"I think so too," Hu Haodong nodded.

"It doesn’t matter what we think," another guard said with a shrug. "The leadership wants to try, so let them. They’ll figure it out once they’ve run into a wall."

Yang Qi was silent.

There wasn’t much he could say about the matter.

Jiang Kai and the others were looking at it from the perspective of work assignments and efficiency. They genuinely meant well, hoping to lighten his workload. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

But they might have overlooked something—or perhaps, they were just seeing it from a different angle.

’The reason Tuantuan developed this "conditioned reflex" over the past few days, willing to come out with me, isn’t just because "someone comes at dusk" and "there’s an apple at the end."’

’The deeper reason is my unique "Ten Thousand Beasts Affinity" aura, and that final "special apple" coated with "Vitality Nutrient Cream"—which is fatally attractive to animals.’

’The apple, in particular, is the core reward that maintains this "reflex".’

’If someone else comes, holding just a regular apple, how will Tuantuan react after discovering the "reward" isn’t the real deal—that it lacks that special scent and satisfying feeling?’

’Considering Tuantuan’s seemingly gentle demeanor, which conceals the pride and stubbornness innate to a bear, its reaction probably won’t be as simple as just "ignoring" them.’

’It has a gentle and lazy personality, true, but it’s still a bear!’

’Throwing a little tantrum or even refusing to cooperate after being "deceived" is highly likely.’

’What a mess this is...’

Yang Qi sighed internally.

The leadership wanted to try. He couldn’t just jump in and stop them, declaring, ’It has to be me,’ could he?

’That would be making it all about me, and it would just annoy people.’

’Whatever, if the leadership wants to try, let them try.’

Yang Qi suppressed the flicker of annoyance. ’If something really does go wrong, I’ll deal with it then.’

He made up his mind. After the zoo closed tomorrow, he would wait nearby.

If Tuantuan really got upset or if some minor issue came up, it wouldn’t be too late for him to step in and handle it.

However, things don’t always go according to plan.

「Around ten o’clock the next morning」

Yang Qi was performing his routine cleaning in the lynx enclosure when his phone vibrated.

He pulled it out and saw it was Mei Ying calling.

Yang Qi stepped outside to answer. "Sister Mei."

"Xiao Yang, drop what you’re doing and come to my office immediately." Mei Ying’s voice sounded urgent.

"Okay, I’ll be right over."

Yang Qi hung up the phone, puzzled.

’Mei Ying rarely uses such an urgent "come immediately" tone with me.’

He immediately put down his tools, washed his hands, and rushed to the office building.

When Yang Qi knocked and entered Mei Ying’s office, he found she wasn’t alone.

Jiang Kai, Huang Zhongmu, and several other leaders were all there.

Everyone looked rather serious, yet there was an unusual undercurrent to their expressions.

"Xiao Yang, you’re here. Have a seat," Mei Ying said.

Huang Zhongmu and Jiang Kai also nodded at him.

"Director, Sister Mei, Minister... Is something wrong?" Yang Qi asked as he sat down.

Mei Ying didn’t answer directly. Instead, she picked up a document from her desk and handed it to Yang Qi. A complicated smile touched her lips as she spoke.

"Xiao Yang, take a look at this. It’s an official invitation from the Provincial Capital’s Red Star Zoo. It was sent directly to our Zoo, and they’re asking for you by name."

Yang Qi took the document and looked down.

It was indeed a very formal letter, signed by the "Red Star Zoo Administration" and stamped with a bright red official seal.

The gist of it was: They had heard that Yang Qi of Donghua Wildlife Park possessed unique talents and had achieved remarkable results in animal communication and behavioral correction. Their zoo had a rare long-armed ape exhibiting a persistent refusal to eat and other abnormal behaviors. After numerous unsuccessful attempts to resolve the issue, they were cordially inviting Yang Qi to assist with a diagnosis and provide professional advice, hoping to help the long-armed ape recover its health.

’The Provincial Capital Red Star Zoo...’

’That’s the largest and most scientifically advanced zoo in the entire province.’

’And they sent a formal invitation asking me, a keeper from a city-level zoo, to come and help with a "consultation"?’

’Has my reputation grown that much?’

’Red Star Zoo is treating me like an "animal behavior expert"!’

’Wait a minute...’

Suddenly, Yang Qi thought of someone.

Tong Xiaoyue!

The vice director of the Red Star Zoo. The "Outer Sect Elder" who had helped him get promoted to "Inner Sect Disciple."

’Could she be the one who sent the invitation?’

Lost in thought, Yang Qi looked up at the zoo’s leadership.

Huang Zhongmu looked both emotional and gratified. Jiang Kai’s eyes were filled with amazement and a hint of vicarious pride. As for Mei Ying, she had a classic "See? I told you so" look on her face.

"Xiao Yang."

Huang Zhongmu spoke up. "This invitation is a huge testament to your abilities! Even though you’re our employee, when a sister organization is in trouble—especially when it concerns the welfare of a rare animal—we have an obligation to provide whatever help we can."

"The Zoo has decided to fully support you on this trip. Director Mei will help you with the necessary paperwork and travel arrangements. As for the timing..."

"Thank you for the Zoo’s trust. I can leave at any time," Yang Qi said immediately.

’A business trip on official work?’

’No problem!’

He was also curious to see if a change of scenery—a different Zoo, different animals—might trigger some new function or response mechanism in the system that bound him to the "Beast Taming Sect."

"Good."

A smile spread across Huang Zhongmu’s face. "The invitation says they’re hoping you can leave as soon as possible—today, if you can. Go home, pack your things, and head out. Do you need the Zoo to arrange a car to take you to the high-speed rail station? As for your work here, Minister Jiang will take care of it, so don’t worry."

"There’s no need to trouble the Zoo for a car. I can drive to the station myself and just park there," Yang Qi replied.

Jiang Kai nodded as well. "I’ll arrange for someone to cover your duties for now. Just focus on going to the Provincial Capital and taking care of things there."

"Understood."

Yang Qi agreed. He was just about to excuse himself and leave when he suddenly remembered the plan to have someone else walk the panda that evening. He couldn’t help but pause.

After a brief hesitation, he brought it up. "Director, Minister, there’s one thing... It’s about guiding Tuantuan out for a walk this evening. I heard from Chen Ze and the others that they’re going to try having another keeper do it today."

"Uh... if possible, I’d suggest being a little more cautious. Or at least, observe Tuantuan’s reaction first before deciding what to do next."

"I’m worried the change might make Tuantuan uncomfortable."

Hearing this, Huang Zhongmu exchanged a look with Jiang Kai and smiled. "We appreciate your concern, Xiao Yang. We’ll keep an eye on it. You go to the Provincial Capital and don’t worry. We have staff and Veterinarians watching Tuantuan. No major problems will arise."

Jiang Kai also gave his assurance. "We’ll have people watch carefully. Don’t worry about this. Just focus on handling things at Red Star."

Since both leaders had made their stance clear, Yang Qi couldn’t press the issue. After all, he was just giving a reminder; he couldn’t overstep his authority.

He simply nodded.

"I’ll go get ready, then."

...

Leaving the office building at a brisk pace, Yang Qi pulled out his phone and dialed Chen Ze’s number as he walked toward his dorm.

"Brother Qi? What’s up?" Chen Ze’s voice came through.

"Brother Chen, are you free right now? Can you come to my dorm for a moment? There’s something I need your help with."

"I’m free, I’ll be right over," Chen Ze agreed readily.

By the time Yang Qi got back to his small, mountainside villa, Chen Ze was already waiting at the gate. He was squatting down, saying hello to Leopard, who was sitting in the yard and curiously sizing him up.

"Brother Qi, you’re back."

Seeing Yang Qi, Chen Ze smiled, stood up, and dusted off his hands. "What’s up? You sounded like it was urgent."

Yang Qi unlocked the door and gestured for Chen Ze to enter. "I just got a last-minute assignment," he said as they walked inside. "I have to go to the Provincial Capital for a couple of days on business. I was hoping you could help me out by coming over in the mornings and evenings to feed and give fresh water to Xiaojiu, Bai Wan, Hu Zi, and Leopard."

Ta Xue went into the mountains again early this morning.

"Ha, is that it? No problem at all!"

Chen Ze readily agreed, patting his chest. "Just feeding them morning and night? You can count on me..."

Before he finished speaking, something clicked. His eyes widened as he stared at Yang Qi in astonishment. "Wait a second! Brother Qi, you said you’re going to the Provincial Capital for work? Don’t tell me you were invited by the Red Star Zoo?"