Chapter 316: Chapter 315: Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

Sand Rat Boss nuzzled her palm with his little head: [Let’s plant the seeds together today. We’re great at digging holes!]

Xu Ying replied with a smile, "Sure~"

Other little animals gathered around too: [We’ll help with the planting too!]

From a distance, a rhythmic and orderly sound of footsteps could be heard, as Chen Su led the officers of the Desert Police Station in a march.

In the morning light, he wore a crisp navy blue uniform, his pale skin contrasting sharply in the desert’s fierce sunlight.

"Little Xu Station Chief, a small token from the Desert Police Station." He raised his hand in salute, while the officers behind him uncovered a cart draped in a red cloth—revealing a full set of the latest police medical equipment, glinting in the sunlight, including a portable X-ray machine and an animal-specific life monitor.

Xu Ying noticed a special paw print badge pinned on the cuff of his uniform. Following her gaze, Chen Su explained, "This is the emblem of the newly established Animal Police Division."

His usually stern brows and eyes revealed a rare hint of a smile, "It’s right next door to your hospital."

Xu Ying looked towards the brand-new police station standing not far from the animal hospital, its exterior walls intentionally painted in the same warm tones as the hospital.

The most eye-catching aspect was the two plaques hanging side by side at the entrance—underneath the [Desert Police Station], was the unmistakable sign [Animal Police Chief Office].

"Meow~"

A lazy meow came from the police station window.

Xu Ying leaned in for a closer look.

Black Jungle Cat Police Chief was perched on a specially made high-legged desk, with a mini police badge hung around his chest, and a stack of documents under his paw.

Meanwhile, Little Sand Cat was busy trying to hang the "On Duty Today" sign on the doorknob, but it couldn’t reach, and its tail fluffed up like a duster in frustration.

"They have official positions now."

Chen Su bent down to pick up the police cap that Little Sand Cat had knocked over, gently dusting it with his long fingers, "Black Jungle Cat handles nighttime patrols, and Little Sand Cat welcomes small animals coming to report."

As if to assert its authority, Black Jungle Cat suddenly leaped down from the window, landing precisely in front of the sand rat digging a hole by the station wall.

The sand rat was so startled it shivered and obediently raised its paws in surrender, as Black Jungle Cat encircled it with its tail and escorted it into the police station.

Xu Ying laughed so hard at this scene her stomach hurt.

The sunlight made the police station’s glass windows shine brightly, revealing a specially designed mini office area inside: file cabinets made of scratching posts, rest beds covered in desert wool, and even a water dispenser shaped like a small fountain.

Xu Ying suddenly noticed a "Police Officers Group Photo" on the wall—Black Jungle Cat sitting seriously in the center, surrounded by ear foxes, Tusun, and other "auxiliary officers," with Chen Su squatting at the back, the only human in the photo.

"When was this taken?" Xu Ying asked with a smile, pointing to the group photo.

Chen Su bowed his head slightly, adjusted the photo frame, and spoke in a low but gently softened voice, "Just last week, when you were on duty."

He turned to Xu Ying with a smile and said, "I think the group photo still needs Little Xu Police Chief, don’t you think?"

When he smiled, the corners of his eyes curved slightly, like ice breaking apart.

Xu Ying picked up the struggling Little Sand Cat, lifted its paw, and waved it at Chen Su, "Then let’s go on duty together next time and take another picture!"

The roar of an engine drew closer from a distance.

A bright red desert motorcycle kicked up golden sand and stopped steadily in front of the hospital.

Qiao Yuxi swiftly removed her goggles, her chestnut hair fluttering in the wind, "Little Xu Station Chief, come see the completion gift from my dad and me!"

She grabbed Xu Ying’s wrist and ran towards the west side of the hospital. Not far from there stood a building that had been surrounded by boards, which seemed to have been removed last night, revealing the partially exposed white wall and a vine-covered fence.

As Qiao Yuxi pushed open the gate, the little animals following Xu Ying excitedly darted inside.

Xu Ying opened her eyes wide in astonishment at the sight before her—

A three-story pure white villa stood quietly among the cactus flowers, with Mediterranean-style arched doors and windows casting a soft glow in the sunlight.

"This... is this a standalone villa?" Xu Ying stammered, pointing to the building she had secretly speculated about a few days ago. "When the building boards were still up, I thought they were building a warehouse here."

Qiao Yuxi chuckled, "Since when do warehouses come with swings?"

Following her pointing finger, Xu Ying saw a white wicker swing in the center of the garden, being used as a new toy by several ear fox cubs.

Fox Xiao Wu sat on the swing, while the other three pushed it high up, their fluffy tails tracing golden arcs through the air.

The garden was filled with drought-resistant desert plants: agave arranged like artworks on both sides of the gravel path, cactuses blooming with pale yellow flowers, and even a small patch of transplanted oasis grass.

Most delightful of all was the shallow pool in the corner, where several sand cats were cautiously pawing at the water surface, their round eyes reflected in the water.

"The villa is equipped with a full eco-cycle system,"

Qiao Yuxi proudly introduced, "solar panels, rainwater collectors, and even the flowers are watered with recycled gray water."

She lowered her voice suddenly, "My dad specifically asked us to install a telescope on the main bedroom balcony for you to observe desert animals at night."

Xu Ying exclaimed in surprise, "Wow, that’s such a great idea!"

Xu Ying pushed open the carved glass door, sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows casting dappled shadows on the floor.

Paw-shaped cushions were strewn on the fabric sofa in the living room, and the island in the open kitchen had a mini animal water dispenser.

"Awo!" 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

A cheerful call came from the second floor, and then Fox Si Bao tumbled down the spiral staircase—literally rolled—curling itself into a furry ball, spiraling down the wave-shaped handrail and landing at Xu Ying’s feet, dizzyingly spinning around before standing steady.

Qiao Yuxi handed over a set of keys with a smile, "From now on, this is your home, convenient for night shifts at the hospital too."

The keychain featured a custom little paw print metal piece, gleaming in the sunlight.

"Thank you all!" Xu Ying gave Qiao Yuxi a big, warm hug.

Qiao Yuxi patted Xu Ying’s back, "Little Xu Station Chief, I should thank you as well for giving me a new beginning."

Qiao Yuxi’s film "The Vanishing Her" has already begun shooting in the desert. She wants to bring her experiences being deceived into the desert by a scumbag to the screen.

Xu Ying walked into the garden, and the ear foxes on the swing immediately leaped into her arms.

She looked up at the white villa, which exuded a honey-colored glow in the morning light, and suddenly felt that this golden desert truly had the warmth of home.

Just then, Little Sand Cat came running over with a patter: [Little Xu Station Chief, the two-legged guests have all arrived, waiting for you to join the ribbon-cutting!]