Future Pet Shop

"Ah, that was a satisfying meal!" After eating and drinking his fill, Director Kong patted his stomach contentedly. "Shi Xuan, pour me a cup of tea. I'll sit on the sofa for a bit, then we can head to the park for a couple of laps. Bin, are you coming with us to exercise?"

"Sure thing. Since you're the one asking, Director Kong, how could I say no!" Director Kong and the others went over to the coffee table for tea. Lv Tiantian helped clear the table, then got ready to leave for her evening self-study session at school.

Shen Yibin watched Scarf follow Lv Tiantian to see her out. He thought for a moment, then called her over. "Tiantian, don't rush off just yet. Come back over after your evening study session. I have something to discuss with you. When we're done, I'll drive you and your grandmother home!" 'There are too many people around right now, it's not a good time to talk. Better to wait a bit.'

"Oh, okay!" Lv Tiantian didn't ask why and just nodded in agreement. 'Bin is such a good person. If he's looking for me, it must be for something important.' After agreeing, Lv Tiantian continued on her way out to catch the bus. Scarf followed at a leisurely pace, stopping only at the doorway. It craned its neck, watching until Lv Tiantian got on the bus before it returned, lying down again to watch Li weave the corded crafts due for a customer tomorrow.

"Let's go! It'll be dark soon if we don't get a move on!" After drinking some tea to aid their digestion, Director Kong felt ready. He called out for Shen Yibin to get up and head to the park to exercise. Hah'Er trotted along on its short legs, but Xiaoliu remained lazing in its hammock, refusing to move. It seemed to still be sulking because Shen Yibin had spoiled its fun earlier that day.

"Come on, Hah'Er, you lead the way today!" Although Director Kong was in decent shape for his age, he was still getting on in years and couldn't compare to a young man like Shen Yibin. So, Shen Yibin simply had Hah'Er take the lead; the pace set by its short legs was just about right. After a leisurely two laps around the lake, Director Kong went to the lawn to rest. Only then did Shen Yibin pick up his pace, finishing another three laps in one go.

"I'm getting old, so old. Can't compare to when I was young," Director Kong said, his face full of envy as he watched Shen Yibin. He was now successful and famous, lacking neither prestige nor material wealth, but the aging of his body was something that couldn't be reversed. That's why he was so incredibly envious seeing Shen Yibin looking so full of energy.

"You call this old? When I first started exercising, two laps weren't nearly as easy for me as they were for you just now!" Shen Yibin said with a smile, offering a few words of praise. Director Kong and Hah'Er had rested enough, so everyone prepared to head back to the store together.

"Bin, are you staying at the store tonight or at the manor?" Director Kong asked as they neared the entrance.

"Uh, you, Mr. Fang, and Sun Qian should head back first. I still have some things to take care of at the store, so I'll probably be back a little later," Shen Yibin said after a moment's thought. 'I still have to talk to Lv Tiantian later. It's better if they leave first. It'll be easier to talk with fewer people around.'

"Alright, we'll head out then. We'll be waiting for you to make us breakfast tomorrow morning!" Director Kong didn't press Shen Yibin about his business. He just nodded, gathered Fang Yuanshan and Sun Qian, and headed out to the car to drive to the manor. Shen Yibin returned to the store and went up to the terrace to drink tea while he waited for Lv Tiantian to finish her evening self-study.

During this time, Xia Shixuan came to pester him twice, but Shen Yibin put her off both times. "No need to rush. Tomorrow at the latest. I'll give you a definite answer tomorrow." 'Sigh, asking Lv Tiantian today is the least I can do. But honestly, deep down, I still don't think it's possible to sell Scarf to her.'

"Hmph. First, you said you'd decide after coming back from Sichuan. Then, right after we got off the plane, you said we'd talk at the store. Now you're pushing it to tomorrow again. Can you ever give a straight answer?" Xia Shixuan grumbled in dissatisfaction, then went downstairs resentfully to help Hah'Er feed the other pets.

A little after nine in the evening, Lv Tiantian finally arrived from her self-study session. She put down her schoolbag, poured a cup of tea for Shen Yibin, and sat down at the table. Scarf, as if sensing something, also lay down next to Lv Tiantian, quietly watching the two of them.

'Hey, Scarf, you're putting a lot of pressure on me, you know?' Shen Yibin glanced at Scarf, then at Lv Tiantian. After hesitating for a long while, he finally spoke. "It looks like Scarf really likes you. I was wondering if you'd be interested in buying it?"

"Huh? Really? Can I?" Lv Tiantian's eyes lit up when she heard Shen Yibin. 'Who wouldn't love an adorable little creature like Scarf? She was smart enough to realize that Shen Yibin was implying he would sell Scarf to her, so how could she not be thrilled? But on second thought... setting aside Scarf's status as a fashion icon, even a regular Snow Fox is incredibly expensive. And with my family's current situation, we probably can't afford it, can we?' As these thoughts crossed her mind, the light in Lv Tiantian's eyes dimmed. Clinging to a sliver of hope, she asked hesitantly, "How much... is it?"

"Uh… it's two hundred thirty-three thousand, three hundred thirty-three yuan and thirty-three fen," Shen Yibin hesitated for a moment but still quoted Scarf's price. 'I can't help it; the pricing isn't up to me.'

"Ah!" Lv Tiantian cried out in surprise but quickly calmed down. Although the price was far beyond what she could afford, she knew it was still a bargain for Scarf.

She reluctantly stroked Scarf's smooth, soft fur. Scarf closed its eyes in enjoyment and wriggled closer to her.

"Thank you, Bin. I know you quoted that price to do me a favor." Lv Tiantian held no resentment. Li had already had a hard enough time raising her, and the price Shen Yibin offered was more than fair; there was truly nothing to complain about. "But I just don't have that much money right now. I can only thank you for your kindness, Bin!"

Scarf lifted its head slightly, looking at Lv Tiantian with longing. It seemed to realize that it might have to leave her soon. It got up, took a few steps forward, and burrowed directly into Lv Tiantian's arms, then turned its head back to look at Shen Yibin.

'Buddy, don't look at me like that! It's not up to me!' Scarf's stare made Shen Yibin extremely uncomfortable. Here was a pair that was perfect for each other, yet he was the one who had to sell Scarf to someone else. It made him feel like the Queen Mother who separated the Cowherd and Weaver Girl, or like Nanny Rong tormenting Ziwei.

'Forget it. I'll go and try to figure something else out.' Unable to bear Scarf's gaze any longer, Shen Yibin stood up. "Wait here a moment. I'm going to have a quick word with Xia, then I'll take you two home."

'Sigh, I'll go find Xia Shixuan and see if we can figure something out.' Shen Yibin went downstairs, called Xia Shixuan over, and walked to the edge of the pond. He found a rock to sit on. "Come on, let's talk about Scarf."