Chapter 221: Chapter 158: I Just Don’t Like the Look of It
"Heh, you’re a pretty arrogant one."
Yang Qi looked at the "Boss," a Rose-breasted Parakeet with glossy feathers and a haughty posture. He wasn’t particularly angry; in fact, he found it rather amusing.
"Does bullying your own kind, those weaker than you, make you happy? Does it give you a sense of accomplishment?"
Yang Qi continued his questioning.
The "Boss" parakeet turned its head away, showing Yang Qi the back of it, and let out a muffled gurgle from its throat, choosing to ignore him.
Yang Qi wasn’t discouraged. He tried a different approach, his tone becoming coaxing. "Tell me why you bully him, and I’ll give you something delicious to eat."
As he spoke, with a natural and casual flick of his wrist, he produced several grains of Spirit Rice from his Hundred Pouches Belt. He laid them on his open palm, letting their fresh fragrance drift out and waft around the "Boss’s" beak.
The trick worked like a charm.
The "Boss" parakeet’s head immediately snapped back. Its round eyes stared intently at the crystalline grains of rice in Yang Qi’s palm, and its wings gave an involuntary flutter. A series of rapid chirps and gurgles escaped its throat.
’What is this delicious thing?’
’What do you want, you Two-legged Beast?’
’I just can’t stand the sight of him.’
’So what?’
’He’s too weak, and ugly too. Just having him stand there makes me uncomfortable.’
’Bullying him just because you don’t like the look of him?’
Fair enough. In the animal kingdom, there was really nothing wrong with that logic.
It was simple, direct, and didn’t even require any other excuse.
But this clearly wasn’t the answer Yang Qi was looking for.
Bullying born from the pure malice of "just not liking the look of someone" was rooted in the aggressor’s personality and social standing. It was difficult to resolve through external mediation.
Unless the aggressor was isolated or the flock’s entire structure was changed, the bullied parakeet would never escape its predicament as long as it remained with the group.
"Then we have nothing to discuss."
With a flip of his hand, Yang Qi made the tempting grains of Spirit Rice in his palm vanish, returning them to his Hundred Pouches Belt.
He looked up, glared at the "Boss" parakeet, and said bluntly, "You’re too mean. You use your strength to bully a weaker companion. The delicious treats are gone!"
With that, Yang Qi turned on his heel, no longer looking at the stunned "Boss" parakeet, and walked straight toward the trembling victim in the corner.
The "Boss" parakeet: "...???"
It stood frozen on the highest perch, watching with its own eyes as the incredibly fragrant "delicious treat" vanished in an instant. Then, hearing Yang Qi’s merciless scolding and revocation, the entire bird stiffened.
A few seconds later, it finally processed what had happened. A wave of indignant fury at being teased and rejected washed over it.
It beat its wings furiously, stirring up a gust of wind, and let out a string of high-pitched, rapid squawks full of anger and indignation. It was clearly throwing a tantrum.
It wanted to fly after that detestable Two-legged Beast and peck it with its beak. Even more, it wanted to demand back the delicious treat that had vanished...
But watching Yang Qi’s calm, departing back and sensing the aura about him that inspired a sliver of instinctual fear, it ultimately didn’t dare to actually fly over. It could only remain on its high perch, flapping its wings in impotent rage and squawking curses.
Yang Qi didn’t bother with the commotion behind him.
He walked to the corner and squatted down once more in front of the bullied parakeet. Maintaining the Spirit Communication Technique, he spoke softly.
"Don’t be afraid. I’m here to help."
The parakeet’s cowering body flinched, then went still.
"You’ve been bullied, and you’re very sad, aren’t you?"
Yang Qi continued to soothe it. "It’s okay. I’m going to take you away from here right now, to a safe place. No other birds will bully you there, or keep you from eating, or stop you from making friends."
"You’ll have a new home, where you can eat in peace, preen your feathers, play whenever you want, and rest whenever you want."
As he spoke, he extended his hand, palm up, and held it out steadily in front of the parakeet.
This time, Yang Qi didn’t offer any food. He simply held out his empty palm, a symbol of pure acceptance and sanctuary.
The parakeet hiding in the shadowy corner froze for several seconds.
It quietly raised its head. Its eyes first glanced timidly at Yang Qi’s gentle face and outstretched hand, then darted a look toward the distant perch where the "Boss" was still squawking its head off.
Its chest rose and fell, and an extremely faint, almost inaudible coo escaped its throat, filled with hesitation and hope.
’R-really?’
’Can I really leave this place?’
’Go somewhere without him?’
"Of course you can."
Yang Qi said firmly, "I promise. I’ll take you to a new home. It’s very quiet and safe. I’ll even introduce you to new friends. They’re all very friendly and won’t bully you. You’ll never have to be afraid again."
Perhaps it was Yang Qi’s calm, firm demeanor that gave it courage. Perhaps the temptation to "leave this place" was simply too great. Or perhaps the last embers of its survival instinct had been rekindled.
After a moment of hesitation, the scrawny parakeet finally made its decision.
Its tiny claws took a hesitant step forward, and then another.
Then, mustering all its courage, it beat its messy wings and took flight with a stumble. It traced a low arc through the air, finally landing in the center of Yang Qi’s open palm.
Its body trembled slightly, but its claws firmly gripped Yang Qi’s fingers, as if clinging to its only lifeline.
"Such a good bird."
Yang Qi used a finger from his other hand to gently stroke the sparse, downy feathers on its head.
The parakeet in his palm tucked its neck in but didn’t shy away. Instead, it nudged against Yang Qi’s fingertip.
