When Words Become Reality

My roommate is a competitive show-off who always speaks in sarcasm.

When someone posted about being insecure due to illness-related obesity, she commented below: I'm so jealous you can be soft and chubby. I'm 5'3 and only 110 pounds. Please share your weight gain tips.

When someone celebrated escaping their toxic family, she posted screenshots of her parents doting on her, adding: Support you. My mom forgot to give me my goodnight kiss today. So mad."

Because I'm mute, she's never taken me seriously.

Until our dorm dinner, when a child complimented me on my looks

She AI-generated photos of me drinking with different men in bars and posted them online.

"I'm so jealous of my roommate. She's so beautiful and gets to hang out with so many guys."

"Unlike menot only am I not as pretty as her, I've never even held a man's hand."

The comments below all called me a slut while praising her as a pure innocent flower.

Soon, the rumors spread.

I was reported and lost my guaranteed admission to an Ivy League graduate program.

She took the replacement spot and looked at me:

"Lyra, being mute means you have to take your losses in silence."

"But honestly, I really envy that you get to experience society. Unlike meI can only go to grad school."

Looking at her smug expression, I narrowed my eyes.

What she doesn't know is that I'm not actually mute. I don't speak because I have the supernatural ability of reality manifestation through words.

Since she loves speaking in reverse so much, I'll make her reverse words come true.

"What's that awful smell?"

In the classroom, Clara circled around me, covering her nose in disgust.

"Lyra, you should really get yourself checked out. I swear there's a nasty smell coming from you."

Hearing her words, the students sitting near me immediately scattered.

I only smell like soap, but no one cares about that except me.

Their gazes swept over me like searchlights, as if they wanted to strip me naked.

"I knew I smelled something earlierturns out it's her!"

"Stay away from her. Playing around that much, who knows what diseases she's carrying. I'm done for if I catch something!"

"She kept looking at me during class. Is she feeling the itch? I don't want this kind of trash!"

Overwhelming shame engulfed me. I almost bent down to smell myself.

I glared furiously at the smug Clara, wanting to explain but unable to speak a single word.

Because I was reckless as a child and caused plenty of trouble with my reality manifestation ability, my mom took me to many places.

We finally found a temple where a master helped seal my vocal cords, warning me:

"This is a great fortune. You cannot use it carelesslyit damages your karmic merit."

He gave my mom a vial of medicine:

"When the child understands right from wrong, you can use this to break the seal. Then she'll be able to speak normally."

My mom gave me the medicine when I left for college.

"Honey, being mute isn't so bad. Once you start using this ability, it'll be very hard to stop."

"I'm giving this to you so you have a way to protect yourself. Promise me you won't misuse it, okay?"

For over a decade, I'd never wanted to speak this badly.

I tried to explain in sign language, but no one could understand.

At that moment, my phone rang. It was my academic advisor.

A flicker of hope rose in my hearthad the school cleared things up?

After I answered, the advisor's cold voice came through.

"Lyra, due to your personal conduct issues, the school is revoking your scholarship and financial aid."

"Additionally, you need to submit a ten-thousand-word self-criticism to the Academic Affairs Office tomorrow."

"Do you have any objections? Speak now."

I anxiously made sounds, but all I heard was the busy tone of a disconnected call.

At the same time, Clara answered a phone call.

"Clara, the department just had a scholarship spot open up. It's been reassigned to you. Come fill out the paperwork."

It was the advisor's voice.

After Clara hung up, she saw me glaring at her viciously and smiled.

"Lyra, I really don't want this money, but what can I do about the school's decision?"

"Oh right, I forgot you need this money for your mom's medical bills."

"But I've always envied you for juggling school with three part-time jobssuch a fulfilling life. Unlike meall I can do is travel and see the world."

I couldn't be bothered arguing with her. I turned to go find the advisor.

My mom had a sudden heart attack this year, and her health has been deteriorating.

This money was all I needed to get her a cardiac stent procedure.

Before I could even leave the classroom, I heard a familiar voice.

"You're spreading lies! My daughter would never do these things!"

It was my mom's voice.

And it was coming from Clara's phone!

I rushed over and snatched the phone away.

In a livestream, a man was holding forth:

"Everyone, support Clara! Let's see what the mom who raised such a slut looks like!"

"Maybe the daughter learned it from the mother? You all say I'm so manlywhat if she takes a liking to me!"

"Actually, never mind. She's been played into the hospitalbit too dirty for me!"

As he spoke, he turned the camera toward my mom lying pale in her hospital bed.

The man threw a handful of photos onto her, his voice dripping with malice.

"Do you know your daughter's selling herself out there?"

"Did you introduce her clients? Why don't you two offer a package dealsell yourselves together. Business might be even better!"

My mom lunged at him angrily, like a furious lioness:

"Get out! My daughter would never do such things! If you keep slandering her, I'm calling the police!"

Her emotions grew more and more agitated, yet her face grew paler.

Suddenly, she clutched her chest and collapsed onto the hospital bed!

The man panicked and left without pressing the call button for help.

My hands trembled as I dialed the hospital, trying to call a doctor for my mom.

But when the call connected, I couldn't say a single word!

I could only listen as the nurse on the other end said "Hello?" twice before hanging up.

I looked pleadingly at my classmatespeople I'd spent day and night withbut they all avoided my gaze, looking toward Clara instead.

Thick despair consumed me.

Clara laughed lightly:

"Lyra, don't worry. I've always thought you were so free without a fatherone less person controlling you."

"Maybe you'll be completely free soon. Unlike memy parents make me call them every day to check in. Later I'll just have to go home and inherit the family business. No autonomy at all."

The surrounding students began flattering Clara.

"That's not no freedom. That kind of lifeI'd literally get on my knees to accept it."

Clara looked at me provocatively amid the crowd's adulation.

I ignored her, just kept messaging and calling my mom's attending physician.

I don't know how much time passed before the doctor finally answered.

Knowing I couldn't speak, he reassured me while checking his messages.

His voice grew serious. Soon, my mom was rushed to the operating room.

My taut nerves finally relaxed slightly. My back was already soaked with cold sweat.

Clara walked up to me, her gaze challenging:

"Lyra, I've discovered being mute is actually really nice. You're always so quiet, giving people a sense of emotional stability."

"I just got the scholarship, so I'm treating the whole class to afternoon tea. I'm so envious that your money can go toward saving your momso meaningful!"

"Unlike meI have no worries at all. My money can only be used for enjoyment."

With bloodshot eyes, I shoved her hand away and rushed toward the hospital.

When I arrived at the hospital, the surgery was still ongoing.

I don't know how long passed before the operating room doors opened!

I rushed forward urgently, looking at the doctor.

The doctor shook his head heavily.

"Your mother's body was already weak, and we got to her too late this time."

"We did our best. She's now in a vegetative state. With good care, she might wake upit's just that the costs will be quite high."

The doctor looked at me with difficulty, taking in my clothes washed so many times they'd faded to white.

I staggered, my eyes erupting with bone-deep hatred.

Clara must pay the price!

Since she loves speaking in reverse so much, I'll make it come true for her.

I first went into the hospital room, stroking my mom's pale, gaunt face, my heart full of self-reproach.

Because of my reality manifestation ability, my dad treated me like a monster.

It was my mom who resolutely divorced him and left our hometown with me, searching for a solution.

But now she was lying in bed because of me, with no telling when she might wake up.

I deposited most of my part-time job earnings into her medical account.

Then I went back to the dorm to find the medicine.

When I pushed open the dorm door, I found my area in complete disarray.

My desk was piled with junk, my closet had been opened, and my clothes were thrown on the floor, covered in gray footprints.

I took a deep breath and decided to find the medicine first.

I'd hidden it in a storage box at the foot of my bed.

As soon as I climbed onto my bed, I discovered the entire bedding was wet and reeked of an unidentifiable stench.

But fortunately, my storage box was still there.

I pulled out the key and opened it, tucking the intact vial of medicine into my pocket.

I needed to find a place with no people to use it, ensuring I wouldn't be interrupted.

As I climbed down, Clara watched my lack of reaction and pouted with boredom:

"Lyra, I'm so envious of emotionally stable people like you. Even when we accidentally spilled mop water on your bed, you don't get angry."

"Unlike memy parents spoiled me so much I can't handle the slightest grievance."

The other roommates quickly chimed in:

"That's actually better! Having a real personality means not getting bullied. Not like Lyrawhat a doormat!"

Their mockery didn't change my expression one bit.

Because her retribution was about to arrive.

I left the dorm and checked into a hotel for an hourly room.

I took out the medicine from my pocket and was about to apply it to my lips when the door was suddenly shoved open.

Clara burst in, livestreaming.

"Everyone, my roommate just came back to the dorm to get something, then rushed out again."

"I was worried something would happen to her, so I followed. I can't believe she came here to rent a room!"

"I can't just watch my roommate fall this far!"

After Clara rushed in and found only me in the room, disappointment flickered in her eyes.

When she saw me bringing the medicine to my lips, her face took on a pitying expression.

"Lyra, I actually really envy that you can't speaksaves so much social hassle."

"But even if you're dissatisfied, you can't just put random unlabeled medicine in your mouth. Aren't you afraid of poisoning yourself?"

Comments flew rapidly through the livestream:

"Liked. Clara is beautiful and kind-hearted. She even feels sorry for this kind of trash personway too nice."

"Clara's right. There's so much meaningless socializing in society now. Being mute means she can avoid so many hassles!"

"Exactly. She just can't speakthere are people way worse off than her. I don't know what she's putting on an act for!"

Clara smiled with satisfaction. At an angle the livestream couldn't see, she reached out and pushed the medicine into my mouth.

Half the medicine went down my throat, half spilled on my lips.

An intense burning sensation spread across my mouth.

Pain appeared on my face.

Clara sighed, looking at me.

"Lyra, I really envy your courage and freedomyou dare to consume anything. You get to experience so many things."

"Unlike memy parents only allow things verified by professionals into my mouth."

The livestream comments uniformly read:

"Good advice can't save a ghost determined to die. Clara, don't learn from her. This kind of trash has a hard life. Your delicate body can't handle such treatment!"

At that moment, a hoarse voice spoke.

"Clara, are you speaking from your heart?"

Clara looked at me as if she'd seen a ghost.

I stared straight at Clara, questioning her:

"Do you really want to become mute? Do you really want to play around with lots of men? Do you really want a college life working three part-time jobs?"

I returned her previous words to her, one sentence at a time.

Clara's face turned iron-gray from my questioning, but with the livestream still running, she couldn't slap herself in the face.

She gritted her teeth and nodded.

The livestream started praising her again.

"See everyone? Some people said Clara was being passive-aggressive and deliberately showing off, but these are clearly her true feelings!"

"Protecting the world's most straightforward and sincere Clara!"

I smiled.

"Clara, those are your words. So from now on, every sincere word you speak will come true."

With that, I walked past her and left the hotel.

I didn't go to the hospital. Instead, I came to an old residential complex.

After Clara started doing social media, she went viral with her persona of a naive young heiress.

Every month she'd have a livestream, posting malicious remarks under various videos.

A pet blogger posted a video showing her face.

Fans all said the blogger was beautiful.

She commented: "I'm so envious that you're cat is so well-behaved. Unlike minea little rebel. What method do you use to make your cat so obedient?"

One ambiguous sentence led Clara's fans to directly attack the blogger for animal abuse.

When the blogger tried to defend herself, extreme fans found her address and fed her cat poisoned treats.

With no evidence left, it ended with the blogger's mental breakdown and withdrawal from the internet.

Even a middle schooler who simply posted a video recording her joy at academic improvement

She commented below: "Really envious of how smart you are, improving so fast. Unlike meI can only progress step by step. What study method do you use?"

Countless people began speculating whether the child had cheated.

Even when the parents came forward to clarify, Clara just smiled innocently.

"Oh my, you can't just say things like that. We're just curious."

In the end, the child took medical leave due to depression.

Not only should Clara reap what she sowed, she should also face legal consequences.

I knocked on the door and explained my purpose to the pet blogger.

She nodded firmly.

Together we contacted the child's parents. They agreed to go to the police station with us to file a report.

After filing the report, I returned to the hospital to stay with my mom.

The next day, Clara started this month's livestream as usual.

Seeing someone abnormally obese from medication, she casually said: "Your chubbiness looks so blessed. I wish I could be like you."

I watched Clara suddenly gain weight in the livestream and smiled.

She continued. A girl felt insecure about persistent acne scars, and she laughed: "Your face is like the starry sky. Unlike meI have nothing. So envious!"

Someone sought help about an arranged marriage, and her eyes lit up: "I'm so envious you don't have to worry about anythingyour parents arranged everything. Unlike memy parents make me find my own partner. If I can't find one, I'll just stay home and keep them company!"

As she spoke, Clara noticed the livestream had gone eerily quiet.

Only a couple scattered comments said: "Did the host always look like this?"

She looked down to see her abnormally bloated body, covered in stretch marks, and a profound unease rose in her heart.

Clara's hands trembled as she grabbed a nearby mirror. Seeing the pockmarked face in the reflection, she let out a piercing scream!