Future Pet Shop

Chapter 80: The Talent Show Concludes

"There are only three days left, and Mr. Shen still won’t budge. I’m out of ideas," Li Yinchen said with a frown. He had raised the profit share to sixty percent, but Shen Yibin still hadn’t signed.

"Negotiations to buy the parrot directly have also fallen through. Mr. Shen is still insisting on a price of exactly thirty-eight thousand, three hundred eighty-four yuan and thirty-eight cents, but the buyer must meet his requirements. I just don’t get it. We’re throwing all this money at him, so why won’t he just take it!" the shareholder with the black-rimmed glasses said, equally annoyed.

"The plan to invite Mr. Shen to stream on our platform also failed. He has no interest whatsoever." Of course he wasn’t interested. Nearly half of the three-month deadline had passed, and he still hadn’t found a suitable owner for Cheeky. If this dragged on any longer, he’d end up in prison dropping the soap. How could Shen Yibin possibly be in the mood to do a live stream?

"Then there’s only one option left. Starting tomorrow, let’s bring out the masters from the music conservatories and national orchestras." ’It might cut into our profits, but it’s better than getting nothing, right?’

For the last three days of the talent show, the organizers changed their strategy, making instrumental masters the main performers. However, this created a new set of problems. While these masters possessed profound skill and an undeniable love for music, they fell short in other areas.

For instance, there was the guzheng master. His love for music and his technique were maxed out, but his personality was too serene. He preferred a quiet life, which was a poor match for Cheeky’s boisterous, chattering nature.

Then there was the violin master. His musicality was also impeccable, but he had to fly all over the world for performances and wouldn’t have much time to spend with Cheeky.

And the erhu master who had just left the stage—his skill was just as divine, and his passion for music was known to all. Unfortunately, he was already getting on in years and had trouble even taking care of himself, let alone a pet.

For three whole days, master after master delivered high-caliber performances to the live audience and those watching online. They enthralled even viewers who previously had no interest in instrumental music, but Shen Yibin still couldn’t find a suitable buyer.

"Cheeky, it looks like this approach isn’t working. I’ll have to find another way for you," Shen Yibin said in disappointment after the last contestant left the stage.

"Yeah! Yeah!" Hah’Er, on the other hand, didn’t seem to mind. It actually seemed happy that Cheeky would be staying at the shop.

"It’s finally over. Does this mean you’ll have more time to take us out to play now?" Cheeky asked, snapping out of his musical trance. He didn’t seem to have a care in the world.

"We’ll see if I can hire someone suitable. I’ll look into some other recruitment channels when I get back." The search for a new shop assistant wasn’t going well, either; he still hadn’t found the right person. Shen Yibin had been completely exhausted lately.

So, when the talent show ended, besides his regret, he also felt a tinge of relief. ’Finally, I don’t have to work around the clock like this anymore. No matter what, I’m not opening the shop tomorrow. I’m going to sleep in.’

However, no sooner had the thought crossed his mind than his plan was interrupted. Li Yinchen walked up to him and said, "Mr. Shen, are you sure you don’t want to reconsider continuing?"

"No, really. It seems like we could do this for another month and still not find the right person," Shen Yibin said, shaking his head. He had made his position clear countless times over the past few days.

"That’s a real shame. It was a great pleasure working with you, and I hope we’ll have another opportunity in the future." Li Yinchen had only asked casually, not really expecting much. After being rejected again, he didn’t press the issue. Instead, he extended his hand to shake Shen Yibin’s. "Our finance team is working hard to calculate the profits from the event. We should have a rough number by tomorrow morning. I’ll bring you the first payment then."

"Then I’ll have to trouble you." Shen Yibin couldn’t help but fantasize. ’This event was such a huge success. Even with only a thirty percent cut, it should be a lot of money, right? Then I can...’

"Well then, we’ll look forward to working together again when the opportunity arises. There’s a celebration dinner tomorrow. I’ll come and pick you up then." Li Yinchen still had a lot to do. Since the chances of future collaboration with Shen Yibin seemed slim, he didn’t waste any more time and went to attend to other guests.

"Let’s go. Time for us to head back, too. Looks like I won’t be sleeping in tomorrow after all." Shen Yibin led Hah’Er by the hand, with Cheeky perched on his shoulder, as they left the venue. They got into the private car arranged by the staff and returned to the shop.

"Finally, we can get some rest." Back at the shop, the three of them collapsed onto the sofa in unison. Lately, they had been running the shop during the day, going to a KTV in the afternoon, and attending the talent show at night. They were all exhausted. The thought of not having to work late anymore brought an immediate sense of relief.

"Sigh, but I’m afraid we won’t get to really rest until the day after tomorrow. How about this: the day after tomorrow, we sleep in, and then we go on an outing in the afternoon?" Shen Yibin didn’t care that the day after tomorrow was a weekend; he just wanted to recover for two days first.

"Yeah! Yeah!" Hah’Er perked up instantly at the mention of an outing.

"The air in that stadium was just awful. I’d love to go to a forest and breathe some fresh air," Cheeky said, now too tired to even talk much.

"Alright, let’s go wash up and get some rest." After sprawling out for a bit, Shen Yibin recovered some energy. He led the two of them upstairs, and they each got into bed and quickly fell asleep.

In his dream, Shen Yibin saw the three-month deadline arrive, and he still hadn’t found a suitable owner for Cheeky. And on that very day, Bai Yanni’s expression turned cold. She cuffed his hands behind his back and shoved him into a police car...

"That scared me to death! It was just a dream." Shen Yibin shot up in bed. Seeing the sunlight streaming through the window, he realized it had only been a nightmare.

’But it might just come true. There are only about forty days left. I have to find an owner for Cheeky, and fast.’ With these thoughts, Shen Yibin couldn’t get back to sleep. Besides, Li Yinchen was coming over with the money soon. So, he just got up, got ready, and opened the shop to wait for Li Yinchen’s arrival.

He didn’t have to wait long. Just after nine o’clock, a bloodshot-eyed Li Yinchen walked into the shop. After a few pleasantries, he took a check out of his briefcase and handed it over. "Mr. Shen, this is the first payment. According to our finance team’s calculations, this amount is roughly half of your total earnings."

’Let’s see how much I made this time.’ Shen Yibin quickly took the check and looked at it.