Daily Life in the Pet Shop Ch. 96

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After seeing Cai Ya off, Du Qianze returned to the lounge, feeling like things were finally falling into place. Although Cai Ya's status wasn't as high as Sui Yuan's, he had a vast network of connections. Almost every noteworthy figure in the entertainment industry had appeared on "Super TV Shows" at some point and had at least some level of acquaintance with him. Even if they weren't close, Cai Ya's involvement would undoubtedly amplify the video's reach beyond their expectations.

"I'm heading back. Try to accept every job opportunity you can in the near future. Before you get blacklisted, don't even think about taking a break. If Chi Rui asks about the script, I'll tell him you haven't made up your mind yet. If he insists on coming to you, remember to tell him that I've been urging you to take the role, but you refused to listen," Hai Yang said as he stood up, preparing to leave.

"Wait." Du Qianze suddenly called out. "I remember your sister has always wanted a pet. There are a few adorable hamsters in the backyard. Want to take one home for her?"

"No, too much trouble to take care of," Hai Yang rejected without hesitation.

"If you take them, the shop will give you all the necessary hamster supplies for free. You won't have to spend a single penny, and you can bring home a few cute hamsters to make your sister happy. Sounds like a great deal, doesn't it?" Du Qianze had spent enough time with Hai Yang to know exactly how to persuade him.

"Fine, let's take a look." As expected, Hai Yang's resolve wavered the moment he heard the word "free." While he wasn't exactly stingy, passing up a good deal felt like a waste.

As Hai Yang headed toward the backyard, Du Qianze stayed behind and told Fang Yue to make sure Hai Yang received a full set of hamster supplies when he took the hamsters home. He would cover the cost himself.

Fang Yue waved her hand dismissively. "It's just a small thing. The shop can afford it—as long as we can send those hamsters away as soon as possible."

"Why are you in such a hurry to get rid of them?" Du Qianze asked, standing next to Fang Yi. The shop had plenty of small animals, so keeping a few more shouldn't be a problem. He couldn't understand why Fang Yue and Fang Yi seemed so eager to give the hamsters away.

"Because hamsters breed endlessly," Fang Yi explained. "They mature in two months and can mate in three. If we don't give them away early, in a year, the shop will be overrun with hamsters."

Following Fang Yi to the hamster cage, Du Qianze saw White Jade Bean and Chickpea locked inside. White Jade Bean seemed perfectly content, running happily on its exercise wheel, but Chickpea looked miserable. It probably missed its mate, as it gazed pitifully at White Jade Bean through the bars, stretching out its tiny paws longingly.

"Where are the baby hamsters?"

"In another cage. They're still young, so they're kept together for now. Once they turn a month old, they have to be separated," Fang Yi said, pointing to a nearby cage. Unlike the others, this cage had its door wide open, with only a single hamster inside, sleeping on its back.

"Da Huang," Fang Yi called out toward the yard. A cat's meow responded from somewhere, and Fang Yi walked in that direction.

"This hamster is way too small—barely big enough to fill the gap between my teeth. Why would I want to keep it?" Hai Yang muttered as he picked up the sleeping hamster.

The little hamster seemed to hear his comment. It suddenly rolled over, stood up in Hai Yang's palm, and stared straight at him.

Hai Yang reached out and poked the hamster's chubby belly. The little creature didn't dodge. Instead, it grabbed his finger, nibbled on it twice, then disdainfully tossed it aside.

"Interesting." Hai Yang chuckled, finding the hamster amusing. He held it in his hand and walked toward Fang Yi and Du Qianze.

"What are you guys doing?" he asked, surprised to see the two squatting motionlessly on the ground.

"Shh, don't talk," Du Qianze whispered, pulling Hai Yang down beside him.

Hai Yang looked down and saw several hamsters on the ground. Fang Yi and Du Qianze were watching them intently.

Aside from the one in Hai Yang's hand, all the baby hamsters were here. Two were napping nearby, while another was mimicking a cat's movements.

The big yellow cat arched its back, and the little hamster beside it did the same. The problem was, the hamster's belly was too round, making the action look rather ridiculous.

Once in position, Da Huang suddenly pounced forward, pinning a hamster under its paw. Meanwhile, the imitating hamster lunged at another hamster and bit its neck a few times.

"Hey, what are you doing? Why are you just watching?!" Hai Yang reached out to save the hamsters, but Du Qianze stopped him.

"Shh, just watch," Du Qianze said excitedly, eyes fixed on the scene. This was the first time he had ever seen a hamster hunting another hamster.

After biting its "prey" a few times, the small hamster poked it with its paw. The other hamster lay completely still, playing dead. Overjoyed, the little predator ran back to Da Huang, pressed against it, and gently patted the cat's leg, as if asking for praise.

Da Huang meowed a few times, seemingly in approval, before patting the little hamster with its paw and leading it off to play elsewhere, leaving the two "dead" hamsters behind.

"You guys are brutal. If you can't give them away, you're just letting the cat eat them? Fang Yi, are you sure you run a pet shop?" Hai Yang asked, exasperated. Just a moment ago, they were discussing how to deal with a villain, and now Fang Yi seemed like the real villain. How did Du Qianze get fooled by him? His brain must be broken.

"The cat didn't eat them. Look, the hamsters are still here," Fang Yi pointed at the two motionless baby hamsters.

"For hamsters, what's the difference between playing dead and actually being dead?" Hai Yang scoffed.

"They're not dead." Fang Yi poked one of the tiny hamsters.

It took a long moment before the little hamster stirred, peeked around cautiously, then quickly shut its eyes again, pretending to be dead—its breathing so faint it was barely noticeable.

"This is..." Watching the tiny hamster's shifty eyes darting around, Hai Yang suddenly felt that the person who coined the phrase "thief-like eyebrows and rat-like eyes" truly had a deep understanding of the subject.

"These little hamsters grew up under the watch of cats, so they're not afraid of them. That hamster just now probably thinks it's a cat and pesters Da Huang every day, asking him to teach it how to catch mice. These two are its brothers, and they often play like this.

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