"The System told me to raise a child. Me? The person who spent their entire childhood goofing off? One day, the little villain came home waving two test papers with perfect scores. ""I'm going to Harvard!"" I shoved a controller for Call of Duty into his hands. ""What's the use of Harvard? Help me rank up first!"" After finals, he hung his head in despair. ""I got first place in the grade, but my score dropped by one point. I want to sign up for tutoring."" I mumbled ""Sure"" through a mouthful of takeout pizza. The next day, I enrolled him in a gourmet cooking class. When his rebellious phase hit, he said he was going to an internet café. Worried he'd start trouble, I tailed him. Only to watch him sneak into... the library. Me: ""..."" Years later, the Ivy League-graduated villain became a business tycoon. Returning to his alma mater for a speech, someone asked the secret to his success. He looked down at the VIP seats, where I was chewing on sugarcane, playing a mobile game, and listening to an audiobook about face-slapping revenge. He smiled faintly. ""I have a fun-loving aunt."" Me: ""?"" 1 When the System dropped me in front of Silas, he had just lost his mother. Wearing a black armband, he sat quietly at his desk, doing homework. Hearing me, he lifted his thin eyelids, gave me a dull look, and buried his head back in his books. System: ""Okay, your identity is his..."" I cut in: ""Auntie."" ""?"" System: ""Wouldn't 'stepmother' be cooler and more dramatic?"" Me: ""What do you know? 'Auntie' is the coolest figure in every childhood. Trendy, rich, and fun. I worshipped my aunt growing up! It's the best way to bond!"" I flipped my wavy hair, strutted over in four-inch heels, and flashed a dazzling smile. ""Silas?"" The skinny boy didn't stop writing. A faint ""Mhm."" ""It's almost New Year's, why are you still studying?"" I reached out to pat his fluffy head. ""So good..."" The moment my hand touched him, Silas flinched violently. He wrapped his arms around his head, eyes squeezed shut, trembling uncontrollably. I froze. Before I could ask what was wrong, I saw the bruises on his exposed wrist. Stark purple against pale skin. The System explained: After the divorce, Silas's mom developed mental health issues. Her moods swung wildly. On good days, she cooked and cleaned. On bad days, seeing a 99% on a test paper made her lash out with a willow switch. She'd scream hysterically while hitting him: ""I work myself to death for you, and this is how you repay me? ""Don't do anything but study! You're all I have left. If you're useless, I'm finished!"" Then her voice would drop to a creepy, gentle whisper: ""Silas, does it hurt? Come here, Mommy will rub it better..."" Silas would crawl up from the floor. Limping, with angry red welts on his skin. He didn't cry or hide. He let her vent, then whispered, head down, ""It doesn't hurt, Mom. I'm going to study."" He'd sit straight at his desk. Even though his shoulders hurt too much to lift properly. He'd grip the pen and start writing, his handwriting shaky. 2 After hearing the story, I was silent. Honestly, I felt a bit relieved. His mom leaving was actually... Sorry. Buddha, forgive me. 3 I might not know how to raise a kid. But I used to be one. I decided to give Silas the happiest, most unforgettable childhood ever. I grabbed the System by its ankles and shook it violently. A stack of cash and a Black Card fell out. ""Thanks, bro."" The System hugged my leg, sobbing. ""Host, that's my private stash!"" I gaslit him: ""I'll pay you back! When the mission is done, you get half the gold coins!"" Gold coins are way more valuable than human money. The System immediately straightened up, energetic. ""Spend it all! Don't hold back!"" That night. I kicked the door open, pushing a cart and carrying a giant bag of snacks. ""Silaaaaaas!"" I dumped the snacks on his book-cluttered desk and unloaded the newest iPhone, iPad, MacBook, and every gaming console known to man from the cart... I shoved them all into his arms. ""Here, Auntie's New Year gifts."" Silas was stunned. His dark eyes darted between me and the pile of loot on his bed. After a long pause. He pursed his lips, voice flat. ""Thank you, Auntie. I will study hard."" He bent down to pick up his pen, ready to resume solving equations. It was heartbreakingly obedient. I grabbed his arm. ""I didn't buy these to motivate you to study!"" Silas blinked, confused. I pulled him up. ""Stop studying. Come on, Auntie's taking you to have fun!"" When it comes to playing, I'm a pro. Growing up, I did everything except study. My parents were chill. As long as I was alive and happy, they were good. I agreed. Being alive is already a win. 4 I dragged Silas to play video games, eat snacks, and do karaoke until midnight. We even set off fireworks downstairs. Silas needed to sleep. I yawned. ""Auntie is old, I can't pull all-nighters anymore."" I crashed on the sofa. The System collapsed at my feet. ""You really know how to party..."" I woke up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom. Silas's room was still lit up. Through the crack in the door, I saw the boy in a white shirt, shoulders thin, expression cold, head down writing. The clock said 3:30 AM. I pushed the door open without hesitation. ""Silas!"" He jumped, turning to look at me with hidden fear in his eyes. ""I'm almost done reviewing this week's content. I won't play anymore. Auntie, please don't be mad..."" I was confused. ""What are you talking about? I just want you to sleep..."" The System whispered in my ear: ""His mom used to take him out for a day, then beat him at night, forcing him to make up for the 'wasted time' by studying all night..."" Oh. Silas had PTSD. He subconsciously thought I'd do the same. He was tiptoeing around me. Even with his mom gone, the shadows remained. My heart ached. I walked over and took his pen. ""You did great, but rest is more important. Health comes first. I don't care about grades. Auntie just wants you healthy and happy."" Silas blinked, not quite understanding, but nodded obediently. ""Okay. Thank you, Auntie."" System: ""He didn't listen. His mom's influence is too deep."" I smiled. ""It's fine. We have time."" 5 Another late night. In my daze, I heard the System memorizing vocabulary. ""Hysterical... what's 'hysterical' in English?"" I mumbled with my eyes closed: ""'Hysterical' is a breakdown, 'delicious' is a breakdown..."" Wait. Something was wrong. I snapped my eyes open. The System was holding a book, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, acting like a scholar. I kicked the book away. ""What are you doing? Prepping for grad school?"" The System adjusted its glasses. ""Seeing Silas study moved me. I don't want to be illiterate anymore. I want to improve myself."" I caught the key point: ""Silas is still studying!"" I looked at the clock. 4 AM. Good lord. I rushed to Silas's room. There he was, burying his head in books. ""No, no, no. This kid is going to study himself to death."" I made a pact with Silas. Studying stops at midnight. Or Auntie blasts karaoke in his room. Silas frowned but agreed. System: ""Hehe, Host, do you know why he agreed so fast?"" Me: ""Why?"" System: ""Because your singing is truly terrible."" Me: ""Just you wait."" 6 For Silas's birthday. I baked a strawberry cake. It said, in crooked icing: ""Happy Birthday Silas!"" I forced the System to transform into a tuxedo cat. Silas's eyes lit up when he saw the kitten in my arms. I shoved it at him. ""Pet it all you want!"" The System, unused to hugs, opened its mouth to bite Silas. I coughed loudly. The System closed its mouth sullenly and glared at me. Candles lit. Warm yellow light reflected in the boy's dark eyes. ""Happy Birthday to you~"" System: ""Meow meow meow meow~"" I cut a slice. ""For our cute birthday boy!"" System: ""Meow meow meow meow meow!"" Silas looked at the cake, hesitated, then took it and started eating small bites. Satisfied, I went to cut another piece. Thud. Silas collapsed, eyes closed. Red rashes spread rapidly up his pale neck. Me: ""!"" System: ""Meow!!"" I slapped the cat. ""You're too old to act cute! Call 911!"" At the hospital, we learned Silas was allergic to milk. When we got back from the doctor... The boy in the bed was awake. His small face was pale and sickly under the cold lights. His dark eyes flinched when they met mine. I rushed over with the cat carrier, tears in my eyes. ""Silas!!!"" Silas's lips trembled, looking panicked. ""Auntie, I'm fine. It won't affect my studies. I can go home now..."" Before he finished. He felt warmth. He looked up into my concerned eyes. I was draping a bright red floral quilted jacket I bought from a convenience store over him. ""Here, lift your arms."" Silas was confused but obeyed. I buttoned him up, stepped back to admire, and burst out laughing. ""Very festive."" Silas: ""..."" ""Warm now? We left in a hurry, didn't bring coats."" Silas nodded hesitantly. ""Auntie, sorry for wasting your time..."" I rubbed his head. ""Nonsense. ""Did you know you were allergic to milk? You have to remember that. You scared me to death..."" ""I knew."" My smile froze. ""What?"" Silas turned his head, lashes trembling. ""I knew I was allergic."" ""Then why did you eat it?"" I was furious. Was he doing this on purpose? ""But you spent a long time making that cake..."" I froze. The noise of the hospital faded. Warmth spread from my chest to my eyes. I sighed and patted his head. ""This was Auntie's mistake for not asking. ""And, I made the cake because I wanted to. Not to guilt-trip you into eating poison. ""Auntie wants you to love yourself, not prioritize other people's feelings. ""Understand?"" Silas nodded. I didn't know if he truly understood, but his eyes seemed a little brighter. Like snow on a roof reflecting winter sun."
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