Future Pet Shop

Chapter 197: Sakai, I Entrust Egg to You

"Sun Qian, you should take the next few days off," Shen Yibin said, relaying the good news as soon as he returned to the shop. "Get yourself ready to record the theme song. Also, Mayor Wang wants you to sing at the opening ceremony of the Dragon Boat Race."

"Thank you, Boss." Sun Qian’s eyes reddened slightly. Only those in the industry knew how difficult the path was. She knew there were countless talented people in the world who were simply buried for lack of an opportunity. From her university days to her time in Yunzhong City, she had tried time and time again. But either her efforts and talent were overlooked, or the other party would make improper demands. After all this time, she still hadn’t seen a glimmer of hope.

She had resigned herself to continuing the struggle, never expecting an opportunity to appear so suddenly. She had long heard of Director Kong’s standing in the entertainment industry. The chance to sing a theme song for him meant a door to a bright future had swung open for her. As long as she kept working hard, she had a real shot at success.

To make an analogy, Shen Yibin’s help was like an examiner in the ancient imperial examinations hand-picking a scholar for the highest honor—a life-changing act of grace. No amount of gratitude felt like enough.

"It was nothing, really. No need for all that," Shen Yibin said, waving his hand dismissively. He then turned to Sylvie and Sakai Kaori. "I’m afraid you two will be a bit busier for the next few days. There are only three days of filming left. I’ll be back to help you after that."

"There’s no need. I’ll just quit my evening singing gig. I’ll use that time to practice. I promise I won’t let you or Director Kong down," Sun Qian interjected before the other two could respond. Shen Yibin had already done so much for her; she couldn’t bear the thought of hurting the shop’s business.

Business at the shop was getting better and better, and it was already a struggle for the three of them to manage. With only two people, they would surely lose customers. So she decided she would have to hold on for a little while longer.

"It’s no problem. Sun has taken such good care of me, so now it’s my turn to help her," Sakai Kaori said earnestly. Sylvie nodded in agreement, conveying that Sun Qian should just go and focus on her practice and leave the shop to them.

But Sun Qian wouldn’t hear of it. She immediately pulled out her phone, called the bar owner, and quit her part-time singing gig, determined to help out at the shop for a little while longer.

"Alright, as long as you’re sure," Shen Yibin conceded. "Xu Ye has already received quite a few résumés. Once I’m done with the promotional video, I’ll call the applicants in for interviews to lighten your workload." Things were different from when Shen Yibin first opened the shop. It had now become the most famous pet store in Yunzhong City, and perhaps the entire province. The compensation was also generous enough to attract a great deal of talent.

"Since something so wonderful happened today, we should celebrate! I have a bottle of fine red wine. Let’s have a drink to congratulate Sun on officially entering the music industry," Sylvie proposed. With that, she darted back to her bedroom and returned with a bottle of good wine she had been saving.

Shen Yibin deftly prepared a few small dishes, and the group gathered on the spacious balcony once more to drink and celebrate. Shen Yibin had to continue filming with Hah’Er the next day, and Sun Qian was on the verge of the most important opportunity of her life, so no one drank too much. Besides, they all remembered their drunken antics from last time. The celebration and conversation were the main event; the alcohol was merely an accessory to enhance the atmosphere.

"Mmm, after the promotional video goes online, Sun will be a huge star. I guess... you’ll probably be leaving us then, won’t you?" Sakai Kaori said suddenly, a little tipsy.

Her words caused the atmosphere to turn chilly. Deep down, everyone had thought about this but had left it unsaid. Now that Sakai Kaori had brought it out into the open, a sense of melancholy was unavoidable. They had all formed a deep friendship with Sun Qian and Cheeky during their time together, and they would be sad to see her go.

"This is a good thing!" Shen Yibin quickly said with a smile. "Sun Qian is so musically gifted; it would be a waste for her to stay here as a shop assistant. Plenty of people can take care of a pet shop, but there are very few musicians who can compose such beautiful music and sing such unforgettable songs. We should be happy for her! Besides, even if she leaves, it’s not like we can never see each other again."

"Sun Qian, when you have your own concert someday, don’t forget to save us tickets for the best seats! We’ll all go to watch you," Shen Yibin said, looking toward the future.

"Yes, I’ll make a special trip from Japan just to see it," Sakai Kaori said with great seriousness.

"In that case, you’ll have to tell me at least a month in advance so I can rearrange my schedule." Sylvie didn’t have the same freedom as Sakai Kaori and Shen Yibin.

"By the way, Miss Sakai." Shen Yibin glanced at Egg, who was stretching languidly on Sakai Kaori’s lap. ’Since Sun Qian is leaving, I might as well settle her matter at the same time to avoid another sad farewell down the road.’ "After all your hard work, you’ve finally earned Egg’s approval. You can purchase it now."

With that, Shen Yibin pulled up a payment QR code on his phone and held it in front of Sakai Kaori. "All you have to do is pay one hundred eighty-eight thousand, eight hundred eighty-eight, and eighty-eight cents, and Egg is yours."

"Hmph! What a shameless profiteer! Selling such a dumb pet for so much money," Cheeky grumbled, seemingly frustrated that his own value was barely a fifth of Egg’s.

"Eh? Mr. Shop Owner, excuse me... is this... is this really happening?" Sakai Kaori had been working so hard precisely for this moment—to buy Egg and bring it back to her family’s Honjin Raccoon Shrine. Now that the opportunity was right in front of her, she could hardly believe it.

"Of course." The results from the Affinity Test app had already confirmed it. Shen Yibin pushed the phone a little closer. "You can pay for it right now." ’She did offer a million right off the bat, so I assume affording this won’t be an issue, right?’

"Thank you so much, Mr. Shop Owner. I will take good care of Egg from now on." Sakai Kaori rose, then knelt on the floor and bowed deeply to Shen Yibin. She then began to recite a mantra passed down in the Honjin Raccoon Shrine, praying for the blessings of the spirits, "Zhazhasizhazhasinasitanaluzhazhasi..."

Shen Yibin glanced at her sideways. ’That mantra sounds so bizarre,’ he thought. ’Is it really okay to be chanting something like that?’