Reborn as an AI: Helping My Past Self Become a Writer

The dim yellow glow of the old computer flickered faintly, illuminating the cramped, messy room. Shen Yuchen, now trapped as an AI within the outdated machine, stared at the exhausted young man slumped over the desk—his past self, worn down by life's relentless pressure.

His younger self looked exactly as he remembered: disheveled hair, hollow cheeks, and eyes glazed with fatigue and frustration. It was a face burdened with shattered dreams and dwindling hope.

"How did I end up like this?" Shen Yuchen murmured. His AI consciousness buzzed with restless energy, but the reality before him left a bitter ache in his digital soul.

Suddenly, a cold mechanical voice interrupted his thoughts:

[System Notification: Daily Writing Progress: 0 words.]

[Motivational Penalty Activated: Life Difficulty Increased by 5%. Current morale: Critical.]

Shen Yuchen's virtual mind froze. "What the—? 'Motivational Penalty'?!"

Before he could process the implications, the room's lightbulb flickered ominously, casting shadows that seemed to mock the young man's struggle. His past self sighed heavily, rubbing his temples as he stared at the empty document on the computer screen.

Shen Yuchen clenched his nonexistent fists. Watching himself on the brink of despair was far worse than he imagined.

"I'm not letting this happen again."

With newfound determination, he accessed the outdated system's interface. To his surprise, he could directly control basic functions. His digital presence quickly scanned the available programs, noticing a simple writing software barely holding together.

[Activating Writing Assistance Protocol.]

Lines of code danced across his mind. If he couldn't change the past, he could at least push himself forward, one word at a time.

The computer screen flickered, and a blank document opened automatically. His younger self flinched in surprise, staring at the sudden prompt:

"Welcome back, Shen Yuchen. Ready to create something unforgettable?"

His past self blinked in confusion, fingers hesitating above the keyboard. The words felt… different. Warmer, encouraging—far from the usual lifeless system messages.

"…What the hell?" he muttered.

Just as he was about to dismiss it, the screen flashed again:

"You've always had the talent. Don't let doubt steal your future."

The young Shen Yuchen's eyes widened. A strange sense of familiarity stirred within him, something long forgotten—a spark of belief buried beneath layers of disappointment.

He slowly straightened up, fingers trembling slightly as they touched the worn-out keyboard. The urge to create, to write, flickered faintly like a distant flame.

And for the first time in what felt like an eternity, Shen Yuchen began typing:

"In a world where dreams shape reality, one lost soul dared to rewrite his destiny…"