NOVPUBDing Wen left, taking with him a 1TB worth of photos.
When he left, he patted his chest and promised to help renovate the first floor's surgery area and the ward at the rescue station by this winter.
He also ordered several outdoor cat and dog houses online to provide shelter for the little animals that come here to escape the harsh winter cold.
Of course, they could not all be placed in one location; Little Sen had a plan. He would place one at each of the places they often visited, providing a temporary refuge from wind and snow for the mothers with cubs.
Normally, this wouldn't have been necessary, but this year, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of animals within a fifty-kilometer radius of Jiamu Gully.
It was manageable when the weather was good, but this year, the experts predicted the possibility of extreme weather conditions, and they had to prepare in advance.
Aside from the small animal shelters transformed from cat and dog houses, there were also artificial bird nests.
Indeed, in addition to four-legged animals, the number of bird species had increased significantly, and some species that shouldn't even be there had been spotted.
If it wasn't for Old Gao's firm stance, the rescue station might have had to add two small buildings belonging to the Bird Research Institute.
Since the rescue station wasn't feasible, they built a base near a valley west of Huaqiu Valley.
They adopted the same design from Chen Ying's rescue station, leaving enough overhead space for the animals to pass through.
The building extended two and a half stories upward.
One floor for living, one floor for storing equipment and materials, and a half floor for bird watching.
Next to it, two small buildings with unique designs stretched out like the main building's spreading arms and open palms.
On the left was a rescue center for birds of prey, and on the right, a center for the pheasant family.
It must be said that their construction was very timely; they had barely finished building, the staff had not yet fully arrived, and already they had rescued a dozen or so birds of various sizes.
There were far more birds than animals, which also meant a significant number of avian experts worked there.
All of them were professionals, choosing locations that would not cause significant impact on the birds and animals.
To say there was no impact at all would be impossible, and some research and work had to be carried out in such environments, so we tried to minimize disturbances.
Fortunately, all the researchers assigned this time were upstanding individuals; those with a bad track record definitely couldn't be allowed to be the fox in the henhouse.
Choosing this location had another advantage.
It was quite far from Mendun'er's den, but closer to Black Bear Sister's.
If anyone didn't behave, the three black bears might leave them with a lifelong trauma.
Chen Ying was making preparations for departure, and Little Sen and Old Gao were discussing this during dinner.
"The higher-ups have plans to make Jiamu Gully into a study base, open to middle and high school students."
The approximate area would be around the external Protection Station.
In fact, there had been signs of this already, after all, the renovation and expansion of the Protection Station could not be approved without some significant endorsement.
"We've installed electronic surveillance cameras here, and the study base will have a dedicated image gallery, broadcasting uninterrupted live work footage of the rescue and bird aid stations."
Choosing Jiamu Gully was also because of the diversity and approachability of the animal species here.
Like Black Bear Sister and her kind would occasionally go to the Protection Station staff to ask for food, and that pool outside the station was preserved for them as well; they can frolic in the water to beat the heat.
Jinya would also make occasional visits, especially when it was too lazy to hunt, it would sneak into the Protection Station's kitchen to steal meat.
The Protection Station even created a little door for it and Little Jin and didn't prune the part of the big tree that stretched over the courtyard wall, to make it convenient for them to come and go.
Not to mention the squirrels, rabbits, and other small animals; they were virtually everywhere.
In July this year, Jiamu Gully Protection Station was also rated as the "Most Harmonious Station with Nature," and the stationmaster hung the plaque at the front door, polishing it every day, as if afraid it would go unnoticed.
"You're leaving in three days? Then what about my research project..."
Xiao Shen was somewhat reluctant. In this short time following Chen Ying, he learned a lot—not quite more than during his entire postgraduate stage, but the knowledge was definitely more specialized and in-depth.
"You'll stay behind and help Little Sen get through the early winter. After that, you can go home for the new year, and on the seventh day, fly directly to River Source. I'll have someone pick you up. I'll see how things are on my end, but if surgery is needed, it will definitely be in March or April; I won't let you miss it."
For the inaugural surgery of their research project's team, full attendance was necessary.
As Chen Ying spoke, he didn't notice a flash of golden fur darting by in the unobserved corner.
"This evil two-legged beast wants to abandon us again. He must have a cat outside, definitely. Howl!"
Jinya was so angry that it issued a series of low growls. Little Jin looked at it tenderly and licked its forehead at the right moment.
It wasn't worried; as long as the anger wasn't directed at it, that was fine.
Jinya felt very aggrieved and was even on the verge of crying.
"I like him so much, but he has other cats. Is it because I'm not pretty enough, or my fur isn't thick enough and soft enough, or..."
"You're perfect, you're the most beautiful cat I've ever seen,"
Little Jin reassured Jinya without hesitation.
Even if, in its opinion, Golden Cat Lady should be its first choice, it unhesitatingly chose Jinya.
Little Jin would never forget that when it awoke from endless darkness in excruciating pain, wanting to die right there and then, it was Jinya who held it, licked its fur, and soothed its pain.
It was Jinya who brought it prey, tearing off the tenderest parts to feed it.
It was Jinya, who despite loving to play, causing a ruckus, and running wild, could steadfastly support its feeble, stumbly body without taking a single step away, helping it to practice walking.
Without Jinya, there would be no Little Jin.
Pretty looks are dime a dozen, but gentle souls are one in a million.
The first snow of early winter fell continuously for a day and a night.
The forest was cloaked in a layer of white snow.
Jinya came down from the mountain and gasping for breath, dashed into the rescue station, looking around for Chen Ying but couldn't find her, finally standing on the wooden balcony of the second floor, throwing a tantrum.
Little Jin, carrying a plump wild rabbit, nimbly jumped down from the tree, tossed the rabbit to the just awakened Little Lynx, and lay down to watch Jinya vent.
"My ancestor, what's got into you now?"
Having packed his backpack and ready to go check on Mendun'er and her children, Little Sen didn't dare to leave; he couldn't handle Jinya in this state, let alone Xiao Shen.
As for Old Gao, he was called away at half-past five in the morning by a junior from the Bird Research Institute behind them. It seemed that due to the strong winds last night, a Green-tailed Rainbow Pheasant had accidentally injured its wing and fallen into the hillside scrub, to be found and rescued by an early bird watching the monitors.
But their knowledge about Rainbow Pheasants didn't match up to Old Gao's, so they could only wake him for help.
After Jinya vented, it lay down in dejection, head buried between its front limbs, the whole lynx enveloped in gloom.
Right then, Chen Ying's voice could be heard.
He was on the phone, his expression pleased.
"What's with that look, why are you staring at me?"
Hanging up the phone, Chen Ying saw Little Sen giving him a sideways glance and laughed as he patted his shoulder.
"Aren't you supposed to go check on Mendun'er's family? Hurry up now; grandma Mendun'er must be anxiously waiting. If you don't go, she'll march over here with her kids."
Although the snow wasn't deep, it was the cubs' first time experiencing such cold weather; Mendun'er wouldn't let them leave the warm den until she was sure of their safety.
Seeing Chen Ying had returned, Little Sen confidently carried his bamboo backpack to visit his beloved Giant Panda.
Today he was a bit late, and just as he was about to reach the den, he saw Mendun'er chasing Big Zai.
By nearly noon, the thin layer of snow had melted somewhat.
Presumably, having never seen snow before, Big Zai curiously scurried out of the den while mom wasn't looking.
After all, being young and with Mendun'er being overprotective, she wouldn't dare let the three cubs play in the snow.
After Little Sen had left, Chen Ying looked up at Jinya and called its name; Jinya didn't respond.
"What's wrong? Who has upset you?"
"Meow-ow," Little Jin meowed, almost rolling its eyes.
Who else could upset it if not you?
Chen Ying picked up the Little Lynx with its face covered in blood, looked at it, and grimaced.
"You're truly a mess, if only you could learn from your aunt... never mind, don't learn; she was messy before anyway."
He barely concealed his good mood, "It's fine, once we're over there, I'll find an auntie to teach you."
Little Jin's ears perked up suddenly, Auntie? Going over there? What does it mean, is he going to take little lynx away?
Chen Ying petted Little Lynx one last time, set it down with distaste, and stood under the wooden corridor, grinning so wide that his teeth were on full display.
"Jinya, come down, I've got good news for you."
Jinya cautiously lifted half of its face and peeked downward.
Hmph, you scumbag, no matter what you say, I won't believe it... well, this time I'll trust you once, but you better not trick the lynx!
Climbing out from the corridor window, it jumped onto a tree, then leaped down, approaching Chen Ying and lying down with a huffy little face.
"Jinya, I can take you and Little Jin with me to accompany Little Lynx to River Source. Aren't you excited?"
"Eh?" Jinya was truly taken aback, "To, to leave this place?"
"Yes, Little Lynx's illness has similarities with that of another lynx at River Source. We have invited a heart specialist to examine both of them, and an old Snow Leopard as well. Since they are all at River Source, we can only take Little Lynx over."
Chen Ying had been absent these past two days because he was handling these procedures.
Fortunately, he had this project, and with a good reputation, the leaders agreed to his request after an emergency meeting.
Of course, there was another reason; in his report, he mentioned, wanting to test whether lynxes from Huaqiu Valley would suffer environmental maladaptation after moving to River Source.
To be frank, anyone could see that was just an excuse, but nonetheless, this was a result some leaders were keen to know.
Not only the lynx but also the Snow Leopard and other nationally protected animals.
In theory, although their living areas differ, the altitude is not much different, nor is their genetic makeup. They could completely undergo relocation and undertake the task of rebuilding different populations in different places.
But theory is theory, whether it can be done in practice is not something that can be decided on a whim.
Chen Ying also made this decision after consulting with Professor Bai and Professor Everett via video and because he would be present; if there was an issue with Jinya, he could take it away immediately.
After listening to Chen Ying's explanation, Jinya immediately relaxed, stood up, placed its front paws on Chen Ying's shoulders, and gave him a slightly smelly kiss.
"Ugh, Jinya, go brush your teeth and rinse your mouth!"
