Chapter 59.1

The red fox’s sudden display of affection left Mu Ling drenched in cold sweat.

Though laughter filled the air, she distinctly heard a suppressed growl of anger reverberating in her ears.

Cautiously, Mu Ling glanced at the white fox beside her. Its beast-like eyes had turned ice-cold, the fur above its mouth grimly wrinkled, revealing glimpses of sharp white teeth.

It was fixated on the red fox’s neck—precisely where a single bite could be fatal.

Startled, Mu Ling quickly rose, extracted the red fox from her bag, and thrust it back into the female director’s arms.

The director awkwardly caught her charge, shooting Mu Ling a pointed glance.

Feeling immensely guilty, Mu Ling muttered, “I’m sorry, you should leave quickly. Lingren might… turn dangerous.”

The female director, both shocked and terrified, stared at the white fox poised to attack. Without hesitation, she picked up the red fox and prepared to run. Before leaving, she grabbed Mu Ling’s arm.

Mu Ling had already sensed the female director’s hostility. At industry gatherings like this, professional rivalry wasn’t uncommon.

Expecting to be berated for bringing such a dangerous war beast to the venue, Mu Ling braced herself for confrontation. Instead, the female director asked, “Will you really share this technique?”

Mu Ling was speechless.

The female director swallowed nervously. “Are there conditions for your sharing session? If we go to Rainbow Castle Zoo tomorrow instead of Changshan Zoo, and don’t join your group… can we still attend?”

Caught between amusement and exasperation, Mu Ling explained, “I do have a session, but it’s not about this. I’ll be sharing insights on war beast care. If you’re interested, I’ll announce it in the group chat.”

Relieved, the female director nodded and turned to flee, this time clutching her fox firmly despite its struggles.

Once they’d disappeared, Mu Ling feigned innocence and crouched down, beckoning to her fox. “Lingren, come here. Let big sis hold you.”

The white fox continued staring intently in the direction they’d fled before turning its piercing gaze on Mu Ling, eyes heavy with displeasure.

Mu Ling smiled awkwardly and whispered, “Don’t be like that. It jumped on me first.”

“I only lost control for a moment and held it briefly.”

“You know you’re the only fox in my heart. That was just… a meaningless encounter.”

“I only made a mistake every keeper makes. Please give me another chance.”

The onlookers exchanged glances, whispering among themselves.

“How does Director Mu know all these classic lines?”

“Could she secretly be a playboy?”

Under Mu Ling’s persistent coaxing, Lingren hesitated before finally approaching.

She immediately scooped it up and attempted to place it in her bag, but the fox began thrashing violently, even trying to tear the bag apart with its teeth.

Left with no choice, Mu Ling extracted it again, handed the bag to Fass, and held the fox in her arms. She sighed, “Such a clean freak.”

Just then, dinner service began as wait staff started bringing out dishes.

The buffet setup proved challenging while holding the fox, so Mu Ling had Fass fetch her food while she sat on a nearby sofa.

During the meal, conversation flowed naturally. Mu Ling chatted effortlessly with everyone, collecting numerous contact details. To simplify matters, she created a group chat and added all her new acquaintances.

Director Harry watched Mu Ling’s easy socializing with approval, but thoughts of Roumei and Xiaoduo soon dampened his mood. After dinner, he informed Director Chen and Mu Ling that he would visit Monty Zoo with another group tomorrow instead of joining them at Changshan Zoo.

Both understood his decision, and they parted ways to their rooms.

Back in her room, Mu Ling released Lingren to roam freely. She called Fass, requesting he purchase a new backpack nearby—the current one was beyond salvaging.

After ending the call, she glanced at the white fox sprawled imperiously across her bed and chuckled. Opening her suitcase, she took out some medicine disguised in a calcium pill box from a hidden compartment, took two with water, and returned the container to its hiding place before taking out clean clothes and going to the bathroom.

Mu Ling had studied pharmaceutical research. In her rural star system, poor families rarely pursued medical fields due to the astronomical costs. Yet despite the hardships, she had been determined to study medicine, even working part-time to make it possible.

Why pharmaceuticals instead of clinical medicine?

Because making your own medicine was the safest way to protect yourself.

Taking over the zoo had been another calculated risk, but perhaps researchers were drawn to danger by nature. The greater the risk, the stronger the allure. Besides, Mu Ling hoped to uncover the secrets of her own body.

The next morning at eight, over twenty directors and their staff gathered in the hotel lobby as planned.

Shortly after, Changshan Zoo’s shuttle bus arrived.

Mu Ling noticed numerous directors traveling with their animals. Seeing her curiosity, Director Chen explained, “Most are returning home. Changshan Zoo houses the largest variety of wildlife in the Four Bay star system. Many surrounding zoos, including those on Four Bay itself, source their animals from here. Take those gray-winged finches Director Jim brought—they’re offspring of Abao, Changshan’s famous finch. This is their chance to meet their mother.”

Director Chen continued, pointing out the sharp-tailed turtle and two young lynxes.

Mu Ling nodded attentively before asking, “How many species does Changshan Zoo host?”

“Over 2,300,” Director Chen replied.

Mu Ling was stunned. Even at its peak, her former Bi Ke Zoo had barely reached a thousand species.

Her curiosity about Changshan Zoo intensified.

“Actually,” Director Chen added, “when Bi Ke Zoo closed, many animals came here, including two war beasts. Would you like to see them?”

Mu Ling froze, recalling documents she’d studied.

Given Bi Ke Zoo’s vast grounds and war beasts’ reclusive nature, most had remained in the park under staff care after closure. But three had been captured and relocated: an A-class Blue Tailed Goat, an S-class Purple Lightning Baboon, and a B-class Scarlet Flame Monkey.

“Which two?” she asked.

“The monkeys, I believe. Made quite a stir in the news back then.”

The Purple Lightning Baboon and Scarlet Flame Monkey, then.

Mu Ling’s interest peaked. “Can I really see them? Everyone else is visiting family—I’m practically family too!”

Director Chen smiled. “I’ll ask Director Tian, but since war beasts aren’t on the regular tour route, it might be tricky.”

A director from the front seats turned around. “Haven’t you heard? One already escaped.”

Both Mu Ling and Director Chen froze. “Escaped?”

“Yes, it was major news. Poachers breached the western barrier, and the Purple Lightning Baboon got out. They caught the poachers, but the baboon vanished. Director Tian personally apologized, the government warned against harboring it, and even the military joined the search. They’re still looking.”

Mu Ling’s brow furrowed as she quickly searched her terminal.

The news confirmed it—just last month.

She spent the remainder of the journey absorbed in articles about the Purple Lightning Baboon, too engrossed for conversation.

Ninety minutes later, they arrived at Changshan Zoo. Director Tian greeted them warmly. “Would you prefer to rest first or begin the tour?”

The group opted to start immediately.

Mu Ling, however, approached Director Tian privately about seeing the remaining B-class Scarlet Flame Monkey.

“Lieyan?” Director Tian’s expression grew troubled. “That might be difficult. It’s particularly sensitive lately. Let me have its keeper speak with you about arrangements.”

When Mu Ling eagerly thanked him, Director Tian sighed. “You should have mentioned this earlier. We arranged yesterday’s homecoming meetings in advance. I can’t guarantee anything on such short notice.”

“My fault entirely,” Mu Ling quickly assured him. “Don’t worry—if we can see it, wonderful; if not, no pressure. I only just learned about Feifan’s situation, so I’m especially concerned about Lieyan.”

At the mention of the escaped Purple Lightning Baboon, Director Tian’s expression darkened. “Since they came from your zoo, I’ll have Feifan’s keeper join us too. You can ask any questions you like.”

Mu Ling expressed her gratitude repeatedly.

Three shuttle cars accommodated the group of over fifty. From her seat in the last car, Mu Ling marveled at the sprawling plains teeming with wildlife—more animals visible in twenty minutes than she’d see in a day at Bi Ke Zoo.

Animals approached the road for food, slowing their progress. Soon, Mu Ling saw a group of giraffes moving their mouths, coming over to lick her window.

The white fox in her arms immediately stood up, curious to sniff the window.

“Director Mu, feed them,” another Director passed over a basket containing vegetable leaves and carrot pieces, bought at the entrance specifically for feeding herbivores.

One basket cost a thousand star coins.

Bike Zoo gave away feeding vegetables and fruits for free, but at Changshan Zoo, you had to buy them.

Since someone else had bought it, Mu Ling didn’t want to take too much. She just took two vegetable leaves and opened a small gap in the window to pass them out.

The giraffe curled its tongue and ate them. Seeing food here, a baby giraffe nearby immediately squeezed its head over, its pointed long face trying to push through the gap, its tongue licking Mu Ling’s palm.

Finding it cute, Mu Ling patted it twice, when suddenly the white fox in her arms let out a sharp “Ga!”

Mu Ling withdrew her hand in fright and quickly stroked Lingren, defending herself, “No, no, I wasn’t really petting them.”

The others laughed. “Your Lingren keeps you on a tight leash, Director Mu!”

Embarrassed, she tugged the fox’s ears. “Look what you’ve done, now I’ve lost face.”

Lingren didn’t care about Mu Ling’s face—after all, she had prior offenses.

When the giraffes saw there was no more food here, they went to other windows to wait for feeding. After the car drove on, it stopped briefly and two keepers got on.

“Director Mu,” they said upon spotting her, “Director Tian sent us.”

After exchanging pleasantries, they moved to the back seats to talk privately.

Mu Ling first inquired about Feifan. The keeper sighed deeply. “That area wasn’t his usual territory. We think he might have sensed the poachers and gone there deliberately. When we found them, they were all unconscious, severely injured. One had fallen down a hillside to his death.”