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

  Zhang Zian told his suggestions to Little Celery and Wang Yaning. As for their final decision, it wasn’t any of his business. After all, letting children take responsibility for their own actions was a necessary part of growing up.

  Little Celery and Wang Yaning discussed for a bit longer. Little Celery was strongly in favor of Zhang Zian’s advice. In her opinion, Mr. Store Manager understood pets the the best. Wang Yaning couldn’t make any reasonable objections. They finally decided that they were going to tell their school that they would try raising Djungarian hamsters and lop-eared rabbits for their animal raising class.

  Wang Yaning, as the student representative of biology in her class, was also responsible for writing up the reasonings for their decision in their report. However, she had gathered enough information from Zhang Zian and was confident that she could complete a well grounded report.

  After they finished talking, Zhang Zian suddenly remembered something and quickly asked, “Little Celery, when is the anniversary of your school’s founding? I haven’t missed it, have I?”


  He’d promised Little Celery that he’d go see her performance at the celebration of the school’s establishment. However, he had been so busy shooting the movie lately he’d almost forgotten about his promise. He didn’t want to be the type of person who couldn’t keep promises to children.

  Little Celery was absolutely delighted at the fact that hamsters and lop-eared rabbits were chosen as the breeding animals for their class. However, after Zhang Zian asked her his question, she visibly became dejected. She whispered, “The celebration will be on December 24th, in the afternoon.”


  Huh? It was on Christmas Eve?

  Zhang Zian was relieved. Fortunately, he hadn’t missed it.

  But why was Little Celery so unhappy? Was she having trouble at the rehearsals?

  “Little Celery, what’s wrong? What’s going on?” he asked with concern.

  Little Celery lowered her head and remained silent, but Wang Yaning confirmed Zhang Zian’s worries. “I didn’t participate in the program’s rehearsals because I had transferred schools too recently, but I heard that the boys in our class don’t want to be reindeers.”


  “Reindeers? What reindeers?” Zhang Zian was confused.

  Wang Ning explained angrily, “It’s Christmas Eve on December 24th, right? So, at the end of the show, reindeers pull Santa Claus on the sleigh and give away adorable kittens and puppies as Christmas gifts to everyone. But nobody wants to be a reindeer because they have to wear reindeer costumes and pull a sleigh! I think that the boys should take the roles. But they’re all too embarrassed and are scared to perform. Little Celery said that she’s going to be a reindeer! These boys are so awful, they almost made Little Celery cry at the class meeting!”


  This time, it was Zhang Zian’s turn to frown. That kind of physical work should definitely be done by boys. However, their reactions were also understandable, because boys at that age were very self-conscious and were afraid of making a fool of themselves. After they performed as reindeers, other cruel boys would probably make of them and give them mean nicknames. They’d be embarrassed for the rest of primary school.

  For the types of programs that were rehearsed and performed by students, it was inappropriate for adults to participate. If the boys were too scared to perform, there were only female students left to take the roles.

  The idea to put on the Pet Shop in A Fairy Tale came from Little Celery, and she had bravely faced the problem by volunteering to be a reindeer. However, from Wang Yaning’s description, the person who had to be a reindeer would also have to kneel on the ground and pull a sleigh. The sleigh would also have a classmate playing Santa sitting on it, along with other stage props. Would the tiny Little Celery be able to pull so much weight at once?

  Zhang Zian remembered Yi Le, the boy who still owed him a favor. Should he ask Yi Le to play as a reindeer? No, not a good idea. Yi Le definitely wouldn’t agree to it and Zhang Zian didn’t want to force him.

  As he was trying to think of a solution, he felt something gently tug the bottom of his pant leg. He looked down and saw Famous.

  He didn’t know exactly when Famous had woken up, but it was clear that he’d heard Zhang Zian’s and Wang Yaning’s conversation.

  “Zian, ask them if dogs can pull the sleigh.” Famous looked up at him with its shiny eyes.

  Dogs pulling the sleigh?

  Zhang Zian understood what it meant immediately.

  Indeed, by tradition, it was reindeers who pulled Santa Claus’ sleigh. However, for the scene in the Pet Shop in A Fairy Tale, wouldn’t it be more appropriate if dogs were pulling the sleigh? After all, reindeers could almost be considered as a pet.

  Zhang Zian secretly nodded at Famous to support its idea. He said to Little Celery and Wang Yaning, “I have a solution. You can talk it through and see if it will work.”


  “What’s your solution? Don’t tell me that you want to play a reindeer? No, it doesn’t work that way. This is a student activity that doesn’t allow adults to participate. If you’re in the play, then other parents will also want to help. And then, the purpose of this activity will be ruined.” Before Zhang Zian had the time to explain, Wang Yaning was already waving her hands, dismissing his idea.

  Little Celery raised her head curiously. “What solution?”


  Zhang Zian pointed at Famous. “How about using dogs instead of reindeers? You know that Eskimos use dogs to pull sleighs, right? In that case, Little Celery, you don’t have to be a reindeer anymore.”


  Little Celery and Wang Yaning looked at Famous at the same time. When the big dog approached them, they both felt a little frightened. However, after looking at it closely, they could tell that it was very friendly—unlike other dogs who would growl and flash their sharp teeth at them.

  “Dogs pulling the sleigh?” Wang Yaning thought about it. After a quick comparison, she realized that using dogs to pull the sleigh was definitely more appropriate, but she continued to be doubtful. “I think that it could be a good idea, but can this dog be obedient? Will it pause and go as by command?”


  “Of course it can.” Zhang Zian was completely confident. Famous was not an ordinary dog. He winked at Famous and then said to Wang Yaning, “If you don’t believe me, just try. See if it will listen to you.”


  Wang Yaning clearly didn’t believe him. She worried that even if this dog was trained, it would only listen to commands from its owner. How could it obey commands from anyone else?

  Still, she tested it out. Pointing at the direction of the door, she said, “Go.”


  Famous moved straight ahead

  “Stop.”


  Famous obediently stopped.

  “That’s amazing!” Wang Yaning was astonished. She pushed up her glasses that were falling down her nose.

  Zhang Zian smiled, “So, will this solution work?”


  Wang Yaning tried again. Whether it was to move forward, backward, or turn around, Famous fulfilled the commands perfectly.

  “I think it will.” She nodded. “That’s it. Little Celery, we’ll let the teacher know tomorrow. If she agrees, then let’s do it.”


  “Will your teacher say no?” Zhang Zian asked.

  “Probably not. She doesn’t like to get in the middle of our whole process. I think she’ll only remind us to be safe.” Wang Yaning was very confident.

  The dismay on Little Celery’s face was gone. She said happily, “Great! Thank you, Mr. Store Manager!”


  Zhang Zian pointed at Famous and said, “This has nothing to do with me. It’s this dog that’s helping you. Little Celery, you should thank it. It’s name is Famous and it’s a German Shepherd.”


  Little Celery respectfully bowed down to it. “Thank you, Famous, for your smart thinking.”


  A flash of genuine happiness flickered in Famous’ eyes. For it, there was nothing more fulfilling and joyful than helping children.