After selecting the entry. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Chen Wen had also finished eating his dumplings.

As he walked out the door, Mr. Li looked like he hadn’t quite woken up.

The two looked at each other and chuckled.

"How is it? These dumplings are your auntie’s specialty."

Mr. Li chuckled, "With pickled cabbage and pork filling, it’s my favorite."

"Delicious."

Chen Wen was generous in his praise, "The filling’s good, the wrapping’s good, and the cooking is even better!"

Auntie laughed out loud with joy at the compliment.

Chen Wen washed the dishes and helped Mr. Li clean the courtyard a bit.

"I’ll go check on the animals and see how the Northeast Tiger is doing."

Chen Wen said.

There weren’t any particular traditions at the zoo, let alone setting off fireworks.

Mr. Li, upon hearing this, said, "Alright, I’ve fed the chickens, I’ll go with you to take a look."

The two got busy once again.

Chen Wen followed the predetermined route and did a round of inspection.

The animals all seemed quite spirited.

His group of animal friends had started their activities early.

They’d now learned to simulate hunting.

It was the bobcats and lynxes teaming up to catch the Golden Eagles and Snowy Owls.

The animals knew how to be gentle, and after watching several times, Chen Wen officially approved this as a recreational activity.

A Eurasian Buzzard perched up high, choosing not to participate.

The Tawny Owl started its weight loss training—chasing a small ball—after Chen Wen tapped the glass.

Everything there was as usual.

Chen Wen thought as he walked over to the Northeast Tiger area.

The Northeast Tiger lay on the ground in its enclosure, keeping a fair distance from last night’s vomit.

Upon seeing Chen Wen approach, the Northeast Tiger immediately lifted its head.

"Human, you’re finally here."

Chen Wen glanced around; there was no one else.

He nodded slightly and said, "I’m here. How are you feeling? Any better now?"

The Northeast Tiger nodded, "Much better, just a bit hungry."

Hungry?

Chen Wen thought for a moment and said, "I’ll get you something to eat, don’t worry."

He said this and went to the food storage, found a piece of beef.

He put the beef into the meat grinder, made it into fairly small pieces, then brought the food back to the tiger enclosure.

Once Chen Wen got closer again,

The Northeast Tiger staggered to its feet and walked over.

It sniffed the scent of beef, its eyes were fixated.

Chen Wen set down the beef, and the Northeast Tiger began eating heartily.

"Take it easy, eat slowly to avoid choking."

Chen Wen reminded it.

The Northeast Tiger nodded vigorously while devouring the meal.

After it finished the entire plate of beef, the Northeast Tiger let out a comfortable groan and lay on its side on the ground.

Looking at the tiger’s demeanor, Chen Wen couldn’t help but ask, "I noticed you didn’t have much of an appetite before. Why did you suddenly get so hungry?"

The Northeast Tiger lifted its head and glanced at Chen Wen, "Oh, that was indeed the case, but after you patted me a little while ago, I suddenly had an appetite, just a few days back in the afternoon."

Chen Wen was momentarily taken aback at these words.

The Northeast Tiger was referring to a time shortly after Chen Wen had started the job, during a feeding session when the tiger looked rather disheveled,

so he casually tossed a blessing from the Animal Doctor.

"I see, so you were sick before."

Chen Wen folded his arms, curiously observing the Northeast Tiger.

This Northeast Tiger’s voice sounded quite old, but its actions were childlike, not as mature as a bobcat’s demeanor.

Could it be due to prolonged captivity?

"Are you still feeling unwell now?"

Chen Wen asked.

"Not anymore, human, want to play together?"

The Northeast Tiger eagerly got up.

Chen Wen glanced at the time and shook his head, "Let’s do that after I finish my work."

...

Half an hour later.

Chen Wen had fed all the animals and tidied up the tiger enclosure.

After finishing his tasks,

Chen Wen spent some time playing with the Northeast Tiger.

But they hadn’t played for long.

Then Chen Wen heard Mr. Li’s voice.

"Mr. Li, over here."

Chen Wen extended his hand, signaling the Northeast Tiger to sit.

He went out of the tiger enclosure and met up with Mr. Li.

"What’s going on?"

Seeing Mr. Li looking anxious, Chen Wen couldn’t help but ask.

Mr. Li took a breath and said, "The director’s back."

The director?

Chen Wen looked at Mr. Li in surprise. After confirming Mr. Li wasn’t joking, he asked, "Where are they?"

"In town, just contacted me and asked if I could pick them up. I thought I’d make a trip, and you could watch over the place."

Mr. Li said.

After thinking for a moment, Chen Wen said directly, "Alright, you take a rest. I’ll drive over. The road’s snowy; it’s not very safe for you to drive."

Mr. Li agreed without hesitation.

He reminded Chen Wen, "Then I’ll leave it to you to pick up the director. I’ll have your auntie prepare some good food, and I’ll go to the nearby village to buy some fresh cabbage. The director prefers lighter food. Drive safely."

Seeing Mr. Li acting as if a child had suddenly returned, Chen Wen couldn’t help but smile and nod.

He drove off in Mr. Li’s little car, heading slowly toward the town.

...

The first day of the New Year.

There weren’t many cars on the road, most were pedestrians.

The town had a joyful look, full of New Year’s cheer.

Following the address Mr. Li gave, Chen Wen found Jiang Xue.

"Mr. Jiang, Happy New Year."

Chen Wen exchanged pleasantries, taking the suitcase from Jiang Xue’s hand.

Jiang Xue looked a bit pale but nodded, "Happy New Year to you too, sorry for the trouble."

"No trouble, no trouble."

Chen Wen said, "Da Ji is doing well now, and it’s eating and drinking just fine."

He understood why Jiang Xue had come in such a hurry.

Upon hearing those words, Jiang Xue finally seemed a bit relieved.

Sitting in the back seat, her eyes showed some guilt.

"It’s all my fault, leaving so much chicken and causing Da Ji to suffer so much, sigh, I thought Da Ji liked chicken, so..."

Chen Wen interrupted, "Director, it’s not anyone’s fault, just a coincidence. Don’t hold on to it."

"Da Ji is in a good state now, you’ll see for yourself soon."

"Alright."

Jiang Xue took a deep breath and glanced at the back of Chen Wen’s head, "Thanks to you, really appreciate it!"

"Just doing my duty, just doing my duty."

Chen Wen waved it off, indicating no further words were necessary.

...

Jiang Xue and Chen Wen were fairly silent on the way back.

Upon returning to the zoo, Jiang Xue hurried over to the tiger enclosure.

Chen Wen shook his head, moved the luggage out.

He placed it at Jiang Xue’s room door.

After finishing the chores, he leisurely made his way to the tiger enclosure.

Upon reaching the tiger enclosure.

Jiang Xue was holding the Northeast Tiger Da Ji, examining it carefully.

Making Da Ji quite uncomfortable.

Hearing Chen Wen approach, Da Ji immediately sought help from him.

Chen Wen coughed, which made Jiang Xue stop her examination.

"How is it? No issues, right?"

Chen Wen asked.

Jiang Xue nodded, "Yes, fully fine now, thanks to you being here..."

Cher Wen cut her off again.

He reminded Jiang Xue, "No need for excessive thanks, just doing what I have to, and I can’t let my friends get into trouble."

With that, Chen Wen looked at the Northeast Tiger Da Ji.

The Northeast Tiger Da Ji also obediently let out a few calls to Chen Wen.

It really did accept this friend from a different species.

Seeing this, a look of surprise flashed across Jiang Xue’s eyes.

She had only seen Da Ji behave this way in its childhood.

And back then, Da Ji aimed this behavior toward its longtime caretaker.

Up until now, besides her and that caretaker,

Jiang Xue never saw Da Ji showing such behavior toward a third person.

"Hmm, it seems Da Ji really acknowledges you."

Jiang Xue nodded lightly, her curiosity about Chen Wen growing.

How did he gain Da Ji’s trust in such a short time?