Future Pet Shop

It wasn’t particularly rare for Queen Elizabeth II to grant an audience to celebrities. For example, Benedict Cumberbatch, who played Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Strange; the bombshell Marilyn Monroe; the heartthrob Beckham; and the tennis superstar Little Williams had all been received by her. Previously, Shanghai’s tourism ambassador Hu Ge also made an appearance at the Queen’s ninetieth birthday celebration. Since Hah’Er was not only a star but also the tourism ambassador for Yunzhong City, being received by the Queen wasn’t that big of a deal.

’Anyway, we’ve been to the Royal Palace in Sokovia,’ Shen Yibin thought. ’Although Sokovia isn’t as influential as the UK, they have a King, too. In a way, their statuses are equal. Since we’ve already been to Sokovia’s Royal Palace, there’s no need to be too nervous about visiting the British one.’

’Thinking about how Hah’Er also holds the title of Yunzhong City’s tourism ambassador, shouldn’t I give Mayor Wang a call? Perhaps we can use this opportunity to promote Yunzhong City’s tourism resources. Director Kong will probably use this chance to heavily promote *Panda Hero* anyway, so we might as well kill two birds with one stone.’

"Hello, Mayor Wang. I’m so sorry to be calling you this late." Shen Yibin glanced at his watch. Calculating the time difference, it should already be the middle of the night in Yunzhong City.

"It’s alright, I just fell asleep. Bin, aren’t you in the UK? Did something happen?" Mayor Wang couldn’t help but worry. ’Did he get into some kind of trouble?’

"Don’t worry, it’s good news," Shen Yibin quickly explained. "Someone from the British Royal Family just delivered an invitation for me, Director Kong, and Hah’Er to visit the Royal Palace for an audience with Queen Elizabeth II. I was thinking, since Hah’Er is still Yunzhong City’s tourism ambassador, I wanted to ask if we could use this opportunity to promote our city’s tourism resources?" Shen Yibin was very passionate about his hometown. If Yunzhong City’s tourism industry developed, the residents’ income would also increase. That would mean more and more people would be able to afford pets, which would be a win-win situation.

"An audience with Queen Elizabeth II? This is fantastic news!" All of Mayor Wang’s drowsiness vanished, and he immediately scrambled out of bed. "How long until the audience? I’ll arrange for someone to prepare gifts right away! We have a few Yunzhong City companies with branches in London. I’ll have someone ask them if they have any local specialties from Yunzhong City on hand! Oh, right, remember to give the Queen a copy of that promotional video disc from last time. If you don’t have one with you, I’ll have someone email you the file, and you can find a burner to make a few copies... one isn’t enough. Prince Charles, Prince William, Princess Kate, and the Queen’s husband—give one to every member of the Royal Family."

Mayor Wang couldn’t help but fantasize. ’The Queen is getting on in years, so she probably won’t be traveling abroad anymore. But aren’t Prince William and the others still young? If we could entice them to visit Yunzhong City for a tour, what great publicity material that would be! No, no... I can’t be too greedy. I can’t put too much pressure on Bin. As long as the news reports that Queen Elizabeth II granted an audience to Hah’Er, the tourism ambassador of Yunzhong City, that will be enough!’

"Let me see... The audience is in six hours. We’ll definitely have to arrive early, so there isn’t much time left!" Shen Yibin said, looking at the invitation.

"That’s enough time. I’ll get someone on it right now. Tell me where you’re staying and be ready to take my call." After saying that, Mayor Wang immediately hung up. He quickly convened a conference call with the relevant officials from Yunzhong City and contacted the city’s associated organizations in London. They finally managed to prepare the gifts for the British Royal Family before Shen Yibin had to leave.

’Let me see what’s in here.’ Shen Yibin opened the gift box and took a look. Besides the promotional DVDs, it was all local specialties from Yunzhong City, like handicrafts and snacks. Nothing seemed like it would be taboo. Shen Yibin casually handed it into Hah’Er’s paws, letting it hold the box to present to Queen Elizabeth II.

Arriving outside the Royal Palace, Hah’Er clutched the gift box and curiously sized up the scenery, seemingly comparing it to the Royal Palace in Sokovia to see which was better. Shen Yibin, on the other hand, noticed that the Royal Guards in their bearskin hats, who usually stood by the palace entrance, were nowhere to be seen. ’I wonder if they were worried the hats might upset Hah’Er.’

"A very warm welcome to you, Mr. Shen, Mr. Kong, and Mr. Bin." A man dressed as a butler greeted them politely. Director Kong was an internationally renowned director, so of course, he was qualified to be received by Queen Elizabeth II. Fang Yuanshan and Murong Li weren’t so lucky.

"May I ask what this is?" the butler asked curiously, seeing the box in Hah’Er’s arms.

"Hah’Er is also the tourism ambassador for Yunzhong City. This is a gift from Yunzhong City to the British Royal Family," Shen Yibin replied. The reporters outside quickly jotted down his words.

After a strict inspection, the gift box was returned to Hah’Er. The butler led the three of them into a horse-drawn carriage, which slowly headed deeper into the palace grounds. At this point, the only reporters following them were those who specifically served the Royal Family.

"We have arrived." Before long, the carriage stopped in front of an ancient and majestic palace. The butler helped Hah’Er down and led them slowly inside. Shen Yibin and his party finally met the head of state with the extraordinarily long "standby time."

"Your Majesty, it is an honor." Shen Yibin and Director Kong bowed to Queen Elizabeth II.

"Hm?" Hah’Er tilted its head, then mimicked their actions and gave a slight bow.

Queen Elizabeth II had been maintaining a sacred and inviolable air, but upon seeing Hah’Er’s gesture, her expression immediately changed. She broke into a smile so wide she could hardly close her mouth. She had received countless bows in her life, but this was the first time she had ever been bowed to by a panda. She quickly stepped forward to help Hah’Er up. Shen Yibin and the others didn’t receive such good treatment; the Queen merely gave their hands a light shake.

"Lovely Mr. Panda, what are you holding in your arms?" Seeing the box in Hah’Er’s arms, Queen Elizabeth II grew a little curious as well.

"Hah’Er is the tourism ambassador for Yunzhong City. This is a gift from Yunzhong City for you and the other members of the Royal Family," Shen Yibin repeated what he had said earlier.

This time, Hah’Er finally understood that the old lady before it was the intended recipient of the gift. It promptly opened the gift box, took out a Yunzhong bamboo Zongzi from inside, and offered it to her.

"Nn!" Hah’Er held the Zongzi up to Queen Elizabeth II, as if to say, ’This is really tasty. Want to try it?’