Chapter 276: The Email from the Giant Panda Base
After deciding what to plant in the backyard, Fang Ye called the animal feed procurement team leader.
"Hello, Zoo Director Fang?"
The team leader answered the phone and immediately became anxious.
Now that the zoo was on the right track, unlike the past when they would just buy directly from the market like a small workshop, feed procurement involved meetings to discuss needs, followed by their release of tender information. After signing contracts, specialized farms or trading companies would regularly supply them.
His team was responsible for quality control and acceptance checks, and only after passing could the feed be used for the animals.
He wondered if there was a problem with the feed, causing the animals to have diarrhea?
Fang Ye said, "Oh, I'm planning to plant some crops in the backyard. Could you help me find out where to buy some strawberry, Chinese leek, potato seedlings, pea seeds, and two navel orange saplings?"
"Phew~"
The procurement team leader let out a sigh of relief. So, the Zoo Director wanted to farm!
He had been scared for a moment, thinking there was an issue with the feed.
Rushing to jot it down in his notebook, he asked, "So, how many exactly? Any specific requirements?"
Fang Ye replied, "Not too much, just enough to plant a few square meters each, less for the potatoes."
He didn't plan to fill the whole backyard at once; in spring and summer, he could plant other things like watermelons, cucumbers, tomatoes, and chili peppers, ensuring that the yard would be filled with delicious crops all year round.
Potato plants yielded quite a lot per plant, so he needed fewer of them.
After some thought, he added, "Don't get those commercial strawberries, see if you can find those small strawberries that farmers grow for themselves to eat."
Nowadays, the strawberries sold in stores are bred through selective breeding, with the main focus on appearance—whether they can survive long-distance transport, be stored for an extended period, and their disease resistance, while the taste is secondary.
So, many strawberries nowadays look bright and pretty, are large, and have a good appearance but taste quite bland.
"Got it! I'll have the buyers look into it as soon as possible."
While the feed team leader took note of the requirements, he couldn't help but feel a little envious. Read chapters at empire
People like them worked only for money, while the Zoo Director was already pursuing a higher quality of life.
If one had to choose between two types of lives!
One where you live in high-rise buildings, with mobile phones, the internet, convenient transportation, online shopping, and various entertainment options like movies, novels, and games.
The other is living in the countryside, enjoying a simple, leisurely life of gardening and gazing at the southern mountains.
If modern people had to choose between these two lifestyles, most would definitely pick the former!
But when you can have the former and at the same time enjoy the latter, who would refuse such a life.
...
Fang Ye, having some free time, was originally planning to read but noticed a new email on his computer.
It was from the Giant Panda Base, officially agreeing to Linhai Zoo's application to borrow giant pandas.
As long as the panda exhibit here was finished, and the staff from the Panda Base gave the OK after their inspection, a pair of giant pandas could be sent over!
"Nice!"
Although Fang Ye had expected it, seeing the email still made him break into a smile.
He had thought about notifying the staff in the group chat about the good news but suddenly decided against it!
Leaving the little villa, he was quite close to the office building; it was just a short walk away.
The free-spirited Zoo Director could stay wherever he wanted when at work.
Once inside the office, Lan Li was focused on typing something on the computer.
At the sight of Fang Ye entering, she couldn't help but flash a sweet smile and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, "Director Fang, you've arrived!"
Fang Ye walked over to her, "What are you up to now?"
"At noon, didn't you tell me to get in touch with the youth league committee to write a volunteer recruitment notice?"
Lan Li intended to continue typing, but she noticed Fang Ye smiling at her cheek and wondered what he was up to. Feeling a bit embarrassed, she gently pushed him away with her palm, whispering, "We agreed, didn't we? No fooling around during work hours."
Fang Ye said, "I came over to share some good news with you!"
Lan Li blinked, "What good news?"
"Our zoo's application to borrow giant pandas has been approved, just got the email."
Lan Li's eyes widened with delight, "Really? That's fantastic!"
Fang Ye spread his arms, laughing, "Right? Isn't it worth a celebration hug?"
"You came over here just for that, didn't you? For the sake of the giant pandas, I'll make an exception today."
Blushing, Lan Li stood on her toes and hugged Fang Ye before giving him a soft peck on his cheek. Then, sticking out her tongue mischievously, she laughed, "Happy now?"
"Absolutely delighted! Satisfied, satisfied!" Fang Ye waved his hands jauntily, "Then I'm off!"
Watching Fang Ye's retreating figure, Lan Li chuckled softly, resting her chin in her hand and daydreaming happily before refocusing on the computer to resume her previous task.
Actually, Fang Ye also said that it would be ok for her to work from home, but Lan Li decisively rejected that.
It was fine to cozy up and watch a movie together on the sofa after work, but it was too much to also work from home during office hours.
Even if Fang Ye could restrain himself, Lan Li wasn't sure if she could, it was too much of a temptation, she didn't know where it might lead if they started working together.
After celebrating with Lan Li, Fang Ye shared the good news in the staff group chat.
He had only mentioned it to the team leaders before because he worried that the news might spread before the panda approval was confirmed, potentially disappointing the visitors who follow Linhai Zoo. Now that it was settled, the news could be announced openly.
After the initial surprise, the employees began cheering!
"Wow, our zoo is going to have giant pandas!"
"Zoo Director Fang is awesome!"
"Is it still possible to transfer? I want to apply to take care of the giant pandas!"
"When will the giant pandas arrive?"
Fang Ye: "The giant pandas will come after the panda exhibit is built, which will take at least a few months. We can discuss the application for taking care of giant pandas at the next meeting."
Fang Ye: "Today is a bit late, but I'll talk to Old Zhang. Let's have a celebration in the cafeteria tomorrow night! We'll have hotpot!"
After finishing the conversation in the staff group chat, he made calls to Director Du of the city forestry bureau, as well as the mayor's secretary.
The leaders were very concerned about this matter before.
The secretary took the call and, hearing it was about the giant pandas, became serious immediately, quickly connecting Fang Ye to the mayor.
Mayor Bai spoke excitedly on the phone, "Zoo Director Fang, your zoo has done very well this time!"
Domestic zoos that host giant pandas are generally the provincial capital zoos!
For Linhai, a third-tier city aspiring to become second-tier, having giant pandas is an extraordinary feat. It's a sure bonus for the report on building a civilized city. This feels like a solid victory!
"Thank you for the leaders' care and support for our zoo, or else we wouldn't have achieved today's success..."
After chatting briefly, Mayor Bai inquired, "Does the zoo need any assistance from the city now?"
Fang Ye sheepishly said, "With the zoo's expansion, some of the original buildings are quite old, and the staff dormitory needs to be rebuilt. We plan to move it to a more suitable location, and about this housing land..."
Mayor Bai promptly replied, "How can the employees take good care of the animals if they can't live comfortably themselves? Don't worry, the city will resolve this!"
Fang Ye quickly expressed his excitement, "Thank you, Mayor Bai!"
After hanging up the phone, he felt a weight lifted from his heart. Finally, the issue with the staff dormitories was settled!