Steve has two big snakes here, a fat guy and a Tyrannosaurus, but at least they are not the crazy type. With two big guys in charge, Wu Huan feels much more relaxed.
Knowing that Feng Yi was Steve's only guest, Wu Huan was not in a hurry to leave. It would be boring for him to go back, and he had someone to talk to here.
After looking around, Wu Huan asked Steve:
"Hey, where's your assistant?"
Steve hired two new assistants when he came to Yangcheng. He has a lot of work here and needs more manpower to help him handle it.
And now there are two more big snakes here, so we need even more help.
It’s not that I’m worried about some unexpected situations, such as “only one mobile phone left at the scene” or some other scary situation.
Steve would definitely be too busy to take care of two snakes of this size on his own.
He has many assistants, but some of them have other work to do and are not in Yangcheng, so he hired two new assistants to specifically handle Yangcheng's work affairs.
Steve did most of the cleaning of the small pond by himself, as he was not confident in handing it over to others. Of course, he took care of it himself.
The rest of the work can be done by one assistant, who also has to prepare food for the two big snakes from time to time, such as piglets, rabbits, etc.
Another assistant handles online affairs and many trivial matters in life.
"They went out to buy something and it seems they will be back soon," said Steve.
When Feng Yi entered the house, he had already smelled the scents of three other people. Two of them should be the new assistants he mentioned, and the remaining one was a maid hired to cook, and the smell left more in the kitchen.
"Oh, I'm back." Steve heard some noise coming from the garage.
After a while, the two assistants entered the house from the front door, put down the purchased items, and came to the backyard.
The two assistants were about the same age as Feng Yi, both very young. One was a little thin, and the other was stronger.
The thinner one seemed a little reserved. When he saw Feng Yi and Wu Huan, he greeted them politely and then stayed quietly aside without saying much.
The other, stronger assistant was more enthusiastic, and his conversation and laughter were more casual and natural.
Wu Huan's eyes swept back and forth between the two assistants.
He had been here before, but had never met Steve's two assistants. He rarely came directly to Steve to make appointments for drinks. When Steve was busy, the assistant named Du would contact him for work-related matters.
"Which one of you is Xiao Du?" Wu Huan asked.
He and Steve are both in their forties, which makes them uncles to those in their twenties. It’s okay for them to call the assistant named Du “Xiao Du”.
The thinner young man raised his hand, his face slightly red, "Wu... Hello, Brother Wu... I'm Xiao Du!"
The tone was a little awkward and stiff, and he spoke haltingly.
Wu Huan looked at him quietly for a moment, until Xiao Du's forehead began to sweat, and then he said, "Is that the Xiao Du who usually contacts me online?"
"… it's me."
"You give me a different feeling than you do online."
"Ahaha, I'm just... a little... socially anxious."
Assistant Du's smile was forced.
Steve said, "Okay, don't make it difficult for him. Xiao Du still has work to do."
After Assistant Du left, Steve continued, "He has some communication barriers in this area, but most of the work assigned to him is done online, and he handles it very well."
Wu Huan said: "I'm not questioning his work ability, I just feel... the gap is too big! Chatting with him online, I thought he was a very lively young man, who could be sharp and retort, act cute and coquettish, and even be thick-skinned and naughty when necessary. He is really good at chatting!"
Steve: "You have to know that some people are as fierce as tigers in online abuse, but they are socially anxious in real life."
Assistant Du, if you ask him to go out and talk to other people or groups of people, it won't work! Absolutely not!
But if you give him a keyboard, he can talk for three days and three nights!
"This is not considered social phobia, it's probably a lifestyle he chooses." Steve said, "As long as the work assigned to him can be completed smoothly, it doesn't matter what kind of lifestyle he chooses."
Wu Huan nodded and said, "Okay, I understand. When I contact him next time, I will communicate via text instead of phone."
"You can also send a voice message, and he will reply with a text."
"Tsk, I once sent him voice messages repeatedly, but he still replied with text. I thought he was showing respect in the workplace, so I mostly replied with text. I didn't expect this to be the reason."
Wu Huan doesn't care too much when meeting acquaintances, he just does whatever is convenient for him.
Seeing Steve still frowning and staring at him, Wu Huan asked, "What's wrong?"
Steve: “You’re free?”
"I have a day off today and wanted to ask you out for a drink, but you were busy. Are you two going to discuss something that is inconvenient for other people to know?" If that was the case, Wu Huan stood up and prepared to leave.
“It has something to do with you, too,” Steve said.
Wu Huan's raised hips fell back onto the chair.
"What's the matter? Tell me!"
Steve took out his phone, flipped through a video, and handed it to Feng Yi: "Have you watched this variety show?"
Wu Huan stretched his neck to look.
“Oh, ‘TA&It’ is about people and animals, or people and plants. It’s not as popular as the other popular ones, but it’s still okay. I’m one of the sponsors, I’m their financial backer, hehehe!”
Feng Yi looked at the introduction of this variety show on his phone. It was a program on a provincial local satellite TV station. The previous episode was about idol stars and succulents, the previous episode was about veteran artists and parrots, and the upcoming episode was about a new internet celebrity and the country bully Big White Goose.
Wu Huan already knew what Steve meant, and looked at Feng Yi with burning eyes, "The next episode will be Steve and his cuties. They also wanted to come to this house to shoot a few scenes, but unfortunately Steve refused."
Steve said: "Nini and Molong have not yet adapted to the unfamiliar place. I don't want the production crew to come in and disturb them."
Wu Huan ignored Steve and continued to look at Feng Yi, "Feng Yi, do you want to join? The invitation fee is at least this amount."
Wu Huan gestured with his finger.
Considering Feng Yi’s current popularity on the Internet, the invitation fee will not be lower than Steve’s.
However, Feng Yi doesn't lack the money.
The time spent participating in variety shows is not as good as taking Venom.
Doesn’t venom require nutritional support
How does he replenish his nutrition when facing the camera for a whole day or several days
Instead of spending this much time, he might as well go home, get some venom, and then have a good meal to replenish his nutrition.
Feng Yi handed the phone back to Steve, "What do you mean?"
Steve said, "I know you said you don't want to enter the entertainment industry and you're not interested in variety shows. But this time I'm personally inviting you to do me a favor."
Feng Yi didn't reply immediately, waiting for Steve's next words.
Steve continued: "This program is mainly about filming daily work and life, and it does not require you to do anything in a certain place. I have discussed with them and will send Nini and Molong to the city zoo in a few days. In addition to the two of them, there will be a group of large snakes to be transported there that day. I will participate in the transportation, and the program team will also follow. However, there are too many snakes, and I can't take care of them alone. If you are free, come and help.
"I'm not worried about Nini. She's a homebody and lazy. She usually doesn't pay much attention to people. As long as she's given food and a suitable living environment, she can live well anywhere. But the dragon is different. She has a temper and outstanding looks. The zoo is planning to promote her and has made a marketing plan. I'm worried that the scene will be a bit chaotic during the filming, so you can take care of her."
Feng Yi asked: "Are you afraid that it will get angry and bite people?"
"There is this concern, you know, some people are more impulsive and take risks just to shoot videos," said Steve.
"You can also choose not to let the program crew follow you." Feng Yi said.
"Letting the production crew film the show can also make the zoo a little worried. I plan to go into the breeding room to check it myself and have the camera follow. In this way, the zoo will definitely try to make it perfect for better marketing effects, instead of cutting corners and having equipment failures from time to time."
Obviously, Steve was unhappy with some of the zoo's practices.
"I don't trust them. In their eyes, Nini and Molong are just commodities. I didn't agree to send them to the zoo from the beginning, but the zoo gave us repeated assurances and signed an agreement with the research base. There's nothing I can do about it. My breeding license hasn't been obtained yet, so I can't apply to adopt them from the base." Steve said regretfully.
"Private individuals are not allowed to keep pets. What license did you apply for?" Feng Yi was curious.
"Start a reptile protection organization."
“This review is very strict.”
"Yes, but with my qualifications and achievements, I am already qualified. I submitted my application a long time ago, but it is still under review. The Joint Security Bureau is considering it more."
"Are the people from the Joint Guarantee Bureau blocking you?" Feng Yi was surprised.
Steve scratched his head worriedly and explained, "You know how Black Gold Boy came about, right?"
Feng Yi nodded, "I've heard a little bit about it. It's a result of artificial mixing of genes, not natural generation."
Steve: "By stacking the 'Golden Boy' mutant gene and multiple genes such as 'Donut' to increase the coagulation of melanin, the Black Golden Boy, which is extremely black and colorful, finally appeared. The FGB pays more attention to naturally existing wild populations rather than those strains bred by artificially mixed genes.
"I also don't approve of the wanton mixing of genes, especially those practices that artificially fix pathological characteristics. The new strains formed in this way will not be very competitive in the wild, and they are only for the sake of appearance.
"But she did nothing wrong. The magic dragon was seized by the United Security Bureau when it was investigating illegal breeding institutions after the climate anomaly period. She has been kept at the research base. I visit her every year and she is doing well there. But I am worried about transferring her to the zoo. I have reached an agreement with the research center that I will adopt her once my license is approved! She won't like the atmosphere of the zoo!"
Feng Yi understood Steve's idea, "You applied to establish a private protection agency in Yangcheng?"
Steve: “Yes, otherwise I wouldn’t have bought such a big house here.”
Feng Yi asked again: "Where is the address? Do you like it?"
Steve: “I’ve spotted a piece of land near Xiaofengshan. There’s a factory there that’s going to be relocated.”
Feng Yi: “…”
Xiaofengshan is really going to become a snake's nest!
"I want to build a private collection museum. I have already chosen a location, which is also near Xiaofeng Mountain." Feng Yi said.
Steve's eyes lit up and he said excitedly, "A collection of snakes? The living ones?!"
“It’s just a collection of models.”
"Oh." Steve lost interest, but asked anyway, "What are you going to collect? How big are they?"
Feng Yi said: "1:1 models. As for species, I have made models of all the ones I have caught and encountered and collected them. The small ones include blind snakes, hognose snakes, and coral snakes. The big ones include anacondas, Burmese pythons, reticulated pythons, and the mixed-blood python in Florida. There is also a Titanoboa."
Wu Huan, who was listening attentively while holding a glass of watermelon juice, almost spit out the juice.
When he heard Feng Yi talking about the model collection hall just now, he thought it was just about the same size as the small physical store selling models on the street, but when this "Titan Anaconda" appeared, he realized that the place was not small!
How big is the Titanoboa
No matter whether it is coiled or laid sideways, the small space simply cannot accommodate it!
Wu Huan had read various speculations about Feng Yi’s situation on the Internet before, but based on the condition of Feng Yi he saw with his own eyes today, he was very sure that those who said that Feng Yi was "frustrated and down and out and only created a persona on the Internet" were totally wrong!
When he mentioned the invitation price for the variety show earlier, Feng Yi's reaction was very calm, or rather, no reaction at all, and he was not pretending.
Now Feng Yi is talking about building a collection hall, and the land has been bought. Does he look like a frustrated person
This guy may really not be short of money!
As a result, his plan to cooperate with Feng Yi and persuade him with money would not work.
Don’t be afraid of the internet celebrity being short of money, just be afraid that he is richer than you!
Hey, my spokesperson!
When can we make the deal
Wu Huan sighed helplessly.
However, neither of the other two people present paid attention to his rich inner drama.
Steve continued to tell Feng Yi about his plans.
Steve didn’t start such an organization before. Even if he applied, it would not be approved because he didn’t have enough experience and achievements to get approval from the Joint Insurance Bureau. Secondly, Steve traveled around every year before and certainly didn’t pay much attention to the organization.
Now that Steve is getting older, he doesn't have as much energy as he did when he was young, and he's not as active as before. Since he's interested in setting up such an institution, the Joint Guarantee Bureau will consider it carefully.
"I'll negotiate with them a little bit more, and once the permit is approved, we can start construction. I've already chosen the construction company, and the design drawings are being prepared. I'll personally be involved in the design, and it won't be long before they have a new, safe home!"
As he spoke, Steve's expression became increasingly dreamy.
Being surrounded by snakes might be a nightmare to others, but to Steve, it's a dream come true!
Feng Yi: “…”
Wu Huan: “…”
Feng Yi coughed lightly, reminding Steve to come back to his senses from his sweet dream.
"Let's continue talking about the variety show. Steve, what you mean is that I don't need to officially participate in the show, but just help take care of those big snakes while you are filming? Keep an eye on their condition in the new environment?"
"Yes! I don't feel safe leaving it to anyone else! If you don't want to appear on camera, I will tell them." Steve was interested in Feng Yi's ability, not his popularity on the Internet.
"It's okay to have one or two shots, but not too many." Feng Yi said.
It would not only help Steve, but also complete the task of the FBI's publicity department, and it wouldn't take long anyway.
"Oh! That's great! When you are free, come and help me take care of it according to your schedule. I will help you negotiate the remuneration..."
"No need for reward, I'm just going to help you with a small favor." Feng Yi said.
Since he is not officially participating in the program, the invitation fee will not be too much. Feng Yi might as well refuse that little money directly. If he really accepts the invitation fee, the nature of his appearance will change.
Feng Yi looked at the calendar and selected a time.
The Sea Snake Task Force does not have work every day. There will be a break every few days. You can also adjust the day off, and it is also convenient to drive over.
It would take three or four days to repair the equipment in the park, so Feng Yi chose a date before the Qingming Festival when he was on vacation.
After helping Steve finish this task, he and the housekeeper went to visit his great aunt's grave.
Steve was very happy when the time was set.
"Thanks! I owe you a favor!"
In order to thank Feng Yi for his help, Steve planned to go to the research center and get a nearly six-meter-long Burmese python specimen from there and give it to Feng Yi's collection.
But the matter has not been done yet, so he didn't tell Feng Yi yet.
At dinner time, Steve invited Feng Yi and Wu Huan to a nearby restaurant that he liked very much.
After Feng Yi returned to the monitoring station, Steve and Wu Huan returned to the community.
Wu Huan asked Steve: "He is not the only one who can catch snakes. He is not interested in participating in variety shows and will not be in front of the camera for a long time. Why don't you choose someone else?"
Steve looked up at the clear night sky. "Feng Yi is a very amazing person, and his thoughts on snakes are pure, although I still don't understand what he is thinking. Anyway, it's not a bad intention.
"His snake-catching skills are not acquired through long-term training or experience, but rather rely on talent and instinct, which is unmatched by others, including me.
"He is very sensitive to the status of snakes. I can tell whether a snake is happy or angry, aggressive or bluffing based on their behavior, but Feng Yi is different. He can tell accurately even without seeing. There are quite a few newly introduced snakes in the zoo, and I can't check the status of all the snakes by myself.
"Also, when he sees cute and beautiful creatures like Nini and the dragon, he doesn't look at them with the eyes of money, nor does he think about how to gain more benefits from them."
Steve gave several reasons of his own.
Although Wu Huan disagrees with the description of anaconda as "cute", he agrees with the other sentences.
The look in Feng Yi's eyes when he looked at the two big snakes was not one of disgust, nor of obsession or calculation. It was just very calm, almost like looking at a glass of tasteless water at hand.
Even Wu Huan himself couldn't help but take pictures with his mobile phone after seeing the sturdy anaconda and the colorful black and gold boy. He wanted to post it on his Moments or show it off on social platforms immediately.
But Feng Yi didn't.
It seemed that all the wonders in other people's eyes were nothing special to him.
It is for this reason that Steve regards Feng Yi as a "reliable partner".
If Feng Yi had shown any calculating intent when he saw the two big snakes, Steve would not have looked for him.
Steve paused, and continued: "Besides that, there are also personal reasons. I don't know why, but I feel very happy and joyful when I see Feng Yi. If I were asked to choose a partner to cooperate with, he would definitely be my first choice!"
Wu Huan looked at him with a hint of suspicion: "You don't... have any evil intentions, do you?"
Steve wanted to spit in his face, "Everything you see with your dirty eyes is dirty!"
Steve said seriously: "When I saw him, it was like seeing a snake! It was a rare and extremely venomous snake in the world, that kind of mysterious and precious quality..."
Wu Huan was speechless for a while before he said, "If Feng Yi knew you described him like this, he would break up with you, right?"
Who would compare a good friend to a poisonous snake
No matter how thick the filter is, it can't change one fact -
Isn't "like a poisonous snake" an insult? ! !