Chapter 165: Chapter 139: You’re Going to Be a Mother

"What’s the situation?"

Yang Qi stopped and asked Xiao Jun, who was beside him.

Xiao Jun followed his gaze and sighed. "That’s Snow Cake, one of our detachment’s decorated drug-sniffing dogs. She’s done a lot of great work."

"We don’t know what’s wrong. She’s been a bit listless these past few days, and her appetite’s poor. The veterinarian checked her over but couldn’t find any obvious physical illness. They just can’t figure out the cause."

As he spoke, he looked at Yang Qi, his eyes lighting up. He asked, a hint of hope and hesitation in his voice, "Advisor Yang, I know you’re not a veterinarian, but your animal handling skills are top-notch. You definitely have a better grasp on an animal’s condition than we do. How about... you take a look, too?"

"Maybe you’ll spot something we’ve missed."

"Sure," Yang Qi agreed readily.

He had always held a deep respect and fondness for these loyal and dedicated working dogs.

Xiao Jun was delighted to hear this and quickly led Yang Qi over. He said to the few officers gathered around, "Everyone, make some room. Let Advisor Yang take a look at Snow Cake."

The officers turned, saw it was Xiao Jun and Yang Qi, and immediately made way.

Yang Qi walked forward and squatted down.

Snow Cake was a Labrador with a cream-colored coat and a well-proportioned body, but right now she looked rather listless. Her ears were drooping, and her eyes seemed a bit dim.

Sensing someone approaching, she managed to lift her head and sniffed at the scent on Yang Qi.

Yang Qi reached out, gently stroking Snow Cake’s head while discreetly activating his Basic Spirit Communication Technique.

"WHIMPER~"

Snow Cake, who had been lying down, seemed to feel something after being petted by Yang Qi. A comfortable whine escaped her throat as she struggled to her feet. She then took the initiative to nudge her head against Yang Qi’s hand, rubbing against him affectionately as her tail began to wag slightly.

This scene made Xiao Jun and the other officers’ eyes widen in astonishment.

’Snow Cake has been so aloof and listless with everyone lately. Why is she acting so friendly toward Advisor Yang?’

’She even got up on her own?’

"Hello, Snow Cake. Can you tell me what’s wrong?"

Yang Qi asked gently, simultaneously gathering a faint, imperceptible wisp of Magical Power in his palm, preparing to investigate.

Snow Cake froze for a moment, surprised by the voice that had suddenly appeared in her mind. But her instincts told her the voice was kind and held no threat.

Immediately, she let out a soft whine.

’I don’t know either.’

’I just feel like I have no energy. I don’t want to move, and I don’t want to eat.’

"I see..."

Yang Qi pondered this, directing that wisp of Magical Power from his palm, which was still stroking Snow Cake’s back, to discreetly seep into her body. He focused on her abdominal area for a more detailed examination.

This wasn’t a conventional medical technique, but rather a way of using Magical Power to perceive a living being’s qi and blood circulation and its internal state.

As he investigated, Yang Qi’s brow furrowed for a moment before smoothing out, replaced by a knowing smile.

He pulled his hand back, gently patted Snow Cake’s head again, and said with a smile, "Silly girl, you’re not sick. You’ve got ’little pups’ on the way."

"WOOF?!"

Snow Cake was clearly startled and jerked her head up.

’Pups? I’m having pups?’

At the same time, Xiao Jun, who was standing nearby, heard Yang Qi’s words and pressed him urgently, "Advisor Yang, what pups? What did you find out?"

"That’s right, you’re having pups." 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Yang Qi first reassured Snow Cake.

Then he stood up, looked at Xiao Jun and the other officers, and announced the answer with a smile.

"Captain Xiao, everyone, don’t worry. Snow Cake isn’t sick. She’s pregnant. She’s going to be a mother!"

"She must have just gotten pregnant, which is why the previous checkup didn’t find anything. She didn’t realize it herself, either. Her body was just instinctively showing some signs of pregnancy, like lethargy, loss of appetite, and low spirits."

"What?"

"Pregnant?!"

"Snow Cake’s pregnant?"

Xiao Jun and the other officers all exclaimed at once. Their faces showed shock and disbelief, which was quickly replaced by immense joy.

"Really, Advisor Yang? Are you sure?"

Xiao Jun’s voice trembled slightly.

Snow Cake was one of their detachment’s treasures. If she could successfully give birth to a healthy litter, it would be the icing on the cake.

"I’m ninety percent sure."

Yang Qi nodded. "Snow Cake’s condition is very consistent with the signs of early pregnancy. If you’re not convinced, you can take her for a more detailed and targeted examination."

"Okay, okay! I’ll contact the veterinary hospital we work with right now and take Snow Cake for a thorough checkup!"

Xiao Jun was ecstatic and agreed immediately.

The other officers also thanked Yang Qi one after another, their faces filled with relieved and joyful smiles.

Yang Qi responded humbly, saying it was just a coincidence.

After chatting for a little while longer, he took his leave from the narcotics unit.

...

「Back at the zoo.」

Yang Qi first spent some time in his dorm reading the professional books Song Chunfang had assigned him to increase his theoretical knowledge.

Then he went to clean the Gray Wolf’s and the raccoons’ enclosures and made his daily observation notes.

The next two days were calm and uneventful.

The daily system lottery also returned to its usual routine. He mostly drew daily consumables like "Qi Condensing Pills," "Spirit Rice," and "Strengthening Pills," along with the occasional few Low-grade Spirit Stones. Although there were no big surprises, it was a steady supply.

Around ten o’clock one morning.

Yang Qi was in his dorm studying an English article about the relationship between territorial behavior and hormone levels in large felines when his phone suddenly rang.

He picked it up and saw the caller ID: "Operations Minister - He Ling."

"Hello, Minister He?" Yang Qi answered.

"Xiao Yang, are you busy? Do you have a moment?" He Ling’s voice came through the receiver, tinged with urgency.

"I’m not busy. Minister He, what’s on your mind? Just tell me." Yang Qi set down the papers he was holding.

"It’s like this—a child got separated from their parents. We’ve been looking for a while but haven’t found them. The parents are frantic. We’ve already called the police, but it’ll take time for them to arrive, and searching will take even longer."