The legend begins with becoming a white deer.

The main hall of Qingle Restaurant was filled with the aroma of wine and meat, and the air was filled with laughter and toasts.

The warmth of New Year's Eve, mingled with the aroma of wine, permeated the beams and pillars, but no one expected the unexpected turn of events in the kitchen.

"Shopkeeper! Shopkeeper!"

A hurried voice burst in from the back kitchen. Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw the short butcher Dong Li running and stumbling into the main hall, his forehead covered in sweat and his apron askew.

He was panting heavily when he grabbed the shopkeeper by the counter, his voice trembling: "The kitchen... the kitchen has been broken into! All the food we prepared has been eaten!"

Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper dropped the account book in his hand onto the counter with a "thud." He was first shocked, then his face darkened, and a surge of anger rose within him.

Lunar New Year's Eve is supposed to be a day for seeking wealth and good fortune, but having the kitchen burgled and all the food stolen is simply bad luck.

"You scoundrel, this is outrageous!"

The innkeeper slammed his hand on the counter, his mustache bristling with anger: "Dare to sneak into my Qingle Restaurant and steal food during the New Year? You're utterly audacious!"

The other diners at the table, who were enjoying their meal, put down their chopsticks upon hearing this, each looking indignant.

"That thief who steals food is a real scoundrel. He ruins people's business during the Lunar New Year. He's shameless."

"Don't worry, shopkeeper, a few of us will go with you to take a look."

"That's right, let's go take a look together, we have to catch this thief."

As they talked, the group followed the shopkeeper toward the kitchen.

The other diners in the lobby exchanged bewildered glances, put down their chopsticks, and, looking puzzled, pulled aside a few people at the nearest table to ask, "Hey, what's wrong? Why did you suddenly get so angry?"

... ... ...

The group rushed into the kitchen, and the sight that greeted them made everyone gasp.

The neatly arranged plates of finished dishes on the stove were completely empty, even the sauce had been licked clean.

The steamed food in the bamboo steamer and pot was completely gone. The few pieces of marinated braised meat on the shelf and the dried goods stored in the jar were all gone. There was hardly anything edible left.

A few vegetable leaves were scattered on the ground, making it look like the place had been ransacked.

The shopkeeper was so angry his teeth itched. He clenched his fists, looked around, and suddenly remembered something. He asked sternly, "Where's Lao Luo? Where is he?"

Dong Li quickly replied, "Old Luo chased after the thief as soon as he discovered him, and sent me back to inform you first."

Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper frowned, a hint of worry crossing his mind.

That thief dared to break into the restaurant's kitchen alone; he might have some tricks up his sleeve. Old Luo, don't let him suffer another loss.

But just as this thought crossed his mind, he saw a figure flash by at the kitchen door; Old Luo had returned.

Everyone looked over and immediately saw the expression on Lao Luo's face.

His expression was strangely indescribable; his eyes held surprise, his brows held a hint of awe, and the corners of his mouth were subtly curved as if he wanted to laugh but dared not. All of this combined to create an indescribably odd look.

"Old Luo, how's it going? Did you catch the thief who stole the food?" The shopkeeper stepped forward and asked urgently.

Old Luo's eyes darted around, he cleared his throat, and said in a strange tone, "We caught up with them, but... the one who stole the food wasn't human."

"Not human?"

Everyone froze, momentarily unable to grasp the meaning of those words.

If it's not human, could it be a mountain spirit or a wild beast?

Just then, a white figure slowly emerged from behind Lao Luo.

The night was as dark as ink, and the silvery moonlight streamed down from the skylight in the kitchen, illuminating the figure.

It was a snow-white deer with a strong and graceful body. Its antlers, with their mysterious patterns, stretched upwards and faintly glowed with a golden-green light. In the dark night, it radiated a warm halo. At first glance, it looked as sacred as a fairy that had stepped out of a painting.

Unfortunately, the white deer still had a lot of sauce and rice grains stuck to its mouth, and even some minced meat on its cheeks. The otherworldly aura it had just exuded instantly vanished.

While it may seem sacred, the way he looked after sneaking a bite and not wiping his mouth also had a touch of endearing clumsiness, adding a touch of everyday life to the scene.

"..........................."

The kitchen was deathly silent.

The shopkeeper opened his mouth but couldn't make a sound for a long time.

He finally understood what Lao Luo meant by "not human".

Just then, another group of people surged in from behind the manager and his entourage. They were diners who had heard that a thief had broken into the kitchen and had come to help.

As they walked, the group rolled up their sleeves and shouted, "Where's the thief?" But as soon as they stepped through the door, their eyes fell on the white deer standing in the moonlight, and they all stopped in their tracks, dumbfounded.

Someone in the crowd gasped, then cried out in a trembling voice, "An auspicious beast! It's the auspicious beast, the white deer!"

That shout was like a pebble thrown into a lake, instantly creating ripples.

 …

At this time, the town of Yunqi is ablaze with lights from every household.

Smoke curled from the chimneys of every household, and vermilion couplets covered the doors and walls, with the character "福" (fortune) pasted upside down on the door panels, creating a festive atmosphere everywhere.

The courtyard was filled with the sounds of children laughing and playing, while adults gathered around the table to celebrate the New Year, creating a warm and harmonious scene of family reunion.

In a courtyard at the east end of the town, a family of seven was celebrating the Lunar New Year in a lively atmosphere.

Grandpa and Grandma sat in the main room shelling peanuts.

The grandparents were setting off small fireworks with their grandson in the yard.

The parents were carrying the last plate of dumplings out of the kitchen.

The courtyard was filled with laughter and cheerful chatter.

"Thump thump thump—thump thump thump!"

Suddenly, a rapid knocking sounded at the door, accompanied by excited shouts from outside: "Come out quickly! Come out and see! The auspicious white deer has appeared!"

The man inside put down the plate of dumplings, walked over with a puzzled look, and opened the door. He saw a neighbor standing outside, his face flushed, his hands trembling with excitement: "Qing Le Restaurant! A white deer, a mythical beast, has appeared over at Qing Le Restaurant! Hurry and go see! It might leave if you're too late!"

After saying that, the man didn't wait for a reply, turned around and ran to knock on the next door, his shouts carrying far down the alley.

The seven people in the courtyard were stunned.

A white deer, an auspicious beast?

Nowadays, everyone in the Kingdom of Bilin knows what the auspicious white deer is. It is a lucky beast bestowed by the King of Bilin. Legend has it that it has immense strength, can walk on water, and those who see it will be blessed.

However, rumors are just rumors; ordinary people would never actually see one.

The child's mother was the first to react, her eyes shining brightly: "Is it really the auspicious white deer? Husband, it's said that the appearance of an auspicious beast brings good fortune. Let's take the child to see it; maybe it can protect him and ensure his safe growth."

"Then let's hurry and go take a look!"

The father immediately grabbed an outer garment and draped it over the child. The whole family, supporting the elderly, quickly headed towards Qingle Restaurant.

This scene was playing out simultaneously in the streets and alleys of the town.

The news that "the auspicious white deer appeared at Qingle Restaurant" spread like wildfire, reaching every household through every alley.

Families who were originally staying for the New Year's Eve dinner all left their homes, helping the elderly and children along the way. Everyone's face was filled with excitement and anticipation as they hurried towards the restaurant in the town center.

By the time the news had spread throughout half the town, a large crowd had already gathered in the open space behind Qingle Restaurant.

The diners who had been eating in the lobby all crowded around the perimeter, craning their necks to peer inside, but no one dared to venture forward and disturb them.

Three people were missing from the crowd—Dong Li, Lao Luo, and the manager of Qingle Restaurant.

At this moment, in the kitchen, the shopkeeper's face was flushed red, not from anger, but from excitement.

He rubbed his hands together and paced back and forth by the stove, urging repeatedly, "Hurry up, hurry up, make all our best dishes. This is a great fortune for our restaurant, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We must satisfy the auspicious beast."

The two cooks were as energetic as if they had been injected with chicken blood, swinging their spatulas quickly, their faces flushed red from the firelight.

In no time, several plates of delicious dishes were ready, their aroma filling the entire kitchen.

Luo picked up the top plate of steaming braised pork, and Dong Li quickly followed with two plates of exquisite hot dishes. The two of them carefully walked outside behind the shopkeeper...