Almost at the same time, the two security guards who had gone to get fruit came running back, out of breath and clutching two large, heavy bags.

"Chief, we’ve got the fruit. How do we get it over there?"

One of the guards stared at the massive figure on the distant lawn, his voice trembling slightly.

The security captain took a deep breath, handed the tranquilizer gun to the team member beside him, and stepped forward. He took both heavy bags, holding them firmly.

"I’ll take them over."

His voice was steady. His face was grim but showed no fear. He strode forward, walking steadily toward Yang Qi and the brown bear.

The brown bear immediately noticed someone approaching. Its massive body shifted uneasily, and a low, warning whimper rumbled in its throat. It instinctively shrank closer to Yang Qi.

"It’s okay, it’s okay. He’s not here to hurt you. He’s bringing you some tasty treats."

Yang Qi quickly soothed it while simultaneously standing up to meet the approaching security captain.

The two met about seven or eight meters away from the brown bear.

The security captain handed the two large bags of fruit to Yang Qi. As he did, his lips moved slightly, and he spoke quickly in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Thank you, sir. Find a chance to get away soon. Leave the rest to us."

Yang Qi took the fruit and replied in the same low voice, "Don’t worry, Captain. I can keep it calm. Its mood is very stable right now. Once it’s finished eating and has calmed down completely, I’ll guide it back to its enclosure."

"..."

The security captain opened his mouth, then closed it. He gave Yang Qi a long, hard look. Seeing Yang Qi’s calm eyes and confident tone, he realized that although he still had his doubts and worries, there was no better option at the moment.

He gave a quick nod and said no more. He slowly backed away until he was outside the safety perimeter, then signaled for the other guards to remain on high alert while he began to quietly direct the evacuation of more distant tourists and maintain order.

...

Yang Qi returned to the brown bear’s side, carrying the two large bags of fruit.

He didn’t know whether to laugh or cry as he looked at the huge creature. One moment it had been roaring in a frenzy, and now it was sidling up to him like a frightened, oversized dog.

Through their "conversation," Yang Qi discovered that this brown bear was a female, and not very old—she seemed to have just recently reached adulthood. ’No wonder she’s so emotional,’ he thought.

Seeing Yang Qi return, the brown bear let out another timid, low growl.

’I... I really didn’t mean to.’

’I didn’t hurt any of those Two-legged Beasts, either...’

’Didn’t hurt anyone?’

’Even better.’

Yang Qi thought to himself, maintaining the Magic as he continued to soothe her. "It’s all right, it’s all right. Here, have some fruit."

With that, he opened one of the bags, took out a few apples and some bananas, and offered them to the brown bear.

The brown bear sniffed them, confirming that it was familiar, delicious food. It glanced at Yang Qi’s gentle eyes, then extended a massive paw and carefully took an apple, popping it into its mouth and chewing with a loud CRUNCH, CRUNCH.

The sweet juice helped to relax its tense nerves. It picked up another apple and began to eat with great relish.

...

Just as the brown bear was calmly eating its fruit with Yang Qi soothing it nearby, the upper management of Red Star Zoo rushed to the scene after hearing the news.

The Director, Guo Xiaoyun; the Vice Director, Tong Xiaoyue; and the heads of the Animal Management Department, Security Division, and the Veterinary Station had all hurried over, only to be stopped by the security captain outside the safety line.

"What’s going on? Huh?! Why is there a tourist next to the brown bear? What kind of security are you running here?!"

Guo Xiaoyun stared at the person and the bear on the distant lawn, a mixture of shock and fury on his face. He lowered his voice and began berating the security captain.

Just as the security captain was about to explain, Tong Xiaoyue, who was standing beside him, spoke first. "Old Guo, calm down. Look, the brown bear seems to have stabilized. The person next to it isn’t a tourist, it’s Yang Qi. It looks like Xiao Yang has managed to calm it down."

"Yang Qi?"

Guo Xiaoyun paused, turning to look at the young figure standing beside the brown bear in the distance. He did look vaguely familiar.

"Yes! Director Guo, Vice Director Tong, when I arrived, that Mr. Yang was already calming the brown bear and had successfully led it away from the danger zone. Before, a frightened tourist was lying right over there, next to the bear, before we managed to rescue him."

The security captain pointed to the spot where the young man had collapsed and quickly reported the situation.

Guo Xiaoyun followed his finger with his gaze, then looked back at the bear in the distance. It was quietly eating fruit and even occasionally acting "coy" with Yang Qi. The anger on his face slowly gave way to shock and astonishment.

"Is this Yang Qi’s ability to communicate with animals really that incredible?" Guo Xiaoyun whispered to Tong Xiaoyue, as if talking to himself.

"You’re seeing it with your own eyes, aren’t you?"

Tong Xiaoyue’s expression didn’t change much. She just lifted her chin, gesturing toward Yang Qi and the brown bear interacting in the distance. "He solved Ah Wu’s depression after two sessions, totaling no more than an hour or so."

"I also heard from Jingjing that yesterday afternoon, Xiao Yang ’chatted’ with Hua Hua at the Leopard Hall through the safety gate. He found out the real reason she’s unwilling to mate: she looks down on the current male leopards in the Zoo and wants a ’tall, rich, and handsome’ leopard."

A "tall, rich, and handsome" leopard?

The corner of Guo Xiaoyun’s mouth twitched. The other executives and department heads who had rushed over also showed strange expressions on their faces when they heard that phrase.

The tense, heavy atmosphere caused by the escaped beast was unexpectedly lightened by this somewhat "absurd" and "humanizing" description.

However, although the tension had eased slightly, the problem remained severe.

Guo Xiaoyun composed his expression and turned back, his gaze locked on Yang Qi and the brown bear in the distance. He frowned and said, "Xiaoyue, are you saying we should just let him stay there and continue to calm the bear? That’s too dangerous! What if..."

"Director."

The security captain interjected, his voice extremely low. "When Mr. Yang took the fruit from me, he said he was confident he could guide the brown bear back to its enclosure on its own. He told us just to clear the path, keep things quiet, and not to provoke it."

Hearing this, Tong Xiaoyue nodded and looked at Guo Xiaoyun. "Since Yang Qi is confident, and it seems his calming methods are genuinely effective—the bear’s mood is very stable."

"Then the most important thing for us to do now is to trust his professional judgment and provide the logistical support we’re responsible for."

"We need to completely clear the path from this lawn to the Bear Mountain enclosure. Ensure there are no tourists or obstacles, maintain absolute silence, and reduce any variables that might agitate the bear."

She paused for a moment before adding.

"I believe in him."

Those four short words carried immense weight.

Within the animal protection community, Tong Xiaoyue was known for being rigorous, professional, and having a uniquely sharp eye.

For her to express such clear trust was a powerful signal in itself.

Guo Xiaoyun fell silent for a few seconds. His gaze swept back and forth between Yang Qi calmly soothing the bear in the distance, the composed security captain giving his report, and Tong Xiaoyue’s face, which was filled with conviction.

Finally, he took a deep breath and made his decision.

"Alright, we’ll do as Xiaoyue says!"

Guo Xiaoyun ordered in a low voice, "Security team, immediately clear all paths between Area D and Bear Mountain Building B, as quickly and safely as possible."

"Set up multiple cordons. When evacuating tourists, be sure to keep them calm to avoid panic and chaos."

"Medical team, stand by. Prepare tranquilizers and emergency treatment plans, but without a direct order from me or Vice Director Tong, no one is to approach or do anything that might provoke the animal!"

"Yes, sir!!"

...

Yang Qi saw and heard the security team’s movements from a distance.

So, he continued to soothe the brown bear, handing it more fruit to eat.

When the security captain gave a hand signal from afar, indicating they could proceed, Yang Qi spoke in a gentle tone, "Come on, I’ll take you home."

’Thank you, Two-legged Beast.’

The brown bear stood up and thanked him as it walked alongside Yang Qi.

At the same time, it asked timidly, full of worry.

’Am I really going to be okay?’

"Don’t worry, you’ll be fine." Yang Qi reached out and patted its shoulder.

’Only a captive-bred brown bear would be so worried about this and that.’

’A wild brown bear would have either fled or attacked ferociously.’

’Worrying about the consequences?’

’What good does that do...?’