Shen Yibin felt a massive headache coming on. If it was just about Hah'Er, he could handle it; meeting reporters might even drum up some business for the shop. But who knew what other bizarre and exotic pets the Future Pet Shop would send him next? If reporters were constantly staked out at his shop, he'd be caught and thrown in jail sooner or later.
"Everyone, excuse me, but Hah'Er is a little tired. We need to head back and rest. We can come back and play with you all again tomorrow." 'Time to retreat,' he thought. 'Better leave quickly before the reporters get here. I couldn't stop them from taking pictures earlier, but I should have the right to refuse an interview, right?'
"Okay! I'll find some tender bamboo leaves to bring tomorrow. You have to make sure you come back!" 'Come on, why are you so fixated on that?' Shen Yibin thought in exasperation. 'My Hah'Er likes twice-cooked pork, thank you very much!'
"Big brother, big brother, where's your home? Can I come over to play?" Nuomituan clung to Hah'Er's paw, reluctant to let go. "Nuomituan is very well-behaved, I promise I won't be any trouble!"
"Uh, I just opened a pet shop right nearby. If your mother agrees, you can come." The little girl's earnest expression made it impossible for Shen Yibin to refuse.
"Tuantuan, haven't you always wanted a pet? How about Mommy takes you to the big brother's shop to have a look, okay?" Nuomituan's mother was an understanding woman. She shot Shen Yibin an apologetic smile before speaking. 'Since we've troubled him,' she thought, 'we should at least offer some compensation. Patronizing his business would be a good way to do that.'
"I'm going to call for backup. If you don't want to be interviewed, just say no. We'll have your back. Protecting the normal operations of a legitimate business is part of our job description." Bai Yanni had quickly found the official justification she needed to intervene.
"Okay, I'll have to trouble you then." Shen Yibin wasn't one to be needlessly polite; he accepted at once. Who knew how many reporters would be interested in this story? If all he did was handle them, he'd never get anything else done.
After saying goodbye to the elderly crowd, Shen Yibin, Bai Yanni, Hah'Er, and Nuomituan with her mother headed for the shop. A few other seniors who were interested in owning a pet followed behind, and soon they all arrived at the store.
"Mama! Mama! Look at the cute doggy!" The moment she entered the shop, Nuomituan was captivated by a small, adorable Chihuahua. Pulling Hah'Er along, she trotted over to its cage and crouched down to get a better look. The other seniors gathered near her, discussing the other pets. Most elderly people nowadays lived apart from their children, and a pet could provide welcome companionship and lessen their loneliness.
"He's very gentle, he doesn't bite. If you want to see him up close, I can have Hah'Er take him out for you," Shen Yibin said as he brewed tea for the guests. 'The Chihuahua is still just a puppy, so it's not dangerous,' he thought. 'Plus, Hah'Er is right there watching.'
"Okay!" Nuomituan immediately looked toward Hah'Er. The panda grunted in response, reached out a paw, and unlatched the cage. At Hah'Er's direction, the little Chihuahua ambled out. It circled Nuomituan a few times, sniffing continuously as if to familiarize itself with her scent, before resting its head on her shoe and lying down comfortably.
"Mama, Mama, this doggy is so well-behaved! Can we take him home, please? Huh? Tuantuan will help give him baths and set up his house, so Mama won't have to work hard." 'This Black and White Bun belongs to big brother, so Tuantuan can't take him home,' she thought. 'But having a doggy for company would be great too!' For that, Nuomituan was willing to do more chores.
The little girl's behavior drew a chorus of praise from the seniors. 'Look at how well they raised their child! To have such a good little girl, she's so much better than that little monster I have at home.'
"You're the one who said it, so you have to keep your promise. If you can really do all those things, then Mommy will help you take him home." After getting Nuomituan's solemn promise, her mother came over to Shen Yibin to pay. Shen Yibin went over some important care instructions, gave her his business card, and just like that, another sale was closed.
"Alright, Tuantuan, it's time for us to go home now. We can come back and play with big brother and Tuanzi another time, okay? You still have to go home and set up a new house for your puppy." Having bought the pet, the mother left with a reluctant Nuomituan in tow.
And just as they walked out the door, a huge crowd of reporters surged into Shen Yibin's shop. Their cameras were all aimed at Hah'Er, flashes going off in a frenzy. Startled, Hah'Er immediately ducked behind Shen Yibin.
"What do you think you're doing? Get out! All of you, get out!" Seeing that Hah'Er was frightened, Bai Yanni's heart went out to him, and she immediately stepped forward to intervene.
"Officer, are you just going to stand by and do nothing while you see someone trafficking a giant panda?"
"We have freedom of the press! You have no right to interfere!" the reporters retorted, refusing to back down an inch.
"Mr. Shen's ownership of this panda is completely legal. He has been formally authorized by the Sichuan Giant Panda Base. Your behavior, on the other hand, is having an extremely detrimental effect on the giant panda's mental health. If you don't leave now, I will hold you legally responsible. Furthermore, you are currently inside Mr. Shen's place of business, and you are severely disrupting his normal commercial operations. Please exit the premises at once," Bai Yanni declared authoritatively.
Bai Yanni's words made the reporters check their behavior somewhat, but they still refused to retreat. News was their lifeblood, and with such a huge story right in front of them, no one was willing to give up.
And so, they pinned their hopes on Shen Yibin. "Mr. Shen, could you please grant us an interview?"
"Mr. Shen, if you agree to an exclusive interview, we'll offer a substantial payment."
"Our paper has a massive readership. We can make you famous overnight."
When force didn't work, they resorted to persuasion, dangling temptations of money and fame. One female reporter even subtly lowered her neckline, hoping it would give her an edge in securing the exclusive interview.
But what good was any of that to Shen Yibin? 'All that matters is whether Hah'Er is happy, and you've all scared him half to death!' he thought. "I'm sorry, I am not accepting any interviews, and I want you to stop harassing me. If you don't leave right now, I'm calling the police."
It took a great deal of effort, but with help from Bai Yanni and her colleague, they finally managed to drive the reporters out of the shop. From the looks of it, however, the reporters had no intention of giving up. They simply found spots near the store and settled in, prepared for a long-term stakeout.
'Ah, Hah'Er,' Shen Yibin thought, giving the panda a wry smile. 'It looks like our quiet days are over for a while.'