The Shenlongjia Airport, the sensationalized water monster incident has come to a close with the monster's voluntary appearance.
This is the best outcome for all parties involved.
Especially for the "Approaching Science" program crew and National Geographic magazine.
While this time the mystery of the wild man was not solved, they did discover a salamander from 200 million years ago, filling a major gap in the history of amphibians.
The forest area also attracted a lot of attention.
For Yang Lin personally, being able to experience a fantastical adventure and bring back a prehistoric animal can be considered a small profit, not a loss.
"Director Yang, this has been quite a trouble for you. Next time we meet will be in the Arctic. I just hope we won't trouble you again then."
Outside the waiting hall, Teacher Xiao Liang said with a sigh.
"What trouble is there? We're all friends." After saying that, Yang Lin suddenly thought of something and quickly added.
"By the way, you'll have to reimburse me for the round-trip flight tickets. It was over two thousand yuan."
Upon hearing Yang Lin's words, Teacher Xiao Liang, sitting in his wheelchair, was speechless.
"Aren't you a bit too stingy? In the time you've been talking to me, Xihong Zoo has already earned back your flight money, right?"
"Alas, don't look at how much the zoo earns, they also spend a lot. This year's employee year-end bonuses amounted to several million."
"Even the Director's family isn't flush with cash."
"You're right. After seeing the news online about Xihong Zoo's annual meeting and year-end bonuses, I've been thinking about applying for a job there," Teacher Xiao Liang said thoughtfully.
"I can't afford a distinguished guest like you. Alright, I have to go, it's almost time. I'm heading in now."
"Happy New Year in advance. I'm off!"
With that, Yang Lin walked towards the boarding gate without looking back.
As the New Year approached, he also felt a strong sense of homesickness, a sentiment deeply ingrained in Chinese people since ancient times.
Six hours later, when Yang Lin returned to Xihong Zoo, the scene before him immediately made his eyes light up.
Looking around, the various zones of Xihong Zoo were already adorned with red lanterns symbolizing the New Year.
Even every corner was decorated with festive lights.
Coupled with the joyous music continuously echoing through the park, the festive atmosphere reached its peak.
Due to the addition of night shows during the New Year, even as the sky darkened, the number of visitors in the park remained as lively as during the day, and perhaps even more so.
When Yang Lin, carrying his suitcase, appeared at the park entrance, he was immediately spotted by tourists.
"It's Director Yang, Director Yang is back."
"It really is Director Yang. I just saw on the news that he was still in Shenlongjia, how did he get back so quickly?"
"Isn't that obvious? It's New Year's Eve tomorrow, he has to come back for the holiday."
"Happy New Year, Director Yang."
"Happy New Year, Director Yang."
"Quick, let's go get some red envelopes from Director Yang."
Before long, Yang Lin was surrounded by a throng of enthusiastic tourists.
Facing these tourists, both young and old, who were wishing him a Happy New Year while asking for red envelopes, Yang Lin, who had been smiling just moments ago, found himself caught between laughter and tears.
"I just got off the plane, where would I have any red envelopes?"
"How about this, everyone tune into Xihong Live's Channel One tomorrow night. I'll be giving out red envelopes in the live stream."
"Besides red envelopes, I'll also have some small New Year's gifts for everyone. Make sure to come then!"
Upon hearing Yang Lin's words, the tourists who were previously chattering excitedly suddenly calmed down.
"We were just joking, but since Director Yang insists on giving them out, we won't refuse."
"Hehe, Director Yang won't be that stingy, will he?"
"But we have to watch the Spring Festival Gala tomorrow night."
"Spring Festival Gala? What's that?"
"Who watches the Spring Festival Gala these days? Do you?"
"I don't."
"So let's go grab Director Yang's red envelopes instead."
"But speaking of which, won't Director Yang be spending New Year's with his own family tomorrow?"
"Aren't all the animals in this zoo Director Yang's family?"
Listening to their chatter, Yang Lin casually pulled out his phone.
After glancing at the chat interface, he dejectedly turned off the screen.
"They've completely forgotten about me. It's already New Year's, and no one has even video called me."
"The bond has faded, the bond has faded."
"But it's possible they'll call tomorrow. I'll give them another chance."
After a bit of banter with the tourists, Yang Lin immediately gathered all the zoo employees and announced news that immensely excited everyone present.
"Tomorrow is New Year's Eve. At 4 PM tomorrow, we will officially start the New Year holiday. No one will be on duty in the evening."
"The holiday will be seven days long. Except for the pre-arranged duty personnel, everyone else will have time off. Subsequent holidays will not be affected, and there will be no need for make-up workdays."
As soon as he finished speaking, the people in the conference room erupted in cheers.
Seven consecutive days off, with no make-up workdays, this was better than eighty percent of companies and enterprises.
"That's great! Now I can go out and have a good trip!"
"The eighth day of the Lunar New Year is a Sunday, so it's like having 8 days off!"
"Director is brilliant! You deserve to be rich."
"I hate the make-up workday system the most. They shift a holiday here and a holiday there, and you only get two days off in reality."
"After the New Year, we'll continue to work hard for the Director."
"Forget working hard, I'd even donate blood for the Director."
"If everyone goes home tomorrow night, does that mean the Director will be the only one left in the park?"
"Oh, that's right."
With that, everyone's gaze turned towards Yang Lin.
"Cousin, why don't you come to my house for New Year's this year? We used to spend New Year's together when we were kids, remember?" Chen Kexin was the first to invite him.
"Director, why don't you come to my place? My house is nearby, and my sister doesn't have a boyfriend yet."
"How old is your sister?"
"38. What's wrong? She's only a few years older than Director. It's not a big deal. Older women are more caring."
"Director, come home with me. I don't have a sister, but my younger sister just graduated from high school."
"How dare you! You want to be Director's brother-in-law?"
"Director, I don't have a sister or a younger sister, but I'm single. How about me?"
In an instant, everyone started extending New Year's invitations to Yang Lin.
Yang Lin could only politely decline each one.
He was joking, he wasn't an extrovert, how could he possibly accept an invitation to spend New Year's at someone else's house?
More importantly, he really disliked the chaotic feeling of New Year's.
He'd rather be alone and enjoy the peace and quiet.
"Alright, it's decided. Everyone have a good New Year at home. I'll stay at the zoo by myself."
"Otherwise, I won't be at ease."
With Yang Lin's final decision made, the others couldn't insist further.