Chapter 16: She Must Make the Most of This Wave of Traffic

Lin Xiao froze for a moment, an irrepressible look of surprise in her eyes.

"Why did you run out?"

The little snow leopard seemed not to hear her, merely burying its head into her embrace.

Its neat, smooth fur was compressed and deformed against her chest.

Lin Xiao helplessly rubbed its fluffy head.

One person and one cat, eyes meeting, an exceptionally harmonious sight.

【Yo! Acting for us again?】

【What? Is a life of loving animals not enough for you? Do you need to perform the "animal magnet" persona now?】

【Where did you train this kitten? Recommend a trainer, it's so obedient.】

One comment after another, in short, not a single kind word was said.

Because of this, no one noticed a single, ordinary message being instantly swallowed by the torrent of bullet comments.

【This animal looks so familiar. Isn't it a protected species?】

Feng Cheng lightened her footsteps and slowly walked to Lin Xiao's side. With a curious gaze, she tilted her head to look into her arms.

Obscured by Lin Xiao's arm, only a small portion of the black-and-white interlaced fur was faintly visible.

Feng Cheng chuckled softly, "Sister Xiao, is this a kitten from the zoo?"

As she spoke, she naturally reached out to rub the little fellow's head.

Sensing someone touching it, the little snow leopard suddenly perked up its small head and turned around.

Caught off guard, Feng Cheng met a pair of sapphire-like eyes, and her expression froze instantly.

The next second, upon closer inspection, the smile on her face stiffened abruptly.

Holy crap, this... this is... a snow leopard, right?

Her right hand, which she hadn't had time to withdraw, hung suspended above the little snow leopard's body, not daring to move an inch.

She was terrified that a single slip-up might disturb the well-behaved little baby in her arms.

Her neck turned mechanically and slowly as Feng Cheng looked to Lin Xiao for help.

Help!

This is a Class II National Protected Animal.

One wrong move and she'd be going to jail!

Lin Xiao's lips twitched dryly as she used her palm to press the little snow leopard's head back down.

"Stop it! Look, you've scared her."

The little snow leopard let out a whimper, its tone sounding extremely aggrieved.

"I didn't even scare her?!"

Yet, it still obediently lay back down in Lin Xiao's arms.

Lin Xiao smiled sheepishly, "I'm so sorry, she's just too naughty."

Feng Cheng waved her hands hurriedly, "I was just making a fuss!"

Even after walking to the side, Feng Cheng remained in a daze, still feeling the sensation of having touched the snow leopard.

The smooth, soft fur, carrying a hint of warmth, had brushed against her fingertips...

Tsk, she had actually touched a snow leopard!

Feng Cheng's smile was so shameless that her fans looked at her with utter disdain.

【Look at Chengzi's priceless smile. She's clearly been bewitched by the little snow leopard.】

【No, seriously, that's a snow leopard! If I could pet a snow leopard with my own hands, I'd be even more excited than Chengzi.】

【I declare that Chengzi doesn't need to wash her hands ever again.】

Watching the netizens' teasing in the live stream, Feng Cheng's mouth twitched.

However, she still thoughtfully clenched her palm, wanting to linger on that sensation for just a moment longer.

Lin Xiao, already holding the little fellow, walked up to the person in charge of this transport.

As luck would have it, the person who had come along this time was none other than He Xiaolin, whom they had met before.

"Sister Xiao!" He Xiaolin scratched the back of his head sheepishly, wearing a simple, honest smile. "Long time no see."

"Not bad!"

Lin Xiao greatly appreciated this sincere, straightforward person; even her own expression became a bit more genuine.

The conversation here was peaceful and pleasant, but for some reason, it suddenly provoked the haters in the live stream.

Previously, because the little snow leopard had been forced to go silent, the haters who saw how familiar Lin Xiao was with the people in the truck felt they had found the most critical point and immediately jumped out to argue.

【Seeing how well those two know each other, they must have coordinated this long ago.】

【Exactly... what "protection center"? I think they should just call it an animal training center! To actually train an animal to be this obedient... I'll send my cat over to you too then.】

【Exactly! As a national institution, they're actually helping a celebrity hype up their persona. Don't they know what their responsibilities are?】

Seeing them talking nonsense and hurling accusations, someone in the live stream couldn't stand it and couldn't help but retort.

【Can you guys please wake up? What "animal training"? What "collusion"? First, figure out what the words "animal rescue" actually mean, okay?】

Others patiently explained below.

【The snow leopard being transported today should be a wild snow leopard encountered by the staff. After it is treated, it will be released back into the wild.】

【Do I need you to explain "animal rescue" to me? What I'm talking about is an official institution getting involved to support a celebrity's persona hype. What does that have to do with animal rescue?】

【Exactly! With things being handled like this, how can you expect us to believe you?】

Unfortunately, the haters were stubborn and determined to oppose everyone, and soon the rational comments in the live stream were suppressed.

Feng Cheng... Feng Cheng had completely given up on struggling, only occasionally glancing at her own fans' comments.

As for the insults from the haters, she ignored them entirely.

Lin Xiao was even less concerned.

After arranging the accommodations for "Snowball," she and the others emerged from the carnivore exhibit. When they gathered around the screen to take a look, her eyes crinkled with laughter.

Good, good, good. Keep chasing me and cursing me like that.

That's the only way you can fulfill your value!

She spoke with a beaming smile, "It seems everyone is very curious about my work and very fond of me personally. Well then, see you all tomorrow at eight o'clock!"

With that, Lin Xiao's smile was radiant as she waved at the screen, then promptly shut off the live stream.

After exiting the live stream, Lin Xiao unhesitatingly handed the phone back to Feng Cheng.

"Thank you for bringing so much hype to our zoo today."

Seeing Lin Xiao's gratitude, Feng Cheng felt inexplicably guilty.

Hype... they had indeed brought some.

But whether it was "infamous hype" or "explosive popularity," it was hard to say.

Feng Cheng sheepishly called out to Lin Xiao, "Sister Xiao, I'm really sorry. If it weren't for me, they wouldn't have discovered you working here."

"But, let's add each other as friends. If there's anything you need help with in the future, I will definitely do my best."

Seeing Feng Cheng's sincere heartache, Lin Xiao gave a light click of her tongue and readily took out her phone to hand it over.

Still, this girl was quite nice; she couldn't bear to scam... ahem, cooperate with her.

Meanwhile, on the internet, the haters who had been forced into the "dislike" category felt a lump of frustration in their chests, feeling even angrier.

In the now-blacked-out live stream, the bullet comments scrolled by like an explosion.

【Fond of you? I feel nauseous just seeing you, how could I possibly like someone like you?】

【Stop making me sick!】

They weren't even satisfied after spamming the live stream and went to Weibo to do it all over again.

In a short while, three consecutive trending topics immediately appeared on the front page of the hot search list.

#Lin Xiao Snow Leopard #Lin Xiao Xihai Zoo #Lin Xiao Animal Group Pet Persona

And at this moment, sitting in her office, Lin Xiao looked at the top three trending topics on her screen, her smile exceptionally bright.

No, she had to make sure to seize this wave of traffic.

(End of Chapter)