Massaged Xinxin's little belly, Chen Ying held her and returned to the front.
The little fellows could already eat some meat, but their daily milk had not been interrupted.
After returning, Xinxin also needed to supplement her nutrition, her skeletal development was still slightly slower compared to lynxes of the same age.
Little Sen had already sent over the formula, including the complementary food formula, he said let Xinxin eat it for a few days first and see how things go before making adjustments.
After preparing it, Chen Ying first fed Xinxin, and then carried the milk and complementary foods to the two little lynxes.
Uncle Tashi was in charge of the dogs' diet; Chen Ying could feed them occasionally, but could not take over Uncle Tashi's feeding rights. Otherwise, when he left, the dogs would refuse to eat.
So it went, peacefully yet busily, for three days until Dao Meihua had organized her materials and was ready to leave. She wouldn't return until next May or June.
"This time when I go back, I am probably going to spend two months in Ailao Mountain before returning to school. If you're on vacation, you can come and visit me."
Chen Ying paused, quite directly stating that he was not taking a vacation and would be spending the New Year in River Source.
Dao Meihua choked a bit, turning her head with a helpless smile.
"Well then, contact me if you need anything."
What else could she say? She could only continue to take things slowly.
She had just driven a couple of meters when she stopped the car, leaned out, and told Chen Ying that Old Gao had gone to Gao Ligon Mountain. Previously, the research on the White-tailed Rainbow Pheasant had achieved phased results, but later the topic was taken over by two other doctors.
But it seemed that the results weren't good; one of the doctors almost died from sudden highland pulmonary edema, so the project had returned to Old Gao's hands.
Chen Ying did not ask her how she knew; that place was Bai Family's area, and it was easy for her to get information.
Chen Ying was more curious about why Old Gao had not mentioned this at all in the group chat.
In the past two months, Old Gao had seldom shown up; when they chatted in the group, they had asked him several times. Old Gao had said he was so busy he didn't even have time to eat or sleep, so later everyone stopped bothering him.
Dao Meihua took out her phone and handed it to Chen Ying, "I just received this news; Old Gao seems to have fallen again, another fracture. It's very dangerous for him to insist on going to the mountain . You're his friend, try to persuade him."
Chen Ying took Dao Meihua's phone and saw a photo taken in a hospital room; clearly, it had been taken covertly.
"The one who took this photo is my cousin's wife; she knows I am acquainted with Old Gao, so she sent it to me."
"I'm leaving now; think about how you could convince him. There are so many places to study birds; there's no need to risk your life."
Chen Ying nodded silently, his eyebrows furrowed.
After seeing off Dao Meihua, Chen Ying thought for a while before calling Old Gao.
Old Gao, bombarded by family elders all day in the hospital, was nearly autistic. Seeing the call from Chen Ying, he didn't think and just answered.
"What's the matter with you, how did you fracture again? It hasn't been long since your last fracture; are you planning to stick with a wheelchair for the rest of your life?"
Old Gao looked at the phone in surprise, "How did you know I fractured?"
"Never mind how I knew. I heard you are still fussing about going to the mountain?"
"I'm telling you, I discovered several nests of the White-tailed Rainbow Pheasant, a rare observation opportunity."
"They are breeding there this year, and they will definitely continue next year. It's not like you won't see them in the future. Why joke with your life? Listen to me, hurry back to the provincial hospital. I'll speak with my senior and have him check your bones."
Old Gao was silent but did not hang up.
Chen Ying didn't rush to speak either, waiting at least four to five minutes before softening his tone.
"I was going to wait until it was confirmed before telling you. I've contacted an academic team from a university to go for an expedition in the Primitive Forest in Hubei Province. Their school has a team working on the first phase; we'll join the second phase team, probably starting after the Spring Festival. If you take care of yourself now, you should still be able to participate, but if you insist on going to the mountain to see the Rainbow Pheasant, then I won't wait for you."
The project Old Gao was researching was initially started by him, and after achieving phased results, it was handed to others. Now that it was halfway through and could not proceed, and his advisor didn't want to waste resources, it was handed back to Old Gao.
But in reality, there had already been plenty of related research. The part that Old Gao took over was not particularly important; delaying it a bit wouldn't be too late, and even waiting until next year would be fine.
Chen Ying seemed to feel Old Gao's dilemma, and slowly added a sentence.
"That team is researching albinism in animals, including amphibians, mammals, and birds. Are you really not going to participate?"
Old Gao, lying on the bed, rolled his eyes.
"Go, go, go, Sucker, you're doing this on purpose, aren't you? Just wait, when I see you, I'm going to drink you under the table."
Although the White-tailed Rainbow Pheasant was rare, albinistic birds were even rarer. It was obvious which should be the priority.
Moreover, in his condition, his tutor wouldn't force him to go to the mountain. If it weren't for his own desire to stay, his tutor would have sent him back ages ago.
After hanging up, Old Gao stared at the ceiling for a while before picking up his phone and calling his mother, agreeing to be discharged and go directly home.
His fracture this time was not severe; he had just fallen from a rock, fracturing the tibia of his lower leg. The prognosis after repositioning was good; he just needed to rest and recover.
Mrs. Gao sighed in relief when her son changed his mind. When the discharge procedures were being done and she learned that Chen Ying had called and convinced him, she went home and highly praised Chen Ying's efforts to her family.
As for the research on the albinistic birds his son mentioned, there was still plenty of time; at least three to four months. By then, the bones would have already healed.
Moreover, with other people around, and with Chen Ying there, she did not have to worry too much about her son's safety.
After being discharged, Old Gao still insisted on recuperating in Jiamu Gully. It wasn't his first time anyway. Besides, Professor Bai and his wife were also there; it was livelier with more people, and they wouldn't nag him all day—he'd be silly to agree to stay home and face thrice-daily marriage badgering.