1 I was born with a built-in lie detector. Anyone who lies to me pays a price. My parents claimed they didn't favor sons over daughters, that both were equally important. The result? They became infertile, unable to have any more children. My grandmother, distraught, adopted a boy. To ensure he grew up strong, she tricked me, telling me she would prick my head with needles to make me smarter. Instead, the needles all ended up in her beloved grandson’s head. He became simple-minded. Years later, my boyfriend proposed to me. He swore he would love me forever, vowing to be struck down by lightning if he didn't. And he was. Struck dead by lightning. My ability was discovered by a socialite. She wanted me to test her boyfriend's fidelity. The offer? Three million dollars. Soon, I became a hot commodity in the elite circles. Everyone wanted my services. I stared at the long string of numbers in my bank account. For the first time, I desperately wished there were more lies in this world. … After high school graduation, I had just received my acceptance letter when my boyfriend knelt before me and proposed. The crowd around us chanted, “Say yes! Say yes! Say yes!” I looked at the cheap plastic ring in his hand, my voice even. “Do you truly love me?” He nodded eagerly. “Yes, I love you!” He held up three fingers. “I swear I’ll love you forever, or may I be struck down by lightning.” I actually believed him, a sweet smile gracing my lips. But then, the next second, the familiar buzz of the lie detector rang in my ears. My smile faltered. Immediately, the sky darkened. Thunder cracked, and lightning flashed. My boyfriend looked up, bewildered. Someone in the crowd remarked, “Looks like rain.” Then, I watched as a bolt of lightning struck him. He remained in his kneeling position, utterly charred, his eyes wide and vacant. The plastic ring in his hand, scorched black, rolled to the ground. Just like his cheap affection, shattered to pieces. “Ahhh! Someone’s dead!” Disappointment flickered in my eyes. I turned and walked away, ignoring the screams behind me. I stayed in my rental apartment for two days. Just as I was about to cook some instant noodles, there was a knock at the door. Opening it, I was surprised to find Penelope Ashworth, a well-known socialite from my school. Penelope gestured to her two bodyguards, who pushed past me and entered. I was forced onto the sofa, staring at her. “Your boyfriend died, didn’t he?” My expression shifted slightly. How rude. To just bluntly ask if someone’s dead. Penelope lifted her chin. The bodyguards opened two cases, revealing stacks of cash. “Luna Hayes, I know about your ability—that you can tell if someone is lying.” “Help me test my boyfriend, and all this money is yours.” I was very tempted, but a little hesitant. I warned her, “People might die, you know.” Penelope’s voice rose. “Do you think I care? I’m perfect; how could he possibly not love me?” The lie detector buzzed again. I sighed inwardly. Penelope clearly cared a lot. The next second, the lightbulb above her head fell. A bodyguard quickly stepped in front of her, shielding her. Penelope shrieked, scrambling to her feet, looking at me helplessly. “See? You lied. You care very much about your boyfriend.” I was born with this innate lie detector. Whenever someone lies to me, I hear a warning sound. And then, that person pays a price, big or small. Penelope’s eyes lit up even more. “Then help me! Do you want me to call him over? Here’s his contact information.” 2 I started by adding Charles Knight’s contact. But he didn't accept. He rejected my request. Penelope seemed pleased. “See? He respects boundaries.” I gazed at the stacks of cash in the cases, a hungry glint in my eyes. I cleared my throat. “How about you bring him over tomorrow? I can test him in person, just a few questions.” Penelope was thrilled. “Alright!” I saw them out, carefully locked the apartment door, and then pounced on the money. I counted bill after bill. I’d probably never seen so much money in my life; my fingers cramped from counting. Three million dollars in total. I counted it three times. Penelope was truly rich. I wouldn't have to work my way through four years of college now! But before I could even celebrate, my parents called. “Darling, do you have any money? We want to give a gift to the matchmaker to help your brother find a wife.” My voice was flat. “No money.” “That works out. I found you a good family for marriage. Girls don’t need to read so many books; it’s useless.” “You need to think about your brother. He’s simple-minded. What will happen if he doesn't have a wife?” I couldn’t help but laugh. I hung up immediately. Then came a barrage of calls and messages, all cursing me, calling me ungrateful and heartless. When I was little, I had just figured out my innate lie detector. I excitedly went to test if my parents loved me. “Mom and Dad, if you have a baby brother, will you still want me?” My mother gently stroked my face. “How could we not want you? You’re our sweet little girl. Boys and girls are all the same.” That night, they became infertile. When they received the hospital reports, they wept hysterically. “Our son! We won’t have a son!” It was at that moment I realized they didn’t love me. They were all liars. No wonder they named me ‘Bring-a-Boy.’ I saw them crying, so ugly, and couldn’t help but laugh. My father heard me and grabbed a bamboo stick to hit me. I shouted, “You’re infertile! Not even a man! How can you be my father?!” My shouting let the whole village know. My parents were utterly humiliated and tried to commit suicide by drinking pesticide that day. My grandmother, desperate, adopted a boy, which immediately soothed their spirits. My parents revolved around him, insisting I call him ‘Little Brother.’ Later, my grandmother heard about a folk remedy to ward off misfortune. It was supposed to help her precious grandson thrive. She held up three silver needles and came to me. “Darling, if these three needles are put into your head, you’ll become very smart.” My expression was cold. The buzzing of the lie detector was so loud it almost deafened me. “Alright, I want to be smart.” I wanted to test if someone lying to me could actually harm me. Worst case, I could always run away. But before the needles even touched my head, my brother started crying. My grandmother rushed to comfort him, but he cried all night. My parents, worried sick, took him to the hospital. The doctors found three silver needles in his head. From then on, he became simple-minded. The whole family wept inconsolably. The experiment was a success. People lying to me couldn’t harm me. I gathered the money, tucked it under my bed, and planned to deposit it in the bank tomorrow. Penelope moved quickly. The next day, she sent me an address. It wasn't just Charles Knight who showed up. Penelope’s best friend, Serena Davies, was also there. Penelope explained, “This is my best friend. She’s very curious about you.” I knew. She was probably worried Penelope was being swindled. No one would truly believe I had special abilities. 3 I cleared my throat. “Shall we begin?” Charles sat up straight, his right hand clasped with Penelope’s. “Do you want to marry Penelope?” Charles nodded. “Of course. I only want to marry Penelope.” No buzz. Penelope looked at me, excited. I shook my index finger at her. No lie! “Do you love her?” Charles stated firmly, “Yes, I do. We’ve been together since childhood. We’re destined to be together.” Again, no buzz. Penelope’s smile stretched almost to her ears. Charles truly loved her. She suddenly stood up. “Alright! The test is over. Luna Hayes, thank you so much.” I didn’t expect the money to be this easy. Serena, standing nearby, scoffed. “Oh, Penelope, this woman is a fraud. She’s just after your money. Don’t let her trick you out of everything.” “No way. I’ve had someone watching Luna. Her boyfriend lied that day, and he was struck by lightning right on the spot.” So, Penelope had been there that day. Serena shrugged, annoyed. “Fine, I’m going to get a manicure. I wouldn’t have come if I’d known it would be so boring.” I suddenly spoke. “You’re lying. You won’t be getting a manicure today.” Serena reacted sharply. “What are you talking about?!” The next second, the coffee cup in front of her exploded, sending ceramic shards flying. Charles instinctively let go of Penelope’s hand and moved to shield Serena. The atmosphere grew tense. That was a purely subconscious reaction from Charles. I immediately realized. Here’s my real job! “May I ask why you shielded Serena?” Charles’s voice was flustered, and he instinctively glanced at Penelope. “Because she’s Penelope’s friend. How could I just stand by and watch her get hurt?” The lie detector buzzed. Wrong reason. I felt a surge of excitement. “Then what is your relationship with Serena?” Charles stammered. “She’s… my girlfriend’s best friend, you know.” No buzz this time. “I’m asking about your relationship with Serena, not involving Miss Ashworth.” Charles mumbled. “We’re… barely friends.” The lie detector buzzed again. “You’re lying.” Charles looked panicked. “What are you talking about?!” He sharply turned to Penelope, and seeing the suspicion in her eyes, he grew even more flustered. “Penelope, she’s just a charlatan. Don’t believe her. Serena and I really are just barely friends.” Serena quickly chimed in. “Yes, she’s definitely lying.” Penelope stared at him, demanding, “What were you doing last Saturday night? Why did you smell like another woman’s perfume?” So Penelope’s suspicions weren't unfounded. I repeated my question. Sweat beaded on Charles’s forehead. He said stiffly, “I was studying, Penelope knows that.” Another lie. I looked at Serena, a smile playing on my lips. “And you? What were you doing?” Serena nervously clutched her sleeves. She clearly didn’t believe I could truly detect lies. She bravely said, “I was getting a manicure. I get a new one every Saturday. I always have.” Serena did have a habit of getting a new manicure every Saturday, but that night, she had done more than just her nails. I looked at Penelope. “They’re both lying.” “Impossible! I have a classmate who can vouch for me!” Charles exclaimed. Soon, his classmate arrived. I asked him seriously, “Did you personally see Charles studying that night, and not doing anything else?” His classmate nodded firmly. “Yes, Charles was studying.” I sighed. “Miss Ashworth, I suggest you investigate thoroughly. They’re both lying.” Serena shouted, “Are you done?! How could I possibly be involved with Charles?! You’re a fraud!” My voice was calm. “Then do you dare to swear that you and Charles are completely innocent?” 4 Serena didn’t dare. Although she didn’t know how I could tell she was lying, a chill still ran down her spine. I looked at Charles again. “You make a vow.” “Of course I can swear, but this ends here. I don't have time to keep messing with a fraud like you.” “Penelope, I’m so disappointed in you. I love you so much, and I’ve played along with your games, and you still doubt me.” Penelope, recalling my previous boyfriend’s fate, grew anxious. “Maybe… maybe we should just drop it. I’ll investigate the rest myself.” The atmosphere grew tense. Even if we stopped here, I wouldn’t be returning the money. But I detest those who betray sincere hearts. I stared directly at Serena and smiled. “Miss Davies, I don’t recall ever saying you were involved with Charles. Why are you so quick to jump to conclusions?” Penelope’s face changed slightly, and she snapped her gaze to Charles and Serena. Charles looked irritated. He ran his hand through his hair. “Penelope, are you seriously still doing this? You just suspect me of cheating, don’t you?” “Fine, I admit it. I cheated. Are you satisfied now?” “Penelope, your constant suspicion will only erode my love for you.” The lie detector remained silent through every one of his statements. That was the problem. It meant everything he said was true. Guilt immediately welled up in Penelope. Was she really too suspicious? Charles then turned to Serena. “You make a vow. If nothing happens, I’ll buy you a car. We’ll just play along with Penelope for a bit longer.” Serena’s tension instantly melted away. She held up three fingers. “I swear, if I’m involved with Charles, if I stole my best friend’s boyfriend, may I be hit by a car the moment I step outside!” Charles smirked. “Is that enough?” I nodded. “That’s enough.” Charles took Penelope’s hand. “Penelope, believe me, I really didn’t cheat.” “You’re the only one I love.” “Let’s just drop this. I really can’t handle this kind of joke.” Penelope’s expression softened, and she nodded hesitantly. “Goodbye, you two. You can go. I still want to finish the tea and pastries on the table.” I lowered my head, earnestly eating my cake. One slice of cake cost over a thousand dollars. I’d never tasted anything like it in my life. Serena rolled her eyes. “Such a commoner.” Penelope frowned. “Serena, don’t be rude.” Serena snorted. Just as I was finishing my cake, I heard the screech of tires outside. I picked up my coffee cup, walked to the window, and looked down. Serena was lying in the street, having been thrown by the impact. She was unconscious, brain matter spilling from her head. The car didn’t stop. It continued, plowing directly into Charles and his classmate. Screams erupted. Charles was pinned against a tree, clutching his leg frantically. “Ah! My leg is broken!” Because they all lied. The consequences caught up to everyone, to varying degrees. Penelope, horrified and shaken, looked up, and our eyes met. I raised my cup to her in a silent toast. Your money was well spent.
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