Chapter 57

Mr. Shi smiled calmly. This wasn't the first time he had been asked such a question.

In his younger days, when he was at the peak of his popularity, he was asked this question for the first time during an interview. Although he was somewhat surprised, he still answered it seriously.

He answered by discussing different people, different geographical environments, and different species of snakes, and how to respond appropriately when facing them.

However, not long after, he was sued.

Someone had gone to challenge a king cobra, and even tried to touch its head at close range, got bitten, and was chased. Later, they claimed that Mr. Shi's escape method was ineffective.

So, in subsequent interviews, Mr. Shi's main message was to stay away from wild animals like snakes. If you are too close to them, don't understand their habits, and can't react quickly enough, running won't help. Avoiding them is the most important thing.

When asked this question again during a live stream, Mr. Shi naturally smiled and said, "It depends on what kind of snake."

Cheng Si glanced at the chat messages, "What about a 5-6 meter KC?"

KC is the English abbreviation for king cobra.

Upon hearing "5-6 meter KC," Mr. Shi's eyes lit up with excitement.

"Is there such a good thing?!!"

Cheng Si: "..."

He almost forgot that for herpetologists, especially those with a strong interest in snakes like Mr. Shi, this was indeed a good thing, and they would probably be thrilled.

Even in Mr. Shi's field, many people go to various places around the world to look for large king cobras.

"Cough, sorry," Mr. Shi said apologetically, "For me, this is truly a dream come true. I've been to many places and participated in many field research activities in different countries, but perhaps due to climate anomalies, their numbers have decreased significantly. In recent years, they may have recovered somewhat, but the data is insufficient.

"The largest king cobra I've encountered was 3.6 meters long, during a research trip abroad. Among snakes, I do have a particular fondness for king cobras.

"Snakes have a relatively low intelligence in the reptile world, but in my view, king cobras are different from other snakes. I see a king's disdain and wisdom in their eyes..."

Then he went on and on, clearly a big fan of king cobras.

Although Mr. Shi later returned to the topic and discussed some methods for dealing with snakes and first aid, the focus was still on how to avoid such dangers, rather than what to do when faced with them.

However, Feng Yi didn't hear any of that.

He was repeatedly thinking about one sentence—

"Snakes have a relatively low intelligence in the reptile world!"

Suddenly, he felt a sense of crisis!

If his brain doesn't evolve faster, he might really have an intelligence crisis!

Feng Yi pondered this reality with a heavy heart. When he came to his senses, the live stream had already ended, and the people around him were gradually dispersing.

Mr. Shi, who had been interviewed, was surrounded by people asking for autographs.

Cheng Si was talking to his colleagues, discussing how to edit the video for the next period. His gaze swept around and stopped on Feng Yi.

"Feng Yi?! You're here today?" Cheng Si quickly approached.

"Yes. Do you know me?" Feng Yi asked, puzzled.

"I've seen the list of Team South 6 and your photo. When I saw your photo, I thought you looked familiar. I searched and found out you're a celebrity! I even watched the web series you acted in! You did a great job!"

"I wouldn't call myself a celebrity. I just played a supporting role in a web series and am now transitioning to a new career," Feng Yi said.

Hearing that Feng Yi didn't want to talk more, Cheng Si wisely didn't press further. He extended his hand, smiling warmly, "I'm Cheng Si, Cheng as in 'prosperous future,' and Si as in 'unrestrained.' We're teammates now! Please take care of me!"

Feng Yi shook his hand, "Mutual support."

"Oh! Right! Our team leader for Team South 6 is Professor Zhou from the University of Science and Technology. He said we have three days to adapt to the climate here, and after that, the team will set out."

In simpler terms, this meant: If you can't adapt, leave early!

This wasn't a problem for Feng Yi, who even found the climate here more comfortable. He skipped over this and continued to ask Cheng Si for more information. Cheng Si knew a lot.

Unlike Feng Yi, who was just here for points, Cheng Si had worked hard to get the opportunity to collaborate with Team South 6. He had more responsibilities and more comprehensive information.

"How many people are in Team South 6?" Feng Yi asked.

"If you're asking about the team that will be conducting the field research, there are fewer than ten," Cheng Si said.

Team South 6 also had a secondary team with more people, mostly responsible for teaching and publicity tasks, and mostly consisting of college students and a few minors.

From Cheng Si, Feng Yi learned more information and exchanged contact details. Over the next three days, besides attending team meetings at night to get to know his teammates, Feng Yi spent most of his days looking for food.

Once in the team, it wouldn't be convenient, so Feng Yi took advantage of these three days to eat as much as possible and store some energy.

Three days later.

Feng Yi, dressed in the clothes provided, took the tools given to him, gathered at the assembly point, and set out under the leadership of Professor Zhou from the University of Science and Technology.

The other teams were still preparing, and Team South 6 was the first to set out.

The team indeed had fewer than ten people.

Professor Zhou from the University of Science and Technology, Professor Zhu from the Agricultural University, Researcher Xie from a certain institute, Mr. Shi, and Professor Lei, responsible for photography and communication, were all experienced teachers with an average age of forty. Too young meant insufficient experience and knowledge, and too old meant the body couldn't handle it.

In addition to these five, there were Li Han, a student of Professor Zhou, and Wang Wentao, a student of Professor Zhu, both participating in the field research at Nanchong Nature Reserve for the first time.

However, unlike Feng Yi, these two had more field experience and specific tasks, one for a master's thesis and the other for a doctoral thesis.

Including Feng Yi and Cheng Si, the team had a total of nine people.

Feng Yi was very clear about his role.

As an outsider among these professionals, he would simply act as a helper.

When needed, he would help catch a few snakes, carry things, and assist with data collection. When not needed, he would quietly follow along.

Cheng Si would take the lead, as he needed to maintain his public image and do live streams with the research team.

Feng Yi didn't need to worry about anything. His main goal was to act as a guard when they were busy, successfully follow for two months, and earn the points.

However, Feng Yi had no psychological burden, but the others might not be the same.

Perhaps because it was their first time participating in such an activity, Cheng Si, who usually talked a lot, was also nervous, especially as the signs of human activity around them decreased. He kept nervously scanning the surroundings. Outdoor activities were different from real wilderness, and with so many snakes in Nanchong, what if he stepped on a venomous snake?

Perhaps feeling the team's atmosphere was too serious, Professor Zhou chuckled.

"Xiao Si, Feng Yi, Li Han, and Wang Wentao, you four are all first-timers at the Nanchong Nature Reserve, but you all have some experience. How about a competition to see who spots a snake first?

"I and Professor Zhu don't have many points to allocate, so we'll each put up one point as a reward. How about you, Xie?"

Professor Zhou looked at Researcher Xie.

Researcher Xie was very reluctant. He would rather pay money than give up points, as his points were precious!

He inwardly grumbled, why did they need to use points to boost team morale? Couldn't they just use money?

But he couldn't show weakness in front of these juniors.

Researcher Xie gritted his teeth, "I'll put up one point too!"

"Great! That's three points! Let's see who can earn these three points!" Professor Zhou looked encouragingly at Feng Yi and the others.

"You're all young people in your twenties with experience and sharp eyes. The three of us won't interfere or show favoritism, and Steve will keep his mouth shut, and Professor Lei will remain silent! It's all up to you to earn these extra three points!" Professor Zhu said.

Three points might seem small compared to 1000 points, but they were extra rewards! Three points were still points!

Just spotting a snake would earn points! There was no need to catch it!

It was a great deal!

A large catfish coming ashore from the water was worth only 15 points, and that included the value of being an invasive species and its size. Even if Feng Yi caught 100 rats, he wouldn't get three points.

Thus, Feng Yi, who had planned to be a helper for two months, perked up.

If it's about points, I'm in!

I'm getting serious!