Future Pet Shop

Chapter 255: Hah’Er Finally Has Something to Play With

For this renovation, Li Zhen and his team had followed Shen Yibin’s requirements to the letter, using only non-polluting materials. They also used activated charcoal throughout the process to remove any odors, so the store would be ready for business a day or two after it was finished. It wouldn’t cause much of a delay at all, so Shen Yibin had to start preparing for the grand reopening.

"Boss, what’s the plan for our opening ceremony? I know a bunch of long-legged girls. Why don’t we have them come over and perform a dance by ’Legs Generation’?" Xia Shixuan had always loved this kind of lively event.

"A performance? I have a big star right here. Why would we need to hire anyone else? Let’s just set off some firecrackers, have Sun Qian and Cheeky sing a couple of songs, and call it a day." Shen Yibin was her complete opposite. If they threw a big, bustling party, he’d just end up stressing over the guest list. It was better to keep it simple.

"No fun at all," Xia Shixuan mumbled quietly, then left in a huff. She darted over to Sun Qian to ask about the Star City Strawberry Music Festival; it seemed she was interested in going.

’Let’s see, what preparations do I need to make?’ Shen Yibin opened his tablet and began jotting down notes. First and foremost, he had to go to Bao’s place to pick out new pets for the store. The shop had been closed for so long, and many customers who wanted to buy pets were still waiting. Plus, the renovated store was much larger than before and could accommodate more animals. The new order would have to be at least double the usual size.

’Hmm, I’ll take the four girls from the shop with me when I go. I can teach them some techniques for evaluating pets along the way. After they’ve done this a few times, they can handle the restocking themselves in the future.’

’I also need to promote this on my WeChat Moments and Weibo. Almost all my savings got sunk into the renovation. I need to attract customers fast and make some money to feed Hah’Er.’

’Alright, let’s set the opening for next Saturday. Since today is Sunday, six days should be enough to get everything ready.’ After a moment’s thought, Shen Yibin called Bao. Once he confirmed Bao was at the breeding facility, he took Gao Shu, Xie Nannan, Li Shiqing, and Xia Shixuan into the car and headed over, leaving Hah’Er and Shi Gaofei in Sun Qian’s care.

"Bin, your renovation is coming along fast! I thought you wouldn’t be back in business until next month at the earliest! Have you set an opening date? I’ll send you a couple of floral baskets when the time comes." Bao greeted him enthusiastically. Shen Yibin was now his biggest customer. On top of that, when many of the surrounding pet shops heard Shen Yibin sourced his stock from him, they switched their own suppliers, bringing Bao a lot of new business. A customer like that certainly deserved the best service.

"Next Saturday. You’ll have to come have a few drinks then, Bao!" Shen Yibin had at least that much social grace. After exchanging pleasantries, he led the four girls into the facility and started picking out pets.

The VIP treatment was certainly different. Not only did Bao personally accompany them the whole time, but the pets he brought out were the healthiest and best-looking ones he had. Without having to be too picky, Shen Yibin quickly selected all the pets he needed. He picked out fifty animals of various types in one go, which would be enough to keep the store stocked for a while.

"Just keep these ones here for now. Deliver them to my store on Friday morning," Shen Yibin said after paying the deposit. "You’d better take good care of them for the next few days. I won’t accept them if any get sick or injured."

"When have I ever let you down? Of all the deliveries I’ve made, has a single one ever gone wrong?" Bao pounded his chest resoundingly and enthusiastically invited Shen Yibin to stay for a meal.

But Sun Qian was still at the store, and there was still so much to prepare for the opening. Shen Yibin was in no mood to stay for a meal. After declining Bao’s invitation, he took the four girls back to the store.

Next, he contacted an event company to arrange for large floating balloons, an inflatable arch, a stage, and a sound system rental. Xu Ye had plenty of resources in that area, so Shen Yibin left it all to him. After that was sorted, he started inviting guests. ’Qin Qing is a must-invite, and I can’t forget my landlady, Mrs. Wang. Hmm, and I can’t leave out Bai Yanni. Add a few old classmates, and that should be about it. Inviting any more would be too much of a hassle.’

He called Qin Qing and Mrs. Wang, and they both happily agreed to come. Then he sent messages on WeChat to Bai Yanni, Qiao Wenqi, Mo Xiaomo, and the others. And just like that, the invitations were handled.

Then he went into the almost-finished store, took a few photos, and posted them on his WeChat Moments and Weibo to inform his eager customers that they could come and pick out their favorite pets next Saturday.

Not long after he posted on Weibo, Shen Yibin’s phone started ringing off the hook. Director Kong called, apologizing profusely. He explained that he had to host a film festival next week and simply couldn’t get away, but he promised to make it up to Shen Yibin the next time he was in Yunzhong City.

Executives from the entertainment companies he had worked with during the talent show also called one after another to congratulate him. Listening to them, however, it was clear their words always circled back to Sun Qian and Cheeky. Shen Yibin understood they wanted his help in signing Sun Qian, so he pretended not to understand and simply laughed it off.

Next came a video call request from Sakai Kaori. On screen, she formally bowed several times to Shen Yibin and offered a string of congratulations. However, this year’s festival wasn’t over yet, so she still couldn’t find the time to congratulate him in person. After they finished talking, Shen Yibin handed the phone directly to Hah’Er, letting it and Egg stare at each other through the screen and giggle foolishly.

’Hmm, I still have to book a restaurant. With so many people coming, I’ll need at least three tables, and it has to be a decent place. Looks like there’ll be drinking again! What a headache.’

After three hectic days, Shen Yibin finally managed to get all the preparations for the grand opening in order. By this time, Wang Zhen and his team had also finished the renovation. The previous store of a mere 100 square meters had been transformed into a large, 300-plus-square-meter establishment. What was particularly striking was that the rightmost third of the store was now under a large sun-roof.

Beneath the sun-roof was a small, dense bamboo grove. Next to the grove stood several large trees, and a small swing hung from one of their sturdy branches. Nearby, there were also a wooden bridge, a slide, and other play equipment—more than enough for Hah’Er to play to its heart’s content.

’Now *this* looks like a proper place to raise a panda!’ Shen Yibin marveled to himself. He quickly pulled Hah’Er over, pointed to the bamboo grove, and announced, "Hah’Er, from now on, this whole area is all yours!"

"Mmm!" Hah’Er nodded excitedly, then scurried towards the bamboo grove on its short little legs. It had been looking forward to this day for a long, long time!