Future Pet Shop

Shen Yibin was so intimidated he didn’t even dare get out of the car, but Egg seemed completely unaffected, as if it was long accustomed to this sort of reception. It barked twice toward the car, seemingly urging Hah’Er to hurry up and get out.

Hah’Er curiously sized up the crowd and followed Egg out of the car. The devotees prostrated themselves before Egg but paid little attention to Hah’Er. This was a rare sight indeed. Shen Yibin had taken Hah’Er to many places, and it was always the center of attention. Only here, in Egg’s territory, had it been relegated to a supporting role.

"Mr. Bin, let’s get out as well," Sakai Kaori said politely. "The Shrine has prepared a meal, and I also have the fine wine you sent last time. I’ve been saving it and haven’t had a drop, just waiting for your visit." She’d had to outwit Egg more than a few times to keep this wine hidden.

"Uh, okay then!" Seeing the crowd gradually getting to their feet, Shen Yibin slowly got out of the car. He followed Sakai Kaori’s lead up the steps toward the Shrine ahead. As they walked, she skillfully greeted the devotees while telling Shen Yibin about the history of the Honjin Raccoon Shrine.

At the top of the steps stood the Bird House. Two thick, red-painted pillars supported the horizontal beams at the top. A sacred rope connected the pillars, its purpose being to create a barrier to prevent calamities from passing through.

"The Bird House marks the entrance to the Divine Domain, separating it from the Mortal World where humans live," Sakai Kaori explained. "Stepping through it means you are entering the Divine Domain, so you should be particularly mindful of your conduct." She finished with a light laugh. "But you don’t need to be too nervous, Mr. Bin. Just pretend you’re visiting my home!"

’Shouldn’t I be *more* nervous if I’m visiting your home?’ Shen Yibin glanced at the pillars of the Bird House, feeling a wave of relief that he hadn’t brought Bald Qiang and his wife. If those two saw such fine wood, they would have pounced on it and started chewing immediately. The devotees would have gone absolutely mad if they’d seen that.

At the Shrine’s entrance was a water pavilion for purifying one’s hands and mouth. Further on, the path was lined with rustically carved stone lanterns, which Hah’Er and Egg were gleefully hugging and playing with. Continuing forward, the main complex of the Shrine came into view. There was the main hall where the deity dwelled—in other words, Egg’s home. There was also a hall of worship for prayers, a hall for offerings, a hall for sacred music, a hall for ritual dances, a treasure hall, a hall for the divine palanquin, a station for receiving fortunes, votive plaques, and amulets, and the shrine’s administrative office.

The walk left Shen Yibin dazzled. He couldn’t help but marvel, ’This shrine complex is huge. The Sakai family must be loaded! Egg must have a pretty cushy life here, huh?’

"Alright, let’s stop here for today," said Sakai Kaori. "Lord Egg and Mr. Hah’er seem a bit tired, so let’s go have our meal now." She led Shen Yibin into an exquisite garden. Once inside, everything was silent except for the crisp, periodic sound of a bamboo water fountain.

A few young girls in Witch’s Robes skillfully arranged the meal in the garden before quietly withdrawing. Sakai Kaori produced a wine pot from seemingly nowhere. The moment she opened it, the familiar aroma of Monkey Wine wafted out. All traces of fatigue instantly vanished from Egg and Hah’Er, and they yelped as they lunged for Sakai Kaori.

"Please, have a seat, Mr. Bin." Sakai Kaori hadn’t invited anyone else to join them; it was just the two of them in the garden with Egg and Hah’Er. After dodging their pincer attack and getting them settled in their seats, Sakai Kaori filled the bowls with the fine wine. She raised her own and said, "A warm welcome to Mr. Bin and Mr. Hah’er to the Honjin Raccoon Shrine! Your presence truly makes our humble home shine. Let’s drink this bowl together!"

"Cheers!" The bowl Sakai Kaori provided was shallow, so Shen Yibin finished it quickly. Recalling all the buildings he had just seen, Shen Yibin had a hard time reconciling that with her "humble home" remark. ’If this is a humble home,’ he thought, ’then what in the world qualifies as a mansion?’

"You can really hold your liquor, Mr. Bin! I also prepared some sake, so we can switch to that if this runs out. But for now, let’s eat something to line our stomachs!" Sakai Kaori then started introducing the dishes: grilled eel, Pacific saury, tamagoyaki... Shen Yibin tried a few and nodded in praise. The food here seemed even better than what they’d had at the five-star hotel a few days prior. ’The Sakai family’s resources are truly impressive.’

The only slight drawback was that the portion sizes were tiny, which was a difficult adjustment for hearty eaters like Shen Yibin and Hah’Er. It was perfect for Maphario, however; its small appetite was well-suited to the small dishes.

After the meal, Sakai Kaori showed Shen Yibin to his room for the night. To his astonishment, she had prepared a private villa with its own hot spring. Shen Yibin was left clicking his tongue in amazement.

"You’ve had a long journey today, Mr. Bin, so please enjoy a soak in the hot spring and get some rest. Lord Egg and I will come by tomorrow morning to get you for breakfast." After giving Shen Yibin a quick tour of the villa’s layout, Sakai Kaori prepared to take her leave with Egg.

"Gah!" But Egg clung to Hah’Er, refusing to let go. It looked like Hah’Er was planning to sleep with Egg tonight. ’Maybe they’re remembering their days crammed into a single room back at the pet store,’ Shen Yibin mused.

"Alright then, I suppose I’ll be heading back alone," Sakai Kaori said, helpless. With a smiling shake of her head, she took her leave.

She hadn’t gotten far when Egg shoved Hah’Er straight into the hot spring. The two of them immediately started splashing and roughhousing. Shen Yibin got Maphario settled in, then comfortably sank into the hot spring himself. ’Soaking in a hot spring while sipping wine... life doesn’t get any more relaxing than this.’

After a wonderful night’s sleep, Shen Yibin woke up and had breakfast with Sakai Kaori. Then, the tour continued. Yesterday, they had seen the buildings of the Honjin Raccoon Shrine; today, they were going to tour the Sakai family’s private properties.

Forests that stretched as far as the eye could see, vast fields of farmland, the small town at the foot of the mountain—all of this belonged to the Sakai family. On top of that, they also ran businesses in major cities. ’They’re true tycoons,’ Shen Yibin thought.

Shen Yibin put on a calm expression as he strolled through the small town with Sakai Kaori. Suddenly, a noise coming from a courtyard ahead caught his attention. "What’s that?"

"That’s our family’s dojo, where we practice Swordsmanship," Sakai Kaori said. "Would you like to take a look?"

’Swordsmanship, huh? Hey, I know that too!’