"Good morning, everyone, I'm the zoo director!"
Fang Ye couldn't help but yawn.
"Good morning, Director!"
"Why do you have dark circles, Director, and why are you still yawning?"
"I have a bold guess..."
"No need to guess, the director definitely went for some group exercise last night."
"All I can say is, take care of your health!"
"Ah, what are you talking about, why can't I understand?"
Fang Ye had several black lines coming out of his head: "It's not what you guys are thinking!"
Then, he deliberately spoke in a mysterious tone, "Last night, our zoo welcomed a new member. The reason I didn't sleep well was to take care of it. Hint: this animal is very rare!"
A new member? Very rare?
Netizens started to guess.
Elephants, giraffes, snow leopards, crested ibises, and even guesses for dolphins emerged.
Fang Ye shook his head: "No one has guessed it yet, but some are already quite close to the correct answer!"
Cat-Snatching Specialist: "Could it be a White Tiger?"
Fang Ye snapped his fingers, a smile curling up at the corner of his mouth, "Bingo! It is a White Tiger."
The netizens were shocked!
"Holy shit, am I hearing things? Did the director just say it was a three-syllable White Tiger, not a white fox?"
"It's actually a White Tiger? That's so cool!"
"Director, you're not kidding us, are you?"
"Isn't a White Tiger just a tiger with albinism? Albinism isn't uncommon in nature, what's there to get excited about?"
Cat-Snatching Specialist: "To correct the friend above, a White Tiger is not a tiger with albinism, but one with a genetic mutation. There are only a little more than a hundred in the whole world. How's that for rarity?"
"Hahaha, keyboard warrior just got owned!"
Fang Ye spoke eloquently: "In fact, there are many historical records related to White Tigers. For instance, 'Chronicles of Huayang - Records of Ba' mentions: 'During the time of King Zhao of Qin, the White Tiger was a scourge, coming from the regions of Qian and Shu...
the White Tiger often accompanied a group of tigers.' 'Book of Han - Treatise on Sacrifices' records: 'At that time, a White Tiger was captured in Nan Commandery, its skin, teeth, and claws were presented, and a temple was established.' 'Tiger Collection' also has this passage: 'Between the western regions and Fangling, there was a deity in the form of a White Tiger that thirsted for human blood, and its people would kill to worship it.'
The authenticity of these records about White Tigers and what's legendary can no longer be verified.
It wasn't until the last century in India, a landowner discovered and captured a wild white Bengal tiger, naming it 'Mohan'. Only then did people realize that White Tigers were not mythical but indeed real. All the existing White Tigers in the world are its offspring.
The White Tiger is the result of a genetic mutation, not albinism. Because their fur is too conspicuous, lacking protective camouflage, they can't get close enough to catch their prey and might very likely starve to death in the wild. Therefore, they can only be seen in zoos now."
Just now, he had been citing classics and educating in detail, receiving plenty of praise, but the rewards were few and far between.
How come the little white tiger just showed a sleepy face, and the netizens became so excited they kept sending rewards?
Ah, despair, I'm in despair over this superficial world!
"The little white tiger doesn't have a name yet! Does anyone have any good ideas? As for visiting, you'll need to wait at least two more months, until it gets a bit bigger! But don't worry, everyone, I'll be live streaming often, so you won't miss out on seeing the little white tiger!"
"You'd better keep to that promise; I won't watch without the little white tiger!"
"What's a good name to choose?"
"War God! Invincible! White Demon!"
"You've been reading too many fantasy novels! Name it Reed, it's beautiful!"
"Er, this is a male tiger! Did you see its balls?"
"In my opinion, we might as well call it Big White, simple and clear!"
Seeing everyone's enthusiasm for the little white tiger, Fang Ye couldn't help feeling a bit envious.
He stretched out his hand, gently picked up the little white tiger, scratched its neck, then kissed its cheek!
In his heart, he sneered: Hmph, I can touch the little white tiger whenever I want, kiss it whenever I want, but you all can only watch!
The little white tiger stirred, closed its eyes, and whimpered.
"Ah, so cute, so cute!"
"I want to give it a kiss too! Boo hoo hoo."
"For those of you who want to pet the little white tiger, let me tell you, if you have a cat you can substitute with a cat, if you don't have a cat you can use a dog!"
"What if you have neither?"
"Then wrap a towel around your thigh!"
The little white tiger, as if sensing something, slowly opened its eyes.
"Eh, why do the little white tiger's eyes look a bit blurry? Is it sick?"
"The little white tiger is less than ten days old and has just opened its eyes; this is normal. Right now, its vision isn't developed yet and it might take about twenty days before its eyes start to look clear!"
Fang Ye explained while placing it on the ground — a gymnastics mat was laid there, covered with a soft towel.
The little white tiger struggled to support its body.
Its legs couldn't stretch straight yet, almost flat against the ground, it crept forward.
Like a drunkard, it wobbled and staggered slowly, unsteadily taking a step.
Two steps, three steps.
Suddenly unsteady — the strength in its legs was exhausted in these few steps.
Staggering, it tumbled headlong onto the gymnastics mat.