"Don't worry, it's nothing serious."
Noticing the worry on Anna's face, Leon quickly gathered his emotions and expertly put on a "boss face," explaining with a smile:
"You know, my job is rather special, so when I zone out, I really zone out... Sorry, sothing ca up just now, and I couldn't pay attention here."
Is that so?
Under the disguise of a Gold-level Master Perforr, Leon's expression was naturally flawless. After seeing his usual deanor, Anna, who didn't understand anomalies, finally relaxed and quickly walked over to check the pot.
"It's okay, only the bottom is burnt... Out, out!"
Slightly distressed, Anna checked the burnt stew, took the apron hanging by the stove, tied it on, and then placed her hands on Leon's shoulders, pushing him out.
"You go sit on the sofa; I'll handle the rest!"
"I can help you clean up..."
"Going out is helping !"
Shooting him a playful glare, Anna, a slender girl, slightly increased her strength and forcefully pushed Leon, who kept looking back every few steps, out of the kitchen, then firmly closed the kitchen door.
Once the kitchen door was closed, under Anna's stern order, Leon obediently sat on the sofa, and couldn't help but feel a faint tightness in his chest.
The Black Goat might be abstract, but it wasn't stupid. It would never speak carelessly about such matters. So, what it said is 99% true. lanie's future may be inevitably linked to the abyss...
"Here! Big bro! Here!"
Leon turned at the sound, seeing the door slightly ajar, and lanie, who'd already reserved a spot in Abyss Hundred Prisons, didn't know when she slipped out.
Peeking towards the kitchen, she saw Anna busy with the pot, unaware of their movents. i the Great Demon God breathed a sigh of relief, closed the door properly, and sneakily gestured for Leon to co over.
"Big bro! Co over!"
"?"
Looking puzzled, Leon walked over, ready to ask, but suddenly his hand was stuffed with a bulging little purse.
He opened the purse embroidered with a pink pony, checked inside, and found at least twenty Gold Wheel coins. Leon asked in confusion:
"What's this..."
"Activity funds."
Sniffling her red nose, lanie, who had just been spanked, turned her head away from Leon, and grumbled:
"Although you didn't help when I was in trouble, you're still my big brother... This is the money I've recently earned. You've been traveling for months; sis-in-law might not be pleased. Use this to buy her so gifts, and maybe she won't be mad at you."
"This isn't necessary..."
Looking at the so-called activity funds lanie handed over, Leon laughed helplessly and pushed the pink purse back, explaining:
"The situation between and your sister-in-law is unique; we both have things to keep busy with. She won't be angry about my trips, and I don't need your help either; your big bro has money."
"You having money? That's unlikely!"
Facing her brother who stubbornly denied being broke, lanie sneered:
"I've seen Anna sis's accounts; your salary mostly goes to her. If you haven't earned anything extra, you probably wouldn't have more than eight or nine Silver Wheels left, what good gifts can you buy?"
"Though your big bro doesn't have much money, gifting isn't about lavishness."
Ruffling lanie's hair, Leon took the opportunity to educate:
"Don't focus too much on the material value of a gift. What's important is the thought behind it. Also, your sister-in-law doesn't lack money or things, so my gifts don't have to be expensive. If thoughtfully chosen by your big bro, she'll like them."
"Tsk, excuses of a broke guy are endless."
"???"
Sigh... It's sothing I have to worry about...
Facing a brother who's great except for being miserably thrifty, lanie sighed, raised her face and asked earnestly:
"Big bro, are you planning to gift sis-in-law flowers? Roses or peonies?"
"???"
Leon asked in surprise:
"I do plan to give Veronica a bouquet of roses... How did you know?"
"Given the little money you have left, what else can you gift besides flowers?"
"..."
"Indeed, whatever you gift, sis-in-law will be happy. Just considering roses shows you're quite thoughtful... But you're stingy!"
"..."
"Here, take it. I've listed everything for you."
Stuffing the bulging pink pony purse back, lanie pointed to the compartnt behind it and sighed:
"Inside is a list of gifts I think sis-in-law might like. I'm not sure which is suitable; pick one when you et her, seven to eight Gold Wheels should be enough."
"But in your purse there's..."
"The rest is for you to spend."
Glancing at Leon's worn collar, lanie, long critical of his spending habits, earnestly reminded:
"Big bro, being too stingy is a bad habit; it needs changing."
"..."
Noticing lanie's gaze, Leon looked at his classic battle gear he'd worn for months, washed countless tis by Divine Blood, yet still bearing a pilled collar, and instinctively smacked his lips.
"It still works fine. Maybe Anna can shave the pills off for when she's free... Ugh... Forget it, Anna's already busy enough, and I might be a bit too frugal..."
After deeply reflecting on his bad habit, Leon silently accepted lanie's wallet, deciding to indulge a little this ti.
Seeing her brother not stubbornly refusing, lanie's face lit up with satisfaction.
I'm the best!
Not only can I help my brother overco his frugality, but once sis-in-law receives the gift, knowing I helped choose, next month's investnt might triple! A complete win! I win twice...
"lanie!"
Having dealt with the ss Leon caused, Anna exited the kitchen, pot in hand, furrowing her brows at lanie, who had snuck out instead of working on howork.
"What did I say earlier? You..."
"I-I... Pot! Anna sis! Put the pot down first!"
"..."
Finally pulling Anna away, after a chaotic dinner, Leon, after much hesitation, left early, wallet in hand with lanie's list, heading to the departnt store, and he made it to the palace before nightfall.
"You're here."
Hearing the footsteps from the balcony, Veronica, buried in work, looked up, smiled at Leon, then pointed to the empty vase on a nearby rack.
"Just place the flowers there... Hmm? You didn't buy flowers?"
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