0102: Qin Yunhe and the Tiger

“I’ll get in touch with my colleagues at the bureau!”

The first to react was Qin Yunhe, a professional, who immediately picked up her phone and made a call. Half a minute later, she hung up.

“It’s from a rural circus, an unlicensed, unregulated troupe. I despise so-called circuses—they’re just animal factories!”

“Though even formal zoos aren’t much better; they confine animals’ freedom, but at least they ensure their survival and health.”

Qin Yunhe spoke with righteous indignation, but this matter was beyond their immediate jurisdiction—they could only assist from the sidelines. The forestry department needed to handle this.

“Xu Lin, Wanwan, I’ll go over there to maintain order. You stay here, don’t wander off.”

After saying that, Qin Yunhe pulled out her police badge and ran toward the crowd, shouting loudly, which helped calm the noisy scene a bit.

Ji Yun, however, looked toward the distance. Ji Datong noticed his daughter and waved his arm to signal that everything was fine.

Though the situation had stabilized, Xu Lin felt something strange inside. Although he couldn’t see the tiger’s body, he felt its presence as if it were slowly approaching. Taking a deep breath, he activated his system, but found no change. He was certain he shouldn’t have such supernatural abilities.

Minutes passed until the sound of sirens filled the air. Two black armed police vehicles arrived nearby but were stopped several dozen meters away. Behind them was a green forestry department vehicle.

Then, in the next moment, Xu Lin sensed the tiger was already outside the door!

Looking out the glass, he saw a large white figure crouching at the entrance, clawing at the door with its front paws.

Inside, a sharp scream broke out. The door was locked from the inside.

It was just a glass door, not reinforced, but still a door, not easily broken.

The tiger showed little aggression, appearing somewhat clumsy. Despite its size, its face drooped lazily as it wagged its tail.

Its coat was clean and white. When it crouched down, its belly pressed against the ground, indicating the circus fed it well—at least it wasn’t abused.

The tiger didn’t roar but stared into the hotpot restaurant. Everyone inside trembled, experiencing for the first time what it must feel like for zoo animals.

Before, they had watched tigers and lions through glass, but now the tiger was watching them through the glass.

Yet Qin Yunhe felt differently from the others’ nervousness. She gazed calmly and even happily at the tiger nearby.

She even wanted to open the door and reach out to stroke its big head, but instinctively knew its teeth and claws could kill them easily.

As the standoff continued, her colleague called again. Nearby, forestry officials and police abandoned their vehicles and, fully armed, approached.

Suddenly, the tiger seemed to realize something and let out a low, sharp growl, baring its sharp teeth!

Everyone inside scrambled back, some rushing upstairs!

The shop owner shouted, “Everyone, the upper floors and the third floor have plenty of space. Go upstairs, enter the private rooms, and lock the doors!”

“Follow the owner’s instructions, don’t crowd, go up in order! Those who don’t want to go upstairs, stay back and away from the door!”

Qin Yunhe continued to shout, raising her badge. “I’m a police officer. Please follow instructions. Help has arrived. Don’t be afraid or panic!”

Most customers on the first floor went up to the second floor. Some felt that if the tiger got in, the second and first floors wouldn’t differ much, so they stayed downstairs.

Xu Lin led Su Qingwan, Ji Yun, and Ji Datong to the kitchen in the back, which could also be locked.

Boldly, Xu Lin approached Qin Yunhe, standing just half a meter away from the tiger.

“What are you doing here? Don’t you fear it lunging and biting you to death?”

“Your markings are much more obvious than mine. If it bites anyone, it’ll be you first.”

“Get lost! This isn’t black—it’s a healthy wheat tone! What do you know? It’s not like the tiger looks better being so white!”

“I never said you weren’t good-looking.”

“Hmph!”

Xu Lin stepped closer and closer until he stood by the glass. Onlookers gasped at his audacity.

But the tiger suddenly stood up. Xu Lin wasn’t afraid but felt the weight of its presence.

Just standing up, the tiger reached chest height—a true king of beasts. Its eyes were beautiful, like amber.

Xu Lin noticed the tiger glanced at him but its gaze lingered behind, seemingly fixed on Qin Yunhe.

“Qin Yunhe, I think it’s looking at you.”

“Hm?”

Qin Yunhe looked over, locking eyes with the tiger. Then, suddenly, the tiger let out a fierce low growl!

Everyone jumped again. Outside, people formed a circle, holding riot shields and tranquilizer guns, surrounding the shop.

Just as everyone thought the tiger would charge, it lifted a front paw but didn’t strike the door. Instead, it lowered its body slowly.

Like a knight paying homage to a queen, it crouched before Qin Yunhe, purring contentedly.

The onlookers were stunned. What was this? It felt like watching a fantasy film.

Qin Yunhe herself was bewildered. She’d merely glanced at it—done nothing else.

Then the tiger gave a low whine. Everyone noticed a tranquilizer dart protruding from its neck!

The white tiger spun around, roaring at the group, but after a few wobbling steps, it collapsed onto the ground.

Qin Yunhe looked at the tiger’s retreating form with unexpected sympathy, wanting to open the door and embrace it.

Two minutes later, after the tiger was completely still, several forestry workers with large shields approached.

“It’s confirmed unconscious. Don’t open the door yet. Let us carry it out first.”

Qin Yunhe nodded but involuntarily leaned against the door. Those around her were startled and tried to stop her.

Xu Lin stood beside her. Though he wanted to restrain her, he took a deep breath and let her go, then securely locked the door again, easing the nerves of those inside.

Qin Yunhe knelt beside the fallen white tiger, with the staff nearby.

“Don’t get too close. The tranquilizer works quickly, but…”

Before the warning finished, the big white tiger suddenly raised its head, startling the workers backward!

But Qin Yunhe seemed entranced and hugged its massive head.

The tiger nuzzled into her like a kitten curling in her arms.

A faint smile spread across its mouth, almost human-like, before it closed its eyes completely.

“Brother, what’s the situation?”

“Have you ever seen such a tame tiger?”

“From a circus, low aggression is normal, isn’t it?”

“I don’t think it’s normal.”

“Forget normal or not, let’s get it on the stretcher! It’s heavy—we’ll need help.”

“By the way, I’ve never carried a tiger before.”

“Old Li, call for help to carry the tiger!”

Qin Yunhe, a dark-skinned beauty, cradling the sleepy white tiger, made for a strange scene.

Many nearby, seeing the tiger unconscious, no longer feared it and began taking photos.

Xu Lin’s vision flashed red code again, reminiscent of the last time he shot arrows. What could this be...?