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The Cat Café’s account on Bishui Station was managed with great care, consistently posting fun and witty videos. Over a few months, they had already amassed over three hundred thousand followers, officially becoming a contracted UP on Bishui Station and one of the prominent UPs in the pet category. It was at this time that the first promotional offer came knocking on their door. It was from a rather well-known pet grooming brand, Happy Pets.
This wasn’t Zhou Yan’s first time receiving a promotional offer, but it was the first time he felt so excited. He eagerly sought out Pei Shiyi and said, “This brand is called Happy Pets, and it’s actually a local brand from Yuchuan. Their official team reached out to us, asking if we’d be willing to promote their new product. Boss, do you know this brand?”
He had looked up reviews online. It seemed to have a pretty good reputation. However, his knowledge of pet products was limited, so he wasn’t sure if it was genuinely good or just well-marketed.
Pei Shiyi, of course, knew the brand. “Yes. The shampoo we use at the cat café is from them. What exactly are they asking us to promote?” All the cats at the café loved the scent of that shampoo, or rather, the lack of scent. After a bath, they were just clean, fluffy cats.
These little troublemakers were hard to please. Pei Shiyi had tried over ten different brands of shampoo for them, most of which were rejected by the majority of cats as soon as they were opened. Pei Shiyi had no choice but to generously donate these barely used shampoos to the pet shop across the street. Finally, he found a brand that all the cats could tolerate, so his impression of Happy Pets was quite favorable.
Zhou Yan pulled up the private message and showed it to Pei Shiyi. “It’s a newly released set of grooming products, shampoo paired with conditioner. It seems there’s also a new set of combs. They want to discuss the promotional fee with you, boss. There’s also a benefit for our fans: if they purchase through the link we provide, they can get a discount coupon.”
Pei Shiyi thought for a moment and said, “Ask them if we can do a review.”
He actually had this set of grooming products, but he hadn’t opened it yet. He was in the habit of finishing one product before opening another. The set at home hadn’t been used up. Opening a new set for a review wasn’t a big deal. Earlier, when he went downstairs, he happened to see Yun Chao intimidating a burly man. It’s probably because the man had tried to pet her. Yun Chao would definitely be sitting quietly in the basin tonight, waiting for a bath.
Hmm, he might as well wash Tong Qian, too. That unlucky kid had rolled around in the storage room yesterday and gotten covered in dust. It was about time for his bath anyway. The shampoo at the cat café was undoubtedly the fastest-consumed among its peers. After all, with a café full of extraordinary creatures, Miss Penny and Tong Qian had once been human and felt uncomfortable if they went too long without bathing. Yun Chao was just a neat freak, and Song Gao was the rarest type. He loved water.
With these enthusiastic bathers around, the shampoo at the cat café really ran out quickly.
Zhou Yan added the contact left by the other party and communicated with them for a while. Both sides reached an agreement: they would do a review, but there was one condition. Yun Chao had to be the one bathed.
Happy Pets had been observing Xian Chan for some time and had some understanding of the cats. Yun Chao, with her long fur, always looked ethereal and stunning on camera, making her the perfect choice for promoting grooming products. After all, whether the product was good or not largely depended on what the host said, but how beautiful the cat looked after the bath was entirely up to the cat.
And would Yun Chao ever look anything less than beautiful?
Pei Shiyi hummed in acknowledgment. Originally, he had planned to wash Tong Qian for a video shoot. After all, Tong Qian had long wanted to film another video, preferably one that would launch him directly into stardom. Alternatively, he could wash Dan Huang, or if that didn’t work, Song Gao or Yin Zhou. Unexpectedly, Happy Pets directly requested Yun Chao.
Pei Shiyi scanned the room and spotted a certain large fluffball. “Yun Chao.”
Yun Chao shook off the man attempting to stroke her tail and walked over to Pei Shiyi, tilting her head up. “Meow?”
Her voice was sweet. But unlike Fondant’s, it didn’t carry a melodious, trembling trill.
Pei Shiyi bent down to pick her up, leaning close to her ear to whisper a proposal.
Yun Chao lay in his arms, gently swaying her tail, then rubbed against Pei Shiyi. “Meow.” Go ahead.
She was just particular about cleanliness, not burdened by any idol image. For her, beauty was merely superficial. Tidiness and cleanliness were what truly mattered.
Zhou Yan watched enviously, swallowing hard. Such a soft and approachable “big shot” was something only the boss could pet.
Pei Shiyi stroked Yun Chao. He placed her in the cat bed on the climbing frame, then turned to Zhou Yan. “Miss Yun Chao has agreed.”
Zhou Yan immediately straightened up and gave Happy Pets’ contact a definitive reply.
The person in charge of the product review at Happy Pets was efficient and decisive, promptly stating that they would send the new products over that very day, hoping for a pleasant collaboration with the cat café.
Happy Pets was a local enterprise in Yuchuan, with a production facility in the city, so the package arrived that afternoon. Although it was described as a set of grooming products for the cat café to review, what actually arrived was a large box of items.
Pei Shiyi went out to retrieve the package that had been delivered. As soon as the cardboard box was placed on the carpet, several large cats couldn’t resist squatting beside it, tilting their heads, and looking at Pei Shiyi with expectant, wide-eyed gazes that conveyed one clear message. Boss, can we keep the box after you’re done unpacking?
Pei Shiyi, who had no intention of unpacking the delivery at that moment, was speechless.
Though he couldn’t quite understand the little rascals’ obsession with cardboard boxes, he eventually succumbed under the pressure of all those big, pleading eyes. “Alright, I’ll unpack it now.”
As the cats being petted had all rushed to gather around the box, the customers naturally followed suit, forming a circle around it.
“Hahaha. No cat can resist the allure of a box.”
“I’m really curious about what the boss ordered.”
“Is Yun Chao also curious about the box?”
That big troublemaker, Bo Jin, even deliberately brought Song Gao over, joining the furry kids in watching Pei Shiyi unpack the delivery.
Pei Shiyi: “…” He felt like strangling this dragon.
Tong Qian, brimming with enthusiasm for the box, meowed to the bewildered Song Gao, “Meow meow meow!” This thing is super fun! Let me show you how it’s done later!
Pei Shiyi couldn’t take it anymore and picked up Tong Qian, tossing him into Bo Jin’s arms. If he wanted to play, fine, but he shouldn’t corrupt the little ones. Let him reflect in Bo Jin’s embrace.
Tong Qian suddenly found himself in Bo Jin’s arms, chilled to the bone by the slight cold emanating from Director Bo. He lay on Bo Jin, wanting to protest but not daring to, so he once again pretended to be a plush toy.
Bo Jin pinched the leopard cat’s paw pads, giving them a playful flick, and began petting him without a hint of guilt. It was rare for a cat other than his own son to be forced into his arms, so he naturally took full advantage.
Pei Shiyi opened the box on the first floor. The sound of the blade slicing through the cardboard attracted all the big cats downstairs.
Fondant clung to the box, sniffing carefully. “Meow?”
It doesn’t seem like snacks. What did the boss buy, meow?
Pei Shiyi unpacked a box full of grooming products.
Fondant: ???
Shampoo! Conditioner! Brush! She doesn’t want a bath!
The beautiful big fluffball immediately turned and ran, drawing good-natured laughter from the customers.
Pei Shiyi covered his mouth with one hand, chuckling softly.
Bo Jin asked, “Why did you buy so much shampoo and conditioner? And brushes?”
A whole box. Was this enough grooming supplies to last the cat café for five years?
Pei Shiyi hadn’t expected Happy Pets to send so many things either. Not only were there new products to review, but also classic grooming items with consistently good sales and reputation. They’d sent a whole pack of small samples, and even an expensive set of grooming brushes.
Pei Shiyi picked up the half-dead Tong Qian and placed him in the box. “I didn’t buy them. Don’t just stand there, employee’s family member. Help me carry some of this upstairs.”
Since the fur kids had requested it, he’d leave the box for them.
Bo Jin suddenly felt his arms empty. He rubbed his fingers together, stood up, and followed, picking up various items as he headed to the third floor.
Once on the third floor, Pei Shiyi explained, “The cat café’s account on Bishui Station received a request to review Happy Pet’s new grooming set. All of this was sent by Happy Pets. I just discussed it with Yun Chao. We’ll try out the set tonight.”
Pei Shiyi casually pulled out a brush. “Didn’t expect them to send so much stuff.”
Bo Jin fell silent for a moment. “Can Song Gao take a bath tonight?”
As a Bi’an, Song Gao naturally loved water.
Pei Shiyi said, “Sure.”
Bo Jin replied, “Then I’ll go back a bit later tonight.”
Pei Shiyi didn’t mind at all.
With staying overnight at the cat café as a precedent, going back a little later wasn’t a problem at all.
…
So that evening, when the cat café closed for the day, the fur kids lined up to go upstairs and heard the sound of rushing water.
Fondant perked up her ears: It’s the sound of the showerhead running! Are we really taking a bath? Who’s getting washed?
She stopped in her tracks and hid behind Yun Chao: She didn’t want a bath!
Yun Chao turned and licked her.
Miss Penny asked, “I saw the boss left the camera behind. Are we filming a video tonight?”
Dan Huang trotted upstairs, saying, “This afternoon, the boss told me the cat café got a request to review Happy Pets’ new shampoo. They sent a bunch of stuff over. We’ll even get some promotion fees!”
He turned back. “Our cat café’s Bishui Station account is making money now!”
Dan Huang was bursting with pride, walking with an extra spring in his step.
Yin Zhou followed behind him, dragging his big tail. “So that means we’re taking a bath today?”
Dan Huang: “!!”
He froze, then stiffly turned his head. “A bath?”
Yin Zhou continued upstairs. “Yeah. Isn’t it about that shampoo thing? If we’re using shampoo, we have to take a bath, right?”
Dan Huang slowly backed away. “Um, I just remembered the windows on the first floor might not be closed properly. I should go back down and check.”
Fondant: “Meow meow meow!” I’ll go down with the manager, too.
Dai Dai and Mao Mao exchanged glances, then turned around with a cry and pounced on Dan Huang. “Meowww!” We want to go, too.
The remaining big cats turned their heads, watching as several figures dashed downstairs without looking back.
Yin Zhou, biting his tail, mumbled, “Is taking a bath really that bad?”
Yun Chao continued upstairs. “Taking a bath isn’t bad. I’m washing today.”
The inside of Yin Zhou’s fluffy ears suddenly turned red. He bit his tail and lagged behind.
Tong Qian bumped into him mischievously. “Shy, huh? Let me tell you, the big boss doesn’t count as a girl…”
Whack!
Yun Chao turned and slapped Tong Qian.
Tong Qian yelped and jumped back.
Yin Zhou: “…”
It’s so strange. How could Tong Qian manage to work at the cat café for so long without any issues?
After finishing with the cats, Yun Chao headed into the bathroom. Pei Shiyi had already prepared the bathwater and was testing the temperature. Seeing her come in, he smiled and said, “Come here.”
Yun Chao crouched beside him, leaning in to sniff the bath gel.
Pei Shiyi said, “This one isn’t fragrance-free, but it should be within an acceptable range.” He squeezed a bit of the gel into his palm and held it out to Yun Chao. “Is this okay?”
The faint scent of grass and wood didn’t bother the cat. Yun Chao nodded, then touched the water with her paw pad. Just as she was about to step in, she suddenly sensed something was off and turned her head—
There, lined up from top to bottom along the narrow bathroom door, were eight cat heads.
The cats: “Meow.”
Bo Jin turned his head as well, fell silent for a moment, and said, “Do all of you want a bath?”
Four of the cat heads immediately pulled back. Dan Huang cried out, “No! We don’t!”
Pei Shiyi burst into laughter.
Bo Jin walked over, picked up Tong Qian, who was watching the commotion, and said, “You’re definitely getting a bath today.”
Tong Qian, suddenly lifted into the air, panicked and grabbed onto a large tail, crying out, “Boss, save me!”
Yin Zhou, who had been abruptly lifted: “??”
He was hanging upside down, his tail clutched by Tong Qian. The two large fluffballs strung together in Bo Jin’s hands like a mismatched fur collar.
One of the fur collar pieces wailed, “Boss, I don’t want him to bathe me! Boss, can’t you do something about him?”
What kind of talk is this…
Pei Shiyi was speechless for a moment before spreading his hands helplessly. “I can’t control him.”
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wannaberecluse On SRTT Chapter 50.1