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Klein, of course, didn't mind Melissa adhering to her usual thrifty style; after all, he wasn't a big spender himself.
However, he also didn't want his sister to suffer for the sake of saving money.
Klein was never stingy when it came to spending money on his family; ultimately, the reason he worked so hard to earn money, besides his advancement, was to provide Benson and Melissa with a better life.
"For example, Melissa, you could buy a few new clothes to face Backlund with a better appearance," Klein offered as an example, a hint of helplessness in his eyes as they fell on Melissa's winter coat, which had been made last year.
Although he had consistently sent money home, Melissa and Benson evidently hadn't used much of it.
Or rather, Klein felt that after Benson and Melissa became low-Sequence Beyonders, they seemed to live even more frugally.
"These clothes were bought just last year; I can absolutely continue to wear them," Melissa subconsciously retorted.
"But they don't fit that well, do they?" Klein said with some helplessness.
Melissa was at an age where she was still growing, and the clothes she was wearing weren't a perfect fit even when they were bought, simply because they were cheap; now, they were even more unsuitable.
"But there are many places where we need to spend money; we have to save up for future purchases of potion formulas and Beyonder ingredients, and the Materials consumed for practicing ritual magic and Charms also cost money…" Melissa showed a disapproving expression and began to count off on her fingers, one by one, all the places where money needed to be spent regularly.
While becoming Beyonders did provide them with more avenues for earning money, Cognitive Scholars and Lawyers, under circumstances that didn't violate the law, actually didn't have many ways to earn a lot of money in a short period.
Although they had plans for this, for example, Benson had already finished studying relevant legal knowledge and intended to take a lawyer's license exam after moving to Backlund later, earning money while digesting the potion.
However, compared to daily expenses and the future shortfalls needed for potion formulas and Beyonder ingredients, Melissa felt it was better to be more frugal in daily life, and places where spending wasn't absolutely necessary could be saved.
Moreover… Melissa looked at Klein, who seemed about to say something, and said, "We can't just rely on you to support us, Klein.
Family members should indeed help and rely on each other, but we cannot become your burden."
"We are your family, not leeches clinging to you."
Klein, who was just about to say that he could find a way to handle these things, was momentarily stunned.
He looked at the earnest Melissa and Benson, who seemed to be smiling helplessly but clearly supported Melissa, and for a moment, he didn't know what to say.
There was just a warmth in his heart, which made Klein's expression change repeatedly.
Finally, he sighed helplessly and said, "Alright, perhaps you are right, but I still think you could treat yourselves a little better."
This time, before Melissa could retort, Klein said, "This is a necessary investment.
Backlund is a place that values appearance, especially among the middle class and nobility.
Since you will be living in Backlund in the future, you will inevitably interact with these people."
Melissa frowned; she was probably thinking.
Having lived in Tingen since childhood, her impressions of Backlund, apart from what she learned from newspapers and magazines, were only from the period when she visited Klein.
And these various impressions indeed told her that it was a place far more concerned with appearance than Tingen.
"I understand that you don't want to be my burden, but you also said that family members should naturally help and rely on each other…" Klein paused here, looking at Melissa and Benson, and said:
"Actually, I have some businesses in Backlund and also some connections.
When I leave Backlund later, I'll hand these over for you to manage.
Don't refuse; this isn't just me helping you, but also you helping me.
Whether it's business or connections, someone always needs to maintain them…"
As Klein spoke, he introduced the bicycle investment he had made earlier to his siblings.
He wouldn't be able to manage this investment once he left Backlund, but entrusting it to Benson and Melissa would be perfect.
Besides, there were other connections—those not involving dangerous areas—that Klein naturally wanted to transfer one by one to his brother and sister.
Klein hadn't been idle in Backlund during this time; he had gotten to know countless people from all walks of life.
These things could help Benson and Melissa establish themselves in Backlund as quickly as possible.
Klein had originally planned to discuss this after the New Year, but now it was brought up earlier.
Benson and Melissa naturally did not decline these offers.
Firstly, they simply didn't want to be leeches clinging to Klein, but that didn't mean they were so stubbornly unyielding as to refuse Klein's help.
Secondly, as Klein said, businesses and connections naturally need to be maintained.
If Klein had to leave Backlund for something, then it was only natural for them to take over.
The three siblings then discussed this topic, which eventually veered into the siblings' future career plans.
Melissa naturally had to continue her studies, while Benson, as he intended, prepared to become a Lawyer.
Klein, who was not surprised by this, had naturally already inquired about the situation in the relevant Domain, and even leveraged Yuergen Lawyer's connections, immediately giving Benson a very professional introduction.
As they talked, time flew by, and in a blink of an eye, it was already evening.
Whether it was Klein, Benson, or Melissa, they all simultaneously stopped their discussion.
After placing the already prepared dishes on the table, the three siblings also sat down at their respective places.
"Alright, it's time to welcome the New Year," Benson said, raising his beer and looking at Klein and Melissa across the table.
The latter two also picked up their ginger beer.
"Clink—"
The sound of the glasses clinking was not very noticeable; what was noticeable was the simultaneous blessing from the three siblings:
"Happy New Year!"
…
"Hmm, statistics complete.
Bornova has eight pieces of dark history or fanfiction, Beibei has five pieces of dark history or fanfiction, and Medici and Ouroboros each have one."
"Additionally, Medici and Ouroboros can each ask me to erase five pieces of dark history, Beibei twice, and Bornova once."
Lin Ruo announced with a smile, ending the card game that had lasted an entire afternoon and half the evening.
His gaze swept around, passing over Bornova's tear-streaked face, Bernadette's helpless smile, Medici, who seemed unsurprised by the result, and Ouroboros, whose expression was still ethereal with a hint of dullness, yet who silently became the biggest winner alongside Medici.
He immediately continued in a cheerful mood:
"Losers, please pay your debts within seven days.
As for the winners, I'll come to you to collect once I recover my memories."
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