What his mate looked like now?
Ah Wu responded, pleasantly surprised.
’I want to see.’
’I want to see how she’s doing now.’
"Okay, I’ll show you. Don’t move around."
As Yang Qi spoke, he unlocked his tablet and pulled up the second video he had prepared.
It was the clip of the female ape interacting and playing with a zookeeper.
Yang Qi held the tablet and moved a little closer to Ah Wu, making sure he could see the screen clearly while still maintaining a safe distance.
The video began to play.
On the screen, the female ape was skillfully using a small wooden stick, trying to get a treat out of a special toy held by the zookeeper.
Her eyes were focused, her movents possessing a sort of earnest clumsiness. After successfully getting the food, she cried out "OOH! OOH!", dancing with joy. Then she affectionately patted the zookeeper’s shoulder, looking exceptionally happy and energetic.
Ah Wu’s eyes went wide. He stared at the screen without blinking, as if he wanted to burn every detail of the scene into his mind.
He even seed to be holding his breath, his long arms unconsciously clenching tight.
When the video finished and the screen froze on the final fra of the female ape’s cheerful smile, Ah Wu remained in that position. Several seconds passed before he finally seed to snap out of it, letting out a soft whimper from his throat.
’She... she’s doing well.’
The pain in his voice was gone, replaced by what sounded like relief, and even a hint of gratification.
"That’s right. She’s doing very well, and she’s very happy."
Yang Qi agreed. "And what’s more, she’s had a baby. She has her own family now."
’She had a baby?’
Ah Wu froze, a complex expression on his face—a mixture of surprise, lancholy, and yet a sense of it being only natural.
"Yes. It’s been so long, isn’t it normal for her to have a baby?"
As Yang Qi spoke, he pointed to the adjacent enclosure, where the other female ape and the little one clinging to her were looking over anxiously. "Don’t you have a new mate and a baby of your own, too?"
Ah Wu followed Yang Qi’s finger and saw his "current" partner and their young. A clear look of sha and tenderness appeared on his face.
After a mont, he let out a soft call.
’That’s true.’
It was as if, in that mont, he truly connected and contrasted the "past" with the "present."
Seeing the male ape’s mood stabilize, and that he was even starting to reflect on his current situation, Yang Qi continued to guide him. "If you want to see what her baby looks like, we also have..."
’No need.’
To his surprise, Ah Wu shook his head. He looked again at the now-dark tablet screen, his gaze full of longing, but more so, of peace.
He extended a long finger, pointed at the screen, and called out softly.
’Can I... watch that again?’
"Of course." Yang Qi hit replay.
Ah Wu began watching again, his concentration total.
This ti, he watched even more closely, as if confirming every detail, reaffirming his conclusion that ’she’s doing well’.
When it finished, Ah Wu said nothing, simply looking at Yang Qi with expectant eyes.
Yang Qi understood and replayed it again.
And so, the short, few-minute video was played on a loop a full ten tis.
Ah Wu was like the most devout spectator, watching with rapt attention every single ti, yet his emotions grew calr with each viewing.
From the initial excitent and nostalgia, to the relief and gratification in the middle, and finally, to a faint, distant sense of blessing.
When it finished for the tenth ti and Yang Qi was about to press play again, Ah Wu proactively shook his head and let out a soft call, weary yet incredibly peaceful.
’That’s enough. No need to watch it anymore.’
Hearing this, Yang Qi obligingly put away the tablet. "If you ever want to see it again in the future, you can tell the Two-legged Beasts who bring you food, like this..."
He was just about to demonstrate a simple gesture.
But Ah Wu shook his head again. His gaze shifted from the tablet to the distance, then back to his current mate and child. His eyes had beco much clearer.
He called out softly.
’No need.’
’As long as I know she’s doing well, I can be at ease.’
He paused, then turned his head to look earnestly at Yang Qi. He raised a long arm and made a clumsy yet sincere gesture similar to a "thank you." His brown eyes were filled with pure gratitude.
’Thank you, Two-legged Beast.’
’Thank you for letting see her.’
"You’re welco."
Yang Qi smiled and gently patted Ah Wu’s thick shoulder.
"Rember to eat well from now on and get your body good and strong. Also..."
Yang Qi’s tone beca more serious. "Be better to your current mate. Don’t make the sa mistakes again. Cherishing what’s right in front of you is what’s most important."
’I will.’
Ah Wu nodded firmly, his gaze resolute.
Then, as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders, or as if he had finally found his way, he opened his arms toward Yang Qi and gave him a hug.
Yang Qi was startled for a mont, then smiled and patted the male ape.
After the hug, Ah Wu turned and ran with light steps toward the barrier connecting to his mate’s enclosure. Facing the anxiously waiting female ape, he let out a series of clear, gentle, and reassuring calls.
’I’m okay.’
’Don’t you worry.’
...
His calls held apology, promise, and even more, a rekindled passion for his current life.
Hearing this, Yang Qi smiled.
As expected, the long-ard ape, who had been trapped in an emotional crisis, had found his own way out.
He didn’t linger and turned to walk toward the exit.
"How did it go? Mr. Yang, Ah Wu is..."
A Veterinarian waiting by the door saw Yang Qi co out and imdiately rushed up to ask, his face full of tension and expectation.
Before Yang Qi could answer, Huang Leqing, who had been staring intently at the situation inside the enclosure, was already pointing excitedly, his voice trembling.
"He’s recovered! Look, Ah Wu is actively making overtures to the female ape, sending signals of affection and reassurance! He... he’s really better! His mood has completely changed!"
"He’s better just like that?"
A young researcher beside them couldn’t quite believe it. Could just watching a video a few tis and having a "conversation" cause such a massive change in an animal that had been depressed and refusing to eat?
"Let the male and female apes reunite."
Tong Xiaoyue gave the order decisively, her eyes turning to Yang Qi with a look of admiration and amazent.
The staff waiting on standby imdiately sprang into action, operating the chanism to open the gate of the passageway separating the two enclosures.
Soon, Ah Wu was reunited with his mate.
The two long-ard apes hugged. Ah Wu wrapped his long arms around the female, constantly rubbing his cheek against her and making soft calls filled with affection and a desire to make ands.
The female ape sensed the change in him as well, snuggling into his embrace and responding with calls of reassurance.
The little ape, who had been hiding shyly nearby, now poked its head out curiously.
Seeing this, the mother ape gently extended a hand and pulled the little one to her side.
Ah Wu lowered his head, looked at the little one with affection, and also reached out a hand to gently stroke its head.
The family of three, after this little storm, was "reunited" once more.
[Mission Complete]
[Reward: Geng tal Sword Pointing]
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