A Little Scheming

Wuma Xiu smiled and gently patted the other's hands that were wrapped around his waist, signaling them to let go. Then, he bent down and hugged the shrunken Water God into his arms, beginning today's feeding.

The God of Poverty stood there, looking at his empty arms, his gaze involuntarily following the Water God who was being held in Wuma Xiu's arms.

No wonder the Sea God agreed so readily when he asked to shrink; he could easily charm and fawn over him.

--Is it because of this... God?

The more the God of Poverty looked, the more sour bubbles rose in his heart.

This Water God, despite being such a large deity, still curled up into a tiny ball so that the Sea God could hold him and feed him pastries bite by bite.

--Aren't you ashamed!

--This is truly... shameless.

The God of Poverty puffed out his cheeks, but didn't voice his thoughts; he simply turned his head away.

Is it just because he's known Sea God for a little longer?

What's so great about it?

Even so, he couldn't help but glance at it out of the corner of his eye, and the more he glanced, the more aggrieved he felt.

They were closest before they came back.

The God of Poverty had never experienced this feeling before.

It's like meeting a cat that rubs against you and acts cute and affectionate. You're overjoyed, thinking you're the only person it's close to.

But when they went home with it, they discovered that it already had an owner.

And just moments ago it was nestled in your arms, nuzzling against you, making your heart melt; it clearly wanted to come with you.

It's okay, it's okay.

Once its "owner" is gone, won't it only have them left?

The God of Poverty turned his head and looked at the God of Misfortune beside him.

The other person seemed to sense something and happened to look over.

They had been together for many years and no longer needed words; a single glance was enough for them to understand each other's thoughts.

Great, the camp is united.

The God of Misfortune gave him a look.

The God of Poverty understood, his facial muscles twitched, and he immediately adopted a wounded expression, his eyes slightly reddening, and his voice lowered:

"Hai, they don't seem to like us. We... we should... leave."

He led the God of Misfortune away, as if he was about to turn around, as if he didn't want to cause any trouble for his friend. He looked extremely aggrieved, as if he had been subjected to a great ostracism.

Wuma Xiu saw through this little trick at a glance.

These are all things he already did back then.

Did you think you could control him like that?

The answer is, of course, yes!

Wuma Xiu had intended to bring them back.

If we let them go now, not only will we have wasted two Lucky Stars, but we will also have squandered all the effort we put into building goodwill.

That would truly be a case of losing both one's wife and one's army.

"Lord Water God, please eat first. I'll go and have a proper talk with them."

Wuma Xiu bent down and gently set the Little Water God down, placing the plate of pastries into his hands. Then, with a flick of his sleeve, several slips of paper drifted like snowflakes towards the Gods present.

"Furthermore, I have already devised solutions to your problems; just follow the instructions written above."

After saying this, Wuma Xiu, along with the God of God of Poverty and the God of Misfortune, flew towards the Sea God Palace without looking back.

The Water God stared blankly at the plate in his hand, then looked up in the direction where the three gods had left.

It only took a moment.

A wave of sadness welled up in my eyes, and tears fell without warning.

This is the first time.

The Sea God ignored him and left with the other gods.

Before, no matter what happened, I was always the most important person.

But now, he doesn't seem... that important anymore.

The other Gods were still engrossed in the note left by Wuma Xiu.

They were increasingly astonished as they looked.

Those methods were not only logically sound, but they actually solved their respective problems.

But they clearly haven't mentioned these things to the Sea God yet.

Could it be... that the Sea God has been silently watching them all along?

That's how you know it so clearly?

The Sea God must have gone to great lengths for them.

The Gods, recalling their past, were deeply moved.

Gods are proud and arrogant.

Aside from the gods they recognized, they Major General took anyone else seriously. But in the hearts of this group of gods, to put it bluntly, the Sea God's status was far higher than... the Water God's.

During this time, after watching Wuma Xiu and the others fly away, Stream God shrank back under the covers.

He held the body of the little water doll in his hand.

Brother Sea God is really great; I hope he gets better and better in the future.

He can just watch from the sidelines.

The three gods descended Sea God Palace.

Wuma Xiu raised his hand and pushed open the temple door. He turned to the side and gave the God of Poverty and the God of Misfortune a warm smile.

This is my Sea God Palace.

"From now on, if you have nowhere else to go, this will be your home."

You are always welcome.

At that moment, it felt as if the God of Poverty and the God of Misfortune had been violently struck in the chest.

They couldn't quite describe what that feeling was like.

It felt like a bittersweet sensation, with a hint of hidden sweetness. A warm feeling spread from my chest, almost softening my heart. My throat tightened, my eyes burned, yet I couldn't utter a single word.

The God of Poverty felt a lump in his throat and quickly turned his face away.

He had heard too many stories of being driven away and suffered too many cold stares in his life.

"Jinx," "Scourge," "Stay away from us"... Yet no one has ever opened a door for them so readily. No god has ever smiled and said to them:

"This is your home."

The God of Misfortune has always been indifferent and heartless towards his gods.

Although Wuma Xiu had stumbled upon something he liked by chance, it was ultimately just a passing fancy, at most a slight liking. But just now, the word "forever" truly touched him.

"The Lucky Star only lasts for one year."

A year later, all the gods around them will suffer misfortune.

The God of Misfortune didn't say it explicitly, but he knew the Sea God would understand.

Wuma Xiu touched the Lucky Star at his waist, completely unconcerned:

"It's alright, I'm friends with the God of Wealth and the God of Luck. If I want Lucky Star, they'll give it to me."

Although the God of Poverty was pleased to hear this, he was also somewhat anxious and hurriedly said:

"But the cooldown period for [Good Fortune from the Heavens] is one thousand years. The calamity we bring, however, will occur once every hundred years."

"That's alright. I just need to hold on for a year, and I'll be fine for the next hundred years. Besides, I never regret any decision I've made. Even if I die because of it, I will never regret it."

Yes.

He never regrets any decision he makes.

Besides, could it be that bad luck led to death?

Ha, do they really Old Self all those connections and life-saving methods they have are just for show?

If you die, you die; you can always be resurrected.

Although Wuma Xiu chuckled inwardly, he naturally acted as he pleased on the surface.

He stepped forward, reached out and embraced both gods, speaking softly:

"Don't worry about me. Come on in and let me show you your future home. If there's anything you don't like, be sure to tell me!"

Just as Wuma Xiu released his grip and turned to the Sea God Palace, his finger pressed against the center of the glasses. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the God of Poverty and the God of Misfortune following behind. As he lowered his hand, the smile on his face and in his eyes instantly faded.

A god who has no home and lacks love is indeed easy to please.

If given a place to go, they would give their whole heart.