[Mr. Chen, are you available now?]

It was sent by Jiang Xue, the director of the private zoo.

Chen Wen immediately replied: [Yes, what's up?]

[It's like this, our zoo was closed yesterday, but it seems your bobcat is having some issues. Since this afternoon, I've noticed it stopped eating, its temperature has been rising, and it's also experiencing diarrhea]

There were also pictures below.

The bobcat in the pictures seemed to be in poor condition, looking lethargic and listless.

Completely different from how it was a few days ago when it was with Chen Wen.

Chen Wen was stunned for a moment and quickly asked: [Are you sure what kind of illness it is?]

After a brief pause, the other side replied: [The vet is on vacation, so I can't confirm the cause for now, but based on experience, it should be feline distemper]

Feline distemper?

Chen Wen's head buzzed.

Any illness associated with the word "distemper" gives a very serious feeling.

Before Chen Wen could inquire further, the other side continued: [Feline distemper is generally common in younger cats, adult cats usually don't get this illness. But since the vet is away, I can't confirm it. For now, we'll have to isolate it separately from the Canadian Lynx and observe]

Chen Wen immediately responded: [What should we do now?]

After a moment of silence, the other side said: [We're short-staffed at the zoo right now. If you have time, I hope you can come over before the end of the year and preferably take the Canadian Lynx with you]

[Feline distemper is a highly contagious acute infectious disease. The virus can survive in the air for quite a long time. If it's really diagnosed as feline distemper, the Canadian Lynx won't be safe staying with us]

[In addition, we also need to disinfect the zoo and treat the bobcat to prevent feline distemper from affecting the feline and mustelid animals that will enter the zoo later. The zoo is located in the northeast and often receives mustelids. If we don't manage to disinfect properly, I'm worried it will affect the subsequent animals]

When Jiang Xue sent the first message, Chen Wen started looking for flights.

Fortunately, Hua Country's infrastructure is much better now, and he quickly booked the earliest flight.

Once the ticket was booked, Chen Wen immediately replied: [I should be there by noon tomorrow]

The other side paused for a moment when they saw Chen Wen's message.

Jiang Xue didn't expect Chen Wen to be so quick to act: [No need to rush, although the vet isn't here, our zoo has ample experience dealing with such situations. The bobcat is older, so it shouldn't be difficult to treat]

[It's okay, I happen to have time right now]

After replying, Chen Wen checked the food delivery time.

"I still have time for a meal, then I'll take a cab to the airport. The timing is just right."

Chen Wen muttered.

...

After a bumpy journey.

On the afternoon of the 24th of the twelfth lunar month, Chen Wen shared a ride back to the zoo.

The zoo was as quiet as usual, and with the staff leaving, it seemed even more desolate.

Chen Wen stood at the entrance, taking a quick glance, he saw only the gatekeeper and the cook.

There was hardly anyone else.

"Grandpa, open the door."

Chen Wen shook the lock on the iron gate and shouted.

The gatekeeper saw Chen Wen and walked over quickly: "Oh, it's you, why are you back?"

He opened the gate, a bit puzzled.

Chen Wen took off his gloves and offered a cigarette to the gatekeeper: "The cat seems to have some issues, so I came back to check."

The gatekeeper chuckled as he accepted the cigarette: "That's good, I'll take you over. Hey, watch the gate."

The cook acknowledged.

After entering the zoo, Chen Wen asked: "Grandpa, are the two of you staying here during the New Year?"

"Ah, pretty much."

The gatekeeper placed the cigarette behind his ear and said: "The director will be on duty until the afternoon of New Year's Eve. But she's a young lady, so she still has to have a reunion dinner that night. It'll be just the two of us on New Year's Eve, but there are usually more people."

As they chatted, Chen Wen followed the gatekeeper to the glass house.

The glass house wasn't as lively as usual; the animals seemed to have been transferred elsewhere.

Looking through the glass, Chen Wen saw that Director Jiang was half-kneeling, seemingly giving medication to the bobcat.

"Don't go in yet; the director is giving medicine. Wait until she's done."

The gatekeeper advised Chen Wen, standing by to wait.

Though anxious, Chen Wen could only wait with the gatekeeper.

After a short while, it seemed the medication had been administered.

Jiang Xue gently stroked the bobcat, letting it lie comfortably in its nest.

Once done, she stood up, supporting herself with her hands with some difficulty.

Turning around, she seemed surprised to see Chen Wen.

She pointed to a small door on the other side, and the gatekeeper led a somewhat confused Chen Wen in another direction.

A few moments later.

Chen Wen saw Jiang Xue coming out in a different outfit.

"Hello, I'm sorry, Mr. Chen, it seems you came all this way for nothing."

Jiang Xue appeared a bit embarrassed seeing Chen Wen.

She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and explained: "It's not feline distemper. This morning, I invited the town's vet over. After checking the bobcat, it turns out it just has gastroenteritis, a slight fever, and some acclimatization issues."

Chen Wen was surprised: "It's not feline distemper? Acclimatization issues? Do animals have those kinds of problems?"

Jiang Xue nodded patiently and said: "Animals are like humans. They live in a fixed area and environment for a long time, and if they travel long distances in a short period, they can also experience acclimatization issues."

"But it was quite a coincidence. The acclimatization issue, combined with gastroenteritis and a fever, made me think it was the highly contagious feline distemper. I apologize for the misjudgment and for making you come for nothing."

Chen Wen quickly responded: "No, it's no trouble at all. If anything, it must have been a hassle for you."

Neither of them were the type to hold a grudge.

Jiang Xue glanced at the resting bobcat and said: "The situation has stabilized now, and we've given medication. It should recover within a couple of days."

Upon hearing this, Chen Wen finally relaxed: "It's fine as long as it's okay."

After that, there seemed to be no topic to discuss.

In the ensuing awkward silence.

Jiang Xue suddenly remembered: "Oh, your other animals are housed in the adjoining glass house, you can take a look. Also, if you want to take them with you for the New Year, you're welcome to."

Chen Wen replied: "Alright, I'll go check. But I currently don't have anywhere to take them, so I'd rather let them stay here."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xue nodded.

She gestured for Chen Wen to go inside and check on the bobcat.

Chen Wen hurriedly went into the glass house to see how the bobcat was doing.

Once Chen Wen left, Jiang Xue returned to her wheelchair.

The gatekeeper quickly pushed the wheelchair, asking: "Director, where else do you need to go?"

"To check on the big orange one, it's not in good shape, sorry for the trouble, Mr. Li."

The gatekeeper laughed heartily: "What's the trouble? I'm idle anyway."

With that, he pushed Jiang Xue towards the depths of the zoo.

Chen Wen turned his head, watching the two leave.

Big orange?

What on earth is that?

Is it a ginger cat?

However, Chen Wen was not the type to insist on getting to the bottom of things.

He walked over to the bobcat, gently stroking it, seeing its condition wasn't great.

The bobcat lifted its head and weakly said: "Human, why are you here?"

"Came to check on you, how are you doing?"

Chen Wen casually gave an "Animal Doctor" blessing.

The bobcat shook its head: "I'm fine, just an upset stomach."

"As long as you're okay, I'll go check on the others."

Saying this, Chen Wen didn't disturb the bobcat further.

He entered the adjacent glass house.

The animals here were lively, especially the Canadian Lynx, which was extremely spirited.

Seeing Chen Wen, they were all quite excited.

Chen Wen gleefully applied the "Animal Doctor" buff on them and played around for a while.

As he played, Chen Wen suddenly felt a sense of being at home.

Looking at this group of animals with some realization, he finally laughed.

Perhaps the dandelion had found its best place to settle.

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