Future Pet Shop

"I'll also make a trip to Yunzhong University. Professor Wu Gui is introducing a few top experts, so the people I've found can work as their assistants." Dong felt a pang of frustration. 'I've been out of academia for too long,' he thought. 'My professional network is completely gone. My only hope now is Shen Yibin's connections.'

"Alright, then. Let's divide the work. You'll be in charge of bidding and recruiting technicians, and I'll go see Professor Wu Gui to have him introduce some top experts." With the research institute's direction for the near future decided, they returned to the zoo. They went to see Xiong Mountain and Hou Mountain, where Hah'Er and Xiaoliu were having a great time playing. Shen Yibin didn't rush them to leave. Instead, he and Wen Yuan went to Dong's office to continue discussing the details of the plan.

They talked well into the evening, stopping only for a simple meal at the zoo's cafeteria. It wasn't until night fell that Shen Yibin finally left with a reluctant Hah'Er and Xiaoliu. Hah'Er didn't want to leave the little black bear family, while Xiaoliu was probably sad to leave the female monkeys on Hou Mountain. When Shen Yibin went to get him, he saw that the little guy had already driven the Monkey King aside and was sitting on Hou Mountain with a female in each arm, living his best life. If they didn't leave that night, who knows how many "seeds" he would have left behind.

Back at the villa, Shen Yibin greeted Director Kong and the others before heading upstairs to his bedroom. He opened the French doors, brewed a cup of tea, and sat on the terrace. While admiring the night view of the Yunshui River, he dialed Professor Wu Gui's number. "Professor Wu, I hope I'm not disturbing you."

After a few pleasantries, Shen Yibin got to the point. "Here's the thing. Remember I mentioned last time that I was planning to set up a research institute in Yunzhong City? ...Right, right. The paperwork has all been approved, and the land has been allocated. We're just waiting to assemble the team and get started... I have some people for the foundational roles, but I'm still missing a few leaders who can hold their own and independently lead research teams. That's why I was hoping I could trouble you to introduce one or two."

"No problem. Funding in our field isn't very high these days. Many researchers have the talent but lack the necessary equipment and funds. As long as you can guarantee the budget and the freedom to conduct research, I can introduce you to a few excellent candidates. When can you come to Sichuan? I can arrange for them to meet you," Professor Wu Gui agreed readily. Of course, he didn't forget the most important thing. "Oh, right, you have to bring Hah'Er. We can take the opportunity to check up on its recent physical changes."

'I knew that was what you were really concerned about,' Shen Yibin thought. "Sure. It's been a while since Hah'Er saw its children, so this will be a good chance to visit them." 'Sigh, look at that guy. He's only been here a short while and already has kids by the dozen. When will I ever find a girl willing to have my babies?'

Shen Yibin opened his tablet and searched for flight information. There happened to be a Blue Sky Airlines flight from Yunzhong City to Sichuan tomorrow, departing at noon and arriving at two in the afternoon. "I'll head over tomorrow. I should get to the airport a little after 2 PM, so I'll probably reach your place in the evening."

"Great, I'll bring some people to pick you up at the airport. Alright, I won't keep you. I'm going to start making calls to contact them for you now. We'll have a welcome dinner for you tomorrow night, and you can meet them then." Professor Wu Gui was highly efficient. Without another word, he hung up. About half an hour later, he sent a WeChat message: "I've arranged for you to meet two people. One is Li Yan, a Stanford University graduate and an expert in genetic research. The other is Zhu Xiang, an authority in biopharmaceuticals. The two of them should be a perfect fit for your needs."

"Thank you so much, Professor Wu. My flight number tomorrow is..." Just a moment ago, Shen Yibin had called Wang Jing and finalized his flight for the next day. He immediately sent the information over.

"Come on, I'm taking you to see your kids tomorrow! We'll bring Xiaoliu along, too, so it can go home for a visit." But Xiaoliu had been getting so lazy and spoiled at the shop, lounging in its hammock every day, eating fruit and drinking fine wine. Its life was simply too comfortable. Shen Yibin wondered if it would even want to go back.

"Hm?" Hah'Er tilted its head. Once it figured out what Shen Yibin meant, it immediately covered its face and dove under the covers. The little guy actually knew how to be shy.

Early the next morning, after getting up and having breakfast, Shen Yibin said his goodbyes to Director Kong, Sun Qian, and the others, telling them to make their own arrangements for the next couple of days. Then he drove to the shop. It happened to be the weekend, so Lv Tiantian was there helping Li. It had only been a few days, but Scarf and Lv Tiantian seemed to have grown even closer, which gave Shen Yibin another headache. He quickly said hello and left with Xia Shixuan.

"Boss, are you going to sell Scarf or not?" Xia Shixuan pressed as she drove. For some reason, Lv Tiantian's presence made her feel a sense of crisis.

"Well... let's talk about it after I get back from Sichuan," Shen Yibin stalled, unable to make a decision. 'It's rare to find two qualified buyers. No matter who I give Scarf to, the other will be heartbroken, right?'

"Then it's settled! Whether it's a yes or a no, you have to give me a straight answer when you get back from Sichuan!" Xia Shixuan said solemnly. She then sped up, and in no time, she had dropped Shen Yibin off at the airport.

"Alright, you can head back now. I see the person picking me up is already here." Through the car window, Shen Yibin saw Wang Jing standing at the entrance, looking around. He immediately opened the door and waved to her.

"Oh, Hah'Er is as adorable as ever!" As soon as she saw them, she lavished praise on Hah'Er. Then, she led them through a special channel to clear security and into the VIP lounge. After a short rest, they boarded the flight early, taking the three best first-class seats.

Throughout the flight, the Blue Sky Airlines flight attendants took meticulous care of Shen Yibin and his companions. After a short flight, the plane landed smoothly at the Sichuan airport.

Exiting the airport, they spotted Professor Wu Gui right away. They exchanged a few pleasantries, quickly got into the car, and headed straight for the Sichuan Giant Panda Base. Along the way, Professor Wu Gui gave Shen Yibin a detailed introduction to the two top experts. Although Shen Yibin couldn't understand the profound and obscure terminology, judging by the universities they graduated from and the institutions they worked for, both men were genuinely talented. If it weren't for Professor Wu Gui's introduction and Shen Yibin's promise of enormous funding, they probably wouldn't have even agreed to meet him.

"We're here. It's that restaurant up ahead. The two of them will be here shortly," Professor Wu Gui said, pointing to a restaurant as they arrived at the base.

'I have to reel them both in and get them to Yunzhong City, no matter what!'