Chapter 2628: Magical Creatures in the Garden 35

Generation View Zoo.

Unlike the natural style of Yang Town Zoo, the facilities here are more modern, but due to poor management and lack of maintenance, many facilities show signs of decay, giving a desolate feel.

This animal transfer and shelter activity is overseen by the local Forestry Bureau, conducted in a format that is half auction, half negotiation.

The goal is to quickly find suitable new homes for these animals that have lost their reliance, to prevent them from becoming displaced or suffering a worse fate.

Bai Rendong arrived early with Jin Chen.

He intended this trip to introduce new members to Yang Town Zoo, enriching the park's species diversity; moreover, with Jin Chen's cheat-like ability, he is not worried about future feeding and operational funding issues.

But despite that, various uncertain factors will still arise in practice.

Just after entering the zoo's Main Gate not far, they saw several zoo directors gathered outside the fence of an artificial grove mimicking a wild wetland; among them was Director Wei, who had previously come to Yang Town Zoo with Forestry Bureau Director Jiang and held some subtle opinions of Bai Rendong.

They were pointing and discussing quietly in front of the enclosure, the atmosphere somewhat heated.

Inside the enclosure, there was a pair of crested ibises with long, sharp beaks, extremely precious.

Several directors were clearly interested in this precious pair of crested ibises, probing each other with offers.

In Yang Town Zoo, many birds had voluntarily come down from the mountains, with rich variety; Bai Rendong hadn't originally planned to join the commotion, but while passing by he unconsciously glanced twice.

Upon seeing them, he slightly frowned; the condition of the two crested ibises seemed off, listless like sickness.

Jin Chen, walking beside him, also noticed, pausing a few seconds on the pair of crested ibises, then tilted his head and asked Bai Rendong, 'Do you want them?'

Bai Rendong replied softly, 'They look… not very comfortable?'

Jin Chen observed them more carefully for a moment, then shook his head slightly, 'They're not as smart as the animals on our mountain; I can't communicate directly, I need to get closer.'

'Let's go take a look.' Bai Rendong didn't hesitate much.

For some reason, he had a vague premonition that if left unattended, this pair of poorly conditioned crested ibises, no matter which zoo bought them, would likely not have a promising future.

Whether out of responsibility from his past as an animal researcher or his current role as zoo director, he could not turn a blind eye.

Who would have thought that upon approaching the crowd, he would run into an old acquaintance.

Director Wei glanced up and saw Bai Rendong, his face showing surprise, then he put on a polite smile: 'Oh, Director Bai, long time no see—I didn't expect you to be interested in this pair of crested ibises too.'

Bai Rendong didn't want to exchange pleasantries, politely nodded as a greeting, then turned his gaze back to the crested ibises in the enclosure.

Jin Chen walked straight to the edge of the enclosure, squatted down so his eyes were level with the two crested ibises, and actually spoke directly to them in a clear voice: 'Hello.'

The surrounding directors: '???'

Who is this person!

The two listless crested ibises also started, looking doubtfully at Jin Chen; the male crested ibis cooed twice.

They were unbelievable.

They could actually understand everything this human was saying!

Jin Chen ignored the directors' looks as if he were a fool, and continued asking, 'Why are you uncomfortable? I can help.'

The directors stared at each other, their expressions varied—some found it funny, others found it inexplicable.

The staff member in charge of looking after the crested ibises could hardly hold back, stepping forward quickly: 'Sir, they might just be about to change environments, a bit stressed, feeling unwell, nothing serious.'

Jin Chen lifted his gaze to the staff member: 'You also called the crested ibis?'

Staff member: '…Of course not.'

Jin Chen: 'Then I'll ask the crested ibis—what would you answer?'

Staff member: '…'

This person must be here to cause trouble!

He was furious, his tone harsh: 'Do you really expect them to answer you? They're just birds!'

Hearing that, Bai Rendong's face first turned cold.

He stepped forward to block Jin Chen, saying, 'Is this how your zoo treats buyers?'

'As a professional keeper, can't you see that the spirit and condition of these two crested ibises are off?'

Being questioned by Bai Rendong, the staff member opened his mouth but said nothing.

Director Wei couldn't help but sneer lightly, interjecting: 'I say, Director Bai, your Yang Town Zoo's online marketing gimmicks claiming animals are smart and can understand humans—playing around is fine, but why bring this act to such a formal occasion? Could it be that your staff member actually understands and can communicate with animals…'

'Shut up first.' Jin Chen glanced at him impatiently, 'You're disturbing me.'

It's already hard enough with ordinary animals, and then you have to guess and comprehend.

Director Wei: '…'

He almost couldn't catch his breath, his face looking terrible.

Jin Chen ignored him, turning his attention back to the crested ibises: 'Don't you want to say?'

The male crested ibis sensed the strange animal aura on Jin Chen, which was even stronger than theirs, tilted its head to look at him again, cooed a few times more urgently, and touched the female crested ibis with its long beak.

Immediately, both crested ibises turned toward Jin Chen, taking turns cooing and actively stepping two steps closer to him.

Jin Chen listened carefully for a moment, then walked to Bai Rendong's side: 'They dislike the poor water quality here; the female has some infection, feels uncomfortable, so they lack energy.'

'Impossible!' The staff member immediately objected.

Even the deputy director of Generation View Zoo, who was accompanying several directors on the tour, couldn't help but defend: 'This young man, you can't just spout nonsense.'

'Although our zoo is currently in trouble and about to close, we absolutely take meticulous care of the animals inside; how could the water quality have a problem?'

If this got out, it would be adding insult to injury!

Director Wei also chimed in with a sarcastic tone: 'Young people, wanting to show off, saying such attention‑grabbing remarks is understandable.'

Jin Chen looked at the two crested ibises: 'If you dislike the water here, lift your left foot; if not, lift your right foot.'

Crested ibises: '…'

This person is really weird!

But they dare not not listen.

Under the stunned gaze of everyone present, the two extremely precious, usually elegant national first‑class protected crested ibises simultaneously lifted their left feet.

Everyone present: "!!!"

This face‑slap came too fast and too direct, simply unthinkable.

Bai Rendong walked to the edge of the artificial pond nearby, squatted down, dipped a finger in the water, and brought it up to sniff carefully.

The water had no strange odor, but at the edge of the pond near the shady side of the artificial hill, the water was turbid and had accumulated a fair amount of scale.

Bai Rendong pushed aside the overly abundant aquatic plants and looked toward the inlet at the pond bottom.

"Deputy Director," Bai Rendong stood up, "could it be that the filtration system or circulation pump malfunctioned, and due to lack of cleaning and maintenance over a long time, the water deteriorated?"

"You've been busy with the zoo's closing lately—have you really been doing daily checks?"

The deputy director stared for a moment, then realized, "This..."

"That's indeed the case—lately there's been too much going on, and the filtration system seems… it hasn't been maintained for a while."

Jin Chen flicked the fingertip, sending two strands of healing Monster Power to the wronged crested ibis.

The crested ibises' discomfort was greatly reduced, their whole bodies feeling much more at ease!

They suddenly lifted their heads to look at Jin Chen, trotting over with pat‑pat steps, affectionately rubbing their heads and necks against Jin Chen's pant legs—there was no trace of the dignity and aloofness expected of a national‑treasure bird.

All the directors watched, eyes red and hearts hot, filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred!

But they lacked this miraculous ability to communicate with animals.

But some directors, their minds already stirring, were itching to poach, the thought of digging corners practically written on their faces, and they even wanted to step forward to hand over business cards.

Bai Rendong took in the probing looks, brow furrowing.

Bai Rendong stepped forward before anyone could act, saying to the deputy director, "Our Zhenyang Zoo has decided to bid on this pair of crested ibises; later I will submit the shelter report to your zoo and the Forestry Bureau, following the proper procedure."

What could the deputy director say? The facts were plain, they were in the wrong, and the other side acted so determined—"All right, all right, Director Bai."