Chapter Seventy-Two: I Love Your Smile the Most

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“Big brother! Big brother! Wait for us!”
A red panda was nestled in a small cage woven from bamboo, carried by a young zoo employee. As he walked along, a childish voice suddenly called out from behind him.
He paused in confusion, turning to see three little girls skipping toward him, their steps light and joyful. Behind them followed two slightly older children and three women.
His gaze involuntarily settled on one of the women, who cradled a baby in her arms. In that instant, his eyes were filled with wonder.
So beautiful, so graceful...
“Big brother, where are you taking the red panda?”
While he was still captivated, a sweet voice sounded from in front of him. He snapped out of his reverie and glanced down, meeting the bright, wide eyes of a little girl with a ponytail, her face full of curiosity.
Beside her stood another girl, cheerful and adorable as a New Year’s painting child, nervously stretching out her small hand, wanting to touch the red panda but too timid to do so.
The third girl sported a cute watermelon-shaped bob. Hey! What are you doing? Don’t touch the red panda’s black eye patches!
He discreetly turned the cage, steering the little animal away from the potential attention to its eye patches, and smiled kindly at the trio.
“Children, you’re too young to be running around the zoo. Go back to your mothers quickly.”
As soon as his words fell, two of the girls simultaneously looked toward their watermelon-headed companion.
“Xiaobai, big brother said you should go find Mama Bai.”
“Hiahiahia… Xiaobai, hurry and find your mom. We’ll look after the red panda, me and Qiu’er, hiahiahia…”
“Hammer!”
Xiaobai, a bit annoyed, let out a cute roar and then stared fiercely—adorably fierce—at the zoo employee.
The young man: …
Did I say something wrong? No… I don’t think so…
“Hiahiahia… Big brother, where are you taking the red panda? Are you going to throw it away? Give it to Xier! Xier loves it so much!”
Xier finally reached out, lightning-fast, and touched the red panda. Instantly, she grew even more excited, laughing brightly, her face full of hope.
The young man said, “...No, I’m not throwing it away. I’m taking it to see its mother.”
“Its mother? Is she also a red panda?” Qiu’er asked, bouncing with joy.
“No,” the young man chuckled, shaking his head. “She’s a giant panda.”
“A giant panda?”
Qiu’er paused. That… seems right, but also somehow not quite…

Meanwhile, Xia’er and Chun’er arrived, holding Dong’er’s tiny hand, followed by Qin Xue and the other two women.
Chun’er and Xia’er, equally amazed, eagerly stroked the red panda, forgetting all about little Dong’er for the moment.
Forgotten by her sisters, the small Dong’er bit her finger pitifully, whimpering; she wanted to touch the red panda too, but she was too little to reach.
Growing anxious, Dong’er waved her arms, grabbing the cage, causing it to wobble. The red panda inside, its head poking out, began to sway up and down.
The excited children were startled, as was the young zoo employee.
He quickly steadied the cage, looking down at the tiny child, hesitated for a moment, then set the cage on the ground and said gently,
“Here, you can touch her. Her name is An’an.”
“Mmm~”
Dong’er grinned, reaching out both hands toward the red panda inside the cage—not to touch, but to hug!
“One hand! One hand only! Just use one hand, little one!” the young man hurriedly blocked Dong’er’s hands, sounding urgent.
Her hands stopped, Dong’er’s mouth quivered in disappointment, about to burst into tears.
As for the instruction to use only one hand, the excited little Dong’er didn’t quite catch it.
All she knew was that this big brother wouldn’t let her touch the red panda, filling her little heart with grievance.
Why could her sisters touch it, and not her…
“Ah… this…”
Seeing her about to cry, the young man was bewildered. Once more, he became even more convinced that he’d never date anyone.
Why bother with girlfriends, partners, or children? Isn’t it all just trouble? Spending life with his five fingers was far more enjoyable—he was a free craftsman!
“Dong’er, be good, don’t cry. Big brother isn’t stopping you from touching the red panda. Come, I’ll help you.”
While he was lost in thought, Qiu’er’s gentle voice sounded.
She crouched behind Dong’er, half-embracing her, then used her own little hand to guide Dong’er’s hand toward the red panda.
At last, Dong’er was able to touch the red panda as she wished. The tears shining in her dark eyes instantly vanished, replaced by a bright smile.
The young man was stunned by this display.
Human cubs truly are magical! All born actors!
After they’d petted the red panda, the girls were satisfied and followed the young man, who’d let them touch the animal, toward the giant panda enclosure.
Xier, still excited, kept reaching out to secretly touch the red panda. When caught, she would laugh loudly, transforming into a little troublemaker.
Question: Why are the red panda’s eye patches so dark? Is it because it doesn’t sleep well at night?

Question: What does the red panda eat to grow so cute? How can it be cuter than Xier herself?
Question: Does the red panda’s father let it ride horses?
Question:…
Xier’s mouth ran nonstop with questions. Whether the young man was bothered or not, it was Xiaobai who first couldn’t take it anymore.
“Silly goose! Clumsy girl! Stop talking, here, have some water.”
“Thank you, Xiaobai.”
Xier took the baby cup Xiaobai handed her, drank a few gulps, then returned it, falling silent, not even smiling.
For a moment, Qiu’er missed Xier’s laughter and felt uneasy, her little heart suddenly flustered.
Gently, she reached out and took Xier’s hand.
“Qiu’er…”
Xier looked at Qiu’er, feeling a bit aggrieved, her big eyes blinking.
The sensitive little girl had sensed her friend Xiaobai’s irritation and fell silent, but she was full of grievance, wanting to cry, yet she wouldn’t—she didn’t want her sister to worry.
At that moment, her other hand was grasped as well. She turned her head—it was Xiaobai.
“Xiaobai, Xier will never…”
Even though she felt wronged, her first thought was for her friend’s feelings. She pursed her lips and began to speak, only to be interrupted by Xiaobai.
“I’m sorry, Xier. I shouldn’t have snapped at you. I’m sorry, please don’t be mad at me.”
As she spoke, Xiaobai hugged Xier tightly.
“I love hearing you laugh the most. Don’t cry, just smile, okay?”
“Hmm… hmm!”
Being hugged by her beloved friend, all Xier’s grievances melted away. She grinned, nodding vigorously.
“Xier, I love you too, love your smile. We’re best friends, we’ll always be together.”
Qiu’er joined the embrace, adorably kissing Xier’s cheek. Xiaobai, not to be outdone, kissed her as well.
Immediately, Xier burst into laughter.
Her hiahiahia echoed in the air, stirring a chorus of birdsong.