'Damn it, you want expensive? I have a panda, how about you try raising one of those?' Shen Yibin could see it clearly now. Ma Sicong was just here today to show off in front of Qiao Wenqi. 'But fine, show off all you want. Why are you always targeting me?'
Hearing this, the classmates nearby all gathered around. The ones who came to show their support were all good friends of Shen Yibin, so how could they stand by when someone was provoking him? Xu Ye stepped forward, ready to curse him out.
But before he could speak, Qiao Wenqi cut in. "Ma Sicong, what you're saying is wrong. At the end of the day, pets are animals meant to ease loneliness or provide entertainment. As long as they make people happy, that's all that matters. They're not luxury items for showing off, so there's no need to be so concerned with pedigree and status."
"I think this Siamese Cat is quite cute, and it seems to like me too. Xiaomo and I were just saying the house feels a bit empty. Bin, how much is it?" As she spoke, Qiao Wenqi took out her phone, ready to pay. The cat she had her eye on wasn't the same one Mrs. Wang had been interested in, which saved Shen Yibin a bit of trouble.
"Thanks for being my first customer! Let's just call it eight hundred!" Shen Yibin gave her an even steeper discount than he'd offered Mrs. Wang. At this price, he was basically making no profit. After all, he had personally selected all these pets from Bao's place; they were all top-notch in terms of looks, temperament, and health. But there was no need to bring that up in front of his classmates.
After receiving Qiao Wenqi's payment, Shen Yibin opened the cage and lifted out the Siamese Cat. Mo Xiaomo and Qiao Wenqi immediately took it, unable to put it down. They petted its fur while asking Shen Yibin for care instructions.
Shen Yibin, of course, told them everything he knew, holding nothing back. He peppered his explanation with a few little jokes, making the two of them double over with laughter. Watching from the side, Ma Sicong grew more and more frustrated. After a while, seeing that no one was paying him any mind, he simply left.
"Good riddance. I was thinking if he stuck around, I'd skip lunch. But now, I'm definitely going to have a good drink with you all in a bit." Xu Ye whistled, and everyone else also felt much more at ease.
"The cat carrier is on the house, along with the cat food, litter, and all that. Xu Ye, you drove, didn't you? Can you give them a ride home in a bit?" In the past, Shen Yibin would have definitely offered to drive them himself, but now, he couldn't bear to leave Hah'Er cooped up in the bedroom alone.
With all that commotion, it was soon time for lunch. Shen Yibin put the Siamese Cat back in its carrier, and the group washed their hands and headed out to a nearby restaurant where Shen Yibin had already booked a private room.
Everyone had been busy with work since graduation and didn't get to see each other often, so at the table, they naturally grew sentimental, sharing the trials and tribulations of their work and lives. Bao and the others chimed in from time to time. Without Ma Sicong, the atmosphere at the table was completely harmonious.
"Bin, what are you spacing out for again? You've zoned out several times already. Don't tell me you're dumbstruck because my Qiqi is getting prettier and prettier?" Only Shen Yibin was constantly worried about Hah'Er, unable to keep up with the conversation.
"No, no, it's just that I'm working for myself now. I get a little tentative thinking about the future." Shen Yibin made up an excuse to brush it off.
After lunch, Bao and the others had to get back to work, so they left first. Only Xu Ye, Qiao Wenqi, and Mo Xiaomo stayed behind at the shop to ask Shen Yibin more questions. Hmm, it seemed that rascal Xu Ye had taken a liking to the Golden Retriever. Shen Yibin sold it to him at cost, and now the Golden Retriever was lying obediently at his feet, snoozing with its eyes half-closed.
"...Besides all that, you also need to get it licensed and vaccinated. I have connections for that. Just contact the person on this business card and mention my name." Of course, you have to provide the full service. Shen Yibin had already smoothed over all these connections.
"Also, no matter how well-behaved it is normally, you must put it on a collar and leash when you go out. You might know it's a good dog and won't bite, but that doesn't mean other people know that. You don't want to go scaring people." This was something all pet owners should do. Shen Yibin couldn't stand people who had large dogs and didn't keep them on a leash.
"FLUSH..." Just as he was happily chatting, the sound of a toilet flushing suddenly came from upstairs. Shen Yibin's heart skipped a beat. 'That must be Hah'Er. Don't tell me someone's going to find out?'
Just what he was afraid of. It happened to be a quiet moment, so they heard the sound crystal clear. Mo Xiaomo asked curiously, "Bin, is there someone living upstairs?"
"No, I live here alone." 'Please don't ask to go upstairs for a look! Please don't ask to go upstairs for a look!'
"Then how come I thought I heard a flush? Could it be a burglar?" Mo Xiaomo lowered her voice.
'Why do you have so many questions! Why is a girl so curious about toilets?!' "You must have misheard. It wasn't from my upstairs, it was probably the neighbors. Their bathroom is right next to mine!"
"Oh, look at the time, it's getting late. I should head back too. Bin, can you help me move the carrier to the car?" As expected of a good brother of many years, Xu Ye stepped in to help him out of the jam.
"Oh, right, evening rush hour is starting soon. You guys should get going!" Now Shen Yibin didn't dare try to make them stay any longer. Who knew what other noises Hah'Er would make? Besides, the little guy had been cooped up in the room all day and was probably going stir-crazy. Shen Yibin's heart ached for him.
"Then we'll get going. We'll come by again when we have time." Qiao Wenqi grabbed Mo Xiaomo, who still looked like she wanted to say something, and picked up the cat food and other miscellaneous items, ready to leave.
Shen Yibin quickly helped them load the carrier into the car. "Thanks so much for coming today. Come hang out whenever you have time." 'You can come, but please not in the next couple of days!'
He waved goodbye, and the second he saw Xu Ye's car disappear around the corner, Shen Yibin rushed back into the store. He pulled down the rolling shutter and the curtains, then shot up to the second floor like a blur.
"Hah'Er, you're not hungry, are you?" He got to the bedroom, but there was no sign of Hah'Er. This terrified Shen Yibin, and he frantically started searching everywhere.
Not under the bed, not in the kitchen, and not on the balcony! Shen Yibin was about to cry. If this little guy had gotten out, it would be a complete disaster!
"Hah'Er, where on earth did you go?!" Shen Yibin yelled.
"Nn! Nn!" A heavenly sound came from the bathroom. It was Hah'Er's cute little voice.
Shen Yibin immediately rushed over and threw open the bathroom door. He saw Hah'Er perched on the toilet, a conflicted look on his face.
"Uh, it's been a while since the flush. Why are you still sitting here? You're not constipated, are you?" 'What would I do if he's sick? Where would I even find a doctor for him?'
"Nn~ Nn~" Hah'Er grunted twice, then extended a paw and pointed at the toilet paper dispenser. The dispenser was completely empty.