The little star from the Gobi Desert, handed over to the state, is hailed as a national treasure.

The old man helped his wife up, wanting to look back one more time, but ultimately refrained from doing so.

He whispered in his wife's ear, "Jianguo hasn't come back yet. He's doing well abroad. Let's go home and wait for him. He'll come back to the village to see us when he's less busy."

As he spoke, he took his wife's hand and led her step by step out the door.

That crumpled stack of two hundred yuan had fallen to the ground at some point.

George Yang stared at the stack of money, his whole body trembling violently.

He suddenly crouched down, covered his face with his hands, and let out a suppressed, beast-like whimper.

Outside the door, Professor Qian stood on the steps, quietly watching the two elderly figures slowly get into the car, and raised his hand to call over the officer who was escorting them.

"Do me a favor," he said softly.

"Dean Qian, please give your instructions."

Professor Qian took out his wallet, pulled out ten yuan, and stuffed the remaining one hundred and fifty yuan into the clerk's hand.

"Settle them in properly."

"Dean, that Yang guy doesn't deserve parents like that!" the staff member said indignantly. "He's a heartless ingrate!"

Professor Qian did not respond, but simply gazed in their direction, a hint of pity flashing in his eyes.

After the incident at the guesthouse, Liang Zhe and his daughter unexpectedly became the center of attention. Everyone expressed their admiration, which made the father and daughter a little embarrassed.

To avoid causing trouble for others and to escape the attention, Liang Zhe decided to take Tian Tian for a stroll in the streets and let his daughter see what Beijing looks like.

The room manager enthusiastically pulled out a map of Beijing and pointed out several attractions to him. He especially mentioned the zoo—with its Asian elephants, African lions, Siberian tigers, giraffes, and, most importantly, the giant pandas, saying, "Children especially love going there."

He also carefully explained the bus route: "A ticket costs five cents, and it's a seven-stop ride from the guesthouse. You'll get off right at the main gate."

Not wanting to attract attention, Liang Zhe changed into casual clothes and went out with Tian Tian in his arms.

Sweetie had been looking forward to going out to play, and when she learned that they were going to the zoo, she was overjoyed. She squirmed in her father's arms, as happy as a little rabbit, and kept urging, "Daddy, hurry up!"

Sweetie was born in a small county town, and taking the bus was a novel experience for her. The little girl clung to the bus window, her big, round eyes fixed on the street scene outside.

One moment she's pointing at a towering chimney in the distance, exclaiming, "Daddy, look! That chimney is so tall!" The next she's tilting her head, looking puzzled, and asking, "Daddy, why isn't that cart with the big bag moving?"

Looking at his daughter's innocent and curious eyes, Liang Zhe's heart instantly softened, and all his fatigue and worries vanished. He patiently answered each of his daughter's questions while gently lifting Tian Tian onto his lap so that she could see more of the scenery.

The bus stopped at the zoo stop, and as soon as the doors opened, a lively atmosphere rushed out.

In front of the park gate, there is a long row of stalls. The sugar sculptor is skilled, and the syrup in his hands is transformed into lifelike Pigsy and Monkey King. The auntie who makes velvet flowers has her fingers flying, and soon the flowers bloom in bright colors.

There were also people selling paper cutting and cricket cages. The sounds of hawking, laughter, and children's screams rose and fell, and people strolled around shoulder to shoulder, creating a lively scene.

Sweetie had never seen anything like this before. Her little head looked left and right, almost shaking like a rattle drum. She looked at the sugar figurine here and smiled with her eyes crinkling, and looked at the velvet flower there and couldn't move her feet.

"Daddy, Sweetie wants pretty flowers too!"

Wow! It's a sugar figurine of Pigsy (Zhu Bajie)! So cute!

"Daddy, why can the little bugs sing?"

Liang Zhe smiled and hugged his daughter tightly, gently pinning the velvet flower he had bought to her little braid, fulfilling her wish.

With a sweet smile and her eyes crinkling, she leaned close to Liang Zhe's face and gave him several quick kisses.

"Daddy, look how pretty Sweetie is!" The little girl tugged at her father's hand and shook it playfully, trying to charm him.

"Yes, my daughter is the most beautiful." Liang Zhe praised with a smile, his tone full of affection.

There were still two hours before the zoo closed. Liang Zhe bought two tickets and, carrying Tian Tian, ​​slowly followed the crowd inside. The animals he had only seen in books and on cards were now vividly appearing before his eyes.

The tiger is majestic and awe-inspiring, the fox is alert and shrewd, and the peacock spreads its beautiful tail...

The little girl's face turned red with excitement, her little hands gripped her father's clothes tightly, and her eyes were wide with admiration.

After walking around for a while, the father and daughter were both a little tired. Not far away, several children were enjoying their popsicles. Tian Tian watched longingly, swallowed hard, but wisely didn't ask for any. Liang Zhe saw this and felt a pang of sympathy. He immediately took out two cents, bought two popsicles, and handed one to Tian Tian.

Sweetie carefully took the popsicle, sipped it slowly, savoring its cool sweetness, and looked completely satisfied.

Suddenly, she looked up at her rosy cheeks and asked, "Daddy, are we celebrating the New Year?"

Liang Zhe paused for a moment, then asked in confusion, "Huh? Why do you say that?"

"Mom said that we can only eat delicious food and have lots of fun things to do during Chinese New Year." Sweetie licked her popsicle and said seriously, "Now we have popsicles to eat and zoos to visit, it must be Chinese New Year."

These innocent and naive words, like a fine needle, gently pierced Liang Zhe's heart, causing a sudden pang of sadness.

His daughter is already three years old this year, but because he is busy with work at the base and is always traveling around, every family visit is so short that he has very little time to spend with his wife and daughter. It's so pitiful that his daughter doesn't even have a clear concept of the true meaning of "Chinese New Year".

"It's still a long way from the New Year." Liang Zhe gently stroked Tian Tian's head and promised softly, "But Daddy promises you, this year I will definitely spend a lively and joyous New Year with Tian Tian."

"Really?" Sweetie's eyes lit up, and she jumped up from her father's arms. "Daddy, you can't lie to Sweetie, we have to pinky swear!"

The father and daughter solemnly made a pinky promise, their little fingers hooking around each other's big fingers, a promise made with utmost sincerity.

Afterwards, they visited the large mammal exhibit, the international exchange animal exhibit, and the bird and reptile exhibit. At each place, Tian Tian was full of curiosity. But just as they arrived at the rare native animal exhibit, a small incident broke the pleasant atmosphere.

There weren't many visitors in the rare native animal pavilion. There were almost no people in front of the cages for golden monkeys, black bears, and roe deer. Everyone's attention was focused on the panda enclosure—the round giant pandas were happily munching on bamboo, their adorable appearance eliciting bursts of laughter from the onlookers.

On the other side of the exhibition hall, in front of the deer enclosure, a staff member was carrying a large iron basin filled with freshly cut grass and was carefully feeding the deer into the enclosure.

Sweetie was initially engrossed in watching the giant panda, but her gaze was involuntarily drawn to the iron basin in the staff member's arms.