All Chapters of Livestreaming the Low-Budget Life: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

10 Chapters

Chapter 1

My hands trembled as I clutched my phone, unable to believe what I was seeing. It was a prank live streaming site, and most of its viewers came from wealthy or high-society backgrounds.After my parents divorced, I grew up poor, while my twin sister, Ruby Stone, lived surrounded by luxury.What I had thought was my life had been nothing more than a game—a six-year-long live stream, created solely for the amusement of others.I'd always assumed Mom had taken Ruby to another city. But apparently, she'd been with Dad the whole time.I sat at the diner's entrance, baking in the summer sun, but a chill ran straight through me.Then Ruby sent more messages.Ruby: "Aria, you're the one Mom and Dad never loved."Ruby: "As your sister, I can't help feeling bad seeing you struggle like this. Living in a huge villa while you fight just to get by eats at me."My hands felt impossibly heavy. I had no idea how to respond."Aria! Clean these two tables, now!" my boss barked.This was the pa

Chapter 2

It was my birthday. After finishing my shift, I didn't get home until almost 10:00 pm.I walked into the apartment with a plastic bag in my hand. Inside was a classic cake, costing only a few dollars.I flicked the light switch, but the room stayed stubbornly dark. The bulb must've gone out again. It didn't matter, for moonlight spilled through the window, bright enough to guide my eyes.I set the cake on the table and settled by the window, letting the silver light spill over me. There weren't any candles, so I just pretended to stick one on the cake and light it.I closed my eyes, made a wish, and blew. It was a simple wish, hoping I'd do well on the exam.The moment I opened my eyes, someone was hammering on the door."Open the door! Pay up!""Don't make me break this door down!"I'd seen this kind of thing before, but it still startled me.Outside, the debt collectors had come for Dad. He'd lost a lot of money. I stayed hidden inside, biting my lip to keep from crying out.

Chapter 3

The next morning at school, my homeroom teacher, Ms. Langley, came looking for me."Aria, there's one spot in your grade for studying abroad as a math major. The tuition and fees would be fully covered. Do you want it? I know your family's situation isn't easy. This opportunity could change your life."The requirements, though, were daunting—three first-place awards in math competitions and an Elarish language score of at least 145.My grades were excellent. I was the only one in my grade who met both requirements.I nodded right away. "Of course, Ms. Langley. I'd be honored."This had to be what my parents had wanted all along—a child forged by hardship, who grew up faster, worked harder, and shone brighter.Ms. Langley patted my shoulder. "Alright. You don't need to take the June exam. Just rest for now, and when the time comes, head to college a bit early."Soon I'd finally be free—free from this place, free from this ridiculous live stream game, free from those so-called par

Chapter 4

Ruby yanked my hair. Pain shot through me as I stared at her twisted face, a shiver of fear running down my spine.She was terrifying. How had the sweet, gentle girl from six years ago become this?Not satisfied, she raised her hand. The girls behind her surged into the stall, tearing at my clothes.Ruby lifted her phone, recording every second. "Look at your body. What a waste if no one sees it. With Mom and Dad treating you like that, as your sister, I definitely can't fall behind."She laughed, loud and unrestrained.I swallowed my sobs, forcing myself not to cry. Any tear would only fuel her excitement.After what felt like forever, she finally seemed satisfied and left, her group trailing behind her.I crouched on the floor, soaked and shivering from the cold. She might still be laughing now, but who knew how long that would last.…That night, Dad came home, which didn't happen often, carrying a bag full of food."Aria, I won some money playing cards, so I got you a few

Chapter 5

Dad belittled me on the live stream, twisting everything to make himself look right. His hypocrisy left me reeling.Ever since I realized that everything I said and did in the apartment was being livestreamed, I stopped spending time at home. I went to school during the day and worked part-time after class.I'd rather sit outside my apartment building, reading under the dim yellow light, than go back to that apartment full of hidden cameras.I pulled out my phone and tapped the live stream link, noticing a new post from the streamer."On SAT day, we'll be going live outside the school when Aria, raised in hardship, returns to the villa. Don't forget to donate generously!"Comments started flooding in almost immediately."I can't wait to see her face when she realizes her family is rich.""She's going to be over the moon. Finally, she's a wealthy girl in every sense.""Not so fast. She might be crushed for a long time. Six years of living in poverty… why did she have to go throu

Chapter 6

By the time I landed in Delvoria, my last exam was almost over. I opened the live stream link and, sure enough, Mom and Dad were livestreaming at the school gate with Ruby.The screen was split into two views, just like before—one focused on the school gate, the other on them."Aria's about to finish! Everyone, send in your donations!"They were cheering everyone on to donate even more, celebrating the end of my exam and our long-awaited family reunion.They waited while the other students trickled out of the school, staying until only a few stragglers lingered at the gate. And still, I hadn't appeared.The viewers, eager for the show, couldn't stay quiet and started bombarding the comments with complaints."Why isn't Aria coming out yet? Are you guys messing with us?""Exactly! I've donated so much already!"Dad rushed to calm everyone down. "Don't worry, she's probably just busy. Maybe she's in the restroom."So they waited for another 30 minutes, until the security guard wa

Chapter 7

"When are you going to pay back the money? The ten million dollars you borrowed has racked up interest. It's already 50 million!"My parents and Ruby were so shocked they forgot to turn off the live stream, leaving everyone to witness the humiliating scene.Meanwhile, the stream's viewership rose as more people tuned in to watch the drama unfold.Dad looked confused. "Ten million dollars? What are you talking about?"The debt collector scowled and shoved the loan agreement in Dad's face, his signature glaring up at him. "It's all in black and white. You signed it yourself. How could you not know?"At that moment, Dad finally realized I had tricked him into signing the papers."That was Aria's loan! Go after her! Why are you coming after us?" he shouted.The debt collector grabbed all three of them, making sure they couldn't escape. "I don't care who actually borrowed the money. I hold the person who signed it responsible."Now they were going to feel all the pain I had suffered

Chapter 8

Ruby was clearly the most displeased, even more than my parents. Ever since moving into the shabby apartment, she hadn't stopped complaining. Used to a life of luxury, she couldn't handle living so modestly.When Dad realized the live stream wasn't making much, he shut it off.It felt like a shame. I wouldn't get to see their silly antics anymore.…I'd been in Delvoria for over two weeks and had settled in quickly. My Elarish was strong, but I didn't speak Delvorian yet, so I'd been teaching myself on the side.I had also picked up a part-time job at a restaurant. It was a great way to get to know the area, practice my Delvorian, and earn a little money at the same time.With two months left before college started, I was really looking forward to my time abroad.I'd assumed life would just go on quietly. But one day, Ruby and my parents showed up at the restaurant where I worked, looking drained from their travels.I didn't flinch. Truth be told, I'd half-expected it.I was

Chapter 9

I'd handled everything on my own for the past six years. Nothing ahead could ever be harder than what I'd already been through. I could take care of myself.My parents grew frustrated. "Aria, how can you be so heartless?"I owned up to being heartless."And don't think you can make me leave. I'm on a student visa in Delvoria. How long do you think you could even stay?"I didn't really think they could drag me away when I refused.We were at an impasse.Mom and Dad didn't know what to do when they saw how determined I was. Finally, their words turned cold. "Fine. Let's just act like you were never our daughter."Their eyes had been warm just moments ago, but now a flicker of darkness in them sent a shiver down my spine.Just as they were leaving, Ruby stepped up beside me, her voice low and venomous. "Aria, give me ten million dollars, or I'll post your video."I laughed. "Go ahead. I don't care. But think about it. Who do you think that video would hurt more, you or me? Try it

Chapter 10

So this was the love Ruby had been so desperate to protect from me? How ironic and absurd.In the end, Mom and Dad sold her to a wealthy man in his 50s. I didn't know the exact sum, but it had to be a fortune.They'd even decided to livestream the wedding, milking every last ounce of her worth.On screen, Ruby looked every bit glamorous and wealthy, but her eyes were dead behind the sparkle. She loved money, sure, but that didn't make her willing to marry a man older than Dad.The greasy 50-year-old held her in his arms and kissed her roughly across the face. Just watching it made me sick. And there were Mom and Dad, smiling cheerfully into the camera.A shiver ran through me. They didn't deserve to be parents. They had never loved Ruby and me. They were just using us to line their pockets.I closed the live stream. I couldn't stomach another second.…A couple of days later, my phone rang from an unknown number.The moment I picked up, Ruby's voice pierced through the line

SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP