Yang Qi wanted to laugh.

But considering Ao Tian was the Wolf Pack Leader, he had to give him some face. He forcefully suppressed his laughter and cleared his throat.

"I can let you out, but you have to wait until Happy gets back. Only one can come out at a time."

As he spoke, he pointed to Happy, who was beside them, and gestured to indicate they had to take turns.

A bewildered look appeared in Ao Tian’s eyes; he didn’t seem to fully grasp the complex rule of "taking turns."

Although he had temporarily lowered himself to imitate Happy for a chance to leave the enclosure, his inherent pride wasn’t diminished. He didn’t feel depressed or frustrated, so it didn’t trigger a system task.

Yang Qi didn’t mind.

Seeing that Ao Tian didn’t quite understand, he thought for a moment and turned to negotiate with Happy. "Happy, how about this? We’ll let Ao Tian out first this time, and you can go next, okay?"

He gestured toward Ao Tian as he spoke.

Happy understood. Its large wolf eyes glanced at the Wolf King beside it, who was trying hard to imitate it, the tip of his tail wagging slightly. A reluctant whimper escaped its throat.

[Fine.]

"Haha, don’t worry, it’s only for half an hour. It’ll be over before you know it."

Yang Qi smiled, took the collar off Happy’s neck, and then motioned for Ao Tian to come closer.

Ao Tian hesitated for a moment before stepping forward.

Yang Qi deftly put the collar on him, then opened the cage door and led this special "visitor" out. He then carefully closed the door to prevent the other wolves from following.

Walking the Wolf King on the private path near the wolf enclosure felt completely different.

When Happy came out, it was with wild excitement. Ao Tian, however, walked with a light gait, his expression still aloof. Only his sharp, wolfish eyes darted around from time to time, surveying this "outside" world that was both familiar and somewhat foreign to him. These subtle movements betrayed his inner turmoil.

Yang Qi watched from the side, laughing to himself.

After about half an hour, Yang Qi brought Ao Tian back to the wolf enclosure.

As soon as he was back inside the enclosure, Ao Tian immediately reverted to his unapproachable demeanor. Without even a glance at Yang Qi, he walked to a corner and lay down, his cold eyes fixed on Happy, who was now wearing the collar and excitedly wagging its tail.

It was as if he wasn’t the one who had just wanted to go for a walk.

"Tsk, talk about a complete 180..."

Yang Qi looked at Ao Tian and shook his head in amusement.

"Woof~"

Happy urged him on.

[Let’s go, let’s go.]

"Okay."

Yang Qi closed the cage door and led the impatient Happy out for a walk.

"Awooo~"

[It’s so much nicer out here.]

"Awooo~"

[Over there, let’s go over there.]

"..."

Happy ran about cheerfully, stopping every now and then to sniff here and there.

Yang Qi let it frolic freely.

Halfway through the walk, his phone rang. The caller ID showed it was Huang Zhongmu.

"Xiao Yang, come to my office."

"Huh? Director, I’m walking Happy right now. Is it urgent?" Yang Qi asked, a little curious.

"Walking Happy? Is Happy a dog?" a somewhat familiar voice came from the other end of the line.

"No, Happy’s a wolf."

"What?! Walking a wolf?!" Gasps of astonishment could be faintly heard through the phone’s earpiece, suggesting there were quite a few people in the office.

"Haha."

Huang Zhongmu laughed heartily. "In that case, take Happy back to the wolf enclosure first, then come to my office. We have something to discuss."

"Okay, Director. I’ll be right over."

Yang Qi agreed. He hung up, feeling a bit puzzled, but didn’t dwell on it. He looked down at Happy, who was busy sniffing the side of the path, and said, "Happy, we have to go back. How about this? After the zoo closes this afternoon and there are fewer people, I’ll take you out again to walk somewhere else, okay?"

"Woof~" Hearing this, Happy let out a low whimper. It was a little reluctant but didn’t complain.

[I want to eat that yummy thing from last time.]

"Heh, now you’re making deals with me." Yang Qi chuckled and ruffled Happy’s furry head. "Alright, I’ll bring you a roast chicken tonight!"

"Awooo~"

Happy stuck out its tongue and licked its lips.

[Roast chicken, roast chicken!]

...

After returning the excited Happy to the wolf enclosure, Yang Qi headed for the office building.

He knocked on the door and, after getting permission, pushed open the door to Huang Zhongmu’s office.

The room felt crowded the moment he stepped inside.

A group of people were scattered around, some standing and some sitting.

Besides Zoo executives like Huang Zhongmu, Jiang Kai, Zhao Dalong, and Mei Ying, there were three people in police uniforms.

Yang Qi recognized two of them: Sun Zhenghong, the captain of the Economic Crimes Investigation Division from the Hongshu Branch, and the female officer surnamed Gu, who had been pounced on by the female clouded leopard.

The other, a middle-aged officer with thick eyebrows, large eyes, and a slightly stout build, was unfamiliar.

"Xiao Yang, you’re here."

Huang Zhongmu stood up with a smile and pointed to the unfamiliar officer. "This is Director Chen Guobin from the Hongshu Public Security Branch."

"Deputy, deputy."

Chen Guobin stood up with a warm smile, took two steps forward, and firmly shook Yang Qi’s hand. His tone was sincere. "Comrade Yang Qi, hello, hello. I’m very sorry it took us until today to come and thank you personally! At the manor that day, it was all thanks to you that a disaster was averted. On behalf of the Hongshu Economic Crimes Investigation Division, I want to express my gratitude!"

As he spoke, he, along with Sun Zhenghong and the female officer surnamed Gu, snapped to attention and gave Yang Qi a standard police salute.

After saluting, the female officer followed up with a bow.

"Keeper Yang, thank you, thank you so much! If it weren’t for you that day, I might have..."

Her voice choked with emotion, and she couldn’t finish her sentence, but her gratitude was plain to see.

"Officer Gu, you’re being too kind. It was an emergency; anyone would have tried to do something," Yang Qi said, waving his hands dismissively. He was a bit surprised by Chen Guobin’s gesture.

But on second thought, it was understandable.

If Yang Qi hadn’t been there, the female officer, Gu, would have certainly died. If Sun Zhenghong and the others had attacked the clouded leopard, at least one of them would have been killed, and the rest would have been injured to varying degrees.

For that outcome, Chen Guobin, who was in charge of the economic crimes division, would have been fired for sure, and most likely dismissed from public service altogether.

Not only Chen Guobin, but even the director of the Hongshu Branch wouldn’t have escaped, and would have faced disciplinary action.

...

"Keeper Yang, we’re only coming today, firstly, because we’ve been busy with the follow-up work on the case. Secondly, we wanted to prepare a formal gift for you," Sun Zhenghong said with a smile.

"A gift?" Yang Qi was confused.

"Xiao Yang, you don’t know yet, do you?"

Mei Ying’s face was wreathed in smiles as she explained, "The Hongshu Branch submitted a report, and the city approved it. Because of your heroic act of bravely fighting the clouded leopard and protecting police officers at the manor, you’ve been named a ’Hero for a Just Cause’ of our Donghua City!"

"A ’Hero for a Just Cause’?"

Yang Qi was slightly surprised to hear this, but he quickly understood.

Just then, Sun Zhenghong turned, picked up an exquisite, long red box from nearby, and opened it.

Chen Guobin took out a gilt-edged certificate of honor and a shiny medal from inside. He faced Yang Qi and said with a solemn expression,

"Comrade Yang Qi, in the face of a ferocious wild clouded leopard, you showed no fear and stepped forward. With extraordinary courage and wisdom, you protected the lives of the people and promoted social righteousness."

"After review by the Donghua City Evaluation Committee for Acts of Courage, it has been decided to award you the honorary title of ’Donghua City’s Hero for a Just Cause’!"

"On behalf of the City Public Security Bureau and the Hongshu Branch, I offer you our most sincere thanks!"

After speaking, he solemnly presented the certificate of honor and medal to Yang Qi.

CLAP CLAP CLAP~

Applause erupted in the office.

Huang Zhongmu, Mei Ying, Jiang Kai, and the others clapped, their faces beaming with shared pride.

[Admiration from the Sect Leader. Contribution Points +20]

[Praise from the General Affairs Hall Master. Contribution Points +25]

[Admiration from the Spirit Beast Hall Master. Contribution Points +30]

...

[Host has received a commendation from the Immortal Dynasty Office, bringing glory to the sect and enhancing its reputation. Contribution Points +200]