Working in a Zoo with Beast Taming System

It wasn't that he was reluctant to part with the Strengthening Pills or Vitality Nutrient Cream.

It was that the highway was covered in surveillance cameras, and getting filmed would lead to trouble down the line.

The lion cub gradually calmed down. Though it remained curled up in the patch of grass, it no longer let out threatening low growls. It just occasionally raised its big eyes to look at Yang Qi, then at the empty highway, its gaze timid.

About twenty minutes later, the wail of sirens grew louder as they approached from the distance.

A police car with flashing lights and an SUV from the forestry department pulled over onto the emergency shoulder one after the other.

Several police officers and staff from the forestry department hurried over. Upon seeing the little lion trembling in the grass, they all gasped.

"It really is a lion cub!"

"How did a lion get onto the highway?"

"Easy now, take it slow. Be careful not to startle it, or it might attack someone."

"..."

An experienced staffer from the forestry department took out a blowgun with a tranquilizer dart, preparing to approach.

Just then, the lion cub, which had begun to calm down, saw the crowd of strangers approaching and instantly tensed up again. It struggled to retreat, a threatening growl rumbling in its throat once more. But its eyes subconsciously darted in Yang Qi's direction, filled with helplessness.

"Wait a second."

Yang Qi quickly stood up, raising a hand to stop the staffer. "It's terrified right now. Forcing a tranquilizer on it could cause a severe stress reaction. Let me try to communicate with it again."

"I'm Yang Qi, a zookeeper at the Donghua Wildlife Park and also a special consultant for the municipal police department."

As he spoke, Yang Qi took out his identification and handed it to a police officer.

The officer took it instinctively and glanced at it.

Then, he exclaimed in pleasant surprise, "You're Advisor Yang?"

"What? He's the Advisor Yang who can communicate with animals?"

"He's so young."

"..."

After the surprised murmurs, the police officers and forestry staff all recognized Yang Qi.

The star zookeeper of Donghua Zoo, a special consultant for the municipal police.

The public security system and the forestry department were both aware of Yang Qi's existence.

The captain in charge hurried forward to shake Yang Qi's hand.

"Advisor Yang, it's a pleasure. I never expected to run into you here."

Yang Qi smiled in response and took back his ID.

He then gestured toward the lion cub, once again suggesting that he be the one to communicate with it.

The captain readily agreed and had the others fall back.

Yang Qi thanked him.

He then crouched down, looked at the lion cub, and maintained his Spirit Communication Technique, gently conveying, 'Don't be afraid. These people are here to help you. They'll take you to a safe place, treat your wounds, and give you delicious food. They won't hurt you.'

"..."

The lion cub looked at Yang Qi, then at the fully-equipped, solemn-faced Two-legged Beasts. It clearly trusted Yang Qi more.

Whimpering softly, it didn't retreat. Instead, it dragged its injured hind leg and tentatively inched its way toward Yang Qi.

To the astonishment of everyone present, this wild lion cub, which should have been wary of humans, slowly and arduously dragged itself out of the grass. It moved to Yang Qi's feet and gently nuzzled his pant leg with its head.

"Wooo~"

It was a single whimper, full of vulnerability and trust.

Everyone was stunned.

The staffer from the forestry department stood frozen, the blowgun still raised.

The police officers also exchanged bewildered glances.

Yang Qi looked down at the small, fluffy, filthy creature by his feet, a creature that was showing him complete dependence, and his heart softened.

He carefully reached out and gently stroked the lion cub's fluffy head.

"It's okay, don't be scared."

The lion cub didn't flinch. Instead, it nuzzled him even harder, a contented purr rumbling in its throat.

"This..." The staffer from the forestry department looked to the captain.

The captain was also in a bind.

The lion cub had clearly grown dependent on and trusting of Yang Qi. If they took it away by force, it would likely struggle violently, aggravating its injuries and stress reaction.

But having Yang Qi stay here and babysit it wasn't a solution, either.

Deep down, he was incredibly impressed with Yang Qi.

'To think he could run into a random lion and get it to trust him so completely.'

"How about this? I'll follow your cars in my own vehicle."

Seeing their dilemma, Yang Qi took the initiative to speak. "Let the lion cub stay in my car for now, and I'll keep it calm. Once we get to the rescue center or a safe location, we can figure out how to transfer and examine it. Otherwise, the risk of taking it by force in its current state is too great."

The captain conferred with the staffer from the forestry department, and they agreed this was likely the most stable solution for the time being.

Yang Qi was a professional, and he had the cub's trust. With him accompanying them, they could avoid a lot of trouble on the road.

"Then we'll have to trouble you, Advisor Yang," the captain said gratefully.

"Of course."

Yang Qi smiled.

With that settled, Yang Qi carried the lion cub to his car and placed it in the passenger seat.

Although Bai Wan, Leopard, and Hu Zi were curious and wary, they remained quiet under Yang Qi's calming influence, curiously watching the strange-smelling little creature.

Xiaojiu also moved to the back seat, its jade-green cat eyes scrutinizing the little lion, though without any real hostility.

The moment it was in the car, the lion cub huddled close to Yang Qi, clinging tightly to the seat cushion. It only relaxed a little after the car started up again and followed the police and forestry department vehicles off the emergency shoulder. Even so, it kept looking up at Yang Qi from time to time, as if to make sure he was still there.

As he drove, Yang Qi soothed the lion cub, his mind racing with questions.

'This cub is an Asiatic lion.'

'Illegally raised by a private owner?'

'Or did it escape from a poorly managed zoo or circus?'

'The most likely possibility is that it was lost during a smuggling attempt.'

'But smuggling a lion... The people behind that...'

Yang Qi didn't let himself think any further.

'Looks like this trip back home to see Grandma is going to be delayed a little.'