My Parents Auctioned My Life on Live Stream

Under the live stream's gaze.

My philanthropic father and influencer mother were staging a custody battle.

Mom, an influencer, was crying crocodile tears to millions of viewers.

I haven't been able to be there for Autumn these past years. I'm willing to spend the rest of my life making it up to her.

But just ten minutes ago, backstage, she'd shoved 19 potent cold pills into my mouth.

"Be a good girl, Autumn. Don't look sickly on camera and ruin my reputation."

My eyes streamed with tears from choking, but I nestled into her arms.

"Mom, you're so thoughtful. You even calculated the exact dosage."

My father, not to be outdone, publicly announced he would set up a billion-dollar educational fund for me.

"Dad will give you the best of everything in the world."

He leaned close to my ear, his voice chilling.

"Be obedient, or I can't guarantee your grandmother's oxygen tube will stay connected."

I hunched my shoulders.

"Dad, a billion is too far away. I'm quite short-sighted when it comes to money."

I held up a QR code for payments.

"Five hundred thousand."

"Whoever transfers the money first, I'll go with them."

They scrambled to send the transfers.

"PayPal: Five hundred thousand dollars received."

I whispered in my mind.

"System, the money is enough to pay off Grandma's medical bills."

"After I'm gone, will she truly live a long and healthy life?"

System: "Host, the contract is complete. Countdown initiated."

I saw the live stream's comments explode.

"OMG, is this kid only seeing dollar signs?"

"Her parents love her so much, and she only cares about money? Ungrateful brat!"

"If I had parents like that, I'd wake up laughing every day. She's publicly asking for money, it's disgusting."

My mother, Joanna Reed, quick as a flash, pulled me into a hug, her tears turning into a broken smile for the camera.

"See, everyone, Autumn is still closest to her mom."

She held me very tight, but her fingertips sharply pinched the soft flesh on my waist.

Leaning close to my ear, her voice was sickly sweet.

"Autumn, how could you publicly ask Mom for money?"

The overdose of cold medicine surged through me in waves, my stomach churning violently.

I didn't answer her.

I opened the hospital payment page.

Five hundred thousand, transferred to the hospital account.

Then, I slumped further into her embrace.

"Mom, I'm so sleepy..."

"Sleep if you're sleepy."

She held me even tighter, her lips curving into a loving smile for the camera.

"Mommy's got you."

My father, Marcus Black, his face ashen, still maintained that fake, suave smile.

"Since Autumn chose you, let her stay with you for a few days."

"However, she must attend the charity gala."

He walked over to adjust my collar, lowering his voice:

"Don't forget your grandmother is still in my hospital."

"Dare to say anything out of line, and I'll have them cut off her oxygen."

When Grandma was awake, she would write in my palm, over and over, with her fingertip.

"Don't beg them."

I nodded, and she finally released my hand.

I lifted my face, looking obedient.

"Don't worry, Dad."

Marcus patted my face with satisfaction, then turned and waved goodbye to the camera.

As soon as the live stream ended, the loving expression on Joanna's face vanished.

She pushed me away as if I were trash.

I lost my footing, my temple hitting the sharp edge of the dressing table.

Warm blood trickled down my eyebrow.

"Give me your phone!"

She lunged to snatch my phone, her eyes red.

"That was my budget for traffic, you cheap life! You think you're worthy of five hundred thousand?"

I slumped to the floor, blood blurring my left eye.

"Mom," I gasped, my voice weak.

"You said in the live stream... this was to compensate me."

"Compensate your mother's head!"

She kicked me in the ribs, and I doubled over in pain.

A lazy, mocking laugh echoed from the doorway.

"Joanna, don't break her."

A young man with dyed blonde hair and smelling of cigarette smoke strolled in.

It was Mom's boyfriend, Jason.

He pulled out his phone and casually started a live stream on a burner account.

The camera zoomed into my face.

"Families, did you see clearly?"

"This is Joanna's poor daughter she brought home."

His gaze slowly slid from the blood on my forehead to my neckline.

Joanna's eyes lit up, and she immediately played along.

"Families, don't scold Autumn. She's just been mistreated by the old woman..."

Jason pushed the camera even closer.

"Come on, Autumn. Say to the camera... how your grandmother mistreated you?"

My brow involuntarily furrowed.

As soon as I looked up, he had already squatted down, pretending to fix my bangs.

His fingertip brushed my temple, pausing for half a second.

"Don't be nervous," he whispered, laughing.

"I just want to see how obedient you can be."

I lowered my head, my voice trembling faintly.

"I... I don't remember."

Jason clicked his tongue impatiently, reaching out to lift my chin.

I turned my face away, letting his fingers miss.

Joanna leaned close to my ear, her voice low and biting.

"Just say that the old woman mistreated you, and we'll get the traffic."

I swallowed the sour bile, timidly saying.

"I... I'm afraid it will affect Dad."

Jason smiled at the live stream.

"Families, how about we give her some time?"

Saying that, he ended the live stream.

Joanna rolled her eyes, pointing to the end of the hallway.

"There's a folding bed in the utility room."

"You can sleep there."

I nodded, accepting.

Walking to the end of the hallway, I asked in my mind.

"System, is the countdown still on?"

The light screen lit up:

"Host, 7 days, 19 hours, 59 minutes remaining."

I curled up on the creaking folding bed.

The side effects of the medicine made the ceiling spin.

The door was kicked open with a bang.

"Autumn Black, are you dead? If not, get up now!"

Joanna stood at the doorway, her makeup flawless.

I slowly stood straight, leaning on the wall, blood matted in my bangs on my forehead.

"Mom, is this... enough to get some camera traffic?"

She scanned me with disdain.

"Don't call me Mom. Only on camera."

She turned and yelled towards the living room.

"Jason, get the white dress. Leave half the wound exposed, don't cover it all."

"A little blood, and the viewers will be more willing to send gifts."

Jason walked over, carrying the white dress, grinning.

"Joanna, how about I use my account? Your account handles sales, and my account handles the emotional drama."

He said, propping up his phone, the camera aimed at me, not even using a beauty filter.

"Come on, Autumn, let's practice a line first."

He held up a cue card in front of my eyes.

"I never had a single full meal at Grandma's house."

I stared at the line, my throat tightening.

Joanna leisurely lit a cigarette nearby.

"Read it."

Jason took a step closer, helping me adjust the microphone on my collar.

His fingertip brushed lightly above my collarbone, with a deliberate pause.

He chuckled softly:

"Be a good girl. It's good for you."

I took half a step back.

"I... Grandma..."

"Too fake."

Jason impatiently interrupted, reaching out to cup my chin.

"You need to cry, your eyes need to show hatred, understand?"

I turned my head to dodge, clutching the hem of my dress.

"No need, I'll do it myself."

He snorted, then gave my hand a sharp pinch before leaving.

"Hurry up, don't waste the traffic."

I walked into the live stream room.

Dozens of ring lights illuminated me, making me look pale.

Joanna's lines were well-practiced.

"Families, Autumn is such a poor child; her grandmother never took good care of her..."

She pulled me close, pushing the wound on my forehead towards the camera.

"See, she's even unsteady on her feet."

"This is from falling yesterday. My heart just aches for her."

Gift effects instantly exploded across the screen.

Jason, off-camera, held up a cue card, silently mouthing with exaggerated lips: Say it now!

I saw private messages scrolling on his phone screen.

Someone asked: "Did the old woman really mistreat her?"

He replied with an emoji, then sent another message.

"Of course, there's more explosive stuff coming. Stay tuned."

I leaned against Joanna's embrace, my voice weak.

"Mom, don't worry... it doesn't hurt."

Joanna seized the moment to start selling products.

"Today, bird's nest is at a rock-bottom price. Everyone, help me raise medical funds for Autumn, okay?"

She brought a spoon to my lips, smiling affectionately.

"Come, darling, tell everyone, is it delicious?"

I swallowed the sickeningly sweet syrup, my stomach cramping.

"Delicious... Thank you, Mom. Mom is the best to me."

The second the live stream ended, Joanna slapped me across the face.

"Your eyes weren't grateful enough when you looked at the camera just now."

"Do you still think I owe you something?"

I turned my head, and blood seeped from my forehead wound again.

"Mom, I'm sorry."

I swallowed the bitterness on my tongue, my voice faltering.

"I'll be a better girl next time."

She wanted to hit me again.

Jason hugged her from behind.

"Alright, Joanna, don't hurt her. Her face is valuable now."

Joanna snorted, taking a cigarette.

"Autumn Black, get back to your room."

I returned to the utility room. The moment I closed the door, I knelt on the floor and dry-heaved violently.

Only sour bile and the taste of medicine came up.

My phone vibrated.

The head nurse replied to me, "Received, medication renewed."

I read that line twice before I dared to swallow my tears.

Grandma had lived another day.

Marcus Black's mansion was a hundred times more luxurious than Joanna's apartment.

Seraphina Willow sat on the sofa, wearing a silk robe.

She was Marcus's personal assistant, and also the mistress of this house.

Seeing me enter, she didn't even lift an eyelid.

"Oh, the young lady is back? Martha, go clean up the guest room."

"No need."

Marcus walked out of the study, impeccably dressed in a suit.

"Autumn will stay in the room converted from the basement's media room. It's quiet."

I looked at my shadow on the floor, nodding obediently.

"Thank you, Dad."

He pointed to the clothes on the sofa.

A deep V that plunged to the navel, an almost entirely open back, and a skirt so short that every step would reveal too much.

"Wear this tonight. Go try it on."

I picked up the fabric, thin as a cicada's wing.

"Dad, this dress... isn't it too revealing?"

"What? Disgusted?" He frowned.

"Your grandmother's medical bills are thousands a day. This is all I can afford."

He glanced at me again.

"Besides, Mr. Davis loves this style. Who are you dressing modestly for?"

Seraphina immediately stepped forward, seemingly speaking on my behalf.

"Mr. Black, how about we change it? Autumn is still young, I'm afraid she won't be comfortable."

But the next second, she added.

"However... if it's for Grandma, then Autumn should be a sensible child for once, alright?"

Before I could answer, she had already taken the dress from my hand.

"Come, I'll help you."

Seraphina helped me put on the gown, her fingertip gently tugging down at the neckline.

I instinctively raised my hand to cover myself.

She gripped my wrist.

"Don't block it. Blocking it will make you look guilty."

"If you're not guilty, no one will think anything."

After changing, I was called to the living room.

Marcus was seated at the head, next to a balding man with an oily face.

"Go, pour Mr. Lee a drink."

Marcus lifted his chin towards me.

Wearing that gown that barely covered any private parts, every step I took was precarious.

Mr. Lee's sticky gaze scanned back and forth between my chest and legs.

As I picked up the glass, Mr. Lee deliberately wobbled it, splashing an entire glass of whiskey onto my exposed shoulder and neck.

"Oh dear, my hand is so slippery. Autumn, quickly help Uncle wipe it off."

He grabbed my hand, pressing it onto his greasy thigh.

I trembled all over, looking at Marcus.

He merely calmly glanced at his watch.

"Be quick about it. If you can't even serve Mr. Lee properly, how will you handle Mr. Davis tonight?"

Seraphina took a bucket of ice and poured it directly down my neckline.

"This will wake you up, see how cold and clear your skin looks. Men absolutely fall for this."

The ice cubes pressed against the bruises on my chest, the chill instantly piercing my bones.

I knelt on the floor, picking up the fallen ice cubes one by one, smiling subserviently.

Marcus found it boring and waved his hand, dismissing me.

I returned to the basement, wearing the soaked gown.

The giant screen in the basement silently played Marcus's past charity records.

I rummaged through my worn backpack and found a voice recorder; Grandma had given it to me.

Next to the recorder was a substantial accidental death insurance policy.

I carefully tucked the policy into the inner lining of my bra.

Then I tucked the voice recorder into the most concealed seam of the gown's lining.

The System displayed a prompt in my mind: "Emergency mode activated. If the host's freedom is forcibly deprived, the System will automatically send evidence to major media outlets' inboxes."

I stared at the red text, my throat tightening, and softly said: "Thank you, System."

Seraphina's shrill voice came from outside the door.

"Autumn, Mr. Davis's luxury car is at the door. Come out quickly."

I lifted the hem of my gown, stepped into those ill-fitting high heels, and ascended the stairs one step at a time.

System: Countdown 5 days, 48 hours, 32 minutes.

The door opened, and the white light outside blinded me.