### Chapter 13: Arrival of the "Ancestor"
"Here you go, big brother. This is the money I earned teaching everyone arithmetic this week."
The little girl stood on her tiptoes and handed a small piece of white paper to Gu Sanqiu, then quickly ran back inside, calling her friends over for dinner.
Gu Sanqiu glanced at the paper and then placed it into the money box beside him.
The paper didn't have anything special on it; it simply had the words "Ten Thousand Mora" written in large characters.
Legally and divinely, this piece of paper had no real purchasing power, but here at Gu Sanqiu's place, it could buy a priceless bowl of ramen.
Why? Because this place was an orphanage, established years ago by the Gu family, Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, and the Qixing as a semi-official adoption agency.
In recent years, under the management of a certain white-haired sister, merchants started to sponsor the orphanage to improve their corporate image.
Without the significant influence of the Qixing and the ancestors of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor and the Gu family, the merchants would have been the first to oppose the establishment of an orphanage in such a prime location as Feiyun Slope.
The proximity to the small park under Yujing Terrace was due to the convenience of Bubu Pharmacy being nearby, making medical care a top priority when choosing the location.
The orphanage didn't just house children who lost their parents but also those abandoned due to being different, weak, sick, or disabled.
In Gu Sanqiu's generation, he made time every week to come and cook a meal for the children, providing some support.
It wasn't about profit or status; for Gu Sanqiu, it might have been a habit ingrained in the souls of the Gu family or perhaps just something he wanted to do.
Liking something or someone is never about what they are or their status. It's simply because I like them and want to do it.
The broth bubbled, and the noodles tumbled in the pot.
In the large pot, the exquisite aroma of giant chicken legs and wheat gradually spread outward.
"Wow, big brother is here!"
"Everyone, don't push, don't push. Line up in order, remember to bring your bowls, and be careful around the fire."
The first girl out of the door organized her companions, while Gu Sanqiu skillfully served steaming noodles to each child holding a bowl.
"Mm, delicious, so fragrant!"
"Yum, this is the best thing I've eaten this year!"
"Bang bang bang."
Gu Sanqiu raised an eyebrow at the boy pounding his chest and was about to intervene when a companion deftly helped the choking boy.
"Eat slowly, eat slowly, there's plenty."
The Ugada giant chicken legs lived up to their "delicious" reputation, and their high nutritional value meant the kids probably couldn't manage a second bowl.
If they could, he might have to contact the Qixing to see if that child had some special potential.
"Sanqiu, you're here again."
An elderly woman emerged from the orphanage. Seeing the God's Eye at Gu Sanqiu's waist, her eyes lit up with joy.
"You've awakened the power of the God's Eye? That's wonderful news."
"Granny Lin, you flatter me."
Looking at the old lady who had treated him like a grandson since childhood, Gu Sanqiu showed nothing but respect. He discreetly handed her a money pouch away from the children's eyes.
"Here are three banknotes, each worth ten thousand Mora. This is money I earned myself."
The giant eagle had amassed quite a haul on its territory, and Gu Sanqiu would consciously bring some back to supplement the household and support his extravagant spending.
Gu Sanqiu smiled as he handed the money pouch to Granny Lin, "Don't worry, Granny. The money is clean, and you don't need to worry about me running out. If I'm ever in trouble, I can always apply for aid from the Qixing."
"I trust the integrity and conduct of the Gu family, but it'd be better if you, young rascal, could be a bit more dependable."
The old lady took the money pouch without hesitation and patted Gu Sanqiu's arm.
"It's a shame you're so unreliable. Otherwise, I know a few good girls from decent families who'd be a great match."
Gu Sanqiu felt a chill run down his spine, reminiscent of the times he was pushed into blind dates by well-meaning but overwhelming relatives.
"Hehe, no need to worry about that, Granny. It's windy outside; I'll go see if any of the kids need more to eat."
Gu Sanqiu quickly made his escape, smiling at the children devouring their food.
"Little, little Guzi."
Suddenly, a cold yet soft voice called from nearby, making Gu Sanqiu's face stiffen. He turned his head with movements as stiff as a robot.
Beside him stood a little girl in blue clothes with a small official hat, her snow-blue hair adorned with a slightly worn talisman. She held a bunch of candies, tilting her head and staring at Gu Sanqiu.
"This aura, you must be, little Guzi."
"This smell, so fragrant, like coconut milk. I want some."
"Alright, alright, I'll make it for you right away. Please wait a moment, Ancestor."
Gu Sanqiu helplessly bowed to the visitor, "Did you bring these candies? Why don't you distribute them to the kids first?"
"Little Guzi, thoughtful."
The loli-sized "Ancestor" walked towards the children, soon causing a burst of laughter and cheer, clearly very popular.
"Well, back to work."
Gu Sanqiu shook his head with a wry smile and continued to light the fire and cook noodles.
"Is it because of the food ingredients? I didn't expect Qiqi to be interested in this, considering she has no sense of taste."
Not only was the meat special, but even the noodles were made from high-quality ingredients sourced from his golden finger, the kind that top restaurants would fight over.
As for why he called Qiqi "Ancestor"...
Immortals live incredibly long lives, and the Gu family has never been without descendants. Their records and documents are vast.
Compared to other reclusive immortals like Granny Ping and the Tofu Sage, Qiqi's presence in the mortal world was far more frequent.
Thus, interactions were common, whether dealing with those foolish enough to target immortals or more often, looking after children.
By his generation, calling Qiqi "Ancestor" had become an accepted norm.
As for Gu Sanqiu's personal thoughts, he mainly wished Qiqi would stop calling him "little Guzi," a term that could easily be confused with a palace official's name. Everything else was manageable.
But considering Qiqi's unique way of remembering things, he doubted this would change in his lifetime.