Yang Qi mused for a moment.

In fact, a preliminary idea had already formed in his mind while he was listening.

’Rule out psychological issues.’

If it was really just extreme laziness, then the key to getting Tuantuan to move was to have a "motivation" that was appealing enough.

Tuantuan enjoyed the treatment of a "pampered favorite" at the Zoo. As long as it was edible, what delicious or novel food hadn’t it tried?

The appeal of ordinary food had been greatly diminished.

But the Vitality Nutrient Cream was different!

That stuff held an almost instinctual, irresistible allure for beasts. Even "worldly" Spirit Beasts like Xiaojiu and Bai Wan couldn’t resist it, let alone an ordinary giant panda.

"Minister Jiang, Director Cheng."

Yang Qi began, choosing his words carefully. "My idea is, after the Zoo closes and the visitors have cleared out, the environment will be quiet. We could guide Tuantuan from its inner enclosure to the outer activity area, and even take it for a walk outside."

"Take Tuantuan out? For a walk outside?" Cheng Xiaoou mused.

"Letting it out after closing... security-wise, it should be fine. We can have patrols and surveillance keep up."

Jiang Kai stroked his chin, thinking. "But, Tuantuan’s laziness... Xiao Yang, are you sure you have a way to make it willing to leave its cozy den and wander around outside with you?"

Hu Jing couldn’t help but add, "That’s right, Yang Qi. Tuantuan finds it tiring to even move to a new spot or find hidden bamboo shoots. How are you going to make it willing to walk that far with you? What will you use as bait? We’ve tried the freshest apples, special cornbread, and even honey, but the results were all mediocre."

Yang Qi smiled faintly. He didn’t mention the Vitality Nutrient Cream, only saying,

"I have my ways."

A giant panda’s diet is strictly formulated.

It was only because Tuantuan was so lazy that its health metrics were over the limit.

The Vitality Nutrient Cream was a product of the system, made with materials from the Cultivation Realm.

If he were to just take it out for Tuantuan to eat, the first thing they would do is test it.

If those tests detected elements not found on Earth, Yang Qi would have no way to explain it.

"..."

The conference room fell silent for a few seconds.

The leaders and professional staff exchanged glances.

Yang Qi’s proposal sounded a bit unorthodox, but considering his past achievements and his miraculous affinity with animals, it seemed worth a try.

After all, conventional methods had yielded minimal results.

Jiang Kai pondered for a moment, then made the decision. "I think we can give it a try. But, Xiao Yang, you can’t use forceful methods to compel Tuantuan."

"Understood," Yang Qi nodded.

"Alright, then it’s settled for now."

Cheng Xiaoou also agreed. "Xiao Yang, we’re counting on you. If you can really get our national treasure to move, you’ll have performed another great service."

The meeting ended, and everyone got up to leave.

Hu Jing walked over to Yang Qi and asked in a low voice, "Yang Qi, do you really have a way to get Tuantuan to come out? Don’t you lie to me now, Tuantuan is a smart one."

"Don’t worry, Sister Hu."

Yang Qi smiled. "We’ll find out this evening when the Zoo closes."

Hu Jing nodded, half-convinced and half-doubting, but a sense of anticipation inexplicably grew in her heart.

’Perhaps this "Druid," Yang Qi, can really cure Tuantuan’s "laziness disease"?’

...

In the evening, the last rays of the setting sun coated the Zoo in a layer of warm gold.

As the closing music played over the loudspeakers, the last batch of visitors left the park.

In the Panda Hall area, however, a crowd had quietly gathered.

The Zoo’s upper management, heads of related departments, and many keepers, security guards, and even cleaning staff who had heard the news and stayed behind out of curiosity, were all either standing in hidden corners or packed into the monitoring room, their eyes fixed on the impending "Project Panda Walk."

Learning about the attempt to get Tuantuan out of its enclosure for some activity, everyone was filled with curiosity and anticipation, but also a healthy dose of skepticism.

"Can Yang Qi really get Tuantuan to come out? I’ve had more than enough of that panda’s laziness," a staff member said quietly, arms crossed.

"I doubt it. He’s empty-handed, not even carrying an apple. What’s he going to use for bait?" a young Veterinarian next to him said, shaking his head.

"That’s not for certain. Don’t forget, he’s the ’Druid.’ Maybe Tuantuan will fall for his act," Hu Jing said, unable to resist speaking up for Yang Qi, even though she was nervous herself.

"I believe in Brother Qi!"

Chen Ze, squeezed in the crowd, clenched his fist and exclaimed in a low voice.

"When Brother Qi makes a move, he’s worth two men!"

...

Yang Qi, who was inside the enclosure, did not hear the crowd’s discussions.

Having made his preparations, he calmly pushed open the small door connecting the Panda Hall’s inner den to the outer activity yard.

In the activity yard, Tuantuan was sitting under its favorite artificial tree, leaning against the trunk and leisurely munching on a piece of fresh, tender bamboo.

Hearing the noise, its round ears twitched. Its black bean-like eyes glanced toward the door. Seeing Yang Qi, it seemed a little surprised and let out a low, slightly quizzical grunt from its throat.

[Two-legged Beast, what are you doing here?]

Evidently, it still remembered the "favor" of Yang Qi helping it remove the bamboo splinter last time.

Yang Qi smiled faintly, walked a few steps closer, and sat down on the ground at a comfortable distance from Tuantuan. At the same time, he channeled his Magical Power, silently casting the Basic Spirit Communication Technique.

"I had some free time today, so I came to see you."

Yang Qi responded, his gaze falling on Tuantuan’s round, furry body.

"It’s been a while. You seem to have gotten a little fatter."

Tuantuan didn’t mind Yang Qi’s approach; in fact, it felt at ease due to his peculiar affinity.

It continued chewing on the bamboo shoot and replied.

[I’m not fat, I’m sturdy.]

Its tone carried the unique, matter-of-fact calmness befitting a national treasure.

’Alright...’

’You’re sturdy, so you’re right.’

Yang Qi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. At the same time, he was now completely certain: Tuantuan’s lazy habit wasn’t due to any pathological problem with its body, nor was it from a lack of environmental enrichment or psychological issues. It was just pure laziness!

And it was a proud, unapologetic laziness.

[Huh?]

Tuantuan finished chewing half of the bamboo shoot, then suddenly froze. With a delayed reaction, it turned its head, its small eyes within their black patches looking at Yang Qi in surprise.

[Two-legged Beast, you... how can you speak our bear language?]

"I can?"

Yang Qi played along, putting on a confused expression. "I was just talking to myself. Maybe you misheard?"

But Tuantuan nodded its big head with great certainty.

[Yes, I heard you.]

It seemed to find this "conversational" Two-legged Beast very interesting. Magnanimously, it offered the remaining small half of the bamboo shoot in its paw to Yang Qi.

[For you to eat.]

"Thank you, but I’m not hungry right now."

Yang Qi thanked it, then casually patted its thick shoulder.

"Tuantuan, it’s so boring staying here all the time. Want to go out and play? I mean, go outside, check out the main path."

As he spoke, he turned his head and pointed to the opened exit of the enclosure that led to the Zoo’s paths.

[Not going.]

Tuantuan’s reply was firm and decisive, without a hint of hesitation. It lowered its head to continue dealing with the remaining bamboo shoot, its attitude crystal clear.

’What in the outside world could be more important than bamboo shoots and sleeping?’