152: Wildlife Rescue Center

As Shen Mingyuan's car turned onto the well-maintained but secluded side road leading to the Rescue Center, he spotted an unusual scene from a distance:

Temporary barricades had been set up around the perimeter. Two police cars and a rapidly arriving vehicle from the Disease Control Center were parked at the entrance. Uniformed personnel and workers in protective suits hurried about, creating a tense and grim atmosphere.

The once peaceful Rescue Center now echoed with the clamor of voices and the blare of vehicle horns. An indescribable sense of anxiety seemed to hang in the air.

Zhao Dayou pressed his face against the car window, his voice trembling, "L-Lawyer Shen... why are there so many police? Has something really happened to 'Big Yellow'?"

"Don't panic yet. Let's assess the situation first," Shen Mingyuan said calmly, parking the car in a designated temporary area outside the barricade and turning off the engine.

Just as he locked the car, a middle-aged man in a white lab coat over a simple protective suit, looking exhausted and anxious, jogged out from the main entrance. It was Dr. Zhou.

"Lawyer Shen! You actually came!" Seeing Shen Mingyuan, Dr. Zhou visibly relaxed slightly, but his brow remained furrowed. "It's chaos inside right now. Non-essential personnel are not allowed entry."

As he spoke, he pulled several sealed N95 masks from a bag he was carrying and quickly handed them to Shen Mingyuan and Zhao Dayou, who had gotten out of the car. "Put these on immediately! The preliminary investigation doesn't suggest an airborne virulent infectious disease, but... the situation is unclear. Safety first."

Shen Mingyuan took a mask, expertly opened it, and put it on, then handed one to the visibly flustered Zhao Dayou.

Zhao Dayou clumsily imitated him, not even pressing the metal nose bridge strip tight. His gaze anxiously peered over Dr. Zhou's shoulder towards the center, and he couldn't help but mutter, "Dr. Zhou, Dr. Zhou, my 'Big Yellow'... that big python... is it really okay? How... how can such a big incident happen in a Zoo?"

Hearing this, Dr. Zhou motioned for them to step back to a safer, more open area to the side and explained, "Mr. Zhao, this is the 'Linjiang City Wildlife Rescue Center,' not a public Zoo.

We are a facility that receives, treats, and temporarily houses injured, confiscated, or rescued wild animals. Think of it as... a specialized animal hospital and temporary holding facility."

"Huh? Not a Zoo?" Zhao Dayou was momentarily stunned, clearly understanding the difference for the first time. "I thought... well, it's a place that handles animals, right? Then... it's still the same. How can animals just... explode when they were fine? This place... isn't very reassuring."

His worry was straightforward and simple, even tinged with a hint of resentment born from misunderstanding.

A trace of bitterness and helplessness flashed across Dr. Zhou's face. He didn't dwell on Zhao Dayou's tone and instead turned to Shen Mingyuan, lowering his voice to speak quickly. "The scene is very... bizarre. The explosion had no warning signs, happened extremely fast, and is currently concentrated in Isolation Zone Three and the Temporary Avian Care Area.

There were no precursor signs of common poisoning or acute infectious diseases.

The residue from the explosion... is highly abnormal. The tissue fragments show unusually rapid autolysis and a kind of indescribable proliferative state. Our routine testing equipment is giving some abnormal readings. We've already reported it and requested more specialized support."

His eyes were filled with professional bewilderment and deep concern. "This is absolutely not normal, Lawyer Shen. I've been a veterinarian for nearly twenty years and have never seen, or even heard of, anything like this."

Shen Mingyuan listened quietly, his sharp gaze sweeping over the busy entrance. His Detective's instincts latched onto the keywords: "not normal," "abnormal readings," "rapid autolysis and proliferation."

This was definitely not some ordinary accident or known disease. Zhao Dayou might only be worried about his python, but what Shen Mingyuan saw was a sudden crisis event occurring at a sensitive location, targeting living organisms, and bearing a strong aura of the unnatural.

Seeing Shen Mingyuan's pensive profile, as if wanting to ease the tense atmosphere or finally finding a trustworthy confidant, Dr. Zhou forced a tired, bitter smile. "Well, looks like my job as a vet isn't so secure anymore.

Detective Shen, future Sherlock Holmes, is this new 'case' thrilling enough? Care to offer some advice? I'm truly at a loss here."

Shen Mingyuan glanced at Dr. Zhou but didn't acknowledge the joke. He calmly steered the conversation back on track. "Have casualties been contained?"

"Fortunately, no direct fatalities. Mainly shock and minor injuries from flying debris and collisions. All have been treated," Dr. Zhou replied.

"Now the biggest problems are fear and the unknown. Staff are afraid to approach potentially risky areas, the transfer and calming of animals is hindered, and... we don't know if it will happen again."

"What about the Golden Python? Is it confirmed safe?" Shen Mingyuan asked the core question on behalf of the frantic Zhao Dayou.

"The python enclosure is in another, relatively separate building, at a greater physical distance, and the ventilation Systems are not directly connected.

So far, it and all other reptiles, some mammals, and birds have shown no abnormal signs.

But it, like all the other animals, needs to be assessed and transferred to a safer backup location as soon as possible. It's just that right now, both manpower and confidence are..."

Dr. Zhou shook his head, his exhaustion evident.

Hearing "okay" and "no abnormal signs," Zhao Dayou's tense shoulders slumped slightly, but the fear in his eyes didn't dissipate. "Then... can we go see it now? Just from far away, to confirm it's alright."

Dr. Zhou glanced at Shen Mingyuan, then at the chaotic scene, and pondered. "Theoretically, no. The center is currently undergoing a comprehensive inspection and risk assessment. However..."

He paused. "If Lawyer Shen could help stabilize the situation a bit, or assist in observing and recording some peripheral details in the capacity of an external professional... perhaps we could arrange for Mr. Zhao to view the python's condition from a safe observation window via a specific secure passage. But absolutely no entry into the building interior, and it must be done quickly."

Shen Mingyuan immediately understood Dr. Zhou's implication. The center needed all reliable help, and he had a certain degree of trust in Shen Mingyuan's composure and professionalism.

"Agreed," Shen Mingyuan nodded, looking at Zhao Dayou. "Master Zhao, follow Dr. Zhou's arrangements. Look only, do not enter. Once you confirm 'Big Yellow' is safe, come out immediately and wait for me in the designated safe zone. Can you do that?"

"Yes, yes! I won't wander around! Just one look!" Zhao Dayou hastily promised.

"Good, follow me. Use the dedicated passage, maintain distance, and don't touch anything," Dr. Zhou instructed, signaling for Zhao Dayou to follow a staff member coordinating at the entrance.

Then, he quickly said to Shen Mingyuan, "Lawyer Shen, this way, please. There are some preliminary scene records and footage I think you need to see. The situation... is truly very abnormal."

Shen Mingyuan took one last look at Zhao Dayou's retreating back as he followed the staff member, then turned his gaze away. With a grave expression, he followed Dr. Zhou's steps towards the interior of the Rescue Center, now filled with the unknown and danger.

The mask concealed his expression, but those sharp eyes had already begun scanning the scene like a Detective, capturing every abnormal detail.