Zoo Director's Rules

As the news spread, people from Ugly Country soon heard about it too.

When they learned that their country's position in the rankings was under threat, many people from Ugly Country flooded into Dragon Country's livestream.

"I thought your Dragon Country contestant was supposed to be amazing. He's nothing special. Back at the Aquarium, didn't he only survive by sacrificing someone else? How embarrassing."

"Sure, sure, you're absolutely right. But he still can't compare to your Lamb. He got a bunch of contestants from other countries killed, and those countries were grateful to him for it. Classic Ugly Country!"

"Hmph, your Su Chen only got that crucial information by stealing an employee's personal belongings. You people from Dragon Country are rotten to the core, all of you lowly thieves!"

"Sure, sure, you're absolutely right. We're small-minded. We can't compete with your country's five-finger shopping sprees."

After that exchange, the people from Ugly Country were utterly demolished by Dragon Country's master-level sarcasm.

They began hurling abuse.

The next moment, however, Dragon Country's officials banned those foul-mouthed accounts.

[Dragon Country is a nation of courtesy. Please keep your language civil.]

An official announcement appeared at the very top of the screen!

That made the people from Ugly Country even angrier.

"Biden: Trashy Dragon Country doesn't respect freedom of speech at all. What an inferior nation."

System notification: User Biden has been banned for offensive language.

"Bob: Son of a beach! You people from Dragon Country are baiting us into getting banned!"

System notification: User Bob has been banned for offensive language.

As one ban notification appeared after another, the entire livestream finally quieted down.

Inside the hourly rental room at the Aquarium.

Su Chen scrambled upright, afraid that lying down too long would make him accidentally fall asleep.

He didn't dare sleep at a time like this.

First, he was afraid of losing track of time and missing his chance to escape.

Second, that nightmare had left him feeling that something wasn't quite right. It was better not to sleep at all.

But the night was long, and finding a way to pass the time was difficult.

So he simply got up and felt around the room in the darkness, looking for clues.

Perhaps there were other hints hidden in this room.

In this eerie Zoo, the more information he had about the rules, the better.

With a piece of bread between his teeth, Su Chen began searching the bedside table.

Suddenly, a small metal box caught his attention.

He picked it up and ran his hand over its entire surface.

Soon, his fingers found a seam in the box.

He applied a little pressure along the seam.

With a click, the metal box popped open.

He reached inside and felt around. Judging by the texture, he thought it was a sheet of paper.

"Did I actually find another clue?"

Su Chen murmured to himself.

Having discovered the paper, Su Chen promptly took out his phone.

He unlocked the screen and used its faint glow to examine the sheet inside the box.

Several large words headed the page.

Zoo Director's Rules.

Su Chen's pupils contracted.

Logically speaking, the Zoo director had to know more about the Zoo than anyone else.

That meant these rules must contain more of the Zoo's secrets.

He began reading the contents carefully.

1. Accept all employees, regardless of the color of their clothing. Although the Zoo only provides blue uniforms, if someone appears wearing a black/red uniform of the same design, please treat them equally as an employee.

2. When no one is around, the sound of children crying or laughing outside the office door is normal. Ignore it and pretend you haven't heard anything. Never show unease or irritation.

3. Employees are not allowed to bring pets into the Zoo. If anyone insists on violating this rule, there is no need to fine them. Simply require them to accept responsibility for the consequences.

4. Check the number of white lions in the Lion Enclosure every three days. Record how frequently their numbers change in the spreadsheet in the computer folder named "It." Do not investigate what "It" refers to. Do not rename the file. Do not discuss this folder with anyone, including family members.

5. Every map must have a section that can be torn off along a dotted line, and the maps must be produced by the designated manufacturer. The manufacturer's contact information is in the Word document in the folder. Keep at least three maps in the office at all times for immediate use.

6. No matter how frequently the Elephant Enclosure's security guards resign or how outrageous their demands for benefits are, treat them well and meet their demands whenever possible. They are not being unreasonable. However, it is best not to look too deeply into why they make these demands.

7. When inspecting employees' work, it is normal to see them catching escaped rabbits or retrieving dried-out jellyfish or rabbits killed by white lions. There is no need to reprimand or question them, but please check that they have properly dealt with them.

8. The office lights must remain on from 1:15 a.m. to 6:00 a.m., even when no one is there. The power supply here is more robust than in any enclosure, so a power outage is abnormal. If one occurs, immediately tear off the section along the dotted line on the spare map to the right of the desk, then hold it in your hand and walk outside. Tell the first employee you encounter about the outage, regardless of the color of their clothing or what they are about to do, and ask them to deal with it for you. They will not refuse.

9. Do not investigate whether the Aquarium exists. However, if you see the Aquarium, you may go inside and walk around. Outside the Aquarium, follow the notice posted at the entrance. Inside the Aquarium, follow the notices posted within. If the notices contradict one another, decide which one to follow based on where you are physically located when you see the notice.

10. Only ape and white lion plush toys are placed on the office sofa. If goat/rabbit/elephant toys appear, there is no need to work indoors that day. Leave, and do not return until the surveillance room staff inform you that the extra toys have disappeared.

11. You may take an afternoon nap, but if you decide to work the night shift, use whatever means necessary to stay alert and do not doze off. If you cannot be certain of your mental state, do not work the night shift.

12. The surveillance monitors will occasionally malfunction. To determine whether this is an ordinary malfunction, check the cameras for animal hair. If there is any, do not repair the monitors for one month. If necessary, you may obtain miniature cameras yourself as replacements. After you explain the situation, the finance department will reimburse the cost of the cameras.

13. It is normal for dried-out jellyfish to appear in the trash can. Simply mention it to the cleaner when they come to empty the trash.

14. If you violate any of the above rules, pretend nothing has happened and spend thirteen hours in the office. Order takeout for meals and contact an employee to bring it inside for you. Do not leave the office, do not look directly at the delivery person or the employee, and do not look in a mirror. Keep reminding yourself that humans have two eyes, and only two eyes.

15. Always remember that human lives and safety are more important than those of animals. Sacrifice any animal if necessary. Do not be softhearted. You do not know whether they are animals.