Animal Detective

Chapter 379 Dedication to Science

Donya shaded her eyes with her hand and gazed into the distance.

He pushed Shen Xin and said, "Look, you've made him angry and drove him away."

She also used an analogy.

This falcon, after working hard, bought a bouquet of flowers and prepared a "luxury meal," planning to "propose" to Shen Xin.

As a result, Shen Xin was ungrateful and coldly rejected it, betraying its sincere feelings.

The bird got angry and ran away.

Shen Xin said, "But its hands and feet are still not well-behaved."

Donya was stunned for a moment before realizing what he meant, and then she burst into laughter.

Clutching his stomach, he said, "You're a police officer, so shouldn't you arrest him for this kind of behavior?"

Shen Xin waved his hand dismissively: "Let's just consider it a first offense and let's not make a fuss about it."

Donya was overjoyed and said, "Shen Xin, you're really funny."

Her gaze was somewhat intense.

Shen Xin changed the subject, saying that Donya was familiar with the area and he could ask her to refer to the map for him.

Shen Xin wanted to try to estimate how far Tianxiong could run in the next few days based on its maximum daily movement distance.

Then remove all inhabited areas within this region, and search from the outside inwards.

It's been several days.

Shen Xin felt that hope was gradually fading, but he still insisted on seeing the person alive or dead.

With Donya's help, Shen Xin marked not only the residential areas on the map, but also the areas that herders might frequently visit.

Some of the place names are quite strange.

"Half-Mountain? Why is it called that?"

This place is east of Hurgan.

Donya chopped her hand and said, "It means exactly what it says. The mountain looks like it was split in half, so it's called Half Mountain."

She said she had photos on her phone, but unfortunately they were taken by poachers, otherwise she could have shown them to Shen Xin.

At this point, a look of worry appeared in Donya's eyes. She said, "Shen Xin, you said those two took my phone, and they even said they know where I live. Will they come back to retaliate against me?"

“I’m not afraid, but I’m afraid of my father, mother, and grandmother.”

Shen Xin quickly replied, "How could that be? Didn't that guy say he only cares about money? He wouldn't dare to do anything reckless."

As he spoke, he quickly changed the subject and asked about other areas.

There are quite a few interesting place names, including Pingdingshan (平顶山), which, as the name suggests, implies that the mountain has a flat top.

Just then, a soft whimpering sound came from outside.

Shen Xin was taken aback and hurriedly went out to check.

Good heavens, it really is that falcon.

It actually returned and landed on the open ground of the camp. A lark lay dead in front of it, becoming another victim of its courtship.

Donya looked on incredulously: "So it flew away because it thought you didn't like the rabbit it gave you, so it went to catch a bird for you instead?"

The falcon on the ground picked up the lark and brought it to Shen Xin.

Although it was sincere and gave Shen Xin the best of everything.

But what kind of situation is this?

Donya crouched down, reached out to pet it, and teased, "I didn't realize you were such a simp."

Shen Xinfan rolled her eyes at her and squatted down as well.

I picked up the poor lark and offered it to the falcon.

You didn't go to the trouble of catching it, so don't waste it.

It wouldn't eat at all, but after barking twice urgently, it still carried the food to Shen Xin's face.

Shen Xin knew that this guy was probably influenced by his talent.

The problem is that there is no favorability icon on it.

It's unusual that there's such a strong sense of goodwill when there's no icon.

Compared to the fluctuating level of affection I had towards dolphins before, this is a completely new situation.

Shen Xin stroked his chin and thought for a moment, guessing that there were two possibilities.

One reason is that it happens to be in its breeding season, which is equivalent to being in estrus, and its biological instincts are too strong.

Yueyue may have been affected by this situation as well.

Anyway, with all the fancy moves those dolphins make, nothing is surprising.

Or perhaps, like the falcon, Yueyue sees herself as a beautiful female dolphin.

Besides that, Shen Xin felt there was another possibility.

That means your abilities have become stronger.

They all assumed they possessed Druid skills.

Since it's a skill, using it more often is equivalent to increasing proficiency and leveling up.

Especially with Yueyue, Shen Xin achieved the three-stage process for the first time.

Therefore, they become more attractive to animals.

Shen Xin stretched out his arm.

The falcon immediately jumped up, and then... jumped towards Shen Xin's head.

"Look, here we go again."

Shen Xin decisively locked its throat, put it on the ground, and tapped its head to scold it: "What are you thinking about all day with that little head of yours?"

Donya said with a mischievous smile, "Shen Xin, you're wrong about that. It's a bird, and its greatest mission in life is to reproduce. Why don't you... just give in to it?"

As he spoke, he reached out and forcibly pulled the falcon into his arms, turned its head towards Shen Xin, and lectured, "Open your eyes wide and look carefully, it's a male, it can't do it."

After saying that, he couldn't help but laugh.

"Who can't be blamed?"

Shen Xin inexplicably thought of Yueyue, shuddered, and said seriously, "This won't do."

It's obvious that this person has become entangled with them.

The key person now has a household registration, so there's nothing we can do about it.

The only solution is to make it fall in love with someone else and find it a mate.

Shen Xin has done this before, so he has experience.

Shen Xin took out his phone and called Teacher Chen.

When Teacher Chen left, they made a point of exchanging phone numbers, and Teacher Chen also added Shen Xin on WeChat.

It seemed as if they were trying to guide Shen Xin towards the path of biological research.

The call was answered quickly, and upon hearing that the released falcon had returned, there was a long silence on the other end of the line.

"No, why did it come back?" Teacher Chen's tone was extremely strange.

These aren't farmed; they're completely wild. They haven't even had a proper meal yet.

Shen Xin glanced at the falcon that had broken free from Donya's embrace and moved closer to him, and grinned, saying, "Is it possible that it's because it's fallen for me?"

Shen Xin felt extremely awkward and explained the hunting and courtship process of the falcon.

Then there was silence on the other end of the phone.

"You...you wait here, I'll be right there."

With a beep, the call ended. Shen Xin didn't even have time to get down to business.

They have observation posts on the grasslands to observe the habitats of wild animals, and they should be observing saker falcons.

We might be able to spot which female falcon is still single.

That would be a good opportunity to find a companion for the person in front of me.

Before long, Teacher Chen arrived in a flurry of activity with his students.

Another student has joined the class, a girl.

He barged in and asked where the falcon was.

Shen Xin sighed softly and said helplessly, "I've gone out to buy the betrothal gifts."

"What the heck?" Teacher Chen was completely dumbfounded.

The two students behind him exchanged a glance, not fully understanding, but deeply moved.

Shen Xin took Teacher Chen to see the wild rabbits and larks.

"Teddy brought these to me."

Clearly, this guy is now convinced of one thing: if Shen Xin doesn't comply, it means he hasn't given enough gifts.

Teacher Chen was taken aback: "Teddy... Teddy?"

Shen Xin glanced at Donya, who had a mischievous grin on her face. It was Donya who came up with the name.

After thinking about it carefully, Shen Xin realized that it was quite fitting.

Just as I was muttering to myself, a black dot appeared in the distance.

Teddy is back.

It swooped down and landed precisely in the center of the camp.

Another victim lay beneath the claws.

A little bird whose name I don't know.

Then, as if no one else was around, it carried the food to Shen Xin's feet.

"Fuck!"

Even the usually mild-mannered Mr. Chen uttered a curse word.

He had never heard of such a thing before.

Then, Teddy, who had presented the betrothal gifts, started to get restless again, flapping its wings and landing on Shen Xin.

This sight left Teacher Chen completely stunned.

This isn't just liking, this is falling in love with you.

The crucial point is that they were just rescued yesterday.

He stared intently at Shen Xin, his gaze shifting repeatedly, and finally couldn't help but ask, "Officer Shen, are you really not going to consider coming with us to do research?"

With that kind of talent, studying wild animals would be a piece of cake for him.

Shen Xin thought to herself, "Forget it," and irritably pulled the teddy bear that was about to jump on her head into her arms, asking Teacher Chen if she had observed any single female falcons.

"You want to find it a companion?" The female student suddenly realized.

Shen Xin nodded, that's exactly what he meant.

Teacher Chen's expression grew increasingly strange, then she shook her head and said no.

The reason is similar to what Donya said; it's already May.

Shen Xin then asked him how professionals like them would handle such a situation.

In other words, they are forced to mate during the breeding season.

Shen Xin thought this situation must be quite common.

It's such a coincidence that every falcon can find a mate.

Perhaps overwhelmed by the shock, Teacher Chen also started to use abstract language. After a moment of silence, he said, "If you want my advice, then... keep it to yourself."

Shen Xin rolled his eyes speechlessly and said he was serious.

Teacher Chen coughed awkwardly and said that he was serious.

"Actually, it's okay. It'll be fine after its breeding season."

Animals in their breeding season are like dry tinder, ready to ignite at the slightest provocation.

Once the breeding season is over, they immediately enter a period of sagehood.

Shen Xinxin thought to himself that the problem wasn't with the thing, but with himself.

And then there's the breeding season; it'll be another two months before it's over.

At this moment, the female student asked Teddy, like a curious child, why he kept landing on Shen Xin's head.

Donya, who was standing next to her, burst out laughing and could barely stand, clutching her back.

Tang, being quick-witted, was the first to react, her eyes widening in surprise as she exclaimed, "Holy crap, it can't be..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but the female student next to him had already realized what was going on.

In an instant, three pairs of eyes were unable to look away from Shen Xin.

Shen Xin glared at Donya, who was bursting into laughter, and awkwardly asked Teacher Chen if there was a solution.

"Aren't there those sprays online that stop cats from going into heat? Do you guys have any for birds?"

Shen Xin asked sincerely.

It's a Class I protected animal, and it's just stuck to me like this, its mind full of biological instincts. Shen Xin even wants to lock it up.

Teacher Chen shook his head blankly, then his eyes gradually became...excited?
He immediately looked at Shen Xin and said, "Why don't you just let it..."

Before he could finish speaking, Shen Xin decisively interrupted him.

Teacher Chen's eyes lit up as she advised, "It's really nothing, and don't overthink it. This is scientific research."

"If we can obtain its liquid, we might be able to breed it in a targeted manner, which would be very meaningful for the protection of their population."

He had an expression that said, "You can make a small sacrifice for science."

Shen Xin politely declined.

At this moment, the female student said, "Teacher Chen, how about using a hat?"

Shen Xin quickly asked what kind of hat it was.

As expected of a researcher, the female student, without blushing or panting, explained to Shen Xin their methods for artificially breeding wild animals.

Some people do handicrafts, while others use weak electrical currents for stimulation.

Birds have it even harder, especially birds of prey like eagles and falcons, which are naturally proud and require very little cooperation.

Then in the 1960s and 70s, on the other side of the ocean, the hatching rate of peregrine falcons was greatly reduced due to the overuse of pesticides.

In order to protect the peregrine falcon population, local scientists decided to adopt artificial breeding intervention methods.

"They invented a hat that can be worn on the head to mimic the process of peregrine falcons mating for breeding."

"We use this method for bird breeding, and we're still using it now."

Donya, who was standing next to her, stared wide-eyed and couldn't help but ask, "Is all your research this bizarre?"

Teacher Chen waved his hand and said seriously, "I said, this is scientific research."

“You’re like a giant panda. Now you’re getting weak electrical stimulation, right? They used to use their hands, doing it hundreds of times, which was exhausting.”

"There's nothing we can do about it. The natural environment is changing too drastically. If you don't take care of it, it can really drive itself to extinction."

After saying that, she looked at Shen Xin expectantly.

(End of this chapter)