Chapter 444: Returning Home and Getting Beaten

You say your birthday isn't today? Don't joke!

After hearing Li Ang's doubt, Black Goat couldn't help but sneer:

"Don't fuss—either you forgot, or your parents got it wrong, or the kingdom's registrar messed up the record. Your birthday is definitely today."

"But…"

"No buts. Stop overthinking."

Black Goat stared at him with absolute certainty and asked:

"Do you think it's more likely that you, your parents, or the registrar misremembered the date—or that a true god's authority malfunctioned and assigned you the wrong celestial palace?"

"…"

That's true…

Recalling his past life's birthday and confirming it didn't match either, having ruled out every possibility he could think of, Li Ang reluctantly accepted Black Goat's claim—he figured his sister had mistaken his birthday. As for why it wasn't him who forgot…

Of course, because he remembered nothing at all!

When he "arrived" three years ago, he was a complete blank slate—not even his own name, let alone his birthday, was known to him until Anna told him.

Hmm… I'll ask her again when I get back.

Though the exact date of his birthday wasn't a big deal, if he could really use that 【Star Chart Protection】 to gain a weakened version of "wish fulfillment" on that day, he'd better confirm it properly.

After tucking this thought away, Li Ang pulled a folded sheet of scrap paper from his pocket and began sketching with a charcoal stick.

Practice spear—earned Bronze Badge

Visit nurse Hanna—discovered Happy Apartments

Buy smoke for Black Goat, earn Demon Badge—earned Silver, out of money for now

Investigate the pipe incident, gather evidence of misconduct—

Find Black Goat's "Seven Goat Guts"—

Hmm… looks like almost everything I planned is done!

Satisfied, he checked off the pipe incident and drew a heart next to "Goat Guts" to mark the discovery of the goat heart's whereabouts. Then, gripping the broom between his thighs and still holding the charcoal, he added three new items to the paper.

Investigate the golden-haired middle-aged man from the Ryan family—look for clues about the goat heart—

Confirm my birthday with Anna—see if I can exploit the luck of my birthday next year—

Find a newspaper with connections and guts, leak the pipe incident without revealing my identity—

Hmm… that's all for now!

After staring at the paper for a moment, Li Ang, lost in thought, drew a black circle around the words "newspaper."

I still have some time today—I'll visit a few newspapers, buy some papers, read their news selections, and see which ones dare to expose things!

…

Though the theft of Char Water Power Company's documents was no small matter, in a metropolis of over ten million people, the commotion barely stirred the surface—the capital continued to function with calm normalcy.

As the sun slowly sank westward across the sky, the bustling city, described as composed of "factories, smog, and human seas," gradually fell silent.

With the roar of machinery fading, countless weary industrial gears poured out of factories one by one, trudging home under the dim glow of streetlamps, faces etched with exhaustion… Has my brother not finished work yet?

Without waiting for Li Ang to pick her up, Anna carried her change of clothes and luggage back to Veteran's Lane. Seeing the pitch-black window of the spare room, she unconsciously bit her lip, then took out her key and stepped inside.

"It's sister! Sister's really back!"

"I knew big brother wouldn't lie to me!"

Hearing movement at the door, the two children had been nervous—but when they saw it was Anna, who'd been gone for days, they rushed over joyfully, clinging to her thighs like koalas, as if letting go would make her vanish.

"Yes, sister's back."

Dragging the two little koalas forward a few steps, she struggled to set her luggage on the table. Then, like a mother returning from work, she gently patted her brother and sister's heads, bent down, kissed each on the cheek, and smiled as she asked:

"Did you two behave while I was gone? Did you cause trouble for your big brother?"

At Anna's question, the room fell slightly silent. The two children exchanged glances instinctively. Then, under Melanie's panicked expression, simple-minded William spoke honestly:

"We were good… but… um…"

"No no! We didn't do anything!"

"…"

"Hmm?"

Seeing her sister's eyes narrow sharply, Melanie, who had covered her mouth too late, turned her head and shot a furious glare at her dim-witted brother, then sighed in regret and confessed:

"It wasn't really mischief… it's just Jack and the others were so annoying—they kept saying you wouldn't come back this time… we couldn't stand it, so we… we just played a little trick on them…"

"…"

Hearing Melanie's explanation, seeing her pained little face, Anna's heart ached slightly. She reached out and stroked her messy golden hair.

This wasn't entirely their fault—if blame was due, it was hers.

A few days before this episode, she'd already sensed she might not return, so she'd quietly arranged with neighbors to keep it secret, so her brother could keep receiving her pension.

Jack was a kid from the lane too—exactly one of those families. Probably the adults slipped up, the children overheard, and during play, Jack blurted it out, angering Melanie and William.

William's nature was calm and quiet—he'd likely just stewed silently, waiting for her return to tell on them. But Melanie, clever, mischievous, and a bit petty, would definitely seek direct revenge.

Hmm… if I'm right, she probably convinced gentle William to join her under the guise of "protecting her sister." Judging by her stammering, she must've caused quite a ruckus these past few days.

"You, you little thing! Ugh!"

After pinching her sister's cheek—softer than a boiled egg—the frail girl shook her head helplessly. Seeing how frightened they'd been, she'd planned to let it go lightly—but finally hardened her heart and snapped:

"Don't dodge! Tell me honestly—what exactly did you two do these past few days?!"

"If it's not too bad, tomorrow I'll take you to apologize. But if it's worse than last time, no matter the reason—you're getting beaten today!"

At Anna's words, Melanie shuddered, clutching her skirt, eyes darting as she mumbled:

"Well… if you say it's not too bad… it might be a little too much… but if you say it's bad… it's not that bad really… mainly… um… that…"

"Stop saying 'mainly' and 'um'—I knew the moment you shoved horse dung in Jack's mouth—we're definitely getting beaten!"

Tugging at his still-defiant sister, William skillfully pulled down his pants, exposing his bare bottom, then turned his head to face the two stunned sisters and said seriously:

"Sis, I've calculated it—if you're going to hit me, give me twice last time's amount. But for Melanie… start with five times!"

(End of Chapter)