Chapter 2595: Magical Creatures in the Zoo 02

At the gate of Zhenyang Zoo.

The macaw was darting back and forth on the perch, incessantly shouting at every passerby.

"Come back! Come back! Eat! Eat!"

Even though it's still early for mealtime.

It jerked its head, and its tiny, pea‑sized eyes sharply caught sight of the familiar little truck.

And the golden beast eyes peering curiously out from the gaps in the truck's railings.

The parrot's wings fluttered up, "White fur! White fur! New! New!"

At the same time, Jin Chen heard the system notification.

【Congratulations, Host, you have triggered a side quest: There's a tiger in the zoo, and you must also become the king.】

【Side Quest 1: Tame the existing animals in the zoo to become your lackeys. Note: They must be willing. Progress (0/?)】

【Side Quest 2: Please help Zoo Director Bai Rendong take in more small animals into the zoo. Progress (0/?)】

Jin Chen extended his slightly plump forepaws, placed them on the cold truck railing, and faced the noisy macaw.

Looking fierce but actually full of childishness: "Roar!!"

Macaw: "..."

It jumped back, hid behind the thickest branch of the perch, only half its head peeking out, and shrieked: "... Scary! Tao Ge is scared! White fur is scary! Tao Ge is scared!"

So noisy.

Jin Chen decisively gave up, retracted his paws, and, annoyed, covered his fluffy ears with both forepaws, buried his body in the soft cushion, leaving only his rear facing outward.

"Director!"

Xiao Li got out of the vehicle and saw Bai Rendong approaching with a list, about to tally this purchase's supplies, and hurriedly reported, "On our way back we picked up a little lion that was trying to scam for free food! It's white, with golden eyes! It's especially beautiful, we brought it back!"

【Host, he says you're trying to scam for free food.】 Ling Gun Gun immediately tattled in his mind, 【Obviously it's his own car that he stopped!】

【Exactly.】 Jin Chen wholeheartedly agreed.

Jin Chen, annoyed by the parrot's noise, upon hearing that lowered his ear‑covering paws, stepped on the small mat, scrambled to the railing, and poked his head down to look.

【Detected the world's plot villain, triggering Blackening Value; current Blackening Value: 55!】

【Quest requirement: Clear the Blackening Value to zero, change the villain's tragic ending!】

Bai Rendong wore a white knit sweater, over which he had a zoo work vest; his figure was slim, his demeanor clean and gentle, full of warmth and approachability.

He was lowering his head to look at the list when he heard Xiao Li's words, doubtfully lifted his face, and happened to lock eyes with those beast eyes gazing down from the truck's railings.

Bai Rendong blinked slightly, "What breed is this?"

He couldn't tell at once; its appearance resembled a white lion cub, yet with some subtle differences.

"Roar~"

"Wife!"

The little white lion's tail tip gave a gentle sway behind it.

Bai Rendong felt a bit surprised, "How adorable."

He reached out his hand, wanting to hug the little guy.

The keeper Amu who had followed quickly warned, "Director, be careful—after all it's a lion, no matter how small it's still a beast."

He also thought the little lion was astonishingly beautiful, but the necessary caution must not be lacking.

Yet the little white lion actively placed its two forepaws on Bai Rendong's outstretched arm, leveraged the push, and lightly jumped, landing steadily in his embrace, rubbing against his chin.

Its fur was soft and warm from sunlight, feeling unbelievably good to the touch.

The hidden plush‑lover Bai Rendong felt his heart skip a beat, and couldn't help but steady it with his arm, stroking its smooth back fur.

"What a pretty little lion," he said, lowering his head to gently press his cheek against the fluffy little head, his voice softening.

"Would you like to live in our zoo?"

"Roar." Jin Chen let out a satisfied purr from his throat, his tail skillfully coiled around Wife's slender wrist, tucked into the embrace, and tapped his little head.

"Goodness, he's so smart!" Amu watched from the side, eyes burning, and couldn't help but rub his hands together.

This little lion is excessively handsome, its whole body pure snow‑white without flaw, its pupil color a rare brilliant gold; even as a cub, one can see its future extraordinary magnificence.

Such a specimen might not even be bred in those top‑tier large zoos.

"Director, can I give it a hug?" Amu really couldn't resist the urge.

The little white lion immediately turned its head, burying its whole face in Bai Rendong's neck crook, both forepaws tightly encircling his neck, and let out a resistant hum.

Bai Rendong: "!!"

He was pleased by the little fellow's reliance, the corners of his mouth involuntarily lifting as he gently patted the lion's back to soothe it, "I won't let anyone else hold it—only I will."

Amu: "?"

No, this little lion has two faces.

Just now it was rubbing and jumping into the director's embrace for a hug, yet toward him it acts so disdainful.

Really heartbreaking.

The parrot watching the fun on the branch squawked twice, mocking.

Amu turned his head gloomily, narrowed his eyes, "Tao Ge, you don't want your nut snack tonight, do you? Even the melon seeds are gone."

"Ga..."

The parrot fell silent, shrank its neck, tucked its head under its wings, and pretended it didn't exist.

Bai Rendong was amused, shook his head, and arranged the matter: "Amu, you and Su Ning go prepare a more spacious dwelling for it."

"It needs good sun exposure and ventilation, and also prepare some milk powder and supplementary food needed by a young lion."

"All right." Amu reluctantly glanced a few more times at the snowy white bundle in the director's arms before turning away, looking back every few steps, to get to work.

Bai Rendong estimated the little lion's age and size, planning to first feed it some warm goat's milk.

"Hungry?" He gently stroked its little belly, feeling soft and squishy.

Jin Chen sensed it, perked up his ears, nodded definitely, and nudged again toward the warm spot in his embrace.

"Roar." Hungry.

"How about drinking some goat milk first?"

Bai Rongdong held it, his steps light as he walked toward the staff dormitories under the trees.

His office and dormitory are on the second floor, the environment tidy, with a few potted plants on the windowsill.

As they passed the Snake Hall, a golden python, its body entirely gold-yellow, its scales gleaming in the sunlight, lay lazily coiled on the artificial mountain rocks, basking in the sun.

Sensing a strange presence, it slowly raised its upper body, its cold snake eyes turning toward Bai Rongdong, then toward the white lump in his arms, its forked tongue flicking slightly as it emitted a faint hiss.

"Hiss~"

Such a tiny lion, not even enough to fill a tooth gap.

"Hiss!"

It smells quite fragrant; the Snake Great King would find one just right as a snack.

Jin Chen, enjoying his wife's warm embrace: "?"

He poked his head out from Bai Rongdong's shoulders, his brilliant golden beast eyes fixed on the golden python.

"Roar!"

Nice dream! Keep fantasizing and I'll pull out your teeth!

"Hiss!"

I'll eat you!

The golden python, provoked by this provocation, leaned slightly forward, its vertical pupils constricting.

"Roar!"

Stupid snake!

Jin Chen showed no weakness, the aura of an ancient Yao King faintly emanating.

One lion and one snake, thus began arguing across the glass and railing.

Bai Rongdong: "..."

He stopped walking, amusedly lifted the restless little lion from his arms to eye level, and gently tapped its moist pink nose with his fingertip.

"Can you two communicate smoothly despite being different species?"

Jin Chen hummed a few times, not wanting to quarrel with the dim-witted snake, so he shook his head.

Bai Rongdong raised his brows, increasingly feeling that this little creature was astonishingly spirited; he gently and affectionately rubbed the top of the white lion's head, where a tuft of fur was especially soft.

"What a clever little treasure."

Flattered into a daze, Jin Chen scrambled back into his wife's embrace, his head resting on her shoulder, the tip of his tail lightly hooking Bai Rongdong's arm back and forth.

Bai Rongdong held the newly acquired treasure, his mood pleasant as he continued toward the dormitory.

He had already begun thinking about what kind of lion enclosure to prepare for this little guy, and which vaccinations to give.

Anyway, first we keep it alive, then we'll talk.