’Egg isn’t cute on sight like Hah’Er, nor does he have a widely known special ability like Cheeky. I thought finding a suitable owner for him would be difficult, but unexpectedly, people have been coming in one after another to ask about his price these last few days. It doesn’t seem to add up.’
"Sir, excuse ... Is this Raccoon Cat for sale?" Seeing that Shen Yibin hadn’t responded for a while, the young girl asked again, bowing as she spoke to show her respect.
"Ah, yes. Of course, he’s for sale." After a mont of stunned silence, Shen Yibin replied hurriedly. He was just about to explain the conditions for purchasing Egg, as well as his price.
However, before he could open his mouth, the young girl beca incredibly excited. She bowed deeply again. "Thank you so much! May I ask Lord Raccoon Cat’s price? I only brought one million. Is that enough? If not, I will find a way to gather the rest as soon as possible. Please, you must allow to take Lord Raccoon Cat away."
’Wait a minute, what’s this "Lord" business? Why is she calling Egg that?’ Shen Yibin glanced doubtfully from the young girl to Egg, who was now curiously poking his head up from the sofa.
"You look like you’ve co a long way. The journey must have been exhausting. Please, sit down and have so tea to rest first. Then we can talk properly, alright?" Shen Yibin guided her to the sofa. "Hah’Er, Egg, make so room for our guest."
The two of them were taking up the entire sofa. To clear a spot, Shen Yibin had to get them to move. Hah’Er didn’t seem to mind; he slid off the couch and ambled over to curl up at Shen Yibin’s feet. Egg, however, seed a little disgruntled. He huffed and stared at the young girl for a mont before deigning to move.
"Ah, please don’t trouble yourself! I can just sit on the small stool. Please, you mustn’t make Lord Raccoon Cat give up his seat." The young girl looked horrified. She seed to want to go over and let Egg stay on the sofa, but she also seed afraid to touch him, leaving her looking utterly flustered.
"I couldn’t possibly. You’re our guest. Egg, co over here." The oblivious Shen Yibin insisted. Reluctantly, Egg got up and nestled in beside Hah’Er.
However, the young girl still seed afraid to sit on the sofa, opting for a small stool beside it instead. When she saw Shen Yibin pour her so tea, she bowed again in thanks. "Thank you so much for your hospitality."
After a few sips of tea, her expression seed to soften a bit. Shen Yibin decided it was the right ti to ask, "May I ask where you’ve co from? And how did you find out about Egg... oh, Egg is this Raccoon Cat’s na... and why are you so determined to buy him?" ’She can’t be older than twenty, can she? Would her family really let her spend so much money on a pet? The last thing I need is for her parents to show up at my door, thinking I’m so kind of scamr.’
"This is how it is." Shen Yibin had asked several questions rather quickly. Although the young girl’s Chinese was good, it was still a bit of a struggle for her to keep up. She paused for a mont before answering. "First, allow to introduce myself."
As she spoke, the young girl’s expression beca solemn. She bowed to Shen Yibin once more. "I am Sakai Kaori, the current heir and shrine maiden of the Honjin Raccoon Shrine. It is a pleasure to et you."
’A shrine? An heir? A shrine maiden? What kind of bizarre situation is this?’ Sakai Kaori’s introduction left Shen Yibin completely dumbfounded. ’Hah’Er managed to reel in a princess from Sokovia, and now you, Egg, not wanting to be outdone, have brought ho a Japanese shrine maiden? You two truly deserve to be called sworn brothers!’
"Ah, Miss Sakai, hello. I’m Shen Yibin, the owner of this shop. It’s a pleasure to et you," Shen Yibin replied, returning the courtesy with a clumsy bow. ’Wait a minute,’ he thought, ’why does the na Honjin Raccoon Shrine sound so weird?’
"Yes," Sakai Kaori continued. "Due to my position, I frequently search the internet for news about Raccoon Cats. A few days ago, I happened to see a video of Lord Raccoon Cat dancing, and so I made a special trip here. Honestly, it took quite an effort to find your shop."
Shen Yibin still wore a look of utter confusion. ’What does a shrine maiden have to do with a Raccoon Cat?’ Perhaps sensing his bewildernt, Sakai Kaori quickly explained, "Our family’s Honjin Raccoon Shrine is dedicated to the worship of a Raccoon Cat deity. The tradition dates back to the Warring States period and has continued for over five hundred years. Each heir is required to find a Lord Raccoon Cat and invite him back to the Shrine to be venerated. I am currently in the process of fulfilling this duty."
"Of course, not just any Raccoon Cat can enter the Shrine for veneration. It must be one that possesses a divine nature. That is why I have searched for so long without finding a suitable candidate—until I saw the video of this Lord Raccoon Cat online." With that, Sakai Kaori rose, then knelt on the floor and kowtowed toward Egg. "Lord Raccoon Cat, please return with to the Shrine to accept our worship."
"Wait a second. Raccoon Cats can be worshipped as gods?" Shen Yibin felt his brain short-circuiting again.
"Yes. In Japan, we have the eight million gods. The Raccoon Cat is a highly spiritual animal in Japanese mythology, so many shrines worship them as deities. Besides the Kaori Family’s Honjin Raccoon Shrine, there is also Suoshan Great God Tuoli, who is worshipped at Yashima Temple in Takamatsu City. He is said to bless people with happy marriages, harmonious relationships, a full and happy family, many descendants, and thriving businesses. He has many followers all over Japan."
’Wow, I never knew you were such a big deal, Egg! No matter how popular Hah’Er gets, I doubt anyone would build a temple and worship him, right? In that regard, you’re way ahead of your sworn brother.’ Shen Yibin glanced at Egg, a tentative feeling in his heart. ’If this shrine maiden happened to see that video of Hah’Er dragging Egg up the grassy slope by his feet, would she want to chop Hah’Er into pieces?’
"Um, Egg, you should probably go sit on the sofa with Hah’Er." ’Egg is her god, after all,’ Shen Yibin thought. ’Having him curled up at my feet must seem pretty disrespectful, right?’
"Look, these are photos of our Shrine." Worried that Shen Yibin might not believe her, Sakai Kaori took out her phone, opened the photo gallery, and started showing him pictures she had taken of the Shrine.
’Holy crap, this Shrine is huge!’ From the photos, the Honjin Raccoon Shrine was nestled in the mountains. Its sprawling complex of buildings was massive, and a ceaseless stream of worshippers ca to pray and make offerings. In one photo, Sakai Kaori herself was presiding over a ceremony, dressed in a red and white shrine maiden’s uniform.
"Lord Raccoon Cat is incredibly important to the Honjin Raccoon Shrine. So please, I’m begging you, let take him with ," Sakai Kaori pleaded, once again kneeling and kowtowing on the floor.
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