One of the tigers was dozing on the transparent glass, while several others were playing with each other. They were all purebred Siberian tigers, and quite large. If a person had gone in, they would have just been an extra meal for the tigers.
Seeing the tigers, Tong Tong grabbed Yao Yao's hand and ran over.
However, as they neared the glass wall, Yao Yao became afraid and stopped. "Brother Tong Tong, I'm scared of tigers. They bite people!"
"It's okay, they're locked up, they can't get out!" Tong Tong reassured her.
But Yao Yao was still scared and refused to go any closer.
Liu Yifeng said from the side, "Tong Tong, since sister Yao Yao is scared, you can go look by yourself. Don't scare sister Yao Yao!"
Tong Tong obediently let go of Yao Yao's hand and focused on watching the tigers.
Xia Qianqian, seeing Tong Tong completely unafraid, asked curiously, "Tong Tong, are you really not scared of tigers at all?"
"It's not that I'm not scared. It's because I know they're locked up and can't hurt us, that's why I'm not scared!" Tong Tong replied.
Speaking of this, he had more to say. "The small animals in the zoo are so pitiful. They're locked up every day with no freedom!"
"Yes, they're all confined and can't go anywhere!" Xia Qianqian looked at the tigers, which had lost all their wildness, and felt a sense of sorrow for them.
"Then can we let them go?" Yao Yao asked from behind.
Liu Yifeng replied, "They're used to being fed by people in the zoo. If we send them back to the wild now, they'll starve to death. Because they've lost their ability to survive in the wild, the zoo is their best resting place."
Yao Yao was still young and couldn't fully understand his words, so she could only nod, as if she understood.
After seeing the tigers, the lions were next door. The male lion looked even bigger than the tiger. It was lounging lazily on the ground, basking in the sun.
Liu Yifeng saw that it was almost eleven o'clock and immediately said, "The zoo has a sea lion show at eleven. Let's go watch the sea lion show first, and then we can see other animals, okay?"
"Okay, I like watching sea lion shows. Sister Yao Yao, do you like it?" Tong Tong asked Yao Yao.
Yao Yao nodded in agreement, "I like it too!"
Seeing the children's conversation, Xu Muqing smiled.
Afterward, Liu Yifeng led them to the sea lion show venue.
There were quite a few people queuing outside, so Liu Yifeng and his group had to join the line.
Fortunately, they didn't have to wait long before the sea lion show venue opened, and everyone entered with their tickets.
Watching the sea lion show required an additional twenty yuan ticket. Liu Yifeng had purchased a package deal that included the sea lion show. Those who didn't buy the package could only see the animals, not the sea lion show.
Upon entering, everyone found seats. The five of them, Liu Yifeng's group, were able to sit in the same row.
There were over four hundred seats in the venue, but only half the people had bought the package deal, so it seemed a bit empty.
In front of the seats was a large pool where a sea lion was swimming.
Under the guidance of a staff member, the sea lion swam to the shore, ready to take photos with the tourists.
It turned out you could also take photos with the sea lion. Each photo cost thirty yuan, and a maximum of three people could be in one photo. If more people wanted to be in the photo, they would have to pay extra for a larger frame.
Many people were lining up to take photos with the sea lion. Most of them were one adult with two children, or two adults with one child. Very few had more than three people.
"Tong Tong, do you want to take a photo with the sea lion?" Liu Yifeng asked.
"Yes!"
"And you, Yao Yao?" Liu Yifeng asked again. He mainly asked because he was afraid Yao Yao might be scared of the sea lion, otherwise he would have just taken her over to take a photo. He had expected Yao Yao to say she was scared, especially since she had been afraid to get close to the tigers and lions that were locked up. And now, to be so close to a sea lion.
Unexpectedly, Yao Yao also said she wanted to take a photo and didn't seem scared at all. This made Liu Yifeng a bit unable to understand her personality.
Seeing that Yao Yao wanted to take a photo, Liu Yifeng stood up. "Then let's go take a photo with the sea lion. Auntie Qianqian, you come too!"
"I think I'll pass."
"Auntie Xia, please take one with me!" Tong Tong said, acting cute.
Xia Qianqian, hearing this, found it hard to refuse and stood up. "Okay!"
The five of them came to the sea lion photo area, and there were several people ahead of them in line waiting to take photos.
Liu Yifeng was curious how the sea lions were trained to be so obedient, kissing when asked. But the way they turned away immediately after the photo was taken was truly disdainful. It was very much like people working in reality. However, the sea lions were indeed working to earn their food.
Taking photos was quick, about half a minute per family. While they were waiting in line, the staff asked how many people would be in the photo.
Liu Yifeng originally wanted to say five people and get a larger frame.
Xu Muqing's voice sounded out, "My daughter and I will take one photo, and the three of you can take one!"
"But I want to take a photo with Brother Tong Tong, Mom, is that okay?" Yao Yao looked up at Xu Muqing pitifully. Xu Muqing couldn't resist her daughter's expression, as she couldn't refuse her. But she couldn't make this decision herself and had to see what Liu Yifeng thought. "How do you plan to take the photos?"
"Does that even need asking? Of course, we'll take it together. It's too much trouble to take them separately!" Liu Yifeng said without thinking.
"Then... then let's all take one together. With more people, Yao Yao won't be so scared!" Xu Muqing added.
Soon, it was their turn. Under the guidance of the staff, they came to the area to take photos with the sea lion. The sea lion, an old performer, was already waiting there.
Liu Yifeng and Tong Tong sat in the middle. Liu Yifeng and Xu Muqing sat next to their respective children. That left Xia Qianqian. She had intended to sit next to Liu Yifeng. But the staff mistook her for Xu Muqing's friend and arranged for her to sit next to Xu Muqing. Seeing this, she didn't say anything and obediently sat next to Xu Muqing.
Then, the sea lion kissed Tong Tong. Afterward, the staff had the sea lion kiss Yao Yao. As soon as it finished, the sea lion immediately turned its head away, losing all its previous enthusiasm. Indeed, animals knew how to act.
After the five of them finished taking photos, they returned to their seats, now waiting for the photos to be developed and given to them.
After the group photo, the sea lion show officially began. It was very exciting, and everyone applauded enthusiastically, especially when it was playing with the ball in the water. Its agility was exceptional. In this day and age, animals couldn't get by without some sort of circus act.
The sea lion show lasted fifteen minutes. It wasn't too long or too short, but everyone was very satisfied. Tong Tong looked like he wanted more. At this point, the photos had been printed and were all in frames, which were given for free. Liu Yifeng paid for three albums. Since the five of them took the photo together, a larger album was needed to fit all five of their pictures. Two of the frames showed the sea lion kissing Yao Yao, and the last frame showed the sea lion kissing Tong Tong. Seeing all five of them grinning in the albums, Liu Yifeng felt that the trip had been worthwhile, and everyone had a good time.
After looking at the photos, they handed them all over to Liu Yifeng to keep. To put it plainly, he was the designated carrier, but Liu Yifeng was happy to oblige; this was a task he could handle.
It was half-past eleven after watching the sea lion show. Liu Yifeng took the other four to see some more animals. Around twelve o'clock, he suggested going out for a meal. If Tong Tong still wanted to see animals, they could come back after eating, as the tickets were valid all day.
"Are we going to eat? Oh, yes, yes! Yao Yao's stomach has been empty for ages!" Hearing the mention of lunch, Yao Yao's eyes lit up.
Liu Yifeng couldn't help but ask, "Yao Yao, didn't you eat breakfast?"
"No, Mom left very early this morning. I fell asleep in the car, and when I woke up, we were already at the zoo!"
After hearing Yao Yao's words, Liu Yifeng looked at Xu Muqing. "You didn't eat, why didn't you say so? We could have gone out to eat earlier. Look how hungry Yao Yao is!"
Xu Muqing explained, "I saw Tong Tong was so engrossed, and I wasn't very hungry either. I just thought we should let Tong Tong see his fill before going to eat together!"
"You might not be hungry, but Yao Yao is starving. She even thought I, her uncle, was heartless for not taking her to eat!" He then scooped up Yao Yao and said gently, "Come on, let's go eat. What do you want to eat?"
Tong Tong didn't get jealous because his dad wasn't carrying him, but Yao Yao. He walked obediently beside them. Xia Qianqian and Xu Muqing, almost at the same time, reached out and took Tong Tong's hands. The two of them exchanged a look, feeling a bit awkward, but neither of them intended to let go.