanning available collateral... Trade approved.]

My breathing quickened.

[You will receive: top grades and your parents' approval.]

Just seeing that sentence made my eyes burn.

I had dreamed of my parents' approval for so long.

But then another line appeared on the forum.

[Cost due: become a true academic machine. No self. No independent thought.]

[Consideration period: 48 hours.]

[During the trial, your senses will shut down in stages.]

[You may cancel the trade at any time during the 48-hour window.]

[Accept trial run?]

[Yes/No]

I thought about it for a moment.

Then I still tapped Yes.