Chapter 2601: Magical Creatures in the Garden 08

Hu Cai Cai had long since retreated to her own nest, busily grooming herself; obviously she didn't want to provoke that little troublemaker for the time being.

But Hu Gu was still a bit reluctant; where would the tiger king's face go?

A bit of spiritual power overflowed from Xiao Bai Lion's paw, and he patted the tiger's head.

Hu Gu: "!"

He couldn't help letting out a satisfied purr, shaking his fur.

Xiao Bai Lion seized the moment: "Roar~ howl!"

"Acknowledge me as boss."

Hu Gu felt a bit embarrassed: "How humiliating… I'm the tiger king, after all!"

Xiao Bai Lion's golden beast eyes rolled, his paw tapped the tiger's ear, mysteriously saying, "Acknowledge me as boss, and I'll teach you how to catch that fox!"

If we could change the protagonist (uke)'s mindset in advance, letting him stop targeting Bo Ren Dong, sparing him wouldn't be impossible.

Jin Chen thought so.

Upon hearing this, Hu Gu, his two-meter-long massive body trembled with excitement, letting out an "ao wu" sound, and agreed enthusiastically.

"Great! Boss!"

Jin Chen: "……"

The golden parrot Dao Ge, who had been watching the whole scene from the branch, burst into laughter, his "ge ge ge" sounding especially loud.

"Love‑brain tiger! No ambition!"

Xiao Bai Lion was drawn by the sound and reached out a paw toward the branch.

Dao Ge was startled, flapped his wings and flew off, shouting as he went.

"White fur! Dao Ge's scared! Flying away!"

Amu saw the little lion preferring to perch on the mighty tiger's head rather than let him, the keeper, give him a hug, feeling hurt and bewildered.

"Just what am I lacking compared to the zoo director!"

But though he was sad, his duties couldn't be forgotten; he still had to stick close to these two precious troublemakers, fearing any accident.

Perched on the tiger's head, the view was exceptionally wide.

Jin Chen directed Hu Gu to leave the Fox Garden; originally intending to go straight ahead, Hu Gu suddenly turned and arrived at a new zone.

Bear Garden.

Currently, two members reside in the Bear Garden.

One is a grey bear named Dun Dun, whose fluffy hind half is exposed as he lies motionless, fast asleep.

The other, in the adjacent area separated by just a wall, resembles a small hill—a brown bear named Pi Pi, sitting glumly on the grass.

Hu Gu pleaded with Xiao Bai Lion above him: "Boss, that very comfortable ability of yours… could you also give some to Pi Pi?"

"He's been feeling awful lately."

Xiao Bai Lion peered over toward the brown bear Pi Pi.

Somehow, he sensed that this sturdy brown bear's condition was off—some internal discomfort.

But most of his monster power was sealed, so he couldn't examine it clearly.

Just then Amu came up, saying, "Tiger King, Pi Pi's mood has been especially poor lately, his appetite is off—why not go next door to play with Grey Bear Dun Dun? Let him rest quietly."

Hu Gu impatiently shook his head, let out a low growl, clearly unwilling.

Inside the enclosure, the brown bear Pi Pi heard the movement, shifted slightly, but still lacked energy, too lazy even to glance at the enrichment toys beside him.

Xiao Bai Lion pried at the gap in the wooden door, tilted his head in puzzlement, and called out.

"Howl?"

Then Xiao Bai Lion turned to Amu and tapped the door with his paw.

"Human, hurry up and open the door."

Amu couldn't resist the little lion's soft, coquettish attack; his soft‑hearted side won: "Okay, okay… maybe a new friend will come see him, and Pi Pi might cheer up a bit."

He took out his walkie‑talkie and called the dedicated keeper for the brown bear Pi Pi.

Soon, Su Ning, the keeper who had just been busy in the Lion Garden preparing a new home for Xiao Bai Lion, rushed over.

Su Ning has been responsible for Pi Pi's care since the bear arrived at the zoo, and he is deeply concerned about his condition.

"Pi Pi hasn't touched his food these past two days, but Sister Su has checked him over and over, and all his vital signs are fine—maybe he's just feeling down,"

Su Ning looked at the listless big guy, furrowed his brow, and said, "I don't know what to do either."

Jin Chen listened to their conversation, and as soon as the door opened, he eagerly slipped inside.

Hu Gu also shook his ears and followed him in.

The Bear Garden is spacious; Pi Pi used to be lively and playful, the reserved open area is ample, more than enough to accommodate Hu Gu's visit.

Xiao Bai Lion circled the lethargic Pi Pi, then jumped onto his broad back and pressed down with his tiny paws, trying to sense more closely, yet still couldn't pinpoint any specific ailment.

Ling Gun Gun popped up: 【Host, actively completing side quests can earn rich rewards—maybe the rewards will include something useful for the animals!】

Xiao Bai Lion lifted his paw to scratch his ear, then straightened his small frame and announced to Pi Pi and Hu Gu:

"Acknowledge me as boss! As boss, I have a way to help Pi Pi get better!"

Pi Pi and Hu Gu: "……"

Pi Pi slowly lifted his eyelids: "Hu Zi, where did you find that little lion? Is he not too bright?"

He lightly tapped his own head with his paw.

Xiao Bai Lion gave him a sharp paw smack without hesitation: "Watch this!"

With his back to the two keepers watching anxiously at the doorway, he tapped Pi Pi's bear paw—which bore only a faint wound—and barely mustered his spiritual power to effect a repair.

Just that little effort nearly knocked Jin Chen flat.

This short‑armed, short‑legged tiny body simply can't contain his immense primordial power; using even a bit places a huge strain on it.

Must restore Monster Power as soon as possible.

But the effect was immediate—those wounds on Pi Pi's claws healed at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Honest Pi Pi and Hu Gu had never seen such a miraculous ability; they were stunned!

Hu Gu shook his big head, letting out an excited hum from his throat: "Awesome! Boss! Boss! I called you! Quickly check on Pi Pi! It says its belly is always bloated, uncomfortable!"

Pi Pi also quickly nodded, clumsily sitting on the grass, lifting its bear paw to pat its round, bloated belly, ears drooping, whimpering resentfully.

"Hmm…… Aunt Su checked me many times, said I'm fine…… but I just feel awful."

The little white lion twitched its ears, and just then heard the system's notification prompt.

【Side Quest 1: Tame the existing animals in the zoo to become lackeys (2/?)】

【Rewards Obtained: Healing Monster Power (Initial), Human Communication (Initial), Zoo Operation Funds 1,000,000 (entered legally into the director's account)】

Jin Chen: "!"

Can also help wife earn money!

The little white lion immediately raised its head proudly.

He jumped onto Pi Pi's outstretched bear paw again, using his tiny paws to gently pat its bloated belly, activating the newly acquired Initial Healing Monster Power to carefully sense it.