[Is she dead?]
Who's talking?
Xu Ying opened her eyes, and there was no one in front of her, just five adorable little foxes staring at her.
Their ears were large, like furry fans moving back and forth.
Aren't these ear foxes only found in deserts?
Xu Ying looked around and found she was really lying in the vast desert!
The sun overhead made her feel like a fish on a cutting board.
Xu Ying's head buzzed—who was talking just now? Had she hallucinated from overworking?
At three in the morning, Xu Ying, a seasoned veterinarian, was still working overtime at the pet hospital till she passed out all of a sudden.
The next thing she knew, she was in the desert.
Could it be that she crossed over after dying from overwork?
Just as she was puzzled, her head throbbed, and a memory poured into her mind.
She really had crossed over!
Xu Ying had crossed into a parallel world and into the body of a recent animal medicine graduate with the same name as hers.
The original host failed to land her dream job but desperately needed a job with food and board.
So, reluctantly, she chose a position in a remote location and ended up in a dangerous desert, becoming the youngest animal rescuer at the station.
In this parallel world, the Hua Country desert where the original host was situated has a rich diversity of flora and fauna, with many small animals targeted for their rarity.
Moreover, as the desert environment continues to deteriorate, the number of animals decreases, and the fragile ecosystem needs rescuers to protect it.
Three days ago, three animal rescue stations joined forces for a patrol mission, got lost in the desert's no-man's-land, and encountered a ferocious group of Gobi Bears. One of their two motorcycles broke down.
Two colleagues, taking advantage of "seniority," often bullied and browbeat newcomer Xu Ying.
This encounter with the Gobi Bears, they did worse.
They took the working motorcycle, water, and food, leaving her alone in the dangerous desert.
The original host died of hypothermia in the desert, and here came Xu Ying.
Digesting the original's memory, Xu Ying was furious—these two colleagues were both stupid and evil!
Bullies picking on the small young girl!
She must get back to the rescue station and send these two murderers to court!
Xu Ying wanted to stand up and fix the motorcycle, but this body had gone without food and water for nearly two days and didn't even have the strength to crawl!
How pathetic! Just crossed over and already about to die of thirst!
As Xu Ying despaired, she heard the voice from before:
[She looks like she's about to die; should we save her?]
Xu Ying looked around, and besides the five Little Ear Fox cubs that woke her, there was no other creature, let alone humans.
Could it be—
It was these Little Ear Foxes talking? And she could understand them!
The five Little Ear Foxes that woke her hadn't left but were circling around her, making "chirp chirp" sounds.
Xu Ying was surprised to find that she could understand what this group of ear foxes was saying!
"Chirp chirp chirp—"
[But aren't we supposed to find mom? Mom's been missing for two days, possibly caught by poachers, what if this woman is a poacher too?]
[Right! Mom said poachers are sly and ruthless, they will skin us for clothes.]
The chirps of the five ear foxes were whimsically cute, and they were quite small, looking like they were less than two months old and probably hadn't been weaned yet.
Xu Ying had been puzzled about why these little ones weren't with their mother. Now, hearing their conversation, she realized their mom was missing!
Her throat was so dry it hurt, but she endured the pain and said to the cubs, "Could you save me? Cough, cough—"
Every word Xu Ying said felt like her throat was being sliced with a blade, "I can help you find your mom."
The Little Ear Foxes heard Xu Ying talking to them, their eyes wide and sparkling like black grapes.
[You actually understand us!]
The smallest fox cub's eyes were innocent and clear: [You say you can help us find mom, is that true?]
The Proud Fox next to it, with its arms crossed, spoke haughtily: [Hmph, I don't believe it. What if she's a liar trying to trick us away?]
This Proud Fox sure was highly vigilant.
Seeming to be the eldest among the five cubs, after it spoke, the other cubs looked conflicted.
"I'm an animal rescuer sent by the country."
Xu Ying's gaze was sincere, "The left pocket of my clothes has my ID."
The fox cubs quickly pulled Xu Ying's ID from her pocket.
"Chirp chirp~"
[What does it say? We don't recognize human writing.]
[I don't know the words either, but I recognize the Five-Star Red Flag on the ID! Mom said we can always trust the Five-Star Red Flag~]
[The photo on this looks just like the big sister.]
[Then she must not be a bad person, let's save her quickly! Her voice and breathing are so weak.]
Listening to the cubs' sweet voices, Xu Ying was almost melted by their cuteness. If she had the strength, she would definitely pet these fluffy little ones.
[I know there's a spindle tree nearby, its trunk holds lots of water!]
One of the fox cubs picked up the empty mineral water bottle next to Xu Ying's backpack.
[Okay, I'll go with Si Bao to fetch water.]
The Proud Fox nodded and then allocated tasks to the remaining three foxes, quite leader-like.
[Er Bao, Sanbao, Little Treasure, you go find some fruit.]
After the ear foxes left, Xu Ying was puzzled as to why she could understand their speech, then suddenly, a clear voice sounded in her mind.
[Ding~ Welcome to the Animal Rescue System binding~]
[The system will join hands with the host to protect small animals and build the desert together! You can call me Sensen~]
[Sensen will periodically issue animal rescue missions to the host, completing tasks will earn rewards!]
System!
A fan of novels, Xu Ying was shocked at the existence of the system, but soon accepted it, feeling somewhat excited that this system seemed to be tailored for her situation!
"So I can understand the ear foxes because I'm bound to this system?"
[Yes! This is a newbie benefit from the system~ Binding gifts you a mastery of Beast Language~ Sensen automatically chose Fox Language for you.]
[Ding~ Please check your first task, host!]
[A sandstorm will arrive at your current location in five hours, please escape the sandstorm with the ear fox cubs!]
Sandstorm!
Xu Ying dared not imagine what it would be like for her and the cubs to be swept up by the sandstorm.
Not knowing if five hours would be enough for them to escape, she could only hope the cubs would return quickly so she could regain her strength.
After the system issued the task, there was no more sound.
Half an hour passed, and just as Xu Ying was feeling dizzy and about to lose consciousness again, sweet and cool water moistened her chapped lips.
"Chirp chirp~"
[Sister, don't sleep!]
Xu Ying opened her eyes. A fox cub was holding a bottle cap giving her water, while the other two cubs were holding the mineral water bottle, helping to pour the water.
The remaining two cubs were breaking the collected candied dates into small pieces for Xu Ying to eat.
One cub was dirty, with its fur messy.
After drinking a bottle of water in parts and pieces and eating quite a few candied dates, Xu Ying regained a little strength.
Being twenty-two and getting fed by a litter of cubs less than two months old, Xu Ying looked at the fluffy little guys, her heart softening.
Her throat was less painful than before. She asked the dirty fox cub, [Cub, why are you so dirty?]
Upon hearing this, the dirty fox cub shrank behind the Proud Fox.