'My brain isn't working right now. Did I mishear because of tinnitus, or is this phone number fake?' Shen Dalong didn't know what to say next. 'That shouldn't be possible. It's not like I found the number online. Could these criminals really have altered the database of our public security system?'
Shen Dalong was a veteran officer, after all. He quickly composed himself, gestured for his subordinate to remove Shen Yibin's handcuffs, and then continued his questioning. "Professor Wu, then why is it that when photos of this panda first appeared online a few days ago, your staff said the Giant Panda Base didn't have this panda?"
"Ahem, you have no idea. This panda was in such a pitiful state when it first arrived at the base. It was injured and had been starving for days, so it was nothing but skin and bones. Now look at those photos online. Isn't it chubby and healthy-looking in every single one? It looks like a completely different panda, so you can't blame our staff for not recognizing it at first." Professor Wu Gui sounded a little embarrassed. "I didn't expect to cause so much trouble for your work. I will absolutely cooperate in any way you need."
"You're saying this panda was injured, correct? Do you know the specific location of the injury? Are there any scars left that we can examine?" Shen Dalong shrewdly latched onto this detail.
"The injury was on its left leg. There's a 2.5-centimeter, crescent-shaped scar below its left knee. You can spot it if you look closely." Professor Wu Gui's memory was crystal clear. "Additionally, our base has this panda's genetic data on file. I'll have someone fax it to you shortly. Other verification documents will be sent at the same time. Just give me your fax number."
"Alright, I'll check it right away and get back to you. Our fax number is..." Shen Dalong hung up the phone, completely bewildered. 'Did I just urgently dispatch my most elite officers and rack my brain to create the most detailed operation plan, only for it to be a complete fiasco?'
"Mr. Shen, we've already confirmed these documents are legitimate, but that doesn't mean you're completely cleared of suspicion just yet. So, we'll need your cooperation for what comes next." Shen Dalong explained to Shen Yibin with a stern face. "Now, please have the panda cooperate with us so we can check for a scar below its left knee."
"Didn't you guys communicate with the Giant Panda Base before dispatching officers? My wrists still hurt." Shen Yibin grumbled. He was growing more and more impressed with the Future Pet Shop's abilities. 'Since they can even handle the Sichuan Giant Panda Base, faking a scar should be a piece of cake for them, right?'
"Mr. Shen, I'm sure you understand the value of a giant panda. It would be unreasonable for us to do nothing when something like this happens, wouldn't it? If it turns out we've made a mistake, we will formally apologize to you," Zheng Dalong said, standing ramrod straight. "Also, if you plan to keep raising this panda here, you will surely encounter a lot of trouble. We will do our best to help you with anything within our power, to ensure this panda can live a better life here in Yunzhong City."
"Well, thank you in advance, then." Shen Yibin had to admit, the officer's last sentence had moved him. 'If people find out I have a panda here, the crowd of onlookers will definitely block the pet shop solid. How am I supposed to do business then? Plus, there's no guarantee someone won't get malicious ideas. It's much easier to steal a panda from me than from the Sichuan Base. Having the police looking out for me would definitely reduce a lot of trouble.'
'How could we not take this seriously? If a panda gets stolen in our jurisdiction, I guarantee our police station would be buried under an avalanche of complaints from every kid in Yunzhong City. No, I have to go back and prepare a plan immediately. Looks like we're going to be busy for a while. But for this little guy, it seems like any amount of hardship is worth it!' Shen Dalong had also been captured by Hah'Er's charm.
"Hah'Er, come here." Shen Yibin led the police officers to the sofa to sit down. Besides Shen Dalong and the two male officers who had arrested him, there was also a sharp and valiant-looking female officer. He made them tea, then waved Hah'Er over, rubbing its head as he asked, "Come on, how about you let these officers take a look at your left leg?"
"Hmph~" Hah'Er looked completely unwilling. It hugged Shen Yibin's arm and kept blowing on the red marks left by the handcuffs, seeming very displeased with what these people had done.
"It can understand you?" The female officer, who had been glaring daggers at Shen Yibin just moments ago, was stunned to see Hah'Er act this way. She was now incredibly jealous of Shen Yibin. 'I want to pet the panda's head too!'
"His name is Hah'Er. He's very smart and can understand most things you say to him." Since he would have to deal with them in the future, Shen Yibin's tone softened. Besides, when it came down to it, he couldn't really blame them. It was all because pandas were just too precious.
'Saying "Hah'Er is very smart"... why does that sound so funny?' Apparently, the female officer understood the Sichuan dialect and knew what "Hah'Er" meant. Unable to resist any longer, she tentatively reached her hand out toward the panda. "Hello, Hah'Er. My name is Bai Yanni."
"Be good and shake the lady's hand." Seeing that Hah'Er was still resistant toward the police, Shen Yibin quickly coaxed it.
"Hmph~" Hah'Er pouted and reluctantly extended its paw to briefly touch Bai Yanni's hand.
"Captain, I don't think it would act like this if it were abducted, right?" After that one handshake from Hah'Er, Bai Yanni instantly turned traitor.
"Bai, don't bring your personal biases into the case," Shen Dalong chided, but the look in his eyes showed nothing but extreme envy for Bai Yanni.
"Hah'Er, come sit on the sofa. Put your left leg here." Shen Yibin struggled to lift Hah'Er onto the sofa, then took a throw pillow and placed it under its left leg. Now Shen Dalong could finally perform the inspection.
"Captain, let me do it! I have 20/15 vision."
"Captain, let me do it. I took forensic classes at the police academy."
"Captain! I have a cat and two dogs at home that I always take care of. Besides, you saw that Hah'Er didn't reject me just now, right? So I'm the most suitable person to complete this task."
Great. Now the police officers were arguing right in front of Shen Yibin, the suspect, fighting for the privilege of touching Hah'Er's left leg.
"Uh, alright, Bai, you do it. Make sure you look very carefully. Once you find it, take a photo for evidence." Shen Dalong was in tears. 'You all used up every good excuse, so what was I supposed to say?'
"Yes, sir! I guarantee I will complete the mission," Bai Yanni replied excitedly. Without a care for whether the floor was dusty, she knelt right down, put on a pair of clean, disposable plastic gloves, and carefully began to examine the area below Hah'Er's left knee.