Chapter 468: Chapter 235: I Want a Tiger! Not a Pet Cat

"A place as big as Tiger Mountain can’t just stay empty forever, can it?"

On the other end of the screen, Yang Qi’s expression didn’t waver in the slightest.

"Then let it stay empty."

Yang Qi responded calmly, "I want to bring in tigers. The King of Beasts. Predators at the top of the food chain."

"Not some pets that have been so domesticated they only know to wait for food at a fixed time and place, their most basic hunting instincts all but gone!"

He looked at Director Liu and Chief Wang on the screen. His tone was polite, but the meaning behind his words was unyielding.

"Director Liu, Chief Wang, I’m very grateful that your facility holds us in such high regard."

"Xianlai built Tiger Mountain with a single goal: to provide a home for South China Tigers that is as close to the wild as possible. A home that stimulates their natural behaviors, promotes their physical and mental well-being, and preserves their wild instincts."

"We have our own philosophy on animal husbandry and management, as well as a plan for building a professional team."

"If your facility is willing to provide us with tigers on a foundation of equality, respect, and cooperation—and grant us the trust and autonomy to implement our philosophy—then we would welcome the opportunity. We would do everything in our power to care for every single tiger."

"However, if the precondition is that we must surrender our autonomy and operate entirely according to the existing model, then I’m afraid Xianlai cannot accept."

"We are not trying to build another ’tiger prison’ or a satellite exhibit for someone else."

"We are creating a truly different kind of Zoo."

"..."

The expressions on Director Liu and Chief Wang flickered. They clearly hadn’t expected Yang Qi to be so resolute, nor his words to be so blunt.

The atmosphere in the conference room grew heavy.

Caught in the middle, Pang Yunrui felt a headache coming on.

He understood Yang Qi’s principles, but he also knew this was a rare opportunity.

Yang Qi didn’t press the issue. He softened his tone and said to Pang Yunrui, "President Pang, please thank Director Liu and Chief Wang for their kind offer. Let’s put the South China Tiger matter aside for now. If Tiger Mountain has to stay empty, so be it. We’re not in a rush."

"Please also reassure Director Liu and Chief Wang that Xianlai’s doors will always be open to truly like-minded partners."

"If, in the future, your facility has any tigers that are injured, elderly, or otherwise in need of a zoo placement but would benefit from a larger, more natural environment, Xianlai would welcome them anytime. We promise to provide the best possible conditions and care."

His words both stated his position and left room for negotiation, giving the other party a graceful way to back down.

Director Liu’s expression softened. He mulled it over for a moment, then nodded. "Director Yang, we’ve heard your philosophy. We’ll need to report back to our leadership on this matter. Let’s end our discussion here for today."

"Regardless, I hope Xianlai continues to thrive and contributes to the cause of wildlife conservation."

"Thank you, Director Liu."

The video conference ended on a somewhat delicate note.

After ending the call, Yang Qi sat at his desk, lost in thought.

The setback in acquiring South China Tigers was something he had anticipated.

His philosophy was too forward-thinking, too unconventional. It challenged the comfort zone of many existing captive-breeding models.

But Yang Qi had no regrets.

’If I can’t even maintain autonomy over acquiring animals, how can Xianlai ever hope to develop independently?’

’How could I ever put my Beast Taming Sect philosophy into practice?’

’If Tiger Mountain has to stay empty, so be it.’

He wanted a true king of the mountains, not a domesticated house cat.

As for where to find a tiger that met his requirements, that would certainly be difficult.

But it wasn’t entirely hopeless.

Occasionally, injured wild tigers were rescued within the country. Some couldn’t be released back into the wild after recovery and needed a zoo to take them in.

There were also some with purer bloodlines that had been imported years ago, their wild instincts relatively intact, who might be facing facility or management issues at other zoos...

’Looks like I’ll have to ask Pang Yunrui and An Yumin to keep an eye out for any leads.’

’Wait!’

Suddenly, Yang Qi thought of the mother tiger in Cangshan.

’How could I have forgotten about her?’

Yang Qi’s eyes lit up.

’The mother tiger is a true Wild South China Tiger. She must know other tigers.’

’For starters, the male who fathered her cubs can’t be far.’

Life in the wild is hard for every creature, young or old.

’When South China Tigers grow old in the wild, hunting becomes difficult. They get injured, starve, and waste away to skin and bones.’

’Finding an elderly Wild South China Tiger to ’retire’ at the Zoo would be the perfect solution for everyone, wouldn’t it?’

...

「The next morning」

At the crack of dawn, Yang Qi finished his routine feeding duties at the wolf enclosure and the Raccoon Hall.

He quickly checked in with Jiang Kai, telling him he was taking the dogs to the back mountain to let off some steam and might be back late. Jiang Kai said it was no problem, just to be safe.

Yang Qi thanked him, then drove out of the Zoo and headed for the back mountain with Xiaojiu, Bai Wan, Hu Zi, and Leopard.

On the cusp of winter, most of the vegetation on the back mountain had withered away, opening up the view considerably. The air was crisp and cold.

His feet made a rustling sound as he stepped on the thick layer of fallen leaves.

After heading some distance into the woods, Yang Qi gave an order to the three dogs.

"Bai Wan, Hu Zi, Leopard, you’re free to roam this part of the woods. Be careful, and don’t go too far. Let me know immediately if anything happens."

"Yes, Master."

With a low rumble of response, the three dogs immediately scattered, excitedly patrolling and sniffing around their familiar territory, enjoying the rare freedom to run.

Yang Qi then bent down and cradled Xiaojiu in his arms.

The little creature shifted lightly in the crook of his arm, finding a comfortable position, its emerald eyes scanning the surroundings with vigilance.

"Let’s go, Xiaojiu. We’re headed to Ancient Goose Forest."

Yang Qi took a deep breath, and his Spirit Crane Body Technique flared to life.

SWOOSH!

In an instant, his figure moved like a bolt of lightning. With a light tap of his toes on exposed rocks, fallen logs, and even low-lying shrubs, he launched himself forward, as nimble and graceful as a celestial crane taking flight.

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