Future Pet Shop

"Mr. Shen, thank you so much for choosing Disney. We’ll be sure to build a perfect mini-Disneyland at your manor!" The people picking them up this time included not only Director Kong but also staff from Disney. However, this wasn’t an employee from the Shanghai Disneyland branch, but a high-level executive from Disney headquarters. He was here to discuss the contract signing with Shen Yibin and was also tasked with helping to promote *Panda Hero*.

In just a short time, *Panda Hero* had easily snatched the title of highest-grossing Chinese film from *Wolf Warriors 2*. The team behind *Wolf Warriors 2* even created a special celebratory poster to offer their congratulations. On the poster, the protagonist from *Wolf Warriors 2* was holding Hah’Er high, placing the laurel crown symbolizing the all-time Chinese box office champion on its head.

This was a fine tradition in the Chinese film industry. Every time a new box office champion was crowned, the previous one would send over a congratulatory poster. Just as *Lost in Thailand* had congratulated *Monster Hunt*, *Monster Hunt* had congratulated *Mermaid*, and *Mermaid* had congratulated *Wolf Warriors 2*, it was now *Wolf Warriors 2*’s turn to congratulate *Panda Hero*. Shen Yibin mused, ’If the sequel to *Panda Hero* comes out and breaks the Chinese box office record again, does that mean we’ll have to make a celebratory poster for ourselves?’

This wasn’t the only box office record *Panda Hero* had broken. By now, its total domestic box office in China had already surpassed the 6.5 billion yuan mark, leaving the record of a $936.7 million total box office in a single region, set by *Star Wars: The Force Awakens*, in the dust. It had now become the highest-grossing film in a single territory in cinema history.

Moreover, *Panda Hero*’s box office was soaring worldwide. Its total global gross had already broken into the top five of all-time worldwide box office rankings, dethroning *Avengers*. It looked as if *Avatar*’s status as the highest-grossing film of all time was also in jeopardy. At a time like this, Disney, which was handling the North American distribution, was certainly not going to miss this opportunity. Thus, the following plan was conceived.

Disney planned to combine the signing ceremony for Hah’Er’s endorsement contract with the promotional tour for *Panda Hero*. First, they would hold a signing ceremony at Shanghai Disneyland. Then, fan appreciation events would be scheduled at other Disneyland parks, such as in Xiangjiang, Tokyo, Paris, and Los Angeles...

"Alright, since we have to go to all these places, we might as well do it at the Disney parks. Besides, Hah’Er really likes the rides there," Shen Yibin said. He had no objections and readily came to an agreement with Director Kong and the Disney executive.

And so, after three days of preparation, the first stop of the signing ceremony and fan appreciation tour kicked off at Shanghai Disneyland. Shen Yibin signed his name on the endorsement contract on Hah’Er’s behalf. Then, Hah’Er pressed its paw into an ink pad made from non-toxic materials, leaving its paw print on the contract.

This contract, bearing a panda’s paw print, became the biggest endorsement deal in history. For the next three years, it would bring Hah’Er a massive annual income. All Hah’Er had to do in return was shoot a promotional short film for Disney the following year and authorize the company to use its likeness in Disneyland parks worldwide.

For Disney, however, the contract was undoubtedly a bargain. Hah’Er’s current fame and appeal, especially in the hearts of teenagers and children, had already surpassed that of any idol in the world. Having it serve as Disney’s brand ambassador would undoubtedly attract countless people to Disney parks worldwide, driving revenue from tickets, merchandise, hotels, food and beverage, and more, earning Disney enormous profits. This was also good for Hah’Er. It held the rights to a percentage of all licensed merchandise, so the better the merchandise sold, the higher its income.

Once the signing was over, it was time for the fan appreciation event. The lucky fans who had won a chance to meet Hah’Er up close in a raffle lined up before it to take photos and get autographs on their *Panda Hero* merchandise. Hah’Er calmly dipped its paw in the ink pad and stamped its print on their autograph books and T-shirts. There were even a few stunning young women who had Hah’Er stamp its paw print right on their chests. Shen Yibin watched with envy, wishing he could trade places with it and do the stamping himself.

After the event in Shanghai, the group headed straight for the Capital City. The Capital City’s total box office had edged out Shanghai’s by a slim margin, making it the city with the highest sales for *Panda Hero*. The Capital City also set a new box office record for a single film in a single city. This honor made it the second stop on Hah’Er’s tour.

As for the third domestic city, that honor went to Sichuan—after all, it was the homeland of the giant panda. Professor Wu Gui seized the opportunity to find Shen Yibin. He grabbed Shen’s hand and made him promise to bring Hah’Er back for breeding when it next went into heat. Shen Yibin, in turn, asked about the current state of animal genetics research in the country and requested the professor’s help in scouting for talent. This got him thinking, ’Once my share of the profits comes in, maybe I can build a research institute in Yunzhong City.’

Next, they went to Xiangjiang, Director Kong’s home turf. At the pleading of countless children there, Director Kong finally put his pride aside and persuaded Shen Yibin to bring Hah’Er for a visit to his hometown.

The first stop abroad was Tokyo. It was chosen not only because it had contributed massively to *Panda Hero*’s box office but also because Tokyo had a Disneyland and because of Sakai Kaori’s earnest request. At Tokyo Disneyland, Hah’Er was reunited with Egg, from whom it had recently parted. The two chubby little guys enjoyed many of the park’s rides together. This time, with no interruptions, the two of them had the time of their lives.

As for Shen Yibin, he spent the past few days sparring with Mr. Liu Sheng. His Fruit Swordsmanship had improved since their last encounter, and he managed to leave Mr. Liu Sheng’s head covered in bumps.

"I’m also having some small amusement rides built at my manor. Once they’re finished, you can bring Egg over to play!" Shen Yibin added before he left.

"Mm, I understand. I’ll be sure to bring a gift to congratulate you when the time comes," Sakai Kaori said earnestly. Behind her, Mr. Liu Sheng couldn’t help but shake his head. ’Sigh, the way the Young Miss is looking at Mr. Shen... it seems a bit off. Don’t tell me she’s...’

"Alright, we’re off to Los Angeles! Then Paris after that, and once Paris is done, we’ll finally be free!" Shen Yibin announced. This whole trip had been a whirlwind, but with only two stops left, it was almost over. ’Then we can go home and get some real rest!’ he thought.