Hu Zi, on the other hand, was much calmer.
It first sniffed Yang Qi carefully, confirming its master was okay, before following closely at his heels as he walked into the house.
Suddenly, Hu Zi stopped in its tracks. It raised its head alertly, nose twitching vigorously, and let out a low growl toward Yang Qi’s left shoulder.
’Master, there’s something here!’
On Yang Qi’s shoulder, at a wrinkle in his shirt that seemed to be empty, the color rippled faintly.
"It’s okay, Hu Zi."
Yang Qi reached out and patted Hu Zi’s broad back, while simultaneously tapping his own shoulder with a fingertip.
"Liu Fu, come out and meet your new friend. Don’t be scared, we’re all family here."
As he spoke, the color on the wrinkled shirt rippled like water. The pattern rapidly reformed, revealing a chameleon about twenty centimeters long.
Its triangular head turned slightly, and its pale yellow eyes calmly looked down at the wary dog below. A soft HISS escaped its throat.
Hu Zi froze.
Its eyes, which had undergone professional training, were now wide with shock. It was clearly the first time it had seen such a magical animal that could appear out of thin air.
After staring blankly for several seconds, Hu Zi finally reacted with a single "WOOF."
’H-Hello...’
Liu Fu responded with a gentle hiss of its own.
’Hello.’
Hu Zi stared at Liu Fu for a few more moments, then trotted over to Bai Wan, who was sitting quietly nearby. It lowered its voice and began to whimper and mutter.
Yang Qi paid no mind to their "private conversation" and walked into the house with his luggage.
He took the fresh clothes out of his bag, tossed the dirty ones into the washing machine, and set it to auto-clean.
He then took out the dog food, cat food, and their bowls, putting each in its proper place.
"Liu Fu, this is your home now. Feel free to move around and get familiar with the place."
Yang Qi said softly to the chameleon on his shoulder, "Xiaojiu, show Liu Fu around. Tell it where it can rest and where to find water. And be careful not to scare it."
"Meow~"
’Okay.’
Xiaojiu padded gracefully to Yang Qi’s feet, looked up at Liu Fu, and meowed.
’Get your butt down here, meow.’
"..."
Liu Fu wasn’t afraid of Hu Zi, Leopard, or Bai Wan, but it was completely powerless against Xiaojiu.
There was no other reason; it had learned to fear the cat after being taught a lesson.
It immediately climbed obediently down from Yang Qi’s shoulder, landed on the floor, and began exploring its new environment with Xiaojiu.
After settling things at home, Yang Qi glanced at the time. It was just past six o’clock.
So he went out, heading first to the Leopard Hall.
The pregnant Big Flower was dozing on her perch. Hearing footsteps, her ears twitched. She opened her eyes, saw it was Yang Qi, and immediately stood up. She walked to the edge of the enclosure, letting out an affectionate purr.
"How have you been these past two days?"
Yang Qi reached through the bars and stroked Big Flower’s head as she pressed it against them.
"She’s doing great."
The keeper, Old Li, walked over with a cheerful smile. "It’s just that with you gone, Advisor Yang, Big Flower has been looking toward the entrance several times a day."
Yang Qi smiled too, gently stroking Big Flower’s increasingly round belly.
"In another month, once you’ve given birth to your seven little ones, I bet you won’t have time for me anymore."
Big Flower seemed to understand. She nuzzled Yang Qi’s palm with her head, a contented purr rumbling in her throat.
Old Li burst out laughing beside them.
After leaving the Leopard Hall, Yang Qi went to the Giant Panda Hall.
Tuantuan was happily munching on a bamboo shoot. The moment it saw Yang Qi, it dropped the shoot and waddled over, its black-and-white face clearly etched with an expression that said, "You’re finally here!"
Yang Qi greeted Hu Jing, then led Tuantuan out of the enclosure and onto the tourist path, which was now deserted in the evening.
The man and the bear took a slow, leisurely stroll.
Tuantuan would occasionally stop to sniff the flowers and grass by the path or look up at the sunset glowing on the horizon.
Finally, as was his custom, Yang Qi gave it two "specially prepared" apples.
Tuantuan took the apples and, with a CRUNCH, CRUNCH, ate them with exceptional relish.
After finishing, it patted its belly in satisfaction and waddled back to its enclosure, looking for all the world like an old man heading home after a post-dinner walk.
Having taken care of the two animals that needed extra attention, Yang Qi returned to his mountainside villa.
The sky was growing dark.
Yang Qi took out some Low-Grade Spirit Rice, placed it in the rice cooker, and started a pot of Spirit Rice Porridge.
As the fragrance of the porridge began to fill the air, the sky turned completely black.
Yang Qi went to the backyard and set up the Demon Extermination Array.
He flipped on the power, and a faint CRACKLE began to sound intermittently in the night breeze.
Nodding in satisfaction, Yang Qi returned to the house.
The Spirit Rice Porridge was ready, its fresh aroma wafting through the air.
He ladled out several bowls, let them cool until they were warm, and then gave one to Xiaojiu, Bai Wan, Hu Zi, Leopard, and the new member, Liu Fu.
Porridge made from Spirit Rice held a natural attraction for all living creatures.
Xiaojiu and Leopard, the two Guardian Beasts who had already begun practicing the Ten Thousand Beasts Devouring Moon Technique, were the most delighted. They quickly finished their portions and returned to their respective beds. There, they closed their eyes and focused, digesting and absorbing the Spiritual Qi from the porridge to aid their cultivation.
Bai Wan and Hu Zi also ate with great gusto.
Although Liu Fu’s daily diet consisted mainly of insects, faced with this bowl of enticingly fragrant Spirit Rice Porridge, it tentatively extended its long tongue and began to lap it up.
Its pale yellow eyes revealed clear delight.
Watching his Guardian Beasts eat quietly, Yang Qi ladled out a bowl for himself and quickly finished it.
After dinner, he sent a message to Jiang Kai, letting him know he was back at the zoo and would be at work as usual tomorrow.
After washing up, Yang Qi sat down on the living room sofa and started the lottery.
With the 785 new points he had just obtained, plus his previous remainder, he could draw eight times.
[Congratulations, Host! You have drawn: Low-Grade Spirit Rice (5 kg)]