As a night passed, negative reviews about West Rainbow Zoo continued to ferment on the internet.
Although most of them were clearly from paid trolls, the sheer number of these trolls was overwhelming.
Some even appeared to be from international animal rights organizations.
With their combined efforts, they managed to fight to a standstill against the zoo's supporters.
"Brother Yang, shouldn't we come out and clarify things?" Chen Kexin and other zoo staff looked worriedly at Yang Lin in the office.
Yang Lin, however, remained completely unfazed.
"What's there to clarify? They're just paid trolls, and their puppet master hasn't shown themselves yet. Let's not rush."
As he spoke, Yang Lin took a sip of tea from his large mug.
"By the way, TV station staff might come to our zoo for an interview later today. Everyone should tidy up their appearance."
"Just answer whatever questions they ask."
Upon hearing Yang Lin's words, everyone present was stunned.
"The TV station? Why are they coming to interview us again?"
"Yeah, didn't they just come a few days ago?"
Yang Lin quickly provided an answer to their confusion.
"This time, the TV station is coming mainly to see how the animals that were relocated to West Rainbow Zoo are doing."
"It's also to promote upcoming activities."
However, his explanation seemed to confuse everyone even more.
"What activities? Do they have anything to do with our zoo?"
"Of course they do. Ningnan City is preparing to participate in the National Civilized City evaluation."
"This time, Ningnan plans to promote itself as a tourism city and an ecological animal city, so we need to put in a lot of effort for these activities. Of course, we'll get our share of benefits later."
As he spoke, Yang Lin recalled last night's phone call.
According to Director Nie on the phone, Ningnan was planning to develop and promote West Rainbow Zoo as the city's new landmark.
In all likelihood, West Rainbow Zoo would become an important calling card for Ningnan in the future.
This was precisely why he wasn't concerned about the negative publicity online.
With official backing, those critics were nothing but clowns.
Just as he was thinking this, the city TV station's interview team had already entered the zoo.
Meanwhile, Ningnan Online, the city's nationwide streaming platform, also went live simultaneously.
Due to the TV station's advance notice, a large number of viewers from across the country had already joined the stream.
"This episode is about West Rainbow Zoo? I heard the animals there aren't being treated well."
"Don't be misled by trolls. I've seen videos others shared online, and the animals seem to be doing quite well."
"What you see is usually what others want you to see. Seeing isn't always believing."
"Exactly, maybe those are just paid influencers and marketing accounts."
"This is from the official TV station's perspective, surely there won't be any issues."
"Animal performances definitely exist, and I heard they even make animals smoke to attract visitors. That's such animal abuse."
"You should see that gibbon, always posturing. I don't believe there isn't someone teaching it behind the scenes."
"You trolls need to grow some brains, I'm not even bothering to argue with you anymore."
"Stop talking so much, watch the livestream, the camera doesn't lie."
While viewers in the livestream were discussing, the interview team had already found Zoo Director Yang Lin.
"Hello, Director Yang. I'm Zhang Meng from the city TV station. Today I'm here with our citizens and viewers to check on the animals that were relocated to West Rainbow Zoo."
"Would it be convenient for you to show us around the zoo?"
Hearing the female reporter introduce herself, Yang Lin nodded without hesitation.
"Of course, let's start from the front."
As he spoke, Yang Lin led the female reporter toward the orangutan enclosure.
Before they even fully entered the enclosure, little monkeys came rushing out one after another from various corners of the area.
"These little monkeys were among the first batch relocated from the city zoo, and they've completely adapted to their new life here."
As he spoke, a little monkey jumped onto Yang Lin's shoulder.
Yang Lin casually took some peanuts from his pocket and gave them to it.
From this monkey's behavior, it showed no fear of humans at all.
The female reporter beside him was amazed, remembering her previous unfortunate experience at the city zoo when a monkey had snatched her microphone.
However, even with such a heartwarming scene, some online viewers started criticizing.
"Look, look at this. Is this even a monkey anymore? It's lost all its wild nature. Since when did monkeys become so docile? What have they done to it?"
Of course, this comment was immediately shot down by other viewers.
"LOL, I never thought someone could criticize this. You weren't complaining when you were cursing at the troublesome monkeys at other places."
"Hilarious, talk about double standards."
"When they steal things, you call them troublemakers. When West Rainbow Zoo's monkeys don't steal things, you say they've lost their wild nature."
"Laughing out loud, must be a fifty-yuan troll."
"No middlemen allowed - your fifty million became fifty yuan."
Even after being criticized like this, the trolls still wouldn't give up.
"Even if there's nothing wrong with these monkeys, I heard the tiger from the city zoo gets beaten every day. How do you explain that?"
"Yeah, and other animals get bullied by the zoo's original animals too."
However, just as this question was raised, Yang Lin led the female reporter through the orangutan enclosure, monkey enclosure, tiger enclosure, and bear enclosure in succession.
In the orangutan enclosure, the chimpanzee Li Wei was building a house with mud.
In the monkey enclosure, the gibbon Li Qiang was teaching a group of monkeys tai chi.
In the tiger enclosure, Sister Hua was teaching various skills to the white tiger Da Mi, while Shuai Shuai was sunbathing on his back nearby.
In the bear enclosure, the Li Hei family of three was enjoying family time, creating such a heartwarming scene that it moved the female reporter.
By this point, those trolls who had been trying to stir up trouble earlier suddenly went quiet.
It was clear they couldn't find anything to criticize anymore.
Although Yang Lin hadn't made any direct response, these scenes were the best response possible.
However, just when everyone thought things were wrapping up, reporter Zhang Meng suddenly asked another question.
"Director Yang, the animals in West Rainbow Zoo all have unique skills. Would you mind sharing their stories with everyone?"
Hearing this question, the livestream viewers immediately became interested. After seeing the animals' extraordinary behaviors, they were also curious about how these animals had become what they are today.