Chapter 528: Chapter 247: Bai Wan Bites People (4)

"Alright." Yang Qi hung up the phone.

With the two most urgent matters taken care of, Yang Qi felt himself relax a little.

He glanced down at the two red pandas beside him. They looked curious but also a little apprehensive about the phone call, so he used the Spirit Communication Technique to soothe them.

"It’s alright. I was just arranging a place for you to stay with lots of good food. We’ll be there soon."

"Thank you, Two-legged Beast," the larger of the two red pandas chirped softly.

"You’re welcome."

Yang Qi smiled and patted its little head. He took a few photos of each of them with his phone, then beckoned for them to keep walking.

After a leisurely walk of about twenty minutes, the neat rows of white buildings that made up the quarantine area came into view.

Luo was already waiting at the door of one of the buildings. His hair was still a bit messy—he had clearly rushed over without any time to comb it—but his eyes had already regained their usual focus and sharpness.

Next to him was a small utility cart laden with prepared apple slices, carrots, a bowl of fresh water, and some basic examination tools.

When Luo saw that Yang Qi was actually being followed by two living, breathing red pandas—emaciated, but the genuine article—his eyes widened in surprise, which was quickly followed by excitement and a professional, observational focus.

Suppressing his excitement, he kept quiet and simply nodded to Yang Qi, gesturing toward the prepared enclosure behind him. Its door was already open.

The enclosure was roughly eighty square meters. Its floor was covered with clean hay and wood shavings. A pile of soft hay in one corner served as a resting area, and several wooden boxes for them to hide in were placed in another.

Luo had also thoughtfully placed a few fresh, leafy bamboo branches in a corner.

Upon seeing the unfamiliar Luo and the strange items beside him, the two red pandas immediately stopped in their tracks. They darted behind Yang Qi, peeking out with only half their heads, their round eyes nervously sizing Luo up.

Luo was once again inwardly amazed at the sight.

’Red pandas are naturally wary and timid. For them to hide this close while facing a stranger, they must really trust Yang Qi.’

’The Director’s communication skills are simply miraculous.’

...

Yang Qi didn’t speak either. He just nodded at Luo, took the prepared food from his hands, and crouched down, gesturing to the two red pandas.

"See? This is your temporary new home, and there’s food to eat. This Two-legged Beast is here to help you. He’s going to give you a check-up to make you healthier. Don’t be afraid."

With that, Yang Qi carried the food and walked into the enclosure first.

For the red pandas, who were starving and cold, the aroma of the food was a powerful lure.

The two red pandas hesitated at the entrance, their gazes flickering between Yang Qi, the food, and Luo, who was trying his best to look friendly and non-threatening.

Ultimately, their hunger won out.

They touched their noses together as if to confer, then cautiously, one after the other, they followed Yang Qi across the enclosure’s threshold.

After they entered, Luo didn’t touch the gate, wanting to avoid making the red pandas feel trapped.

He remained outside, monitoring the situation through an observation window.

Yang Qi placed the food dish on the dry ground in the center of the enclosure.

The two red pandas immediately scurried over. The male glanced up at Yang Qi warily, but when it saw him simply smile and take a couple of steps back, it lowered its head. It sniffed the food first, then grabbed a piece of carrot and began to chew.

The female, meanwhile, went straight for the apple slices and began nibbling at them rapidly.

Seeing them start to eat, Luo, who was still outside, breathed a sigh of relief.

’If they’re eating, that’s half the battle won.’

Yang Qi didn’t disturb them while they ate. After taking a few more pictures, he started to walk slowly around the enclosure, continuing to chat with them in a gentle voice via the Spirit Communication Technique to help the two little guys get used to the new environment.

About twenty minutes later, the red pandas’ tension had eased considerably. They began to explore the enclosure curiously, sniffing the hay and pawing at the wooden boxes.

"They’re ready, Dr. Luo."

Yang Qi signaled to Luo, who was still outside the gate.

Luo took a deep breath and stepped into the enclosure, still leaving the gate open.

He carried only a few essential tools in his hands.

A portable electronic thermometer, a stethoscope, a few sterile blood collection tubes and cotton swabs, and a notebook.

Seeing Luo enter, the two red pandas grew tense again and huddled together.

Yang Qi immediately went to their side and gently stroked their backs, soothing them. "Don’t be afraid. Dr. Luo is just going to check on your health. It’ll be quick, and it won’t hurt."

Whether it was due to Yang Qi’s comforting presence or the sense of security from having a full belly, the two red pandas, while still a bit stiff, didn’t struggle or try to run away.

"Director, let’s start with the basics. Temperature, heart rate, respiration, and an external examination," Luo said in a low voice, doing his best to make his movements and tone seem gentle and harmless.

"Okay."

Yang Qi nodded, working in tandem with Luo.

He was in charge of soothing and holding the red pandas still, while Luo performed the examination with professional speed.

The electronic thermometer showed that both red pandas’ body temperatures were low, a sign of chronic malnutrition and insufficient energy.

Listening to their hearts and lungs, he found their heart rates were a bit fast, but the rhythm was acceptable. Their breathing sounded somewhat coarse, possibly due to a mild respiratory infection or stress.

The results of the external examination, however, were alarming.

Their fur was dry and lusterless, and they had so little subcutaneous fat that their ribs and vertebrae could be clearly felt.

Their bodies were covered in minor scrapes and scabs, and there were clear signs of numerous ticks and fleas.

The male red panda had an issue with its left hind leg. After a gentle palpation, Luo determined it was likely an old sprain that had never fully healed, compounded by muscle atrophy caused by malnutrition.

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