Chapter 36
Chapter 36
As the news spread, the people of Ugly Nation soon heard it as well.
Upon learning that their country’s position in the rankings might be shaken, many of them flooded into Longguo’s livestream.
“I thought Longguo’s contestant was supposed to be impressive, but that’s all he’s capable of. Back in the Aquarium, he only survived by sacrificing other people. How shameful.”
“Right, right, of course. But he still can’t compare with your Lamb, who killed contestants from a whole group of countries and somehow made those countries grateful for it. That’s Ugly Nation for you!”
“Hmph. Su Chen of Longguo obtained crucial information by stealing a staff member’s private property. You people from Longguo are rotten to the core; every one of you is a lowly thief!”
“Right, right. We’re narrow-minded. We could never compare with all the zero-dollar shopping in your country.”
After this exchange, the people of Ugly Nation were utterly demolished by Longguo’s masterful sarcasm.
They began spewing abuse.
The next moment, however, Longguo’s officials directly banned the abusive accounts.
[Longguo is a nation of courtesy. Please use civilized language.]
An official announcement appeared at the top of the screen!
That made the people of Ugly Nation even angrier.
“Boden: Trash Longguo! You have no respect for freedom of speech. What an inferior race!”
“System Notice: User Boden has been banned for uncivil language.”
“Bob: Sun of a beach! Longguo is baiting people into violations!”
“System Notice: User Bob has been banned for uncivil language.”
…
As one ban notification after another appeared, the entire livestream finally became peaceful.
Inside the Aquarium room rented by the hour,
Su Chen scrambled upright, afraid he might accidentally fall asleep if he lay there too long.
He did not dare sleep now.
First, he feared missing the time and losing his chance to escape.
Second, something about that nightmare felt wrong, so it was better not to sleep at all.
But the night was long, and passing the time was difficult.
He got up and felt his way around the dark room, searching casually for clues.
Perhaps the room contained some other message or hint.
In this bizarre zoo, the more rules and information he possessed, the better.
With a piece of bread between his teeth, Su Chen began rummaging through the bedside cabinet.
Suddenly, a small metal box caught his attention.
He picked it up and ran his hands over every surface.
His fingers soon found a seam.
He applied a little force along it.
With a click, the box sprang open.
He reached inside. From the texture, it seemed to contain a sheet of paper.
“Did I really stumble across another clue?”
Su Chen murmured.
Upon discovering the paper, he immediately took out his phone.
He unlocked the screen and used its faint glow to examine the sheet inside the box.
Several large Chinese characters headed the page:
Zoo Director Rules.
Su Chen’s pupils contracted.
Logically, the zoo director had to know more about the zoo than anyone else.
These rules were bound to contain more of the zoo’s secrets.
He began reading carefully.
1. Accept every employee, regardless of the color of their clothing. Although the zoo provides only blue uniforms, if someone appears wearing an identical uniform in black or red, treat them equally as an employee.
2. When no one is present, it is normal to hear children crying or laughing outside the office door. Ignore it and pretend you heard nothing. Never show unease or irritation.
3. Employees are not permitted to bring pets into the zoo. If someone insists on violating this rule, there is no need to fine them. Simply tell them that they bear responsibility for the consequences.
4. Check the number of white lions in the Lion Enclosure once every three days. Record the frequency at which their number changes in the spreadsheet inside the computer folder named “It.” Do not investigate what “It” refers to. Do not rename the file. Do not discuss this folder with anyone, including family members.
5. Every map must contain a section that can be torn off along a dotted line. The maps must be produced by the designated manufacturer. The manufacturer’s contact information is in the Word document in the folder. Keep at least three maps in the office at all times for immediate use.
6. No matter how frequently security guards in the Elephant Enclosure resign or how outrageous their benefit demands become, treat them well and satisfy their requests whenever possible. They are not being unreasonable. However, it is best not to investigate why they make such requests.
7. While inspecting employees at work, it is normal to see them catch escaped rabbits, retrieve dried-up jellyfish, or collect rabbits bitten to death by white lions. Do not criticize or question them, but verify that they dispose of everything properly.
8. The office lights must remain on from 1:15 a.m. until 6:00 a.m., even if no one is inside. The power equipment here is more reliable than that in any enclosure. A power outage is abnormal. If one occurs, immediately take the spare map on the right side of the desk, tear it along the dotted line, hold it in your hand, and walk outside. Tell the first employee you encounter what happened, regardless of the color of their clothing or what they are about to do. Require them to help you deal with the power outage. They will not refuse.
9. Do not investigate whether the Aquarium exists. However, if you see the Aquarium, you may enter and look around. Outside the Aquarium, obey the notice posted at its entrance. Inside, obey the notice posted within. If the notices contradict one another, respect the rule corresponding to your physical location when you saw it.
10. Only primate and white lion plush toys are placed on the office sofa. If goat, rabbit, or elephant toys appear, there is no need to work inside the office that day. Leave and remain away until surveillance room staff notify you that the extra toys have disappeared.
11. You may take a nap at noon, but if you decide to work the night shift, use any means necessary to stay alert. Do not doze. If you cannot guarantee your mental alertness, do not work the night shift.
12. Surveillance equipment occasionally malfunctions. To determine whether a malfunction is normal, check the camera for animal hair. If any is present, do not repair the equipment for one month. If necessary, you may obtain a miniature camera as a substitute. After you report the situation, the finance department will reimburse the cost.
13. It is normal for dried-up jellyfish to appear in the trash. Simply remind the cleaner when they come to dispose of the garbage.
14. If you violate any rule above, pretend nothing happened and remain in the office for thirteen hours. Order delivery for meals and contact an employee to bring the food inside. Do not leave the office. Do not look directly at the delivery person or the employee. Do not look in a mirror. Constantly remind yourself that humans have two eyes, and only two eyes.
15. Always remember that human lives are more important than animal lives. Sacrifice any animal when necessary. Do not be softhearted. You do not know whether they are animals.