Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

  While Wang Qian and Li Kun were diligently cleaning the pet shop, Zhang Zian went to the second floor to grab everything that could prove his identity and his fixed-assets, including his national ID card, passport, household registration, business license, property ownership certificate and fixed savings accounts. He winked at Richard, who knowingly flew to his shoulder.

  He left the pet shop with Richard, and stretched out his arm to stop a taxi.

  “Binhai Bank.”


  Zhang Zian went to the bank to print out the operating statements of his pet shop in the most recent months and then headed to the U.S. Consulate in Binhai City. He had tried his best, and he could only trust to luck whether he could pass the visa interview or not.

  Without the Letter of Invitation to participate in the CFA tournament sent by Lauren and Tim, he could only apply for the tourist visa. Since he had the invitation, he could have a better chance applying for the business visa, a category implying that the applicant was going to conduct business in America, boosting its GDP and increasing employment positions there, so it was a visa category relatively easier to be granted.

  Besides, Richard would be responsible for communicating with the visa officer, who would assume that Zhang Zian had no problem in speaking English.

  Thanks to the thorough documents he prepared, and the invitation letter he received as a pet shop operator from the professionals in the pet industry in the USA, the visa officer trusted that he was not planning to stay in America illegally and didn’t torture him with many questions. He passed the interview successfully.

  Walking out from the consulate, Zhang Zian glanced at the people in queue in the snowy day, waiting nervously for their interviews of tourist visas. He felt lucky that he had become a business elite…


  He wanted to inform this news to Lauren and Tim, but then he realized that they must be sleeping to deal with the jet lag after they arrived in the hotel, so he couldn’t disturb them at this time. He stopped another taxi and headed to Binhai University.

  Through deliberate consideration, he realized that to grant Richard’s requests to let it be on a plane normally and even enjoy the meals provided by the flights, it must be granted a special identity— proof that it was a creature bearing significant value to scientific research. Zhang Zian only knew one person who was qualified to issue such a certification—Professor Wei Kang.

  If he remembered correctly, the research institute where Professor Wei Kang served had cooperation with the Phoenix House. Phoenix House provided funds to researchers in the institute, and the institute issued certificates to the Phoenix House, enabling it to import into China some kinds of birds, of which the trading of were forbidden by the International Wildlife Protection Law, and to skip inspection at borders and ports.

  That was why Zhang Zian was heading to Binhai University for professor Wei Kang, who would definitely know how to provide similar certificates.

  Because of the bad weather, few vehicles or pedestrians were seen on the way, and without being stuck in any traffic jam, the taxi soon arrived at Binhai University.

  He paid the fare, stood at the entrance of the school, and texted Wei Kang.

  Zhang Zian: Professor Wei Kang, there’s something I hope you can help me with, are you available now?

  He and Wei Kang were at most acquaintances, who were not close enough to visit each other without giving advance notice. Besides, Wei Kang was probably giving a lecture or doing some experiment, so out of politeness and other reasons, he’d better make an appointment.

  He kept looking around when waiting for Wei Kang’s reply. Unfortunately, in such a cold snowy day, even the girls who were obsessed with wearing short skirts had put on long trousers, so there was nothing pleasing for his eyes to look at.

  He went out wearing a hoodie. Richard became visible again. It hid inside the hood to keep itself warm, stretching out only its head. Whenever a handsome guy walked by, it would frivolously whistle to him. And when he turned around, it would hide itself quickly into the hood, leaving Zhang Zian and the other guy looking at each other in consternation…


  Some tough guys would say, “What are you looking at?!”


  Since Old Time Tea was not around, Zhang Zian wasn’t courageous enough to answer with, “What are you going to do about it?” He could only remain silent and look somewhere else…


  Fortunately, he didn’t suffer for very long, because he received Wei Kang’s reply soon.

  Wei Kang: Yes, I’m in the office of the central academic building.

  On such a snowy day, few people were walking around campus. Even on the basketball court, which was usually was filled with young guys and hormones, there was only one short and thin boy practicing his shooting. Speaking of this, it occurred to Zhang Zian that he had done something similar before. To gain the admirable screaming and affections of girls, he also went to practice on his own when everyone was taking a rest…though that was a motivational beginning, it didn’t end very well, as he expected.

  After entering the central academic building, Richard didn’t feel cold anymore. It jumped out from the hood, stood on Zhang Zian’s shoulder, and looked at the students and teachers around it arrogantly.

  It was very rare to see a person walking around with a parrot, particularly when this parrot was big and perky, so it was normal to draw attention from a lot of people. Especially the female students and teachers, who looked at Richard and Zhang Zian and discussed with admiration in their tones. Some people even came up to Zhang Zian to ask him where he bought this parrot.

  Taking the elevator to the floor where Wei Kang’s office was, Zhang Zian warned Richard before entering the office that it must keep low profile inside. They were just seeking a permit for animals that had scientific research value to take flights, and it must not show off itself to the extent that it would be dissected into samples for research in labs.

  After knocking on the door, he pushed it open and entered the office.

  Wei Kang didn’t seem to have changed at all. He was wearing a black jacket of outdated design and reading a voluminous academic book behind his desk, using his pen to make notes or highlight some pages from time to time. Zhang Zian was aware that he must not judge a man by his look, but Wei Kang just didn’t care much about his wearing. It would be ridiculous if he thought Wei Kang, who was a professor at the University and a consultant to Phoenix House, was very poor.

  “Professor Wei Kang, I’m sorry to bother you suddenly. Are you busy?” Zhang Zian greeted him.

  “No, not busy.” Wei Kang stood up and noticed Richard, “Is this your parrot that is extremely clever?”


  When they encountered at Phoenix House, Wei Kang heard Guo Dongyue mention that there was a particularly intelligent parrot in Zhang Zian’s shop, and he remembered it ever since. As a professor in biology and the consultant to Phoenix House, he recognized it was a fully-grown African Grey Parrot by first glance.

  “Hello, I’m Richard.”


  Wei Kang was not surprised. He just kept examining it as a scientific researcher.

  “Hey! Old man! Someone is greeting you!” Richard changed its tone and shouted disgruntledly.

  “What?” Wei Kang was stunned. Why was this parrot reacting like this? Did Zhang Zian train it to do that?

  “Can’t you hear me?!”


  Zhang Zian put his fingers on his forehead speechlessly. Richard completely ignored his warning moments ago and became arrogant again.

  “This parrot can understand my words?” said Wei Kang incredibly.

  Zhang Zian said cautiously, “A little bit…”


  “I mean, can it ‘comprehend’ my words?” Wei Kang emphasized.

  Richard couldn’t stand it anymore. It fluttered its wings and yelled, “Quack, quack! Old man! How dare you to look down on a bird!”


  Wei Kang froze there and stared at Richard dumbfoundedly. He wasn’t offended by its insult at all.

  He had heard that some parrots could understand human’s languages and could even have normal conversations with humans. As a scientific researcher, before witnessing it for himself, he would always remain skeptical. Nevertheless, the performance of this grey parrot in front of him made him believe that not only could it understand his language, but it was also provoked by recognizing the doubts in his words.

  Zhang Zian seized the timing and said, “Professor Wei, I’m taking this parrot to America to let it take an intelligence test. But… You know how troublesome it is for pets traveling by plane, so I emboldened myself here, hoping you could issue a certificate proving that it’s not just a usual pet but it is a very important target for scientific research. Can you do that for me?”


  Wei Kang frowned, “There are many institutes in China that can conduct intelligence testing on animals. Why do you have to go all the way to America? If you’d like, I can recommend a place to you, I have friends who work there.”


  “No need. You know, the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, and people always think that the organizations abroad are more authoritative.” Zhang Zian declined politely. Though it was just an excuse, it was also a fact. Winning ten major awards in China was not as sensational as winning one minor award overseas.

  Wei Kang sighed, “All right. It’s not difficult to issue the certificate, and the parrot is worthy of this qualification. But you must be extra careful on your way — such a precious parrot must not be hurt. You must bring it back whole and sound.”


  “Trust me.” Zhang Zian thought about it and said, “Can you also issue a certificate for my cat? I will also bring it to America.”


  He felt that because of his troubles recently, Fina was on the brink of bursting out of anger. If he didn’t do something special to please her, there might be disaster for him soon…


  “Okay… but that original Egyptian Mau is extremely precious, and you must be very careful! Luckily you are going to America rather than Egypt, otherwise you wouldn’t be able to bring it back at all.” Wei Kang shook his head bitterly. He sat back behind his desk and wrote two certificates for Zhang Zian, affixed with the stamp of Binhai University and his signature.

  Everything was ready. It was time for him to start off.