Chapter 158 Side Story One

Chapter 158 Side Story One

1987.

Like most zoos, this one also had a semi-circular arched entrance gate, with simulated rocks and trees, and signs featuring lions, tigers, and giant pandas mounted on top.

The ticket booth at the entrance was crowded with people. Upon entering, you could see environmental protection short films playing on multimedia devices, along with seven or eight tourism promotional display paintings.

A guide with a headset and loudspeaker had gathered about a dozen visitors. Behind them was a long road of flower beds, and further ahead was a large swan water play square.

Nearer still, a blue peacock was partially hidden among the bamboo leaves.

The peacock enclosure was nearest to the gate, separated by a small puddle of shimmering water. The edges were decorated with artificial rocks, flowers, and stones, where seven or eight blue peacocks played.

A rare white peacock wobbled its way into the group, causing everyone to exclaim in awe.

A seven-year-old girl in a sleeveless yellow sunflower dress bypassed three or four tourists, pointed at the white peacock, and said, “So pretty! I’m going to donate all my pocket money to it.”

The girl poured a few coins out of her orange coin purse and threw them into the blue donation box. Several other tourists were inspired and gradually threw money into the donation box.

A sign nearby stated that the funds collected in the donation box would be used to improve the living conditions of the animals.

The white peacock, as the zoo's "greeting peacock," was deeply loved by the public.

The little girl walked past the peacock enclosure and headed to the tortoise area, which was enclosed by wooden stakes diagonally across. She walked up the stone slope, looking down at the tortoises hiding in the crevices of the rocks. But these little shorties couldn’t see her.

The girl sighed, then ran to a distant big tree. Behind a transparent glass panel, vines and ropes were entangled between several trees. At first glance, nothing was visible, but if you waited patiently, you might spot two red pandas climbing the vines, one after the other.

They jumped up and down between the vines and ropes, their fluffy bodies forming circles with their tails and eyes, which had white markings around them. It was hard to imagine that such chubby figures could move so lightly and agilely.

The girl put on her beige sunhat and boarded the sightseeing train. The train's rhythmic chugging made her feel as though she were truly crossing the vast savannah, with gazelles and zebras shining under the sunlight.

The train stopped, and a beautiful giraffe stood under a big tree ahead. Its gentle nature prompted it to nuzzle affectionately against the side of a thirteen-year-old boy.

A newly born baby giraffe crouched next to it, similarly clinging to the boy’s leg.

The girl called out, “Brother! Big brother!”

She ran over. Her appearance bore a striking resemblance to his, sharing the same eyebrows and eyes, but with a different demeanor, resulting in... different treatment.

The giraffe snorted as if it were quite displeased with her approach, and the baby giraffe hurriedly ran into the enclosure, preferring to lose its freedom rather than see her.

“It’s okay, it’s okay…” the boy gently soothed the giraffe’s emotions.

The girl called out again, “Big brother!”

The giraffe tucked its neck and slipped away.

Gu Junrui: “……”

“Little sister, speak more quietly in the future.”

The little girl protested, “Even if I speak more quietly, they’ll still run away. I need to get them familiar with my voice. I’m going to be the future zoo director!”

At a young age, she already had a grand ambition. She wanted to engage in animal protection, inherit the family zoo, and become a shining director of a zoo with countless animals.

“Brother, I want to touch the red panda! I want to touch the red panda!” The girl grabbed her older brother’s hand, her tone impatient, her whole body expressing persistence.

The siblings reached the red panda enclosure and put on zookeeper uniforms. Gu Junrui’s voice was gentle as he easily coaxed a red panda with some fruits. It rubbed against his hand and was held in his arms.

He handed the baby red panda to his younger sister, but before the little girl could even rejoice, the small animal delivered a quick kick and darted away like crazy.

Even Gu Junrui, who usually had great luck with animals, couldn't lure any of the little animals near right now.

For some reason, animals just didn't seem to take to her naturally.

Born under a fiery sign, she embodied the fiery element of the five elements. She had an overwhelming yang energy, a fiery temper, was competitive, and lacked patience in everything she did, always acting on a whim.

While the two siblings looked similar, their temperaments and styles were vastly different. The girl had delicate and striking features, dazzling like sunlight, while the boy was kind and approachable.

"You've had your hug; now let's get going," he said in a gentle voice, but the little girl felt a chill run down her spine and didn't dare to say anything more.

This brother, despite seeming gentle and good-tempered on the surface, was actually the biggest troublemaker in the family. Only their naive mother thought he was harmless.

And those poor animals, all deceived by his false, tender facade!

She made a face at Gu Junrui, thinking "hypocrite!" and bounced out, looking for her second brother.

The teenager behind her shook his head helplessly. As the eldest brother, he bore the responsibility of guiding and disciplining his younger siblings. If they had any problems, he was accountable.

Behind the Swan Lake Restaurant, there was a street modeled after traditional Chinese architecture, with bluestone roads, red walls and green tiles, green bamboo and weeping willows, exuding an ancient charm.

Here, you could find all sorts of souvenirs like balloons and stuffed toys, along with drinks like sugarcane juice and treats like fried chicken, kebabs, and ice cream. It was the largest commercial street in the zoo, raking in a fortune as the crowd grew.

During the summer vacation, Gu Peiming had set up three stalls here and even hired three people—one selling balloons, another selling coconut and coconut milk desserts, and the third selling grilled sausages—making a tidy profit.

This was his personal Monopoly game.

Dressed in a short shirt with a red headscarf wrapped around his head and a string of stone beads around his neck, he had just set up a new stall selling pearls. His skin was tanned, and his teeth looked especially white when he smiled, appearing particularly down-to-earth.

What a handsome and down-to-earth young man!

When others asked, he would answer with a smile, "The coconuts come from our own farm, and these pearls are harvested from our own oysters. My father has been a fisherman for thirty years, spending most of his life at sea..."

Someone asked, "Aren't you supposed to be studying at your age? Knowledge changes destiny."

"Of course I study! How can I not? This is just a summer job to help out the family. There are siblings at home to take care of..."

"With the development of the island in recent years, hasn't life gotten better?"

"Well, it has, but my sister... she's been a bit strange since birth..."

It was as if his head had been clamped.

Gu Peiming thought to himself, then looked up to see that the little terror had arrived. The very person he was thinking of came running over quickly.

"Brother, brother!! Let me help you sell the pearls!"

"Aunty, sister, come and take a look! These pearls are dug out by my brother..."

The little girl's voice was extremely persuasive, and she quickly sold out all of Gu Peiming's stock, leaving nothing behind. "Why did you sell everything? We were supposed to give one string to Mom."

"Oh, you didn't tell me earlier," the girl muttered.

Gu Peiming felt a pang in his heart. He was thoroughly enjoying his Monopoly game, having fun on his own, but every time his sister appeared, his young heart couldn't handle the stress.

Little sister is the best saleswoman, her mouth is really something. As soon as she starts yelling, the goods sell out in minutes—now that's a born tycoon!

However, she's not really interested in selling. She runs around all day, encouraging others to donate money to protect animals.

That's fine, as long as they don't interfere with each other. Gu Peiming only feels a tiny bit of jealousy. But of course, this little troublemaker insists on helping him "sell goods."

Fine, she sold some, but this little sister has had her head bashed by a door since she was young, her math scores are terrible, and she can't count properly.

If you're not careful, she'll make a loss-making deal.

It's infuriating.

"Shady businessman brother, I want coconut milk clear pudding."

Gu Peiming was too lazy to respond, "Do it yourself."

"No, I want you. You're my brother! You make it for others, but not for me? Are you really my brother?"

Gu Peiming: "…… How did I end up with such a troublesome sister."

He begrudgingly prepared the coconut milk clear pudding for his dear sister. When he closed the freezer and looked up, Gu Junrui was standing in front of him, expressionless, saying calmly, "Give me one as well."

Gu Peiming, arms crossed, raised an eyebrow, "Self-reliance brings prosperity."

"Am I not your real brother? Are you looking for a fight?"

Gu Peiming: "……"

Why does he have an elder brother who looks gentle and elegant on the outside and is kind to animals? Yet, he's secretly a martial arts enthusiast and a lover of violence?

Just the titles of these books made Gu Peiming shudder, especially *Perfect Crime*. If he ever really angered his brother, would he make his younger brother vanish without a trace?

Gu Peiming continued scooping the pudding in silence, his hand pausing for a moment as he secretly glanced up at Gu Junrui, trying to detect any dark intent in his eyes.

But no, his brother stood under the sunshade, his appearance handsome and elegant, his skin several shades whiter than his own, adding a scholarly air.

—On the surface, he appeared to be a kind and approachable elder brother.

Could he become a serial killer in the future?

In places unseen, had he already begun his crimes? Was he torturing small animals?!

"Here you go."

Gu Junrui took the clear pudding, having observed all of his younger brother's little actions. He knew full well that this silly brother had no idea that he had been discovered going through his bookcase.

For amusement, Gu Junrui had even left many shocking pages and handwritten notes.

A rather boring summer, having already completed the school-assigned summer homework, Gu Junrui currently had two most difficult "summer assignments" left.

One was a sister with rock-bottom intelligence but exceptional powers of persuasion. The other was a self-proclaimed genius, naturally imaginative, and dramatic younger brother.

Being the eldest brother was hard.