It's a hell game, who can still be a human being?

Chapter 638 Successful Rendezvous
"Your uncle!"

Liu Zheng gave it the middle finger.

Luckily, he reacted quickly, otherwise he would have been mistaken for a self-propelled toilet.

When the grey parrot saw that its plan had failed, a look of human-like disappointment appeared in its eyes, and then it flew to a higher place and ignored him.

Liu Zheng followed its flight path and saw that the ceiling and walls were covered with tree branches, bird nests and other decorations.

Meanwhile, various kinds of birds were perched on the pendants, some sleeping, some chatting, some courting, and some mating.

"Excuse me, sir, our club does not accept individual visitors other than birds."

A sound caught his attention.

Liu Zheng looked down and saw that it was a lion-headed goose dressed as a waiter.

The head growth of this Lionhead goose is relatively small and rounded compared to its body size, and its neck is also relatively slender, so it should be a female Lionhead goose.

"I'm here to book a private room for a friend. He's a member here, and his membership number is 7734."

He gave out the contact person's card number.

"Wait a moment, let me check."

The lion-headed goose pulled a widescreen phone out of its fluffy chest feathers and started using it.

"The membership card number is correct. Which private room would you like to reserve?"

"The lion-headed goose asked."

Which private room does my friend book most often?

Liu Zheng asked.

"Box number eight."

Lionhead Goose glanced at his phone and said.

"Then let's go with room number eight."

"Okay, please follow me."

Lionhead Goose put away his phone and turned to walk towards the stairs.

He followed closely behind.

It has to be said that watching the Lionhead Goose walk is really hilarious, especially since it retains its instincts while unconsciously imitating the way humans walk.

This gives the impression of Sun Wukong imitating Zhen Yuanzi's four-directional steps. He learns it very seriously, but Bajie and Sha Wujing can only find it funny.

"what?"

Liu Zheng felt as if he was cursing himself.

"Sir, this is VIP room number 8."

The lion-headed goose pushed open a door.

"You don't have many private rooms here."

He glanced at it and said.

“We birds prefer open and spacious environments and are more social, so we only use private rooms on rare occasions.”

"That's what the lion-headed goose explained."

"I see. Speaking of which, I see both small birds and birds of prey in the hall. Won't they start eating each other?"

Liu Zheng asked curiously.

"No, the birds that come to the club are all highly intelligent and rational elites. At least inside the club, we can completely control our instincts."

"The Lionhead Goose said proudly."

"Oh."

In other words, the grey parrot did it on purpose.

That damned rotten chicken, don't let him get a chance, or I'll definitely wrap it in sewer dung and make it into beggar's chicken.

"The minimum charge for the private room is one thousand yuan. Would you like to order now or wait until your friends arrive?"

"The lion-headed goose asked."

"Let's order something first. By the way, it seems like there's no place for me to sit here."

Liu Zheng looked around the private room and then spoke.

The private room looked much the same as the main hall, except there was an extra table. He couldn't very well sit at the table to eat.

There were bird nests on the ground, but even if he were willing to sit in one, he wouldn't be tall enough to reach the table.

"I'm sorry, we are not well prepared because we rarely have human guests. Please wait a moment while I go and get you a chair."

The service at Lion Head Goose was quite good; after saying that, they left the private room.

Since he had nothing better to do, Liu Zheng decided to try sitting in the bird's nest.

"Hmm, it's definitely not as comfortable as the haystacks for cattle and horses."

he commented.

Not only is the size unsuitable, but the material of the bird's nest is also substandard, containing leaves, twigs, and feathers, making it prickly on the bottom when sitting on it.

Fortunately, the lion-headed goose soon returned with a chair in its beak.

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. Please have a seat."

Lionhead Goose put down his chair and said.

"Um"

Liu Zheng looked at the chair and his lips twitched slightly.

If he wasn't mistaken, this should be the legendary dragon throne.

The dragons were so lifelike that it felt like sitting on them would grant you a royal robe.

Is there something wrong with this chair?

"I can't believe it," the lion-headed goose asked, puzzled.

"Yes. Isn't this the Hundred Birds Pavilion? Even if you're going to do something, you should at least give me a phoenix bed, right?"

"I don't know either, the boss bought it."

The lion-headed goose replied.

"Your boss is quite honest; he personally picked out chairs for the guests."

"Oh, no, this is the boss's own chair."

The lion-headed goose shook its head.

"Then you'd better move it back quickly, it'll be terrible if your boss comes back and finds out. If there really aren't any chairs, that's fine, I can stand for a while."

Liu Zheng remained silent.

If the lion-headed goose had been made to stand from the start, he would definitely have made it find a chair.

But Lionhead Goose actually brought the boss's chair over to him; he couldn't bear to see such a kind-hearted waiter suffer.

"It's okay, I made the boss get up before I moved it."

The Lionhead Goose said there was no need to worry.

"Who are you and the boss?"

"I am the boss's sister."

"That's what the lion-headed goose said."

"Oh~"

This is not surprising.

Since it was the princess who brought the dragon throne, Liu Zheng sat down without hesitation.

It's alright, a bit better than a bird's nest.

"What would you like to order?"

The lion-headed goose pulled the menu out of its chest feathers and placed it on the table.

He picked it up and saw that there were only four meal options: A, B, C, D, and E.

What are these four meal packages?

Liu Zheng asked.

"Set meal A is a fresh fruit set meal, set meal B is a dried fruit set meal, set meal C is an insect set meal, set meal D is a meat set meal, and set meal E is a seafood set meal."

"The specific contents of the package depend on the daily procurement situation."

"That's what the lion-headed goose said."

"Are all these meals served raw?"

He asked suspiciously.

Yes. Do you need it heated?

"The lion-headed goose asked."

"Never mind, I'll just have Set Meal A and Set Meal B first."

I usually only cook raw food. If I suddenly cook something cooked, it will either be undercooked or overcooked and turn into charcoal. It's more reliable to eat some fruit and dried fruit.

"OK, just a second."

The lion-headed goose left for a short while before returning with its food cart.

It uses its mouth to carry baskets or bowls and places the food onto the table one by one.

Liu Zheng looked at the drool dripping from its mouth, and hesitated to speak.

"Please enjoy your meal. If you need anything, please press the service bell on the wall."

After setting out the food, the lion-headed goose left the private room and then used its claws to hook the specially made pull ring on the door and close it.

"There are quite a few, but I don't know how much they cost."

This kind of menu, which lacks content, quantity, and price, is practically an open invitation to rip off customers.

However, Liu Zheng wasn't too worried. Firstly, he was now very wealthy, and secondly, Silver Wolf was a professional in this area.

If the bird club dares to kill him, he'll turn around and kill all the birds in the flock. He'll kill that grey parrot after it dung.

He was too lazy to peel it, so he just grabbed a piece of fruit and ate it.

"Pooh!"

Liu Zheng spat out all the fruit he had just eaten, skin and all.

This thing looks like a mango, has a rind like a watermelon, but tastes like durian. He can tolerate stinky tofu, fermented mung bean juice, and canned herring, but he can't stand the smell of durian.

"Never mind, let's eat some dried fruit first."

Liu Zheng pushed all the fruit aside and focused on eating the dried fruit.

Fortunately, there were no culprits in the dried fruit; it not only tasted good but was also very juicy.

Fun fact: many dried fruits have a much higher calorie content than rice, and are rich in fat and protein. For example, compressed biscuits often contain a lot of dried fruit.

After finishing off all the dried fruit on the table, his physique finally returned to normal.

But that's all he's done; his physical reserves are still in a precarious state.

Just as Liu was contemplating whether to order another dried fruit set meal or try some fresh fruit, the door to the private room was pushed open.

He looked up at the sound and saw a large black and white bird standing at the door, with a big red blob on its head.

His distinctive red bald head made him immediately recognize the other party; it was a red-crowned crane, a Class I protected wild animal, just like the panda.

Speaking of which, animals with black and white markings seem to be quite rare.

"The people from the Bloody Restaurant!"

The red-crowned crane was startled when it saw the restaurant uniform he was wearing.

"Don't worry, I'm on vacation right now, so even if you order takeout, I won't deliver it to you."

Liu Zheng laughed.

"Only an idiot would order takeout from a bloody restaurant."

After regaining its composure, the red-crowned crane retorted.

"Your words have offended many high-ranking officials and dignitaries."

He raised an eyebrow.

"what are you saying?"

The red-crowned crane asked with a puzzled look.

"It's nothing. As expected of someone from the Grand Theatre, your acting is superb. Please stand up."

"Speak, what do you need me to do?"

The red-crowned crane stood opposite him and asked.

"Does your grand theater have a black swan?"

Liu Zheng got down to business.

"That's right. She's a principal ballet dancer, one of the pillars of the grand theater."

The red-crowned crane replied.

What's your relationship with it like?

"So-so. I've worked with them on a few musicals. They're very high-and-mighty, and they look at people with a sideways glance. But their professionalism is undeniable. The moment their wings flutter, the audience's eyes are glued to them."

"That's what the red-crowned crane said."

Are you a dancer too?

"No, I'm a musical theatre actor; dancing is just part of my job."

The red-crowned crane shook its head.

“If I were a professional dancer, then the relationship would be extraordinary.”

Then it sneered.

"what is that?"

"It's hatred. As long as it's still on the stage, you'll never be the lead; you'll be forever groveling in its shadow. Wouldn't you hate it?"

The red-crowned crane countered with a question.

"It's alright. My principle has always been that if one path is blocked, I'll dig a tunnel; if I really can't get around it, I'll switch jobs and become a pimp somewhere else; if that still doesn't work, I'll change careers."

Liu Zheng shrugged.

"Easier said than done. You're not in the arts, so you don't understand. For truly good dancers, dance is not just a job, but also a way to realize their self-worth. How could they possibly give it up so easily?"

"If you've already realized your self-worth, why would you care whether someone else is the chief?"

he retorted.

"Haven't you heard of relativity? As long as I undermine the value of others, my value will rise relatively."

The red-crowned crane spoke with conviction.

"Your theory of relativity seems to be different from the one I know."

Liu Zheng squinted and said.

"Then it must be something you did wrong."

"That's what the red-crowned crane said with certainty."

"Even so."

He decided to skip the topic.

"The black swan's true identity is actually an 'ugly duckling.' I have a professor friend who studies mythical creatures, and he's very interested in the 'ugly duckling' species. He wants to catch one for his research. And I'm a very enthusiastic friend, so I'm willing to help him with this."

Liu Zheng said, half-jokingly.

"The Ugly Duckling? What kind of race is that?"

"The Ugly Ducklings will secretly lay their eggs in other birds' nests, then select the best chick, steal its appearance and talents, and tamper with the adult bird's memories."

He repeated what the white goose had told him.

"It sounds like a cuckoo, but it's even more disgusting than a cuckoo."

The red-crowned crane showed a look of disgust upon hearing this.

Cuckoos will also lay their eggs in other birds' nests, asking them to raise their chicks.

Cuckoo chicks will also push other birds' eggs away to ensure they get enough food.

This behavior is collectively known as brood parasitism.

That's roughly the situation. Do you have any questions?

Liu Zheng asked.

"Yes. What do you need me to help you with?"

"First, I need information on black swans, the more detailed the better."

"Secondly, I need to track its movements as soon as possible."

"Third, when the time is right, I need you to get close to the black swan and then order a takeout."

He stated them one by one.

"The third option is impossible; I would never order takeout from a bloody restaurant."

The red-crowned crane shook its head after hearing this.

"I can give you sufficient compensation."

"Even if you give me ten million, it won't work. Even if you convince the higher-ups, it won't work. I'd rather be hunted down than order takeout."

The red-crowned crane remained resolute.

"Alright, then you'll be in charge of helping my people sneak into the Grand Theater."

Liu Zheng had no choice but to settle for second best.

"This is acceptable."

The red-crowned crane nodded.

"The emperor doesn't starve his soldiers; here's a bird's worth of operational funding for you."

He took out about 100,000 yuan and put it on the table.

Seeing the rows of bright green banknotes, even the red tufts on the heads of the red-crowned cranes seemed to glow brighter.

It was just a mid-level actor at the Grand Theatre, so 100,000 yuan was a huge sum for it.

"Please feel free to ask if you have any other needs. Whether it's money or a favor, I'll do my best to help."

"I have only two requirements. First, you must do your best in this matter. Second, apart from your superiors, do not disclose this matter to anyone else, and especially do not betray me."

"If you can do these two things, take the money. If you can't, tell me now."

"Don't take the money and then do nothing, or don't blame me for turning my back on you."

Liu Zheng stared into its eyes and said.

"Can we really make any request?"

The red-crowned crane looked away from the pile of banknotes.

"real."

He nodded.

"Help me save someone."

"That's what the red-crowned crane said."

"Who?"

“Deer Boy. He used to live in the zoo, but was recently sold to a wealthy man as a private pet.”

The red-crowned crane replied.

"So is he a human or a deer?"

"He is a human-deer hybrid and can switch between the two forms."

"That's what the red-crowned crane said."

6. So what is your relationship with him?

Liu Zheng asked.

“My family and his family were neighbors. We grew up together and even attended the same acting training class. But later he said he didn’t want to be an actor anymore and wanted to participate in some kind of project to make a lot of money. We had a big fight and parted on bad terms. After that, he disappeared without a trace.”

"When I saw him again, he had turned into a deer and was living in a glass enclosure at the zoo."

The red-crowned crane said calmly.

"Could he be involved in Project 404?"

Memories that were both distant and near surfaced in Liu Zheng's mind.

(End of this chapter)