Chapter 18.2

Mu Ling sighed, resting her head on Qilin’s head, and complained to Qilin, “I’m practically a femme fatale. The little wolf likes me too much. If its mom and I both fell into water, it would definitely save me first.”

「Pfft, in such a tense atmosphere, I suddenly burst out laughing!」

「Ah ah ah, wife wife wife! My wife has both Qilin protecting her and the little wolf liking her, how is she not a femme fatale?」

Mu Ling couldn’t interfere in the mother-child affair. Seeing Qingjiao looking very tired, mouth constantly open and panting, seeming parched, she stood up and carried Qilin’s water bowl to the door.

Qingjiao immediately stood in front of the cub, baring its teeth at Mu Ling warily.

Because the water bowl was quite large, Mu Ling opened the door gap wider this time, but still not wide enough for Qingjiao to enter. After placing the water bowl at the door, Mu Ling quickly closed it again and returned to Qilin’s side.

At first, Qingjiao didn’t drink from the bowl, still cautious of the unfamiliar environment. But it was probably really tired and hot – after all, it was midsummer. Although the veterinary station had air conditioning, Qingjiao had only been inside for a few minutes, not long enough to cool down. Plus, it had a thick coat of fur. So, after resisting for a minute, it finally approached and lapped at the water.

First, a small sip, then a big gulp, and finally, as if it hadn’t drunk water for eight lifetimes, it guzzled down more than half the bowl.

Mu Ling: “…”

Mu Ling was astonished. She quietly leaned closer to Qilin’s ear, pointing at Qingjiao as a cautionary example: “See? This is what happens to a sister who doesn’t get fed by her elder sister—she can’t even get a drink! So even after you recover and return to the mountain, you must come down often to visit your sister. I’ll prepare tasty water and yummy snacks for you.”

As she spoke, she silently gave Qilin another kiss.

Qilin didn’t react much; it also didn’t guard that bit of water. War Beasts were raised by humans from a young age and generally didn’t have a habit of guarding their food.

After Qingjiao finished drinking and endured another two-minute standoff with its disobedient child. Finally, after confirming that Mu Ling really wouldn’t pay attention to it, the little wolf dejectedly leaned against its mother’s paw.

This time when Qingjiao grabbed its head, the little wolf didn’t resist. Thus, Mu Ling watched as Qingjiao dragged her son out of the hospital area like she was dragging a mop.

After waiting a while longer and confirming there was no more commotion outside, Mu Ling finally breathed a sigh of relief, hugging Qilin: “We survived!”

Sensing the dangerous smell had disappeared, Qilin relaxed its tense muscles. It was no longer sitting so properly, but collapsed its large body and turned back into a lazy pig.

Mu Ling lifted Qilin’s head with a smile: “Qilin, you saved big sister’s life today! How should I repay you? How about… I devote myself to you? From now on, you can live with big sister; I’ll take care of you for life!”

「My cunning wife!」

「Yes! Yes! I want that too! I want to live with you both; the three of us living well together is more important than anything!」

「I broke out in a cold sweat watching this, isn’t this more exciting than changing bandages!」

「Indeed exciting, but today’s MVP is Qilin! That roar was amazing!」

「Qingjiao was also impressive; those blood-red eyes and ferocious expression added so much!」

「I just love watching sisters fight, so good, love it!」

「Huh??? Wait, was that wolf just now really Qingjiao? Don’t try to fool me, I looked up pictures online and they’re completely different wolves!」

「… Let me tell you as a war beast fan, it really is Qingjiao. Qingjiao’s left eye is smaller than the right, there’s a small notch in its right ear, and the distribution of its fur color all matches. The red pupils are unmistakable」

「… Came back after searching for pictures, this feels like a rich young lady’s family falling on hard times! How can they be so different before and after!」

「But at least we can confirm the little wolf really is Qingjiao’s child… Those who said the zoo director was lying earlier, how do you feel now!」

「Could it be that Bi Ke Zoo really has another dark snow wolf? Otherwise why would it give birth to a wolf cub with such pure bloodline?」

「The little wolf’s father could also be a wind chaser wolf. As we all know, wind chaser wolves have unstable genes…」

「Whoa, because of unstable genes, the cub’s genes were all inherited from the mother? Is there such a possibility?」

While the comments were still discussing, Wei Li came in from outside.

Wei Li couldn’t enter earlier, but he had already seen the zoo director’s situation through the livestream outside. Seeing that the zoo director was fine and had handled things well, he was relieved. Now that he came in, he said directly: “Director, Qingjiao is heading up the mountain.”

Mu Ling quickly asked: “What about the other wolves?”

“They haven’t left yet.”

Mu Ling frowned slightly and went outside with Wei Li. Wei Li led the way in front. When they reached the open space of the service area, they saw that even though two wolves had already been taken down by Wei Li, the remaining few wolves at the mountain entrance were still lingering.

Mu Ling was a bit puzzled: “Weren’t they scared away?”

Just as she said this, Mu Ling suddenly turned her head to look behind her.

For some reason, she suddenly had a feeling that something was staring at her. Could there be wolves that had entered the service area?

Mu Ling hurriedly wrapped her protective suit tighter and asked: “How many wolves were there in total?”

Wei Li said: “Our park has eight wind chaser wolves in total, and they all came. I shot two, five are lingering in the bushes, and one is behind the farthest hill slope. The farthest one is the wolf king Gus. Since Gus hasn’t given the order, the other wolves haven’t retreated. But my two shots have intimidated them enough that they don’t dare come in at least.”

There were only eight wind chaser wolves in the park, plus Qingjiao and the little wolf making ten wolves in total. All ten wolves were in front, so what was behind her?

Mu Ling couldn’t help but look back again, still seeing nothing. But that feeling just now shouldn’t have been an illusion…

Wei Li then said, “The wolf pack is now escorting Qingjiao and the little wolf. Once they enter the mountains, it should be fine. However, to prevent them from thinking I killed their companions and seeking revenge later, we’ll need to send those two unconscious wolves back to the mountains soon.”

Mu Ling nodded, watching the retreating forms of Qingjiao and the little wolf.

The little wolf was injured and moving slowly, so Qingjiao matched its pace. After a while, as the mother and child were about to enter the forest, a much larger black wolf suddenly leaped up from below the hillside.

This wolf was even bigger than the vanguard wolves that Wei Li had shot earlier. It stood proud and majestic, with sleek fur, and its golden beast eyes were fixed intently on Qingjiao and the little wolf.

It was none other than the wolf king, Gus.

Wei Li explained, “This batch of eight Wind Chaser Wolves was bought from Shuangmu Star a year ago. Gus is their leader.”

Mu Ling nodded repeatedly, “I can see that. He looks the fiercest!”

Among the tree shadows, they saw Gus first scan the service area below, then his massive body approached Qingjiao, seemingly wanting to sniff her.

Mu Ling thought they were about to nuzzle, but unexpectedly, Qingjiao directly blocked in front of her cub, arched her back, and howled at Gus, “Aooo!”

“Huh?” Mu Ling was confused, “Why is Qingjiao growling at him?”

Wei Li explained matter-of-factly, “Because Qingjiao is mentally unstable and very reclusive. Plus, after giving birth, she’s bound to be more sensitive. She won’t let other wolves approach.”

Mu Ling was dumbfounded, “But Gus approached it on its own initiative, aren’t they a couple? I thought Gus was the little wolf’s father. Then who is the little wolf’s father?”

Wei Li thought for a moment, “It should be Gus.”

Mu Ling: “Then Qingjiao…”

Wei L seemed puzzled, “Mating doesn’t necessarily mean they’re family. Qingjiao is unstable. When she likes it, she’s affectionate; when she doesn’t, she tells the male to get lost. Is there a problem with that?”

Mu Ling was speechless.

“No problem! It’s just that my sister Qingjiao is awesome!”

「How many years ahead of us is Qingjiao?」

「Thinking about it.jpg, if the little wolf’s father really is Gus, then Qingjiao’s cub might have inherited all its genes from her, leaving none for Gus.」

「Gus must be in so much pain!」

Over there, Gus stopped in his tracks when Qingjiao growled at him. His ears flattened back against his head, becoming “airplane ears.”

He looked a bit hurt and stepped back, but still carefully stretched his neck forward. The tail hanging behind his rump wagged gently a couple of times, as if trying to appease Qingjiao.

But Qingjiao didn’t even look at him. She grabbed the little wolf by the head and dragged it to her other side, leading the cub to continue up the mountain.

Only after Qingjiao and the little wolf had passed Gus and moved ahead did Gus cast another wary glance at the service area below. Then, with his body erect, he raised his head and let out a long howl: “Awooo!”

At this wolf’s cry, the other Wind Chaser Wolves below finally retreated.

Only when all the wolves had retreated back to the mountains, leaving just the two wolves hit by tranquilizer darts lying on the ground, did Wei Li finally breathe a sigh of relief, “It’s over at last.”

Mu Ling also wiped the cold sweat from her brow, “So when do we send those two tranquilized wolves back to the mountain?”

“Let’s wait a bit longer, until the wolf pack has gone far away.”

Mu Ling nodded.

Relaxing, Mu Ling looked behind her again. That feeling of being watched had disappeared, but what exactly was it?

Seeing her looking around, Wei Li asked, “Director, are you looking for Brother Xiang?”

Only then did Mu Ling realize she hadn’t seen Xiang Bie for a while, so she asked, “Where did Brother Xiang go?”

Wei Li said, “He went into the mountains early this morning. The technicians from the protective fence company still can’t start working, so he had to go into the mountains to investigate. He probably missed the wolf pack.”

Mu Ling made a couple “oh” sounds, then frowned: “Wait, I suddenly remembered, I seem to have forgotten something?”

「Forgot what? Is it related to the little wolf?」

「Or is it related to Qing Jiao?」

“Ah!” Mu Ling remembered, she turned her head to look at the camera on her shoulder: “Wasn’t I still livestreaming?!”

Wei Li: “…”

Comments: 「…」

「Alright alright alright, so you forgot about us!」

「Looked at the online viewer count, 46 million. Are we really that insignificant!」

「Wife, you don’t love me at all!」

Earlier when Mu Ling heard the wolf pack was coming down the mountain, she was so anxious she just turned off her holoscreen and went out holding the little wolf to look. Then after experiencing a life-and-death moment, her attention was completely drawn away by Qing Jiao and the wolf pack. How could she have remembered whether she was still livestreaming or not.

Now that she remembered, Mu Ling hurriedly pulled up the screen again. Seeing the livestream was indeed still on, she felt a bit embarrassed: «Um, today’s livestream ends here. Goodbye everyone… Remember to keep supporting our Bi Ke Zoo!”»

After saying that, she quickly ended the livestream!

While Bi Ke Zoo ended their stream and started dealing with the two tranquilized wind chaser wolves, on the Starnet, topics about “Qilin” and “Qingjiao” had once again shot up to the top of the trending searches.

–

4 PM, Capital Star Starship Station.

Yan Wen is a researcher in the Military Technical Logistics Department of Capital Star, specializing in combat systems for war beasts.

It’s widely known that different species of war beasts have varying levels of adaptability. For example, avian war beasts are suitable for air force operations, while aquatic war beasts are ideal for naval operations. Each type of war beast has different natural advantages that make them compatible with specific military branches.

The Technical Logistics Department’s role is to identify the most suitable human partners for different types of war beasts. At the same time, researchers focus on deeply exploring the talents and potential of these war beasts.

Yan Wen had just returned from a business trip to the Beast taming military Academy on Bi Cheng Star.

After two days on a starship, he felt as though his bones had turned to mush.

As soon as he disembarked, a department driver came to pick him up. Yan Wen got in the car and casually asked, “Anything happening in the department these days?”

The driver thought for a moment and replied, “Everyone’s preparing for a team-building trip.”

Yan Wen: “?”

Researcher Yan immediately felt deeply disappointed in his colleagues’ lack of ambition: “With so many projects piling up and so many unresolved research topics, they still have the mood for team building? Absolutely not! I oppose it!”

The driver, who was also eligible to participate in the team building, was displeased upon hearing this: “They’re going to Bi Ke Zoo.”

“A zoo for team-building? Didn’t they have a childhood? A bunch of war beast researchers going to a zoo for a trip? To watch monkeys? No way, I’m against it!”

The driver almost wanted to stop the car and kick him out: “Professor Yan, it’s Bi Ke Zoo! Bi Ke Zoo! This is an opportunity that the leaders pulled many strings to get!”

The driver repeatedly emphasized “Bi Ke Zoo,” which confused Yan Wen: “What’s so special about Bi Ke Zoo? Is it that famous?”

The driver looked at Yan Wen as if he were a prehistoric creature, utterly incredulous: “Professor Yan, don’t you browse the Star net?”

Yan Wen, who spent two days in his private cabin reading research reports and only checking academic sites: “…”

Suspicious, Yan Wen quietly opened his Starnet account, and was immediately shocked by the trending topics and recommended videos.

Five trending topics, four directly mentioning Bi Ke Zoo, and one oddly named “Gus’s Wife-Chasing Journey Recap,” which, upon clicking, also turned out to be related to Bi Ke Zoo…

Even the recommended videos and “You Might Like” section were all about Bi Ke Zoo. One moment it was about trimming a Ripper Tiger’s claws, the next it was about Dark Snow Wolf cubs eating from bowls (a video of the little wolf that Mu Ling regularly posts), and some were even livestream recordings. The recorded clips were thrilling, with adrenaline-pumping footage of a Ripper Tiger and a Snow Wolf facing off across cages!

So intense!

Yan Wen immediately dove in like a mouse in a rice bin, eagerly catching up on all the hot news he missed in the past two days. By the time the car reached the military department entrance, Yan Wen snapped back to reality, muttering, “It’s like science fiction… How can traumatized retired war beasts be so adorable? And they can even be affectionate?”

The driver, now satisfied, asked, “Professor Yan, still opposed to going to Bi Ke Zoo?”

Yan Wen frowned: “But Bi Ke Zoo doesn’t open until September 17th, right? Tickets can only be bought before the opening, though 20% off coupons are already available. You get them automatically after following their account. I’ve already followed. But what I really want is Qilin-shaped pendant they’re giving away on opening day. Oh right, we’re buying group tickets, aren’t we? Group tickets for ten people can bring eleven, but do group tickets come with the pendant souvenir?”

Driver: “…”

You’re quite the expert now!

Seeing that Professor Yan was already hooked, the driver explained with a smile: “We’re not visiting normally. The professors said they can’t wait, absolutely can’t wait until the September 17th opening to go. They want to see Qilin now! So the technology department contacted the military, who then reached out to the Capital Star Forestry Bureau, who in turn contacted the Shenwang Star’s Forestry Bureau. After pulling many favors, the Shenwang Star side finally replied, saying they’d try their best to arrange an early visit. Of course, there won’t be any discounts on the fees.”

Yan Wen didn’t mind about the cost since it was covered by departmental funds. “So we won’t get the pendant souvenir either?”

They said it’s only given away on the opening day!

Driver: “…”

You’re still hung up on that cheap pendant, can’t you just buy one yourself!

“That, I’m not sure about,” replied the driver.

Finally, Researcher Yan entered his office, lost in thought.

Meanwhile, at Bi Ke Zoo.

Mu Ling and Brother Wei have just sent the two Wind Chaser Wolves back to the mountain when Mu Ling’s communicator rings. The caller ID shows Director Wang’s name.

After answering and talking for a few minutes, Mu Ling laughed out loud: “Director, listen to yourself. Of course it’s fine, why wouldn’t it be? It’s just a trial opening, right? But I have to say upfront, our protective fence isn’t fixed yet, so we can’t take visitors to the inner area. We can only show them the outer area. And it’s a wildlife park, so animals are harder to spot. They understand that, right?”

“Alright, alright, they’re all okay with it? Good. A hundred people? So many? In three days? Oh, okay, okay, we’ll get ready right away. Don’t worry, Director, we won’t let you down!”

Mu Ling hung up, suddenly extremely excited, laughing loudly: “I told you advertising works! We just put out an ad and customers are already coming! Brother Wei, Brother Wei, we’ve got business! In three days, a hundred-person tour group is coming. We can do a trial run for our opening. You and Brother Xiang get ready. Let’s have a meeting tonight to come up with the perfect reception plan! This is the first big event for our new park’s operation. I must make sure they feel absolutely welcome and give us perfect reviews!”