Chapter 89

After receiving that bamboo, Panda Tuan Tuan shuddered, its round big eyes looking at Jiang Zhengping, who nodded at it: "Tuan Tuan, keep it up, don't lose your master's reputation."

Swish swish swish!

The green bamboo flew up and down in its chubby paws, hooking, chopping, thrusting! Sweeping out afterimages, accompanied by a cool whooshing sound, all the worried people were stunned.

Live chat viewers: "!!!"

Many people rubbed their eyes, looked up at the sky, wondering if they were dreaming.

The park visitors were even more shocked and astonished, staring in awe at the lively giant panda—was this the lazy national treasure they knew?

Just a cute thing that only drinks bowl after bowl of milk?

Ahhh!! Tuan Tuan, keep it up! Tuan Tuan is awesome!

Someone shouted loudly, and nearly a hundred visitors on site all started cheering, happily watching the panda Tuan Tuan waving the bamboo, applause thundering throughout the venue!

Awesome! So impressive!

Is this a panda? I seriously doubt the Capital Zoo made a fake panda!

Good heavens, they have paws while I have hands—I'm actually worse than it!

"Mom, Kung Fu Panda! Kung Fu Panda!" the child happily clapped in Mom's arms, and the parents were also pleased: "Honey, it was worth it! Worth it!"

Honey: "???"

Worth the ticket price ^_^!

My goodness, this is the first time I've seen a panda do martial arts—what a feat, even better than my senior brother's performance! What is this? Humans can't beat bears!

Ling Yue watched wide-eyed as the crowd erupted, for Panda Tuan Tuan's superb martial skills were comparable to a top-tier star's concert!

They all shouted Tuan Tuan's name in unison; the viewers watching the live stream on screen couldn't take it anymore—just hearing the sound they knew it must be amazing, and I want to go too!

After performing for a while, Panda Tuan Tuan glanced at Jiang Zhengping, who gave it a relieved smile: "Tuan Tuan, you did well—"

Before he could finish the misspoken word, his voice cut off abruptly.

Crack—crack—

Panda Tuan Tuan raised its hands, and with its excellent teeth, the bamboo snapped into several pieces; it chewed and swallowed them, then patted its belly and let out a contented "Mmm-mmm-mmm," saying, "Delicious!"

Jiang Zhengping: "......"

I'm tired.

Ling Yue couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Sensing something, Panda Tuan Tuan turned its head, saw her, and came running over in a flash; the giant panda Tuan Tuan hugged her thigh, cooing with "Mmm-mmm-mmm" as it showed its soft white belly, then unleashed a flurry of punches—so much so that not only Ling Yue, but even the visitors and live‑stream viewers stared wide‑eyed.

A national treasure panda, being coquettish?!

Who is this person? Did they save the world in their past life? Waah waah waah, the kid cried out of envy T﹏T

On Ling Yue's side, panda Tuan Tuan looked at her, eyes brimming with hot tears: "Great Demon King, why did you only come now? Tuan Tuan is about to collapse!"

It stretched out its paws: "Waah waah waah, Yueyue look, my paws hurt~"

Ling Yue grabbed and lifted it; the heavy giant panda, no longer what it used to be, sat down with a plop, heavy enough to crush an adult man.

But in Ling Yue's hands, the weight of several hundred jin felt as light as a small piece of paper; this move left the online viewers silent and the visitors shocked.

【Holy crap, I'm just saying, isn't there a possibility that even if you're given a chance, you still can't seize it?】

【Nonsense! Who the hell could so easily lift a giant panda?】

【Sniffle~ So envious, so envious, I also want to hug~】

【How do I find her somewhat familiar? I feel like I've seen her somewhere before?】

The panda Tuan Tuan is obviously the happiest one; since it became an adult, no one has ever kissed, hugged, or lifted it up anymore, and it's still its favorite human—although they call her the Great Demon King, in fact, Ling Yue is the human that Tuan Tuan likes the most.

Even more than the caretaker who feeds it its milk!

Jiang Zhengping rarely shows any nervousness, making the online viewers in the live stream feel puzzled, all wondering who exactly it is.

Actually, it's easy to guess; besides the teacher who taught him martial arts, back then they'd whip him with leather lashes and beat him with sticks—just hearing the name Jiang Zhengping would make him nervous to the point of inability.

However, that person has already passed away.

Another is Ling Yue, who brought him onto the path of livestreaming.

"Director, why did you come?"

Ling Yue smiled, wearing a keeper's uniform, a pink mask on her face, revealing beautiful brows and eyes: "I think Tuan Tuan missed me, so I came to see it."

As she spoke, she rubbed Tuan Tuan's little head, its soft, fluffy, half-round ears; it shyly covered its face, nuzzling against Ling Yue's shoulder while whining: "Tuan Tuan has grown up already, Great Demon King still thinks I'm a kid?"

Ling Yue: "Isn't that so?"

This is, the online viewers in the live stream finally realized—they were originally fans of Ling Yue's livestream, the cute-pet genre, and she was the one who single-handedly supported that streamer; many instantly recognized her.

【Ahhh it's the streamer sister! Smooch!】

【Waaah the streamer sister is smooching with the panda, me smooching the streamer equals me smooching the panda!】

【The logic upstairs is genius! I just want to ask one question: when does our livestream start? Streamer, I understand you've been busy lately, but it's been too long QAQ】

Ling Yue herself didn't expect it either; the urging for updates has come all the way here, she paused: "The day after tomorrow, that is, Sunday."

After saying that, she no longer paid attention to those barrage comments, because the clingy panda Tuan Tuan had completely wrapped itself around her, to the point of never leaving her side; Ling Yue set it down, and wherever she went, Tuan Tuan followed.

"Whine whine whine, Great Demon King, don't go, let's play a bit longer~"

Ling Yue turned her head toward Jiang Zhengping, as if sensing something, and said: "Master Jiang, has Tuan Tuan's training been enough for today?"

He was taken aback, shook his head, and said: "No, it's only just begun."

Ling Yue lowered her gaze to look at the giant panda Tuan Tuan, which was full of apprehension; after a moment, it suddenly let out a "whine".

"I didn't mean to, I just wanted to play a bit longer~"

Just like those elementary schoolers who don't want to go to school, Ling Yue raised her hand and gave it a knuckle flick: "Study hard!"

The giant panda nodded obediently, its little eyes looking utterly pitiful.

Countless visitors and online viewers who saw this scene clutched their chests—oh no, it's a high-level moe critical hit!

After Ling Yue left the panda house, she found keeper Yuan Yuan to understand the situation. Regarding the adopter of panda Round Round, Yuan Yuan was stunned: "Yes, director, Mr. Ye said he is willing to put up five hundred million in maintenance fees."

"Mr. Ye?" Ling Yue murmured, repeating.

For some reason, she suddenly had a premonition that perhaps she knew this Mr. Ye.

As for the five hundred million maintenance fee, Ling Yue directly told Yuan Yuan to refuse it, and she really wasn't short of money.

Afterward, Ling Yue walked around the zoo again, inspecting the protective and safety measures of each facility and area one by one; the keepers were full of confidence, high-spirited, and in excellent condition!

Except for one person, Xiao Liu.

His wages had risen, his work had become easier, yet he wore no pleasant expression, glancing resentfully at Yuan Yuan—clearly he had met the director before her, he hadn't done anything wrong, so how did she end up in management while he remained a miserable keeper?

"Liu Liu?"

Xiao Liu froze instantly, meeting Ling Yue's gaze, his whole body perking up as he shouted, "Director, I'm here!"

Many were startled, staring at him in shock; Liu Liu remained composed, his hand hidden in his sleeve quietly clenching.

Ling Yue dismissed the others, leaving him alone in the office to chat, her first words being: "Aren't you feeling resentful? I've entrusted Yuan Yuan with important work and haven't seen you."

Liu Liu startled, and given his slippery nature he would have outright denied it, but he clearly realized things were different—the new director was completely unlike the former one; did he still want to just drift through his days?

Liu Liu: "Yes."

He also didn't understand, lifting his eyes to meet Ling Yue's gaze: "How dare you admit it now? Aren't you afraid I'll get angry and give you a hard time?"

Liu Liu's face flushed red from holding back; seeing his expression, Ling Yue laughed: "What are you thinking? Am I that kind of person?"

She chatted a few more words, confirming he could be trusted, and finally broached the main topic.

"Liu Liu, I have a task for you—do you dare to take it?"

The sun set westward, the afterglow low, vast sheets of scorching fire clouds seeming to join the distant horizon in a single line; Liu Liu stepped out of the office with restrained steps, his eyes shining, glittering brightly.

Suddenly, his fixed gaze fell on the nearby Tiger Hill; he gripped the rail with both hands, grinning foolishly, his smile stretching wide.

Meanwhile, Ling Yue finished work and headed home; night had already fallen, and from outside the villa lights were on, yet not a sound could be heard.

Ling Yue furrowed her brows as she entered, calling: "Jun Jun?"

The small sofa usually occupied solely by the tiger was empty, the TV was also turned off, and she called to the other small animals, but there was no response.

Ling Yue sensed something was off; after checking the underground rooms, she hurried up the stairs, wondering if anything had happened.

The canary's training room, the storage closet, the black cat queen's chamber, the treasure-finding mouse's little cage—many more unopened rooms—until she found her own bedroom.

A rustling sound arose.

Ling Yue silently slowed her movements, approaching without a sound, then kicked the door open abruptly, and a sudden "Aowoo!" rang out.

Ling Yue lowered her eyes; Jun Jun lay on the ground, the huge tiger's body curled like a small hill, not uttering a sound.

Looking at her bedroom, Ling Yue couldn't help but pinch her forehead—it was an utter mess.

Colorful little dumplings lay sprawled on the bed, snoring loudly.

The blanket had fallen to the floor; the cosmetics on the dressing table, long sealed and dusty, had been disturbed—whether foundation or blush box, both were opened, and up close, lo and behold, an adorable cat paw print was stamped right in the middle of the rouge.

Ling Yue lowered her head, looking at the motionless tiger: "Jun Jun, what have you done leading those little kittens?"

"Why aren't you speaking? Otherwise I'll cut off your fur!"

After a moment, the tiger Jun Jun finally moved a little, a sobbing voice coming from below: "I, I don't know either QAQ"

As it spoke, it raised its paw to cover its face, only a pair of round, darting eyes moving wildly; at the moment their gazes met, the tiger Jun Jun let out a series of "woo woo woo" cries.

Ling Yue eyed her suspiciously: "Why are you blocking your face with your paws? Is there something you don't want seen? Take them down."

The tiger Jun Jun said: "If I take them down, don't laugh at me."

Ling Yue nodded, thinking, "What's there to laugh about——"

But upon catching sight of its "makeup," her inner voice cut off abruptly.

Ling Yue: "Pff hahahaha!"

Ling Yue bent over laughing, tears streaming down, and the tiger Jun Jun accused her: "You went back on your word!"

Ling Yue hastily looked away, only to see two blotches of plateau red appearing abruptly on either side of the tiger's pretty, cute cheeks, big red cheeks like a monkey's butt.

Jun Jun wailed: "I didn't want this either! It's all those little kittens—I played hide-and-seek with them, hid and hid until I fell asleep, and when I woke up I ended up like this!"

"Yue Yue, you gotta stand up for me!"

The kittens, caught off guard, saw her and immediately began meowing.

The fluffy little dumplings on the bed meowed and scattered in all directions, as if realizing something.

"Meow~ It wasn't me!"

"I just woke up, Master, don't look for me~"

"Run, run! Any kitten caught will be swallowed by the tiger!"

Ling Yue's bedroom instantly became their parkour arena, with chaotic darting cat-bugs everywhere, leaping up and down.

Ling Yue was completely numb.

How was she supposed to catch them?

Just then, a sharp cat cry suddenly rang out; Ling Yue tensed, turning her head toward the sound—it came from her wardrobe.

Ling Yue tightened her nerves, cautiously opening the cabinet; the nervous cat-bugs all turned their heads in unison, having been warily facing opposite, but upon seeing her they shot out crying, "Help! Help!"

Ling Yue then glanced opposite, and in an instant her brow jerked violently.

A vivid green little snake, its slender body thinner than a finger, coiled on her clothing; had Ling Yue not had sharp eyes, she might have mistaken it for a green string.

The little snake flicked its tongue, emitting a hiss, its tail trembling involuntarily as if it hadn't yet reacted.

"What smell?"

Ling Yue doubted for a moment, then the next instant she heard it say: "How familiar—I've found it!"

The little snake suddenly lifted its head, its supported body drawn taut; in a flash its vertical pupils locked onto Ling Yue, and before anyone could react, its body sprang outward!

Ling Yue stepped back with a tap-tap sound; though it looked like evasion, she actually had confidence she could subdue the snake and even retreat unharmed—it was just an ordinary snake.

However, the next moment, behind her Jun Jun suddenly let out a low growl; Jun Jun realized something was wrong, it sensed a mixed aura on the little snake: "Yueyue, be careful!"

In the blink of an eye, the little green snake bit down with a crack, sinking its fangs into her wrist; the skin that even a knife could not cut was as fragile as paper before its fangs.

"Hiss—" Ling Yue sucked in a breath of cold air.

As two small dots appeared, threadlike blood was sucked into its belly by the snake's forked tongue.

At the same moment, Ling Yue's body swayed, she forced herself to stumble into Jun Jun's embrace, her wrist feeling icy cold; she lowered her gaze with an unpleasant expression, but the biting little snake did not leave, instead coiling around her wrist in an ouroboros pose.

If not examined closely, one might mistake it for a beautiful jade bangle; its translucent jade-green scales gleamed with a lustrous sheen, even outshining the emerald bangle on her other hand.

Ling Yue pressed her lips together, feeling the changes in her body, she frowned and brought up the little snake's exclusive panel.

【Name: Spirit Snake Gu】

The first item shocked her greatly—it was not a snake but a Gu; Ling Yue quickly realized that even a Gu worm is still an animal.

She continued reading——

【Gender: Male】

【Age: Six months (a cub)】

【Personality: Ferocious, cold-blooded, loyal】

【Skills: Innate Suppression, All Gu Pay Homage, Control】

【Wish: Miao Jiang Baptism】

Perhaps because she had stayed silent too long, the Spirit Snake Gu could no longer hold back, looking at it, it hissed: "Master, what's wrong with you?"

"Oh oh oh, I finally get to see my master, I'm so happy! \(≧▽≦)/"

Ling Yue blinked: "Master?"

"What master," she said, looking at the excited little snake, which wore a look of surprise: "Master, you are my master! Before the old master passed away, he told me that one day I would meet you—you are my master, and I know your scent."

In an instant, Ling Yue seemed to recall something, she sprang to her feet, her dizziness completely gone; she hurried to the wardrobe, where the Miao ethnic garments were neatly arranged, but the box her mother had left on top was already opened, empty inside.

"Did you come from here?"

The little snake nodded: "I was originally asleep, but other animals loudly woke me up; fortunately, I finally found my master."

Ling Yue blinked, a mist forming in her eyes; she did not know her mother's past, only that since she could remember, it had been just her mother and her depending on each other—her mother was the best mother in the world, and also an utterly ordinary person.

But, mother and Gu worms?

This sudden little green snake that sprang out gave her quite a "surprise," shaking Ling Yue's worldview to its core,

Just then, a system tone sounded in her ear, having fulfilled the Spirit Snake Gu's wish, rewarding her with the "Complete Compendium of Miao Jiang Gu Arts".

Accept or refuse?

What else could Ling Yue choose? She immediately nodded, accepting the task, and only then began to study the Spirit Snake Gu closely; the creature simply lay there like a salted fish, letting her poke and investigate.

"Hehehe, master, it's so itchy~"

"Master, your touch feels so good~~ more, more~"

Ling Yue's motion stalled, she couldn't bring herself to do it: "Do you know how easily that phrasing invites misunderstanding?"

The little green snake: "???"

Its round, vertical pupils fixed on her: "Master, touch me more, I'm still a baby."

Having said that, it twisted its tail and wound around her fingers; the sticky motion accompanied a pleasant coiling, its cool scales brushing her skin sent shivers up Ling Yue, and she inexplicably felt that the little green snake was very happy.

She sensed that her rapport with the little green snake, at certain moments, even surpassed that with Dahei.

The little green snake bit its tail and wriggled, saying: "Of course, my purpose in existing is to serve my master."

Ling Yue stared, but thereafter she heard nothing else from its mouth.

Because the little green snake is a six-month-old cub, in the end Ling Yue also failed to uncover the reason; instead she took on a new wish—truly—【allow grief】【allow grief】

Ling Yue had not given up her private search, but for now, aside from her mother's relics, she had nothing else in her hands; the only direction seemed to be—Miao Jiang, her mother's birthplace.

But she could not go there anytime soon, and the investigation reached an impasse.

Two days later.

Ling Yue opened her computer, seeing in the column the ever‑high attention and the nonstop scrolling comment board, she opened the live‑stream room.

In an instant, on the unknown corners of the internet, with Ling Yue's live‑stream as the center, countless streams of traffic surged into the room within its coverage.

At the same time, the notification "【The streamer you follow has gone live】" popped up on the backend pages of countless people.

Inside the pet‑consultation live‑stream room.

【Ahhhh, host good! I finally get to see the host again!】

【Mwah mwah mwah, the host looks great today, I love you, I love you~】

【I'm all ready, please welcome the first consul—(big) inquiry—(grievance) person—(seed)!】

【Hehehe, how can you say that upstairs? We need to be gentler, right, host? Let's get started quickly 【rolling up sleeves】.】

Ling Yue: "……"

She gave a light cough, looking at the endlessly scrolling page: "Well then, I'll start the draw."

Moments later, Ling Yue stared at the drawn list: "The most beautiful flower of the grasslands, may I ask what you'd like to consult?"

Before the live‑video link was even connected, the stream's viewers couldn't help but sing——

【The most beautiful flower of the grassland, the fiery Salang!】

【Upstairs, how dare you send a voice message! 【boom】【boom】】

【Ahem, let me calculate— the consul must be—— a grassland ethnic!】

Ling Yue watched, her brows slightly raised; at that moment, the other party's live‑stream was finally connected.

Vast skies, boundless wilderness, the wind blows the grass low to reveal cattle and sheep.

The grassland is a picture of fine scenery.

"Hello, host! Hello, viewers!" Before seeing the person, the voice came first— a rugged tone, the camera was being controlled to spin, and finally the consul revealed his true face——

A man in a Mongolian robe appeared on the screen, his skin bronze-colored, healthy plateau red on both cheeks, his smile sincere and enthusiastic.

【Wow, he's a friend of the ethnic minority!】，，,