Chapter 256

The netizens in the live‑stream twisted together like a rope, putting their effort in one direction; soon the screen was filled with layers of danmaku.

Translation: "The netizens in the live‑stream twisted together into one rope, putting their strength to one place; soon the screen was filled with layers of danmaku."

We need to keep it concise but faithful. Let's produce: "The netizens in the live‑stream twisted together into one rope, putting their strength to one place; soon the screen was filled with layers of danmaku."

The netizens in the live‑stream twisted together like a rope, putting their effort in one direction; soon the screen was filled with layers of danmaku.

At this moment, Ya Ya was still lying in the cage waiting for her mother; her question went unanswered, the panda seemed somewhat withdrawn, its thin, bony paws clutching the rail, the dirt on its body becoming ever more visible before the camera, making everyone feel heart‑broken.

Translation: "At this moment, Yaya was still lying in the cage waiting for its mother; its question went unanswered, the panda seemed somewhat autistic, its thin, bony paws clutching the rail, the dirt on its body becoming ever more visible on camera, making everyone feel heart‑broken."

We need to keep faithful. Let's produce: "At this moment, Yaya was still lying in the cage waiting for its mother; its question went unanswered, the panda seemed somewhat autistic, its thin, bony paws clutching the rail, the dirt on its body becoming ever more visible on camera, making everyone feel heart‑broken."

Ling Yue didn't want to tell it this tragic news.

Translation: "Ling Yue did not want to tell it this bad news."

In the silence, the giant panda Ya Ya made a sound: "Sister, sister, do you know where Mom is?"

Translation: "In the silence, the giant panda Yaya made a sound: "Sister, sister, do you know where Mom is?""

"Ya Ya hasn't seen her mother in a long time; is Mom's illness better?"

Translation: ""Yaya hasn't seen Mom in a long time; is Mom's illness better?""

It still remembers the scene of its mother collapsing loudly; Ya Ya cried for a long, long time, but no one came.

Translation: "It still remembers the scene of Mom collapsing with a boom; Yaya shouted for a long, long time, but no one came out."

Back then the sky was very dark; Ya Ya couldn't see her mother clearly, only remembering her mother stroking its head and saying: "Ya Ya, don't cry, Mom… Mom is just tired; Ya Ya must live well, Mom will come back, and we'll go home together."

Translation: "Back then the sky was very dark; Yaya couldn't see Mom clearly, only remembering Mom stroking its head and saying: "Yaya, don't cry, Mom…… Mom is just tired; Yaya must live well, Mom will come back, we'll go home together.""

Ya Ya cried out of fear.

Translation: "Yaya cried out of fear."

It slapped the glass and shouted loudly in the panda house; whenever someone appeared, this place seemed like a forsaken corner of the world, until dawn when the mother lay on the ground; that group of smelly humans finally noticed something strange about the mother, and right in front of Ya Ya they took her away—Ya Ya also wanted to follow, but people hit and stopped her.

Translation: "It slapped the glass, shouting loudly in the panda house; whenever someone appeared, this place felt like a forsaken corner of the world, until dawn, when Mom lay on the ground, that group of smelly humans finally noticed Mom's oddity, right in front of Yaya they took Mom away, and Yaya also wanted to follow, but people hit it to stop it."

We need to keep faithful. Let's produce: "It slapped the glass, shouting loudly in the panda house; whenever someone appeared, this place felt like a forsaken corner of the world, until dawn, when Mom lay on the ground, that group of smelly humans finally noticed Mom's oddity, right in front of Yaya they took Mom away, and Yaya also wanted to follow, but people hit it to stop it."

Its face pressed against the glass wall, it kept shouting "Mom," "Mom."

Translation: "Its face pressed against the glass wall, it kept shouting "Mom," "Mom.""

"Mom, are you asleep and don't want to pay attention to Ya Ya?"

Translation: ""Mom, are you asleep and don't want to tend to Yaya?""

It choked back sobs, covering its head and placing it on the white, chubby panda's body—how cute it could be—but here Ya Ya, from the bottom of her heart, despised the director, who suddenly furrowed his brows and blurted out without thinking: "Le Le? Isn't it dead?"

Translation: "It choked back sobs, covering its head, placed on the white, chubby panda's body—how cute, how cute—but in Yaya's presence, the zoo director, despising it from the bottom of his heart, suddenly furrowed his brows and blurted out without thinking: "Lele? Isn't it dead?""

We need to keep faithful. Let's produce: "It choked back sobs, covering its head, placed on the white, chubby panda's body—how cute, how cute—but in Yaya's presence, the zoo director, despising it from the bottom of his heart, suddenly furrowed his brows and blurted out without thinking: "Lele? Isn't it dead?""

Ya Ya's whole body shuddered inside the cage; instinctively she looked toward the familiar person, as if by chance, but Ling Yue averted her gaze.

Translation: "Yaya's whole body jolted in the cage; it instinctively looked toward the familiar person, as if by coincidence, only to have Ling Yue avert her gaze."

Being naturally clever, it instantly realized the truth of that statement, staring incredulously at the camera, with no one giving it an answer.

Translation: "It was naturally smart; instantly realizing the truth of that statement, it stared disbelievingly at the camera, but no one gave it an answer."

Ya Ya suddenly burst into tears: "Ya Ya… Ya Ya has no mother?"

Translation: "Yaya suddenly burst into tears: "Yaya…… Yaya has no mother?""

In fact, it had long had a vague premonition; those humans ignored them, so how could they suddenly be kind enough to send its mother away? The whole affair felt strange, yet it dared not dwell on it; the dreadful days at the zoo had already numbed the two pandas into two rotting logs.

Translation: "In fact, it had long had a vague premonition; those humans ignored them, so how could they suddenly kindly send Mom away? The whole thing felt strange, but it dared not think too deeply; the terrifying days at the zoo had already numbed the two pandas into two pieces of rotting wood."

Not listening, not seeing, not hearing, not thinking—only this way could it survive.

Translation: "Not listening, not seeing, not hearing, not thinking—only thus could it survive."

Until now, Ya Ya learned the truth, plopped down on the ground, and burst into loud, wailing sobs.

Translation: "Until now, Yaya learned the truth, plopped onto the ground, and began to wail loudly."

The director who had just spoken finally came to his senses, trembling and unable to imagine what he had just said.

Translation: "The director who had just spoken finally came to his senses, trembling, unable to imagine what he had just said."

"No, I didn't mean to do it on purpose," he blurted out involuntarily.

Translation: ""No, I didn't mean to do it on purpose." He couldn't help blurting out."

The next moment, a cold gaze swept over him; Zack looked at him in reality and said: "You didn't do it unintentionally; you did it on purpose."

Translation: "The next instant, a cold gaze swept over; Chakes stared at him in reality: "You didn't do it unintentionally; you did it on purpose.""

One sentence made him feel as if he had instantly fallen into an ice cellar.

Translation: "One sentence made him feel as if he had instantly fallen into an ice cellar."

Looking again at Mr. Charles, he had already waved his hand, letting the workers transport the caged giant panda Ya Ya away.

Translation: "Looking again at Mr. Chalis, he had already waved his hand, letting the workers carry away the giant panda Yaya in its cage."

At this moment, the panda house retained only faint traces.

Translation: "At this moment, the panda house retained only faint traces."

Most of the netizens in the live‑stream were hearing the pandas' story for the first time; there are many panda fans, but who would constantly follow the dynamics nationwide or even worldwide?

Translation: "Most of the live‑stream's netizens were hearing the pandas' story for the first time; there are many panda fans, but who would constantly follow the developments across the country or even the world?"

Up to today, after Ling Yue's science popularization, countless people have turned their eyes to the loaned giant pandas; if you don't look, you won't know, but once you do, you're startled.

Translation: "Until today, after Ling Yue's science popularization, countless people turned their eyes to the loaned giant panda; if you didn't look, you wouldn't know, but once you did, you'd be startled."

The pandas sent to Japan, Russia, and even Korea are all white and chubby—why is the one sent to America so difficult?

Translation: "The pandas stationed in Japan, Russia, and even Korea are all white and chubby; why are the ones in the United States so difficult?"

First came Le Le and Ya Ya mother and daughter, then Mei Xiang, Tian Tian, and their cub Xiao Qiji; they are kept in captivity at the Washington, D. C. Zoo, and the daily life of this family of three is comparable to that of Ya Ya and Le Le.

Translation: "First came Lele and the mother‑daughter pair Yaya; then Mei Xiang, Tian Tian, and their cub Little Miracle, kept in captivity at the Washington Zoo in the United States, their family life comparable to that of Yaya and Lele."

Especially when someone discovered that the China Animal Protection Association and the zoo had renewed their contract, with the pandas not returning until the end of this year, the angry netizens were fuming.

Translation: "Especially when someone discovered that the China Animal Protection Association and the zoo had renewed their contract, with the pandas not returning until the end of this year, the angry netizens' fury flared up!"

【Again the Animal Protection Association! This bunch of troublemakers! They're not at ease unless they're messing with the pandas, right?】

Translation: "【Again the Animal Protection Association! This bunch of troublemakers! They're not at ease unless they're harming the pandas, right?】"

【Is it really the China Animal Protection Association, or is it the American daddy's beloved son association? Why are they so fawning?】

Translation: "【Is it really the China Animal Protection Association, or the US Daddy's beloved son association? Why are they so fawning?】"

【I strongly demand that every member of the Animal Protection Association be counted and sent abroad, to take the animals' place leaving the country; we can even send them for free!】

Translation: "【I strongly demand that every member of the Animal Protection Association be sent overseas, one for one, to replace the animals in leaving the country; we can send them for free!】"

【That idea upstairs is good; add an indefinite term as well!】

Translation: "【The idea upstairs is good; add an indefinite term as well!】"

The teasing of this crowd made Ling Yue blink, a faint smile flickering in her eyes; of course she wouldn't just look at the surface, watching the giant panda Ya Ya leave the zoo, a hint of mist gathered in her gaze.

Translation: "This group's teasing made Ling Yue blink, a flicker of smile passing through her eyes; of course she wouldn't just look at the surface, watching the giant panda Yaya leave the zoo, a hint of mist gathered in her eyes."

Soon, it was suppressed again by Ling Yue.

Translation: "Soon, however, Ling Yue pressed it down again."

But even so, combined with the earlier reaction, Zack had already noted it in his mind—just as they profess freedom while in reality schools hold weekly flag‑raising ceremonies and recite declarations, all the more so in China.

Translation: "But even so, combined with the earlier reaction, Chakes had already silently noted it in his mind, just as they, while advocating freedom, actually hold weekly flag‑raising ceremonies at school, reciting declarations, and all the more so in China."

The importance of the giant panda to China left him astonished.

Translation: "The importance of the giant panda to China amazed him."

Ling Yue is now the sole hope of the Mei Yi Si family; he would love to cradle her in his palm, a careful lifeline—just a few giant pandas could let his son return safely, let the Mei Yi Si family weather the crisis, and he sees it as a blood profit.

Translation: "Ling Yue is now his Mei Yisi family's only hope; he wishes to cradle her in his palm, a careful lifeline—just a few giant pandas could let his son return safely, let the Mei Yisi family overcome the crisis, and he sees it as pure profit!"

Therefore, after doing all this, he proactively faced the camera and said: "I will send the best doctors to treat Ya Ya."

Translation: "Therefore, after doing all this, he voluntarily faced the camera and said: "I will send the best doctors to treat Yaya.""

Suddenly he shifted his tone: "As far as I know, the giant pandas at the Washington Zoo are also ill, and I will certainly help you cure them!"

Translation: "Suddenly he shifted his tone: "As far as I know, the giant pandas at the Washington Zoo are also ill; I will certainly help you cure them as well!""

"Host, please rest assured."

Translation: ""Host, please rest assured.""

His attitude was modest, even humble, leaving countless observers—both open and covert—who knew him stunned, wondering if they were seeing things or if his mind had broken.

Translation: "His attitude was humble, even called humble, leaving countless people who observed him openly or secretly, those who knew him well, utterly shocked, wondering if they were seeing things or if his mind had broken."

Some sharp‑minded people immediately realized there must be some unspeakable secret; otherwise, why would he go to such lengths to curry favor with a Chinese host?

Translation: "Some sharp‑minded people immediately thought there must be some unspeakable secret; otherwise, how could he fawn so much over a Chinese host?"

When the Mei Yi Si family carried out these actions, they had already considered the consequences, yet they still did it—this move could be described as going all‑in.

Translation: "When Mei Yisi carried out these actions, he had already considered the consequences, yet he still did so; this move can be described as a desperate all‑or‑nothing gamble!"

At the same time, this also announced to the world that the Mei Yi Si family would fully support Ling Yue, leaving people feeling a mix of anxiety and anticipation.

Translation: "At the same time, he used this to announce to the world that the Mei Yisi family would fully support Ling Yue, leaving people feeling startled and uneasy."

What the netizens in the live‑stream heard was——

Translation: "What the live‑stream's netizens heard was——"

【Mei Xiang, Tian Tian, and their cub Xiao Qiji are saved!】

Translation: "【Mei Xiang, Tian Tian, and their cub Little Miracle are saved!】"

【They don't have to wait any longer; maybe they'll be home in just a few days! I'll whip the corpse of the China Animal Protection Association every day—they didn't help rescue the poor pandas, they actually aided the tyrant!】

Translation: "【They don't have to wait any longer; maybe they'll be home in a few days! I'll whip the corpse of the China Animal Protection Association every day—they didn't help rescue the poor pandas, but instead aided evil!】"

【From now on, whenever I see a panda, I'll curse their ancestors eighteen generations over! They're truly worthless!】

Translation: "【From now on, whenever I see a panda, I'll curse their ancestors eighteen generations over! They're truly worthless!】"

【Everyone, keep a low profile; there's still the contract—our giant pandas were sent by kind‑hearted people to "see a doctor."】

Translation: "【Everyone keep a low profile; there's still the contract—our giant pandas were sent by kind‑hearted people to "see a doctor."】"

【Yes, that's great—poor Ya Ya and the Mei Xiang–Tian Tian family of three can finally get medical care. 【tears】【tears】】

Translation: "【Yes, that's great—poor Yaya and the Mei Xiang‑Tian Tian family of three can finally see a doctor. 【tears】【tears】】"

【I have an idea—could we start a live stream so we can watch Ya Ya and them?】

Translation: "【I have an idea—can we start a live stream so we can watch Yaya and them?】"

Compared to the restrained netizens, Ling Yue's eyes lit up; before she could even suggest it, Mr. Zack had already contacted his subordinates and launched a full‑time live broadcast.

Translation: "Compared with the restrained netizens, Ling Yue's eyes lit up; before she could even suggest it, Mr. Chalis had already contacted his subordinates and launched a full‑time live broadcast."

The sight of Ya Ya's sobbing made Ling Yue furrow her brows; she suddenly wanted to go off‑stream, knowing Ya Ya must be in great pain now.

Translation: "The sight of Yaya's sobs made Ling Yue furrow her brows; she suddenly wanted to go offline, for Yaya must be in great pain right now."

She also hadn't forgotten to punish the wrongdoers; taking advantage of the live‑stream audience's attention on Ya Ya's situation, Ling Yue formed hand seals and chanted incantations, intending to make those who bullied Ya Ya receive punishment.

Translation: "She also hadn't forgotten to punish the wrongdoers; taking advantage of the live‑stream's attention on Yaya's condition, Ling Yue formed hand seals and chanted incantations, intending to make those who bullied Yaya receive punishment."

As long as one closes their eyes and falls into a deep slumber, they will personally experience all the suffering that Ya Ya and Le Le's mother‑daughter pair once endured, day after day, year after year, without end.

Translation: "As long as she closed her eyes and sank into deep slumber, she would personally experience all the suffering that Yaya and the Lele mother‑daughter pair had endured, day after day, year after year, without cease!"

At that moment, the people led by the zoo director only felt a chill down their backs; they completely disregarded it, shivering and bowing their heads, almost prostrating themselves in a five‑limb salute to see Zack off.

Translation: "At that moment, the people led by the zoo director only felt a chill down their backs; they didn't care at all, trembling as they lowered their heads, just short of prostrating themselves five‑limbed on the ground to see Chakes off."

Feeling the oppressive atmosphere dissipate, he wiped his sweat‑drenched forehead and couldn't help muttering a curse: "**!"

Translation: "Feeling the oppressive atmosphere dissipate, he then wiped his sweat‑drenched forehead and couldn't help muttering: "**!""

He scolded his subordinates, exhausted himself, and with a somewhat "broken‑pot, broken‑bowl" mindset, he left the zoo straight away, went home, and fell asleep under his wife's soothing.

Translation: "He scolded his subordinates, exhausted himself, rather like giving up on a broken pot, and directly left the zoo, went home, and, comforted by his wife, sank into sleep."

"Ya Ya? What's wrong with you? Hurry up and eat something!"

What sound? He opened his eyes, and the black-and-white skull-like head before him startled him, then he realized—could it be the giant panda in the zoo?

The zoo director looked around—withered trees, big rocks, a tiny enclosure so narrow he could hardly turn over—when a wave of dizziness hit him, chilling him to the core.

What on earth is going on?

He panicked, closed his eyes trying to wake up, yet at the same time he was unusually clear: this was a dream! Just a more realistic dream.

Soon, driven by a burning hunger in his belly, he opened his eyes to see a dry, yellowed, hard bamboo stalk thrust before him; the terrifying, ugly giant panda stared at him: "Why are you spacing out again? Hurry up and eat, Ya Ya."

Who is Ya Ya?!

He shouted angrily: "I'm a human, I'm the zoo director—I'm certainly not Ya Ya!"

His outburst made the other plop down on his rear, yet even so he didn't forget to gnaw bamboo with his rotten teeth, filling the director with contempt—this stupid, ugly creature, actually China's national treasure?

After thinking, he felt it was quite fitting: China should live as wretchedly as this ugly, stupid animal, and under his deliberate arrangements, the panda enclosure in the zoo became the worst-kept exhibit.

They were even worse off than the dogs kept in the zoo.

Whenever this happened, the director felt immense pleasure; one could say his character largely reflected the attitude of Americans toward China.

They are the ones who silently suck blood like hemp.

But he never imagined that one day he would be trapped inside the body of an ugly giant panda, which tried to shout, to call for help, but lost strength after just two sounds.

He was so hungry it felt as if his whole stomach would dissolve, making him want to gnaw anything, and he bit into a stone.

"Crack!"

His few teeth shattered instantly, making him howl in agony, yet even after the blood dried, no one came; the neighboring panda left him some morsels, which he devoured wildly, swallowing them along with the blood, pain and all.

Within a few minutes, the food was gone.

"I'm hungry." He lowered his head so quickly it was astonishing, yet the panda clearly had no recourse, lying on the ground, stroking the child's head: "Mommy's hungry too, Ya Ya, don't fuss; Mommy has no strength to speak."

This is also the fundamental reason why countless visitors to the panda house often see the pandas lying lazily on the ground.

It's not that they don't want to move; they simply have no strength.

Not long after, the director went mad.

He didn't go mad from hunger but from fright; the panda that had left him food suddenly collapsed, and he and it stayed together in the cramped room all night until the next morning, when someone dragged them away.

Still dazed, he hadn't even reacted before facing ever-dwindling food—his daily fare was moldy potatoes and carrots, while the dried bamboo was nowhere to be seen.

He kept kowtowing and kneeling like Ya Ya in the video, and hearing the visitors' giggles actually made him feel rather good.

Because each night, in the pitch-dark enclosure, only he remained—a small, windowless black hut—he talked to the stones, with no one and no sound; the feeling of being abandoned grew ever more apparent...

He also never waited for that streamer, the one he had once hated to the point of gnashing his teeth, who never showed up; before the deadline to return home arrived, he had already smashed his head against the stone and died.

Ah!

In the dark night a sudden sharp scream rang out; the man sat up in bed, drenched in sweat, he covered his face, his heart pounding astonishingly fast, the harsh light made his pupils contract sharply, and upon seeing the familiar furnishings he actually burst into happy tears.

"I'm back, it was all a dream! Hahahaha!" He laughed heartily; his wife trembled with fright, looking at him as if he were a madman.

The husband's heavy gloom left her breathless.

The happy man didn't realize that everything was only beginning; from that day on, whenever he closed his eyes he would start over, again and again, living a life worse than death.

Endless reincarnation.

Even the staff who had once harmed the pandas began to suffer the same daily cycle of nightmares; life persists, the cycle does not cease.

Much later, a legend arose: the Chinese national treasure, the giant panda, born with an innate ability—if anyone mistreats it, they will incur the devil's curse!

Of course, that was far in the future; now, Ling Yue glanced at the livestream room, where most of the viewers were gathered in the livestream of the giant panda Ya Ya.

Ling Yue said directly: "That's it for today's stream."

【Great!】

【Cough cough cough, streamer, I didn't mean it that way—my heart loves you.】

【But that doesn't stop you from falling for the streamer and then running off to watch Ya Ya, right?】

【...】

Ling Yue couldn't help laughing; in fact she shared the same thought as the netizens, she shook her head and said: "Forget it, let's not discuss this—see you all tomorrow."

【Streamer, goodbye!】

Before Ling Yue could close the stream, the online viewer count plummeted at visible speed—like a reservoir bursting its gates—dropping by half in an instant.

Ling Yue knew they had all gone to Ya Ya's livestream; she herself did the same, glancing at her left hand off‑camera, its distinct knuckles clasping hers.

Ling Yue lifted her gaze and met the narrow eyes of a young man.

Jun Jun spoke up first: "The car's already called; just waiting for you."

Ling Yue nodded.

A black sedan slipped through the night into New York's finest pet hospital; as Ling Yue arrived, she saw on the clean white examination table a filthy giant panda Ya Ya, its fur so matted its color was indiscernible, lying there like a dirty rag pulled from a trash can—pitiful and heartbreaking.

A crowd watched the sniffling giant panda Ya Ya, not knowing where to begin.

A bold female doctor reached out; the panda Ya Ya immediately extended its paw, yet its body curled into a trembling ball.

Obviously, it was terrified.

At the same moment, Ling Yue's expression turned grave as she hurried over.

Hearing the unfamiliar footsteps, the giant panda Ya Ya blinked after a moment, then shook its large ears and looked toward the source.

The giant panda's dark, tear-filled eyes were hazy; through the blur it recognized the familiar face, and it burst into tears, stretching out both arms toward Ling Yue: "Mommy, hug… hug Ya Ya…"