Chapter 337: Chapter 337: Born Under the Red Flag, Raised in the Spring Breeze (Grand Finale)

The most composed Fox Boss sat upright, deftly stuffed several educational toys into the storage bag—there were number puzzles, labyrinth balls, and even an animal cognition picture book.

"Our Boss is truly a little genius~" Xu Ying laughed and rubbed its clever little head.

The lively Fox Erniu excitedly dragged over the mini martial arts equipment specially customized for it by Qi Xiao: a pair of red boxing gloves, a set of mini adorable nunchakus, and a headband with "Kung Fu Little Fox" written on it. Qi Xiao helped it organize the equipment, jokingly saying, "Are you going to perform martial arts in the Capital?"

Fox Erniu proudly puffed out its chest: [Yes! I heard many people want to see us!]

[I must show them some real skills, can’t let our ear fox family lose face!]

The most fashion-loving Fox Sansan had heaps of colorful little skirts in front of it, agonizingly picking and choosing, and finally crammed more than a dozen skirts into the storage bag, which was bulging to the point of almost not closing.

"Sansan, we’re going for fifteen days, not five months."

Xu Ying couldn’t help but help it reorganize. "Moreover, there will be fans giving you skirts then."

In Xu Ying’s comments section these days, all the netizens going to the meeting were asking for information about the Five Little Ones, including many fans asking for Fox Sansan’s size parameters to make skirts for it.

Upon hearing this, Fox Sansan’s big eyes lit up: [Wow! So excited!]

The gluttonous Fox Si Bao already had its snack bag packed full—nuts, dried fruits, small biscuits, and even several of its favorite carrots.

Upon checking, Qi Xiao helplessly discovered that the little creature had secretly stashed a bag of cat food at the bottom. "Is this a gift for the Capital’s cat friends?"

Qi Xiao raised an eyebrow asking, and Fox Si Bao immediately shyly covered its face with its paws: [It was borrowed from the sand cat, heard there are many stray cats in big cities who don’t get enough food.]

Xu Ying comfortingly rubbed Fox Si Bao’s head.

When it came to the smallest, Fox Xiao Wu, everyone was dumbfounded—the storage bag was empty, yet it sat beside it with an anxious look.

"Xiao Wu, why haven’t you brought anything?"

Xu Ying asked gently.

Fox Xiao Wu blinked its round eyes, squeaking: [My bag is too small, can’t fit anything~]

It gestured with its small paws, [I want to pack Station Chief sister and Qi Xiao brother to take along~~]

Xu Ying was momentarily stunned, then translated Fox Xiao Wu’s words to Qi Xiao; the two burst into laughter.

Qi Xiao picked up Xiao Wu, affectionately rubbing its little nose: "You clever little trickster!"

Xu Ying hugged all five little foxes close: "Alright, alright, we’re all going together, not leaving anyone behind."

Under the lights, the packed luggage was neatly arranged, and the five little foxes nestled beside the two of them, creating a scene so warm it melted hearts.

Outside the window, the desert starry sky shone exceptionally bright.

This time, they traveled on Qi Xiao’s private jet, without needing animal shipment, and the two with the five little ones flew together to the Capital Airport.

Qi Xiao, Chen Su, Director Yi, and other remote area workers who contributed alongside Xu Ying in the desert also received the "Desert Outstanding Worker Medal." Chen Su and Director Yi entrusted Xu Ying to receive the award on their behalf due to work reasons.

The next morning, Xu Ying and Qi Xiao boarded Qi Xiao’s Bombardier Challenger 350 with the five little foxes; this aircraft was much more spacious than a helicopter, accommodating twelve people.

Four hours later, the plane smoothly landed on the private tarmac at Beijing Capital International Airport.

As the cabin door opened, the five little foxes immediately perked up and lined up, ready for their first grand trip to the Capital.

In the distance, the dedicated car to pick them up had been waiting for quite some time, with the golden words "National Ecological Civilization Construction Commemoration Conference" on the car body glittering in the sunlight.

The lights of the National Congress Hall were dazzlingly bright, Xu Ying stood on the award stage, the "National Green Contribution Medal" on her chest glittering under the flashlights.

"Comrade Xu Ying’s outstanding contribution in cross-border ecological protection..." The host’s loud voice echoed in the hall, "Successfully saved endangered wildlife populations, pioneered a new model of international ecological cooperation..."

The applause surged like a tide.

Amidst the overwhelming applause, Xu Ying gently stroked the vivid paw print relief on the medal—of the sand cat, ear fox, snow leopard... Each line reminded her of those furry little lives.

In a daze, countless warm moments spent with them flashed back in her mind.

Xu Ying looked towards the audience.

In the third row below the stage, Qi Xiao’s upright figure stood out conspicuously, his "Desert Outstanding Worker Medal" slightly fluctuating with his breathing.

Qi Xiao’s chiseled contours appeared exceptionally profound under the bright venue lights.

His usual sharp and cold expression now softened, the stern lines on his brows relaxed.

His eyes, usually as sharp as those of a wolfhound, now appeared gentle like moonlit sand dunes.

Pride, satisfaction, and tenderness filled the moment, almost overflowing.

When their gazes met across the bustling crowd, he nodded slightly, and in the faint smile at the corner of his lips was a tacit understanding that only Xu Ying could comprehend—an unspoken love letter crafted from every sunrise and sunset they had guarded together and every seedling they had nurtured.

The most eye-catching sight in the audience was undoubtedly the five fluffy figures.

The once pitiful five little ones seeking their mother in the desert had grown considerably, their fluffy fur shining with a healthy gloss under the lights.

They sat primly on specially made seats, with Fox Boss even wearing a bow tie, occasionally striking a professional "star pose" for the flashing cameras.

The evening news devoted three full minutes to report on this grand event.

Far away at the Desert Rescue Station, Little Sand Cat suddenly perked up its ears as the television showed footage of the award ceremony, its silhouette alongside the Black Jungle Cat appeared prominently on the big screen.

[Meow! I’m on CCTV!]

Little Sand Cat excitedly spun in circles in the duty room, accidentally pressing the police intercom and causing a joyful busy signal to echo throughout the desert police station.

Meanwhile, at the distant West Mountain Protection Zone, a group of furry figures gathered in front of the small TV at the animal rescue station—Snow Leopard elegantly curled its tail, Snow Wolves sat quietly, and even the usually rowdy little Tibetan Fox lay obediently.

When Xu Ying’s figure appeared on the screen, they all let out proud purrs in unison, echoing through the silent snowy night as if to say, "This is our Little Xu Station Chief!"

*

Outside the National Congress Hall after the meeting, the vast square was bathed in the golden hues of sunset.

The evening breeze gently caressed, with the vibrant Five-Star Red Flag flapping resoundingly against the orange-red sky, like a cluster of dynamic flames or a piece of burning twilight.

Xu Ying and Qi Xiao posed under the national flag with five little ear foxes.

The sunset cast a warm halo over the white marble steps, elongating their silhouettes immensely.

Qi Xiao stood under the flagpole, the hem of his black coat fluttering with the flying red flag.

The medal on Xu Ying’s chest glowed softly in the afterglow, shining alongside the golden stars of the red flag.

Qi Xiao gently took Xu Ying’s wrist, "Wait a moment."

As if performing magic, he presented a bouquet of passionate red roses from behind.

The sunset glinted with a metallic sheen among the golden flowers.

When Xu Ying took the bouquet, a delicate key slipped into her palm.

"This is..." she raised her eyes in confusion, meeting Qi Xiao’s deep gaze.

"Little Xu Station Chief, Little Xu Director, the youngest national medal recipient..."

His deep voice carried a hint of laughter, his fingertips gently brushing away the petals in her hair, "Would you like to accept one more title?"

"Mistress of Qi’s Ranch?"

Xu Ying stared at the words "Qi’s Ranch" engraved on the key, raising her eyes to meet the warm eyes of Qi Xiao, where she clearly saw her small silhouette reflected in his deep pupils.

"We’ve seen 127 desert sunrises," Qi Xiao looked into her almond eyes, "rescued 186 little animals, planted 3221 trees."

He softly held her hand, "Now, I want to count every dawn and dusk of the rest of our lives with you."

Xu Ying stood on tiptoe, whispering under the national flag, "We’ll have to ask if our little animal friends agree~"

Five ear foxes simultaneously raised their paws!

Xu Ying’s eyes curved in a smile, her hand sliding down Qi Xiao’s broad palm, intertwining their fingers.

(The end of the full text)

Celebrating the conclusion, we thank our readers and Cloud Feeders for their companionship!

Author Digging Small Lotus with Little Xu Station Chief and fluffs, wishes everyone a sweet life and good luck!