Chapter 445 - 229: Matchmaking for the Leopard! Yang ’Matchmaker’ Qi
Chapter 445: Chapter 229: Matchmaking for the Leopard! Yang ’Matchmaker’ Qi
[’I don’t have a mate.’]
[’Why?’]
"So, do you want to find a mate?"
Yang Qi pressed, not waiting for the leopard to get any more confused. He added with a tempting tone, "I know a female leopard. She’s gorgeous, with sleek fur and a graceful figure."
"She’s always wanted to find a strong, powerful male leopard like you—one with a kingly bearing—to have some cubs with."
The leopard instinctively puffed out its still-sore chest and lifted its large head, which was still a bit dizzy from being slapped by Xiaojiu. A hint of well-deserved pride flickered in its amber eyes.
[’Of course. I *am* strong and powerful.’]
The leopard responded with a low growl, its voice filled with undisguised confidence.
But then, he cautiously glanced at Xiaojiu, who was still perched on the low wall, seemingly resting with its eyes closed. His voice unconsciously lowered, and his tone was tinged with a lack of confidence.
[’Except... except for this little cat.’]
[’Before this, I’d never lost to any beast!’]
Yang Qi laughed to himself.
’That’s because you’ve never met the true king of the mountains—a Wild South China Tiger. Now *that’s* what you call truly ferocious.’
However, South China Tigers were incredibly rare. Yang Qi had only ever seen the one deep in Cangshan.
Aloud, however, he went along with the leopard’s words, continuing to flatter him. "Xiaojiu is different. It’s not an ordinary cat. Losing to it is no disgrace for a leopard."
The leopard seemed to have found an out and quickly growled in agreement.
[’I see.’]
[’I knew it was different. Unbelievably fast, and freakishly strong.’]
Xiaojiu’s eyes remained closed, but the very tip of its tail gave an almost imperceptible flick, as if acknowledging the compliment.
Yang Qi held back a smile and struck while the iron was hot. "So? What do you think? Find a mate, have some strong, healthy cubs, and pass on your superior bloodline."
"It won’t take up too much of your time—only about a month. During this period, Two-legged Beasts will prepare the most delicious and nourishing food for you."
"All you have to do is accomplish the grand task of procreation with that beautiful female leopard."
"Once the female is confirmed pregnant, or after a month passes—successful or not—I’ll let you return to the mountains. How does that sound?"
This idea was indeed something Yang Qi had just come up with on the spur of the moment.
Persuading a wild beast to go on a "blind date"?
It sounded fantastical, but considering the current situation and the underlying need, it seemed... feasible?
Leopards struggled to reproduce, especially in the wild. A suitable mate, a safe den, an abundance of food—none of these could be missing.
Meanwhile, for leopards in captivity, despite their comfortable living conditions, the breeding success rate was also low, often due to a narrow gene pool and a lack of suitable partners they found attractive.
Arranging a "marriage" between a prime wild male leopard and an exceptional captive female would enrich the genetic diversity of the captive population, satisfy the animals’ natural instincts, and solve the immediate problem of this "lazy leopard" coming down the mountain to bother residents. It was a case of killing multiple birds with one stone.
Most importantly, Yang Qi had indeed made a promise to a "client."
The female leopard, Hua Hua, at the Provincial Capital Red Star Zoo.
The only thing was, Hua Hua wanted a "tall, powerful, handsome, and wildly charismatic" male leopard for a mate.
The other male leopards at the Red Star Zoo didn’t even register in her eyes.
While this "lazy leopard’s" motive for coming down to steal sheep was rather pathetic, objectively speaking, he was the perfect example of a "tall, rich, and handsome" catch.
He had a sturdy, well-proportioned frame. His sleek, vibrant coat signified a healthy constitution and excellent survival skills.
A majestic face, a sharp gaze—he was brimming with the unique charisma of a wild predator.
He was the perfect specimen for Hua Hua’s dream leopard!
The leopard was clearly hesitant after hearing Yang Qi’s conditions.
It tilted its head, seemingly weighing the pros and cons of "freedom" versus "a month of good food and drink, plus potentially getting a beautiful wife out of it."
’Leaving his familiar territory for a month, going to a completely strange place, and having to get along with another female leopard who might be bad-tempered...’
’The risk was considerable.’
Seeing this, Yang Qi stopped wasting words and played his trump card.
With a flick of his hand, he pulled half a block of Vitality Nutrient Cream from his Hundred Pouches Belt. This time, instead of holding it, he tossed it directly toward the leopard.
The leopard’s eyes lit up. It leaped with instinctual agility, snatched the enticingly fragrant Vitality Nutrient Cream out of the air, and swallowed it with a GULP.
In the next second, a warm and vibrant current instantly spread from its stomach, surging through its limbs and bones.
The sensation was a hundred times more blissful than the richest lamb or the freshest organs it had ever eaten.
It was as if all its fatigue, along with the slight discomfort from being "schooled" by Xiaojiu, was rapidly fading away, its spirits instantly revitalized.
[’Delicious!’]
The leopard’s eyes instantly shone like lightbulbs. It licked its chops, still wanting more, and looked at Yang Qi with desperate longing.
[’What was that? So delicious! Is there more?’]
Yang Qi watched him with a smile. "If you’re willing to come with me to meet that female leopard and give it a try, there’s more of this delicious stuff for you. And other, even tastier things."
This time, the leopard barely hesitated.
’Freedom is precious, but delicious food is more precious still. As for getting a wife out of it...’
’That might be worth considering, too?’
It let out a low growl in response, filled with a sense of heroic, all-or-nothing resolve.
[’Fine, I’ll do it.’]
[’I’ll go with you to meet that female leopard.’]
[’But we have a deal. One month. Successful or not, I’m leaving.’]
[’And... I’m not raising any cubs.’]
Yang Qi: "..."
’Good grief. He’s a deadbeat leopard.’