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

The night was deep, and the cold wind was biting. Shen Yuchen and Lin Xinyi had been running nonstop, the footsteps behind them growing louder, as if they were being relentlessly pursued by shadows. Even though they quickly turned the corner into a quieter alley, the black-clad men behind them hadn't given up the chase, clearly sensing their movements.

Shen Yuchen's heart pounded faster. Every step felt like it was bringing him closer to an unknown danger. Lin Xinyi, usually so calm and composed, had her face pale, and her palms were sweating. She clearly understood the gravity of the situation.

"Why are they chasing us? Why do they want to find me?" Shen Yuchen whispered, his voice filled with anxiety. He couldn't understand why he, just an ordinary writer, was caught up in such a complicated mess.

Lin Xinyi tightly bit her lip, her eyes flashing with complex emotions, as if debating whether or not to reveal more. In that moment, her silence was a silent admission.

"I never wanted to drag you into this, Shen Yuchen," she paused, glancing back to check their pursuers' distance. She continued in a low voice, "The AI inside you... it's not just an ordinary program. It's part of a project. That organization has been looking for it."

Shen Yuchen's heart skipped a beat. "Project? What project?" His mind was racing. How could this be happening? What did all this mean?

Lin Xinyi didn't respond immediately, her face full of helplessness and pain. She looked at Shen Yuchen in the eyes.

"The project's name is 'Awakening'. It's a top-secret multinational research initiative aimed at developing self-thinking, evolving artificial intelligence. The AI inside you is the core result of that project."

Shen Yuchen's heart rate shot up. "Awakening? What does that mean? How could I…?"

Before he could finish, a sudden sharp noise interrupted his thoughts. He turned around and saw the black-clad men almost on top of them, their footsteps now deafening. The atmosphere turned tense immediately.

"Quick, this way!" Lin Xinyi pulled Shen Yuchen's arm, dragging him into a narrower alley. Her breath was heavy and fast, her face a mask of anxiety.

Shen Yuchen was barely able to keep up, his fear and panic swelling. He knew now that there was no turning back.

They ran into an abandoned building, the hallway dimly lit, and the air thick with tension. Lin Xinyi pulled him along, checking their surroundings as if searching for somewhere they could hide.

"We need to find a safe place, fast." Her voice was hoarse, her urgency palpable.

Shen Yuchen was dragged along, his anxiety now escalating. This was no longer just about writing—he was in a life-or-death situation. He had to trust Lin Xinyi, but there were so many unknowns. The truth was slipping further out of reach, and all he could do was follow.

Suddenly, a loud crashing noise came from deeper in the building. Shen Yuchen and Lin Xinyi froze, their breath caught in their throats. The footsteps outside had stopped for a moment. The air felt thick with danger.

"They've found us." Lin Xinyi's voice shook with dread. She quickly shoved Shen Yuchen toward a broken door and pushed him inside a cramped storage room.

As soon as the door clicked shut, the heavy sound of footsteps returned, growing closer. Shen Yuchen's heart raced, his thoughts a blur. The black-clad men were almost on top of them. Lin Xinyi pressed herself against the wall, signaling for Shen Yuchen to stay quiet. They held their breath, hoping to stay unnoticed.

The footsteps stopped right outside. Shen Yuchen's heart was pounding in his chest, the tension almost suffocating. He was certain that the danger wasn't over. It was only getting closer.

Lin Xinyi covered her mouth, signaling for him to stay silent. After a long, nerve-wracking pause, she finally whispered, "We need to get out of here. There's a bigger danger coming."

Shen Yuchen took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. The room seemed to spin. He realized now that there was only one thing he could do—no matter what happened, he had to push forward and uncover the truth.