Chapter 1

August, in the height of summer, the sun blazed like fire, and the cicadas chirped incessantly.

Ryan Bennett curled up on the sofa, a bag of chips by her side. The lights were off in the room, leaving only the faint glow of the projector in front of her. The movie was at a tense moment, the screen suddenly brightened, and a ghost leapt out baring its fangs—

The room suddenly lit up, and some of the furnishings could be seen in the projection light.

The whole place was excessively tidy.

A few copies of "Competition Practice" were on the table, a black alarm clock, and two or three black pens.

Other than that, there was nothing extra.

The only thing that looked out of place and messy was the pile of snacks scattered here and there.

Ryan Bennett would watch the movie for a while, then pick up her phone and send a few messages in a certain chat window.

- Scam.

- Definitely a scam.

- The so-called scariest movie of the year isn’t scary at all. It’s bad enough to report to the national anti-fraud center.

Ten minutes later.

- Awooo.

- But the ghost’s scream is pretty unique.

- Awooo awooo awooo.

Another ten minutes.

- It’s been half an hour.

- You still haven’t replied.

- Are you out messing around

Ryan Bennett lowered her head, typing out the next sentence word by word, extra seriously: And then you had so much fun you forgot about your dear old dad.

A few seconds after she sent that, there was finally a response from the other side.

At the top of the chat labeled "Taking Medicine," a line appeared: [Typing...]

A moment later, a few lines of text, so arrogant you could feel it through the internet, popped up in the chat.

- Out messing around, very busy.

- As for not replying

- I can’t be bothered to chat with someone who doesn’t know their place in the family.

She hadn’t even had time to reply before another message came through: Where are you watching the movie?

Ryan Bennett glanced around the room. The style was completely different from her own room—obviously a boy’s room. There was a projector in the living room, which was the main reason she’d shown up here with snacks today.

But she felt a little embarrassed to say so directly, so she replied with three words: The cinema.

- ?

Realizing that the horror movie wasn’t even showing in theaters, Ryan Bennett changed her answer: ...Private theater.

- Oh

Ryan Bennett knew this person wasn’t so easy to fool. Sure enough, right after the "oh" came: Take a picture and show me. I’ve never been to a private theater in my life, let me see what it’s like.

- ...

Where was she supposed to take a picture?

There was no hiding it, so she could only answer honestly: Your place. Didn’t you just buy a new projector? But as soon as you bought it, you went out of town, so I’m testing it out for you.

The other side seemed to have guessed this answer already.

A few seconds later, another cocky message came through:

- So, who’s the boss?

- ...

- You.

Ryan Bennett tapped the screen, not even bothering to struggle, and obediently typed:

- I’m the one who didn’t know my place.

- Daddy.

The conversation was interrupted by a phone call.

On the line was Grace Bennett's familiar voice: "Xia Xia, dinner will be ready soon. When are you coming home?"

"I forgot to check the time," Ryan Bennett fumbled to pause the movie, "I’ll be right back."

Ryan Bennett got home quickly.

Grace Bennett had just finished the call and was setting the food on the table when Ryan Bennett was already at the door: "Mom—I’m home!"

Grace Bennett glanced at her: "You just came from Brian Carter's place, didn’t you?"

Ryan Bennett didn’t expect her to guess right away: "Maybe you should switch careers and become a fortune teller."