Chapter 343: 343 Brotherly Love, Sisterly Respect

Unaware that her brother and sister were quietly vying for next year's allowance, Anna returned to the apartment after hailing the carriage and led out William and Mélanie, who were still glaring at each other.

Where's big brother?

After glancing around the doorway and seeing no sign of Li Ang, Mélanie asked curiously:

"Where's big brother? Isn't he coming with us?"

"He's picking up the gifts."

Anna lifted Mélanie under her armpits and placed her on the carriage, then reached for William as she replied casually:

"Your sister Ali is unwell, hasn't been to school, and rarely leaves the house. Big brother wants to give her a memorable birthday, so he specially ordered some gifts."

"But since time was tight, even with extra payment, they weren't ready until this morning, so he got up early to collect them and will wait for us at the street corner over there."

"Oh…"

After hearing Anna's explanation, Mélanie's bright eyes flickered with envy.

How nice—William and I have never received custom-made gifts before.

William, who had refused Anna's help and climbed aboard himself, noticed her envy and patted her shoulder, speaking like a small adult:

"Don't worry, you'll get one too on your birthday. Big brother is only stingy with himself—he's always given us whatever we needed."

"He never threw us big birthdays before because the family was too poor and had to save every copper. Now we're much better off, and knowing big brother's nature, he'll definitely prepare something special for your next birthday."

Hmm… that's true…

Recalling Li Ang's past kindness, Mélanie's petty jealousy instantly melted away.

Thinking of that frail girl, stuck at home all year, even without anyone to accompany her to steal bird eggs, she felt a pang of guilt—how wrong of her to envy such a pitiful child just because big brother showed her favor.

Anna, listening nearby, felt her heart soften and instinctively reached out to stroke William's small head, her eyes tinged with quiet guilt.

In truth… though they're a bit mischievous, both William and Mélanie are wonderful children—anyone who treats them kindly, they remember deeply, know right from wrong, and never do anything truly outrageous…

Hmm… that's debatable, but at least they never start anything outrageous—they're generally decent—and I shouldn't have worried they'd bully others before we left.

Squeezing her still-plump purse, Anna, feeling guilty, decided to compensate the "wronged" siblings and said:

"Alright then—since you've been well-behaved lately, when we get back tonight, I'll buy each of you a gift. What do you want?"?!

Upon hearing Anna's promise, Mélanie beamed with joy, and even William looked startled.

Compared to their ever "generous" big brother, Anna had always been the frugal one—or to put it plainly, she hated spending money and would split every copper into eight pieces.

And now, Anna—who was perfect except for being stingy—had suddenly become generous. This opportunity must be seized!

Also, knowing Anna's nature, the total gift budget would be strictly limited—even with the family's improved finances, seven or eight coppers was the absolute ceiling, and that sum was shared between the two of them…

Whoever picked the cheaper gift would lose out!

Without thinking, they exchanged glances, saw the fire in each other's eyes, and instantly synced thoughts—they knew the other had the same plan: this would be a battle for the reward budget!

"I want a doll! And new shoes!"

In a flash of thought, Mélanie, quicker-witted and better at math, blurted out two gifts totaling five coppers—claiming most of the budget at once.

After calculating the price of those two items, Anna hesitated, but seeing Mélanie's slightly too-small shoes, she nodded slightly.

Big brother earns money hard; I didn't plan to buy them anything expensive—seven or eight coppers is the limit.

Even though Mélanie took most of the budget, her shoes really are too small and need replacing. If William wants something like a toy, he can take less.

After all, boys' toys break fast—whether it's a five-copper wind-up soldier or a three-copper tin frog, they'll be shattered within two months anyway, so better to save where you can…

Having planned the budget allocation, Anna nodded, approving Mélanie's request.

"Alright… William, what about you? What do you want?"

"As for me…"

William glanced at his sister, who watched him with smug eyes full of triumph, and his lips curled into a calm smile.

"Buy me some books!"?!

As Mélanie's eyes widened in "disaster," William pulled a folded scrap of paper from his pocket and read calmly:

"Anna, the books I want are: A Brief History of the Continental Wars, Our Kingdom, How the Council Was Formed, An Introduction to the Standing Armaments of the Kingdoms…"

After reciting a long list, William handed the paper to Anna and modestly offered:

"I prepared this list, but you don't need to buy them all—just a few will do."

"Even though my teacher recommended all these and promised they'll help my studies, Mélanie's toys are important too, and my grades can wait—it's no big deal. Buy her toys first."

"…."

…

Phew… perfect timing.

Seeing the carriage approaching, Li Ang recognized the passengers' silhouettes and waved from the entrance of Red Cedar Avenue; the carriage slowed and pulled over.

"Keep going straight to the very end and stop at the gate of Baohua Estate."

After instructing the driver and handing him the pass, Li Ang stepped aboard, ready to ask if they were ready—only to notice the two children's odd behavior.

William still wore his usual serious, small-adult expression, but the slight lift of his chin betrayed his inner delight.

Mélanie, by contrast, sat slumped like a defeated rooster, lips pouted high, and even as she boarded, she secretly kicked William when Anna's gaze shifted away.

"…."

Looking at the six or seven dusty shoe prints on his pant leg, yet still wearing a victorious smile, Li Ang rubbed his temples in exasperation.

Though he had no proof, he had a strong feeling that agreeing to Madame Emma's request to bring these two troublemakers to celebrate Ali's birthday was a terrible mistake…