Zhuangzhuang wasn’t thinking of a companion or a mate.
What it longed for was its former keeper!
It’s not uncommon for keepers and animals to develop a deep bond, especially with animals raised from a young age.
But for a creature like Zhuangzhuang to become so depressed from missing its former keeper that it lost its appetite and refused to socialize...
It just goes to show that chimpanzees are highly intelligent and emotionally rich.
And Zhuangzhuang was clearly an especially affectionate and sensitive one among them.
Yang Qi sighed to himself. Looking up at the dejected Zhuangzhuang, he said comfortingly, "I understand. You miss that Two-legged Beast friend who used to take care of you, right?"
Zhuangzhuang nodded vigorously, its eyes filled with anticipation.
’Can you bring him back?’
Yang Qi pondered for a moment, not making any immediate promises.
He didn’t know the situation with the former keeper.
Had he resigned? Been transferred? Or had he fallen ill and passed away?
"Alright, I’ll ask around for you."
Yang Qi replied cautiously, "I’ll go ask my Two-legged Beast friends outside and see if the one who took care of you is still around. If it’s possible, I’ll do my best to have him come back and see you."
Even though it was a promise with some wiggle room, Zhuangzhuang’s eyes lit up the moment it heard it!
"HOO! HOO! OOH! AHH!"
’Really? Really?’
It excitedly stood up on the platform, beat its chest with both hands, and let out a joyous cry, all its previous gloom vanishing in an instant.
’Thank you.’
’Nice-smelling Two-legged Beast.’
"You’re welcome."
Yang Qi smiled and waved at it. "You wait here for a bit. I’ll go ask right now."
Zhuangzhuang nodded repeatedly and obediently sat back down on the platform, watching Yang Qi with wide, expectant eyes, like a child waiting for a grown-up to bring back a gift.
Yang Qi turned and, under Zhuangzhuang’s expectant gaze, walked out of the habitat and back to the observation area beyond the glass wall.
"How did it go, Advisor Yang?"
Minister Wang immediately came forward and asked eagerly, "What’s the situation with Zhuangzhuang? Is it physically unwell?"
The young keeper beside them also perked up his ears nervously.
"It’s nothing serious."
Yang Qi shook his head with a smile and looked at Minister Wang. "Zhuangzhuang is just missing an ’old friend’."
"Old friend?"
Minister Wang was taken aback. "What old friend? There aren’t any chimps in the troupe named ’Old’..."
"Not a chimpanzee friend."
Yang Qi turned to the young keeper and asked, "You just started taking care of Zhuangzhuang recently, right? The one Zhuangzhuang wants to see is the keeper who looked after it for a long time before you."
"Because that keeper hasn’t been back in a long time, Zhuangzhuang misses him and has gotten depressed. That’s why it’s been inactive and isn’t eating properly."
Hearing this, the young keeper’s eyes widened. "Zhuangzhuang misses the Master?"
"Old Yu?" Minister Wang blurted out, a look of realization dawning on his face.
"So Master Yu was the one taking care of the chimpanzee before?" Yang Qi asked casually.
"That’s right."
The young keeper nodded repeatedly and explained to Yang Qi, "The Master raised Zhuangzhuang by hand ever since it was little. Their bond is especially deep. He retired at the end of last year and made a point to come see Zhuangzhuang several times before he left. I can’t believe Zhuangzhuang is still so attached."
Yang Qi understood now. He followed up, "Master Yu just retired? Is his health okay? Is he in Binjiang right now?"
"His health is fine, he’s just getting on in years. Has some old problems with his back and legs."
Minister Wang took over, sighing. "After Old Yu retired, he went to his daughter’s place in Nanling to help look after his grandson. He was really reluctant to leave Zhuangzhuang when he left, but his daughter needed him. There was no other choice."
’Nanling...’
’That wasn’t close to Binjiang at all.’
Yang Qi thought for a moment, then said, "Minister Wang, since Master Yu’s health is fine and he’s doing well, can we find a way to set up a video call between him and Zhuangzhuang?"
"Communication is so convenient these days. We can make a video call, let Zhuangzhuang see Master Yu and hear his voice. Maybe that will ease its longing."
"That’s a great idea!" Minister Wang’s eyes lit up.
The young keeper was also delighted. "I’ll video call the Master right now! He should be free around this time."
As he spoke, he quickly pulled out his phone, found "Master Yu" in his contacts, and initiated a video call.
The line rang for a moment, and then the screen lit up, revealing the kind face of an old man.
"Xiaoliu, what made you decide to call me? How are things at the park?"
Master Yu’s voice came from the phone’s speaker, gentle and raspy in a way unique to the elderly.
"Master, everything’s fine at the park."
The young keeper exchanged a few pleasantries, then shifted his position to get Yang Qi and Minister Wang in the frame.
"Minister Wang is here too, along with a very impressive Animal Expert, Advisor Yang."
"Master Yu, long time no see," Minister Wang said, leaning closer to the camera to greet him.
"Oh, Minister Wang! For you to be looking for me personally, is something wrong at the park?" Master Yu asked, sounding surprised.
Minister Wang didn’t beat around the bush. He concisely explained Zhuangzhuang’s recent abnormal behavior and the truth Yang Qi had uncovered through his communication with the chimp.
"Advisor Yang says Zhuangzhuang is depressed because it misses you, and that’s why it hasn’t been eating, drinking, or playing."
On the other end of the call, Master Yu’s eyes gradually grew moist as he listened.
He was silent for several seconds before his voice trembled. "Zhuangzhuang, that kid... is such a good kid... It was worth all the love I gave it."
"Master Yu, are you free right now?"
Yang Qi took over the conversation and asked politely, "If it’s a good time, could you video chat with Zhuangzhuang for a few minutes? Let it see you and hear your voice. For it, that might be the best ’medicine’ there is."