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He guessed the other party wanted to find outside help, but he didn't expect them to entrust the cub to him directly.

Raising tiger cubs is no easy task.

Shi Wen paused for a full ten seconds before saying, "I have no experience raising tiger cubs."

Leader: "Sometimes talent and instinct are more important than experience, and we're sure you can do it. But it also depends on your situation; you yourself are much more important to us."

Shi Wen, "Let me think about it first. This is a very big responsibility. I need to do my research and consider it carefully. Furthermore, I am responsible for my ranch, as well as for the personal and property safety of the local residents."

"Of course, thank you for your contribution to finding the tiger cub, and thank you for considering taking care of it," the leader said on the other end of the phone. "The tiger cub's condition is not optimistic, please reply as soon as possible."

After hanging up the phone, Shi Wen looked at Yan Kexing, his expression still somewhat dazed.

Yan Kexing: "I didn't expect them to call you."

"I didn't expect this myself," Shi Wen said after a moment's thought. "They really trust me."

"There's probably not much that can be done; we can only try anything as a last resort."

"Sigh." Shi Wen sighed, feeling a pang of sadness as he thought of the two Hu Zai he had raised himself. "Even if I wanted to raise them, I wouldn't be able to manage them all; there are so many livestock on the ranch—"

Shi Wen would never give up his livestock; running a ranch was his dream, and he decided to dedicate his life to this cause.

If it doesn't interfere with the ranch, taking care of the Hu Zai is fine, but if it does interfere with the ranch, it's not good.

Besides, even he might not be able to take good care of the Hu Zai.

Yan Kexing asked, "Do you want to raise it?"

After carefully considering his own feelings, Shi Wen said, "If conditions allowed, I would definitely like to keep one. Who could resist the temptation of raising such a ferocious beast?"

Yan Kexing fell into deep thought.

Shi Wen struggling for a moment, Shi Wen said, "Never mind, I'm really too busy here, and I'm worried about Cong Zai and the others. It wouldn't be good if the Hu Zai hurt them."

Yan Kexing: "If we have enough manpower, there shouldn't be any problems."

Shi Wen, "The problem is that we don't have enough manpower right now. Even if we hire more people, I'll be worried about the safety of the Hu Zai and the safety of the people who come. After all, raising tigers is no small matter."

Yan Kexing nodded. "Would you be willing to let me stay at the ranch temporarily and raise the Hu Zai with you?"

Shi Wen, "What did you say?!?"

Shi Wen felt as if a series of fireworks had exploded in his heart, crackling and popping, leaving him completely stunned.

He stared at Yan Kexing's face with his mouth agape, as if in a daze.

Yan Kexing's expression was very serious, and he didn't seem to be joking at all.

So--

Yan Kexing proposed to him... cohabitation?!

No, no, no, at most it's just sharing a room.

But if he agrees, there's a real possibility they could live together!

Shi Wen felt that her brain had never worked so fast before.

In just a few seconds, they had considered all 360 possible scenarios for what would happen next.

Stop, stop.

Shi Wen was cracking her knuckles under the table, barely managing to calm herself down.

What was the prerequisite Yan Kexing mentioned for living together again?

Oh, raising Hu Zai!

Doesn't that mean they've practically adopted two children?!

No, no, no, stop now!

Shi Wen tried to calm down eight hundred times, and finally managed to calm down a little.

If it were Yan Kexing, then it would definitely be possible.

Yan Kexing is not human; the Hu Zai cannot harm him.

As a professor, Yan Kexing's knowledge was certainly up to par, and he was capable of raising Hu Zai.

He is also very patient and responsible; he always does what he promises and will not cause any accidents.

Shi Wen stood up with a "whoosh": "Let me think about it!"

Yan Kexing: "Okay."

Shi Wen could make up his mind, he received another call from Zhu Ji.

Zhu Ji: "Well, we're pretty close, someone asked me to ask. Let's discuss it. It's okay if you don't agree; you're more important, so let's not create any rift between us."

Still somewhat dazed, Shi Wen responded in a dazed tone, "Mm."

Upon hearing that there was hope, Zhu Ji immediately said, "Let's talk about the subsidy first. They've agreed to give 50,000 yuan a month for one Hu Zai, and 100,000 yuan for two. The compensation will be calculated separately; you can name your price."

Upon Shi Wen, Shi Wen exclaimed, "So high?!"

Zhu Ji: "These two Hu Zai are quite significant. The whole world thought the Tarim tiger was extinct, but unexpectedly, there is still a population here that can reproduce naturally."

Shi Wen, "Hasn't it been determined what subspecies it is yet?"

"It's highly likely," Zhu Ji said frankly. "If the Tarim tiger can really reproduce, it will be quite important for all parties—the ruling party's achievements, local influence, the local environment, scientific research, etc. Everyone is waiting to benefit."

Zhu Ji: "If you can take on this project, it will be a good thing for our J Province Anomaly Management Office and even the entire Abnormal Affairs Bureau. Influence means having a voice."

Shi Wen wasn't particularly interested in these complicated matters. "I haven't decided yet. But if I really do raise them, my bottom line is that it can't affect the personal safety and livestock property of our local herders."

Zhu Ji readily agreed, "That's for sure, people-oriented."

Shi Wen, "To achieve this goal, I hope the client can help me reinforce the barbed wire fence, at least to a height of three meters, to prevent the tigers from escaping. Also, I need to help you divide the ranch into three large areas, each covering 1,000 acres. That way, I can raise tigers in one area without affecting the livestock in the other two areas."

This is no small investment. Zhu Ji considered it briefly, then gritted his teeth and said, "Alright, let's go ask. At worst, our Anomaly Management Office can subsidize half of it."

Shi Wen, "There's another point. I'll only raise the two Hu Zai until they're about a year old. If they threaten the safety of my ranch, I'll have to send them away before then."