If the island-circling highway was a necklace draped around Dolphin Island's neck, then the hundreds of glass viewing platforms surrounding the entire island were the pearls on that necklace.
The viewing platforms were semi-circular in overall design, extending from the highway to the sea, each occupying an area of about one hundred square meters. Above was the clear sky, and below, the azure sea.
Through the glass of the platforms, visitors could even clearly see the fish swimming below.
Coupled with the seagulls that would occasionally land on the railings, it painted a picturesque scene.
As the tourists began to board the viewing platforms in small groups, the first thing that greeted their eyes was the vast expanse of the sea ahead.
However, at this moment, apart from the sea breeze and white waves, there was nothing else on the sea's surface.
"Honestly, these viewing platforms are really great. The view is so open, and the scenery is beautiful, but where is the opening ceremony performance that Director Yang mentioned?"
"Yeah, I haven't seen anything, just a bunch of seagulls, and one even pooped on me."
"Could there be some amazing act?"
"Maybe it's a mermaid?"
"Forget it. Last time the aquarium at Xihong Zoo opened, Director Yang himself dressed up as the mermaid. I still have psychological scars from it."
"Indeed, Director Yang has changed since becoming wealthy. He used to perform for us himself, but now he doesn't bother."
"You expect a billionaire to perform for you? Dream on."
...
Just as the tourists were starting to grow impatient, there was suddenly movement on the distant sea.
Under the gaze of thousands of live spectators and millions watching online, agile figures leaped out of the sea, trailing waves.
At first, there were only scattered sightings, but as time went on, these scattered sightings began to cover the entire sea.
As these agile figures approached the coastline of Dolphin Island, the tourists finally recognized their identity.
Instantly, a feeling of surprise washed over them.
"It's dolphins!"
"So many dolphins!"
"My goodness, the entire sea is filled with dolphins. How many are there?"
"Hundreds, thousands, or tens of thousands?"
"Wait, these dolphins don't seem to be of the same species. There are many white dolphins too."
...
Undoubtedly, for the vast majority of tourists, they had never seen such a large pod of dolphins in their lives, nor had they seen so many different species of dolphins appear together.
The sense of awe was far beyond anything that could be conveyed by television screens.
Of course, some among them had seen dolphins around Dolphin Island during previous livestreams and knew they had migrated from the waters of Little Sun Country.
But it was precisely because they knew this that they were even more astonished.
Because no matter how they looked at it, the number of dolphins appearing this time was even greater than before.
While the on-site tourists were ecstatic beyond words, netizens in the online live stream and those watching on television were incredibly envious.
From the moment the dolphin pod appeared, the barrage of comments never stopped.
"Holy cow, holy cow, Dolphin Island really lets you see dolphins! Director Yang truly doesn't let tourists waste a single penny."
"It's more than just not wasting money. For 688 yuan, you get two boat rides, a visit to the island, and to see so many dolphins. Director Yang is losing money!"
"Why did I listen to you guys and not grab a ticket earlier?"
"It's like all the dolphins in the Pacific Ocean have gathered at Dolphin Island. I must say, Director Yang's business acumen has always been excellent."
"This is probably the attraction in China whose name most accurately reflects its location. There's no exaggeration."
"Watching it on TV is just not the same. No, I must visit the island during the May Day holiday."
"I declare that Dolphin Island has been added to my life's to-do list."
...
Although from Yang Lin's perspective, the pod of dolphins he had gathered now looked like dumplings boiling in a pot, this did not diminish the tourists' affection for them.
After all, any animal, when present in large numbers, possesses a breathtaking beauty, with the exception of the monkeys on Mount Emei.
Seeing the dolphins frolicking on the sea for several minutes, Yang Lin immediately gave them the command to retreat.
The next second, the suddenly gathered dolphins dispersed in all directions.
Before long, the number of dolphins in the waters along the coast of Dolphin Island returned to normal.
Seeing this, everyone naturally assumed that the opening ceremony Director Yang had mentioned was over.
Just as they were preparing to leave the viewing platforms, sharp-eyed tourists immediately noticed new changes on the distant sea.
"Look, more big guys are coming!"
Hearing this shout, the tourists who were about to disperse immediately looked in the direction indicated by the tourist.
At a glance, they saw the fins protruding from the sea in the distance.
When some tourists first saw these fins, they didn't quite react.
Compared to the leaping dolphins, these fins were too inconspicuous.
But as they looked, the tourists' expressions changed. It wasn't surprise, but fear.
"Oh my god, it's sharks."
"Not one shark, it's a shark pod!"
"Damn it, isn't this Dolphin Island? Why are there so many sharks here?"
If the appearance of the dolphin pod brought surprise to the tourists, the arrival of the shark pod brought them terror.
In the general public's perception, sharks represent slaughter and bloodshed.
Of course, this perception is largely due to those terrifying movies.
Although the tourists knew that as long as they stayed on the viewing platform, the sharks couldn't do anything to them.
However, the fear that originated from the depths of their hearts still made them tremble uncontrollably.
Many tourists even imagined the horrific scene they would face if they were unfortunate enough to fall into the sea.
As the tourists watched the shark pod in the water with fearful eyes, the shark pod suddenly accelerated towards the shore.
Their movement naturally drew screams from the tourists.
However, they soon discovered that the sharks, rumored to be ferocious, behaved no differently from ordinary fish when they swam to the shore and beneath the viewing platforms.
Not only did they show no aggression, but they also actively interacted with the tourists above the platforms.
Some brave children even pressed their faces against the glass below their feet when the sharks approached.
Before long, the screams of fear on the viewing platform turned into the laughter of children.
Perhaps from this moment on, some traditional stereotypes would begin to fade away.