King of the Wilderness

This isolation zone, originally cold and filled with scientific principles, has turned into a father-daughter paradise filled with laughter.

December’s dependency on him grows with each passing day.

But intriguingly, it has gradually started to show an unprecedented closeness to Mackenzie, who appears daily with consistent kindness.

Sometimes, when Lin Yu’an and Mackenzie stand together discussing December’s health data, it would walk over on its own and affectionately rub its massive head against their legs in turn.

Lin Yu’an’s influence extends far beyond this.

His innate, powerful affinity for all animals quickly made him the king of animals at the entire research center in just seven days.

Every day, before visiting December, he would take a detour to tour other animal areas.

The harbor seals in the isolation waterway, usually indifferent to humans, would curiously poke their round heads out of the water upon seeing him.

Emperor penguins in the penguin area would even waddle up to him, allowing him to stroke their smooth feathers.

Even the temperamental one-ton walrus would act like a gentle giant cat in his presence.

Lin Yu’an greatly enjoyed this feeling, daily traversing among these lively creatures, feeding sea lions, teasing walruses, and petting the furry Arctic foxes.

This unique experience led Lin Yu’an to deeper, groundbreaking reflections on the beliefs about "animals and freedom" he had always upheld.

He had always believed that for any wild animal, returning to nature and having absolute freedom was their best fate.

Any form of captivity was a deprivation and cruelty.

This was also the fundamental reason for his initial insistence on rewilding December.

But now, seeing the carefree, healthy, and happy animals in the research center each day, his thoughts began to waver.

He saw a tiger whale, forever missing half its tail fin due to entanglement in fishing nets, play with a ball with a trainer in the large pool, displaying a unique elegance, eyes filled only with pure joy, not pain.

There was also a snowy owl with a genetic defect causing cataracts, unable to hunt in the wild, but here it had its own warm nest and a constant partner.

Are they free?

No, in terms of physical space, they are forever confined here.

But are they happy?

Yes, they are living and living well. No predators, no hunger, no illness torment.

If the price of freedom is death, is this freedom still worthy of blind pursuit?

Lin Yu’an began to understand that the concept of freedom might not be absolute.

For different living beings, it has vastly different meanings.

For those strong, wild individuals who can survive the cruel laws of nature, returning to the wild is their best abode.

But what about those who are weak due to innate or acquired reasons?

For instance, the tail-less tiger whale, the blind snowy owl, and... December, who has been deeply imprinted and can never return to the wild.

Forcing them back into a world of freedom they can no longer adapt to is not salvation, but a more irresponsible and hypocritical abandonment.

This thought struck Lin Yu’an’s mind like a bolt of lightning, cutting through all the fog.

His mind, involuntarily, conjured up another small furry face with black and yellow stripes.

A few days ago, he and Mackenzie saw it in that remote and dim isolation room, that...

The same Siberian Tiger cub cast aside and deemed worthless—in China, it’s better known by another name, Northeast Tiger.

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(Hehe, princess, prince, monthly tickets, it’s better to have them all.)