Chapter 126

In the distance, a white speck suddenly appeared in the blue sky.

Amid the crowd's exclamations, a pure white gyrfalcon swooped in, and indeed it was the one that had flown away earlier; the despairing staff members sprang up, yet the gyrfalcon showed no sign of slowing down.

It still rushed over swiftly.

Bad thoughts swirled in everyone's minds, but Ling Yue extended an arm; under everyone's gaze, the gyrfalcon let out a harsh cry and lunged at her.

"Watch out!" This is a giant eagle nearly two meters tall, with astonishing strength; if it hit anyone, nobody dared imagine the consequences.

While they were panicking and uneasy, the gyrfalcon gazed gently at Ling Yue and said, "I'm back."

It wasn't that stupid; the human world is truly perilous, and even as the sky's overlord, it couldn't be sure of its own safety.

So the gyrfalcon turned back again.

It had merely wanted to catch its breath; it is a creature of the snowy mountains, always confined in a cage, which had made it feel stifled.

The gyrfalcon lightly flapped its wings; one of its impressive traits is its exceptionally strong core control, so the onlookers were astonished, but to it, it was actually just a piece of cake.

The massive eagle landed on Ling Yue's arm, yet she didn't budge an inch.

It shook its body, its feathers puffing up like a clean, crystal-clear snowball: "So comfortable."

After meeting Ling Yue's gaze, it immediately fell silent, but the very scene that had just unfolded had already driven everyone crazy.

【Weren't we supposed to tame the eagle? Why? Why do I see Ling Yue not even breaking a sweat!】

【I'm dying laughing—this is something from an old almanac ages ago, still taming eagles? Do you know what's trendy now? Taming people!】

【Even the eagle sauce feels inferior.】

【To be fair, taming eagles was something ancient hunters did to get hunting helpers or pets, so they had to make the eagles completely submissive—but look at Ling Yue: from start to finish, she never forced the eagle; this is an equal, friendship-like relationship.】

【Yeah, being able to make a two-meter-tall eagle land on your arm as a friend—kneeling, kneeling. JPG】

Indeed, just as they had guessed, after the gyrfalcon returned, Ling Yue directly applied to the Forestry Bureau staff to take it away; they were reluctant, but given the situation, could they really keep such a fierce gyrfalcon fed?

Anyone who tried to approach was met with the eagle's knife‑sharp gaze; the gyrfalcon's look sent chills down their spines, its resistance clear without words.

Its iron‑hard talons slightly opened; though there was no proof, his intuition told him that if he came any closer, something would surely happen!

Moreover, if something like before happened again, could they still summon Ling Yue? Could they still be as lucky as today?

Definitely not.

In the end, the Forestry Bureau staff lowered their heads in dejection and agreed to her request, full of reluctance in every word, and he repeatedly cautioned Ling Yue.

Ling Yue nodded, and in the end, they didn't even need to use a cage.

But when leaving, she chatted briefly with Ye Xiu Lan, whose deep gaze lingered on her, making Ling Yue blink: "You——"

"Why did you reject my adoption application?"

That was Ye Xiu Lan's first time applying to adopt a panda, and he hadn't expected to be turned down the next day.

Ling Yue laughed: "The zoo doesn't need panda adoptions right now; I can still afford to keep one."

Ye Xiu Lan instantly understood, nodded, and suddenly said, "If you have time, come by my place—Ye Yilin really likes you."

Ling Yue beamed: "I like her too—tell her I'll come see her when I have time."

Ye Xiu Lan nodded: "Sure, I'll definitely tell her."

When Ling Yue returned, that was truly a state of complete free‑range.

Because the gyrfalcon didn't like being in the car, Ling Yue asked repeatedly: it must not hurt people and must stay within three meters of the vehicle; the gyrfalcon nodded: "I can do all that—just don't make me go inside."

Ling Yue nodded in agreement, and thus we have this scene now.

The beautiful white gyrfalcon spread its large wings and circled the car at a leisurely pace, inevitably recalling its relaxed days on Changbai Mountain.

In the bustling city, the appearance of such a beautiful, huge gyrfalcon instantly drew everyone's attention.

Many onlookers were so stunned they couldn't look away, yet they also knew this creature is a national first‑class protected animal—who would dare keep it? Keeping it means prison!

When Ling Yue arrived at the zoo, the keepers at the gate had long been ready, but upon seeing the gyrfalcon, they were still utterly amazed.

That pure white color was like a handful of cold, clean snow.

Ling Yue gestured to Yuan Yuan; the little girl could now be called her confidante, and she immediately said, "Director, the enclosure is ready! If there's anything unsatisfactory, Mr. Gyrfalcon can bring it up."

The gyrfalcon proudly puffed out its chest and lifted its head, letting out a harsh cry.

As soon as it spread its wings, Ling Yue knew what it wanted and said, "Yuan Yuan, take it on a tour first."

"Oh, okay!" she exclaimed, eyeing the gyrfalcon in amazement—a legendary bird of prey, she wondered where the director had gotten it; the gyrfalcon didn't care much about that, it was looking forward to its future enclosure and hoped to return home soon.

After hearing Ling Yue's words, the gyrfalcon behaved well.

Ling Yue turned, intending to see the zoo's other animals; just as she activated her charm aura, a car pulled up at the gate, and a pot‑bellied, middle‑aged balding man stepped out, smiling at her: "Director Ling."

Ling Yue blinked, instantly recognizing him—one of the three zoo directors in Jing Shi; she knew him because, before taking over, she had conducted investigations in this area.

Moreover, there was the previous incident where the zoo had been framed.

Was this an attempt to repeat the old trick? But seeing this person personally step in, are they preparing a fatal blow?

Ling Yue thought this, showing nothing on her face, responding neutrally, which left the perpetually arrogant and self‑important director of West Mountain Zoo feeling stifled; among Jing Shi's three zoos, two are state‑owned, while her Capital Zoo is the sole private one.

What does she have to be arrogant about?

Isn't it just a few so‑called star animals?

Yet in private, he was so jealous his eyes were practically red enough to drip blood.

The West Mountain Zoo director spoke hesitantly, weighing his words: "I've heard you can treat animals? I have a matter I'd like to ask you to help with……"

Ling Yue lifted her eyelids, her dark eyes gazing at the man; her icy stare seemed to see straight through his thoughts, making cold sweat break out on his back.

Ling Yue chuckled: "You've misunderstood—I can only talk to animals; as for what you mentioned……" She paused, then said ambiguously, "Go ahead and explain."

The West Mountain Zoo director was a bit displeased, giving you some face, yet you still acted uppity; but his ability to stay in this position for years shows he has talent, at least good self‑cultivation.

He smiled amiably: "It's about the star dolphin Smile in our zoo's aquarium; it's recently fallen ill, and doctors have found no cause. I've heard you can converse with animals—could you come to our zoo to help?"

Ling Yue glanced at him in surprise; the aquarium reminded her of her own zoo's former marine exhibit, which after she took over she had canceled the animal performances and, through continual training and encouragement, had released those willing animals back to the sea.

Ling Yue didn't know where they ended up, but surely it's better than wasting away in the aquarium.

Wait——

Ling Yue seemed to realize something; to humans, marine animals suffering from depression is a fatal illness. As the zoo director who had been in office for several decades, how could he not know?

This is a trap carefully prepared for her.

Even knowing it's a trap, Ling Yue would not refuse; the dolphin smile carries part of her memory.

When she was young, whenever Ling Yue felt unhappy, she would buy a children's ticket, go to the aquarium to see it; upon seeing the dolphin's smile, she would feel much better.

Later, after growing up, things remained but people changed, and she gradually forgot.

We will go, but we need to see what method to use.

Ling Yue furrowed her brows: "Sorry, I might not have time lately; new animals have arrived at the zoo recently, and I need to take care of them for a while."

The West Mountain Zoo director looked at her, seriously doubting she was just going through the motions, taking care of the animals? No way, now that she's the zoo director, why isn't she enjoying herself yet?

He said dejectedly: "When do you think it'll be okay? The dolphin smile's condition really isn't good right now—sigh, I'm really worried about it."

Ling Yue hesitated: "Tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow I should be free." What she didn't say was that the day after tomorrow she had to go to River-View Mouth, where a group of wicked people had teamed up, preparing a day to release animals.

The director laughed: "Well, well, I'll first thank the dolphin smile here。" ，，.