As the chaos on the elevated highway unfolded, videos of the scene were quickly uploaded online, and some even began live streaming.
After all, this was an extraordinary event for anyone to witness.
Not long after the live stream began, a large crowd of onlookers, eager for entertainment, flocked in.
"I just saw someone post about this in the local group. Someone's already live streaming, that's efficient."
"Are there any Ningnan locals who can clarify, is this real or fake? Can you really see all sorts of animals on the streets of Ningnan casually?"
"A Ningnan local here, I can responsibly tell you, this is real. This seal is my pet, and it ran away today."
"Seal your head, that's a walrus."
"Walrus, your grandma's leg, that's a sea lion."
"Ningnan local can testify, we all keep animals in our homes. My family keeps a bird, and it goes out to work every day to earn money. Our whole family relies on it."
"This sea lion must have been restricted today. It usually takes the road below."
"I'm so envious. The most I see on our roads are cats and dogs, but you can see sea lions casually on the streets of Ningnan."
"Traffic police, hurry up and give it a ticket, deduct all its points, so it can't drive anymore."
"I think I know where it came from. I'm at Xihong Zoo right now. A sea lion seemed to have escaped on its way to Xihong Zoo. This one is likely it."
"It's from Xihong Zoo, then it's fine, the director will handle it."
...
While everyone was making jokes, the sea lion, lost on the highway, perhaps due to prolonged dehydration and the noisy surroundings, suddenly became agitated.
Its previously slow pace quickened. At this moment, everyone realized that beneath its clumsy and cute appearance lay a massive body weighing over a ton.
Even through the car windows, people could feel the vibrations as it moved.
Those onlookers who were too close immediately retreated into their cars.
Yet, they still worried that the sea lion might pounce on their vehicles.
Although the probability of a person being killed by a sea lion is infinitesimally small, it is not zero.
Just then, a black pickup truck slowly approached, weaving through one car after another.
When he was still five hundred meters away from the sea lion, Yang Lin jumped out of the truck.
Seeing the sea lion in a state of extreme agitation, he quickly quickened his pace.
Before long, he had reached the front.
The people hiding in their cars saw Yang Lin and immediately, out of good intentions, warned him:
"Young man, don't get too close. This sea lion is already a bit frenzied."
"Yeah, if you get hurt, no one will compensate you. Unless you go to Xihong Zoo, but Director Yang is so stingy, you definitely won't get any money."
As soon as the two finished speaking, Yang Lin strode towards the sea lion.
Upon getting close, the sea lion seemed to mistake him for an enemy and began to charge towards Yang Lin with its two front flippers.
But before it could get close, an invisible wave spread out from Yang Lin.
Under the influence of this wave, a hint of fear appeared in the sea lion's eyes, and its rapidly moving body immediately stopped.
Seeing this, Yang Lin couldn't help but let out a slight smile.
He hadn't expected the "Deterrence" skill to be so effective, capable of deterring even a large carnivorous animal like a sea lion.
"I'll try it on lions and tigers when I get the chance."
As he spoke, Yang Lin took a few more steps closer to the sea lion.
When he was completely close, the passive "Nature Affinity" he carried also began to take effect.
Influenced by the passive skill, the fear in the sea lion's eyes vanished without a trace, replaced by a sense of affection.
At this moment, in its eyes, Yang Lin was like a loved one.
When the onlookers and viewers in the live stream saw this, they were stunned on the spot.
The sea lion, which was full of aggression just a moment ago, inexplicably calmed down.
What made it even more incomprehensible was that after calming down, the sea lion actually proactively nuzzled Yang Lin.
"Who is this guy? How does he have so much influence? Did he eat the Fruit of Influence?"
"Don't know, I thought he was going to be swatted away by the sea lion."
"Is there a possibility that the guy you're talking about is Director Yang of Xihong Zoo?"
"It seems so. As expected, I knew Director Yang would step in."
"Weird charm. I heard Director Yang is so old he can't even find a partner, but animals seem to like him. Maybe his charm is misdirected."
"What do you know? Director Yang grew up in the zoo and mountains since he was a child. He's definitely different from ordinary people."
"Naturally. When it comes to coaxing animals, Director Yang is second to none."
"Since Director Yang is here, there shouldn't be much of a problem. Everyone can disperse now."
...
As Yang Lin's identity was revealed, most people could predict what would happen next.
And indeed, things did not deviate from their expectations.
Under the gaze of many, Yang Lin gently stroked the sea lion's head, and the sea lion instantly became docile.
Before long, it trotted obediently behind Yang Lin.
When it reached Yang Lin's pickup truck, as soon as Yang Lin opened the tailgate, it leaped onto the truck, much to the astonishment of the crowd.
Not long after the sea lion boarded the truck, everything on the highway returned to normal.
Yang Lin then drove back to Xihong Zoo.
When he and the sea lion appeared together at the zoo entrance, the tourists immediately erupted in cheers, as if welcoming a hero's return.
If the sea lion had encountered such a scene before, it would likely have been terrified and gone into a frenzy.
But now, after being calmed by Yang Lin, it behaved exceptionally calmly, occasionally scanning its surroundings with its big round eyes. Eventually, its gaze fell upon the koi in the aquarium next to it.
Instantly, its mouth began to water.
Seeing this, Yang Lin understood its thoughts immediately and glared at it.
"You can't eat this, understand? They are colleagues, not food."
Upon hearing Yang Lin's words, the sea lion's face immediately showed a wronged expression.
"Alright, alright, don't be wronged. I've already arranged for someone to buy you fish, you'll have some to eat soon."
As soon as he finished speaking, the gluttonous sea lion's eyes lit up.
Yang Lin took this opportunity to lead it to a cleared area next to the artificial lake.
This cleared area would be its temporary residence until the aquarium was built.
Fortunately, sea lions are mammals and do not necessarily have to live in saltwater, otherwise, it would have been more troublesome.
Thus, the sea lion issue was finally resolved perfectly. The next task was to count the system's rewards.
With that thought, Yang Lin opened the system panel again.