Future Pet Shop

Chapter 322: Chapter 322: Seems Like It’s Time for an Upgrade

’It’s one thing for those two girls to say I’ve got skills, but if you dare say the same thing, see if I don’t beat the crap out of you.’ Having learned his lesson from last time, Shen Yibin was extremely guarded around him, absolutely determined not to let him cause any more misunderstandings.

"Alright, it’s getting late. We should hurry and board. Bin, we’ll see you in Shanghai!" Director Kong stepped in to bail Fang Yuanshan out, grabbing his arm and dragging him into the security checkpoint. As he left, Fang Yuanshan shot his agent an incredibly resentful look. ’If it weren’t for your terrible idea back then, would I be in this mess?’

"Alright, let’s head back, too! We’re finally done with all this. Tomorrow, I’ll call Officer Bai and take you guys out to have some fun." Shen Yibin got back into the car with Hah’Er and Maphario, stretched comfortably, and began to think about his plans for the next day.

"Who has the day off tomorrow? I’ll take you guys out!" Back at the store, Shen Yibin called out to the girls. "It’s so hot, let’s go fishing by the river!"

"Me, me, me! I want to go!" Xia Shixuan was the first to run over. She looked at Li Shiqing pitifully and said, "Shi Qing, can we switch for tomorrow?" It was supposed to be Li Shiqing and Xie Nannan’s day off.

"The schedule is already set, so let’s not change it. I’ll just take you two out next time; this won’t be the only opportunity," Shen Yibin quickly refused. ’God knows what kind of trouble she’d stir up if I brought her along.’

Dejected, Xia Shixuan went back to work, while Li Shiqing and Xie Nannan started discussing what to wear tomorrow and whether they should bring swimsuits, making Xia Shixuan glare with envy.

A wonderful afternoon and night of rest finally chased away the fatigue from the past few days. Early the next morning, Shen Yibin took Hah’Er, Maphario, Li Shiqing, and Xie Nannan into the car. They then drove to Bai Yanni’s building to pick her up, and the party of four humans, one panda, and one hamster began their pleasant outdoor trip.

They went to the same old spot they often frequented. Bai Yanni and Li Shiqing set up their fishing rods by the river, Hah’Er ran downstream to catch fish, and Xie Nannan held a bucket to collect the fish Hah’Er slapped onto the bank.

As for Maphario, the little guy started squeaking excitedly the moment his feet hit the ground. He clearly loved the outdoor scenery and fresh air. He first zipped onto a large rock to survey his surroundings. Then, as if he’d spotted something, he dove headfirst into the grass on the hillside, startling Shen Yibin, who immediately ran after him.

’You don’t have Egg’s or Shi Gaofei’s combat prowess! What if you run into a snake or something? You’ll be turned into a snack in no time! All I’d be able to do is cry my eyes out by the river! I have to go after you and make sure you’re safe!’

Thankfully, Maphario hadn’t run far. He passed through the grass and arrived under a wild apricot tree, then scampered up the trunk. He started picking the apricots that were beginning to turn yellow. He climbed to the tip of a branch, grabbed an apricot with both paws, twisted it a few times to pluck it off, and then clutched it and began to gnaw on it. In no time, all the apricot flesh was in his belly. After finishing, the little guy patted his tummy, squeaked twice at Shen Yibin, and tossed the apricot pit down. It looked like he was telling Shen Yibin to collect it for him.

’What the heck... It’s bad enough you didn’t pick one for me, but to toss me the pit after you’re finished? This is so frustrating. Huh? Haven’t we already planted several apricot seeds back at the store? They’re already sprouting. Those apricots from Kobe’s line are way bigger than these wild ones. So why on earth is Maphario collecting more seeds?’

Shen Yibin was baffled. After thinking for a long while, a faint possibility occurred to him. ’Perhaps Maphario wants to cross-breed these wild apricots with the domesticated varieties to cultivate an even tastier kind of apricot?’

If that was the case, then Maphario certainly wouldn’t stop at just one pit. Sure enough, the little guy continued to run up and down the apricot tree, twisting off the apricots that were superior in shape and color and tossing them down to Shen Yibin. Soon, Shen Yibin had to make a basket out of his shirt to hold them all.

’Great, now we have fruit for after the barbecue!’ After filling his shirt, Maphario finally stopped. He jumped from the lowest branch onto Shen Yibin’s shoulder, pointed toward the river, and gestured for Shen Yibin to head back.

"Here, try the apricots Maphario picked!" He got a small basin, washed the apricots in it with river water, and then passed them around to Bai Yanni, Li Shiqing, Xie Nannan, and Hah’Er. After taking a bite, every one of them puckered their lips.

"So sour!" Of course, wild apricots weren’t as fragrant and sweet as cultivated ones. Li Shiqing and the others, being inexperienced, were immediately punished for taking such a big bite. However, the sourness was soon followed by a wave of sweetness. When savored slowly, they found these wild apricots had a unique charm all their own.

Sour food is a great appetizer. After eating a few apricots, they started urging Shen Yibin to set up the grill and start barbecuing the fish. The few small fish that Hah’Er had slapped ashore were quickly snatched up and devoured by the group. Even Maphario curiously held the smallest grilled fish and nibbled away until his mouth was shiny with grease.

Munching on grilled fish and apricots, the pleasant day passed quickly. At sunset, everyone returned to the store with the fish they’d caught and the apricots they’d picked.

"Shi Xuan, Gao Shu, come try these!" Bai Yanni offered them the bag of apricots.

"What do they taste like? Are they sour? How do you feel?" Xia Shixuan, having learned her lesson, picked up an apricot and asked.

"They’re a little sour, but pretty good," Bai Yanni answered honestly.

"As the saying goes, ’Sour for a boy, spicy for a girl, sweet for one of each.’ Since you like sour things, it must be a boy." Xia Shixuan said with mock seriousness, pressing her ear to Bai Yanni’s belly. "But... you were only out for half a day and you’re already pregnant? The boss sure works fast, huh?"

’Great, this girl’s mind is in the gutter again!’ Fortunately, everyone was used to her ways, so no one took the bait. Bai Yanni just rolled her eyes and walked away. Deep down, however, she couldn’t help but feel a twinge of regret. ’Sigh, if only what she said were true... A child of mine and Bin’s would surely be smart, beautiful, and healthy, right?’

After dinner, everyone played board games for a while on the second-floor terrace before going their separate ways to rest. Shen Yibin drove Bai Yanni home.

When he got back to the store, he washed up, got into bed, and tried to sleep. Before long, the sound of Hah’Er’s soft snoring could be heard, but Shen Yibin couldn’t quite fall asleep.

The deadline to finalize Maphario’s purchase was almost here. Once the transaction was complete, he’d be upgraded to a Level 2 Partner. ’I wonder what kind of changes will come with it?’