Chapter 30: 30: The Red Panda Blossomed!
Coming on purpose makes perfect sense. In the past, when visitors came to Linhai Zoo, it was like patients going to a hospital, where it didn't matter which doctor they saw, as long as their illness was treated. But coming on purpose is like hearing that a doctor is particularly good at treating a certain disease and insisting on seeing that specialist.
That's a manifestation of fame!
In terms of martial arts novels, it's like going from an unknown rookie to a fledgling shrimp that has officially entered the jianghu.
The Mystery Gift Pack was an unexpected joy.
Fang Ye couldn't wait to claim the gift pack!
A series of pleasant notification sounds rang out.
"Congratulations to the host, you've obtained the skill [Deterrence]!"
Deterrence: Consumes mental energy to activate the skill. During the activation of the skill, you become more intimidating, and animals will feel fear towards you. (Please do not use this skill frequently, as it may cause increased stress, fear, or even aggressive behavior in animals.)
"Congratulations to the host, you've obtained 10,000 green leaf coins!"
"Congratulations to the host, you've obtained a pair of red pandas!"
Holy smokes, that's awesome!
Fang Ye was overjoyed inside, and if it weren't for the little loli next to him, he would have definitely laughed out loud.
First was the [Deterrence] skill, which had the exact opposite effect of [Affable].
One makes animals come closer, and the other makes them afraid!
Although he was happy to get close to animals through gentle means, deterrent measures were also necessary for some unruly and mischievous ones!
When animals are angrily fighting, launching an affable skill is utterly useless; they'd still fight.
They might even fight more fiercely if they spot someone they like nearby, in order to show off their robust physique and status in the group.
In such situations, the deterrence skill undeniably plays a bigger role.
What thrilled Fang Ye even more was the pair of red pandas!
Red pandas are one of the most adorable and cute creatures in the animal kingdom, and also one of his favorite animals!
The appearance of red pandas is somewhat similar to that of cats but larger in size, with reddish-brown fur and alternating dark and red rings on their tails, a species with a docile personality.
Some people easily confuse red pandas with raccoons—due to the "raccoon instant noodles" mix-up, calling it raccoon, but pairing it with the image of a red cat-like creature.
Actually, it's quite easy to tell them apart: raccoons have black, white, and grey fur, and they look a bit more cunning.
Then there's the green leaf coins, which one can never have too many of.
Fang Ye wanted the tiger exhibit to be a signature building of the zoo, so he made it very large and designed it carefully, which cost over 60,000 green leaf coins. A smaller exhibit would have been enough with just 10,000 or 20,000.
Last time he had over 20,000 left, the gift pack gave 10,000 green leaf coins, collecting the Bengal tiger subspecies brought in 15,000 green leaf coins, and since red pandas are a national second-class protected animal, the initial collection reward should also be 20,000.
All together, that's another 60,000 to 70,000 green leaf coins.
He could design another large exhibit or several smaller ones!
"Zoo director, you're not paying attention to me!"
Tang Xiaoxin's cheeks puffed up a bit unhappily.
Fang Ye snapped back to reality, and the little loli in front of him seemed even cuter.
He couldn't help but ruffle her hair and said with a smile, "Sorry, I was just thinking about the introduction of new animals and got distracted! What were you saying?"
Well, Tang Xiaoxin did quite like Fang Ye, and after hearing his explanation, she forgave his distraction.
"How is the little white tiger doing now?"
Fang Ye chuckled and said, "Oh, you mean Ice Cake—that's the white tiger's name. Ice Cake has been gaining a little weight every day and can now stand firmly on her own. She's able to lean against the planks in the nursery and lick herself.
Usually, she likes to climb around when she wakes up, and she's a bit stronger than before and can walk longer distances."
"Ice Cake, the white tiger is called Ice Cake!"
Tang Xiaoxin imagined the energetic and active white tiger crawling around and became somewhat enchanted, unable to help herself, she said, "Director, can I see little Ice Cake?"
"No, Ice Cake is still in the nurturing period; it'll be open for visits when it gets a bit bigger. You watch my live streams; you should know that, right?"
"Eh?" The little lolita blinked her eyes, trying to squeeze out a few tears, making a pitiful face and cooed, "Park Manager, I'm your die-hard fan, you know. Can't you give me a little privilege?"
Fang Ye appeared somewhat troubled: "That... wouldn't be good, would it?"
With a drawn-out whine: "Park Manager~~~~"
He stroked his chin, pretending to think seriously for a moment: "Alright, I'll make an exception just for today!"
Tang Xiaoxin immediately cheered and jumped for joy: "Yay! The park manager is the best!"
Fang Ye secretly chuckled.
The little lolita had brought such a big surprise today; he had already planned to give her a good tour around the zoo, including a visit to the little White Tiger. Now she was acting as if she had scored a great deal.
Normally, unrelated personnel wouldn't be allowed to touch animal cubs, but the White Tiger had consumed a Protective Potion, so it would be fine to pet it a bit.
"So, do you want to see Ice Cake first, or visit the other animals?"
"Of course, we're going to see Ice Cake first!"
"Alright, let's go."
Fang Ye led Tang Xiaoxin in the direction of the nursery.
As they passed the wolf enclosure, Charcoal ran to the front of the metal mesh, vigorously wagging its large tail behind its butt, sticking out its tongue, and excitedly howled at him: "Awoo—"
Much more affectionate than the last time they met.
Although Charcoal looked somewhat simple and silly with round eyes, its voice was incredibly deep and robust, like a bass cannon.
If you didn't look at its appearance, but only listened to its voice, you might think it was a fierce and domineering wolf king.
"Awoo~~"
Fang Ye shaped his hand into a trumpet and replied with a howl.
"Ah!"
The little lolita got a bit scared when she first heard Charcoal's deep wolf howl and hid behind Fang Ye.
After mustering some courage and taking a few glances, seeing Charcoal sticking out its tongue and wagging its tail, she found it quite amusing.
Maybe it wasn't that scary after all?
"Park Manager, is this a wolf? Why does it look so much like a dog?"
Fang Ye laughed: "This is a gray wolf. Dogs were domesticated from them, so naturally they look similar."
"Awoo~~~"
Mizzle, too, lifted her neck and joined in the howling, her voice sounding much clearer.
Tang Xiaoxin curiously asked, "Park Manager, are they greeting you?"
"Hmm, maybe!"
"On TV, wolves always howl on full moon nights; why is that?"
Fang Ye explained: "That's mainly a Western legend, where wolves howl and transform into werewolves on full moon nights. These stories made people associate wolf howls with the full moon. Actually, there's no evidence to suggest that wolves prefer to howl on full moon nights.
Wolves mostly howl to stay in touch with their pack. For example, when going hunting, they might call out to summon their friends, or during mating season, they howl to express their wish not to remain a lone wolf.
Sometimes it's for no particular reason; like just after waking up in the morning, they may let out a couple of howls, just singing a song, for the joy of it."
Tang Xiaoxin pondered: "Park Manager, it seems like you get along well with all kinds of animals. You can get close to tigers, have conversations with foxes, and even wolves greet you."
Fang Ye deadpanned: "There are people who are naturally affable with animals, little cats and dogs particularly like them! When I was in elementary school, I met an old man who said I had the body of myriad beasts and insisted on teaching me his techniques, wanting me to inherit the position of the grandmaster of the Beast Taming Sect..."
The little lolita was somewhat skeptical at first, but at the latter part, she just curled her lip: "Liar!"
"Oh, if you don't believe it, never mind."
Kids aren't that easy to fool, are they? Why is it that Lan Li was so easily bamboozled.