Future Pet Shop

"Mr. Bin, that’s just how Uncle Liu Sheng is. He’s a famous sword fanatic in Japan, and he absolutely refuses to let a good opponent go. I hope you don’t mind." After Shen Yibin trounced Mr. Liu Sheng yet again, Sakai Kaori spoke to him apologetically. "If... if you find him to be a bother, perhaps we could go somewhere else and hide for a while? The Kaori Family has properties all over Japan. We could go see the lavender in Hokkaido, or see the ocean in Okinawa..."

’The Shiroi Koibito chocolates in Hokkaido are absolutely delicious... I’d love to take Mr. Bin to have some. But the name... I wonder if Mr. Bin would...’ Sakai Kaori felt her cheeks flush and her heart suddenly race as she waited nervously for Shen Yibin’s answer.

"It’s no problem. Practicing with a Sword Way master like Mr. Liu Sheng has greatly improved my own Swordsmanship," Shen Yibin replied, oblivious. He was telling the truth. After all the practice these past few days, his combat skills had grown rapidly. It was a huge departure from just dealing with fruit. ’Now, if I run into Cheeky and it uses that Grape Bombardment move again,’ he thought, ’I’m confident I can block every last one.’

The answer left Sakai Kaori feeling a pang of disappointment, but she quickly regained her polite and graceful composure. "Very well, then. There are still many beautiful sights near the Shrine. I’ll continue showing you around, Mr. Bin!"

"Oh, I’m afraid I can’t stay much longer. I have to go back tomorrow!" Shen Yibin wanted to enjoy this leisurely life for a few more days, but he couldn’t help but worry about the shop. ’I wonder if Wen Yuan is keeping up with his practice? How much has his table tennis improved? Plus, the promotional trip to America has been moved up on the schedule.’ He really couldn’t afford to stay with Sakai Kaori for too much longer.

"What? You’re leaving so soon?" Sakai Kaori immediately grew anxious. ’Did I do something wrong? Has Mr. Bin grown tired of his stay?’ "Are you dissatisfied with my hospitality in any way?"

"Not at all, Miss Sakai. You’ve taken wonderful care of me, Hah’Er, and Maphario." And he wasn’t just being polite. Sakai Kaori had been incredibly thoughtful. The food alone was a perfect example. Every morning, she arranged for people to gather all sorts of precious, fresh ingredients from the mountain forests, fields, and pastures. Fresh bamboo shoots, marbled Wagyu beef—you name it, they had it. A specially hired master chef would then prepare the food, leaving Shen Yibin and Hah’Er absolutely delighted. Sakai Kaori had even noticed Maphario’s particular tastes. Every day, someone would deliver freshly picked pine nuts, lightly stir-fried with a bit of sugar. Maphario couldn’t get enough of them.

Beyond the food, the scenic tours and the chance to appreciate local folklore and ancient architecture had left Shen Yibin deeply satisfied. He was so captivated that he was reluctant to leave. ’If this is considered poor hospitality, then I don’t know what good hospitality is,’ Shen Yibin thought. ’I’m not the princess from "The Princess and the Pea." I’m not that hard to please.’

"It’s just that I have business to take care of at the shop, and soon I have to take Hah’Er to America to promote the movie. My schedule is just really tight. When I have time in the future, I’ll bring them over again. I might even bring a few more companions next time." ’I should bring Xiaoliu next time and let it trounce Mr. Liu Sheng,’ he mused. ’I wonder what his reaction would be to losing to a monkey? I’m actually a little excited just thinking about it!’

"You’re so busy, Mr. Bin. It makes me feel I should run the Shrine with more dedication, too!" Sakai Kaori clenched her little fists to pump herself up. "If that’s the case, then I won’t insist on you staying, Mr. Bin. I’ll take you to the airport tomorrow. Also, I need to go prepare some small gifts for you to take back to Xia, Gao, Shiqing, Nannan, Sun, and Master Xiaoliu!"

Sakai Kaori left to prepare the gifts as soon as she finished speaking, not even giving Shen Yibin a chance to refuse. She left two Maids behind to accompany Shen Yibin, Hah’Er, and Maphario as they went to play in the mountain forest.

By the time they returned from their outing, everyone had heard the news of their impending departure. Mr. Liu Sheng rushed over from the Sword Dojo for a farewell. "I have troubled you greatly during this time, Master Shen. Thanks to your teachings, my Swordsmanship has improved quite a bit. Allow me to toast you, Master Shen. To your health!"

’Hey, why does that sound like something you’d say to an old man?’ Shen Yibin grumbled to himself. He raised his glass and drank it down with Mr. Liu Sheng. The moment he finished, Sakai Kaori raised her own glass to toast him, her tone filled with reluctance.

Hah’Er and Egg also seemed to realize they were about to be separated. The two buddies were even more heartbroken, looking for all the world like they were about to embrace and bawl their eyes out. They clutched their sake bowls, downing one after another.

The drinking party only ended when Shen Yibin was completely light-headed. As for Egg and Hah’Er, those two were already wasted. One was hugging a large tree in the courtyard, HUFFING AND PUFFING as it scrambled up, while the other stared at the moon, powerfully slapping its belly and breaking into a dance. The resulting horn-like sounds carried all the way down the mountain.

Seeing Egg’s antics, the devotees serving in the courtyard immediately bowed low in reverence. To them, this could only be Lord Raccoon Cat performing some kind of powerful spell.

After a night of rest, Shen Yibin and the others finally recovered from their hangovers. Once they finished a light and tasty breakfast, Sakai Kaori personally drove them to the airport. Mr. Liu Sheng and Egg came along in the car to see them off.

At the airport, a reluctant Sakai Kaori asked, "Mr. Bin, when do you think you’ll visit Japan again?"

"That’s... hard to say, I’m afraid." Shen Yibin scratched his head in a bind. ’Who knows how much trouble the Future Pet Shop will stir up for me down the line? It’s impossible to say when I’ll have free time again.’ "I’ll see what I can do."

It was time to go through security. Shen Yibin waved goodbye and walked into the security lane. Sakai Kaori just stood there, watching until he disappeared around a corner, silently pondering, ’If it’s not easy for you to come to Japan, then maybe I should take the initiative to visit Yunzhong City? I do miss my time at the shop.’

After a flight of several hours, the plane landed at the airport in Shanghai. Shen Yibin waited for a little while before boarding his flight to Yunzhong City. He didn’t stay overnight in Shanghai this time around.

Upon arriving in Yunzhong City, he found Xia Shixuan already waiting to pick him up. It wasn’t long after getting in her car that they were back at the pet shop. As he looked around, the shop seemed different somehow. Shen Yibin couldn’t help his curiosity. ’What’s going on here?’