At the main entrance of the Memphis Zoo, as Caesar led a group of orangutans away, not a single animal remained within the zoo's premises.
The buildings within the park, including the gate that stood for over a century, had all collapsed into rubble.
In addition to this, the ground was covered with the defeated and crying soldiers of the United States.
This scene was not only witnessed by the citizens of the United States but also by the team of experts on the hotel balcony, who had observed the entire event.
From the moment the animals rushed out of the zoo until they departed with ease, the entire process lasted for nearly an hour.
Throughout this hour, not a single person blinked.
Recalling the commotion they heard from outside an hour ago, they hadn't taken it too seriously.
After all, this was the United States, where gunfights were a daily occurrence.
It was only when they looked down from the hotel balcony and saw what was happening that they were completely stunned.
Even though everything had returned to peace, they still felt as if they were dreaming.
"What's going on? Why did all the animals from the zoo run away?"
"Yeah, did those animals rebel just now?"
"Do you even need to ask? They clashed with the army, what else could it be but a rebellion?"
"No, that's not the main point. The main point is, did you notice anything unusual about those animals just now?"
"Of course, it was unusual. Those animals were bigger than usual, as if they had reverted to their ancestors. And those orangutans, not only could they ride horses, but they could also shoot guns."
"This is insane. Are the animals in the United States like their people?"
"Perhaps it's the environment that shapes the animals."
"Director Yang, you are an expert in animal behavior and psychology. Can you tell us what's going on with these animals?"
Amidst their shock, everyone's gaze turned to Yang Lin, who was leisurely eating the free watermelon provided by the hotel.
In fact, it wasn't just the expert professors present who were awaiting Yang Lin's answer; the live broadcast camera was also focused on him.
Noticing this, Yang Lin immediately put down the watermelon in his hand and then analyzed with a serious expression:
"This is actually very easy to understand. We all know that the United States is a country that highly values freedom. Therefore, it is quite normal for the animals they keep to have a bit of a desire for freedom."
Upon hearing Yang Lin's somewhat flippant answer, everyone exchanged glances.
While the explanation was somewhat unreliable, it didn't seem entirely illogical.
"Now that Director Yang has put it that way, I understand. These animals must have been oppressed in the zoo on a daily basis, which is why they rebelled."
"Do I need to say more? Lele and Yaya are the best examples. If they hadn't oppressed those animals, why would the animals rebel? Have you ever seen animals rebel in the Xihong Zoo?"
"Don't be ridiculous. The animals in Xihong Zoo all earned their positions through their own efforts. Rebelling? Where would they find a place that provides food and lodging after rebelling?"
"The escape of these animals is ironclad proof of the Memphis Zoo's animal abuse. Let's see how they explain this away."
"There's probably no need to explain. The Memphis Zoo will cease to exist from this day forward."
"However, I'm still curious. Why did the escaped animals all look a bit different? Especially that black ape that came out last, I even suspected it was human."
"Let's see what Director Yang says."
The viewers in the live broadcast were clearly not the only ones with this question. The experts in the hotel also attempted to explain the anomalies of the animals from various perspectives.
To avoid them connecting it to themselves, Yang Lin's mind raced to find a reasonable explanation.
"Do you think the Memphis Zoo might be conducting some kind of special experiments on these animals in secret? It's these experiments that have led to the animals' mutations and their rebellious behavior."
"For example, the ape you just mentioned, I have reason to suspect that the Memphis Zoo conducted intelligence development experiments on it."
"I even suspect that Lele and Yaya were subjected to similar experiments. Otherwise, if they were merely hungry, their physical condition wouldn't be what it is now."
As soon as Yang Lin said this, all eyes in the room turned to him again.
"I think Director Yang's explanation is very reasonable. Those animals just now indeed didn't seem like ordinary animals."
"If they were really conducting experiments on those animals, then the Memphis Zoo truly deserved what happened."
"I saw a netizen mention this possibility online before, and I dismissed it as nonsense at the time. Now it seems the netizens had foresight."
"No, we must publicize this situation. Although the Memphis Zoo is gone, the people behind it are still there."
"Lele and Yaya's suffering cannot have been in vain."
At this moment, whether it were the experts present or the viewers in the live broadcast, they had all accepted Yang Lin's theory.
This deduction was quickly published on foreign networks by some domestic netizens. Coupled with the on-site videos, the entire internet exploded.
Especially those extreme animal rights activists and environmentalists.
It was believed that before long, these people would be flocking to the gates of the Memphis Zoo.
Regarding this outcome, domestic netizens, besides exclaiming with satisfaction, took the opportunity to fan the flames, appearing as if they couldn't care less about the escalating situation.
From learning about the abuse of Lele and Yaya to the demise of the Memphis Zoo, less than a night had passed.
The anger and resentment that had accumulated in everyone's hearts also dissipated.
Despite the constant noises from outside the hotel, everyone still slept soundly.
When they woke up the next morning, Yang Lin led everyone to personally escort Lele and Yaya to Memphis International Airport.
As soon as they arrived at the airport, a plane with the Chinese flag printed on its fuselage appeared before them.
Seeing this special aircraft that had flown overnight from China to pick up Lele and Yaya, the faces of the expert team lit up with joy.
Even Lele and Yaya seemed to sense that they were about to return to the land that had nurtured them, and a flicker of light appeared in their hollow eyes.
Noticing this, Yang Lin walked towards them.
"Lele, Yaya, we're going home!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a tow truck began loading Lele and Yaya onto the plane.
After Lele and Yaya were on board, the expert team members also boarded the plane one after another.
However, just as they were settling into their seats, they heard continuous gunfire erupting from downtown Memphis, with the roar of heavy weapons occasionally audible.
It was clear that the animal army that had left the previous night had returned.
Yang Lin couldn't help but picture Caesar in his mind.
He was uncertain whether Caesar could ultimately achieve his dream of freedom, but he was sure that Caesar was undoubtedly happier now than when he lived in a cage.
As he fell into a reverie, a small dark shadow, unnoticed, quietly slipped into the cargo hold of the plane from under his nose.
Five minutes later, this special plane, which had come from China to bring Lele and Yaya home, began to slowly ascend into the clouds.