The Shelter had no steady funding source and had relied on private donations and volunteer work to survive all these years.
However, the number of stray animals kept rising.
Food expenses alone each month were significant, not to mention neutering, vaccinations, and medical bills.
The Shelter was already operating at a loss.
So the Shelter Director took a gamble, personally funding Orange Bao’s shooting of the PSA.
All post-production was done by volunteers.
After all this effort, they only hoped to use Orange Bao’s popularity to attract more attention.
Xie Xiaobao, after several visits, understood the Shelter’s situation.
He initially refused payment for Orange Bao, even donated some money himself, but these were just drops in the bucket—not sustainable long-term.
If the Shelter wanted to survive, it needed stable income.
Xie Xiaobao thought taking the pet star route was a good idea.
The recent surge in popularity wasn’t just about praising Orange Bao.
Many netizens also felt Da Zhuang and Xiao Hei were smart and asked about adopting them.
Following Orange Bao’s path, letting Xiao Hei and Da Zhuang take commercial gigs could solve the Shelter’s financial woes for quite a while.
Xie Xiaobao had the idea but hesitated, so he nervously called He Yu.
He Yu was listening to Old Wang’s report.
After a lull, Old Wang had suddenly become busy again.
After the PSA, various offers flew in like snowflakes.
Old Wang sorted through and presented some good ones to He Yu.
He Yu gestured for Old Wang to wait, then answered the call.
“Hey, Xiaobao?”
Xie Xiaobao eagerly shared his idea with He Yu.
“What do you think? Is it doable?”
He Yu was surprised by how much Xie Xiaobao cared about the Shelter.
After a moment, he smiled.
“Not bad, but the Weibo heat won’t last long.”
Xie Xiaobao was taken aback.
He hadn’t thought of that, but on reflection, online hype really was short-lived.
“Then what should I do?” Xie Xiaobao asked dejectedly.
He Yu smiled and picked up a script from the table.
“There’s an opportunity now that might make your idea possible.”
“What opportunity?” Xie Xiaobao asked anxiously.
He Yu chuckled, “Are you free? Come to the company. Old Wang’s here too. It’s clearer to talk face to face.”
Xie Xiaobao exclaimed and hurried out the door, rushing to the company.
He Yu put away his phone and handed the script to Old Wang.
“Xiaobao’s coming over. This script is good. Let him take a look.”
The script was from Fengsheng Entertainment, intended mainly to promote their own artist.
But it was a modern fantasy comedy about urban relationships with an animal subplot.
It required two cats and one dog.
Two roles had already been cast, but the female lead’s pet cat role was still open.
The crew had set their sights on Orange Bao and sent the script hoping to collaborate.
Since Xie Xiaobao was interested, changing the other two animal actors wouldn’t affect much.
He Yu thought to himself, once Xie Xiaobao agreed, they could proceed.
Xie Xiaobao rushed to the top floor and straight to He Yu’s office.
There was a loud knock at the door.
Old Wang opened to find him panting heavily.
Old Wang laughed helplessly, “Why are you so out of breath?”
Xie Xiaobao caught his breath and replied, “I ran here.”
He Yu poured him a glass of water.
“Drink, sit down, then we’ll talk.”
Xie Xiaobao gulped half the water, then set the cup down, his eyes sparkling as he looked at He Yu.
“What opportunity did you mention?”
He Yu rubbed his head in mock exasperation and handed him the script.
“Here. Take a look first.”
Xie Xiaobao took it curiously and found it was a movie script.
The movie, Pet Fate, was a modern romantic comedy with fantasy elements.
The story centered on a female protagonist with a pet cat.
The male lead, who secretly liked her, adopted a stray dog to have common ground, taking the dog on walks hoping to bump into her.
This was a typical romantic comedy beginning, but after their pets met, their interactions weren’t smooth.
The female lead’s cat was timid and sensitive. During a date, it was frightened by the male lead’s dog and ran away, getting lost.
The couple then started a bumpy, comedic journey to find the lost cat.
Along the way, many humorous scenes unfolded, and Xie Xiaobao laughed as he read.
Meanwhile, the lost cat struggled to find its way home.
After getting captured by a pet trafficker and narrowly escaping, it was dirty and starving, forced to scavenge garbage and become a stray.
Though timid, it never forgot to go home and, stumbling through its journey, met a wise black cat.
At first, the black cat looked down on the little scared cat who couldn’t hunt.
Later, it was moved by the cat’s determination to go home and helped guide it back.
In the end, the black cat brought the timid cat home.
The elated couple wanted to adopt the black cat too but found it gone.
Years later, the female lead told her centenarian grandmother about it, learning the black cat was no ordinary cat but a protective mystical feline that warded off evil spirits and safeguarded the home.
Since the black cat disappeared, the couple’s relationship prospered, and several crises were averted.
At the wedding scene, the two pets wore red bowties and walked the red carpet with their owners, while outside the hotel window, a large black cat agilely leapt onto the glass.
“Looks like a good script.”
Xie Xiaobao beamed, “Xiao Hei is just like the black cat, and she’s very smart.”
“It’s just that Da Zhuang looks so serious. I wonder if such a goofball can act well.”
Xie Xiaobao counted on his fingers, muttering.
He Yu didn’t remind him the other two roles were already cast but asked if he wanted to act.
Of course, Xie Xiaobao wanted to.
The script was tailor-made for Da Zhuang and Xiao Hei.
If the movie did well, their popularity would rise, and then advertising gigs wouldn’t be a problem.
Having agreed, He Yu handed the script to Old Wang.
The details of cooperation were for him to negotiate.
Old Wang, with a task, left to contact Fengsheng’s people.
He Yu made it clear they wanted to include the Shelter’s animals.
Old Wang still had plenty of time to negotiate.
With Old Wang gone, only He Yu and Xie Xiaobao remained.
Having solved a big worry, Xie Xiaobao looked radiant.
He Yu couldn’t help teasing him, “So happy?”
Xie Xiaobao nodded emphatically.
He Yu leaned on the desk, smiling.
“Then how will you thank me?”
Xie Xiaobao tilted his head, thinking but couldn’t come up with anything.
He foolishly asked, “How do you want to be thanked?”
He Yu laughed and pinched his cheek.
“No sincerity at all, and you still ask me.”
Xie Xiaobao puffed out his cheeks, stood up smiling, his round eyes curved.
“We’re close now, so I’ll keep it in mind. I’ll tell you when I figure it out.”
He Yu clicked his tongue. “Sneaky.”
Xie Xiaobao chuckled and suddenly remembered he hadn’t been to the Shelter in a while, so he asked if He Yu wanted to go with him after work.
He Yu naturally agreed.
Xie Xiaobao played on his phone in He Yu’s office.
After He Yu finished work, they drove to the Shelter together.
The Shelter staff knew He Yu and the others, but they didn’t recognize Xie Xiaobao.
Previously, he came under Orange Bao’s name; this was his first time as “Xie Xiaobao.”
The staff welcomed them in.
“He Yu, why are you here today?” One staff member glanced at Xie Xiaobao, curious.
“Who’s this?”
“I’m Xie Xiaobao, Orange Bao’s owner,” Xie Xiaobao introduced himself.
His familiar face and friendly smile easily earned staff favor.
The three chatted outside for a while.
The Shelter Director was present, and after Xie Xiaobao explained his plan and got the Director’s approval, he put on work clothes to visit Xiao Hei and the others.
At the sight of strangers entering, a ripple of unrest passed through the backyard.
Xie Xiaobao divided the treats into two portions, one for Xiao Hei and her group, the other for Da Zhuang’s.
Not seeing Xiao Hei in the yard, Xie Xiaobao first went to give Da Zhuang his share.
Some visitors occasionally brought treats.
The dogs were used to it and often came to nudge legs, hoping for extra snacks.
But Xie Xiaobao’s intent was clear.
He went straight to Da Zhuang, the dog at the deepest spot.
Previously friendly, the dog pack now warily circled him, warning with growls.
He Yu frowned and called to Xie Xiaobao.
Staff urged him to stop.
Xie Xiaobao turned, smiled, and waved the meat jerky. “It’s okay.”
Da Zhuang, lying inside, stared unblinkingly with silver-gray eyes.
Xie Xiaobao crouched to Da Zhuang’s level and, as before, pushed the treat forward.
“Da Zhuang, I brought your favorite jerky.”
Da Zhuang’s remaining ear twitched, eyes suspicious.
This human smelled familiar.
Seeing no reaction, Xie Xiaobao opened the package and held a piece near his mouth.
“Eat it quickly, or Xiao Hei will finish it all when she gets back.”
Both Da Zhuang and Xiao Hei loved jerky, but there was only so much.
Xiao Hei ate quickly, then boldly marched over to Da Zhuang’s spot to steal some.
Da Zhuang disliked fighting and always gave in.
Da Zhuang blinked and inched forward, wet nose sliding over Xie Xiaobao’s hand and body.
Then, with some hesitation, he softly called out.
‘This human… why does he smell just like that chubby cat cub?’
Xie Xiaobao smiled and petted his head, placing the jerky down before standing to find Xiao Hei.
The sun was already down.
The cats had moved to warm nests inside.
Xie Xiaobao imitated meowing twice.
The two kittens playing inside heard the familiar call and ran out.
Looking around but not finding the familiar figure, the grown kittens exchanged confused glances and meowed once together.
Xie Xiaobao squatted before them, meowing twice again.
The kittens then realized the strange meows came from a human’s mouth.
They cautiously stepped closer and meowed to Xie Xiaobao, “Who are you?”
Xie Xiaobao stepped forward, scooped up the kittens, and cuddled them.
He rubbed each one while continuing to meow softly. “I’m Xiaobao, okay?”
The kittens didn’t understand such a complex concept, but Xie Xiaobao smelled familiar.
After a moment’s hesitation, they happily played with him.
Xie Xiaobao carefree pretended to be a human learning Cat Language and meowed, asking where Xiao Hei was.
“Here.”
Speak of the devil, Xiao Hei jumped down from the fence, half-dead big bird in her mouth.
With a paw, she knocked the struggling bird unconscious, tossed it aside, swished her tail, circled Xie Xiaobao twice, then sniffed him curiously.
“Why have you become like a human?”
Xiao Hei disapproved, “Humans’ body shape is not suited for hunting.”
Xie Xiaobao stuck out his tongue and lightly scratched under her chin.
“This way, I can successfully infiltrate humans and get more jerky.”
Xiao Hei tilted her head thoughtfully, considering his logic.
Maybe this was what humans called ‘disguise.’
Maybe this cat cub wasn’t so dumb after all.
She rubbed her head against his hand and licked twice, then picked up the unconscious bird and went to prepare it for eating.
“You guys play. Today’s a rest day. No hunting lessons.”
The two kittens cheered, rubbed their faces against Xie Xiaobao’s, jumped down, dragged over the snacks he brought, then picked out a bag of dried fish for him to open.
Xie Xiaobao opened the bag, laid the dried fish on the ground, and smiled in satisfaction as the kittens purred and ate.
Watching Xiao Hei slowly pluck feathers from the bird, Xie Xiaobao approached and squatted before her.
Xiao Hei paused, cocked her head, and looked at him in puzzlement.
“You want some?”
Previously, Xie Xiaobao hadn’t wanted to share fresh bird meat with the kittens, so Xiao Hei was a little suspicious.
Xie Xiaobao shook his head, refusing, then started talking about the movie.
Having spent so much time with Xiao Hei, Xie Xiaobao knew she was very smart.
He briefly explained the situation, worried she wouldn’t understand “acting fees,” so he translated it: “It means acting in a movie with me, then we get lots and lots of jerky and dried fish.”
Xiao Hei held a feather and thought for a moment.
“So it’s like those sissy cats, dressed flashy, rolling around in black boxes, meowing?”
Xie Xiaobao took a moment to realize she was talking about pet commercials on TV.
Seeing Xiao Hei’s expression of disdain at the idea of mixing with “sissy” cats, he explained, “We do go on the black box, but it’s a very cool big cat.”
Xiao Hei smacked her lips, curled and stretched her tail on the ground, then patted it.
“Will it really get lots of jerky?”
Xie Xiaobao nodded.
“Fine then.” Xiao Hei reluctantly agreed, frowning.
“I heard the bald human always sighing earlier might be because of lack of food. If we can get jerky, eat better, maybe his hair won’t fall out so badly.”
Xie Xiaobao’s expression froze.
There was only one bald person in the Shelter—
The Shelter Director.
And he wasn’t really bald, just balding on top.
But seeing Xiao Hei’s disdain for baldness, Xie Xiaobao quietly shut his mouth.
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