Future Pet Shop

Chapter 84: Excited Bank Employees

"There’s another one?! AHEM, AHEM!" Professor Wu Gui could barely control his emotions. The government’s funding for the Giant Panda Base had always been substantial. On top of that, there was income from leasing pandas to foreign countries—one million US dollars per panda per year—as well as donations and ticket sales. The Giant Panda Base was far better funded than other similar domestic institutions.

But what researcher ever complains about having too much funding? With over thirty million, they could at least purchase a batch of the most advanced equipment and upgrade both the labs and the pandas’ living environments. This might even lead to breeding a few more cubs and publishing several heavyweight scientific papers. That was why Professor Wu Gui was so ecstatic.

"Yes, it should arrive sometime this month. It won’t take long." ’Waaah, I really wanted to keep this money for myself,’ Shen Yibin thought, forcing himself to say the words.

"Wonderful! That’s just wonderful! On behalf of all the staff and pandas at the Giant Panda Base, I thank you, Mr. Shen, and your generous friend." Professor Wu Gui had composed himself by now. "I sincerely invite you and your friend to visit the Sichuan Giant Panda Base, so we can publicize your great deed."

"Um, that’s probably not necessary, is it?" Shen Yibin had made the donation in Cheeky’s name, and he worried that major publicity would attract all sorts of trouble. "My friend doesn’t like dealing with the media."

"Bin, I’m actually thinking about this from the Giant Panda Base’s perspective." To persuade Shen Yibin, Professor Wu Gui switched to a more familiar form of address, making him sound more affable. "Once a good deed like this gets out, it’s bound to become a major news story. That will attract more kind-hearted people to donate to the Giant Panda Base, which means we can provide an even better life for more pandas."

As the Sect Leader of an entire base, the ability to secure funding was perhaps even more important than scientific prowess. Professor Wu Gui had become self-taught in this art over the years. He wanted to use this opportunity to acquire more funds for the Giant Panda Base. After all, hadn’t Eldest Young Master Wang’s "adoption" of a panda at the base recently triggered a donation craze? He was hoping to pull the same trick twice.

Of course, Eldest Young Master Wang "adopting" a panda was different from Shen Yibin’s situation. He couldn’t take the panda home—it had to remain at the Sichuan base. All he received were the naming rights for this Panda. He took the opportunity to name this Panda "Meng Qi," supposedly to commemorate his girlfriend at the time.

Young Master Wang seized the opportunity to heavily promote his live-streaming platform, and the Sichuan Giant Panda Base also reaped substantial benefits. It was a win-win partnership. Inspired by this, Professor Wu Gui wanted to generate some hype around this new donation as well.

"If I have time, I’ll bring Hah’Er to the Giant Panda Base in the near future." ’Provided I’ve found a suitable owner for Cheeky by then,’ he added mentally. "However, my friend will absolutely not make a public appearance, nor will he reveal his name. As long as you don’t violate those two conditions, you’re free to handle the publicity however you see fit."

"I suppose that’s how it will have to be, then. Please thank your friend for me again." Professor Wu Gui regretfully abandoned that part of his plan, but there was still plenty of room to maneuver.

’Sigh, there goes over thirty million, just like that. I’d better get back to making money.’ Shen Yibin listlessly woke up Hah’Er and Cheeky, then pulled up the rolling metal door. The pet store was open for business.

Shen Yibin was out of sorts the entire afternoon. He had just donated seventeen million, and now, when discussing pet prices in the hundreds or thousands, he had no feel for the numbers at all. Customers found it incredibly easy to haggle him down.

When he tallied everything up, it looked like business had been good that afternoon. The number of sales wasn’t low, but his actual profit was minimal. In fact, he didn’t make a single cent on several of the pets.

’Sigh, I really need to take a day off to get my head straight. If I keep doing business like this, forget making a profit—I might end up losing my original capital.’

’Tomorrow, I’ll sleep in as planned, then take Hah’Er and Cheeky out for a stroll. I wonder if Officer Bai has any time? I’ll ask her after dinner.’

"Let’s go, Hah’Er, Cheeky. Time to go out and sing." Of course, his recent hard work hadn’t been entirely for nothing. At the very least, Shen Yibin’s singing skills had improved considerably. If he were to enter a talent show now, he wouldn’t get eliminated in the first audition round. He had actually grown to enjoy his daily singing excursions.

The only thing that soured his mood slightly was that the profit he’d made today would probably only be enough to cover food for the three of them, plus the cost of their singing outing.

After resting for a day, then going out with Bai Yanni and his two pets to get some fresh air and clear his head, Shen Yibin finally started to feel like himself again. He emerged from the funk of losing seventeen million and was back in his groove when he reopened the shop.

Furthermore, the talent show had made him and his pet store household names in Yunzhong City. His shop was the first place people thought of when they wanted to buy a pet. As a result, there was a near-constant stream of customers every day, and the significant upswing in business did a lot to improve Shen Yibin’s mood.

The only thing he remained unsatisfied with was that he still hadn’t managed to hire a suitable employee. It was simply too much for just him and Cheeky to handle all the customers, and they were exhausted every day.

A little over a week later, Li Yinchen paid him another visit. His team was highly efficient; they had already calculated the financials and Shen Yibin’s profit share. Li Yinchen handed him another check.

"This is for eighteen million, two hundred forty-seven thousand, six hundred and fifty-two. Allow me to explain..." After handing over the check, Li Yinchen explained the breakdown of the funds, then once again extended an invitation to continue their partnership, which Shen Yibin once again refused.

After seeing Li Yinchen off, Shen Yibin left Cheeky and Hah’Er at home and prepared to go to the bank to transfer the money to the Sichuan Giant Panda Base. The police booth in front of the shop had been completed, so he wasn’t worried about leaving the two of them alone for a short while.

"Mr. Shen, you’ve arrived! Please, have a seat in the VIP room while I get you some tea." The moment Shen Yibin entered the bank, the lobby manager eagerly came forward to greet him. Shen Yibin’s lavish transaction last time had become something of a legend within the bank; there wasn’t a single employee who didn’t recognize him now.

"Mr. Shen, what can we help you with today?" a bank employee asked expectantly, setting down a cup of tea at the perfect temperature.

"Same as last time. A donation to the Sichuan Giant Panda Base. This time, it’s for eighteen million, two hundred forty-seven thousand, six hundred and fifty-two yuan." Shen Yibin handed over the check, which was still cool from not being in his possession for long.

Even for bank employees who had seen their fair share of large transactions, Shen Yibin’s actions left them utterly stunned.