Future Pet Shop

Chapter 225: Pingtou, the National Team Coach

They still had to fly to Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, then transfer to Shanghai, and from Shanghai, they would return to Yunzhong City. Shen Yibin, Sylvie, Alfred, and Hah’Er occupied four seats in first class, but Shi Gaofei wasn’t so lucky. First, its status was far from comparable to a panda’s. Second, the little guy’s reputation was, well, a bit much. The airline didn’t dare keep it in the cabin. What if it picked a fight with someone?

So, Shen Yibin had no choice but to buy a travel carrier, put Shi Gaofei inside, and have it transported in the oxygenated cargo hold. The poor thing was probably in for a rough time. However, with a honey badger’s tenacious vitality, this ordeal should be nothing it couldn’t handle.

After boarding the plane, Hah’Er was once again warmly welcomed by all the crew members and passengers. Even the captain eagerly came out of the cockpit to take a photo with Hah’Er. This made Sylvie, the princess, a little jealous. Compared to Hah’Er’s treatment, she was getting the cold shoulder.

But there was nothing to be said about it. While there weren’t many princesses in the world today, if you really counted, there were still quite a few. Pandas, on the other hand, could only be found in China.

"When we get to Shanghai, I’ll make a delicious meal for you and Shi Gaofei." Shen Yibin patted Hah’Er’s head. The journey had been quite an ordeal, so he had to reward them both when they got back. Shen Yibin knew Hah’Er’s tastes perfectly—he’d start with a big basin of twice-cooked pork. As for Shi Gaofei? Since the little guy loved honey so much, he’d just use honey to make a whole table of dishes for it: honey-glazed char siu, honey-glazed chicken wings, honey-glazed barbecue ribs, all served at once.

If that wasn’t enough, should he buy a snake and make honey-glazed snake meat? Or maybe dry the snake meat, coat it in honey, and make it into spicy sticks for it to eat as a snack?

The plane took off smoothly. Shen Yibin adjusted his seat, lay back with his eyes closed, and began to slowly ponder what kind of owner he should find for Shi Gaofei.

’First, let’s consider Pingtou’s personality and what kind of owner would be most suitable for it. This little guy isn’t afraid of anyone. If you provoke it, it’ll fight you to the death. In the end, only one of you will be left standing. When you think about it, it’s kind of incredible that an animal like the honey badger hasn’t gone extinct, isn’t it?’

’Wait, now that I think about it, selling Shi Gaofei to Lippi as an assistant coach to supervise the National Team’s training seems like a great idea! Isn’t the National Team lacking exactly this kind of Pingtou spirit? If the National Team could be as fearless, daring, and persistent as a honey badger, how could they have failed to break out of Asia for decades? In competitive sports, technique is important, but willpower should never be underestimated.’

’Technique can be developed over time, but without fighting spirit, there’s no hope.’ Shen Yibin couldn’t help but fantasize about what the National Team would look like if they were possessed by the spirit of Pingtou. They would launch a ferocious charge from the very start, fearlessly facing any opponent, no matter how strong, just like a honey badger. They’d fight until the very last minute of the match. ’If it were like that, even if I couldn’t guarantee an outstanding performance in the World Cup, at least breaking out of Asia wouldn’t be a problem, right?’

’Ah, it’s probably just a fantasy.’ Pingtou probably looks down on the National Team players, right? Shen Yibin shook his head in resignation. ’If I really sold it to Lippi and he took it to the National Team’s training ground, the little guy would probably charge in and knock over every single player on the field. Er, or maybe Pingtou would be suffocated to death by their smelly feet.’

What a pity. It seemed the plan to sell Pingtou to the National Team wasn’t going to work. Shen Yibin was quite disappointed. ’At this rate, I guess the only way we’ll see the National Team play in the World Cup again is when China hosts it, huh?’

’What a shame it’s the 21st century. Otherwise, selling Pingtou to Li Yunlong would have been a great idea, right? He’s just as willing as a honey badger to draw his sword against any enemy. But if that happened, would the classic line change from "Second Battalion Commander, bring up my Italian cannon! Find a way to blast those devils!" to "Second Battalion Commander, bring up my Pingtou! Go maul those devils to death!"?’

’Whoa.’ Shen Yibin couldn’t help but shudder. ’Damn, that’s way too weird of a scene. It would instantly turn a serious historical drama into one of those ridiculous anti-Japanese propaganda shows. I just can’t accept that.’

As for those street punks who "disregard life and death and fight if they don’t submit," although their temper was somewhat similar to a honey badger’s, Shen Yibin looked down on them. He certainly wouldn’t push Pingtou into a pit of fire.

He pondered for a full four hours, right up until the plane landed in Addis Ababa, but Shen Yibin still couldn’t think of any good candidates. It seemed he’d probably have to keep it at the shop for now, just like Egg and Cheeky, and see what happened. Maybe a suitable person would show up at his door one day.

’Er, but if that’s the case, I’ll probably have to keep a close eye on the other pets in the shop. If some clueless critter provokes Shi Gaofei, won’t it end up as dinner?’

After getting off the plane, Shen Yibin quickly found the travel carrier holding Shi Gaofei and let it out for a breather. There were still more than ten hours of flying ahead; they had only finished a quarter of the journey. The little guy still had a long way to go.

"Mmm!" Hah’Er sat on the ground and sympathetically patted Shi Gaofei’s back. Currently, only Shen Yibin and Hah’Er were allowed this privilege. Not even Sylvie was permitted; Shi Gaofei didn’t allow others to touch its body.

After a two-hour rest, the group boarded the plane again. This time, they fell into a deep sleep as soon as they were on board, waking a few times in between only to fall asleep again. When they finally reached a point where they couldn’t sleep anymore, they had arrived in Shanghai. At last, Shi Gaofei could be let out.

In the car sent by the hotel to pick them up, Shen Yibin carefully opened the travel carrier. He found Shi Gaofei still looking energetic. More than ten hours of flying hadn’t caused it to show the slightest sign of fatigue. It seemed that after taking that pill, Shi Gaofei’s endurance had improved again.

Shen Yibin quickly took out the honey he had prepared and fed it to Shi Gaofei. ’The little guy must be starving after not eating for so long. Let it eat something to tide it over for now. I’ll make you a proper meal when we get to the hotel.’

Once at the hotel, Shen Yibin immediately cooked a lavish meal for it and Hah’Er. Shi Gaofei devoured all sorts of honey-glazed dishes with glee, not stopping until it couldn’t eat another bite and lay on the bed, clutching its round, full belly.

After resting for a night, they boarded a flight back to Yunzhong City the next day. This flight was much shorter, and soon they landed at the airport in Yunzhong City.

"Shi Gaofei, when we get to the shop, you’d better not bully the other pets," Shen Yibin cautioned while petting Shi Gaofei, afraid the little guy would raise hell the moment it arrived. The pets there were no match for it.