East Huang Beast Academy Headquarters,
In an office.
A gentle knock echoed in his ears. Song Ren, with his white hair, didn't even lift his head and said,
"Come in."
Chen Wenhao tiptoed into the office, carefully closed the door, and walked slowly to stand before Song Ren, who was buried in his work. He didn't speak, but waited quietly.
After an unknown amount of time,
Song Ren slowly raised his head. Seeing Chen Wenhao, a faint smile appeared on his face: "Did you complete the task I gave you?"
"Yes, teacher," Chen Wenhao said.
"Good," Song Ren nodded.
He was very satisfied with this disciple. Diligent and steadfast, hardworking and studious, and most valuable of all, he possessed an astonishing sensitivity in academic research, often able to discover details that others couldn't notice.
Given time, he might very well make a name for himself in academia.
As thoughts flashed through his mind, seeing Chen Wenhao before him hesitating to speak, Song Ren smiled slightly: "If you have something to say, just say it. Keeping things bottled up isn't like you."
"I can't hide my little thoughts from you, teacher," Chen Wenhao scratched his head, his tone hesitant, "I heard that there are still three spots left for this research activity."
Song Ren raised his eyes to look at Chen Wenhao, who immediately averted his gaze, lowering his head somewhat embarrassedly.
Song Ren suddenly smiled and said, "That's right, there are still three spots left, just enough for three locals familiar with the Qinling environment."
"Yes, but one spot has already been reserved by the Beastmaster Association over there, so there are only two left now."
This trip to the Qinling Mountains was of great importance, and the East Huang Beastmaster Association attached great importance to it, with a large number of people accompanying them.
His several students, plus several Beastmasters from the academy, several members of the Investigation Department, and three locals familiar with the environment.
As long as they participated in this research activity, they could obtain a generous contribution value, making each spot extremely precious.
Therefore, apart from the one recommended by the association, he planned to find the remaining two after arriving locally.
"I remember your brother is a forest ranger in the Qinling Mountains?" Although old, Song Ren's memory was better than many young people's, and he knew something about Chen Wenhao's family background.
Moreover, the profession of forest ranger was quite special, leaving a deep impression on him.
"Yes," Chen Wenhao quickly nodded.
"I understand," Song Ren revealed a knowing smile on his face, then said, "Then add your brother."
The forest ranger of the Qinling Mountains was perfectly suited to the profession.
Even if his strength was a little weak, it didn't matter, anyway, there was a group of powerful Beastmasters in the team.
"Thank you, teacher," Chen Wenhao was overjoyed.
He would consider this a surprise for his brother.
Seeing the undisguised smile on Chen Wenhao's face, Song Ren seemed to be infected by this joy and smiled as well: "You've also worked hard for a long time. You might as well go home and rest for a few days this time."
After a slight pause, the smile on his face grew even more intense, showing his appreciation for Chen Wenhao without reservation: "It's also good to let your relatives and friends know that your family has produced a talented person."
Chen Wenhao immediately shook his head: "Don't, teacher. It won't be too late to say this when I'm one-tenth as good as you."
The two chatted for a while, and Chen Wenhao left, the office returning to silence once more.
However, not long after, there was another knock on the door.
"Come in."
"Hehe, Grandpa Song, I'm here to see you."
The moment the door was opened, a light and lively voice rang out.
Song Ren raised his head and looked at the youthful and beautiful girl, unable to resist rubbing his temples: "None of my students come as often as you do."
Jiang Wenning walked in quickly, smiling brightly: "Grandpa told me to get closer to you, so of course I have to listen to Grandpa's words."
She had only learned the previous week that her grandfather was actually an old acquaintance with this Professor Song Ren, having studied at the same school before.
Song Ren had no way to deal with this lively and cheerful junior, so he simply put down the pen in his hand and stared at Jiang Wenning: "Tell me, what are you here for again?"
"Of course, I'm here to see you, Grandpa Song," Jiang Wenning first giggled, then coughed lightly, "By the way, I have a small request."
Song Ren had already guessed the girl's thoughts: "Tell me, what is it?"
"Grandpa Song, are there still three spots left for this research activity?" Jiang Wenning asked directly.
This sentence sounded a bit familiar, as if he had heard it somewhere before.
Song Ren muttered secretly, then slowly said, "No, there's only one left."
Hearing this, Jiang Wenning was not annoyed at all, and a smile bloomed in her beautiful eyes: "Then I've come at just the right time."
"You also have a recommendation?" Song Ren glanced at Jiang Wenning.
"Also?" Jiang Wenning keenly captured this word, but she didn't care, and instead said with a grin, "Yes, I happen to know a powerful Beastmaster who is familiar with the Qinling environment."
Song Ren immediately looked at Jiang Wenning suspiciously: "You're so young, and you already have connections in Qin Province?"
Jiang Wenning coughed and decisively skipped this question: "Grandpa Song, don't worry, the Beastmaster I recommend is very powerful, and when it comes to familiarity with the Qinling environment, if he says he's number one, no one dares to say he's number two."
After a pause, she pointed to the ice-blue kitten on her shoulder and said: "I can guarantee it with Nuomi's happiness for the rest of his life."
"Meow?"
Nuomi glanced at his master indifferently, his whole body exuding a hint of coldness.
Song Ren had no way to deal with the girl in front of him, but as the chief person in charge of this research activity, he had to be dutiful and responsible, ensuring that every participant did not hold back or drop the ball.
If their ability was not up to par, even if an old friend personally recommended someone, he would not agree.
As the thought flashed through his mind, Song Ren said: "How about this, let's put him on the preliminary list first, and decide on the final candidate when we get there."
The Beastmaster recommended by the Baokun City Beastmaster Association could not be changed, Chen Wenhao's brother had to stay, and the Beastmaster recommended by Jiang Wenning was tentatively set.
Song Ren thought secretly: "When the time comes, I'll have the Beastmaster recommended by the association help assess him. If he really knows the Qinling Mountains well, then we'll go in together."
"Okay, thank you, Grandpa Song," Hearing Song Ren's answer, Jiang Wenning cheered immediately.
This appearance was as if she was very sure that the Beastmaster she recommended could become the final candidate.
Jiang Wenning certainly thought so.
If Chen Yuan, as a forest ranger in the Qinling Mountains, couldn't become the final candidate, then who could?
Seeing Jiang Wenning's reaction, Song Ren couldn't help but remind her: "Have your friend prepare well. Other people have also recommended candidates to me, and we may choose the best one at that time."
Jiang Wenning waved her hand dismissively: "Don't worry, Grandpa Song, he will definitely go into the mountains with us."
After Jiang Wenning left the office, Song Ren shook his head helplessly.
Night was hazy,
"Roar ~"
The bushes trembled, revealing two large and small, standing, ferocious black shadows. A muffled roar startled a flock of birds.
"Roar roar?"
"Roar!"
Accompanied by an unknown roar, the two figures swaggered out of the bushes and walked towards Xuanhe Village not far away.
The dense forest was left behind, and the bright moonlight fell on their bodies, gradually revealing the figures of the Bear Cub and Papa Bear.
"Roar ~"
Suddenly, the Bear Cub's nose twitched, and its eyes glowed slightly. Soon, it excitedly stretched out its claws and pointed to the village in front.
It's here!
"Roar."
Papa Bear nodded, slapped the Bear Cub behind him, then raised his head and strode onto the country dirt road, his eyes filled with confidence that overlooked everything.
The two figures, one large and one small, quickly approached Xuanhe Village, but there were too many and too mixed smells in the village, and even the Bear Cub couldn't track down Cola's scent for a while.
"Roar?"
The Bear Cub scratched its head, looking puzzled.
Where should they look for them?
"Roar roar."
Papa Bear looked around and soon saw a figure beside the road not far away. It grinned, beckoned the Bear Cub to follow, and walked towards the person.
Zhao San was hurrying home.
He heard that a very dangerous Fire-striped Snake had appeared near the village the day before yesterday. Although it was taken away by that Consultant Chen's pet beast, the village chief still reminded them to avoid going out at night.
Thinking of this, Zhao San felt a little depressed.
His business had been doing well recently, so Zhao San discussed with his wife and bought a telephone watch for their son.
As a result, the brat showed off to his friends while playing outside and accidentally lost it. Zhao San didn't find out about it until dinner in the evening.
After questioning, the brat, who had originally wanted to hide it, had to confess the truth and was subjected to a mixed doubles beating from his parents.
After dinner, Zhao San hurried out to look for it, but the sun set particularly early. By the time he found it, night had already fallen.
"Fortunately, I found it," Zhao San said with relief.
"Roar roar?"
Just then, a thunderous roar rang in his ears, shaking his eardrums, followed by a huge black shadow enveloping him.
Zhao San didn't react at first, but when he turned his head woodenly and saw the brown body so close, his breath stagnated, his face turned pale in an instant, and his legs trembled uncontrollably.
Bear!
Such a big bear!
A bear has broken into the village!
Zhao San wanted to shout for help, but the huge black shadow swallowed him, and the strong sense of oppression was like an invisible hand strangling his throat. He only opened his mouth, but no sound came out.
The next moment, Zhao San fell to the ground, his legs frantically kicking backwards until he curled up in a corner, his body trembling uncontrollably.
"Roar?"
Papa Bear looked at the intensely reacting human in confusion. It just wanted to ask for directions, why was he like this?
"Roar roar?"
The Bear Cub poked its little head out from behind Papa Bear and looked at Zhao San in confusion, waving its paws.
Where is Cola?
The cold ground quickly calmed Zhao San's emotions. In an instant, thousands of thoughts flashed through his mind, but they eventually turned into a shout: "There's a bear!!!"
The voice was loud, spreading around.
"Awoo awoo!"
"Woof woof woof!"
What followed was a chorus of dog barks, and then the dark houses lit up, and these lights connected together, illuminating Xuanhe Village shrouded in night.
Soon, noisy voices kept ringing in his ears, and the dog barks were getting closer and closer.
"Roar?"
Papa Bear and the Bear Cub looked at each other, suddenly realizing that finding Cola was not as easy as they thought.
