Future Pet Shop

’Damn it, give me a panda and I could create a nation,’ Long Sheng thought as he watched Hah’Er hugging Shen Yibin’s leg, begging for a lamb skewer. ’If I had a panda, all I’d have to do is make a post online and countless girls would probably be crying and begging to be my girlfriend just to get close to it, right? At that point, why would I even need to bother thinking up all sorts of schemes? I could just wait at home for the girls to come to me.’

’Sigh, no use being jealous. Good thing he doesn’t think that way, or else all the girls in Yunzhong City would be won over by him. What chances would be left for me?’ Long Sheng shook his head, pushing those thoughts aside, and took a lamb skewer from Xia Shixuan to munch on. ’Hm? This lamb skewer is amazing! It’s way better than what I had when I took that girl to the Western Regions and the Northern Border. If I could eat food this good all the time, then staying here to paint this Totem Pole doesn’t seem so unacceptable, does it?’ Now, Long Sheng didn’t find the Totem Pole too tall at all; in fact, he was starting to hope it would be even longer.

’Mm, this grilled fish is fantastic, too! Even better than the authentic grilled fish I had when I took another girl to Mountain City.’ "Shixuan, no wonder you stopped traveling the world and decided to work at a pet store instead. It was all for this amazing food, wasn’t it? It’s so good it makes me want to come work here, too."

"The boss’s skills aren’t limited to just barbecue. The wine we brew at the store is all gone today, and the new batch will take a while. Next time, after you taste our good wine, we probably couldn’t even chase you away with a stick!" Xia Shixuan said with a smile. ’Sigh, the reason I’m staying here isn’t just because I’m a glutton.’

"Alright, it’s getting late. Let’s pack up and head to Xu Ye’s place for the night!" After finishing dinner and resting for a while on the picnic blanket, Shen Yibin got up and started dismantling the barbecue grill. He led them to Xu Ye’s mountain villa to rest for the night. The next morning, those who wanted to stay and relax at the villa could do so, and those who wanted to visit the construction site would go together.

In the end, Li Shiqing and the others were too exhausted from the past few days and refused to get out of bed. So, Shen Yibin took Wen Yuan, Long Sheng, Hah’Er, and the other pets to the construction site. "When we get to the site, you should go up and take a look at the Totem Pole first to get an idea of things," Shen Yibin said while driving. "After you come down, I’ll give you a model of the Totem Pole. You can try painting it, and if it looks good, we can start work right away. As for payment, just give me a price. Any other questions?"

"No problem. By the way, are the model and the Totem Pole made of the same material? Different materials require different paints, so I need to make that clear beforehand." Long Sheng didn’t bring up money right away. He planned to discuss that after the other party understood the level of his skill.

"They’re the same. Both are made from the wood of the Heaven-Reaching Tree. Did you bring any paints?" Shen Yibin asked. The model had also been carved by Marc from a branch of a Heaven-Reaching Tree.

"No, I need to see the material first before I can decide on the right type of paint. After I take a look, I’ll head back to the city to find what I need. Can I borrow your car later?" Long Sheng wasn’t shy about asking.

"No problem. You can drive back yourself in a bit. Oh, on your way back, swing by the market and help me buy some groceries. I’ll write you a note later with the specific items and which shops to get them from. When you get there, just tell them it’s for me, and they’ll know what to give you." ’Since you’re willing to go into the city, it saves me a trip for groceries.’

"Boss Shen, you’re going to cook lunch yourself again? Alright! You can count on me, I’ll get everything for you, no problem." The thought of more delicious food made Long Sheng’s mouth water.

Xu Ye’s mountain villa wasn’t far from Shen Yibin’s estate, and they soon arrived at the construction site. After getting out of the car, the group took the elevator up to the area where the carving was taking place.

"Huh? They did all this carving?" Long Sheng hadn’t had a chance to ask yesterday. Seeing Wen Yuan’s refined and scholarly demeanor, he had assumed he was the one carving the Totem Pole. But when he got to the top, he was shocked to find that the main carvers were Bald Qiang and the beaver couple. His eyes nearly popped out of his head. ’Damn it! The carvings done by a woodpecker and two beavers are better than what I, an art major, can do! Is there any justice in this world?’

"Haha, there’s more to be surprised about later. This isn’t all they’re capable of," Wen Yuan said with a laugh. ’He’s this shocked now? I wonder what he’ll be like when he sees the dam and villa built by Bald Qiang and the others, tastes the Monkey Wine brewed by Xiaoliu, and sees Maphario sowing seeds down below.’

"First, study the wood of the Heaven-Reaching Tree and see what kind of paints would be best. By the way, try to choose natural and harmless paints," Shen Yibin said. This was also to prevent any future accidents involving pets.

"Yeah, I’ve already got a basic idea." Despite Long Sheng’s usual devil-may-care attitude, he was extremely serious when it came to his work. He crouched down, picking up wood shavings with his fingers to study them carefully, even putting some in his mouth to taste. Then he stood up and stared for a long time at the fresh marks gnawed out by Bald Qiang. Finally, he had Wen Yuan take the elevator to the very top to observe the difference between the old and new marks. Only then did he have a plan. "I’m heading to the city now to find the right materials. I can be back before lunch."

"Here are the car keys! Don’t forget the ingredients I need." Shen Yibin handed the car keys and grocery money to Long Sheng. Long Sheng took them, got in the car, started it, and drove off toward the city.

After he left, Shen Yibin and Hah’Er followed Maphario into its garden. They carefully observed the growth of the few Heaven-Reaching Tree seedlings, and after a busy spell of watering and fertilizing, they heard the sound of a car. Long Sheng had returned with the ingredients and paints.

Shen Yibin personally cooked for them again, showing off his skills. Everyone was full of praise for the meal. After they finished eating, Shen Yibin found the small Totem Pole model that Marc had carved and handed it to Long Sheng. "Try painting this one first. How long will it take?"

"Quickly. I can get it done in two hours." Long Sheng seemed full of confidence. With that, he took the Totem Pole, paints, and brushes, found a quiet spot, and got busy. Meanwhile, Shen Yibin, along with Maphario and Hah’Er, continued to spread the fermented wood shavings evenly in every corner of the garden.

Two hours later, Long Sheng came over, holding the painted Totem Pole. "Mr. Shen, it’s finished! Please come take a look!"