The West Hong Zoo was as lively as ever on the morning of New Year's Eve.
Both visitors and staff within the park wore smiles of genuine joy.
The various small activities held within the park further elevated this happiness.
Among these activities, the most eye-catching was the giant rabbit lantern standing at the zoo's entrance.
All visitors couldn't help but exclaim in unison upon seeing the colossal rabbit lantern.
"Wow! This rabbit is so ugly!"
"It's ridiculous. Rabbits in other cities are either cute or playful, but ours in Ningnan is so hideous."
"If you hadn't said this was a rabbit, I would have thought it was some kind of alien creature."
"I don't know who has the best-looking rabbit sculpture among the netizens nationwide, but the ugliest one is definitely at West Hong Zoo."
"In a way, this counts as bringing glory to Ningnan by getting a first place."
"Director Yang, come out and take your punishment! Who did you commission to make this rabbit lantern? It's so ugly."
"Director Yang is over there, I'll show you the way."
...
While a crowd of visitors marveled at the ugliness of the rabbit lantern displayed by West Hong Zoo, Director Yang Lin was holding a special ceremony in the park's small plaza.
Even before the ceremony began, it had already attracted a large number of curious tourists.
"Zodiac Handover Ceremony? What does that mean?"
"No need to guess, it must be the handover between the Year of the Tiger and the Year of the Rabbit."
"Look quickly, Director Yang is holding the little tiger!"
...
Under the gaze of countless tourists, Yang Lin, holding the little white tiger, Da Mi, walked onto the stage from one side.
From the other side of the stage walked a zookeeper holding a white rabbit.
As they met in the center of the stage, a roll of red handover documents was unfurled before them.
"Dear visitors, today is the last day of the Year of the Tiger. After midnight tonight, we will welcome the Year of the Rabbit."
"To this end, West Hong Zoo is specially holding a handover ceremony here to allow our tiger and rabbit to complete this transition of old and new."
"Now, please invite our little tiger to press its paw print on the handover document."
After saying this, Yang Lin stepped on a patch of gold powder with the little tiger.
After stepping on it, the little tiger walked very consciously onto the red document and left a golden tiger paw print.
"The little tiger's work is done. The new year will be guarded by our Jade Rabbit."
Saying this, Yang Lin signaled to the zookeeper. The zookeeper quickly placed the little white rabbit's foot into the gold powder.
However, just as the little white rabbit was about to leave its footprint on the document, an unexpected situation suddenly occurred.
Amidst the exclamations of the tourists, the little white tiger bit the little white rabbit beside it.
Seeing that the first tragedy of the new year was about to happen, Yang Lin immediately grabbed the little white tiger by the scruff of its neck and lifted it up, narrowly saving the situation.
"You little troublemaker, is this thing edible?"
"It's the mascot for the Year of the Rabbit, do you want everyone to have another Year of the Tiger?"
"Now, apologize to it immediately."
Hearing Yang Lin's scolding, the little white tiger seemed to realize that its prank had gone a bit too far.
The next second, to the stunned gaze of the tourists, it hugged the little white rabbit.
"You scared me to death! I thought this rabbit was going to die, but it was just a joke."
"Rabbit: I hate jokes that lack boundaries."
"Little bunny, I was almost cleaned off."
"It's okay, the Year of the Rabbit and eating rabbit meat are not mutually exclusive. We people from Bashu will still eat 3 billion rabbits this year."
"When it comes to liking rabbits, it really has to be you people from Bashu. No wonder your rabbit lanterns are so good."
"No, no, rabbit hot pot is better. The lantern festival is just average."
"Guixi's cousin, aren't you going to harvest sugar oranges today?"
"Yes, why not celebrate by harvesting a few acres of sugar oranges during the New Year."
"I'm suddenly very curious, if the tiger-rabbit handover can be done this year, how will the rabbit-dragon handover be done next year."
"It doesn't matter, Director Yang will definitely come up with a dragon before next New Year's."
...
As this zodiac handover ceremony proceeded smoothly, the festive New Year atmosphere at the scene became increasingly strong.
However, this festive spirit only lasted until the afternoon and then began to slowly dissipate.
It wasn't that West Hong Zoo had lost its appeal, but rather that New Year's Eve was on the countdown.
At this moment, both local residents and tourists from out of town were preparing for the reunion dinner and the joyous moments of gathering with family and friends.
All the liveliness shifted from the scenic spots to residential communities and major restaurants.
By 4 PM, the park entered a brief period of closure.
"Director, I'm leaving."
"Happy New Year, Director."
"See you next year, Director!"
"Director, I'm leaving too."
...
As employees clocked out one by one, the park soon became quiet.
After the last employee left, Yang Lin was the only one left in the entire park.
Just as it had been a few months ago.
Looking at the empty park before him, Yang Lin didn't feel too lonely.
"Ah, I can finally relax. It's time to prepare the New Year's Eve dinner for the animals."
"Why not let them all out? No one is here anyway."
With this thought, Yang Lin immediately busied himself within the park.
After opening the gates to various enclosures, all the animals emerged from their usual habitats.
In an instant, the West Hong Zoo, which had been quiet a moment ago, became extremely lively.
"Xiao Yang, quickly get me a pack of cigarettes, I'm out."
"Xiao Yang, it's New Year's, don't give me sugar-free soda anymore, get me one with sugar."
"Director, open the canned food, the beef kind."
"Director, Director, do you have any lucky money? Any lucky money?"
"Those annoying two-legged young ones are finally gone, so happy!"
"Hee-haw, I want to eat the greenery over there!"
"Finally, I don't have to pretend to be an animal anymore. Brothers, let's go wild!"
"Mahjong, mahjong, let's play mahjong. Losers get spanked. We're short one player, anyone with hands?"
"Yeehaw! Finally, I can have a good fight. Li Gang, come fight me."
...
Without the tourists, the animals no longer suppressed their desires and completely let loose.
Yang Lin didn't bother to control them this time, satisfying all their needs.
Food was served in abundance.
As for himself, he also set up a hot pot outside, prepared a variety of food, and set up live streaming equipment, waiting for the right time to broadcast his New Year's Eve.