Chapter 5.2

The tiger’s wound was on its back, in a spot it couldn’t reach to lick. Any movement caused its muscles to pull at the injury, preventing it from healing. The blood never clotted, and it kept bleeding.

The tiger’s sudden collapse was due to a combination of factors: the snake venom, its deteriorating health, and significant blood loss.

“You’ve really had it rough,” Mu Ling said softly, patting the tiger’s head. She put on a pair of medical gloves, took out a needle and thread from the first aid kit, and began disinfecting the wound on its back before carefully stitching it up.

She worked meticulously, stitching and wiping away blood as she went. As she neared completion, she suddenly heard hurried footsteps approaching.

Thinking it was Xiang Bie, Mu Ling looked up, only to find it was Wei Li.

Of course, Xiang Bie couldn’t have returned so quickly since the service area was far away.

“What the hell happened here?” Wei Li exclaimed, stunned by the scene before him.

The new zoo director was missing, and the mountain bike parked by the roadside was gone. He’d assumed she had driven away. But hearing sounds from this direction, he had come to investigate, only to find the tiger lying motionless on the ground, with the zoo director sitting beside it.

“What… What’s going on?” Wei Li rushed forward, seeing the tiger’s severe injuries. His heart clenched as he knelt down to stroke it. “What happened to it?”

“Don’t worry, it’s okay,” Mu Ling quickly reassured him, fearing brother Wei might think she had harmed the tiger. She hurriedly explained everything that had transpired, concluding with, “Xiang…”

After a moment’s hesitation, she followed Wei Li’s lead and said, “Brother Xiang has already gone back to get the medicine. We can’t move it until it gets the antidote, but Brother Wei, why is this tiger so battered? Look at its hind leg—the bone has healed crookedly.”

Wei Li gazed at the tiger’s hind leg with pain in his eyes and said softly, “Qilin is too sensitive. It doesn’t let anyone approach, so we haven’t been able to treat it.”

Mu Ling was taken aback. She glanced at the gun holstered at Wei Li’s waist and asked, “What about using a tranquilizer gun?”

In most zoos, large animals that need treatment are usually tranquilized first.

Wei Li smiled wryly. “The first time it got injured, we used a tranquilizer gun. After that, it got smart. It can smell us from ten miles away and disappears without a trace. We don’t even get a chance to approach it.”

Mu Ling thought this tiger was quite the character. But this wouldn’t do—the tiger was a valuable zoo asset and needed proper treatment. It couldn’t be allowed to fend for itself!

With determination, Mu Ling declared, “It’s fine. We’ve caught it now. Let’s see where it runs to this time! We must heal all its injuries thoroughly so it knows the capabilities of us humans!”

Wei Li chuckled, looking at Mu Ling. He wanted to tell her that Qilin was an S-class retired war beast and would never allow itself to be confined while conscious—it would hurt itself first. But since Qilin was still unconscious, Wei Li kept his thoughts to himself, deciding they would just treat it as much as they could for now.

Mu Ling quickly finished stitching the tiger’s wound, and Wei Li was pleasantly surprised by her skill. “I didn’t know you had this talent, Director.”

Mu Ling felt a bit embarrassed. “It’s nothing special, but my stitches are a bit crooked.”

Wei Li replied, “The important thing is that you specifically studied veterinary medicine. It’s clear you’re very dedicated to our zoo.”

Mu Ling had been about to say that she had a medical background and knew how to suture because of that, but then she remembered that she had indeed taught herself veterinary medicine. Feeling a little bashful, she accepted the compliment with a smile and proudly said, “I can demonstrate again! Want to see?”

Wei Li: “…”

Mu Ling’s sharp black eyes locked onto the palm civet perched on a nearby tree branch. She removed her gloves and whispered, “That palm civet is also injured. Brother Wei, let’s flank it and catch that cat. I’ll give you another demonstration!”

Wei Li also took a look at the unsuspecting palm civet, still grooming itself. He whispered back, “Alright, I’ll go around behind and hold it down.”

Mu Ling said, “I’ll control its head.”

They whispered and schemed, looking very much like members of some covert operation.

With the plan set, Wei Li circled around to the other side of the trees. He pretended to pass by casually, not immediately approaching the palm civet.

Mu Ling stood up, pretending to stretch as she slowly inched toward the tree.

The injured palm civet, though aware of their presence, didn’t think they were targeting it and remained perched on the branch.

Then Mu Ling shouted, “Now!”

“Meow!!” In the dusky forest, the palm civet’s shrill cry mingled with the clumsy sounds of two humans scrambling, startling the birds perched on nearby branches into flight.

…

Two hours later, Xiang Bie parked the car and hurried toward the trees, medical kit in hand.

As he approached, he paused, surprised by the scene before him.

The forest had grown dark, but with his exceptional night vision, he could clearly see the situation without needing any light.

Faint moonlight filtered through the gaps in the tree branches. In the clearing below, the slender girl wearing a blue vest was leaning against a tree trunk next to the tiger, her head tilted as she slept soundly. In her arms, she cradled a bandaged palm civet, which was curled up in her lap, its chin resting on her arm…

Suddenly, as if sensing someone approaching, the palm civet’s eyes snapped open. Its glowing feline pupils gleamed brightly in the darkness, locking onto Xiang Bie with startling precision.

“Brother Xiang .”

A hushed voice called from above.

Xiang Bie looked up to see Wei Li leaping down from a tree.

Wei Li was smiling as he glanced at the peaceful scene of the girl, the tiger, and the cat. In a low voice, he said, “Our new director is pretty impressive, isn’t she? She’s only been here for a day, and she’s already saved Qilin and won over the palm civet. I couldn’t believe it myself, especially after seeing that cat willingly sleep in her arms after getting stitches!”

Xiang Bie stared at the scene for a moment and asked, “Is Qilin out of danger?”

Wei Li replied, “Not completely. We’re still waiting for your medicine.”

Xiang Bie handed Wei Li the medical kit. “Give it the injection. I’ll go start the car.”

“Oh, and one more thing,” Xiang Bie added, turning back to glance at the sleeping girl. “Later, make sure to contact Colonel Val and have him personally thank our new director.”