"Of course, you can send the bill to the Smithsonian's zoo staff later. They will compensate you."
"Will everything be compensated?"
"Yes, and there will be a substantial additional compensation. We just need to ensure it doesn't run off again."
"Is that so... But will Big White still be at the zoo when it returns?" Gwen asked, a hint of concern in her voice.
"Why do you ask that?"
"You know, it's very special. I fear it might be taken away for research, and we won't see it again."
"Don't worry, it's on loan from China. It's tied to international diplomacy. No one would dare harm it," George reassured her, dispelling his daughter's worries.
"That's good," Gwen sighed with relief.
"Actually, as a kid, I always dreamed of having a panda. But as I grew up, I realized it was an unattainable luxury."
"Raising a panda would be nice, but it would be better if it didn't eat so much." George considered the amount of food Big White had consumed since the morning, amazed by its seemingly bottomless appetite.
---
Watching Big White devour the roast duck, the entire family felt their mouths water. Fortunately, their sandwiches, toast, and other orders arrived soon after.
Once everyone had eaten, only a bit of soup was left on the table. Big White lazily sprawled on the carpet, closing his eyes for a nap.
Meanwhile, the internet buzzed with trending topics:
"White Panda Appears in Manhattan"
"Panda Orders Takeout Using Panda App"
"White Panda Spotted at Sheriff's House"
These viral videos were uploaded by the delivery man. Despite the shaky footage, it clearly showed the escaped giant panda dragging a large bag of food into the house.
In Queens, Manhattan, Sheriff George was well-known. Many recognized him through the video, and soon, reporters and onlookers flocked to the apartment, stopped only by the doorman.
However, as the crowd grew, the doorman had no choice but to call George.
"What? A large number of reporters want to see me? Why?" George asked, puzzled.
"They say you have a giant panda at home and want to interview you."
"No, I'm not accepting interviews now. You can tell them that zoologists from the Smithsonian in Washington will be arriving soon."
"Okay, sir."
Hanging up, George felt a headache coming on as he glanced at Big White, who slept like a log. It was a delight but also quite a nuisance.
"Dad, is it leaving soon?" Little John approached, looking up with big eyes full of reluctance.
"Yes, we can't keep a panda here. We can't provide the necessary food or ensure its health. It must return to the zoo for professional care," George explained, gently rubbing his son's face.
"But didn't it eat enough at our house?"
"Uh..." George paused. True, this panda seemed to have no dietary limits, even enjoying human food, especially steamed buns.
"This panda is a bit special..." he concluded, acknowledging the challenge of caring for such a creature.
---
After a couple more disappearances, George's phone rang again.
"You've arrived? Okay, come up."
"Panda? Oh, it's very healthy, just ate and is sleeping now."
"What did you feed it? Chinese food. It ordered takeout."
---
Soon, a team from the Smithsonian Zoo, clad in their uniforms, knocked on the door.
"Where is Big White? Is he uninjured?" An elderly man rushed in as soon as the door opened.
He was the director of the Smithsonian Zoo. Upon receiving George's call, he quickly assembled a team to come over.
"Sorry, Mr. George, that's our director. He hasn't slept since the panda escaped, so he's a bit excited," the assistant explained, shaking George's hand apologetically.
"It's okay. I understand the importance of giant pandas," George replied, slightly annoyed by their haste, but sympathetic to their urgency.
"He's sleeping in the living room," George said, leading them inside. But upon arrival, the panda was gone.
"Huh? The panda was just here. Gwen, did you see where it went?"
"Ah? I was focused on you and didn't notice it disappearing," Gwen replied, puzzled.
"John?" George realized his son was also missing.
His wife looked equally confused. In the blink of an eye, both the panda and John had vanished.
"Where did they go?" George wondered aloud.
"They're probably in the apartment. They can't have gone far. Let's look for them."
---
Meanwhile, Big White had made his way to Gwen's bedroom.
"Where are you going? Take me with you, please?" Little John followed excitedly.
Ignoring him, Big White proceeded to the window, climbed onto the desk, unlocked the window, and slipped out to the fire escape.
Seeing John trying to follow, Big White pulled the window down, blocking the exit.
"Don't follow me!" He gestured with a broad paw, shaking a finger at John before turning to descend the steep fire escape.
This was the 20th floor. The fire escape was like those found in factories, made of thick iron, rusted from exposure. It was unclear if it had ever been maintained.
Big White carefully navigated the stairs, taking in the surrounding environment.
This was his first view of a human city since arriving in this world.
Tall buildings stretched as far as the eye could see, and cars flowed continuously below.
However, contrary to the bright and clear environment he expected, the scene was dim, with the air thick with haze.