It didn't take long for the mutton chops to arrive. They were passed through the dense, crowded onlookers hand-to-hand, like a bucket brigade. As if to repay the crowd, Wayne had Tess pull back the curtains. Although the people outside couldn't hear what was being said, at least they had a visual.
Chen continued to speak while devouring the meat. "After we rescued them, we camped out in the wild with those Goblins for a night. The leader of their group didn't seem to care much about the other goods packed on the wagons, but he was extremely fixated on one particular box."
"We got to talking, and that Goblin told us he had bought a rare treasure from a human. He said he was going to take it back to the great desert and open a... what was it... a 'Net-Turtle' that would make more money than a gold mine?"
"...It's a 'Net Cafe'... Uncle..." Li Li reminded him while continuing to gnaw on a mutton chop. "Delicious, delicious... this is too good..."
Wayne thought to himself, So that's how it is.
Chen finished one chop in two bites, stuffed another into his mouth, and continued, "We were curious about what that treasure was, but the Goblin refused to show us no matter what. He said the person who sold it to him warned that it must never be opened in the wilderness—that extreme cold, heat, water, or wind would ruin the treasure."
Li Li chimed in, "Uncle and I both think that Goblin was cheated."
Wayne's mouth hung open. He couldn't help but ask, "Did you two... tell him...?"
Li Li said, "Uncle wouldn't let me say it, but I still said—"
Chen quickly told Li Li to shut up. "That Goblin learned we were headed for Westfall, so he told us we could stop by Goldshire and check out the most miraculous thing in the world at a net cafe. But he also said that when we pass by Gadgetzan in the future, something even more miraculous will appear there."
At this point, Li Li finally realized something. Her chewing slowed to a halt as she looked at Wayne. "Uh... that scammer... I mean, the owner who sold those things to the Goblins wouldn't happen to be you, would it?"
Tess also looked at Wayne with a hint of surprise, as if thinking, Boss, you can even swindle Goblins...
Wayne quickly replied to Li Li, "Don't think you can talk nonsense just because you're a panda. I didn't scam anyone."
He picked up the wooden sign with the rules on it and showed it to them. "Once you're done eating and pay the fee, you'll see that the Goblin's words weren't an exaggeration at all."
Chen looked at the price and hesitated for a brief moment. Still holding a mutton chop in one hand, he used the other to fish out a handful of gold coins from his pouch and placed them in Wayne's hand.
Li Li looked at Chen with a bit of reluctance, but Chen gave her a confident smile.
Li Li understood immediately. She pouted at Wayne, her expression saying, If you dare cheat us, my Uncle will definitely give you a sound thrashing.
Dong! Dong! Dong!...
The clock struck twelve. Chen and Li Li had just finished all ten of the fatty mutton chops.
Chen wiped his greasy hands on his backside and downed the rest of his iced Coke in one go. He let out a satisfied shout and told Wayne to hurry up and start.
Wayne lowered the armrests of the gaming chair and let Chen recline. With Tess's help, Li Li sat in the neighboring seat.
The onlookers outside instantly grew excited.
"Look, look! They're about to play Wayne's game!"
"Pandaren can play games too?"
"Man, those two can really eat..."
Meanwhile, outside the crowd, the confused Westbrook quartet didn't know what was happening inside. They tried to squeeze in but couldn't move an inch. Seeing that business hours had begun, they could only fret in frustration.
Wayne asked, "Do you want to play a game or watch a movie?"
Chen replied, "Is there something suitable for after a meal? I'm so full I don't really want to move..."
Wayne seriously doubted whether this super-obese Pandaren was truly the powerful Brewmaster monk of legend. With that weight and waistline, he seemed completely unrelated to concepts like agility or flexibility.
He helped Chen put on the goggles and taught him the basic controls. Thinking that the magical world of Harry Potter might not suit them, he started playing Saint Seiya for them instead.
When playing movies or shows, there was no screen sharing. Furthermore, the two Pandaren were in a semi-reclined position. As a result, the onlookers eventually found it boring and began to leave. The rest were gradually dispersed by the guards.
By the time the Westbrook quartet finally managed to push through the crowd and enter, it was already 12:30 PM.
The four of them were startled by Chen's massive frame the moment they walked in, but they immediately understood why Wayne's net cafe was being surrounded today.
Their pent-up complaints and urgency vanished instantly. They stood around Chen—who was wearing goggles and intently watching the animation—studying him from all angles. Listening to Chen's heavy breathing, they couldn't resist reaching out to gently touch the black and white fur on his body.
Verdan remarked, "Look at him. So fat and heavy. Even if they could avoid wild beasts, those man-eating races of the Horde probably wouldn't let them pass..."
Hudson corrected him, "Don't talk nonsense. I've heard that there's a profession passed down through generations among the Pandaren called a 'Monk.' They are masters of a skill called martial arts. Legend says they even fought a great battle against evil forces in ancient times."
Hicks sneered, "Brother, what kind of pulp fiction have you been reading? If you eat your way into a physique like that, forget about throwing punches—you'd probably be out of breath just walking two steps."
Although Chen felt like small flies were landing on him and ruffling his fur, he couldn't be bothered with that now. He and Li Li were currently watching the second episode: Seiya's duel against Geki of Bear at the Galaxian Wars.
Geki was using his finishing move, the "Hanging Bear," lifting Seiya high with both hands. The electronic screen by the ring showed that the pressure on Seiya's neck had reached a staggering 1,900 kilograms. Chen joked with Li Li inside the animation, saying that it was the equivalent of six of himself sitting on the Pegasus's neck.
Then, following the standard tropes of old animation, after some flashbacks and inspiration, Seiya's Cosmo exploded. He used a rare "Meteor Kick," unleashing dozens of kicks in a short time. He not only broke free from the grip but also shattered Geki's Bear Cloth, winning the duel.
On the other side, the quartet had also finished the first episode under Wayne's recommendation. Although they felt the plot was a bit slow-paced, the power and speed of Seiya's "Pegasus Meteor Punch" left them in awe.
As for when time flies fastest, it's either while sleeping or playing games. The group felt as if they had only just sat down—as if the 5 PM dinner was only ten minutes ago—when the 8 PM bell rang and the screens went black.
Night fell. There were very few people on the street. Only the distant night show of the Darkmoon Faire was still running some small events, attracting the last of the travelers.
The Westbrook quartet and the others said their goodbyes, preparing to rush back to camp through the night. Just as they stepped out of the door, they heard Li Li say to Chen, "Uncle, do you think Seiya's Pegasus Meteor Punch is faster, or our Monk's Fists of Fury?"
Chen laughed heartily. "Of course the Pegasus Meteor Punch is faster. But I believe that with persistent training, Fists of Fury can reach that speed as well."
Hudson had always been interested in the rumors about Monks. Hearing this, he couldn't help but stop in his tracks.
Hicks, however, had a face full of disdain. "Brother, you actually believe a child's words? Fat as they are, if they throw the first punch, you'd probably have to wait half a day for the second one."
"Hmph! Eavesdropping on others!" Li Li suddenly hopped from her chair to the doorway. "See that? My movements are very fast!"
Hicks chuckled. "Little girl, you are indeed flexible. Just don't end up eating until you look like your Uncle."
Li Li snapped, "You're wrong! Uncle is much faster than me! He's the most powerful Monk!"
Chen didn't care at all. As a rare Pandaren, he was long used to being discussed and stared at wherever he went. Stepping out of the shop, he rubbed his round belly, preparing to go to the inn across the street for another big meal—and to taste Goldshire's fine ale.
Hicks wanted to say a few more words to Li Li, but Hudson pulled him back. Just as everyone was about to go their separate ways, the sound of several fast-approaching horses drew near. A voice called out softly: "Master! Please wait!"