Chapter 281: Making a Profit

“What’s going on?!” I exclaimed.

“Little one, this is as far as I can help you,” Sister Ruoxue said. “From now on, don’t be so naive. Take good care of this place.”

“Ah… thank you… thank you, sister…” Though they didn’t seem to want my thanks, I couldn’t help but express my gratitude to Sister Ruoxue.

“Little mouse…” Sister Xiaoyao turned to me. “So, where exactly is the ‘Tao’ in this warehouse?”

“Oh, this warehouse actually doesn’t even have…”

Before I could finish, Sister Ruoxue covered my mouth with her hand.

Frowning, she looked at Sister Xiaoyao. “Xiaoyao… what are you planning?”

“Ruoxue, don’t you think this is a great opportunity?” Sister Xiaoyao said. “We’ve come all this way and finally met a ‘Zodiac’ like this. Have you forgotten the final mission of ‘Heaven’s Gate’?”

“I forbid it,” Sister Ruoxue said firmly. “Xiaoyao, this little girl just became a ‘Zodiac’ today. She hasn’t harmed anyone yet.”

“Just because she hasn’t doesn’t mean she won’t in the future.” Though hesitant, Sister Xiaoyao continued, “Even if she’s a child… at the end of the day, one less ‘Zodiac’ is always better.”

Sister Ruoxue, who had been smiling earlier, slowly grew serious.

She took my hand and clasped it with hers, then said to Sister Xiaoyao, “Xiaoyao, you need to understand the logic here. Because this child stands with me, you can’t win against her.”

She squeezed my hand and repeated, “You absolutely cannot win.”

“You…!” Sister Xiaoyao looked furious. “Ruoxue… are you protecting a ‘Zodiac’?! How is that any different from the ‘Extreme Path’?!”

“Call me ‘Extreme Path’ if you want… call me insane if you must…” Sister Ruoxue shook her head. “But if you hurt this child here today, you’ll regret it deeply someday.”

Hearing this, Sister Xiaoyao’s expression darkened with disappointment.

“So that’s how it is…” She let out a bitter laugh. “I had my suspicions before… but I never thought it was really you.”

“Yes,” Sister Ruoxue nodded. “So, Xiaoyao, what’s your decision?”

“I’ll spare this child, but…” Sister Xiaoyao took a few steps forward, her face filled with sorrow, then turned back and said, “Ruoxue, let’s break up.”

And she left.

Seeing Sister Ruoxue’s sadness, I felt like I’d messed up again.

Ever since I arrived in this strange place, it seemed I’d only been causing trouble for others.

“Sister Ruoxue…” I tugged gently at her sleeve. “Are you okay…?”

“Yeah… I’m fine.” Though tears glistened in her eyes, she crouched down and patted my head. “Little mouse, remember to live well. One day, we’ll leave this place—you must stay alive until then…”

“Mm…” Though I didn’t fully understand, I nodded. “Okay… Sister Ruoxue, I’ll live well.”

She wiped the corner of her eye lightly, then took out a small pouch from her bag.

“I found this in a little store earlier. Here, it’s for you.”

Inside was a bag of peanuts—different from the ones I’d eaten before, as they were packaged.

When I looked up again, Sister Ruoxue had already turned to leave. From a distance, she waved at me without looking back.

What was going on?

Did she and Sister Xiaoyao have a fight…?

I looked down at the peanuts again.

I couldn’t eat these alone. I had to take them back for Uncle Tiger, Uncle Snake, Uncle Black Sheep, and Brother White Sheep to share.

Because this bag of peanuts was what I “earned” on my first day at work! Hehe!

Today had gone really well—my first pair of visitors let me earn one ‘Tao’ and a bag of peanuts.

Would I earn even more later?

But things didn’t go as I’d hoped. As I mentioned, maybe my spot was too remote—hardly anyone came by. The whole day, I only saw Sister Xiaoyao and Sister Ruoxue.

I was so tired from standing that I had to sneak a seat every now and then, sitting just long enough before getting back up.

By the time night fell, a glowing door appeared beside me. Finally, the day was over.

I eagerly stepped through the door and found many uncles and aunts already inside.

For some reason, I still felt a little scared… maybe because everyone was wearing masks?

After waiting a while, Uncle Tiger appeared behind me again.

“Little mouse… how did it go today?” He patted my head. “How many did you lose?”

“Hehe… I actually earned one today,” I said with a grin. “I didn’t make Brother White Sheep lose money!”

Even though I’d always been called a “money-loser” growing up, this time, I really didn’t lose anything.

“What…?” Uncle Tiger didn’t seem pleased. “You… you actually earned one?”

“Huh?” I didn’t quite understand. “Aren’t we supposed to go out and earn ‘Tao’…?”

“Uh… yeah, of course…” Uncle Tiger scratched his head and muttered, “But I lost seven today…”

We ran into Uncle Snake and Uncle Black Sheep in the hallway—they had just entered too. Soon, we all gathered in Brother White Sheep’s room.

This room was really strange. The scattered food and broken table from yesterday had been restored. Did someone clean up during the day?

“Come eat.” Like yesterday, Brother White Sheep tapped the table.

This time, I wasn’t as shy and sat right next to him. Everyone ate ravenously, just like before.

I picked up a boiled potato again—it somehow reminded me of Grandma’s cooking.

“Little mouse, why are you hiding in the corner chewing on potatoes again? Do you really think you’re a ‘mouse’?”

Uncle Tiger sighed, then grabbed a chicken leg from Uncle Black Sheep’s plate for me.

“Again…?” Uncle Black Sheep looked annoyed. “Do you have to take from my plate?”

“I’m helping you lose weight. Don’t complain… just keep quiet.” Uncle Tiger handed me the chicken leg.

I thanked them both, but this time, Uncle Black Sheep didn’t say much—instead, he took a piece of pork rib from his plate.

“Chicken legs are lower in calories. Eat more pork,” he said.

“Thank you, Uncle Black Sheep!”

Before long, we finished eating. Brother White Sheep wiped his hands with a napkin and asked, “How many did you collect today?”

Grinning, I stood up and announced, “Brother White Sheep, I earned one ‘Tao’ today!”

I pulled out the glowing little sphere from my pocket and pushed it forward.

Brother White Sheep tossed his napkin onto the table and glared at me coldly.

“Rat, do you think you’re clever?”