Chapter 40.2

In the restaurant, Chef Danton, cashier Sister Mei, stock clerks Brother Ming and Brother Chen – all relatively new to the zoo and still in training – also came out to take a look. They hadn’t seen the zoo director much in these past few days, let alone the renowned Ripper Tiger, Swift Fire Leopard, and Dark Snow Wolf they had only seen online. And if they weren’t mistaken, it seems there was even a massive eagle soaring in the sky, which appeared to have come from the veterinary station.

At this time, Mu Ling approached the entrance to the capsule house. She pushed open the door and gently prompted the lively little wolf in the front, “Go on in.”

The little wolf, with a small yellow duck toy in its mouth, hesitated at the threshold, sniffing and looking around cautiously.

“Don’t be afraid, come here, I’ll carry you,” Mu Ling said, picking up the little wolf and setting it down inside.

As soon as it touched the ground, the curious little wolf began tentatively exploring its new surroundings, eventually bounding onto a soft cushion in the resting area.

Qilin followed, its bandages visibly reduced and the once-ferocious wounds much less severe now. It walked straight to Mu Ling, glancing around the room with an inquisitive gaze.

Mu Ling wrapped her arms around Qilin’s neck, kissed its head, and asked, “Do you like it here?”

The golden tiger made a content rumbling sound, settling down beside her, indifferent to the location as long as familiar people were present.

Nearby, the Panther had already leapt onto the intricate, multi-level cat tree structure encircling the capsule house, captivated by it. It jumped from platform to platform, reaching the highest point before launching itself onto a large island ledge with a plush nest, sniffing it before eyeing another high platform and springing over.

While the black panther explored, the clear pool drew Qingjiao, who tasted the water before turning its gaze to the little wolf on the cushion.

The little wolf was engrossed in playing, snuggling against a puppy toy on the large cushion. In its enthusiasm, it even set aside the yellow duck in its mouth.

Seeing the animals were settling in well, Mu Ling looked up at the sky. The entire capsule house was a glass house thanks to the liquid-glass-metal construction, with a transparent ceiling through which she could see the great eagle perched above, peering down curiously.

Mu Ling called out, “Tayun,” and in the next instant, the eagle spread its wings and soared down, landing precisely on her outstretched arm.

“Wow!” the others watching from a distance gasped in awe, quickly covering their mouths, afraid of startling the majestic bird.

Mu Ling scratched the eagle’s beak with her finger and gave a slight toss of her arm, sending the eagle aloft to circle freely above the capsule house.

The black panther, now on the highest perch, tensed silently, its muscles coiled as it tracked the eagle’s movements. After a few loops, the eagle landed on a nearby ledge, and in the next moment, a swift, powerful black shadow shot toward it. The eagle evaded quickly, leaving the panther to land on the empty platform, eyes locked on the eagle, muscles twitching, whiskers trembling.

“Lightning,” Mu Ling called out, and the panther immediately looked down, leaping from ledge to ledge until it reached her.

Mu Ling sat down and rubbed its head, gently chiding, “Still after Tayun, aren’t you?”

Hearing its name, the eagle landed back down, settling on Mu Ling’s shoulder and causing her to wobble under its weight. She extended her arm, letting the eagle shift onto it, where it nuzzled her hair, grooming her gently with its beak.

Mu Ling twisted her head away. “I washed my hair; no parasites, I promise!”

Though close, Lightning refrained from attacking the eagle, though it continued to watch, pupils narrowing, showing its sharp fangs.

Mu Ling waved, sending the eagle aloft, then took Lightning’s face in her hands, giving it a firm kiss on the nose. “Let it go. It’s a protected species, just like you.”

Playfully, Lightning licked her face, flicking its tail. It seemed the animals, including the little wolf and eagle, were adjusting well to their new dormitory.

Mu Ling pulled out a remote control, testing a button. Instantly, the surrounding glass walls turned into one-way mirrors, giving the room a reflective interior. She radioed, “Xiao Zhao, can you see me?” The reply came, “Yes, Director. You’re playing with Lightning’s tail.”

Mu Ling confirmed, then pressed another button, turning the walls back to two-way glass, allowing visibility in both directions. She tested additional features, including the ceiling, which could turn opaque to shield the animals from harsh sunlight, or transparent to let them sleep under the stars or sound of rain.

Satisfied the animals were unbothered by these changes, Mu Ling returned to the veterinary station, where only Pimi, Moonlight, and a gentle brown deer remained.

The brown deer’s injuries had mostly healed, and it was nearly ready to be released, but Mu Ling decided to have it serve as a welcoming greeter at tomorrow’s grand opening, given its gentle nature.

Pimi, sensing the absence of the other animals, looked somewhat unsettled. Though it had always preferred quiet, the large lion now seemed disoriented without its neighbors. When Mu Ling entered, it struggled to its feet and wobbled toward the door.

Mu Ling entered the enclosure, stroking its head. “What’s wrong?”

Pi Mi pushed past her, nose toward the open door.

Mu Ling sat down, holding it back. “What’s wrong? Want to go outside? You still need rest here, remember?”

The mighty lion sighed, laying down and resting its chin on the floor.

Mu Ling chuckled, kissing it softly. “It’s not favoritism; it’s just that you still need recovery time. Once you’re better, you’ll have everything they do, okay?”

Mu Ling continued to stroke it, but at this moment, she suddenly felt that someone was watching her.

Mu Ling turned her head to the right and immediately caught a peeping little bear. Noticing her gaze, the bear quickly turned away.

Despite the days that had passed, the bear remained aloof, only interested in her recorded stories and avoiding Mu Ling’s presence. Helplessly, Mu Ling recorded even more stories for it, each one fresh.

She sighed, “Moonlight, you’re like a teenager addicted to livestreams, lost in your own world.”

The bear scratched its paw, ignoring her.

Frustrated, Mu Ling teased, “Listening to my stories every day without giving me a single tip—not even a hug or a pat!”

The white bear was still picking at its own paw pads, and even scratched its butt.

Mu Ling gritted her teeth, “You’re so stingy yet so cute.”