Part 2My Parents Auctioned My Life on Live Stream

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.