Chapter 20.2

The evaluation glasses, produced by the military, are eyeglass-like detectors that can measure various data of objects from a great distance. For this special visit to Bi Ke Zoo, the technical logistics department had secured a batch of twenty pairs.

Some researchers were recording data, others were filming, and a few were eagerly snapping majestic pictures of Qilin to show off on social media.

One researcher posted:

「The weather on Shenwang Star isn’t so bad today.」

Attached were several images:

「Qilin strolling gracefully」

「Qilin looking over」

「The beautiful zoo director caressing Qilin’s face」

「Qilin raising its head to lick the director’s palm」

「Qilin’s tail brushing against the director’s ankle」

Within a minute, the post received dozens of comments:

「You scoundrel, where did you photograph a Ripper Tiger?」

「Confirmed by the fur: it’s Qilin. And those pink slippers… that’s definitely the director! How on earth are you at Bi Ke Zoo?!」

The researcher smugly responded to the last comment:

「Well, I had some free time today, so I came over. Just finished mixing a medicinal bath for Qilin—that was pretty exhausting.」

That casual response immediately shattered his friends’ composure, leaving them utterly envious. Satisfied, the researcher closed his light brain, feeling completely at ease.

Meanwhile, the enormous tiger, guided by Director Mu Ling, slowly approached the pond. With a light leap, its muscular body weighing hundreds of kilograms gracefully jumped from the shore into the pool, landing softly at the bottom.

“Elegant. So incredibly elegant!”

The audience erupted in praise, while the sound of data recording filled the air:

“Hind leg injury doesn’t impair jumping. Forelimb speed matches peak performance. Minimal fatigue. Walks calmly—unlike other retired war beasts with high alertness and fear.”

As they noted these observations, Qilin unexpectedly paused and turned to look at Mu Ling, who hadn’t yet jumped down.

What happened next left everyone in awe.

Qilin, seemingly believing Mu Ling couldn’t jump down on her own, walked back and pressed its body against the edge of the pond, apparently offering itself as a stepping platform.

“…”

The visitors were shocked.

“A miracle… This is nothing short of a miracle! Even healthy war beasts wouldn’t care for their handlers like this! Quick, record this!”

Of course, healthy war beasts rarely showed such concern for their handlers, who were usually strong military personnel. But in Qilin’s eyes, Mu Ling was practically helpless—after all, she once cried to it for help when confronted by a wolf pack. Naturally, Qilin assumed she couldn’t manage such a high jump.

Mu Ling was equally surprised by Qilin’s gesture. She certainly wouldn’t step on it though. Instead, she nimbly jumped to the side, easily landing, then turned to affectionately rub the tiger’s head. “Qilin, how can you be so sweet? Are you trying to make me love you to death?”

Qilin gave her a disinterested glance. Seeing she was down, it leisurely resumed its walk.

Mu Ling chased after it, laughing while gently rubbing its ears. She led it to the bathtub and removed the bandages from its body. Pointing at the tub, she said, “Qilin, in you go.”

The big tiger looked at the water, then leaned over to sniff it.

“Achoo.” It sneezed, turning its head away in disdain.

Mu Ling chuckled, cupping its face in her hands. “It’s not for drinking, silly. It’s for a nice bath to make you smell wonderful.”

Seeing Qilin still didn’t understand, Mu Ling scooped up some of the medicinal water and splashed it onto its face.

Qilin felt uncomfortable, shaking its big head to get rid of the water droplets. It then lowered its head to paw at its face, trying to wipe off the remaining water.

Seeing it struggling, Mu Ling reached out to help wipe the water off its face.

The interaction between the director and the tiger was so warm and harmonious that the onlookers were consumed with jealousy. One visitor grabbed a zoo employee and demanded, “How does your director have such an incredible bond with Qilin? What’s her secret?”

The employee questioned happened to be Wei Li. He scratched his head awkwardly. “I’ve asked the director that before. She said it might be because she used to feed stray cats for a few days in college. Maybe that’s why felines are naturally drawn to her.”

“…”

The visitor stared at him in disbelief. “Do you even hear yourself?”

“How can you compare Ripper Tigers to stray cats?”

Wei Li could only shrug helplessly. That’s what the director had said, after all.

The visitor pressed on, “So when will you release Qilin’s mental health report?”

This, Wei Li knew. “The day after tomorrow.”

“Why not sooner?”

Wei Li hesitated. He couldn’t exactly say it was because their director had spent four days browsing online until she finally found a 99% new psychological evaluation device, which would only arrive tomorrow.

Smiling awkwardly but politely, Wei Li lied, “The director has been busy with the trial operation. The mental assessment will be done immediately after that ends.”

“She delayed it because of us?”

The visitors were deeply touched, praising Mu Ling for her exceptional kindness. She had arranged special transportation, designed an excellent tour, and even let them experience bathing Qilin. Truly a heavenly zoo with a saintly director!

Seizing the opportunity, Wei Li, his ears slightly red, added, “If you’re satisfied with our service, please consider leaving a five-star review on the travel website. Send a screenshot of your review to our official account, and you’ll receive a 10-yuan all-platform voucher!”

“…”

The visitors were speechless. “Your zoo even does cash back for good reviews?”

Still, they couldn’t deny how impressed they were. A glowing review was the least they could offer.

As the visitors at the foot of the mountain eagerly left reviews while watching Qilin’s bath, up on the mountain…

Several technicians from the protective fence company crouched near a large hole in the fence, examining a deep footprint and some scattered animal droppings. They exchanged uneasy glances.

After a tense silence, Master Zhou said grimly, “Looks like a deep mountain animal has entered Bi Ke Zoo. Where’s the walkie-talkie? Quickly notify Xiao Xiang.”

One of the men fumbled for the radio. “Xiao Xiang? Xiao Xiang, are you there?”

At that moment, in the restaurant at the foot of the mountain, the walkie-talkie in Xiao Xiang’s jacket pocket, draped over his chair, buzzed incessantly.

A minute passed with no response.

“Xiao Xiang isn’t answering,” the technician said anxiously.

Master Zhou frowned and issued a decisive order. “Keep trying to reach him. Someone else, quickly take the mountain car down. Judging by the hardness of these prints and droppings, the animal probably entered last night. I remember Xiao Xiang mentioning a mutant python had broken in just a few days ago.”