For a common Red Fox to be given a name as grand and artistic as "Celestial Fox of the Clouds" was really something.
As for Miss Hu's ailment…
A heavy heart.
It was clearly a psychological issue. A physical exam, of course, would find nothing.
"Ahem."
Yang Qi gave a light cough, drawing everyone's attention. He then ventured, "Um, Dr. Zhang, since Tongtong's physical exam shows no problems, is it possible this is… a psychological issue?"
At his words, Dr. Zhang grew pensive.
The young nurse, Cheng Yao, and the keeper Xu Ping were taken aback. They clearly hadn't considered that angle.
Psychological problems?
'Can animals even have such complex emotions?'
Seeing this, Mei Ying took the opportunity to make an introduction. "This is Yang Qi, a new colleague who just started today."
Hearing this, Cheng Yao's pretty eyes widened. With a mix of shock and admiration, she said, "Oh! So you're the new guy who saved that kid from the Great Sage. I saw the news in the group chat. You're incredible!"
Xu Ping also glanced at Yang Qi curiously, but his concern for the Red Fox was more pressing. He quickly asked, "Brother Yang, you think Tongtong's problem is psychological? Then why is she acting like this?"
"Just call me Yang Qi."
Yang Qi waved a dismissive hand before following his own train of thought. "If she's physically fine, then something must be bothering her. Xu Ping, think carefully. Has Tongtong encountered anything unusual lately? Any big changes to her environment? Was she scared by any misbehaving visitors? Or could she be in heat?"
"Well…"
Xu Ping thought for a moment before replying, "Everything seems normal. Her enclosure and the surrounding area are the same, and we haven't had any particularly strange visitors. As for being in heat…"
Dr. Zhang, standing nearby, interjected, "A Red Fox's mating season is typically at the start of the year. This isn't the right season for it."
The trail seemed to have gone cold again.
Yang Qi's brow furrowed slightly. Unable to discern a deeper cause for the moment, he suggested, "Well, let's wait for the anesthetic to wear off completely, until Tongtong can move freely. Then we can observe her behavior more closely."
Dr. Zhang adjusted his glasses and sighed. "I suppose that's our only option."
At that, the group backed away from the cage and stood outside to wait.
After a few minutes of small talk, Tongtong's limbs twitched inside the cage. She seemed to be regaining consciousness, but she remained sprawled listlessly on the ground, head drooping. She couldn't even be bothered to lift her eyelids, completely ignoring Yang Qi and the others outside.
An idea struck Yang Qi.
He walked over slowly, once again approaching the cage.
Seemingly hearing his footsteps, Tongtong's ears twitched imperceptibly. She lazily turned her head for a glance, then turned away again with disinterest.
But a second later, as if sensing something was off, she snapped her head back around. Her foxy eyes locked onto Yang Qi, a flicker of what seemed like human-like surprise and… curiosity? in their depths.
'The Ten Thousand Beasts Affinity is working!'
Yang Qi was secretly overjoyed. He squatted down, trying to meet the Red Fox's gaze, and began to chat in a gentle tone, as if talking to a friend.
"Hi, Tongtong. I'm Yang Qi."
"I heard you're not feeling well. Can you tell me what's bothering you?"
"I've been a little tired lately myself. By the way, what's your favorite thing to eat?"
"Or, what do you want to do most of all?"
...
'Beast Language Proficiency requires the animal to actually say something for me to understand it.'
To Dr. Zhang, the young nurse, Cheng Yao, Xu Ping, and Mei Ying, who were all watching from behind, the scene was both bizarre and fascinating.
'A grown man, having a serious conversation with a fox?'
Amid his curiosity, a flicker of hope appeared in Xu Ping's eyes. He prayed this new colleague could truly work a miracle.
Yang Qi continued to "chat" with Tongtong in a low voice. Seemingly soothed by his presence and tone, the fox actually let out a pair of soft, aggrieved whimpers from deep in her throat.
"WHIMPER... WHINE~"
To the others, it was just the normal cry of a fox. But to Yang Qi's ears, the meaning was simple and clear—
I want out!
Miss Hu wanted to leave the cage and go outside!
'It finally worked…'
Now that he knew the Red Fox's deepest "wish," Yang Qi felt a surge of confidence.
After a few more soothing words, he stood up. He turned to the others, who all wore different expressions, and cleared his throat. "Um, Sister Mei, Dr. Zhang, I was thinking… what if we tried letting Tongtong out of her cage for a walk?"
"After all, being cooped up in a cage for too long is bound to have a psychological effect on any animal. Letting her get some fresh air might help."
This explanation, framed in terms of animal psychology, made the meticulous Dr. Zhang pause in thought. He then gave a slight nod. "I think it's worth a try."
Cheng Yao, the young nurse, Xu Ping, and Mei Ying, however, remained skeptical.
Xu Ping asked nervously, "Let her out? What if something goes wrong? What if she runs away or gets spooked and hurts someone…"
As he spoke, his gaze instinctively fell upon Mei Ying, the one who could make the final call, his eyes full of hope.
'If Director Mei can convince Director Huang Zhongmu to approve this…'
Yang Qi also looked at Mei Ying, adding, "As for safety, we can put Tongtong on a leash."
Cheng Yao thought the idea had great visual appeal and quickly chimed in. "Yes, Sister Mei, we should try it! If we get a video of Tongtong on a walk, her fans would love it!"
She too looked toward Mei Ying.
Suddenly the center of attention, Mei Ying felt the pressure, but she also thought it was worth a shot.
She immediately pulled out her phone, stepped aside, and dialed the zoo director, Huang Zhongmu, to explain the situation and their proposal in detail.
A moment later, she hung up, a smile spreading across her face. "The director approved! He said we can proceed with caution, but safety is the absolute priority!"
"That's great!" Cheng Yao cheered.
Xu Ping also let out a visible sigh of relief.
"Um…" The young nurse beside them raised her hand timidly. "I happen to have a very sturdy leash for a large dog in my car."
"Really?"
Yang Qi's face lit up. "Where's your car parked, miss? I'll go get the leash."
"It's better if I get it."
The young nurse blushed, turned, and ran out of the fox enclosure.
When the young nurse returned, breathless, with the leash, Dr. Zhang habitually raised his tranquilizer blowgun, preparing to give the Red Fox a light dose.
Yang Qi quickly stopped him. "Dr. Zhang, there's no need for anesthetic. I can go in and put it on her directly."
"Absolutely not!"
Dr. Zhang shook his head, objecting. "That's too dangerous! A Red Fox is a carnivore, after all. Even if she's usually docile, she could still injure someone in a stressful situation."
"It'll be fine."
Yang Qi insisted, "I have a feeling Tongtong and I 'get along' just fine. I don't think she'll resist."
'Animals aren't made of stone. How could she be in a good mood after being tranquilized at every turn? I have no intention of letting the rapport I've just painstakingly built go to waste.'
Mei Ying looked at the confidence in Yang Qi's eyes, remembered his performance at Monkey Mountain, and after a moment of deliberation, chose to trust him.
"Let Yang Qi try," she said. "We'll be on standby out here in case of an emergency."
Hearing this, Cheng Yao, the young nurse, and Xu Ping felt their hearts leap into their throats. They watched Yang Qi, a mix of nervousness and anticipation on their faces.
Since Mei Ying had given the order, Dr. Zhang had no choice but to agree, though he did so with reluctance, his hand still gripping the tranquilizer blowgun tightly—just in case.
Yang Qi took the sturdy leash, drew a deep breath, gently opened the cage door, and stepped inside…