Knowing they favored him,he bullied me mercilessly.
He’d soil his clothes on purpose.If I didn’t wash them perfectly,I’d get a beating.
He’d stand by,grinning smugly.

In freezing winters,the water stung my hands.
Despite my fingers being swollen and infected, I endured the pain and kept washing.
In school,I was a top student.
If I’d continued,I could’ve attended the county’s best high school.
But my parents said we were broke.
I accepted my future was lost and went to the city to work.

Later,I learned my brother was jealous.
My grades were far better than his,and people often compared us.
Despite being able to afford my education, he managed to prevent me from continuing my studies.
My future was ruined by his words.

The family group chat buzzed.
Recent rains had swollen the village river.
He ignored warnings,insisting on swimming.
He cursed out passersby who tried to stop him.
Now dead,many said he deserved it.
He did.No one can save a fool.
My parents wailed,nearly fainting.
“Son,we’re burying our only son!The Carter family line will end here!”
In their son-obsessed village,they’d never live it down.
The air felt fresher today.To celebrate,I drove out for a lavish meal.
But returning,I saw the last person I wanted.
Ethan,drunk,collapsed at my door.
I kicked him aside.
As I entered,he grabbed my leg.
I felt goosebumps and shook him off in disgust.
He staggered up,tears streaming,reeking of alcohol.
“Mom,I was wrong!I misjudged you.Sarah’s a fraud—you were right.I ruined our bond over her.Mom,you’re my only family.Forgive me,I’ll be good!”
I couldn't help but laugh at his pathetic display.
He thinks I’m a fool.
He’s got nothing now,so he clings to me like a leech.
Acting remorseful,waiting for my guard to drop,then preying on my kindness once more.
If I berated him furiously,he’d say,“I was just pretending.You’re soft—whose fault is that?”
Blaming me again.
I shoved him off.Unsteady,he crashed to the ground.
As expected,he glared at me with vemon in his eyes.“What’s your problem?I apologized!What more do you want?”
See?A heartless dog.
Realizing his mistake,he crawled towards me desperately,clutching my pant leg.
“Mom,I’m sorry!Don’t abandon me.You’re all I have!If you don’t forgive me,I’ll die!”
Looking at his pitiful state,I pulled out my phone.
I picked up the phone and called security, instructing them to remove him from the premises.“Don’t let him die here.Bad luck.”
I shut the door,his cries fading outside.
A notification from the system chimed in my mind, “Congratulations, Host! You've successfully completed the second counterattack task. A $30 million reward has been deposited into your account. Please verify it.”
Seeing another deposit,my irritation melted away.
Three days later,while traveling,a neighbor called,ranting and raving.
“Your door’s blocked by bags.Can’t pass.”
They’d asked two old folks to move them,but they ignored it.
“Two old folks”told me it was my parents.
I thought they’d come the day my brother died.
Surprisingly,I hadn’t heard Mom’s grating, shrewish voice the next day.
So,I went traveling.
I told the neighbor to alerted the authorities—I couldn’t handle it.
After the police arrived,Mom called,furious.
I told them I was abroad and couldn’t return,helpless.
My parents went into a frenzy,ignoring police pleas.
They were detained 15 days for disturbing the peace.
Unable to find me,they slunk back.
I listed the house online.
I won’t return.They’re not the type to give up.
Better they never find me.
The system spoke again:“Host,you’ve completed the third counterattack task.$30 million reward deposited.My mission’s done.I wish you happiness and good company in the future!”
I said sincerely,“Thank you!Without you,I’d be dead.”
“No,you were never meant to die.In despair,you held onto hope.Thank yourself.”
Watching the sunrise,I felt truly alive.
No one can hold me back now.It’s time to live my life!