Future Pet Shop

"Oh, look. The little guy wants to go home." Shen Yibin bent down and picked Scarf up. Since that was the case, tonight’s barbecue would have to be canceled. "Let’s have the barbecue here tomorrow afternoon instead. I’ll prepare more ingredients in the morning so we can all have a great meal. Sorry about tonight."

"No problem. I’m tired too. Even if we ate tonight, I wouldn’t be able to eat much," Director Kong said understandingly. "I was just trying to figure out an excuse to go back to the hotel and rest. This actually saves me the trouble. But, Bin, don’t forget to prepare more Monkey Wine for tomorrow! We’ll enjoy the beautiful scenery here by the Yunshui River while savoring fine wine. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?" Wow, Director Kong even ended with a flourish.

"Yeah, I’m a little tired too." Murong Li stretched lazily and looked down at Scarf. "Scarf, how about we go shopping together tomorrow?" She was still thinking about her arrangement with Xia Shixuan.

"Alright, I’m going back to my room to draw!" Wen Yuan said with a smile. He had already set up two rooms in the manor as his studio. Drawing in such a scenic place, taking a break by the pond to watch Bald Qiang and the others when he got tired, helped him relax and find inspiration more easily.

"Okay then, let’s head back! I’ll pick you all up from the hotel tomorrow, and Mr. Wen, you don’t need to prepare lunch," Shen Yibin said, holding Scarf and pulling Hah’Er into the hotel’s car.

"No need for that. We’ll just come to your shop to find you tomorrow morning! Your shop is way more comfortable than the hotel, isn’t it?" Director Kong waved his hand dismissively and got into the first car with Murong Li and Fang Yuanshan.

After entering the city, the convoy split up. Two cars took Director Kong and his group to the Yunzhong Grand Hotel, while the last car carried Shen Yibin, Hah’Er, and the others back to the pet shop. The moment the car stopped, Scarf eagerly leaped out the window and zipped into the shop in a flash. When Shen Yibin got inside, he saw the little guy already nestled in Lv Tiantian’s arms, much to the annoyance of Xia Shixuan, who had gone out with him. She couldn’t help but roll her eyes.

’So that’s why he was in such a hurry to get back. He missed her, huh?’ Shen Yibin had a sudden realization. He glanced back at Xia Shixuan’s glum face and felt even more conflicted. ’Ugh, whatever. There’s still almost a month to go. I’ll worry about it then. I’m hungry now. I’d better go make something for Hah’Er to eat.’

Shen Yibin shrugged, turned, and went into the kitchen to get busy. But even while he was cooking, his mind was still on the matter with Scarf. ’Lv Tiantian rushes over to my shop the second class is out. She must really like Scarf, too. It’s a shame... if only her financial situation were a little better, I wouldn’t be in such a bind.’

"Come on, when the weather gets cool, you need something hot to eat. Come try my Northeastern-style stew." After a flurry of activity, the meal was ready. Shen Yibin carried a large basin to the center of the dining table. Although there weren’t many dishes today, the portions were more than generous. Eating Northeastern cuisine in the slightly chilly weather was a true pleasure.

Scarf sat obediently between Xia Shixuan and Lv Tiantian, just as it always did. One moment, it would take a bite of a pork rib offered by Xia Shixuan; the next, it would nibble on a piece of fruit from Lv Tiantian. It was perfectly impartial, showing no favoritism toward either of them.

’Dude, is this really okay?’ Shen Yibin thought, picking at the food in his bowl. ’Just decide who you like more and get it over with. Don’t act like some kind of player, enjoying the attention from both sides. If this keeps up, someone’s going to end up seriously hurt, you know?’ He really didn’t know what to make of the little guy’s behavior.

After dinner, the other girls went back downstairs to attend to customers. Xia Shixuan and Lv Tiantian helped clear the table, while Li fiddled with the bamboo shoot on Hah’Er’s collar, seemingly studying it to see if there were any problems or if it needed improvement. Meanwhile, Shen Yibin went downstairs to check on Maphario’s garden. The tomatoes and strawberries inside seemed ripe, perfect for Director Kong and the others to try tomorrow.

When he finished his inspection and returned to the second floor, he saw Lv Tiantian still sitting on the sofa and couldn’t help but feel curious. "Huh? Don’t you have evening self-study today?" ’Are high school seniors this relaxed?’

"I do, but there’s still time," Lv Tiantian said, fiddling with some string in her hands. "I saw that Scarf’s neck is bare, so I wanted to weave a collar or something for it. I wonder if it’ll like it."

’Hmph, I haven’t seen you make anything for Hah’Er, Maphario, or Xiaoliu. Why are you so concerned about Scarf all of a sudden? Could this be destiny?’ Shen Yibin’s heart grew heavier. In any case, it wasn’t long until her evening self-study session, so he wasn’t in a hurry to take Hah’Er out for exercise. Instead, he sat down on the recliner to watch Lv Tiantian work. Scarf did the same, lying lazily on the coffee table, watching her movements without blinking.

Her ten fingers, as slender and pale as spring onions, flew back and forth, and a colorful band gradually took shape. In less than twenty minutes, a collar was finished. Lv Tiantian flexed her slightly sore fingers and beckoned Scarf over. "Scarf, come and see if you like it. If you do, I’ll put it on for you, okay?"

Scarf let out a soft cry and slowly crawled over to Lv Tiantian’s side, stretching its head forward. It was obvious the little guy loved the collar and wanted Lv Tiantian to put it on with her own hands.

’Hey now, you haven’t even made it official yet, and you’re already accepting gifts. Is that really okay?’ Shen Yibin mused. ’But then again, this collar really does match Scarf’s fur. It looks so much better with it on. Seems this little sister has quite a talent for fashion and accessorizing.’ Shen Yibin started to zone out on the recliner, his mind wandering.

Just then, Xia Shixuan finished her chores and came upstairs with some ice cream, intending to give it to Scarf. She happened to see this very scene, and the sight made her extremely nervous. ’Oh, no! When I took Scarf shopping, why was I only thinking about buying clothes for myself? It never even occurred to me to buy something for him!’ Waves of annoyance washed over Xia Shixuan as she deeply regretted her past actions.

’I’m supposed to go shopping with Murong Li tomorrow. I have to buy some nice accessories for Scarf! I wonder if he’d like a silk scarf from Hermès?’ Xia Shixuan didn’t have Lv Tiantian’s crafting skills, so she could only buy ready-made things. ’I just hope Scarf finds a little something that he likes.’

And so, Xia Shixuan immediately changed her plans for the next day. Tomorrow’s main mission was now to pick out gifts for Scarf. Shopping for clothes and bags with Murong Li would have to wait until after Scarf had picked out a gift for himself.