Chapter Summaries

Shi Wen and Yan Kexing explored the livestock exhibition, where Shi Wen bought two young black sows and decided against buying rabbits or goats. When they returned home, the app showed the white tiger inside despite the locked doors, and they found chili sauce smeared throughout the house as rustling came from the kitchen.

• Shi Wen and Yan Kexing visited Fu Meng's cramped livestock display before touring the large exhibition.
• Shi Wen tasted black-pork snacks with Yan Kexing and ordered two six-month-old black sows.
• Shi Wen and Yan Kexing passed on the rabbits and goats they saw, while Shi Wen noticed the exhibition had generated many sales.
• Shi Wen checked the app at home and discovered that the white tiger was inside, though Yan Kexing said he had locked the doors.
• Shi Wen and Yan Kexing opened the house to find chili sauce spread across the living room and kitchen, with rustling coming from the kitchen.

Shi Wen and Yan Kexing found the white tiger covered in soot and chili sauce, then washed it with cooking oil to soothe its burning skin. After cleaning the house and repairing the ranch, they left the white tiger chastened and recovering.

• Shi Wen and Yan Kexing discovered the white tiger covered in soot and chili sauce, crying as it tried to lick itself clean.
• Shi Wen sent the gathered animals away, then he and Yan Kexing washed the white tiger and used cooking oil to remove the irritating chili sauce.
• Shi Wen left the quiet, exhausted white tiger in the drying room while Yan Kexing cleaned the mess around the house.
• Cong Zai beat the white tiger three times a day for several days, while the little snow leopard enjoyed watching and avoided being struck itself.
• Shi Wen and Yan Kexing refurbished and repaired the ranch, making it look brand-new after two days of work.

Shi Wen and Yan Kexing prepared for the New Year on their ranch and invited Zhu Ji to celebrate with them. After a day of cooking and sharing Bureau gossip, they began roasting a Dolan sheep for New Year's Eve dinner.

• Shi Wen and Yan Kexing bought New Year supplies while music and dancing carried from town.
• Zhu Ji asked to spend New Year's Eve with them, and Shi Wen invited him to the ranch.
• Shi Wen learned that Yan Kexing had given Ge Yue and the others their winter break, then enjoyed the fried balls Yan Kexing made.
• Zhu Ji arrived with New Year supplies, ate fried balls with Shi Wen and Yan Kexing, and shared gossip from the Abnormal Affairs Bureau.
• The three prepared for New Year's Eve dinner, and Shi Wen and Yan Kexing lit a bonfire to roast a Dolan sheep.

Shi Wen, Yan Kexing, and Zhu Ji celebrated New Year's Eve with a roast Dolang sheep, offal soup, and cards. The next morning, Shi Wen and Yan Kexing planned to take the little ones skiing if there was still snow on the mountain.

• Shi Wen and Yan Kexing roasted a Dolang sheep while the little ones watched Animal World and waited for food.
• Yan Kexing cooked the sheep offal, and Zhu Ji praised the meal and decided to stay overnight.
• Shi Wen, Yan Kexing, and Zhu Ji played Fight the Landlord beside the campfire.
• On the first day of the Lunar New Year, Shi Wen and Yan Kexing planned to take the little ones out, and Shi Wen suggested checking whether they could ski in the mountains.

Shi Wen, Yan Kexing, and Zhu Ji took the little ones to play in the snowy mountains, where the little snow leopard caught an unfamiliar meerkat. They discovered signs of a meerkat group and reported the possible illegal introduction and ecological threat to Zhou Hongzhong.

• Zhu Ji, Shi Wen, and Yan Kexing took the little ones into the mountains, where they played in the snow.
• Zhu Ji brought over an animal the little snow leopard had caught, and Yan Kexing identified it as a meerkat.
• Shi Wen and Yan Kexing questioned the little ones and followed the little snow leopard to the woods, where they found burrows and suspected at least nine meerkats were present.
• Shi Wen explained to Zhu Ji that meerkats were not native to the area and might have been smuggled in, posing a risk of biological invasion.
• Yan Kexing told Shi Wen to contact Zhou Hongzhong, and Zhou Hongzhong reacted with disbelief when Shi Wen reported the meerkats.

Shi Wen and Yan Kexing helped Zhou Hongzhong investigate a group of meerkats that might be an invasive population or a newly evolved local subspecies. After the group was caught and counted, Zhou Hongzhong took them away to report the discovery.

• Shi Wen told Zhou Hongzhong about the meerkats, and Zhou Hongzhong agreed to bring people to investigate despite being on vacation.
• Shi Wen and Yan Kexing went back to playing in the snow with the little fellows while Zhu Ji was left out of their teams.
• Zhou Hongzhong arrived and examined the meerkat they had caught, while Yan Kexing suggested it might be a new local subspecies.
• Shi Wen led Zhou Hongzhong and his team to the burrows, where the little fellows caught all nine meerkats.
• Zhou Hongzhong and his people took the meerkats away to report the discovery.

After the meerkats’ discovery drew scientific attention to J Province’s improving ecosystem, Shi Wen suspected that Zhu Ji and others had made deeper plans for the region, though Zhu Ji could not discuss confidential details. As spring arrived, Shi Wen planted vegetables and hired workers to maintain the expanding pasture, then learned that a large package of clothes had arrived.

• Shi Wen and Yan Kexing discussed the meerkats, and Zhu Ji said he would report the discovery and request an investigation team.
• Scientists and survey teams arrived to study the meerkats, while Shi Wen told Zhu Ji he suspected the region’s preparations had begun long before the discovery.
• Shi Wen watched a news report about the meerkats but declined Yan Kexing’s offer to visit them.
• As the weather warmed, Shi Wen planted vegetables, fertilized the pasture, and hired temporary workers to help manage the land.
• A courier told Shi Wen that a large package of clothes from a company with a Z in its name had arrived.

Shi Wen received custom-made wool clothes from He Chengzhang’s company and discovered that the outfits were tailored for both him and Yan Kexing. After He Chengzhang confirmed they were gifts made from ranch wool, Shi Wen eagerly tried on a set and asked Yan Kexing to wear one too.

• Shi Wen collected a huge package from the ranch gate and found it contained several pairs of clothes on hangers.
• Yan Kexing guessed the clothes were custom-made, and he and Shi Wen discussed inviting Lin Chengqian and Ge Yue to the ranch for dinner.
• Yan Kexing told Shi Wen that Gong Jiang would join him as an assistant after graduating.
• He Chengzhang confirmed the clothes were gifts made from wool from their ranch and were ready to wear.
• Shi Wen tried on a tailored outfit and coat, admired the fit, and urged Yan Kexing to put on a matching outfit.

Shi Wen and Yan Kexing decided to travel to City B for a fashion show and arranged for Zhu Ji and Duan Kuo to watch over the ranch’s little ones. At the venue, Shi Wen admired the company’s clothing exhibition, especially this year’s pieces made from wool and sheepskin from their ranch.

• Shi Wen and Yan Kexing tried on several outfits made from wool from their ranch, then found invitations to an event in City B and decided to attend.
• The snow leopard cub, the white tiger, the fox, and the dogs protested when Shi Wen told them they could not come along.
• Zhu Ji volunteered to look after the little ones with Duan Kuo while Shi Wen and Yan Kexing traveled to City B.
• Shi Wen and Yan Kexing arrived at the show venue, where He Chengzhang greeted them briefly before returning to preparations.
• Shi Wen toured a clothing museum displaying the company’s designs through the years and felt moved when he saw this year’s pieces made from their ranch’s wool and sheepskin.

Shi Wen and Yan Kexing attended He Chengzhang’s fashion show, where they saw how their wool and sheepskin supported the designs. After exploring City B and meeting Yan Kexing’s friends, they were asked by Xi Long for a favor involving Shi Wen’s ability with animals.

• A photographer secretly took a candid picture of Shi Wen and Yan Kexing, and they let him keep it on the condition that he did not post it publicly.
• Shi Wen and Yan Kexing watched He Chengzhang’s fashion show and discussed how their sheep-raising work contributed to the art on display.
• He Chengzhang thanked Shi Wen for supplying materials and said he hoped they would continue working together and discuss a contract.
• Shi Wen and Yan Kexing explored City B and met several of Yan Kexing’s old friends.
• Xi Long asked Shi Wen for a favor because of his gift with animals, and Yan Kexing told him to explain what he needed first.

Shi Wen visited Xi Long’s zoo to investigate why the giant panda Zhengzheng had stopped eating and sleeping and become irritable. He found Zhengzheng listless in her enclosure and prepared to approach her to look for the cause.

• Xi Long told Shi Wen that Zhengzheng had become thin, lethargic, and unable to eat or sleep, despite medical tests finding nothing wrong.
• Shi Wen recognized Zhengzheng and learned that she had rejected several male pandas and started acting strangely after a keeper quit, though the keeper’s return had not helped.
• Xi Long explained that Zhengzheng’s popularity had drawn accusations of abuse and growing scrutiny of the zoo.
• Shi Wen inspected the enclosure and learned that Zhengzheng had also begun throwing feces at people and had been lying in a corner for days.
• Shi Wen said he would approach Zhengzheng to assess her, and Yan Kexing reassured the concerned keeper.

Shi Wen discovered that Zhengzheng was a male giant panda and suggested finding him a female companion to address his depression. Back at the ranch, Shi Wen planned spring planting and a sheep purchase, then Sikewell called to ask him to help with mares nearing birth.

• Shi Wen examined Zhengzheng and confirmed that the panda was male after the keepers had long believed he was female.
• Shi Wen suggested that Zhengzheng might be depressed because of repeated attempts to pair him with male pandas, and recommended introducing a female panda.
• Shi Wen and Yan Kexing left the zoo, declined Xi Long's meal invitation, and returned to the ranch.
• Shi Wen planned spring crops and arranged to order fourteen hundred sheep from Red Blossom Ranch.
• Sikewell told Shi Wen that a horse breeder in Leiwu Village had several mares about to give birth and asked him to help.

Shi Wen rode Shi Suo to Lian Lishan’s farm to help Sikewell and Tang Duohai with six pregnant mares. The group prepared to deal with two mares showing signs of difficult births.

• Shi Wen agreed to bring honey to Lian Lishan’s farm after Sikewell asked him to help with the mares.
• Yan Kexing helped Shi Wen saddle Shi Suo, and Shi Wen rode to Leiwu Village.
• Shi Wen arrived to find Sikewell and Tang Duohai already at Lian Lishan’s home, then tied up Shi Suo and fed both horses soybeans.
• Shi Wen and Tang Duohai joined Lian Lishan and Sikewell in the livestock shed, where they saw six mares in separate stalls.
• Sikewell said two mares showed signs of difficult births while the others appeared to be doing all right.

Shi Wen and Sikewell helped Lian Lishan’s six mares give birth, overcoming two difficult deliveries. By late afternoon, all six mares and their foals had survived.

• Shi Wen examined the horses and identified two mares having difficult births as Lian Lishan prepared warm water and feed.
• Shi Wen delivered the first foal, then checked the mare and foal before helping with the other births.
• Sikewell gave the struggling mares injections, and Shi Wen adjusted one foal’s position as Sikewell guided him.
• Lian Lishan agreed to give a mare honey water, and Shi Wen brought a cup that helped restore her strength.
• Shi Wen and Sikewell delivered a spotted foal that had inhaled amniotic fluid, then worked together to save it.
• All six mares gave birth to one foal each by a little after four in the afternoon.

Shi Wen agreed to take in the depressed giant panda Zhengzheng at his ranch, and Xi Long arranged for the panda to be sent from City B. Zhengzheng arrived discreetly, and Shi Wen carried it into the animal shed to join the ranch’s other animals.

• Shi Wen told Lian Lishan that one of her foals might reach an average level with proper training, and she rewarded him with an extra red envelope.
• Xi Long asked Shi Wen to help Zhengzheng, whose depression had not improved, and Shi Wen agreed to care for the panda at his ranch if the zoo handled the paperwork and sent its food.
• Shi Wen told the ranch animals to welcome the new guest, while Yan Kexing explained that Shi Wen’s reputation made the arrangement possible.
• Xi Long arranged for Zhengzheng to travel to the ranch within three days, and the zoo publicly said the panda had been sent away to recuperate.
• Zhengzheng arrived discreetly with its keepers, and Shi Wen carried it into the animal shed where the ranch animals lived.

Shi Wen cared for Zhengzheng as the giant panda adjusted to life on the ranch, despite Zhengzheng’s poor appetite and a fight with An Wa. With visitors eager to pet the panda, Shi Wen set rules for handling the animals and bought mature bamboo to plant for future food.

• Shi Wen settled Zhengzheng into his own enclosure and brought him along on ranch outings as he adjusted to his new home.
• Zhengzheng fought with An Wa, and Shi Wen separated them, scolded them, and warned Zhengzheng not to fight again.
• Shi Wen struggled to improve Zhengzheng’s appetite and told Yan Kexing that the ranch’s little ones were easier to understand and raise.
• Ge Yue and Lin Chengqian offered to help care for the animals, and Shi Wen reminded them not to feed the little ones extra honey water or sweets.
• Shi Wen bought a truckload of mature, cold-hardy bamboo to plant for Zhengzheng’s future food.

Shi Wen planted bamboo partly to provide fresh food for Zhengzheng, whom he believed had a poor appetite. After Zhu Ji questioned that impression, Shi Wen watched the surveillance footage and discovered Zhengzheng acted listless around him but eagerly inspected and ate food once he was gone.

• Shi Wen hired day laborers to help him plant bamboo, and Zhang Deyuan teased him for doing it after meeting Zhengzheng.
• Shi Wen explained that fresh bamboo shoots might help Zhengzheng eat better, while Zhu Ji pointed out that the panda looked healthy and had gained weight.
• Zhu Ji suggested Shi Wen check the surveillance footage, and Shi Wen began watching recordings of Zhengzheng that evening.
• Shi Wen saw that Zhengzheng became animated and inspected the food as soon as Shi Wen left, then ate selectively while leaving some behind.
• Shi Wen concluded that Zhengzheng might have been pretending to be listless, and Yan Kexing agreed that the panda was clever.
• Shi Wen said he would send the footage to Xi Long and the others.

Shi Wen realized that giant panda Zhengzheng had been faking illness and arranged for him to return to the zoo. The next day, Shi Wen welcomed Zhan Chongyun, who had come with Baoye A Sai to choose two of the ranch’s stallions for speed racing.

• Shi Wen sent the zoo videos suggesting Zhengzheng had been pretending to be sick, and thanked Zhu Ji for noticing the act.
• Zhu Ji explained that experience with a guard dog who faked injuries had taught him how to spot an animal’s deception.
• Shi Wen joked with Yan Kexing that Zhengzheng had tarnished his spotless reputation, and told him that Baoye A Sai would bring a horse buyer to the ranch.
• Baoye A Sai introduced Zhan Chongyun to Shi Wen, and Zhan Chongyun praised the quality of Shi Wen’s horses.
• Shi Wen took Zhan Chongyun and Baoye A Sai to the stables, where Zhan Chongyun began inspecting the stallions available for selection.

Shi Wen showed Zhan Chongyun his eleven Yili horses, and Zhan rode each one to assess their temperament and racing ability. Zhan liked them all and praised their condition, while Shi Wen and Baoye A Sai said the horses could perform even better with more training and a familiar rider.

• Shi Wen led his docile horses out of the stable so Zhan Chongyun could inspect them in natural light.
• Shi Wen explained the horses' training and helped Zhan choose a saddle for speed riding.
• Zhan rode one horse at speed and achieved a result Shi Wen considered excellent despite being an unfamiliar rider.
• Zhan spent the morning trying all eleven horses, while Shi Wen observed his careful, patient handling.
• At lunch, Zhan praised the horses' condition, and Shi Wen and Baoye A Sai said they had not yet shown their full ability.

Zhan Chongyun negotiated with Shi Wen to buy the ranch’s stallions, but hesitated over Shi Wen’s price and buyback terms. He became a ranch member instead, then returned home still undecided, where his son suggested trying the horses before buying them.

• Over lunch, Zhan Chongyun considered the value of Shi Wen’s horses and worried about offering too little or too much.
• Zhan Chongyun offered 800,000 per horse, while Shi Wen asked for 1.2 million each and required that retired horses return to the ranch for care.
• Zhan Chongyun said he needed time to consider the terms, and he and Shi Wen added each other on WeChat.
• After discussing the ranch, Zhan Chongyun signed up for membership and took home that month’s gift box.
• At home, Zhan Chongyun’s son enjoyed the Bresse chicken and asked why his father could not try the horses before buying them.