"Liangzai" was a large green macaw in the Bird District with vibrant feathers and high intelligence.

Before coming to the Zoo, he had been raised by an old opera fan. Through constant exposure, he actually learned several opera pieces and sang them with a real flair. He became a star animal at the Zoo as soon as he arrived and was a favorite among visitors.

Now, something had suddenly gone wrong, and no one knew the specifics.

Hanging up the phone, Yang Qi rushed over.

...

A few people had already gathered outside Liangzai’s enclosure in the Bird District.

Besides Cheng Yao and Xiaozheng, the zookeeper in charge of the parrot, there were also a few tourists who had been drawn over.

"What’s the situation?" Yang Qi asked as he walked up.

Zookeeper Xiaozheng frowned and explained, "I’m not exactly sure. Starting this morning, Liangzai just stopped talking. He just stands there in a daze and doesn’t react much even when I offer him his favorite nuts."

"He’s usually so lively. He greets visitors when he sees them, and from time to time he’ll even perform a piece from *The Female Prince Consort* or *The Fairy Couple*. But today, he hasn’t made a peep."

"He was always talking, and now he’s suddenly gone quiet. Is he sick, or is it some kind of psychological issue?" Cheng Yao speculated from the side.

Yang Qi didn’t answer right away. Instead, he moved closer to the protective barrier and carefully observed Liangzai inside.

The beautiful large parrot stood on its perch with its eyes closed and neck tucked in, looking as if it was refusing all communication.

As he watched, a thought struck Yang Qi.

’I’m already here. Based on past experience, if an animal is really in trouble, the system should have triggered an "Animal’s Cry for Help" task.’

’But right now, the system isn’t reacting at all!’

’In this situation, either the trigger condition hasn’t been met, or...’

’...Liangzai isn’t sick at all!’

’Could it be that this big guy simply doesn’t feel like talking?’

’He wants to play hooky?’

’Take a day off?’

At this thought, a strange expression appeared on Yang Qi’s face. He turned to Cheng Yao and Xiaozheng and said softly, "Is it possible that there’s nothing wrong with Liangzai, and he just... simply wants to take a day off?"

"Huh?" Cheng Yao was stunned.

Zookeeper Xiaozheng was also taken aback, having clearly never considered that possibility.

"I think this handsome guy is right!"

A young female tourist nearby couldn’t help but chime in.

"Exactly! Working and performing every day must be so tiring! What’s wrong with skipping work for a day? Animals deserve the right to rest, too!" her friend added with a laugh.

"This..." Cheng Yao opened her mouth, about to speak.

Just then, Liangzai, who had been resting with his eyes closed in the enclosure, suddenly opened his eyes. His lively eyes first glanced at the female tourist who had interjected, then stared intently at Yang Qi and spoke in human language.

"You’re so handsome."

"You’re the one who understands me."

"You punks, shut up."

It spoke faster and faster, before letting out a stream of rapid, garbled squawks.

The others were completely baffled, but Yang Qi understood every word.

’A bunch of morons.’

’Hopeless.’

’This queen isn’t working today!’

’I’m taking a break!’

’What are you gonna do about it?’

...

Yang Qi almost burst out laughing. Liangzai’s former owner must not only have loved opera but had also been a real character themselves, molding this parrot into a total punk.

After letting loose her tirade, Liangzai satisfyingly ruffled her feathers, closed her eyes again, tucked in her neck, and resumed her silent "non-violent non-cooperation" stance.

Seeing this, Yang Qi let out a small cough, suppressed his laughter, and said to Cheng Yao and Xiaozheng, "It looks like Liangzai really is determined to take the day off."

"She deserves it, she deserves it."

Cheng Yao gave an awkward laugh, the worry in her heart finally subsiding. After all that commotion, it turned out the parrot was just being moody.

Zookeeper Xiaozheng let out a huge sigh of relief, then shook his head, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. "What a mess... We worried for nothing."

Yang Qi smiled as well. He chatted with Cheng Yao for a few more minutes, and after confirming there was nothing else, he said his goodbyes and left.

His afternoon work proceeded as usual. Yang Qi cleaned two enclosures and conducted behavioral training sessions for both the wolf pack and the raccoon family to reinforce their previous progress.

After the zoo closed, he took the energetic Happy out for a walk. They wandered around for a bit, and he fulfilled his earlier promise, making a special trip to the cafeteria to buy a fragrant roasted chicken for the pup.

Happy gobbled it down with glee and was completely satisfied afterward.

As night fell, the little guy was probably overexcited. He ran to an open area, tilted his head back, and let out a long, somewhat juvenile howl at the rising moon.

"AWOOO—"

This elicited a few faint, answering howls from the distant wolf pack.

...

That evening, Yang Qi once again consumed a Qi Condensing Pill. He guided its medicinal power through his meridians, absorbing and condensing it into pure Magical Power. He could feel the vortex of qi in his Dantian solidify a little more.

At the stroke of midnight, the system punctually calculated his contribution points for the day.

The next morning, Yang Qi followed his usual routine, first feeding the wolf pack and the raccoons.

In the mid-afternoon, he received a call from Zoo Director Huang Zhongmu, telling him to come to the administration building. He was reminded to bring his "Hero for a Just Cause" certificate and medal, as there was another commendation waiting for him.

Yang Qi acknowledged the instruction and muttered to himself after hanging up.

"That was pretty quick."

He immediately went back to his dorm to get the certificate and medal, then hurried to the small plaza in front of the administration building.

By this time, a large crowd had already gathered in the plaza. Besides dozens of curious tourists, most of the zoo’s management team was also present.

Huang Zhongmu, Mei Ying, Jiang Kai, Zhao Dalong, and others were all standing at the entrance of the administration building.

There was another group of people dressed in formal business suits, led by a sharp-looking woman in her forties.

Seeing Yang Qi arrive, Director Mei Ying stepped forward and introduced him to the crowd with a smile.

"This is our zoo’s outstanding employee, Yang Qi, who was just awarded the honorary title of ’Donghua City’s Hero for a Just Cause’!"

Then she turned to Yang Qi and introduced the sharp-looking woman. "Yang Qi, this is Manager Liu from Hongyun Group. She has come today on behalf of Hongyun Group specifically to commend you for your heroic act of saving someone!"

Upon hearing this, Yang Qi immediately put on a perfectly crafted expression of being flattered and overwhelmed. He stepped forward and gave a slight bow.

"Hello, Manager Liu. Thank you to Hongyun Group for this recognition and encouragement!"

Manager Liu, wearing a professional yet friendly smile, shook Yang Qi’s hand. She then turned to the crowd and gave a formal speech.

The content was what you’d expect: praising Yang Qi’s brave and fearless spirit, which embodied the sense of responsibility of the modern youth. She mentioned that Hongyun Group, as a local enterprise, was committed to promoting social integrity and giving back to the community, and so on.

Finally, under the gazes of everyone present and amidst the curious camera clicks from the tourists, a simple award ceremony was held.

To Yang Qi’s slight surprise, the reward money wasn’t the 500,000 that Chen Hao had mentioned, but 800,000!

A hostess brought out a giant novelty check with the conspicuous amount printed on it. The long string of zeros on it drew a wave of quiet gasps from the crowd.

After a moment’s thought, Yang Qi understood.

’This extra 300,000 probably isn’t just a reward. It must also include Chen Hao’s immense personal gratitude for saving his daughter. He’s just using the Group’s name to make it more appropriate.’

’This Chen Hao really is a thorough and generous man!’