Although the red panda has 'panda' in its name and its size is similar to that of a cat, their postures and behaviors are quite different.
If a cat were to escape, it would directly leap from the table to a far distance, shooting off like an arrow released from a bowstring.
The red panda doesn't have such explosive power; it needs to step onto a stool and descend gradually. Not very fast, but incredibly smooth, like sliding down a slide with a "whoosh," giving off a sense of flowing clouds and streaming water.
Fang Ye bent down and found Chestnut hiding behind the leg of the table, peeking out at him, while Red Bean hid behind Chestnut, cautiously poking her head out over Chestnut's shoulder.
[Red Panda: Chestnut
Sex: Male
Age: 1 year
Mood: Observant/Cautious]
[Red Panda: Red Bean
Sex: Female
Age: 1 year
Mood: Scared/Tense]
"Ah, red pandas are just so cute!"
A smile couldn't help but bloom on Fang Ye's face as he sighed and took out two pieces of bamboo, shaking them, "Come here, cuties, check this out! Fresh, tender bamboo!"
The umbrella bamboo was purchased from the system, a bunch for 10 green leaf coins, super cheap.
Although tempted by food, both red pandas had no intention of coming over, considering the strange fellow across them very suspicious.
In this case, the only solution was to activate the "Affable" skill.
Once the skill was activated, Fang Ye immediately appeared friendly in the eyes of the two red pandas, which then bravely and confidently ran over to him.
Red Bean was at his feet, looking up at him eagerly with those little eyes that seemed to plead: how about some bamboo?
Chestnut was even more direct, hugging his leg as if to say, take me under your wing, boss!
Eat bamboo, eat bamboo!
Fang Ye smiled and gave each red panda a stick, and while they were busy eating, he took the opportunity to pet them.
He used to feel an irresistible urge to touch the lovely red pandas at the zoo, and now he finally got the chance to do so.
Cheeks, ears, and especially their fluffy tails.
Red pandas are about 50-60cm in body length, with tails almost as long as their bodies, featuring alternating black and chestnut rings, resembling a thick scarf.
Touching them felt blissful.
Linhai Zoo's security had always been excellent.
After all, there weren't many visitors each day, and being so poor that the keepers' wages had to be subsidized by the city, which thief would be insane enough to come here to steal?
Jump the fence to skip a 10 green leaf coin ticket after an hour long bus ride?
Unthinkable.
If a visitor caused a disturbance, all the keepers had to do was call and Lei Zhi would show up to stand his ground, mainly serving that purpose.
Occasionally, he also doubled as a courier, delivering packages to their final destination.
Two visitors passed by.
Lei Zhi glanced at them without much interest, his mind on the plot of the novel he had read the night before.
However, Wang Jun's gaze suddenly sharpened.
After the two visitors had entered, he nudged Lei Zhi with his elbow, "Brother Lei, something was off about those two just now."
Startled, Lei Zhi asked in a low voice, "What's up? What did you notice?"
Narrowing his eyes and watching the two figures, Wang Jun explained, "When I was looking at them, they never dared to meet my eyes directly; they kept darting to the side, and I found it very suspicious."
"Both of them were avoiding your gaze?"
"Yeah."
As Lei Zhi listened, he too began to feel that the pair were quite suspicious.
With a security booth like theirs at the entrance, it stood out like an empty cup on an empty table; although not much of a sight, most people would take a glance at it subconsciously.
Not looking doesn't necessarily prove anything; perhaps they genuinely didn't notice.
But when two visitors come in at the same time and neither looks Wang Jun's way, choosing instead to look off to the side, that starts to feel wrong.
Especially as Wang Jun was a recent military retiree, still carrying an air of military discipline about him—with posture upright and gaze piercing, an invisible aura of righteousness emanated from him. Their reluctance to meet his eye might indicate they were up to no good.
Wang Jun then suggested, "Brother Lei, should I follow them to see what they're up to?"
Lei Zhi didn't dare to neglect the situation, "Hold on, I'll call the zoo director first."
He quickly dialed Fang Ye's number, and soon it was picked up.
"Hello, Director?"
"Yes, what's the matter?"
"While on duty at the entrance, Wang Jun noticed two people that seemed a bit off..."
After Lei Zhi explained the suspicious aspects of the two individuals, he asked, "Director, should we have Wang Jun follow them to take a look?"
"Thanks for the heads-up. I'll observe from here for now, call you guys immediately if there's any problem."