---- She gestured at me with disdain. "But my daughter complained that studying was hard. What's so hard about writing with a pen? It's the easiest job in the world! If she can't even manage that, what can she do? " Her voice rose in indignation. "And did she repay me for all my sacrifices? No. She cut ties with me the moment she grew up. I raised a thankless, lazy daughter. If I'd had her opportunities, I'd have graduated from a top university and earned at least 15 thousand dollars a month!" Her words drew a wave of agreement from the audience. "She's right! Her daughter deserves to be judged!" "Yeah, let's get it over with. Let her die already!" The system's voice interrupted the clamor. [Ms. Vivian Wood, in which aspects of her life do you believe you could outperform your daughter?] "Every aspect," my mother declared confidently. "But if Ihad to choose, I'd say academics and filial piety." ---- The system replied: [Understood. Sealing select memories and extracting consciousness. Substitution simulation commencing.] The crowd gasped as my mother froze mid-breath, her body turning stiff and lifeless. All eyes turned to the giant screen, now displaying a simulation. The audience grew increasingly curious, all wondering what kind of life my mom would have had if she were me. In the simulation, a baby girl was born-a replica of me in appearance and physique. The system identified her as "Subject One." She would relive my exact life circumstances, but her goals and decisions would be driven by my mother's consciousness, stripped down to focus on academics and filial duty. The simulation began. The scene unfolded in gritty detail: an impoverished household, an unmarried mother raising a child alone. My mother-now in the simulation-resorted to begging for food, dragging little Subject One ---- through the streets. The audience reacted with a mix of pity and scorn. "What a devoted mother! If the child knew how tough life was, she should've worked harder!" "Poverty builds character. Let's see if the kid can rise above it." Years flew by. By the time Subject One turned six, she'd received no early education. My mother, still begging, hadn't even considered enrolling her in school. The crowd grew restless. "She should've started preschool by now." "Well, not everyone can afford early education. Some people don't even start studying until they're adults, and they still succeed." At eight, a kind stranger pointed out that Subject One was legally entitled to free education. This was her first encounter with a school. She gazed longingly at the students playing inside, only for my mother to ---- slap her down with a harsh rebuke. "School costs money. Do you have money? No? Then don't even think about it!" The audience erupted in outrage. "Wasn't she the one who said her daughter wasted educational opportunities? What a hypocrite!" "She's rigging the system to steal money meant for her daughter's education!" Aman in the audience sneered at me. "You'd sacrifice your mom's life for money? No wonder your husband and son want to get rid of you too." Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!