Fair Balance System: Every Lie Turns Into Debt

After I get hospitalized from a stroke, I tell my son, Raymond Thornton, to come to the hospital and pay for my hospital bills.

But my daughter-in-law, Vivian Mills, mumbles in displeasure, "It's just a stroke, isn't it? Why is she being so whiny? Also, she's called you so many times! Is she asking you for help or ordering you to do her bidding?"

I pretend to not hear Vivian's words.

After that, I waited the whole night for Raymond. The thing is, he never shows up despite the fact that he has agreed to come to the hospital.

The next day, he finally calls me on the phone.

"Mom, if I'm not mistaken, there should be some money left in your medical insurance, right? Why don't you use that money to pay the bills for the time being? I'll make sure to care for you more in the future!"

While Raymond is still making empty promises over the phone, I hear another voice appear in my mind.

"Ding! An empty promise has been detected! Fair Balance System is now activated!"

"Once I'm back, I'll buy the best medication for you!"

"Calculation in progress. The amount deducted for the best medication available is 6599 dollars!"

The next moment I know, I receive a text, stating that the money is now in my bank account.

Since there were no funds left in my medical insurance account, I didn't hesitate to use the money that I had just received to pay the hospital bill.

After leaving the hospital, I prepared a table full of dishes to celebrate my fresh start. It was just past 6:00 pm when my daughter-in-law, Vivian Mills, came back with my grandson, Adam Thornton.

"What's wrong with you, Beatrice? Adam doesn't eat mashed potatoes!"

I gave her a cold glance as I picked up my spoon. "Who said this is for Adam? Can't I make this for myself?"

As if caught off guard by my reaction, Vivian gave an awkward smile and nudged Adam. "Your grandma made you some good food. Try some."

Unexpectedly, Adam threw his schoolbag on the floor before bursting into tears.

"I don't want to! Grandma is smelly! I don't want to eat with Grandma! I want burgers!"

Vivian tried to coax him for a long time, but in the end, she had no choice but to give in.

Before leaving, she said with an awkward smile, "Beatrice, we'll take you with us next time."

"There's no need for that. I can't chew anyway since all my teeth are pretty much gone."

"I'll tell Raymond to get you a set of dentures later."

As Vivian left with Adam, that voice from earlier echoed in my ears again.

"An empty promise has been detected. Calculating… 20 thousand dollars for dentures has been credited."

I let out a sigh. Since all they did was make empty promises, I figured I might as well fulfill them myself.

That evening, my son, Raymond Thornton, came to me with an overly ingratiating smile. "Mom, I'm going to be really busy soon, and so is Vivian. Could you help us take care of Adam for a while?"

I glanced at him. "Haven't I always been the one taking care of him anyway?"

His smile froze for a moment. "We're going on a business trip this time. Adam will be staying with you for a month."

"Dad, you promised me it would only be a week! I don't want to live with this old hag!"

Just as Adam threw a tantrum, Vivian quickly covered his mouth. "Kids say the silliest things. Don't take it to heart, Beatrice."

Raymond took my hand, looking sincere. "Rest assured, Mom. Once I've earned enough money, I'll buy you an RV! Then you can travel the entire country with it!"

I raised an eyebrow. Sure enough, I heard a robotic voice the next second. "Calculating… 50 thousand dollars for an RV has been credited."

Hearing the familiar notification sound in my head, I broke into a genuinely pleased smile. "I'll take good care of Adam."

Raymond nodded in satisfaction. "Adam, you will take care of your grandma in the future, too, right?"

"I won't!"

I watched Adam stomp around in anger with an affectionate gaze, as if I were looking at my new cash cow.

Raymond kicked Adam lightly, and only then did Adam lower his head unwillingly.

"I will take care of Grandma in the future."

"Calculating… 100 thousand dollars for medical care has been credited."

I grinned, my eyes crinkling, as I waved goodbye to Raymond and Vivian. I never expected them to be back just a week later.

Raymond scratched his head sheepishly. "Mom, we've decided to settle abroad. Adam can get a better education there. But don't worry. Once we're settled, we'll bring you over too.

"I'll definitely start to take care of you soon, so don't stress about it."

I sneered inwardly. I was already old, and when I had a stroke, he even avoided paying the hospital bill. How many more years would I have to wait for this so-called care?

"Calculating… The total needed for retirement is three million dollars. Balance insufficient. IOU generated. If the obligor fails to show any care toward the obligee within one month, the IOU will take effect."

Meanwhile, Adam made a fuss about going out for a fancy meal. Raymond, acting all generous for once, took me along with them.