Yang Qi remembered now. Yesterday, by the tiger enclosure, he had indeed caught a glimpse of Tong Xiaoyue’s slender figure among the crowd of onlookers.

It was just that her appearance and temperament didn’t match his subconscious image of an "Elder," so he had instinctively dismissed the possibility.

Now, it was confirmed.

’You can’t judge a book by its cover!’

...

"MEOW~"

Ta Xue trotted over to Yang Qi’s feet and hid behind him, peeking out with its little head. Its large, amber eyes watched Tong Xiaoyue and Zhou Jing with a mix of wariness and curiosity.

"So cute!"

Zhou Jing clasped her hands to her chest, her gaze lingering on Ta Xue. Then she looked at Yang Qi and said, half-joking and half-serious.

"Yang Druid, if you ever feel unhappy working here, or like your growth is limited, you should consider coming to the Provincial Capital!"

"What?" Yang Qi asked, confused.

"Jingjing."

Tong Xiaoyue glanced at Zhou Jing, her gentle gaze holding a hint of restraint.

She then turned to Yang Qi, the same proper smile on her face, and explained, "What Jingjing means is that your talent for animal husbandry and communication is truly remarkable. We hope we can exchange ideas more in the future."

"If you ever come visit Red Star, we could learn from each other."

"Oh, I see."

Yang Qi said with an understanding smile, "No problem. If I get the chance, I’ll definitely visit the Provincial Capital Red Star Zoo to learn from you two seniors."

"I’m a newcomer too."

Zhou Jing blinked. "My aunt is the real big shot in the industry."

"Jingjing."

Tong Xiaoyue glanced at Zhou Jing again, then said to Yang Qi, "Well, we won’t keep you from your work. Let’s talk again when we have the chance."

"Goodbye, Druid! Goodbye, Ta Xue!"

Zhou Jing waved at Yang Qi and Ta Xue, then caught up with Tong Xiaoyue.

The two of them turned and walked away at an unhurried pace along the visitor path.

Yang Qi watched them leave, his brow slightly furrowed.

He took out his phone and searched for the keywords "Provincial Capital Red Star Zoo, Tong Xiaoyue."

The results came up quickly.

Tong Xiaoyue: Vice Director of the Provincial Capital Red Star Zoo, professor at the Agricultural University, Deputy Director of the Wildlife Rescue Center, standing committee member of the Provincial Animal Protection Association...

It was a long string of impressive titles and positions.

’A status like this really does fit the profile of an "Outer Sect Elder,"’ Yang Qi thought.

A high-level executive at the Provincial Capital’s Zoo, a big shot in the industry.

’But would Tong Xiaoyue, just passing through Donghua City, seek him out specifically just to "exchange ideas and learn"?’

Yang Qi mulled it over.

Suddenly, an idea flashed in his mind, a new possibility.

’No way...’

’Is Tong Xiaoyue trying to poach me?’

Once the thought arose, it quickly took root and sprouted.

’If that’s the case, then she must have already contacted Director Huang Zhongmu. She might have even laid her cards on the table.’

Yang Qi’s mind began to race.

’If she wants to poach me, she’ll definitely have to make an attractive offer.’

’For a young man like me, currently just a contract worker with an unremarkable academic background, the biggest temptation would undoubtedly be a permanent position!’

’And a permanent position in the Provincial Capital is worth even more.’

At this thought, Yang Qi’s eyes couldn’t help but light up.

’If Tong Xiaoyue really did offer a permanent position, how would Huang Zhongmu respond?’

’Would he let me go gracefully in exchange for some other resources or a favor?’

’Or...’

...

「Three days later, on a bright and sunny morning.」

Yang Qi was doing his routine cleaning in the wolf enclosure when the phone in his pocket suddenly vibrated.

He stopped his work and took out his phone. It was a call from Mei Ying.

Taking the phone, Yang Qi walked to a quieter spot outside the enclosure and answered the call.

"Sister Mei."

"Xiao Yang, are you busy right now? If not, come to my office." Mei Ying’s voice came through the receiver, carrying a cheerful tone that was different from usual.

"Okay, I’ll be right there."

Yang Qi replied.

He hung up the phone and thought for a moment.

He didn’t dwell on it for long, though. He quickly put away his tools, straightened his clothes, and headed for the office building.

When he entered Mei Ying’s office, he saw her sitting behind her desk, the smile on her face even more pronounced than it had sounded over the phone.

"You’re here? Sit."

Mei Ying didn’t waste time on pleasantries. She took a bound document from her drawer, pushed it across the desk to Yang Qi, and said with a beaming smile.

"Take a look at this. If there are no issues, sign it at the end. There are still a few procedures to go through, so it’ll take about two more days to finalize everything."

Puzzled, Yang Qi picked up the document.

His eyes scanned the cover and the first few lines, and he froze.

Donghua City Wildlife Park Public Institution Employment Contract

A public institution employment contract!

Yang Qi’s head shot up, and he looked at Mei Ying in astonishment. "Sister Mei, this... this is?"

"You’re not seeing things."

Mei Ying explained with a smile, her voice tinged with a hint of emotion, "In light of your outstanding performance over the past month, the Zoo has decided, after careful consideration and with special approval from the higher authorities, to make an exception and promote you to a permanent position."

"Congratulations, Xiao Yang!"

Inwardly, Mei Ying was also amazed.

The speed at which Yang Qi had secured a permanent position was probably among the top three fastest in the Zoo’s entire history. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he’d ridden a rocket to get there.

She knew that the pressure from Tong Xiaoyue’s attempt to "poach" him was definitely a factor, but Yang Qi’s own ability and contributions were the real reason.

He’d resolved several animal-related incidents.

He could communicate with animals without any barriers.

He had the honorary title of "Hero for a Just Cause."

He’d received a silk banner for saving someone’s life.

He brought the Zoo a one-million-yuan donation in hard cash!

He was a special consultant for the police.

These were all bargaining chips for Yang Qi’s early promotion.

It was more than enough to warrant special consideration for a special case!

... 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

A permanent position!

A huge wave of joy washed over Yang Qi.

Although he had anticipated this a couple of days ago, seeing the contract right in front of him still filled him with an indescribable joy.

This joy wasn’t just about the permanent position, but also about the potential impact from his system.

"..."

Taking a deep breath, Yang Qi came back to his senses and quickly expressed his thanks.

"Thank you, Sister Mei! Thank you to the Zoo’s leadership for their trust!"

Deep down, however, he was well aware.

’Tong Xiaoyue deserves a lot of credit for this "exceptional promotion." If she hadn’t come and shaken things up by dangling a permanent position from the Provincial Garden, it would have taken me at least three to five months, maybe even half a year, to get this promotion, no matter how smoothly things went.’

’Vice Director of the Red Star Zoo, Tong Xiaoyue... I’ll remember this "assist" you’ve given me.’

Suppressing his swirling emotions, Yang Qi carefully read through the terms of the contract.

The salary, responsibilities, rights, and obligations were all clearly stated and posed no issues.

He immediately took the pen Mei Ying offered and solemnly signed his name on the line for Party B.

The instant the final stroke of his pen fell—

[Congratulations, Host, you have been formally promoted to Inner Sect Disciple of the "Beast Taming Sect"]

[Reward: *Great Derivation Spirit-Controlling Technique* (Qi Cultivation Chapter)]