Chapter 13: Streamer Feng Cheng

In the next second, a large, bright red macaw appeared before her, flapping its wings to squeeze through the gap in the iron gate before diving headfirst into Lin Xiao's embrace.

Subconsciously, Lin Xiao raised her hands and hugged the little fellow.

Sure enough, in less than two seconds, heavy footsteps accompanied by the sound of panting breath drew closer and closer.

A moment later, Wang Xuan rounded the corner and appeared in her line of sight.

Seeing Lin Xiao standing at the entrance, Wang Xuan finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He stood there with his hands on his hips, gasping for air, and it took a while before he could speak.

"Xiao Si, really, really... you can run too well!"

Lin Xiao shook her head with an amused smile. As she lowered her gaze, she happened to meet Xiao Si's bright, bead-like eyes.

The little red head tilted up slightly, looking at the person before him with burning intensity.

"Beauty! Are you going to accept my feather today?"

As he spoke, he lowered his head to search his body for a moment, quickly picking out a bright red feather and biting it into his mouth.

He hopped rhythmically, wanting Lin Xiao to reach out and catch it.

Lin Xiao's lips twitched. She instinctively looked up and, as expected, saw Wang Xuan's indescribable expression.

Just...

This parrot's tastes... seemed a bit unconventional, didn't they?

Wang Xuan shook his head in utter disdain and stepped forward to open the gate.

"The little guy is too naughty." Wang Xuan shook his head. He intended to pull Xiao Si into his arms, but the little fellow ignored him completely.

Helpless, Wang Xuan could only bend down to pick up Lin Xiao's luggage, complaining as he spoke.

"The moment I opened the cage, he struggled and ran out."

"So he was running to find you."

"You lecherous bird!"

"Bad person!"

Xiao Si retorted indignantly.

Wang Xuan was momentarily speechless.

Looking at the words the bird used to mock him, and then looking at Xiao Si's manner—as if he wanted to offer everything to Lin Xiao with both hands—his heart felt increasingly bitter.

Was he, as the keeper for these past few months, really not worth even a single glance from Lin Xiao yesterday?

"Are you... Lin Xiao?"

A sudden female voice instantly drew the attention of both of them.

Holding the parrot in her arms, Lin Xiao instinctively tucked it further under her arm.

Her eyes were filled with confusion.

"Do I know you?"

The girl held up her phone and gave a very shy smile.

"No, no, no. It's just that I think I saw news about you online a while ago, and I thought you looked a bit familiar just now."

"But you're so beautiful! Much prettier than the photos that were leaked online before!"

In fact, the moment Lin Xiao appeared on camera, she had noticed her.

It was only when the fans in the livestream room reminded her that she might have encountered a celebrity that she realized.

Lin Xiao hadn't expected to be recognized.

Those news reports from a few days ago...

Needless to say, they were definitely the smear campaigns orchestrated by Xu Chengfei.

Lin Xiao gave a polite smile but said nothing more. She simply turned and followed behind Wang Xuan, preparing to enter.

"Hey, Sister Xiao, wait a moment."

Feng Cheng seized the opportunity to ask.

"Sister Xiao, can I go in to film a few things?"

Seeing the two of them look toward her phone, she explained quite candidly.

"I'm Chengzi, a travel streamer from the Doule platform. I happened to discover the Xihai Zoo today, but when I walked up here, I found the gates locked and couldn't get in at all."

"So... could you let me in to film some footage?"

Seeing that neither of them spoke, Feng Cheng grew more anxious and spoke up again.

"Just for a little while, I won't stay long."

Since Lin Xiao had just arrived and knew nothing about the zoo's situation, she didn't say much.

Wang Xuan remained silent for a few seconds before nodding quickly.

"Alright, you can come in."

After letting her in, Wang Xuan closed the zoo gates, picked up Lin Xiao's luggage, and walked toward the office area.

Feng Cheng followed behind, filming the scenery of the zoo with an expectant look, appearing very satisfied.

Lin Xiao was somewhat puzzled.

"Brother Wang, our zoo is actually very well laid out. Why isn't it open to the public?"

Most importantly, if the zoo were open to the public, it could provide an additional source of income.

To improve everyone's benefits.

Wang Xuan let out a helpless sigh.

"In the beginning, this zoo was open to the public."

"But because the animals in the park are all injured wildlife that only stay here temporarily before leaving, the number of animals cannot be guaranteed."

"Later, the number of tourists dwindled, the park couldn't cover its costs, and we were forced to close."

Wang Xuan couldn't help but let out a long sigh as he placed her luggage at the entrance of the office area.

"Go find the director first to handle your onboarding. I'll put this little guy back first."

As he spoke, he reached out to take Xiao Si away.

However, before Wang Xuan could even touch Xiao Si's feathers, the little fellow immediately flapped its wings, dodging his movement.

"Bad person! Bad person!"

In an instant, feathers, dust, and squawking flew toward them.

Lin Xiao managed to protect the little fellow in her arms, looking utterly helpless.

"Why don't you leave him to me? I'll take Xiao Si back in a moment."

Wang Xuan sighed and nodded in agreement.

"That works too. After all, from now on, they will be your responsibility."

"Wait, what? What do you mean 'my responsibility'?"

Lin Xiao turned back, dumbfounded, looking in shock at the smiling Wang Xuan.

"You're not doing it anymore?"

Wang Xuan brushed his hands clean and nodded with a smile.

"I feel like my knowledge is a bit shallow lately. I want to go to school to further my studies for a while."

Lin Xiao:???

Wait, say that again?

After putting her things in the dormitory, Lin Xiao's mind continued to echo with Wang Xuan's words as she walked toward the birdhouse.

For some reason... why did she feel like this was a pit dug for her by Old Chu?

Just as she reached the entrance of the birdhouse, Lin Xiao happened to run into Feng Cheng, who was wandering around the park.

The moment Feng Cheng saw Lin Xiao, her expression brightened instantly, and she approached with a beaming smile.

After all... who could turn a cold face toward a beauty?

"Sister Xiao, are you here to film a program?"

As she spoke, she looked around but didn't see any filming equipment.

Lin Xiao lifted her arm, revealing the little parrot in her arms, and chuckled.

"Not filming a program. I'm working here now."

Feng Cheng froze, completely caught off guard.

Everyone knew that the entertainment industry was famous and wealthy.

How could someone... abandon that world of fame and fortune to do this? To be an obscure zookeeper?

Lin Xiao did not know the doubts in Feng Cheng's heart.

With a tranquil smile, she looked down at the macaw in her arms and took her leave.

"You go ahead and enjoy yourself. I need to take this little guy back to the birdhouse."

It was only then that Feng Cheng saw the red and blue macaw Lin Xiao was holding.

Lin Xiao stroked its head and explained with a smile.

"The little guy is too naughty; he ran out this morning."

Her tone was both kind and helpless.

As if she were dealing with her own disobedient cub.

Feng Cheng stared blankly at Lin Xiao's expression, suddenly feeling... that she had been far too narrow-minded just now.

Lin Xiao... truly loved animals.

Watching Lin Xiao leave, Feng Cheng snapped back to reality.

She saw that a massive wave of toxic, foul-mouthed comments had appeared in her livestream at some unknown point.

As Feng Cheng scrolled up through the screen, her expression instantly turned grim.

(End of Chapter)