My 1995 Small Farm.

The wind in the second month of the lunar calendar carries a slight warmth when it blows on your face, but when you ride a horse at full speed, it still makes your face sting.

Chen Ling straddled the back of the little green horse, and the two of them sped off like arrows, along the slightly muddy dirt road after the thaw, towards the city zoo.

Heiwa and Xiaojin followed closely behind, one on the left and one on the right. When they ran, they were like two black and yellow whirlwinds flying close to the ground, which made the local dogs in the villages along the way silent and only dared to hide behind the woodpile and peek out.

He had something on his mind, and the whip was urging him on.

The little blue horse was intelligent and knew its master was anxious; it ran fast and steadily with its four hooves flying.

This horse loves running freely; it gets more and more excited the more it runs.

We set off in the morning and arrived at the city zoo before it was even dark.

The zoo entrance was rather deserted. Zoos in those days were far less bustling than they would be in later years, and after the Lunar New Year, there weren't many people coming.

The old headmaster had already received the call and was anxiously looking around at the door, rubbing his hands together. When he saw Chen Ling riding a horse with a dog, he immediately breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly went to greet him.

"We've been waiting for you, Fugui! We've finally got you!"

The old director's hair had turned even whiter, and his face showed both exhaustion and relief: "Go check on those two big guys of yours! If you don't come soon, they'll break my old bones!"

Chen Ling was surprised and followed the old director inside, asking, "What happened? Did those two get into trouble?"

"Oh dear, this is more than just causing trouble!"

The old director gave a wry smile and lowered his voice: "Ever since the New Year, those two have become more and more restless!"

"Its appetite varies, sometimes big, sometimes small. When it's full, it howls towards the back of the mountain. The sound is really creepy!"

"It's not peaceful even at night, it keeps banging against the cage!"

"They kept banging on those thick iron bars, making a loud 'bang' sound, for several nights in a row. It scared the zookeepers in the nearby dormitories so much that they didn't dare to sleep!"

"Don't even mention feeding them. Aside from me and Lao Liu, they'll bare their teeth and growl if anyone else gets too close. Their eyes are so fierce they could scare you to death!"

"Before, I could at least pat someone on the head through the railing, but now? I probably wouldn't even be able to keep my hand in!"

Chen Ling's brows furrowed more and more, and he quickened his pace.

The tiger enclosure was at the very back, and from a distance, you could hear suppressed roars from the tigers, accompanied by obvious signs of agitation.

It was no longer the lazy "howl" of the past, but a deeper and more penetrating "roar" that made the air buzz.

There were many staff members outside the tiger enclosure, all keeping a distance and pointing and whispering with worried expressions.

Inside the spacious tiger enclosure, the two fully grown giant tigers, Afu and Ashou, were pacing back and forth anxiously.

Ah Shou, the little male tiger, was much larger and more imposing, with a shoulder height of nearly one meter and a body length of over two and a half meters.

Its orange-yellow fur is glossy and smooth, with black stripes that are as imposing as splashed ink. As it moves, its muscles roll like mercury under its fur, exuding an explosive sense of power.

It would occasionally stand on its hind legs and slam its powerful front paws against the reinforced iron cage bars, making loud "bang! bang!" noises.

Each thud caused the entire tiger enclosure to tremble slightly, and the rust on the cage netting fell down in a soft rustling sound.

It made an impatient "grunt" sound in its throat, and its amber eyes were full of restlessness and unruliness.

The look in his eyes had lost some of the naivety of his childhood, replaced by the wildness and majesty of a king of the mountains.

Afu, the tigress, was a little smaller, but equally agile and fierce.

Instead of ramming against the fence, it kept circling inside the enclosure, its steps hurried, its thick, long tail thrashing impatiently like a steel whip, striking the ground with a "crackling" sound.

It would occasionally raise its head and let out a long, yearning howl towards a certain direction to the north, a sound that carried a hint of grievance and dissatisfaction.

In their feeding trough, the fresh beef was barely touched, and the water basin next to it had been overturned, spilling water all over the ground.

"Look! Look! This is what they're like!"

The old headmaster pointed inside, looking helpless: "They leave the good food uneaten, all they do is throw a tantrum!"

"This isn't raising tigers, it's practically worshipping two ancestors!"

Looking at the two large cats, which were noticeably thinner and in extremely bad spirits, Chen Ling immediately understood.

They are homesick.

They are protesting in this way, protesting why it has been so long since they were taken home for the New Year.

They have grown up with Chen Ling since they were six months old. Their intelligence far surpasses that of ordinary tigers, and they have long regarded Chen Ling as their closest "father" and someone they rely on.

For them, who are used to roaming freely in the vast farms and forests, the small space of the zoo is nothing short of a cage.

A short separation is bearable, but as time goes on, the free spirit of the mountains and fields in one's blood begins to fiercely rebel.

Especially after the start of spring, when all things revive and life flows, their restlessness is aroused.

"Alright, alright, I'm here. I'll take you home now."

Chen Ling spoke softly through the railing.

His voice wasn't loud, yet it seemed to possess a strange magic.

Ah Shou, who was furiously pounding on the railing, suddenly stopped, his huge head turning sharply towards Chen Ling, his nostrils flaring violently.

Afu, who was anxiously circling around, also stopped instantly, his amber eyes wide open, staring intently at Chen Ling.

"Woo..."

Afu let out a trembling sob, filled with extreme grievance.

The sound instantly changed from a thunderous roar like a tiger to a mournful wail like that of an abandoned kitten.

It rushed to the railing in a few steps, its huge head trying to squeeze into the gaps in the railing to get closer to Chen Ling, its eyes even becoming misty.

Ah Shou also came over, no longer baring his teeth and growling, but rubbing his cheek and neck against the cold iron bars, making a "purring" sound. His posture was like he was being coquettish, or perhaps complaining.

The scene left the zoo staff in the vicinity speechless.

The mountain king, who was just a moment ago fierce and roaring, has suddenly become so... aggrieved and obedient?

The old headmaster opened his mouth, but finally let out a long sigh: "Alas... it still has to be you, Fugui. These two really trust you."

Chen Ling felt a surge of excitement and pulled out a "reward" he had prepared beforehand from his backpack.

Several large pieces of top-grade beef jerky, soaked in the spiritual water of the cave, exuding a unique and enticing aroma.

"Here, try this, it's from home."

He carefully slipped the jerky through the gap in the railing.

Afu and Ashou immediately lowered their heads, sniffed lightly with their noses, and then their eyes lit up. They stuck out their rough tongues, rolled the jerky into their huge mouths, and swallowed it in a few bites.

After finishing his meal, he licked his lips with lingering satisfaction and looked at Chen Ling with longing eyes once more. His previous anger and irritation had long since vanished, leaving only anticipation.

"Don't rush, there's even better stuff. You can have plenty when you get home."

Chen Ling smiled, fed them a few more pieces, and then said to the old director, "Director, are all the procedures completed? I'll take them away now."

"All set! Everything's ready! I can't wait for you to get rid of them!"

The old director nodded hurriedly and personally brought out the keys.

The process of opening the door of the transport cage went exceptionally smoothly.

Smelling the familiar scent of Chen Ling and tasting the "hometown flavor" they had been longing for, the two tigers were incredibly well-behaved.

They didn't even need to be driven; they voluntarily crawled into the specially reinforced transport cage.

That was originally a process for transporting wild beasts, requiring various methods of driving them away and anesthetizing them.

Afu even rubbed its big head against Chen Ling's hand before reluctantly walking into the cage.

"This...this is truly strange..."

The zookeeper next to him muttered to himself.

After securing the two enormous transport cages firmly into the trailer of a specially sourced heavy-duty tractor, Chen Ling declined the old director's offer to send someone to escort them.

"It's alright, they know the way and they recognize me. The journey is perfectly safe."

He mounted his horse and patted the little blue horse's neck.

Heiwa and Xiaojin stood guard on either side of the tractor's trailer, like the most loyal protectors. The tractor started with a "putt-putt-putt" sound and drove away from the zoo.

As they embarked on their journey home, the two tigers were indeed unusually quiet.

They no longer roared anxiously, but lay quietly in their cages, their huge heads resting on their front paws, their amber eyes peering through the gaps in the cages, silently watching Chen Ling's back as he rode ahead to lead the way, their gazes gentle and dependent.

Occasionally, when they pass by a familiar mountain path, they will raise their heads, twitch their nostrils, sniff the scent of their homeland carried on the wind, and make a satisfied "purring" sound in their throats.

They arrived at full speed, but returned much slower because they were carrying "heavy treasures".

It wasn't until the afternoon of the third day that the familiar outline of the county town came into view.

The news spread like wildfire throughout the county and the various villages where they were staying.

"Fugui has brought the tiger back!"

"Really? Where are we?"

"We're almost at the intersection of Chengdong Road! What a huge iron cage! Those two big guys look really imposing!"

People put down their work and flocked to the east of the city, eager to witness the scene of "two tigers returning to the mountain".

As the tractor chugted into the intersection of Chengdong Road, a large number of villagers and residents of the county town who had heard the news had already gathered there.

Everyone eagerly awaited the arrival of the beast, their faces beaming with excitement and anticipation, yet also carrying a touch of natural awe for the wild animal.

"Look! It's coming!"

Someone with sharp eyes pointed into the distance and shouted.

Chen Ling rode a tall horse, taking the lead.

Behind him, two giant dogs, Heiwa and Xiaojin, stood guard on either side, their eyes sharp and their presence imposing.

Further behind, a tractor moved slowly, its two huge iron cages gleaming coldly in the sunlight.

Inside the cage, two enormous beasts lay quietly.

Its enormous size, far exceeding that of an ordinary tiger, its glossy fur, and the awe-inspiring presence of the king of beasts that it could not conceal even when it was quietly lying in wait, instantly intimidated everyone.

A moment of silence fell over the scene, broken only by the roar of the tractor engine.

People held their breath, their eyes following the two moving iron cages with awe.

Suddenly, Jackson and several other foreigners burst out of the crowd, their faces filled with extreme shock and disbelief. They practically ran to the front of the tractor, waving their arms and shouting excitedly in broken Chinese:

"Mr. Chen! Please wait! Please wait!"

Chen Ling pulled on the reins, and the little blue horse stopped.

He frowned at the group of foreigners whose faces were flushed with excitement: "What's wrong?"

Jackson pointed at the tiger in the cage, which was docilely watching Chen Ling, and stammered, his voice trembling: "God! God! How...how can they be so obedient? This is impossible!"

"This goes against science!"

"Judging by their size, they should be true Siberian tigers! Ferocious beasts! Top predators!"

"How could... how could it be looking at you like a big cat?"

Old Huang squeezed in, his face full of disbelief: "Mr. Chen! We...we've seen hope! Please, help us!"

"William and the others are still in the mountains!"

"If you can... if you can get your tiger... or your divine dog to help... you must... you must heal them!"

Please, please!

Having witnessed the power of Heiwa and Xiaojin before, they were now awestruck by Chen Ling's extraordinary abilities upon seeing these two giant tigers, tamed like domesticated cats.

The few who were initially terrified instantly felt a renewed surge of hope!

Chen Ling looked at the several anxious foreigners with pleading eyes, then at the tiger waiting quietly in the cage and the loyal hunting dog beside it, pondered for a moment, and nodded.

"Let me take them back to the village and settle them in first. As for things in the mountains... we'll talk about that later."

He didn't say anything definitive, but this concession made Jackson and the others overjoyed, and they thanked him repeatedly.

The tractor started again and slowly drove towards Chenwangzhuang amidst the awe-inspiring gazes and murmurs of the crowd.

The villagers spontaneously followed behind, and the procession grew longer and longer, like welcoming a triumphant hero.

At the entrance of Chenwangzhuang Village, the villagers, having received the news, had been eagerly waiting.

Liang Hongyu held Kang Kang, Wang Susu held Lele, and Rui Rui clung tightly to his mother's clothes, standing on tiptoe to look around.

Zhao Yubao, Professor Zhong, Mountain Cat, Zhao Dahai, Wang Laishun, Wang Lixian...

Almost all the villagers from Chenwangzhuang who had stayed in the county town returned and gathered at the threshing ground at the entrance of the village.

When the tractor appeared at the end of the road, the crowd instantly stirred.

"Back! Back!"

"Tiger! Look, a tiger!"

Rui Rui's face flushed with excitement as he pointed into the distance and shouted, "Big Tiger! Daddy's back with Big Tiger!"

Wang Susu hugged Lele tightly, who was startled by the noise, her eyes filled with relief and excitement.

Finally, I can go back to the village.

The tractor came to a steady stop at the entrance of the village.

Chen Ling dismounted, his gaze sweeping over the excited yet slightly nervous faces, and laughed loudly, "Fellow villagers! Our 'Mountain Tyrant' is back!"

"From now on, everyone can go back to the village with peace of mind! Go back to farming and feeding your livestock!"

"With those two around, no mountain monsters or spirits dare to cause trouble in our Chenwangzhuang!"

"it is good!!"

A deafening cheer and applause erupted from the crowd.

The long-standing worries and fears that had been building up in his heart vanished completely at this moment with Chen Ling's powerful words and the arrival of the two giant tigers that guarded the mountain!
"Fugui! Well done!"

"Now I feel relieved! I can finally go home!"

Chen Ling smiled, turned around and walked to the back of the tractor. He took a deep breath and, under everyone's gaze, personally opened the locks of the two huge iron cages.

"A-Fu, A-Shou."

He called softly, "We're home, come out."

Under the tense gaze of hundreds of eyes, the two giant tigers slowly stood up, their massive bodies almost blocking the entire cage opening.

They first cautiously surveyed the densely packed crowd around them, their nostrils twitching as they sniffed the familiar, homely scent in the air.

Although this is not where I was born, but...

This is their home.

Then, their gazes fell back on Chen Ling.

Afu took the lead, leaping lightly off the truck bed and landing silently.

Ah Shou followed closely behind.

The two tigers stood side by side in front of Chen Ling, like two steady mountains.

Ignoring the terrified crowd retreating around them, they simultaneously lowered their heads and gently rubbed their massive heads against Chen Ling's hands and body, emitting loud yet docile "purring" sounds, as if saying, "Finally back, never want to leave again."

Seeing this, Chen Ling laughed and patted them: "Hahaha, you two silly big cats, you can sell tickets here from now on, and we won't let you leave even if you want to."

Right now, another wild boar has appeared in the mountains, and Langbazi will be sent back soon.

It won't work without a tiger to keep things in check.

Besides, their original plan was to build a wildlife park, which would make patrolling the mountains and constructing the park much more convenient. (End of Chapter)