On April 16, 2023, after nearly a month, Yang Lin embarked on his return journey once again.
Before that, China's research vessel Xuelong 2 had also arrived in Greenland with the second batch of experts and scholars, beginning their research on the mammoth graveyard.
Because of this, many spaces on the Xuelong became available, which were then allocated to the animals brought aboard.
This led to an exceptionally grand scene as the Xuelong set sail from the port.
One by one, Arctic animals, led by four polar bears, walked up the gangway onto the deck of the Xuelong.
Each species was represented by a male and a female.
Witnessing this, onlookers at the port couldn't help but recall the biblical tale of Noah's Ark.
When a reporter from China's state television broadcast this scene live to the news channel via their cameras, it immediately caused a stir among a large number of Chinese viewers and netizens.
"When I saw Director Yang was also on the research vessel, I should have expected this. So I'm not surprised at all."
"Indeed, with Director Yang present, no accident is out of the question."
"Director Yang has gone all the way to the Arctic Circle for this procurement, truly bringing glory to the country."
"Next time there's a space mission, please take Director Yang along. I want to see what alien animals look like."
"Finally, I understand how the great powers felt back then."
"What are you talking about? Director Yang didn't force these animals. The enthusiastic Inuit locals insisted on giving them to him."
"The Arctic is for everyone. If the US can research it, and Russia can research it, what's wrong with China bringing back a few animals for research?"
"Director Yang has a compassionate heart. He just wants to give these endangered animals a home. What did he do wrong?"
"We hope Director Yang will let these Arctic animals meet everyone soon, and not be uncooperative."
"We wish Director Yang a smooth journey and a safe return home."
"I heard Dolphin Island is about to officially open. We hope Director Yang can make it for the ribbon-cutting ceremony."
...
Under the resentful gaze of the local Danish officials, Yang Lin finally boarded the Xuelong successfully.
His parents, their health largely recovered, naturally followed him.
"Son, they all call you Director Yang. Has our zoo gone bankrupt yet?"
Sitting in a wheelchair on deck, his father, whose injuries had mostly healed, asked with a puzzled look.
Hearing his question, a hint of pride appeared on Yang Lin's face.
"As if I'm someone who would squander everything."
"Let me tell you the truth, our Xihong Zoo not only hasn't gone bankrupt, but it's become the largest zoo in the entire country."
"Impossible, we don't believe it," his parents said in unison, shaking their heads.
Just as Yang Lin was about to produce tangible evidence, Teacher Xiao Liang appeared on deck at some point.
"Uncle and Aunt, you still don't believe it? Director Yang is being modest about what he just said."
"The Xihong Zoo now is not only the largest in the country, but also the most popular and has the highest market valuation."
"According to the most popular saying online, Xihong Zoo's current market valuation should have reached the hundred-billion level."
If Yang Lin's words had only shocked his parents, then Teacher Xiao Liang's statement was akin to a thunderclap.
A hundred billion. What a colossal sum. Could a private zoo really achieve such a feat?
To answer their doubts, Teacher Xiao Liang soon brought out a stack of magazines and newspapers from the ship's cabin.
On these papers, one could see reports about Xihong Zoo with just a casual glance.
Each one occupied a highly significant position.
"Xihong Zoo - A Model for the Development of Private Zoos"
"Animal Expert, Business Magnate, Director Yang's Dual Life"
"The Greatest Post-90s Entrepreneur: From Near Bankruptcy to Business Myth"
"A Daily Visitor Count Exceeding 500,000, Contributing to Ningnan's Tourism Development"
"Internet Celebrity Gorilla Steve Reportedly Facing Constipation Crisis, Internet Superstar's Status Uncertain"
"All-Round Development of Land, Sea, and Air: A Roundup of Peculiar Animals at Xihong Zoo"
"Diamond Bachelor Director Yang Becomes a New Benchmark for Mate Selection"
...
As they flipped through these articles from various media outlets, their parents' expressions gradually shifted from confusion to shock, and then from shock to disbelief.
If it weren't for the repeated appearance of the words "Xihong" and "Yang Lin," they might have suspected these reports were about another zoo and another person.
"This... this is really our zoo?"
"We've only been gone for over half a year, how did it become like this?"
"An average of 500,000 visitors per day, are you kidding? We didn't even get 50 before."
"Animal expert? Business magnate, is that talking about our son?"
"Peculiar animals? Where did all these peculiar animals come from?"
"Diamond bachelor, our son?"
...
Each time they posed a question, Yang Lin beside them would offer a humble smile, and he wouldn't forget to give Teacher Xiao Liang a thumbs-up.
"Remember the names of these newspapers and magazines. When I have time later, I'll give them a chance to interview me."
"It's just that I don't know where they got these photos. They didn't pick good ones. Next time, I'll send them a few handsome ones myself."
...
Half an hour later, Yang Lin's parents finally accepted all the facts.
After a period of silence, his father suddenly said to Yang Lin with a look of profound emotion:
"Son, Dad didn't raise you for nothing when you were little. I never thought we'd experience the feeling of sudden wealth in our old age."
"But remember, even if we have money, we can't do anything illegal. We have to pay every bit of tax that's due."
As soon as his father finished speaking, his mother grabbed Yang Lin's hand.
"Honey, if I had known you would be this successful, I wouldn't have bothered arranging blind dates for you."
"I still have the contact information of quite a few girls from a while back. There were some from Finland, Sweden, and the new Southwest, as well as daughters of my old college classmates. But it seems none of that is needed now."
"Hmm?" Hearing his mother's words, Yang Lin didn't react at first.
By the time he understood, his mother had already torn a page from her notebook and shredded it into pieces with a few swift motions.
"Wait, Mom, I'm not against arranged marriages. I'm 28 this year, turning 29, almost 30, maybe 31. I haven't even tasted the bitterness of love yet..."
Before Yang Lin could finish, his mother said earnestly:
"Honey, it was wrong of us to rush you to find a partner before. We won't bother you about it anymore. You're in a period of career growth, and you should focus on your career."
"Leave the mundane matters of marriage and children to your younger siblings."
With that, his mother pushed Yang Lin's father's wheelchair to the other side of the deck to watch the whales.
Only Teacher Xiao Liang was left behind, stifling a laugh.
"Hehe, honey... no, I can't laugh alone about this..."