Future Pet Shop-Chapter 52: Should I Get This Guy Drunk?

"Uh, yeah. When I was visiting Sichuan last time, I happened to get a panda by a stroke of luck." Shen Yibin recited the cover story from the Future Pet Shop for Qiao Wenqi.

"No wonder you were in Sichuan for so long last time. So that’s what happened! If I’d known such a good thing was going on, I would’ve gone too." The Future Pet Shop had indeed done its job well; even someone like Qiao Wenqi, who wasn’t deeply involved, had some vague memories implanted. "Tomorrow’s the weekend. Can I come to your shop and see the panda?"

’I knew that was your real reason,’ Shen Yibin thought, feeling a little disappointed. "No problem, just come on over." Shen Yibin agreed. After all, once this Weibo post went out, his pet shop was bound to be swamped with visitors. Having a few acquaintances in the mix could actually make things more convenient.

It wasn’t just Qiao Wenqi. Everyone who had visited Shen Yibin’s shop before recognized the scene in the Weibo post and flooded him with messages. Shen Yibin’s hands were cramping from typing so much that he finally just forwarded the explanation he gave Qiao Wenqi to everyone else to get it over with.

Overcome with envy and jealousy, these people naturally expressed the same desire as Qiao Wenqi: they wanted to visit Shen Yibin’s shop to see the panda. In order to find a suitable owner for Cheeky sooner, Shen Yibin had no choice but to agree. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Netizens were truly a powerful force. It didn’t take long for someone to dig up the video’s real location based on details like the illuminated signs visible outside the window. Immediately, countless people expressed their desire to visit the shop. Even Bai Yanni called. "Bin, what possessed you to suddenly post on Weibo? The emergency lines at our station are about to blow up! They’re all calls reporting you for panda trafficking. The dispatchers are on the verge of a meltdown today."

"I’m so, so sorry," Shen Yibin apologized profusely. "You know, raising Hah’Er isn’t easy, and its dance yesterday was just too funny. I couldn’t resist uploading it to Weibo. I was hoping to drum up some business for the shop. I had no idea it would cause you all so much trouble."

"Sigh. I was supposed to have my day off tomorrow, but as soon as my captain saw your Weibo post, he knew your shop would be packed with visitors. So, the vacation I’ve been waiting for is canceled, and I have to go to your shop to help maintain order. How are you going to make it up to me?" Bai Yanni said in a slightly complaining tone.

’Officer Bai, I can never repay your kindness. I can only offer myself to you.’ Unfortunately, such wonderful thoughts could only remain thoughts; Shen Yibin didn’t have the guts to say it out loud. "Once this whole thing blows over, I’ll treat you... and your friends from the station to dinner. My cooking’s not half bad. When you get off work, I’ll whip up a feast right here in the shop, and Hah’Er can eat with you." He had originally wanted to invite just Bai Yanni, but as the words were about to leave his mouth, he felt it was inappropriate. So, he just invited everyone. He had caused them a lot of trouble recently, after all, and he felt bad about it.

"Regulations prevent us from accepting banquets like that." Bai Yanni was torn. It wasn’t that she was short on meals—the line of people wanting to treat her to dinner could probably stretch for a mile—but the opportunity to eat at the same table as a panda was a once-in-a-lifetime chance. She really couldn’t bear to give it up. "However... my captain said he’s coming over in a bit to install the surveillance system for you first. He’ll probably be busy until late, and there don’t seem to be many restaurants around here. How about we pay you for the food and just call it pooling our meals?"

Of course, that was no problem. After settling the matter in a few words, Shen Yibin quickly took Hah’Er and Cheeky to the KTV room. The police would be arriving soon, and they still hadn’t finished their two hours of singing for the day.

While they were singing, Shen Yibin and Cheeky repeatedly tried to coax Hah’Er into dancing like it did last night. But every time they brought it up, Hah’Er would immediately cover its face in embarrassment, shrink into the corner of the sofa, and refuse, no matter what. Both Shen Yibin and Cheeky were incredibly disappointed.

’It seems this little guy only does things like that when it’s drunk. So, should I get it drunk next time? It would be a huge waste if those enchanting dance moves were a one-time performance!’ Shen Yibin was conflicted once again.

After diligently singing tunes for Lord Cheeky for two hours, Shen Yibin hurriedly brought the two rascals back to the shop. By his calculations, Shen Dalong and Bai Yanni should be arriving soon to help install the surveillance system.

"We were originally scheduled to come install these next week, but with this whole situation, we had no choice but to do it early," Shen Dalong explained first. "But don’t worry, only the outer ring of cameras will be connected to the station’s computers. For your indoor surveillance, we’re just helping you upgrade to newer, better equipment. It’ll still only be connected to your computer, so only you can see it." After his explanation, Shen Dalong got busy with his subordinates.

Shen Yibin, meanwhile, took Hah’Er out to buy ingredients for dinner. To be honest, after being "trained" by Hah’Er for this period of time, his culinary skills had improved by leaps and bounds, and he was itching to show them off. Unfortunately, with only him, Cheeky, and Hah’Er eating in the shop, they never ate many dishes, so he never had a chance to go all out. Now that so many people were here, how could he not seize the opportunity to cook up a table full of delicious food and show off a bit?

While the officers were busy installing the surveillance system, Shen Yibin was in the kitchen, giving it his all. Before long, the aroma of cooking food wafted outside. Bai Yanni couldn’t help but swallow, muttering under her breath, "What is Bin cooking? Why does it smell so good?"

Tempted by the aroma and the prospect of dining with a panda, the officers’ movements clearly sped up. The surveillance system was installed half an hour ahead of schedule. By then, Shen Yibin had already prepared a huge feast and was inviting them to take their seats. Hah’Er was also sitting on a chair with a bib around its neck, waving its furry paws to welcome them to the table.

As for Cheeky, it just kept screeching in a high-pitched voice, "Thank you all, you’ve worked hard! Thank you all, you’ve worked hard!" It was a rare day for it to not spout a stream of nonsense.

"It’s a little hot today, and you’ve all been working so hard for so long. Have some beer to cool down." Whether he had a brain fart or something, Shen Yibin actually brought out a case of beer.

Shen Dalong didn’t stand on ceremony. They were all familiar with each other by now, and besides, they were off-duty, not on the clock. So he took the bottle and began to fill everyone’s glasses.

But halfway through pouring, he froze. He watched as Hah’Er stood up on its chair, held out its small bowl with both paws, and stared eagerly at the beer bottle, a long trail of drool dripping from the corner of its mouth.

’This guy wants to drink again?’ Shen Yibin slapped a hand to his forehead. ’If you get drunk this time, it’s going to be a total disaster.’