Fang Ye was naturally delighted to see so many people enthusiastically wanting to apply, but he felt it was essential to lay out the requirements clearly.
"First and foremost, you must be a native of Linhai or be willing to relocate here! The zoo provides food and accommodation. Additionally, it's preferable to have a related major such as animal husbandry, veterinary science, animal breeding, nutrition, or fields like media and photography."
He mentioned that he could do many things but was drawn to the job of a breeder because he found the little white tiger adorable and the work fascinating. He added that he was merely joining in for fun and didn't intend to apply for the job.
"Linhai Zoo is situated in a relatively remote suburb, and it takes about an hour by bus from the city center. So, before considering applying for the job, think seriously about whether you're genuinely willing to leave the bustling city for a more serene lifestyle."
Fang Ye openly acknowledged his own shortcomings.
He mentioned that while he met the requirements, he was still a bit hesitant.
"Working at the zoo might seem simple, but it's actually quite challenging. It necessitates a good understanding of animals. Most importantly, it requires a genuine love for nature, respect for life, and a strong sense of responsibility."
He grinned and added, "Of course, the perk is that you get to see adorable animals like tigers, foxes, and alpacas every day!"
Some netizens expressed regret about not being able to apply, and Fang Ye didn't have high expectations since local candidates didn't meet most people's requirements.
He decided to post the job opening on a dedicated platform to reach a broader audience.
Meanwhile, back at the zoo, the little white tiger was energetically crawling around, occasionally letting out cute howls. When it got hungry, it eagerly latched onto a baby bottle to drink milk, melting the hearts of the viewers.
After feeding, the little tiger let out a tiny hiccup and drifted off to sleep peacefully.
Fang Ye wrapped up the broadcast with a smile, encouraging viewers to suggest a name for the little white tiger and promising a mysterious gift to those actively participating.
...
The Tiger Fitness Club may have a grand-sounding name, but it was a modest, even somewhat rundown fitness club in a small county.
The gym had an area of just 200 square meters with a plain cement floor. The walls were painted with simple white paint, there was no air conditioning, only ceiling fans, and the gym equipment was dated. Consequently, few people frequented the place.
At the moment, there were a few regular customers working out in the gym. They didn't mind the shabby environment or outdated equipment, focusing on their workouts, lifting weights, and sweating profusely.
A young man, holding a dumbbell while exercising his biceps, curiously asked, "Brother Meng, what are you looking at? It's been a while since you worked out. Aren't you going to lift some weights?"
Meng Shi, who was the owner of the Tiger Fitness Club and the strongest among the group, sat on a stool near a weightlifting machine, gazing at his phone screen, and replied without taking his eyes off the screen.
He was an imposing figure, standing at two meters tall, with a massive chest, powerful arms, and lats as hard as a rock. Just looking at him was enough to make anyone feel intimidated.
The young man asked, "What's so important for a tough guy like you to look at? Are you checking out muscle-building techniques or meal plans?"
The others in the gym were also curious about what had captured Meng Shi's attention. Little did they know that if they found out, they would be surprised.
On the phone screen, a little white tiger tumbled and quickly got back up, emitting cute, mewling sounds. A smile crept across Meng Shi's face as he watched this scene.
He had been a tiger enthusiast since childhood and had always been fascinated by these majestic creatures. He recalled that as a child, he had saved several weeks' worth of breakfast money to buy a toy tiger character he had seen in a cartoon. Unfortunately, he had lost the toy during a move, and it had made him sad for a long time.
Even the gym he had opened was named "Big Tiger" in homage to his love for tigers.
For the past several days, Meng Shi had been closely following Fang Ye and considered himself one of Fang Ye's earliest fans. He watched with envy as Fang Ye interacted with the Siberian tiger, Jiaojiao.
He couldn't help but think, "To hell with bodybuilding; I've always wanted to be close to big cats."
Meng Shi's thoughts wandered to the little white tiger on the screen. Although it was still a cub, he could tell that it would grow up to be a powerful and magnificent tiger.
He yearned to see and interact with such an animal in person.
Meng Shi's mind was suddenly filled with the idea of applying for the zoo's breeding position.
The zoo offered accommodation and food, and he was more than willing to move there, as the zoo was located in the suburbs, far from the bustling city center.
Meng Shi was the kind of person who would wholeheartedly pursue something he was passionate about. Compared to the monotony of weightlifting, being a zoo breeder sounded like a dream come true.
As he contemplated this new path, Meng Shi stood up, clapped his hands, and addressed the other people in the gym. "Brothers, I have something to say. I'm leaving! Let's gather today to celebrate our friendship."
The young man lifting dumbbells was surprised and asked, "Why the sudden decision, Brother Meng? Is the gym not doing well? Do you need some financial help?"
A middle-aged man with a string of beads around his wrist also put down his 20kg barbell and expressed his concern. "Xiao Meng, if you're facing any challenges, we can discuss it and find a solution together."
Meng Shi waved his hand and explained, "I opened this gym to facilitate my own fitness journey and to make friends who share my passion for fitness. I never intended to profit from it. In fact, I saw a zoo recruitment announcement, and I really love their tigers. I want to become a breeder."
His decision to become a breeder surprised everyone, but they could understand that people have different interests and pursuits.
The young man flexed his biceps and said, "Well, your coaching has done wonders for me, Brother Meng. I owe you a lot for my gains."
Meng Shi smiled and said, "If you miss me, visit me at the zoo!"
Another member of the group, Buddha Zhu, spoke up. "Xiao Meng, if you're leaving, how about handing the gym over to me?"
Meng Shi readily agreed, and they quickly worked out the details, as they were all friends and didn't want to make a big fuss over it.
With his mind set on working with tigers, Meng Shi was eager to pursue his dream.