Chapter 2

Mom chimed in, "Exactly. We don't need that. We need solid grades, rankings, achievements like Sophia's that we can show off!"

I hadn't expected such a response, and my heart felt like it had been pricked by a tiny needle.

I tried to explain. "But I'm trying too, I..."

"We don't need you to try," Dad cut me off, his voice not loud, but it felt like a heavy stone. "We need results. Results like Sophia's."

Later, they even went to Mrs. Davies to seek advice, asking for her secrets to success.

Mrs. Davies confidentially told them that Sophia used to be disobedient too, but then she found someone to get her the latest AI chip. After it was implanted, her child could grow exactly as the parents envisioned.

She even claimed the chip was government-developed, capable of eliminating all "ineffective emotions" and "distractions."

My parents were swayed.

They paid a hefty sum to Ms. Peterson to get this chip.

And it was Sophia who told me about it.

That day after school, she stopped me in the hallway, her eyes filled with an urgency I'd never seen before.

"My mom lied to you guys. Remember, absolutely do not let them implant that chip in you," she whispered, speaking very quickly. "Listen to me, don't, under any circumstances."

I was stunned.

It was the first time I'd seen such a vivid expression on her face.

"What...?" I asked instinctively.

She gripped my hand, explaining word by word, "It's that AI chip my mom gave your parents, the one that's supposed to make you obedient!"

Then, she took a deep breath, leaned closer, and lowered her voice even more. "That thing will erode your brain. Once implanted, you won't be you anymore. An AI program will slowly overwrite all your memories and emotions; it will take over your body."

"By then, what's left will just be an empty shell, perfectly executing parental commands. Do you understand?"

"By then, the real you will be no different from being dead."

She grabbed my arm, her fingers squeezing hard.

"Don't agree, no matter what, don't agree."

I saw the light in her eyes, a light filled with fear and pleading.

My intuition told me she wasn't lying.

That night, I tossed and turned.

Sophia's words buzzed in my head.

A few days later, Mom and Dad did indeed have a serious talk with me.

Mom held a small silver box in her hand, her eyes eager yet somewhat evasive.

"Sweetie, this is something that can make you even better..."

I looked at the box, a chill running down my spine.

I remembered Sophia's trembling voice.

"Dad, Mom," I looked at them, a hint of pleading in my voice. "If I use this, I'll become the perfect daughter, right?"

"Of course!" Mom immediately nodded.

"But..." I took a breath, gathering my courage to finish. "What if that perfect daughter, actually... isn't me anymore?"

"What if the person sitting in front of you is just an obedient machine? Do you truly want a daughter like that?"

The air in the living room instantly solidified.

Mom's smile froze on her face.

"What are you talking about?" Her voice suddenly rose. "What do you mean 'not you'? Huh? Isn't it still your body? Mrs. Davies said this chip is absolutely safe! It's just a tool to help you learn!"

"But Sophia said..."

"Sophia is jealous!" Mom cut me off, her face red. "She's afraid you'll surpass her! Can't you see that? How much effort have we put into you? Huh? Are you just going to let outsiders provoke you?"

Dad stepped forward, his face pale with anger. "I think you just don't want to work hard! You're making up these twisted excuses!"

"I'm not..."

I tried desperately to explain, but they wouldn't listen to a single word.

"You're just lazy! Selfish!" Mom shrieked, tears welling up. "We've planned everything for you, and this is how you repay us? Do you want to be a failure your whole life?"

Hearing such accusations, I suddenly had nothing to say.

After a long silence, Mom suddenly knelt down, her eyes level with mine.

Her eyes were red.