Chapter 17: Chapter 17: The Lock Was Pryed Open

Suspicious individuals?

Qi Xiao’s words served as a precaution for Xu Ying.

The desert governance area is dangerous, not only because of extreme weather and fierce beasts but also more so because of poachers stealing wildlife, criminals evading capture, and malicious foreign forces.

The vastness and sparsity of the desert make it unlike the city, with no signal interference and flying objects, military bases, and other confidential places hidden in the desert.

Seeing Xu Ying frowning after hearing his words, Qi Xiao feared he had scared her and quickly added, “Don’t worry, you can ask me for help if you encounter danger.”

Qi Xiao pointed to Xu Ying’s phone; he had just called her, so she already had his number.

“I can get there quickly.”

—— “Thank you! I’ll be extra careful myself!”

Xu Ying nodded gratefully to Qi Xiao.

Suddenly, she felt a cool sensation on the back of her hand.

Looking down, Xu Ying saw that it was Fox Xiao Wu in her arms, drooling over the bottle on the table, with saliva dripping onto her hand!

The safety concern had just preoccupied her mind, almost making her forget the cubs were waiting for their meal.

Being the youngest cub, Fox Xiao Wu was well-behaved and didn’t make a fuss, knowing Xu Jie and Qi Xiao were discussing very important matters.

Xu Ying took the bottle and placed the nipple near Fox Xiao Wu’s mouth; the little paw immediately held onto the bottle tightly, its cheeks puffing as it drank.

Later, all four paws held onto the bottle like a koala hugging a tree, afraid someone might snatch its bottle away.

This food-guarding cuteness was overwhelming, making Xu Ying want to plant a big kiss on Fox Xiao Wu’s forehead.

With one hand holding Fox Xiao Wu, she walked to the milk bowl and squatted down, using her other hand to tap on the bowl and call the fox cubs for dinner: “Time to eat, little ones!”

“The bottle is filled with formula, and the bowl has fresh goat milk. See which flavor you prefer.”

At Xu Ying’s words, the little ear foxes who had been eyeing the goat milk eagerly sprinted to the milk bowl.

The Proud Fox Boss glanced at the youngest in Xu Ying’s arms and snorted, “Only babies need to be fed milk; I can eat by myself!”

It joined Er Bao and Si Bao at the milk bowl, licking it with its tiny pink tongue.

Fox Sanbao, a long-time face lover, rolled and cooed at Qi Xiao’s feet, acting spoiled.

[Handsome brother-in-law! I want you to feed me!]

When Xu Ying heard Sanbao’s words, her face instantly flushed red. What nonsense was this girl spouting? Luckily, only she could understand!

Calling any handsome guy brother-in-law, this fox is bound to be a romantic at heart in the future!

Qi Xiao watched the little fox cub rolling at his feet, clueless, “What’s it squeaking about?”

“Does it want me to feed it?”

He squatted down and tentatively poked Sanbao’s ear with his long fingers.

Xu Ying helplessly facepalmed, “Yes, she’s a little infatuated, saying you’re handsome and wants you to hold and feed her.”

Qi Xiao’s expression froze upon hearing Xu Ying’s words, his body visibly stiffening. He hurriedly picked up Fox Sanbao, placing the bottle near its mouth, looking a bit flustered.

Qi Xiao’s ears turned slightly red, though due to his darker skin tone, it wasn’t very noticeable to others.

Xu Ying never expected to see a shy expression on someone so cool, finding it amusing that a tall guy almost 1.9 meters could get embarrassed just by being told he’s handsome.

After this little interlude, the two continued to silently hold the fox cubs and feed them, looking strikingly like they were tending to children. Xu Ying started a conversation to ease the awkwardness, “You’re quite skilled at mixing formula and holding the little ones. Do you have children at home?”

Qi Xiao was taken aback by this, quickly shaking his head to deny, “No, no.”

“I just usually help take care of the newborn calves and lambs on the ranch, so I’ve naturally become adept at it.”

“Oh, sorry, I misunderstood.”

Xu Ying felt like she had killed the conversation and fell silent again.

Qi Xiao glanced at the cubs happily eating in the room and asked Xu Ying, “Have you named these little ear fox cubs?”

Xu Ying pondered for a moment, “Not yet; I’ll have to ask their opinion and hold a little meeting.”

Qi Xiao found this Xu Xiaozhan quite interesting, wanting to have a meeting with the fox cubs to discuss their names.

The individual personalities of the five little ear foxes were already very distinct. The eldest was intelligent and proud, insisting on being called “Fox Boss.”

The second had fought a sand rat to get Xu Ying some sand dates, showing great bravery. When asked what name it wanted, it said, “Fox Erniu,” [I wish to have the strength of an ox! That way, I can protect Sister and defeat bad guys!]

The third was a face-loving little heartthrob, Xu Ying named it Fox Sansan, similar to the girlish name “Shanshan,” which it liked very much, finding it adorable.

The youngest, Little Five, was the most innocent and naively cute good treasure. When Xu Ying called it Fox Xiaoxiao, it happily agreed.

As for the fourth one—

Among the three foxes surrounding the milk bowl, the eldest and Er Bao were scolding Si Bao.

[How can you drink half the bowl of milk all at once, Fourth? We haven’t even had enough yet!]

[Si Bao, we were only born minutes apart, yet you’re already the biggest among us five. Be moderate with your food! That chunky coyote next door can’t even run to catch prey!]

Scolded by its big brother and second brother, Si Bao bowed its head, stirring its little chubby paws in grievance: [I just haven’t had enough to eat.]

Alright, now Si Bao’s personality is also vivid; Si Bao is the little foodie.

Xu Ying comfortingly patted Si Bao’s head, “It’s okay, it’s okay. Eating a lot while you’re young is fine; now’s the growing phase. If you grow too big, you can always work it off later.”

As an experienced vet, Xu Ying knew the appetites of little animals well. Si Bao’s appetite was within normal range, and even within the same species, different individuals have different natural growth conditions, so varying sizes are normal.

“Is there not enough milk? There’s more, don’t worry.”

Qi Xiao added more goat milk to the bowl, and the hungry boss and second brother pounced on the food again.

Meanwhile, Si Bao took a few more sips before touching its round belly, looking very satisfied.

[I’m full, I’m full, goat milk is so delicious~]

Si Bao licked its lips, with milk beads still hanging from its long whiskers.

Xu Ying used a tissue to wipe Si Bao’s mouth and whiskers, “Si Bao, how about we call you Si Bao, meaning ’full and satisfied’?”

Si Bao adorably nodded, [Sure, sure! I like that name. I want to eat until I’m full every day, four meals a day!]

Xu Ying was amused by Si Bao’s interpretation. This was indeed a fox cub that enjoyed life.

The ample amount of goat milk Qi Xiao brought was filling, and the cubs, who had been off milk for three days, thoroughly enjoyed it, becoming livelier and more energetic.

No longer shy around strangers, they clung to Qi Xiao, circling around him and wagging their tails like excited puppies. The infatuated Sansan and the foodie Si Bao even jumped on his shoulders to snuggle, trying to get closer to him.

Qi Xiao, who was socially awkward, found it hard to handle the enthusiastic fox cubs and could only look at Xu Ying with a pleading expression.

Xu Ying watched as the fox cubs that always clung to her were now sticking to Qi Xiao, “… What happened to the little foxes who were supposed to be loyal!”

She shrugged, expressing helplessness.

Just then, Xu Ying’s phone rang.

The caller ID showed Director Yi.

This was a call from the upper management of the rescue station, and Xu Ying quickly answered.

A deep, righteous male voice came from the other end, “Comrade Xiao Xu, are you currently at Rescue Station 028?”

Xu Ying immediately replied, “Yes, I returned from the uninhabited area and went to the nearest 028 for supplies.”

Director Yi’s voice on the other end sounded worried, “I’m now at the entrance of Rescue Station 032, and the door here is open! The lock shows signs of being tampered with!”

“You should quickly come back and check if anything is missing.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep