The Double Effect Chapter 1

My uncle’s family bound themselves to us with a "Double Effect" system.

If my dad earned $10,000, my uncle’s stock account would mysteriously gain $20,000.

If my mom got a facial, my aunt’s rough skin would become twice as smooth for no reason.

My family scrimped and saved for years to buy a spacious condo. Immediately, my uncle’s family bought a townhouse in the same complex.

This continued until the last subject of the college entrance exams. I accidentally drank spiked water.

I endured the stomach cramps and finished the test, thinking I was done for.

But the next moment, paramedics rushed past, carrying my cousin, who had uncontrollably soiled himself in another exam hall.

* * *

As soon as I walked out of the exam hall, my parents rushed me to the hospital.

They couldn't understand it. My grades were usually trash, so I never had test anxiety. Why would I suddenly have stomach spasms?

Compared to me, my cousin, Brandon, had it much worse.

His "incident" was so spectacular that experts at the city's top hospital were treating him like a lab rat, running every test imaginable.

But they couldn't find a physical cause for why he turned into a human fountain.

Finally, the experts concluded that Brandon must have succumbed to immense psychological pressure during the exam.

Grandma and Grandpa were wailing in the hospital corridor.

"My precious grandson! My poor baby! He's suffered so much!"

"Brandon has always been top of his class! He was Ivy League material! Who knew he was under so much pressure?!"

I walked past the emergency room, watching my grandparents howl. You’d think Brandon had died.

My parents exchanged glances, unsure whether to approach.

The moment Grandma saw me, she charged over like a rabid chicken.

"You jinx! What are you doing here? Are you here to laugh at your cousin?"

So even Grandma thought it was funny.

My mom shielded me, her face cold. My dad stepped forward to stop Grandma.

"Mom, what are you doing? Roxy is sick too. She just came from another department."

Grandma didn't show an ounce of concern. Instead, she glared at me with hatred.

"She's sick too? She must have passed her bad luck to Brandon! She did it on purpose so he wouldn't get into Harvard!"

My mom exploded.

"My daughter getting sick is bad luck, but your precious grandson getting sick isn't? Brandon shitting himself in the exam hall and spraying everyone's papers—now that's bad luck! Grandma, keep spewing nonsense, and see if karma doesn't hit your precious grandson right in the ass!"

Grandma's eyes went wide. She looked like she’d been struck by lightning. She opened her mouth to curse but couldn't get a word out.

My mom smiled silently.

"Children suffering is usually because the elders committed sins! Keep cursing, keep scolding. My daughter is tough, but your delicate grandson might not survive your bad karma!"

Grandma was so angry smoke was coming out of her ears. She clenched her fists, grinding her teeth loud enough for us to hear. I could tell she was cursing us out in her head.

Grandpa couldn't take it anymore and scolded my dad.

"Enough! Can't you say something?"

My dad mumbled, "Dad, I'm clumsy with words, just like you. You didn't say anything just now either."

Grandpa's face turned red, and he waved his hand, telling us to get lost!