Chapter 884

「……」

Good grief, you really know how to solve problems.

After hearing his younger brother's genius solution, Leon's mouth twitched uncontrollably, spasming repeatedly.

If you can't figure out how to arrange the carriages, then step outside the problem—figure out how to make more carriages, then arrange them however you want, right?

This approach to problem-solving… how to put it… it's very Wilde.

His younger brother's mind never gets bound by any rules—he always ignores the distractions and cuts straight to the heart of the issue.

Doesn't matter what the question is: solve the problem, or if you can't solve it, solve the person who made it. Whether the method strays off-course? Not his concern. All that matters is whether the problem got solved.

…

«This… isn't exactly wrong.

Seeing Anna, teeth clenched in fury, Leon could only offer reassurance:

«Though the method's a bit off, the flexibility of the thinking is fine. Let's not… uh… stifle their potential too soon… Besides, they're still young. By the time they grow up, they probably won't write like this anymore.

They won't write like this anymore—but they might just start acting out outright!

Facing her elder brother, who was perfect in every way except his refusal to ever spank the children, Anna stamped her foot in exasperation:

«What about Melanie?

Melanie didn't answer correctly either?

Hearing Anna's words, Leon—who had been turning the door key—turned back, surprised:

«Melanie's math is usually good. I remember the teacher calling her a genius. She didn't get this one either?

«She got it right—and scored full marks.

Anna sighed helplessly:

«She didn't even write out the steps. Just glanced at it, wrote the answer immediately, finished the two-hour exam in five minutes, then started tutoring other kids for pay—and even developed a whole… a whole code system, using the sound of tapping her pen on the desk to transmit answers.

«In her exam room, everyone except William passed with full marks. That little brat made nine silver wheels in pocket money from cheating for others!

«…»

«And to avoid having the money confiscated if discovered, she lent it all out right after the exam—signed contracts with nine kids in her class, making them pay back with snacks and toys over the next year, and even charged four percent interest!

Oh my… this is far worse than William's. Even you can't protect her now—you're just going to have to take your punishment!

After hearing Melanie's equally outrageous antics, Leon set William down upon entering the house, turned to Melanie, and said helplessly:

«Big brother got off work early today, so I'm not that tired. Maybe… let's skip the shoulder rub?

«No, big brother!

Seeing Leon about to walk away, Melanie's face crumpled, and she burst into tears:

«My pocket money was cut too much, so I just wanted to earn some snacks… I know I'm wrong, I swear this is the last time I'll help someone cheat—I'll never do it again! If I ever do it again, let Anna beat my butt raw!

«No need to wait till next time—I'm beating your butt raw right now!

«Wah!

«…»

This vacation of mine… has been quite the spectacle…

Watching Anna lay Melanie across her lap and swat her bottom with loud, rhythmic thwacks, Leon shook his head. After a dozen slaps, he interjected:

«By the way, Emma's daughter is also starting at the Fleet Bridge Academy soon.

«Little Ellie?

Hearing Leon's words, Anna paused mid-swat, her anger melting into surprise:

«Isn't she still unwell and needing rest? Has she recovered enough to go to school?

«Yes, Ellie's nearly fully recovered.

Giving Melanie a subtle glance—telling her to run if she could—Leon replied:

«You know, this child never interacted much with peers her age, and she's naturally timid. So I thought… let her be in the same class as Melanie and William.

«With two familiar friends, Ellie will adapt faster to the class. And with William and Melanie looking out for her, no one will dare bully her.

«…»

Is that all you're worried about—not getting bullied?

Hearing Leon's words, Anna couldn't help but glance at him.

With these two little devils watching over her, Ellie wouldn't just avoid being bullied—she might even find it easy to bully the teachers.

For that sweet, well-behaved child, the most dangerous peers were precisely these two little demons. Being around them, she'd likely be led astray—big time.

«Brother.

Thinking of this, Anna called out to Leon, then asked curiously:

«You're telling me this… so I'll mention it to the school when I drop off Melanie and William?

«No, I'm free tomorrow—I'll go with you.

Leon shook his head, then added apologetically:

«I told you this because I want you to take care of one more child—I hope Ellie moves in here too.

«Huh?

Anna blinked, incredulous:

«Brother? You want Ellie to live here with us?

«Yes.

Leon nodded:

«You know Emma and I have the same job—and hers is even busier. She rarely comes home.

«Ellie had no choice before, so she stayed alone in that empty manor. Now that she's well enough to go out, if she's still alone in that empty house… it's too lonely.

«Huh? Why do you look so strange? Is there a problem with adding one more child?

«Not at all… Ellie's a good child. I'm happy to have her live with us. But…»

Anna shook her head slightly, hesitating:

«Brother… have you asked Veronica?

«?

«I mean…»

Seeing Leon's puzzled expression—as if he still didn't grasp her meaning—Anna sighed, ushered Melanie and William back inside, then blushed and whispered:

«Aren't you getting married to Veronica soon? But you and Emma… aren't there some… feelings between you? Aren't you worried they'll clash?

«Let's not even talk about clashes… who told you I'm getting married?

«Huh? Isn't that true?

Anna blinked, confused:

«It's all over the papers! And Veronica came by yesterday—asked if I'd be her maid of honor.

«What? She came by yesterday again?

«Yes.

Seeing Leon's reaction, Anna frowned:

«She said she came to discuss the wedding with you. Didn't find you, but she brought me a new doctor, bought Melanie new clothes, and gave William a whole set of books… Oh!

Here, Anna seemed to recall something, her expression turning peculiar:

«When Veronica came yesterday, William was doing homework. She saw his history assignment, laughed for a bit, then stared at it for a long time. Finally, she borrowed a few of his old assignments, saying she wanted to study them.

Borrowed a few of his old assignments?

Hearing Anna's words, Leon frowned in confusion.

Veronica's busy—why would she care about a third-grader's homework? Even William's… wait? William's old assignments? That's not the «Pan-Continent Unification Plan»?!