Chapter 19 - Mockery

[Sorry, I've been focusing on the wrong thing. The lady caretaker is so gentle and beautiful. No wonder Pipi and Dodo like her so much.]

[Let's all understand the difficulties faced by the zoo. They obviously can't release the surveillance footage. As for Bao's situation, I believe the zoo will give us an explanation.]

...

After watching the video Xia Xin posted, most netizens expressed their understanding of the zoo's challenges. However, there was a small group of people who questioned Xia Xin's video, claiming it was just a publicity stunt.

These mocking comments were quickly rebutted by other netizens. [So what if it's a publicity stunt? We love watching beautiful women. Are you jealous of her? The lady caretaker came forward on behalf of the zoo to explain and make a statement. Do you live by the seaside? Why do you care so much!]

Xia Xin turned off her phone and breathed a sigh of relief. She was about to take some food to feed Pipi and Dodo in the outdoor area when two researchers in white lab coats walked by in the corridor.

"Well, if it isn't our popular star from the panda exhibit. Looks like you're about to become an internet celebrity and then enter the entertainment industry, right?" one of them, a woman with wavy curly hair, said with a hint of mockery.

"Wen Ya, keep your voice down!" the person beside said as she pulled Wen Ya's sleeve.

Wen Ya snorted and cast a disdainful glance at Xia Xin, then walked past her with her head held high.

Xia Xin heard Wen Ya say behind her, "She got in through connections anyway. Do you really think she's a caring and kind caretaker? She just wants to ride on the popularity of Pipi and Dodo to become an internet celebrity!"

Xia Xin furrowed her brow, completely unaware that some people saw her that way.

If it had been the Xia Xin from her previous life, she probably would have confronted Wen Ya and had a heated argument.

But now, Xia Xin simply shook her head without any trace of anger.

After packing up her things, Xia Xin walked to the outdoor area and saw that the number of visitors today had not decreased significantly. It seemed that the video she explained yesterday had made an impact, and netizens had stopped their impulsive boycott of the zoo.

After lunchtime, Xia Xin was called to the director's office again.

"Xin, thank you for explaining things yesterday. The voices questioning our zoo online have decreased a lot thanks to you," Lu Yuan said, his wrinkles relaxing as he finished speaking. 

Lu Yuan took a sip of tea and added, "I didn't expect your account to already have 170,000 followers."

Xia Xin was surprised. The number of followers she saw in the morning was only 110,000. In just a short while, she gained so many more followers.

Lu Yuan suggested that Xia Xin continue to operate her personal account.

"You young people should know more about social media. You can post your daily life in the zoo or share some interesting animal facts. It's all possible! Also, this account is completely yours. If you gain more followers in the future and advertisers approach you for endorsements, you can earn income from it. Don't worry, I won't interfere with that," said Lu Yuan.

Xia Xin had never thought about handling a social media account before, but Lu Yuan's words made sense to her. Perhaps this account could be used to do something useful.

In Lu Yuan's view, Xia Xin managing this account was equivalent to promoting the zoo, so he encouraged and supported her.

...

After a few more busy days, it finally came to Xia Xin's day off. She quickly tidied up her things in the rental house, preparing to take Layle back home.

Sensing that they were going out, Layle looked excited and bounced around on the floor.

Xia Xin packed some dog food into her backpack and also put the water dispenser from the water filter in there. She had made the water dispenser herself, with a small steel ball at the tip to help Layle drink water easily without a tongue.

Looking around, Xia Xin contemplated what else she needed to bring. At that moment, she had a thought and awakened the system in her mind.

A light screen appeared in her consciousness, and she checked her current "account balance."

Animal Affinity: 200 points, Human Affinity: 170,000 points.

Previously, Xia Xin had sighed about not being able to afford anything in the store, but now she actually had room to choose. Apart from a few very expensive items, she could buy most of the mid-range and low-end goods.

All of that was thanks to Xia Xin's video which received attention and love from a large number of netizens.

Xia Xin wondered if she should buy something from the Shop.