If this wasn't handled properly, the Zoo would be in huge trouble!
If the wolf bit someone...
Everyone from Director Huang Zhongmu down to the temporary cleaning staff would be reprimanded and disciplined.
In such an emergency, Yang Qi had no time to pull out his phone and ask how the wolf had escaped.
...
He sprinted all the way.
Soon, by the side of the path around a corner, Yang Qi spotted Zhao Dalong and several members of the security team.
The group stood frozen, their faces etched with anxiety. They were discussing something in hushed tones, but not a single one of them dared to move forward.
Yang Qi's heart sank. He lightened his steps and quickly drew near.
Following their gaze, he saw it: not far ahead, by the side of the path, the Gray Wolf was sniffing around the trunk of a camphor tree, its tail wagging absently.
And less than ten meters in front of the Gray Wolf, a young couple walked with their backs to them, laughing and talking as they strolled along, reading the animal information signs. They were completely oblivious to the danger lurking behind them.
The sight made Yang Qi's scalp tingle with fear.
In that same instant, he understood why Zhao Dalong and his men didn't dare make a move.
The distance was just too deadly.
Any slight provocation—a loud shout, a sudden approach, even the soft WHOOSH of a tranquilizer gun—could startle the wolf, causing it to lunge at the "prey" right in front of it.
「At this moment.」
Zhao Dalong and his men had beads of sweat covering their foreheads. Their hands, clenched into tight fists, trembled slightly from the strain.
They stared intently at the wolf, their breathing shallow, as if afraid the slightest exhale would shatter the fragile equilibrium.
But just waiting around was like watching the fuse burn on a powder keg. Every second felt like an eternity.
Yang Qi's gaze swept over the scene and landed on a leather leash for large dogs clutched in a young guard's hand. An idea struck him. He took a few steps forward, leaned in close to Zhao Dalong's ear, and said quickly, "Chief Zhao, let me try. I'll approach it slowly and see if I can get the leash on it without startling it."
Hearing this, Zhao Dalong's eyes flew open, his bloodshot gaze filled with disbelief and worry.
He also kept his voice low, forcing the words through gritted teeth, "Are... are you sure?"
"I'm seventy percent sure," Yang Qi said, careful not to overpromise.
"Chief, let me go!"
The young guard holding the leash heard this and whispered with newfound courage, his face a mask of desperate resolve.
Zhao Dalong whipped his head around to face him, his voice strained. "And how sure are you?"
"I... I'm eighty percent sure!"
the young guard said through gritted teeth, but the slight tremor in his voice betrayed his terror.
"Bullshit!"
Zhao Dalong muttered a curse. Under such high pressure, the difference in experience was plain to see.
He took a deep, decisive breath, then slapped a calloused hand heavily on Yang Qi's shoulder. "Brother Xiao Yang," he exhaled, "I'm counting on you!"
With that, he snatched the leash from the young guard's hand and passed it solemnly to Yang Qi.
"I'll do my best."
Yang Qi took the leash. The leather felt cool in his hand.
He took a deep breath to calm his racing heart and relax his muscles. Just as he was about to step forward, he remembered something and asked in a low voice, "Does this wolf have a name?"
"Yes. His name's Happy."
A fair-skinned guard nearby wiped the sweat from his brow with his sleeve and answered, "Th-this one's usually really active and mischievous. His personality is a bit like a Husky's, so everyone calls him Happy."
"Got it."
Yang Qi nodded, feeling a bit more confident.
Without further hesitation, he took a breath, forced a relaxed, casual expression onto his face—like any other tourist out for a stroll—and began to walk slowly toward the Gray Wolf named Happy.
Behind him, Zhao Dalong and the others held their breath. Some quickly turned to pretend they were admiring the scenery, others stared intently at the ground. But out of the corners of their eyes, their gazes were magnetically fixed on Yang Qi and Happy, their hearts pounding as if to burst from their chests.
When Yang Qi was about two meters away, Happy, who was still sniffing the tree trunk, seemed to sense something. He whipped his head around, his faintly glowing wolf eyes instantly locking onto the approaching Yang Qi!
Behind them, the hearts of Zhao Dalong and his men leaped into their throats.
But Happy showed no signs of alarm or wariness. He simply tilted his head, his pricked ears twitching slightly, as he regarded Yang Qi with pure curiosity. There was something about this human's presence that felt comfortable, reassuring.
Yang Qi felt a surge of relief.
'Ten Thousand Beasts Affinity is amazing!'
With the same smile on his face, Yang Qi gave Happy a natural wave and continued to approach. When he was just a step away, he slowly squatted down, making himself appear less threatening.
"Happy, what are you doing playing out here all by yourself?"
Yang Qi asked softly, his tone gentle, as if he were talking to a friend.
It was as if he weren't facing a dangerous wolf, but a big, lost dog.
"Wooo~"
A low whine rumbled in Happy's throat. He tilted his head, still studying Yang Qi.
[Do you have any food?]
'It's working!'
Yang Qi was ecstatic, but he kept his expression neutral. He replied in the same cajoling tone one would use with a child, regardless of whether the Gray Wolf could understand him.
"I do! I have lots of tasty treats at my place."
He paused, then changed the subject, dangling the leash. "But I like playing games more. Do you like games?"
"Woof?"
Obvious confusion showed in Happy's eyes as his gaze fell upon the leash.
[What's this?]
"Right, like this."
Yang Qi mumbled to himself as he took the collar end of the leash. In a slow, clear motion, he pretended to loop it around his own neck and then take it off, showing it to Happy.
"Want to give it a try? It's fun."
"Wooo~"
Happy seemed intrigued. He lowered his head, sniffed at the collar, and his tail gave a slight, unconscious wag. He was clearly thinking it over.
A moment later, under Yang Qi's tense gaze, the wolf let out a short whine.
[Okay]
Yang Qi forcefully suppressed his excitement, his voice remaining steady and soft.
"Alrighty then~"
With that, moving with extreme slowness and stability, he slipped the leather collar over Happy's furry neck. CLICK. The buckle fastened.
'Success!'
"Woof?"
Happy seemed to find the feeling of the collar on his neck strange. He gave an involuntary hop and shook his head.
[Uncomfortable]
"I think it's pretty fun."
Yang Qi continued to talk to himself as he slowly stood up, holding the leash. He added in a tempting tone, "Come on, let's go to my place. I'll give you something good to eat!"
"Woof~!"
The phrase "something good to eat" seemed to register with Happy. He instantly forgot the slight discomfort around his neck, his tail started wagging cheerfully, and his tongue lolled out.
[Good food]
He trotted forward, willingly following Yang Qi's lead.
Only then did Yang Qi discreetly let out a long sigh of relief, feeling his back drenched in cold sweat.
Leading the now-docile Happy, he raised his other hand and gave the nearly petrified Zhao Dalong and his men a victorious "OK" sign.
"Phew~"
Seeing the signal, Zhao Dalong and the security team members started gasping for air, almost collapsing in relief.
When they looked at Yang Qi again, their eyes were filled with gratitude and admiration.
So incredible!