"Okay, let's head to the living room and wait for the food delivery," Gwen said, feeling a twinge of regret as she confirmed the payment. She called out to Big White and left the bedroom.
After taking one last look at the fire escape outside the window, Big White followed her.
By the time they reached the living room, George and the others had washed up and changed out of their pajamas.
"It seems this guy really likes you, Gwen. He follows you everywhere. I wonder if he'll be willing to leave when the zoo staff arrives," George chuckled, noticing Big White trailing behind his daughter.
Gwen rolled her eyes at her father's comment. "I just bought him a feast, and now I'm almost out of this month's allowance. If he stays longer, we might go bankrupt."
"What's happened now?" George asked, intrigued.
"He downloaded a Panda Takeout app on my phone and ordered a bunch of Chinese food, including Mom's favorite orange chicken."
"On his own? No way..." Mrs. Stacy, holding Big White, thought her daughter was joking.
"It's true! You'll see when the delivery arrives," Gwen replied, shaking her head. "Just try not to scream when you see it."
"How can a panda use a phone to download apps? Just because he's from Dragon Country doesn't mean he can order Chinese food," her mother remarked skeptically.
Gwen shrugged, choosing not to elaborate further.
"I believe her. This panda is definitely something special," George said, studying the panda in his wife's arms.
"I really don't understand what you're all talking about..." Mrs. Stacy mused.
---
"Ding Dong! Hello, Mr. Stacy, I'm the Panda deliveryman with your order," came a slightly breathless voice from outside an hour later.
"Okay, hold on..." Gwen started to get up, but Big White was faster.
Lying lazily on the floor moments ago, Big White now stood upright and trotted to the door, resembling a person.
Under the astonished gaze of Gwen's family, Big White used his hefty paw to skillfully pull open the door handle.
"Hello, Mr. Sta... Oh, shit! What is this?" The deliveryman, busy checking the order list, was startled to see Big White opening the door.
Unfazed by the reaction, Big White walked around him, approached the trailer, and pulled down the large takeout bag.
"Sorry, you didn't see wrong; it really is a panda," Gwen said, slightly embarrassed as she caught up to Big White, turning to the shocked deliveryman.
"A panda?" The deliveryman, seeing someone approach, snapped out of his shock and carefully scrutinized Big White.
"You really have a panda?" Initially confused, he quickly turned to Gwen, his expression shifting to one of astonishment mixed with pleading. "Please, you must tell me how you adopted a panda!"
"No, no, no, we didn't adopt him. He's an escapee from the Smithsonian Zoo. They'll be here soon to take him back," Gwen explained, waving her hand to dismiss the notion.
"Is it the one that escaped last night? Oh my god, it's here! I'm so lucky!" The deliveryman, realizing it was the famous Big White from the internet, danced with excitement.
"Can I come in and sit for a bit? I'd love to see him up close. It's so rare to be near a panda," he pleaded, noticing Big White dragging the food inside and reaching for his phone to snap pictures.
"Sorry, it's not convenient now. Maybe you can wait an hour or two until the Smithsonian staff arrive," Gwen suggested, closing the door firmly.
"Come on, just for a bit! You can't be so selfish. It's a panda with mysterious Eastern powers!" the deliveryman protested, his voice muffled by the closing door.
---
"What was that about?" George asked, hearing the rapid knocking.
"Just someone enchanted by Big White. He'll leave soon," Gwen dismissed it with a wave, turning to Big White.
"Need any help?" she asked, amused at Big White's struggle.
"Hmph..." Big White huffed, thinking of the buns, dumplings, roast duck... His foodie instincts kicked in, and energy surged through him.
Under Gwen's surprised gaze, Big White, previously struggling, hoisted the hefty food bag onto his shoulder, marched briskly to the living room table, and set it down with a thud, revealing its weight.
"Uh-oh!" Everyone shared the same stunned expression, though George had grown somewhat accustomed, while Mrs. Stacy's reaction was the most pronounced.
Once the food was on the table, Big White opened the bag and began unpacking the food boxes.
To the amazement of Gwen's family, he picked up the provided chopsticks and adeptly ate the buns.
"Oh my god!... This is incredible!" Familiar exclamations filled the room. Except for John's wide-eyed curiosity, the others were speechless, as if witnessing an alien.
Can you imagine a panda using chopsticks to eat before you?
Now, the Stacy family could.
"How did you learn to use chopsticks? Do all pandas know how?" John asked curiously.
Big White, mouth full of buns, glanced at the child and slid a box of dumplings toward him.
"Thanks!" John said, grabbing the dumplings with his hands and eating them eagerly.
After some time, Gwen and the others finally regained their composure.
"It seems he really did order all this," Mrs. Stacy acknowledged, accepting the extraordinary reality.
George and Gwen exchanged glances, shrugging helplessly.
"Dad, I think you should reimburse me for these," Gwen said, pursing her lips with a playful smile.