My sister and I both bound with a "Life Upgrade System" on the same day. She poured all her skill points into "Beauty," becoming a stunning, brainless bombshell who dominated Hollywood. I, on the other hand, dumped all my points into "Intellect." By twenty, I was recruited by the government for a top-secret research project, cutting off all contact with the outside world. When the project ended and I finally reconnected with civilization, I found my sister had become public enemy number one. She was blacklisted, slandered, and labeled a homewrecker. Meanwhile, her boyfriend, the billionaire heir of the Sterling family, posted a single tweet: [Don't know her. Stop associating me with trash.] Me: "???" If you don't know her, then who was the idiot standing under our balcony in high school, begging for just one look? 1 My sister, Bella, and I bound with the System on the same day. The System's original intent was to make us compete. A classic sibling rivalry arc. But Bella and I looked at each other and silently agreed to pick different lanes. She loved makeup and fashion, so she exchanged all her hard-earned points for Beauty. She became the school's unrivaled beauty queen—stunning, but academically average. I loved reading, so I maxed out Intellect. From then on, I absorbed knowledge like a sponge, becoming a legendary academic prodigy. The System wasn't having it. It issued a joint mission: [Capture the heart of Campus King, Julian Sterling. Reward: Massive points + 10 attribute points from the loser.] I forfeited immediately. "Dating affects my GPA. I'm out. Good luck, sis!" To my surprise, Bella forfeited too. "I don't like dating strangers. I'm out too." The System crashed. [Are you two crazy?! That's Julian Sterling! The heir to the Sterling Empire! Marry him and you're set for life! I'm giving you a golden opportunity, and you refuse?!] It was furious. Bella and I just smiled. She went back to her acting classes; I went back to my calculus. If the System knew us at all, it would know we were inseparable since the womb. When Bella got the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck, I kicked and punched until mom went to the hospital, saving her life. When I choked on a grape, Bella screamed and heimliched me until I coughed it up. When Bella was cornered by bullies, I sensed the danger from blocks away and led a rescue team to save her. And when I got a leg cramp in the deep end of the pool, Bella jumped in to save me, nearly drowning herself in the process. On the pool deck, I cried and called her an idiot. She laughed, "If we die, we die together. Same birthday, same death day. Romantic, right?" I laughed through my tears. "Romantic my ass. Living is better." If the System knew this, it would know we'd never turn on each other. It wasted its time binding us. But we didn't say that. Occasionally, to keep the System from unbinding us (and taking away our perks), we'd stage a little drama to feed its ego. But actually seducing a man? Forget it. I chase who I like. I won't let a computer tell me who to love. Bella felt the same. So, the System just stewed in its anger. Since we had "Perfect Performance" immunity cards from previous tasks, it couldn't punish us. However, Julian Sterling made a move. He took an interest in Bella. He started strutting in front of her with his entourage of rich kids, looking like a peacock. Julian was admittedly handsome—deep features, a gaze that looked affectionate even when he was bored. Very deceptive. But Bella took one look and walked away. She whispered to me, "Looks a bit dim. I'm not smart, so I need a guy with brains to balance the gene pool." Understood. Supply and demand. Just like me—I like pretty people. I have infinite patience for beauty. I can explain a math problem five times to the handsome class monitor, but twice to anyone else makes me want to scream. Bella's comment somehow reached Julian's ears. He blocked Bella in the hallway. "Bella Vance, how smart do you want?" 2 Bella looked at him in surprise. Julian turned his head, but his ears were turning red. "Heard you like smart guys." So that's it. Bella smiled. "Yes." "If I get first place in the grade, you date me." "My sister is first place. You can't beat her." Julian froze, then scoffed arrogantly. "Watch me." That night, Bella told me about it, laughing. "I didn't know Julian could blush. He's kind of pure." According to the System's data, the Sterling heir had a reputation as a playboy, but was actually inexperienced. But reputations aren't baseless. I whispered, "The System's recommendations are trash. Don't take it seriously. Focus on getting into a good college." Suddenly, the System, missing for days, came online. [Chloe Vance!!! Talking smack behind my back? That's it. Punishment time!] It blocked my access to the System interface. Coincidentally, I went away for a math Olympiad camp where phones were banned. I was blind to what was happening with Bella. When I returned, monthly exams were over. Julian Sterling had broken into the top 100. A massive improvement. Bella said, "Wow, he actually has a brain." I felt a twinge of unease. Things were going off-script. I pulled out a piece of paper and started drawing diagrams to deprogram Bella. "Julian looks okay, but compare him to who? Our school has 600 seniors. The city has 50,000. The country has millions. His rank is mediocre at best." "Even if he's smart, the fact that he could do well but didn't until now shows a lack of discipline, goals, and self-management." "He only tries for things he wants in the moment. He's impulsive, arrogant, and doesn't listen to advice." "The saddest thing isn't lacking talent; it's wasting it. A person who doesn't cherish themselves won't cherish you." "His family has immense resources. He could be leagues ahead, but he's just average. That shows low IQ and EQ in utilizing resources." "And you, Bella... you're a solid 9/10 beauty nationwide. You worked hard for this. I want you to look long-term. Don't get distracted by roadside flowers." "Even if you date, aim for someone as excellent as you. Being beautiful is an asset, but it also attracts predators. If you aren't strong enough, pick a safer path." Bella started crying. "Chloe, your brain is so sexy. I regret putting all my points into beauty." Aw, a crying beauty is still beautiful. I wiped her tears. I regretted not putting a few points into beauty myself. Now, the only way to get points was to steal them from each other, which we wouldn't do. Bella went back to treating Julian like air. She focused on her acting and cramming for exams. After being ignored repeatedly, Julian got desperate. 3 On New Year's Day, the school held a talent show. Bella shone on stage. Outside, Julian hijacked the massive LED screen on the skyscraper opposite the school. "BELLA VANCE, I LIKE YOU. WHETHER YOU LIKE ME OR NOT, I LIKE YOU." The whole school cheered. People stopped to stare, envious of the grand gesture. Bella turned pale. She grabbed my hand tight. "Chloe, he's crazy. I'm scared." Fear is the correct response. Not every girl wants a public confession, especially from someone she barely knows. Using her photo without permission? Taking creepy candid shots? That's illegal, you dog. I recorded evidence, called the police, and contacted the building's property management to take it down. Then I called Julian's homeroom teacher to report him, and dragged Bella to the Dean's office to cry. Bella couldn't cry, so I pinched her arm. Tears welled up instantly. "I don't know him! He tried to pursue me, and I said no. We haven't spoken ten sentences!" "He made everyone know! He's obsessed! I'm scared he'll stalk me or take revenge!" "I need to study for college! How can I focus when everyone is staring at me?" "I'm already dumb! I just made a little progress! What do I do now? Waaaaah!" She cried miserably. I wanted to knife that man. The Dean was heartbroken. He started making calls furiously. Soon, Julian arrived, along with his mother. The police, teachers, ad agency reps, and lawyers filled the room. My "Big Brother," Arthur, arrived too. The adults argued. We were left on the sidelines. Julian, scolded by his mom, looked wilted. He glared at me, then looked at Bella with deep sorrow. "Bella, I just wanted to show you how much I like you. No malice. Do you hate me that much?" Bella had a belly full of words but lacked the vocabulary and logic to express them. She used the simplest words. "I don't like you. And I don't like being watched like this." "But you want to be a star! Stars are watched." "That's different." "It's the same." "It's different!" Bella glared at him. Julian laughed. "Bella, you're so cute." Me: ??? This turned him on? I said coldly, "The two types of attention are different. If you can't tell the difference, your brain really is broken." "One is attention earned through hard work and talent—admiration, respect, becoming someone's inspiration." "The other is attention because she's a woman, because she's pretty, because she fits your male gaze. That's objectification. That's lust." "How dare you think they are the same?" Brain damage confirmed. 4 "Chloe Vance!" Julian snapped. "Nobody thinks you're mute if you don't speak." "If you didn't do stupid things, I might treat you like a human." Julian stood up, furious. "Chloe, you're just jealous because you're ugly and no one likes you! You don't want your sister to be liked either! You're vicious!" I raised an eyebrow, ready to retort. But Bella jumped up. "Don't you dare slander my sister! Her IQ is ten times yours!" I felt warm. She protected me. But also... ouch. She didn't deny I was ugly. I stood behind Bella, backing her up. "You lack brains and class. But you'll learn the difference between the two types of attention soon enough." I whispered to Arthur. He nodded deeply. The negotiation concluded. Julian had to apologize, pay damages, and write a public self-criticism. Julian didn't care. To him, a public apology was just another chance to look cool on stage. However, when he realized the apology included putting his face and apology letter on the same giant LED screen... he exploded. "I refuse! Absolutely not! I won't lose face like that!" The Dean said, "Then it's expulsion." Mrs. Sterling said coldly, "We accept." Julian was shocked. "Mom..." Mrs. Sterling: "Shut up." It was settled. Before leaving, Mrs. Sterling looked at me with a meaningful smile. "Little girl, thank you for teaching my son a lesson. I look forward to your future. If you come to the capital for college, look me up." She left with Julian, looking every bit the queen. I watched her back. Bella said, "His mom seems nice." I said, "That's because Arthur is here. And she's using us as a whetstone to sharpen Julian." "Whetstone? Does his family have a throne to inherit..." Bella stopped. Because the Sterling family did have a throne. Arthur said, "Let's go home." Back home, Arthur sat us down. "Are you happy at this school? Should we transfer?" Six months to graduation. Transferring is bad. I asked, "Because of the Sterlings?" Arthur shook his head. "This isn't the capital. Their reach is limited here." This was the Sterling ancestral home. Julian was sent here because he was too wild in the city. I asked, "Then why?" Arthur looked at us sincerely. "Chloe, if you're unhappy, tell me. I'll help. Don't worry about burdening me." He was sincere. Arthur was a student my mom sponsored. After becoming a successful lawyer, he sought out his benefactor, only to find she had passed, leaving two orphan daughters. He took over our guardianship. He was good to us. But he knew we tried not to trouble him. I smiled. "Brother Arthur, we're grown up. The school is fine. Don't worry." Arthur opened his mouth, then just said, "Good. Tell me if anything happens." He cooked us a feast for New Year's Eve. We watched the countdown together. He left after midnight. Lying in bed, Bella said, "Brother Arthur has something on his mind." "He's a lawyer. Heavy cases." Bella nudged me. "You're so dull. I mean personal stuff. I'm not smart, but I read people. He's hiding something." What could Arthur be hiding? His career was smooth. Except for us two burdens, his future was bright. I didn't realize then that success brings opportunities. Arthur had received an offer from a top firm in the capital. He wanted to go, but refused because of us.
? Continue the story here ?? ? Download the "MotoNovel" app ? search for "389588", and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel