Future Pet Shop

The New Year's market was a sea of people as far as the eye could see. Shen Yibin felt as if he'd gone back in time to the country fairs of his childhood. 'Now *this* is what I call lively! Who says the New Year's spirit is fading? They just haven't been to a place like this. Just looking at the festive, joyful faces of all the shoppers is enough to make you happy.'

"Hey, make way, make way! Let us through!" Except for Cheeky and Maphario, the rest of the group was getting crushed by the crowd and couldn't take it anymore, forcing Shen Yibin to ask people to make a little room.

"Oh, Mr. Shen! You've brought Hah'Er out for New Year's shopping too? Come, come, please go first." Shen Yibin currently had an excellent reputation in Yunzhong City. The majority of the city's residents depended on tourism to make a living, and ever since Shen Yibin had promoted Hah'Er to be Yunzhong City's tourism ambassador and helped film *Panda Hero*, their businesses had been booming. Seeing Shen Yibin now, how could they not show their gratitude?

And so, the crowd squeezed together, parting to form a path for Shen Yibin. The shop owners on both sides eagerly called out, inviting him to visit their stores. "Mr. Shen, come over here! My New Year's paintings are authentic Yang Liuqing!"

"Mr. Shen, buy some fireworks for Hah'Er! I had them specially imported from Liuyang. I'll give them to you for half price." This shopkeeper was a sharp one. He knew that if Shen Yibin bought from him, he could advertise that 'even Hah'Er loves our fireworks!'—and then would he ever have to worry about business again?

"Mr. Shen, come take a look! Whatever you like, I'll give it to you for free, and I'll even have it delivered to your home!" This shopkeeper was willing to forgo any payment just to associate his shop with this living, breathing advertisement.

"Thank you, thank you! I'll just take a look for now, just take a look!" Shen Yibin cupped his fists, thanking everyone repeatedly. To be recognized and appreciated by the people of his hometown made him incredibly happy.

"Here, Hah'Er, try holding this!" Once they were inside a shop, the first thing that caught Shen Yibin's eye was a large gold ingot. He immediately picked one up and tucked it into Hah'Er's arms. 'Tsk, tsk,' he thought. 'Look at him—so chubby and all dressed in red, hugging a gold ingot. How festive! You know, I don't even need to buy New Year's paintings this year. I'll just get a few large prints of Hah'Er and post them on my door. Wouldn't that be better than pictures of Qin Qiong and Jingde, or the Wealth-Inviting Boy? Besides, this little Piyao here is a professional when it comes to attracting wealth!'

"Pfft—I have to get a few shots of this!" Sun Qian, amused by Shen Yibin, quickly pulled out her phone and began snapping away at Hah'Er. CLICK! CLICK! She found herself wondering if she should get a print of the photo to use as a New Year's painting for her own door. 'Hmm, maybe I could put a picture of Cheeky on the other door panel? Have him holding a string of gold coins or something... that would look pretty auspicious, too,' she mused.

"Well, I'll be!" The vendor who had just been hawking Yang Liuqing paintings fell silent. He stared, wide-eyed, at the prints on his stall of chubby babies holding big red carp and large gold ingots. 'They're nowhere near as festive as Hah'Er holding a gold ingot,' he realized. He hurriedly squeezed his way to the front. "Mr. Shen, Mr. Shen! Can we talk? Would it be possible for me to sell New Year's paintings of Hah'Er? I'm willing to pay for the image rights." Apparently, this one knew his law.

"It's almost the New Year, and everyone's in a festive mood. If you want to use the image, go ahead," Shen Yibin said. "Don't worry about money. Just give me a few of the better prints when they're done." He thought about how fun it would be if the streets of Yunzhong City were plastered with New Year's paintings of Hah'Er, so he couldn't be bothered to haggle over money. He simply granted the image rights to the painting merchants for free.

"That won't do! We have to have integrity in business. How could I use the image for free!" The shop owner, looking a bit embarrassed, tried to protest, but Shen Yibin remained firm in his refusal. Finally, the owner tried a different tactic. "Alright, since you look down on my meager sum, I won't force it on you. After the New Year, I'll donate all the money to Yunzhong City's Hope Primary School. It'll be my way of contributing." This proposal was met with a roar of approval from the crowd.

"Excellent! A man of integrity! Your business is sure to prosper!" Shen Yibin gave the shop owner a thumbs-up. He was very satisfied with this solution. The owner got his profits and earned a good name, and Shen Yibin was happy as well. It was a complete win-win.

"Here, please, come inside. I'll take some great photos of Hah'Er, then find a printer to quickly touch them up, make the plates, and start printing! When they're ready, I'll personally pick out the very best ones to deliver to your home. Just let me know the dimensions you'll need. If you don't remember them, I can head over to your house right now to take a look." The owner enthusiastically ushered Shen Yibin and Hah'Er into his shop, took out a camera, and meticulously snapped a whole series of photos.

Sun Qian bought a few decorative strings of coins and Chinese knots for Cheeky to hold in his mouth. She took plenty of photos as well and asked the owner to print a few for her. The owner eagerly promised he would get it done.

"I'll need them for my house and my store. The approximate dimensions are..." There was no need for him to go home and measure; Shen Yibin remembered the layouts of his store and his villa quite clearly. The shop owner took out a pen and paper and diligently jotted down all of Shen Yibin's and Sun Qian's requirements.

There was no need to visit the other painting shops; if they wanted in on the action, they would naturally come to this one to procure their stock. With the paintings sorted, Shen Yibin moved on, browsing for red lanterns, fireworks, Chinese knots, and other festive trinkets.

They stayed busy until it was nearly dark, by which time they had bought most of what they needed. They figured they could come back tomorrow after buying groceries to pick up any small things they'd missed. With the enthusiastic help of the shopkeepers, Shen Yibin managed to stuff his car completely full. Sun Qian had bought a fair amount herself, which saved her the trouble of having to do more shopping when she went home.

Back at the estate, once the car was parked, Hah'Er came waddling out, still clutching the large gold ingot. The little guy had apparently taken a liking to it; he'd hugged it all the way home and refused to let go even now.

They hadn't gone more than a few steps before they ran into Wen Yuan walking over. He came face-to-face with Hah'Er clutching the gold ingot and was so overjoyed he was practically giddy. "Whoa, this is a fantastic omen! I just got here, and Hah'Er is already bringing me a gold ingot? My studio is guaranteed to prosper next year!"

"Bin, you've gotten all your New Year's goods already? Here, let me help you move them to the storeroom!" Without another word, he started helping Shen Yibin carry things.

"Yep, just bought some New Year's supplies," Shen Yibin replied with a grin. "Oh, by the way, the owner of that painting shop is planning to print a batch of New Year's paintings with Hah'Er holding the gold ingot. If you want some, just give me the dimensions you need, and I'll have him send them over with my order."

"That'd be amazing! It'll be a one-of-a-kind item in the whole country! If I put those up when I go back to my hometown, I'll be the star of the show!" The image of Hah'Er holding the gold ingot was just too wonderfully festive; of course Wen Yuan wouldn't say no.

'Take them back to his hometown?' Shen Yibin wondered. 'Does this mean Hah'Er's New Year's paintings are going to be a nationwide hit?'