Translator: Fringe Capybara

Chapter 57 - Trip to the Zoo (2)

The morning went past quickly and they had a big meal inside the zoo in the afternoon. After lunch, Chi Ying fulfilled her promise of taking Chi Cheng to look at giant pandas.

As one of the three main exhibitions, the mother and son panda exhibition was a large indoor courtyard with a large glass window separating the pandas with the tourists. There were not only poplars, locust trees, Chinese whitewoods and bamboo inside the courtyard… but also a lot of hanging plants that made it resemble the natural habitat of giant pandas.

Chi Cheng was a little bit disappointed when he saw the baby pandas. The fur on their white belly was covered in a thick layer of mud and looked dirty, nothing like the cuteness that he had imagined.

He couldn't help but frowned, “Mommy, does panda mommy not like to bathe the baby pandas?”

“Instead of bath water, the baby pandas probably much prefer the mud. That’s how they bathe. Mud can absorb the natural grease on their fur and also resist parasite from getting to them.”

Chi Cheng, who had always fantasized about becoming a baby panda let out a serious sigh and said, “Oh, alright. I think I will be happy as Mommy’s baby then.”

The last stop of their trip was the oceanarium. The underwater walkway was long and mystical and turning the entire world blue. This was Chi Cheng’s very first time to an oceanarium and he was very elated. His cheek was pressed up against the glass as he looked on and the blue color of the water lit up his beautiful eyes.

Colorful fish swam around and kissed the palm of his hand and Chi Cheng giggled.

The farthest part of the oceanarium was the location of the dolphin show. Chi Ying held onto Chi Cheng’s hand and Chi Cheng holding onto his balloon, the two of them quickly took their seats.

Along with whistling noises, the dolphin trainers appeared on top of the dolphins and the sea lions lifted colorful balls with their heads as their wobbled onto the stage. Chi Cheng watched without blinking and applauded excitedly. “This is awesome!”

The show went on as planned and was thoroughly enjoyable. All the way up to the point of a minor accident during the segment where a tourist and a sea lion fought over a chair.

When the music stopped, the giant body of the sea lion leaned toward the chair. But the tourist was quicker and, with a large step with his long legs, he beat the sea lion to the chair and sat down on it.

The outcome was very unexpected and a round of applause came from the audiences. Unexpectedly, the sea lion was stubborn and persistent, it pushed the tourist off with its giant body.

The tourist, caught by surprise, lost his balance and fell into water with a big splash.

“Why’s the sea lion so mean? It’s not following the rules,” said Chi Cheng as he stood up angrily on the stand and tugged at Chi Ying’s sleeve urgently. “Mommy, that uncle is in danger. Let’s go save him quickly!”

Chi Cheng was only half way through what he was saying before his urgent cry was drowned out by the laughter that had erupted inside the venue. Chi Cheng’s face turned a little red and he lowered his voice. “Mommy, why are they all laughing?”

Chi Ying felt a softness in her heart and she pinched him on his cheek and said, “That’s because they are not as kind as you. Don’t worry, ChengCheng. The workers will save him.”

Chi Cheng unfurrowed his brows when the tourist was finally back on land.

As the show progressed toward the end, it was time for the interactive section. Over on the upper right-hand side of the venue was a giant screen displaying the live audiences. The camera moved among the audiences. Any couple that was on screen when the camera stopped would have the opportunity to take a picture with a dolphin.

The audience stand became boisterous all of a sudden. Chi Cheng quickly tugged at Chi Ying’s sleeve and said, “Mommy, I want to have a picture with a dolphin and you.”