The white goat-headed elder didn’t speak, just silently tapped the table and said, “Whatever. Come eat.”
The three men remained silent, merely nodding as they respectfully walked over and took their seats around the table.
I nervously rubbed my hands together. Though I was starving, this was someone else’s home. Grandma always said that when visiting others, you shouldn’t even drink their water unless…
“Come eat,” the white goat-headed elder tapped the table again, addressing me.
“Huh?” I gulped. “C-can I eat too?”
“Quit yapping. If Goat Bro says come, then come,” Uncle Tiger interjected.
I nodded happily and approached the table.
Glancing around, I noticed there wasn’t a seat for me. The white goat-headed elder pulled over a chair and placed it beside him.
“Sit,” he ordered.
“Thank you, big brother!” I beamed.
Food! This was amazing.
As I reached to remove my mask, Goat Bro grabbed my wrist.
“Don’t,” he said coldly. “Eat like this.”
“Like… this?” I didn’t understand—how could I eat through this stinking mask?
“Remember: your mask only comes off when you die,” he added.
“Wha…?!”
Looking around, I saw the others shoving food directly into their masks’ mouths.
Wait—the mask’s mouth could open?
Testing it, I realized the mouth wasn’t sewn shut, allowing me to eat.
Disgusting as it was, starving would be worse.
The table overflowed with enough food for ten people. I grabbed a potato, peeled it, and took a bite.
Boiled to soft perfection, its rich aroma reminded me of how Grandma used to make them.
“Silly kid…” Uncle Tiger shook his head.
He then snatched a chicken leg from Black Goat Uncle’s plate and handed it to me. “Eat this. More meat.”
“Hey…” Black Goat Uncle scowled. “That’s too much.”
“You’re a goat. Why eat meat?”
“Since when can’t goats eat meat?”
“Enough, enough,” Uncle Snake chuckled. “Keep arguing and someone might get killed.”
Staring at the chicken leg, I hesitated.
“There there…” Uncle Snake patted my head. “Ignore those idiots. Just eat.”
I examined the drumstick—a luxury I only got during New Year’s.
“Can I really…?”
“Of course!” Uncle Snake winked.
“Th-thank you, Uncle Snake…” I glanced at the others. “And thank you, Uncle Tiger and Black Goat Uncle…”
“Such manners,” Uncle Snake sighed. “Dig in.”
Nodding, I took a bite.
Heavenly. Today felt like a holiday.
Soon, Goat Bro spoke.
I noticed everyone instantly froze, giving him their full attention.
“Listen…” He tapped the table. “Hand over today’s haul.”
“Thirteen here,” Uncle Snake said, producing a small bag. “Thanks to your advice, Goat Bro.”
“Mn.” Goat Bro nodded. “Your game’s nearly perfect after my tweaks. You’ll probably sign the contract soon.”
“I got nine,” Black Goat Uncle replied. “You were right, Goat Bro. Humans cheating each other is truly ugly.”
Goat Bro pondered before speaking. “Human Goat, stop your ‘Fan Guessing’ after two more rounds.”
“What?” Black Goat Uncle stiffened. “Goat Bro, you mean…?”
“Shift your focus.” Goat Bro slid him a notebook. “I designed a new game for you.”
“A new game?” Flipping through it, Black Goat Uncle’s eyes widened. “‘Eight Trigrams Fan’…? For a hundred participants…?”
“Just a draft.” Goat Bro shrugged. “If it’s too complex, simplify it to ‘Seven Emotions,’ ‘Six Desires,’ ‘Five Notes,’ ‘Four Seasons,’ or even ‘Three Talents.'”
Black Goat Uncle trembled with excitement. “But Goat Bro… this is an ‘Earth-level’ game… I’m still Human Goat…”
“You’ll get there.” Goat Bro waved dismissively. “Prepare in advance.”
“Goat Bro… are you…?”
Goat Bro cut him off and turned to Uncle Tiger.
The others followed his gaze.
“Human Tiger, your count?” Goat Bro asked.
“I, uh…” The massive tiger head drooped comically.
“Speak.” Goat Bro’s voice softened. “I can handle it.”
After a long pause, Uncle Tiger mumbled, “Goat Bro… I lost six…”
“Pfft—” Uncle Snake spat out his food. “Money-losing tiger.”
“The hell you say?!” Uncle Tiger roared, leaping up.
“Oho, someone’s triggered~” Uncle Snake feigned fear, then winked at me. “Little mouse, don’t grow up like him.”
Despite their terrifying appearances, I felt oddly safe.
When no one backed him, Uncle Tiger plopped back down, fuming. “I’ll pay my own damn debts! Won’t trouble Goat Bro!”
“Would six ‘Daos’ trouble me?” Goat Bro sighed. “Come get replacements after eating.”
Uncle Tiger visibly deflated.
“Goat Bro…” He adjusted his mask. “You shouldn’t bend over backwards for us! If not for us dragging you down, you’d have ascended already!”
“Shut up.” Goat Bro’s voice turned icy. “We share this table. We’re family.”
Everyone bowed their heads in silence.
Unsure what to do, I hid my hands under the table, cautiously observing.
“Though I consider you family…” Goat Bro suddenly locked eyes with me. “Girl, you’re the exception. Leave after this meal. Go wherever—just stay out of my sight.”
“Ah…” I froze, then understood.
I’d overstayed my welcome.
“S-sorry…” I stood and bowed. “Thank you for the food, Goat Bro. I’ll go now—”
Before I could leave, Uncle Tiger grabbed my shoulder.
“You only ate one potato and a chicken leg. Stay.” He glared at Goat Bro. “She’ll get killed out there.”
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