[Tamed "Thunder Battle Dog" detected. Host can abduct it and return it to the sect for contribution points.]
'Abduct a police dog?'
'System, are you trying to get me thrown in jail?!'
A still-dazed Yang Qi snapped out of it, too exasperated to even complain.
He was about to raise his hands but froze when he heard the shout.
He was also confused.
'What's going on?'
'Why is this police dog circling me for no reason?'
'And it just keeps sniffing…'
'Wait!'
'Sniffing?'
An idea struck Yang Qi. Remaining perfectly still, he slowly began to speak. "Officers, please don't be alarmed. I'm an employee at the Zoo. I spent a long time with a Red Fox this afternoon, so I probably have its scent on me."
"Oh, and my work ID is in the outermost pocket of my backpack. You can open it and take a look."
Hearing this, the two special police officers paused. The sharp edge in their gazes softened, replaced by a look of scrutiny and doubt.
The K-9 handler nearby was also carefully observing the dog's condition.
True enough, the dog wasn't exhibiting the tense posture or low growl that signaled the discovery of contraband or dangerous items. As it circled Yang Qi, its tail was even wagging in a friendly manner. There was no hostility; in fact, it seemed more like affinity and curious investigation.
"I think he's telling the truth."
The handler snapped out of his daze and said, "Black Panther isn't hostile toward him."
As for his judgment that the dog felt "affinity" for the man, the handler subconsciously dismissed it. That wasn't part of his professional diagnostic criteria.
Hearing this, the two special police officers relaxed their tense stances slightly.
One of them approached Yang Qi, his tone now calm. "Apologies, sir. This is a routine check. We'll need your cooperation."
"..."
Yang Qi nodded, slowly taking off his backpack and handing it over.
The officer took the bag and carefully unzipped the outer pocket. He immediately saw a brand-new Zoo employee ID attached to a lanyard.
He took out the ID, carefully compared the photo to Yang Qi, checked the official stamp, and then nodded to his partner.
Handing the ID back to Yang Qi, the officer gave a crisp salute.
"Our apologies, Mr. Yang. Thank you for your cooperation."
"No problem at all. It's all part of the job. Thank you for your hard work." Yang Qi breathed a sigh of relief as he stuffed the ID back into his bag and slung it over his shoulder.
Then, he looked down at the police dog, which was still fascinated by him. On a strange impulse—and also trusting in the effects of his Ten Thousand Beasts Affinity—he naturally reached out and gently stroked the fluffy head of the K-9, Black Panther.
Not only did Black Panther not resist, but he actually seemed to take it as a reward. A contented rumble sounded in his throat, his mouth opened wide, and his tongue lolled out happily. He looked absolutely thrilled.
This scene left the handler, who had been about to lead the dog away, stunned on the spot.
The two special police officers exchanged glances, their faces filled with curiosity.
The officer who had inspected Yang Qi couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Yang, are all the keepers at the Zoo this good with animals? To the point that even a professionally trained K-9 listens to you?"
"Well, it depends on the person. It varies."
Yang Qi smiled, not stopping his petting. "I guess I'm just one of those people animals naturally take a liking to," he explained. "Cats and dogs are usually pretty relaxed around me. It's not necessarily the same for everyone."
With that, he decided to quit while he was ahead and bid them farewell. "Well, I won't keep you two and your 'comrade-in-arms' from your duties."
Yang Qi bent down, waved at Black Panther, and said in the same gentle tone he used with Tongtong, "Bye-bye, Black Panther. See you around."
"Whine~"
Black Panther's throat trembled.
Yang Qi chuckled and gave him another pat.
Then, under Black Panther's reluctant gaze and the handler's still-baffled stare, Yang Qi gave a final wave and disappeared into the bustling crowd outside the subway station.
...
After exiting the subway station, the evening breeze hit his face, carrying with it the clamor of the city.
On the way back to his apartment, Yang Qi found a clean-looking fast-food place and quickly ate dinner.
When he got back to the old apartment complex he had lived in for nearly two years, he contacted his landlord directly to terminate the lease.
The landlord was quite reasonable. Upon hearing that Yang Qi had found a new job and needed to move, he didn't make things difficult.
Yang Qi offered to forfeit the rent for the last ten days of the month, asking only for his security deposit back.
And so, the lease termination went smoothly.
Back in his twenty-square-meter apartment, which never saw the sun, Yang Qi started packing.
He didn't have much, mainly just clothes and books.
He was squatting on the floor stuffing folded clothes into his suitcase when his phone, lying on the bed, began to vibrate intensely. BUZZ... BUZZ...
Yang Qi stood up, wiped his hands, and picked up his phone. After unlocking it, he saw someone had @'d him in his WeChat group, the "Liudong Study Group."
In the group chat, his classmate Gao Zhenyue had posted two videos.
[@Yang Qi Brother Qi! Is this you in the video? It looks just like you!]
Yang Qi didn't reply immediately. He opened the video and, sure enough, it was footage from earlier that day of him rescuing the little girl on the Zoo's Monkey Mountain, followed by scenes of him walking the Red Fox, Tongtong, around the grounds.
Some tourist must have filmed it and posted it online, and of course, Gao Zhenyue, the master of gossip, had managed to find it.
Before Yang Qi could even respond, another classmate, Ye Haibing, had already posted two replies.
[Holy shit! You even have to ask? That's fucking Yang Qi, alright! Old Gao, are you blind?]
[@Yang Qi You bastard, went to the Zoo for a fun day out, did you? And you didn't even invite any of us!]
Gao Zhenyue immediately shot back.
[Seriously! Going out to have fun without your bros? Not cool, man!]
[Angry Face Meme]
Just then, their female classmate Qian Yu chimed in, posting a thumbs-up emoji.
[Wow! Yang Qi, that's amazing! Monkey Mountain was so dangerous, and you went right up there. Way to go! Bravely saving a little kid, that's so awesome!]
Seeing Qian Yu's message, Yang Qi smiled and typed a reply: [Thank you for the praise, Officer Qian! [Salute Emoji]]
There were only five people in the "Liudong Study Group": Yang Qi, Qian Yu, Ye Haibing, Gao Zhenyue, and Song Wan, who worked at an advertising agency.
Out of their entire graduating class, only the five of them had chosen to stay and build their careers in Donghua City.
Gao Zhenyue was a Donghua local. His family had gotten rich from demolition compensation, making him a classic "new-money landlord." His main job was collecting rent, and his side hustle was driving for a ride-share app "for the experience."
Ye Haibing, like Yang Qi before his recent career change, was a programmer at a software company.
Qian Yu was doing the best out of all of them. She had passed the civil service exam and joined the Hongshu District Public Security Bureau as a technical officer.
The five of them were a tight-knit group and made it a point to meet up for a meal at least once a month.
...
After replying to Qian Yu, Yang Qi posted another message in the group chat.
[That's me in the video. And I have an announcement for everyone: I've quit my old job. I've been officially hired as a keeper at the Donghua Wildlife Park. The pay's decent, and they provide housing. If you guys are free this Saturday, you should come to the Zoo for a visit. It's on me!]
He sent the message.
[?]
[!]
[!?]