While the Gu Yumian family was spending a leisurely morning at the hot spring villa, on the other side of the upper city, the Guo family's old house was also bustling with activity.
This hasn't happened in a long time.
The middle and older generations of the Guo family are accustomed to living a quiet life in seclusion, while the younger generations, like the Twenty-Four Guos, are scattered across the stars, working and pursuing their dreams while also trying to find out the whereabouts of their ancestors.
The news reported a 'fire in the old house,' but that wasn't the case. In the interstellar age, how could such an accident as a fire still exist? 'Fire' was just a code word.
"There's a fire. Could it be that... that person has returned?"
"Why didn't Little Twenty-Four reply? Wasn't he the most active before? Oh, I saw his agent said he's sick. Let's go visit him some other day."
"Sister, I'm so nervous."
The hall was crowded with pandas, young and old, male and female, some scratching their heads and rubbing their bellies and chatting, while others chewed bamboo while anxiously waiting, all with different expressions.
The interstellar, sole Panda Pot clan had grown into a vast tribe. A rough count revealed over fifty Pandas seated in the hall—and that was only the ones who had returned; many were still on their way. The Twenty-Four Pots, though young, were of high rank, with the Forties and Fifties already having been born.
It wasn't until a brown and white panda walked out of the inner hall that everyone shut their mouths and looked at it eagerly.
Thirteenth Pot is fatter than most pandas and won a sumo championship in his youth. The oldest panda in the old house is Seventh Pot, but Seventh Pot is bedridden, so Thirteenth Pot is in charge.
Because of the special nature of their superpowers, the pandas of the Guo family must return to their old house and live in seclusion when they reach a certain age, otherwise it will affect their lifespan and health. This is a last resort.
Shisan Guo used to like wearing a long jacket, holding a teapot, and strolling slowly, with the demeanor of an old Beijinger. But today, he was wearing a plain cloth shirt, without combing his hair, and walked out in a very undignified manner.
"Thank you all for coming back from so far away," Shisan Guo said, paused, and then went straight to the point without any prelude:
"Ancestor is back."
“…”
More than fifty pairs of round panda eyes were stunned for a while, and after a moment, the hall exploded!
More than half of the pandas suddenly stood up and began to circle around excitedly, their round bellies almost bumping into each other.
"Really? Don't lie to me." "Where is he?" "Uncle Thirteen, you're not hiding him, are you?!"
The whole room was suddenly as noisy as a vegetable market, with all kinds of noises, and the panda even wanted to rush behind Shisan Guo and lift the curtain.
"Quiet, quiet!" Thirteen Pot knocked on the table, "Listen to me!"
In the brief silence, Shisan Guo said the following words in one breath:
"He's back, but we still don't know where he is or what he looks like. We don't know his age, race, identity, or gender. He might not remember anyone... We have to keep looking, but we also have to be mentally prepared that he might have his own life."
At four in the morning last night, Qiguo, who had been bedridden for a long time, woke up. Its bloodline to its ancestors was very close, and the connection was even stronger. After Qiguo finished speaking, he fell into a deep sleep again, and no further questions could be asked.
It was quiet.
After a moment, a younger, chubby panda raised its paw and asked, "Does the Gu family have a newborn?"
The Gu family is human, and coincidentally, their last name is "Gu." The Guo family has been keeping an eye on them for a long time. The Gu family's business success was largely due to the Guo family's protection.
Because no one knows how their ancestors will return, the Gu family's newborns receive special attention.
Especially twenty years ago, the son of the previous head of the family was named 'Gu Yumian', exactly the same as his ancestor. At that time, everyone speculated that it was God's will, but when they hurried to see - the child was quite cute, but unfortunately it was not.
In addition, the Guo family's style of doing things is relatively old-fashioned, and only the younger generation will watch the live broadcast.
Twenty-four Pot's grandfather and father married very late, so Twenty-four Pot was young but of a high generation, so he could immediately detect the problem when he saw Gu Yumian's live broadcast. But other younger generations were already far away, and even if they had seen Gu Yumian's live broadcast, they would not have noticed it at all.
The clue ends at this step.
"No." Thirteen Pots shook his head. "There are no newborns, no clues... either. We have to wait until Uncle Seven wakes up next time."
Anything related to the ancestor was a major event, and the entire clan had to be summoned back to the ancestral home to announce it. Furthermore, even if there were no clues or a specific area, hearing the reassuring "he's back" from far away was enough for everyone to come back.
It is much better than rushing back from all over the place with great anticipation, only to see a liar pretending to be an ancestor to cheat people.
After all, the time interval is too long, and it cannot be achieved overnight, but at least there is hope.
Everyone sighed, but at the same time, they felt a sense of anticipation.
At the same time, a long queue formed at Elbet restaurant in the downtown area at 8 a.m. on Saturday.
From prosperity at the beginning to decline, to emergency suspension for rectification, reluctant reopening, and now to the booming business again in a short period of time, Elbet restaurant can be said to have made a great comeback, and is even better than before - there are not many restaurants that can make people get up early on weekends to line up.
Thanks to Gu Yumian's drastic overhaul and the recent remote guidance, Elbet's business is back on track. Coupled with the spontaneous promotion of the restaurant by customers who have tried it on their social media, the long-dormant Elbet restaurant has once again entered the public eye.
When Wu Yue was called out of bed by her sister Wu Le to queue up at the restaurant, she felt incredible.
"Oh my god, have you been brainwashed too?" Wu Yue yawned. "Those compliments on WeChat Moments are clearly paid promotional material. Elbet is about to go bankrupt, and you're desperate enough to believe them."
She had been there a few times before Elbet went downhill, completely unworthy of its reputation, not to mention after all the bad press it had received.
Wu Le was unusually persistent: "Sister, they really have a new owner. I heard that the new owner is very capable. How can you know if it's true if you don't go and eat there once? Let's go quickly, otherwise we'll have to queue."
They left at 7:30 in the morning and arrived before 8:00, but they didn't expect they were already late. A long line formed in front of the restaurant, and everyone was chatting and laughing while waiting in line.
Wu Yue didn't believe Elbet had changed for the better. Seeing so many people lining up, she suspected they were hired actors, but she didn't expect them to be. It seemed like this restaurant was actually quite good, but it wasn't enough to justify her waiting in line for so long.
"Ah Le, forget it, there are too many people here, let's go. There's a good breakfast shop nearby..."
Before he could finish his sentence, the clock struck eight and the door opened on time.
One by one, small robots filed out to welcome the guests in. Wu Yue was about to leave, but the kitten-shaped robots were not only adorable but also very talkative, so she hesitated, thinking she'd go in first to see what was going on. It wouldn't be too late to leave afterward.
Because of this hesitation, I was unable to leave.
In fact, Wu Yue's initial impression of the restaurant's interior was quite negative. While Elbet's food wasn't great before, it at least had its own private dining room. Now, there are no private rooms during breakfast, and the large terrace is filled with hundreds of wooden Chinese-style tables and long benches—how careless is that?
Wu Yue took another look at the simple bowls and plates on other people's tables.
"The dishes here are too simple and the portions are small. I really don't know what's good about them." Wu Yue thought to herself.
Just then, the little robot grunted and brought hot towels and hand sanitizer. The hand sanitizer seemed homemade, with a faint bitter apricot and platycodon scent that was surprisingly pleasant. The hot, sterilized white towel felt pleasant against my palms.
"I really like this hand sanitizer," Wu Le sighed, "but it's a pity they don't sell it and only provide it to customers."
Wu Yue also liked it, but was too embarrassed to say it for the sake of face.
She looked around and was about to say something critical when a cooking table was set up in the middle of the platform. Several chefs were lined up and were making dumplings, stewing soup, rolling noodles, etc. right under the eyes of the diners.
Wu Yue was surprised at first, then puzzled. Why were they not cooking in the kitchen but here? But she was surprised that other regular customers seemed very welcoming. When the chefs came out, some people whistled and applauded.
"Sister, look." Wu Le was also looking forward to it. She was chatting at first, but she stopped and focused on looking at the chefs.
The chefs were forced to work under pressure, their movements not necessarily smooth and skilled, but they were incredibly dedicated. You could see plump, round buns neatly stacked in steamers, shrimp dumplings with translucent skin and a light pink interior emitting a fresh aroma, milky white soy milk bubbling on the stove, and a beautifully colored small dish of tender bamboo shoots...
Unconsciously, Wu Yue was also mesmerized.
The dishes were small but exquisite, prepared right under her nose, making her feel safe, assured, and delicious. As she looked at them, she unknowingly checked off many portions on the menu, wanting to eat every one of them.
Besides, the dishes here are not expensive. She ordered almost all the items on the menu, and the total cost was less than a hundred star coins.
——If Wu Yue was still a little skeptical at this moment, once the dishes were served, he would be completely unable to think about anything else.
First came a small dish of bamboo shoots, their translucent green flesh thinly sliced and topped with a simple spoonful of shochu-flavored vinegar. Despite such a simple dish, the flavor was surprisingly delicious and appetizing, instantly stirring my cravings, which had been dormant all night.
Next came shrimp dumplings, pancakes and soy milk.
The half-moon-shaped shrimp dumpling has a thin, snow-white skin, and is filled with tender and tasty light pink shrimp, minced meat, and bamboo shoots. When you bite through the thin skin, the delicious soup will flow into your mouth. The shrimp has a crispy and smooth texture, and mixed with the minced meat and bamboo shoots, it is indescribably tender and delicious.
The golden scallion pancakes are surprisingly delicious, with a crispy and chewy crust and a salty and fragrant fried flavor that fills your mouth.
What’s even better is to take a sip of soy milk at this time. The sweet and mellow taste will dilute the original greasiness. The natural taste of beans, accompanied by the refreshing sweetness, will warm the spleen and stomach and make people feel refreshed!
Wu Yue and Wu Le were still able to chat for a few words at first, but then they just focused on eating. The shrimp dumplings and pancakes were freshly cooked, and they didn't even wait for them to cool down, shouting that they were sizzling hot. The only sound throughout the meal was the crisp sound of chopsticks clacking against porcelain plates.
Especially Wu Yue, who was having this delicious food for the first time and couldn't help but praise it in her heart every time she picked up a piece of food with chopsticks:
"tasty!"
Today, Elbet Restaurant did not use any virtual background effects, but instead replaced the ceiling with transparent partitions.
The late summer morning sun shone warmly, yet not too scorching. Hundreds of tables of guests dined on the same large terrace, each undisturbed by the sounds of conversation, clinking of dishes and chopsticks, and soy milk bubbling on the stove. There was only a sense of bustle, the simple, everyday life, and happiness.
Especially when we ordered the same dish with the people at the next table and smiled at each other, the feeling of satisfaction reached its peak.
Not to mention that after the meal, Wu Yue and Wu Le met the conditions for a lottery and won a small bowl of porridge that was said to be cooked by the boss himself and mailed to them. Wu Yue, who had never been excited about winning expensive cosmetics in the past, almost jumped up this time!
It tastes so good. Just this mouthful of porridge makes me feel that all the running around and waiting in the morning is worth it.
Wu Yue's situation is not uncommon.
The reputation of Elbet Restaurant also spread gradually, and its turnover ushered in another round of rapid growth.
On the other side, at nine o'clock in the morning, Chai Keshan.
The porridge simmering on the stove was already bubbling. The rice grains in the clay pot had become plump and soft, coating the glutinous yams and tender pork ribs as they were brought to a boil, the fresh, savory aroma of the porridge filling the air.
Gu Yumian held the handle of the spoon, tasted it himself, and then fed the little snow leopard a mouthful. He couldn't help but sigh that porridge was still necessary for breakfast.
No matter what season it is, especially in winter, one sip of it can warm your stomach for a long time, and the feeling of comfort throughout the body cannot be replaced by any other breakfast.
"Tuantuan, go help me wake up Qiuqiu and Yuanyuan." Gu Yumian held the little snow leopard under its ribs and placed it on the soft cushion. "I'll bring out the porridge right away."
The little snow leopard was reluctant at first, but after Gu Yumian kissed his forehead as a reward for his hard work, he reluctantly walked into the bedroom with his ears red.
By the time Gu Yumian served the porridge, the little fox and the baby panda were already awake. The little snow leopard lazily jumped onto Gu Yumian's shoulder, while the baby panda slowly moved over, dozing off as it went. The little fox would occasionally look back at it worriedly and give it a careful nudge with its paw.
"Why is Yuanyuan so sleepy? I slept for nearly ten hours last night." Gu Yumian smiled helplessly, sat cross-legged on the mat, and reached out to touch the heads of the two fur balls. "Okay, have breakfast and wake up from your nap."
The baby panda was still sleepy, nodding off again as he held the small porcelain bowl of porridge. But after Gu Yumian fed him a spoonful of porridge, the little fellow immediately woke up, lowered his round head and drank the porridge from the bowl, making happy whimpering sounds.
The little fox's attitude is now much more relaxed than at the beginning. It is no longer so reserved and cautious. It will take the initiative to approach Gu Yumian and hint that it wants a hug. However, it is still quite shy. After giving the hint, it will shyly shake its big tail and cover its eyes with its little paws.
Gu Yumian's heart melted, or rather, he had no resistance to the three cubs in the house. Of course, he immediately took the little fox into his arms and fed it porridge.
Little Snow Leopard: “…”
Early in the morning, the little snow leopard started to feel sour again, and nestled on Gu Yumian's shoulder in a depressed mood. What it couldn't stand the most was the idiot's behavior of taking advantage of others and taking advantage of them. It was unreasonable.
"Let's play in the snow in the yard this afternoon," Gu Yumian said as he fed the children breakfast and smoothed their fur. "After playing in the snow, let's take a break, go soak in the energy quantum hot spring, watch the sunset, and then have dinner. We'll all be together again. Let's think about what wishes we want first."
It's too early to watch the sunrise. I don't think the baby pandas can get up, and even if they can, they'll be too tired. But you can still watch the sunset.
It is rumored that the sunset and sunrise at Chaike Mountain can make wishes come true, so Gu Yumian was very determined to go see it with his family.
The baby panda didn't understand at all, but hummed sweetly, making Gu Yumian laugh. The little fox, on the other hand, thought seriously and then nodded earnestly.
Little snow leopard... The little snow leopard was still unhappy, and his long tail swung listlessly.
At four o'clock in the afternoon, Gu Yumian started the live broadcast on time.
Because Gu Yumian had announced in advance on Weibo, many viewers were waiting early. As soon as the show started, the number of viewers increased rapidly, accompanied by a large influx of barrages.
"Hello everyone, I'm the host, Gu Yumian," Gu Yumian, wearing a snowsuit and goggles, briefly introduced herself to the audience. "I'm playing in the snow with the kids at home right now. I'll take a break to soak in the hot springs, watch the sunset, and then have dinner."
[Little Cucumber: The treasure anchor I follow has started broadcasting!!! So happy!!]
Meow: Hey, where is Mianmian? Outdoors? Why are you panting so hard? 233333 But I still have to say, Mianmian looks really good in her snowsuit!
[Home in the Mine: Daily check-in, playing in the snow? Wow, I really want to play in the snow with Mianmian and the cubs. I'm all for building snowmen, skiing, and snowball fights.]
Despite the cold weather, Gu Yumian was sweating all over, his cheeks flushed, and his light brown eyes were filled with a helpless and funny light. He was indeed so handsome that it was hard to look away.
Gu Yumian was indeed a little out of breath. Holding the exhausted panda baby, he curled his eyes at the camera and waved his hands: "They are playing in the snow. Tuan Tuan and Qiu Qiu are having a lot of fun."
After all, the snow is the home turf of Arctic foxes and snow leopards. Gu Yumian had already guessed that they would love to play, but he didn't expect... they would like it so much.
The hot spring villa has a special area for guests to play in the snow and ski. There were not many people coming this afternoon, so they have reserved the whole place.
The baby panda also has thick fur and doesn't feel cold. At first, he played with them, but soon he couldn't keep up at all and pitifully buried his round head in Gu Yumian's arms.
Everything was fine at the beginning. Gu Yumian took the children to build a snowman, ride a sled, and took many photos of the happy family.
Up to this point, Gu Yumian and the baby panda could still keep up with the other two, but when they started playing snowball fights later on, they were completely out of control.
Gu Yumian had a suspicion that the little snow leopard was taking revenge on someone personally, as all the snowballs were directed at the little fox. The little snow leopard squinted his eyes lazily and arrogantly, looking down at the little fox condescendingly. The jealousy and anger that had accumulated for so long finally found a reasonable way to vent.
The little fox was confused at first. Gu Yumian was just about to stop it out of concern, but he saw the little fox dig out a snow hole, bury its head in it for a while, then come out with a bunch of snowballs wrapped around its big tail and start fighting back.
The little fox is shy and cautious mainly when facing Gu Yumian. When faced with provocation in the snow, the Arctic fox is not someone to be trifled with.
...Maybe they are battling over who is the real king of the snow.
Gu Yumian could only stand by and watch to prevent the situation from getting too serious. He wanted to wait until they were no longer interested and then take them back to the hot springs.
While Gu Yumian was watching from the side, the little snow leopard became more and more courageous, as if it wanted to show off its swift speed, smooth and powerful body lines, smooth fur and super-durable physical strength in front of Gu Yumian.
His gray-blue eyes would glance at Gu Yumian from time to time without leaving any trace, and he would only nod with satisfaction when he saw Gu Yumian's intentional expression of admiration.
I have to say, it seems a bit childish... but also very cute.
Gu Yumian couldn't help laughing.
"Alright, alright," Gu Yumian saw that the time was almost up and both sides were a little tired, so he forced a halt to the stalemate and picked up the two little guys, one in each hand.
"Let's take a break and watch the sunset."
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