The middle-aged shop owners, a couple, probably never dreamed that a dog they casually picked up from the roadside would discover their hidden spot.
Compared to the shop owners, the police officers' expressions were entirely different, especially when they saw the wild animals in the basement.
This could be considered a major case, both in scale and severity.
The entire resolution process was unbelievably fast; it had been less than thirty minutes from receiving the report to apprehending them.
As the police officers were both shocked and pleasantly surprised, they didn't stand idle.
Soon, iron cages were being carried out one by one.
A careful count revealed that over seventy wild animals were hidden in this small room.
There were more than ten first-class protected national animals, over thirty second-class, and some were classified as "three-in-one" protected animals.
Seeing these frightened little creatures, Yang Lin could already imagine the rest of the shop owners' lives.
Most likely, they would spend it in iron cages, just like these animals.
As the police sirens wailed, the two criminals were escorted into a police car.
However, when it came to the animals, the police officers faced a dilemma.
After all, they were living creatures, and protected ones at that. They didn't dare to take them back casually; if any died en route, they would be held accountable.
Unconsciously, their gazes turned towards Yang Lin.
"Director Yang, what about these..."
Before the police officer could finish speaking, Yang Lin interrupted him.
"Alright, Officer, you don't need to say more. You take the people, and I'll take care of these animals for now."
Hearing Yang Lin's words, the police officer's face broke into a smile.
"We're troubling you again, Director Yang."
"Oh, and let's take a photo together. It'll be good for the police news tomorrow."
With that, several police officers gathered around again.
On one side were the various seized wild animals, and on the other were Yang Lin and them.
Anyone unaware would think they were identifying a crime scene.
After the photos were finally taken, the police officers left the scene first.
Only Yang Lin and the group of wild protected animals remained.
Having no other choice, Yang Lin took out his phone and called Director Song.
"Hello, Director Song, I'm not far from your zoo's entrance."
"Please send a vehicle over quickly, there's a situation here..."
"Yes, we found a few small animals."
...
Ten minutes later, looking at the more than seventy wild animals beside Yang Lin, Director Song's face showed a look of shock.
"Director Yang, didn't you say just a few? How did so many appear?"
"It's all minor issues, not important. Anyway, I rescued them from a wild game restaurant, and since there's nowhere else to house them for now, I'll leave them at your zoo. After they've been treated for their injuries, they'll be released back into the wild."
"That's the only way, I suppose. I never thought something like this would happen right outside our Diannan Zoo."
As they spoke, Director Song and Yang Lin loaded the wild animals in the iron cages onto the vehicle.
Just as Yang Lin was about to leave, a dog's bark caught his attention.
Turning back, he saw that the Mongolian Mastiff he had released earlier had somehow followed him and was now by his side.
Looking at the sturdy Mongolian Mastiff, Yang Lin thought for a moment and finally tossed it into the vehicle as well.
By the time he had delivered these animals to the Diannan Zoo and seen to their accommodation, it was already past midnight.
He, who had no sleepiness earlier, was now struggling to keep his eyes open.
As soon as he returned to his hotel, he collapsed onto the bed and fell asleep.
He woke up at nine the next morning. Casually turning on the hotel TV, a morning news program from Kunming appeared.
"Yesterday, our city's public security officers successfully cracked a wildlife smuggling case, involving as many as seventy-eight wild animals..."
"We are extremely grateful to Mr. Yang, the director of Xihong Zoo, a concerned citizen who provided crucial clues..."
...
Looking at the captions and photos on the television, Yang Lin, who was still groggy, instantly woke up.
Especially when he saw the photo.
In the picture, his face was heavily pixelated, to the point where even his mother wouldn't recognize him.
He couldn't help but show a wry smile.
With that level of pixelation, he looked like a criminal.
Just as he was about to change the channel, his phone on the bedside table suddenly rang.
As soon as the call was answered, Director Song's voice came through.
"Director Yang, are you awake? There seems to be a small situation at the Jingning Nature Reserve."
Hearing this, Yang Lin immediately sat up.
If he remembered correctly, the elephant herd was currently housed at the Jingning Nature Reserve.
This situation was likely related to the elephants.
"What happened? Is there a problem with the elephant herd?"
"Yes. Besides protected animals, this reserve is also home to a large number of wild boars. After entering, the elephant herd seems to have clashed with the wild boars."
"Several wild boars have already been trampled to death by the elephants, and it appears both sides have started fighting."
After hearing Director Song's explanation, Yang Lin was dumbfounded.
Elephants and wild boars fighting? He had never heard of such a thing in his life.
"The forest police contacted us about this, but we can't do anything."
"After all, neither the wild boar herd nor the elephant herd are ones we can afford to offend. Unless the army is deployed, so we had no choice but to contact you."
After Director Song finished speaking, Yang Lin was silent for a moment before replying, "Okay, I understand the general situation. I'll be there immediately to take a look. But it would be best if you arrange for a few more people; I'm afraid I might not be able to handle it alone."
After hanging up the phone, Yang Lin quickly got dressed, had a simple breakfast, and then took a taxi towards the reserve.
Meanwhile, about ten kilometers away at the Jingning Nature Reserve, chaos had already erupted.
From time to time, various protected animals were fleeing from the reserve.
Whether they were fierce beasts like tigers, leopards, and black bears, or small animals like pheasants and rabbits, they were all running as if their lives depended on it.
It was understandable; if they lingered there for even a second, they could be crushed into a pulp by the wild boars or elephants.
In addition to these fleeing animals, large numbers of forest police had also appeared around the perimeter of the reserve.
However, facing the two sides fighting within the reserve, these forest police were also very helpless.
One side was the local dominant force, and the other was a powerful force from elsewhere.
The clash between the two was no less than a small war.
Just as everyone was at a loss about what to do, a taxi with a Kunming license plate slowly drove over.
As the car door opened, Yang Lin's figure appeared before everyone.