Chapter 316 - 316: An Adult's Smile Disappears Because of Money

Wise wasn't surprised by Burnice's answer.

In fact, it was perfectly in line with her character.

"Burnice truly lives up to her title as the 'Golden-Haired Angel.'"

'Although this angel was a little unhinged...'

Wise thought to himself before stepping forward and casually draping an arm over Burnice's shoulder. She didn't resist, merely letting out a cheerful little hum.

"Hehe, I'm happy to be praised, but Wise, are you so happy because of the Burnice Cup?"

"Hmm...? You could say that. Though part of it is also because you're being called an angel."

"Eh? I'm the one being praised, so why are you the one who's so happy?"

Burnice looked genuinely puzzled by his answer, but Piper, standing beside them, had already figured out part of the reason.

"Indeed, Wise isn't just happy right now. He's practically overflowing with excitement. Is this what they call a man's passion?"

"Haha, then how about you join us too, Piper?" Wise suggested in a teasing tone.

"Eh? I... I'm afraid I might be a bit..." Piper hesitated.

The main reason was Burnice. If it were only Wise, she could always stop and rest whenever she wanted.

But with Burnice joining in, it'd probably be an entirely different story...

"Oh, by the way, are either of you interested in earning an extra 500,000 Dennies?"

"Eh? What do you mean?"

Wise's sudden question caught both girls off guard.

Piper quickly waved her hands.

"If you're saying this because you want to refuse your share, there's no need. I'll just accept it. At worst, I'll sleep a little more during the day after I get back."

"Exactly, exactly! Piper's right!"

Burnice immediately nodded in agreement, making Wise chuckle.

"I'm serious. I just think the city's taxes are ridiculously high. By the time the prize money reaches me, it'll probably be reduced to only a few hundred thousand. I don't really need that amount, so I'd rather split it with you two."

He smiled faintly.

"After all... having you two is enough."

[Ding! Target Burnice: has increased her favorability toward the host by 3. Her current favorability is now 95. Additionally, 500 Emotional Value has been obtained.]

[Ding! Target Piper: has increased her favorability toward the host by 4. Her current favorability is now 95. Additionally, 500 Emotional Value has been obtained.]

[Current Emotional Value: 40.000]

[Ding!]

[The system has detected an unclaimed reward. Would you like to claim it?]

Wise accepted almost instinctively before remembering that he'd never claimed Burnice's reward.

[Fully Captured Target: Burnice]

[Reward Generated ⭢ No fluffy Thiren can resist your hands for more than three seconds.]

[Note: Please try to use this ability appropriately. If you insist on using it the wrong way, there's nothing I can do.]

Soon afterward, everyone returned to Sixth Street to redeem their lottery winnings.

"Wow! We actually claimed the prize! There's really an extra 1.5 million Dennies in my account! I'm so happy, so happy! The last time I was this happy was... when Wise was holding my legs!"

"Ahem... Burnice, please be careful what you say out here..."

Piper reminded her, her face flushing slightly. Even with her easygoing personality, she couldn't casually say something like that in the middle of the street.

Soon enough, however, she found herself just as immersed in the joy of receiving the prize money.

"One-point-five million... It feels like a dream. If this happened a few more times, it'd really make someone not want to work honestly anymore."

She glanced at Wise.

"But... is this really okay? Just giving us part of your prize money like this? You didn't seem to mention it to Belle, and she looked pretty excited about winning."

Piper still seemed somewhat uneasy, but Wise simply shook his head.

"There's nothing to worry about."

Compared to the prize money, it was more important that they now had another reason to visit the video store more often.

"Alright, since you said so, I'll get going first. I need to head over to Turbo Remodeling Shop."

As Piper spoke, the usual sleepy look in her eyes suddenly sharpened.

"Hmph. Uncle Enzo, that old man, actually said his best parts and premium lubricant were wasted on a truck like Steeltusk... I'll have him repeat that after he's staring at real gold and silver."

"Hmm, I also have a meeting with my Nitro-Fuel supplier... Hehe, looks like I can finally treat her to dinner today!"

After chatting for a little longer, Burnice left first, while Wise accompanied Piper next door to see Enzo.

Only after that did he return to Random Play, where Belle had clearly been waiting impatiently.

"Brother! Hurry, hurry! I can't wait anymore! I can't hold back!"

"We're just going out to eat. Please don't make it sound so strange, okay?"

Wise looked at his sister helplessly.

Compared to Belle, the twin sisters beside him appeared much calmer, though only by comparison.

Even though he and the twins could prepare meals at home that rivaled anything they could get outside, Belle insisted that eating out simply felt different.

Occasionally, Wise felt the same way himself, so in the end, he gave in.

Perhaps because of the lottery winnings, Belle was especially generous with her spending today.

Not that he normally limited her allowance anyway.

Was this what people meant by retaliatory spending?

Regardless, Wise had no intention of stopping her. They weren't lacking Dennies anymore.

As long as his sister was happy, that was all that mattered.

<<>>

A few days later, Wise unexpectedly received a message from Burnice.

According to her, Piper had been feeling terribly down lately, and even she couldn't cheer her up.

Since Burnice remembered that Piper always seemed happiest whenever Wise was around, she decided to ask him for help.

Logically, the two of them should still have been enjoying the excitement of winning the lottery.

So why was Piper suddenly depressed?

Not long after receiving the message, Wise hurried to the Outer Ring.

The moment he found the two of them, Piper's appearance immediately caught him off guard.

"Yo, Wise... You're here..."

She weakly raised a hand in greeting.

"How have you been lately?"

'...What's with that exhausted look? She usually seems a little listless, but not to the point of looking like she'd worked unpaid overtime for more than ten days straight.'

Wise was genuinely surprised.

"I appreciate your concern, but compared to me... Piper, your condition seems much worse."

"Yeah!" Burnice chimed in from the side. "You were all smiles when we got the 1.5 million Dennies!"

Hearing that, Piper let out a long, heavy sigh.

"An adult's smile disappears because of money..."

Only then did Piper explain what had happened.

Ever since experiencing the incredible speed Wise had given Steeltusk, she'd become obsessed with pushing her beloved truck even further.

Now that she had plenty of money, she searched the market for the best parts she could find and ultimately bought a top-of-the-line truck engine.

After installing it, Steeltusk's top speed was comparable to that of a motorcycle.

The only problem was...

It burned through fuel so quickly that the tank ran dry after only three kilometers (about 1.9 miles).

"The speed is incredible..." Piper sighed. "But the endurance is terrible... If only Steeltusk could be like Wise."

She had even considered reinstalling the old engine. But after experiencing that kind of speed, neither she nor Steeltusk could bring themselves to go back.

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