"How am I such a genius! This idea is absolutely brilliant!" Xu Ye ignored the looks he was getting from Shen Yibin, Sylvie, and the others, slapping his thigh as he spoke, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

"You guys go ahead and eat, I’m heading downstairs to work on the proposal! Once these photos are out, the internet is going to explode!" With that, Xu Ye couldn’t even be bothered to eat. He dropped his bowl and chopsticks and ran downstairs.

’That guy may be full of flaws, but he’s incredibly reliable when it counts. It’s not unusual for him to forget to eat and sleep for work.’ Shen Yibin had seen this side of him many times.

"Don’t mind him, let’s keep eating." Shen Yibin picked at his food distractedly, wondering what on earth Xu Ye meant just now about having Hah’Er go "move bricks."

For the entire afternoon, Xu Ye was glued to his computer, working furiously on the promotional proposal. He would occasionally pick up the phone to say a few words to his company’s employees. By dinnertime, the first draft was finally ready.

"Here, take a look. This is that flash of inspiration I had earlier." Xu Ye slapped a stack of printed paper down in front of Shen Yibin, his entire expression screaming, ’So? Aren’t you impressed? This genius is just that creative.’

"Ah, what a coincidence. I just got a call from the lawyer. Lawyer Zhang is already at the door. I’d better go over the contract with her first." Having been roommates for years, Shen Yibin was a master of raining on Xu Ye’s parade and wasn’t about to let him have his moment so easily. With just a few words, he left Xu Ye hanging.

When Lawyer Zhang Danxuan came in, Xu Ye could only watch as she and Shen Yibin huddled together, meticulously reviewing the contract from Qin Qing word by word. He was so antsy he was about to start scratching his head and ears. He had finally produced something he could show off to Shen Yibin, only for it to be casually tossed aside. Xu Ye was utterly miserable.

He picked up the printout, wanting to show it off to Sun Qian, Sylvie, and Sakai Kaori, but it was the busiest time of day at the store. The three girls were swamped with customers and had no time to pay him any mind.

’Should I show Hah’Er and Egg?’ he thought. ’But those two can’t even read.’ As for Cheeky, Xu Ye was already trying to avoid it; how could he dare to present himself on a silver platter? He could only sit pitifully on the opposite sofa, staring expectantly at Shen Yibin and Zhang Danxuan, hoping they would finish up quickly.

But Hah’Er’s contract to be Yunzhong City’s tourism ambassador was a serious matter, and neither of them dared to be careless. They went through it practically word by word, discussing any issues they found immediately. Xu Ye refilled the tea leaves in his cup three times, and the two of them still weren’t done. Frustrated, Xu Ye lay back on the sofa and rolled his eyes.

"Alright, there are eight issues for now. I’ll communicate with Secretary Qin about them later. None of them are major problems, so I’m sure they can be resolved quickly." At long last, Zhang Danxuan made the final note on the document.

"Thank you, Lawyer Zhang. It’s getting late, why don’t you stay for a simple meal?" Shen Yibin offered.

"No, thank you. I have something else to attend to in a bit. Perhaps another time." Zhang Danxuan declined with a smile. With a pile of troubles at home recently, she wasn’t in the mood to eat out.

"That’s a real shame. Let me see you out." Shen Yibin stood up and walked Zhang Danxuan to the door, watching until she got in her car and drove away before returning to the store.

"Can you look at my proposal now?" Xu Ye’s passion had been completely drained by Shen Yibin’s delay. He spoke without a shred of energy.

"I still have to make dinner." Shen Yibin deliberately kept him hanging a little longer before finally picking up the proposal and reading it carefully. This Xu Ye really did have some talent. Shen Yibin found himself nodding again and again as he read. If this plan could really be implemented, it would definitely attract countless people to donate to the Yunzhong City Zoo.

"Not bad, kid. I didn’t realize your skills had improved so much! You’re almost as good as me," Shen Yibin said, putting down the document and giving Xu Ye a thumbs-up.

"Tch. As if you have any skills to compare with mine," Xu Ye shot back, habitually starting to bicker with Shen Yibin again. After a few rounds of banter, he got back to business. "If you don’t have any objections, I’ll start the preparations. My company will provide the manpower, equipment, costumes, and props needed for this plan. However, I want the photography credit for this series of works."

"You’re just trying to advertise for your family’s ad agency, aren’t you?" Xu Ye’s family owned many companies, including an advertising agency. If this plan were implemented, it would definitely be a huge hit. If he put his company’s name on these photos, it would surely boost the agency’s business.

Shen Yibin had no objections to this. The guy was putting in so much effort, plus all the manpower and resources; it was only right that he get something in return. So, he nodded and agreed.

"Great. I’m heading back to prepare then. We’ll meet at the zoo entrance tomorrow morning." When it came to work, Xu Ye was all business.

"What’s the rush? You haven’t even had dinner. I even bought your favorite ingredients, I was planning to show off my cooking skills for you," Shen Yibin quickly said, trying to get him to stay.

"I can eat anytime. This needs to be handled quickly. It’s going to be a stretch to get everything ready in one night. Alright, I can’t talk anymore, my people from the company are rushing me again. I’m off." With that, Xu Ye hurried away.

’Poor, hardworking kid. Looks like he’s planning to pull another all-nighter.’ "Hah’Er, come on, let’s go upstairs and make dinner. I’ll give you extra to eat today. You’re going to be moving bricks tomorrow, so you need to eat up!"

"Huh?" Hah’Er rubbed its face in confusion. ’What exactly is "moving bricks"?’ Everyone else in the shop also looked over in surprise. ’Boss, are you really going to make such an adorable, heart-meltingly cute panda move bricks? You’re too cruel!’

The next day, Shen Yibin was up at the crack of dawn again, taking Hah’Er in his van and heading for the zoo. When they got to the entrance, Xu Ye was already there.

"Come on, Hah’Er, let’s get you into costume and do some makeup first." With that, Xu Ye pulled Hah’Er directly into a nearby motorhome, where two sharp, professional women immediately surrounded it.

They ignored Hah’Er’s many protests, stripped it bare, and then dressed it in the uniform Xu Ye had prepared: a pair of tattered jeans, a dirty camouflage shirt, and a stained safety helmet. In an instant, Hah’Er went from a cute little boy to a construction worker.

And given that it wasn’t even as tall as Shen Yibin’s waist, it looked exactly like a child laborer!

"Mm, the effect is pretty good. We can start the photoshoot," Xu Ye said, stroking his chin, completely satisfied with Hah’Er’s new look.

And so, surrounded by a crowd of people, Hah’Er was led into the zoo.