Chapter 1016: The Gift
Chapter 1016: The Gift
"Relax, it's nothing serious."
Noticing the worry on Anna's face, Liang quickly reined in his emotions and put on his usual professional demeanor, explaining with a smile:
"You know, my job is a bit special, so when I get distracted, it's more thorough than usual... Sorry, something came up just now, so I didn't pay attention here."
Is that so?
Under the guise of a Gold Grade Theater Grand Master, Liang's expression was flawless. Seeing his usual composed demeanor, Anna, who knew little about abnormalities, breathed a sigh of relief. She then quickly walked over to check the pot.
"It's okay, only the bottom part is burnt... Out, out!"
With a slightly pained look, Anna inspected the burnt stew, then took the apron hanging by the stove and tied it around her waist. She then placed her hands on Liang's shoulders and started pushing him out.
"Go sit on the sofa for a bit, I'll take care of the rest!"
"I can help clean up..."
"You'll be helping me by going out!"
She shot him an exasperated look. Facing the big brother who couldn't even watch the pot properly or help with homework, the slender girl applied a bit more force, pushing Liang, who kept looking back, out of the kitchen and firmly closing the door.
Once the kitchen door was shut, Liang, who had obediently sat on the sofa under Anna's stern command, couldn't help but close his eyes slightly, feeling a dull ache in his chest.
The Black Sheep might be somewhat abstract, but it wasn't stupid and wouldn't make things up on such matters. So what it said was almost certainly true. Meilanie's future would likely be tied to the Abyss. This...
"Here! Big Brother! Here!"
Hearing the noise, Liang turned around and saw a small gap in the door to the inner room. Meilanie, who had already reserved a seat in the Abyssal Hundred Dungeons, had slipped out at some point.
Peeking into the kitchen, she saw Anna's back as she sternly dealt with the pot, clearly too busy to notice her. Meilanie immediately breathed a sigh of relief, closed the door, and extended her small hand, beckoning Liang secretly.
"Big Brother! Come here, come here!"
"?"
Rising with a puzzled look, Liang was about to ask when a plump little purse was suddenly thrust into his hand.
Opening the pink purse with a small horse embroidered on it, he found at least twenty gold wheels inside. Liang looked at Meilanie, asking in confusion:
"This is..."
"Activity fund."
Sucking on her red nose, Meilanie, who had just been spanked, pouted and turned her head away, muttering:
"Even though you didn't help me just now, you're still my big brother... This is the money I've earned recently. You've been away for months, and your wife must be upset. Take this and buy her a gift; maybe she won't be mad at you anymore."
"You don't have to do that..."
Looking at the so-called activity fund Meilanie had handed over, Liang, feeling a mix of amusement and exasperation, pushed the pink purse back and explained:
"My relationship with your sister-in-law is special; we both have our own things to do. She won't be upset about me being on a business trip, and I don't need your help. I have money."
"You don't have any money!"
Seeing her big brother still insisting, Meilanie pouted and said:
"I've seen Anna Sister's ledger. Most of your salary goes to her. If you haven't made any extra money, you probably only have about eight or nine silver wheels left. What kind of good gift can you buy with that?"
"Um... Even though I don't have much money, gifts shouldn't be given like this."
After patting Meilanie’s little head, Liang took the opportunity to educate her:
"Don’t focus too much on the value of the gift; it’s the thought behind it that counts. Besides, your sister-in-law doesn’t lack money or things, so I don’t need to get her anything too expensive. As long as I pick something with care, she should like it."
"Tch, poor men always have so many excuses."
"???"
Sigh... I have to worry about this...
Facing her brother, who was good in every way except for being too frugal due to his past poverty, Meilanie couldn’t help but sigh. She then looked up at him with serious eyes and asked:
"Brother, are you planning to give your sister-in-law a bouquet of flowers? Roses or peonies?"
"???"
Liang was taken aback.
"I do plan to give Veronica a bouquet of roses... but how did you know?"
"Given what little money you have left, what else could you possibly give besides flowers?"
"..."
"Indeed, no matter what you give, your sister-in-law will be happy. Just thinking of giving roses shows you’ve put a lot of thought into it... but you’re still too frugal!"
"..."
"Take it, I’ve already made a list for you."
Meilanie, the emotional expert, sighed as she pushed the plump pink My Little Pony purse back into his hands. She pointed to a hidden compartment behind the pony and said:
"Inside is a list of gifts I’ve picked out that your sister-in-law might like. I’m not sure which one is most suitable, so you can choose when you see her. I think about seven Gold Wheels should be enough."
"But you have..."
"The rest is for you to spend."
Noticing the worn collar of Liang’s shirt, Meilanie, who had long been critical of his spending habits, earnestly reminded him:
"Brother, we’re not as short on money as we used to be. Being too frugal is a problem, and it needs to be fixed."
"..."
Noticing where Meilanie’s eyes had landed, Liang looked at his classic battle robe, which he had worn for months and had been drenched in holy blood countless times, but the collar was still worn out. He couldn’t help but subconsciously smack his lips.
It’s still wearable, right? I can ask Anna to help me remove the pills... um... forget it, Anna is already busy enough. I shouldn’t trouble her with everything, and I do seem a bit too frugal...
After deeply reflecting on his bad habits, Liang silently accepted the purse Meilanie had given him, deciding to accept his sister’s good intentions and indulge a little this time.
Seeing that her brother wasn’t being stubborn anymore, Meilanie’s face lit up with satisfaction.
I’m so good!
Not only will this help Brother get over his frugality, but when the sister-in-law receives the gift and finds out it was chosen by me, the investment amount next month might even double! It’s a win-win! I win twice...
"Meilanie!"
After dealing with the trouble caused by Liang, Anna, holding a pot, came out of the kitchen and saw that Meilanie wasn’t doing her homework but had sneaked out again. She couldn’t help but frown.
"What did I just say? You..."
"I... the pot! Anna Sister! Put the pot down first!"
"..."
After finally holding back the charging Anna, they managed to finish a chaotic dinner safely. After much hesitation, Liang left early, took the list Meilanie had made, and went to the department store for some shopping. He then rushed to the palace before it got completely dark.
"You’re here."
Hearing the footsteps on the balcony, Veronica, who was busy at her desk, looked up and gave Liang a tired smile. She then pointed to the empty vase on the shelf.
"Put the flowers there... huh? You didn’t buy flowers?"
(End of Chapter)
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