"Tongtong" lifted its head, looking quietly at Yang Qi for a moment. A low rumble came from its throat.
It showed no other extreme reaction, remaining listlessly on the ground.
'It really works!'
Yang Qi clenched his fist in silent celebration.
He then slowly walked over, squatted down in front of the Red Fox, and dangled the leash in front of it. He gestured as he explained in a gentle tone.
"See this? If you want to go for a walk, you have to wear it. This is for your own safety. How about it? Want to give it a try?"
Tongtong tilted its head, watching the leash and Yang Qi's movements with a confused look. After a moment, a flash of understanding seemed to appear in its intelligent eyes.
Then, under the nervous gazes of Dr. Zhang, Cheng Yao, Xu Ping, and Mei Ying outside the cage, it actually cooperated, slightly raising its neck and allowing Yang Qi to smoothly fasten the collar.
The entire process was unbelievably docile!
"He did it!"
Cheng Yao and the young nurse were so excited they nearly jumped for joy. Their eyes sparkled as they looked at Yang Qi.
"It actually worked..."
Dr. Zhang adjusted his glasses, muttering to himself.
Xu Ping let out a huge sigh of relief, his gaze toward Yang Qi filled with admiration and envy.
Mei Ying also nodded in satisfaction, her assessment of Yang Qi rising even higher.
"Alright, Miss Hu, let's go. Time for a walk!"
Yang Qi chuckled, leading the Red Fox out of the cage and the fox enclosure.
The moment Tongtong's paws touched the concrete ground outside the fox enclosure, the soft evening sun shone on its fiery fur. A gentle breeze drifted past, carrying the scent of grass and freedom.
And in that instant, a system notification sounded in Yang Qi's mind.
[Mission Complete]
[Reward: Meridians Unblocked]
A gentle, warm current seemed to surge from the depths of his limbs. The fatigue from the long day was instantly swept away, and a feeling of comfort spread through his entire body from the inside out, invigorating his spirit.
Meridians Unblocked: The unblocking of the human body's meridians and acupoints, laying the foundation for immortality cultivation!
...
Once out of the fox enclosure, the Red Fox, Tongtong, seemed to have broken free from invisible shackles.
It trotted with light yet steady steps, its pink nose twitching from time to time as it carefully sniffed the grass by the roadside, the pebbles, and the scents in the air.
Seeing this, Cheng Yao immediately switched into work mode. She took out her phone, aimed it at the fox, and started narrating in a soft voice as she filmed.
"Look, everyone, our Miss Hu, 'Tongtong,' is out for some fresh air today! Look how happy she is, the way she's running..."
Dr. Zhang, the young nurse, Xu Ping, and Mei Ying followed behind, watching with a mixture of nervousness and fascination.
The tourists on the path saw this scene and raised their phones to film, with gasps of surprise rippling through the crowd.
"That's Tongtong, right? How did she get out?"
"Isn't that Goddess Yaoyao narrating, taking Tongtong out for a walk?"
"Hehe, should we go over and try to pet Tongtong?"
"Go ahead, if you're not afraid of getting bitten."
"..."
Yang Qi listened to the surrounding chatter. He held the leash, feeling the slight tug from the other end as he watched the fiery red figure walking ahead, and a strange feeling arose in his heart.
Other people walk dogs; he walks a fox!
He had to admit, the experience was quite enjoyable.
...
After a long, leisurely walk around the zoo with the Red Fox, they returned to the enclosure. By then, Tongtong's earlier listlessness was completely gone.
It even trotted over to its food bowl on its own, digging into its late dinner with a hearty appetite. It made happy chewing sounds, the tip of its tail wagging contentedly.
"Brother Yang! Thank you so much! If it weren't for you today, I..." Xu Ping grabbed Yang Qi's hand, thanking him profusely.
"Don't mention it."
Yang Qi smiled and patted his arm. "We're colleagues. We should help each other out."
"Xiao Yang is right."
Mei Ying, standing to the side, nodded with a smile. Her tone was gentle. "We're all part of the Zoo. Working together to take good care of the animals is what's most important."
"That's true."
Dr. Zhang habitually pushed up his glasses and said with emotion, "Today was truly an eye-opener."
With that, he looked at Yang Qi with probing curiosity. "Xiao Yang, forgive me for asking, but is this ability to communicate with animals something you were born with? With you, Tongtong was as docile as a house cat."
'This is the perfect opportunity to create a cover story for my special ability!'
He immediately put on a perfectly bashful expression and went along with it. "I guess so. I don't know what it is, I've just been like this since I was a kid. Back at the zoo in my hometown, I could get along with all the animals. Most of the cats and dogs I meet on the street are willing to get close to me, they're not really scared."
As soon as he finished speaking, the young nurse's eyes lit up and she blurted out, "Wow! Isn't that what people online call a natural Druid constitution?"
"Yes! Yes!"
Cheng Yao chimed in, waving the phone she still held. Her beautiful eyes shone with excitement. "I've heard of that legendary constitution too! I thought it was just an urban legend, but I can't believe I'm seeing it in person today! Yang Qi, the way you were 'chatting' with Tongtong and then easily put the leash on it was just magical!"
"No, no."
Yang Qi quickly waved his hands humbly. "You're exaggerating. Maybe I just have a strong affinity with animals..."
"Oh, stop being so modest, Mr. Druid."
Cheng Yao cut him off with a laugh. She boldly opened her phone to her QR code and presented it to Yang Qi. "Come on, Yang Druid Qi, let's add each other as friends. From now on, if any of the zoo animals have 'psychological problems,' I'm coming straight to you for help!"
This playful nickname made everyone laugh.
"Let's all add each other. It'll be easier to stay in touch."
Yang Qi graciously accepted, responding with a smile.
He added Cheng Yao first, then he and Dr. Zhang, the young nurse, and Xu Ping all added each other as friends.
The group chatted for a few more minutes outside the fox enclosure. Seeing that Tongtong had finished eating and was now curled up in a pile of hay to rest, they finally went their separate ways.
...
When he left the Zoo, Yang Qi walked out the main gate with the last two visitors of the day.
Dusk was settling in, the city lights were just starting to glow, and it was the peak of the evening rush hour.
Yang Qi followed the crowd onto a bus, rode it to a nearby subway station, and then took the subway to the stop near his residential complex.
The journey was uneventful until he was exiting the subway station. That's when something unexpected happened.
A large, majestic German Shepherd, wearing a vest printed with the word "Police Dog," was sitting beside its handler on duty.
As Yang Qi walked past it, the dog suddenly shot to its feet. Its ears perked up alertly, and its dark brown eyes locked onto Yang Qi as a low whine rumbled in its throat.
The next second, without waiting for a command, it darted forward and began circling Yang Qi nonstop. As it circled, it sniffed at his pant legs, the hem of his clothes, and his hands with its wet nose.
This sudden scene caused the other exiting passengers to stare and instinctively move away.
The police dog handler standing nearby was also stunned.
It was two special police officers who reacted quickly. They swiftly moved to flank Yang Qi. One of them placed his right hand on the equipment at his waist, his sharp gaze fixed on Yang Qi as he barked a low command.
"Sir, please stand still! Don't move!"