Ch 150: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World

“Why a cinema?” The little system couldn’t understand. “It doesn’t seem to match the clues at all.”

Lu Yao replied, “Then what kind of shop do you think it should be?”

“Judging from the clue, it suggests that seeing far can help discover new things. How about a bookstore?” the system, having snuck in some study time while Lu Yao was busy, felt confident in his suggestion.

The phrase “seeing far to know new things” didn’t just refer to physical distance but symbolized a journey of knowledge and understanding. The system was sure Lu Yao had thought this through—only to find out she planned on opening a cinema.

“A bookstore would suit the ‘clue’ much better. How can a cinema compare?” the system couldn’t resist feeling a bit triumphant; finally, he had outsmarted her.

Lu Yao nodded thoughtfully. “A bookstore could work, but I think a cinema is better.”

The system was baffled: Why?

Lu Yao explained, “The clue doesn’t just say ‘seeing far to know new things’; it also has a subtle cloud pattern. When I looked closely, I noticed the strokes of the characters on the slip vary in depth. Holding it to the light, the lines connect with the cloud motif, forming an image that looks like an old ox plowing a field.”

The system remembered Lu Yao examining the paper multiple times in the fishing room, though he hadn’t known what she was looking for.

“How are you sure it’s plowing? And what does that imply?” The system’s confidence began to falter.

“It’s just a guess, but if it’s a meaningful clue, it might indicate that the next world we’re headed to is still in an agricultural society,” Lu Yao replied.

The system hesitated. Wouldn’t that mean a place in dire need of advanced knowledge for growth?

“Books would be expensive in that kind of world, and literacy would likely be rare,” Lu Yao reasoned. “Initially, I did consider a bookstore, but it seemed impractical—limited reach, potential language barriers, and substantial effort to adapt texts.”

The system was forced to concede but couldn’t resist one more attempt. “But what if you’re wrong?”

“A film is essentially a carefully crafted story,” Lu Yao replied. “Compared to words, it’s much more accessible and easier to understand. And people are inherently drawn to stories. In any era, there are those who enjoy hearing, seeing, and even writing stories.”

The system fell silent, momentarily defeated, but added reluctantly, “A film still has language barriers. If they can’t read, subtitles won’t help.”

While the shop’s system could solve language differences for conversation, it would be a tall task to manage that for visual media, especially if multiple people watched simultaneously.

“The simplest approach is to re-dub films after obtaining the rights,” Lu Yao suggested.

The system gave up entirely. “Buying rights sounds expensive.”

Lu Yao nodded, “That’s true. I plan to start with smaller rights as a test. Besides, it doesn’t have to be from the shopping street. I’ll ask Jiu Hua or Wenwen about it sometime.”

During her last visit to Night Light City, Lu Yao had left her contact info with Wen Jingyi. Though she had only a few million left in assets on the shopping street, including funds for the four other shops, she could still afford a few minor licenses. Adding her off-world assets, she could probably sustain operations long enough to finish her task.

The system had no more angles left to argue but found himself a bit intrigued.

The boss had guessed correctly: the next world would be the era of the Great Wu Dynasty, a society much like that of a few thousand years ago.

Opening a cinema there might indeed prove more interesting than a bookstore.

System: The business type has been confirmed. The stargate has been activated.

With the stargate open, all required documents and procedures for operating a cinema were now complete.

Lu Yao opened the shop door, revealing a space five times larger than before.

However, as a cinema, it was still small.

She sketched out the ticket counter, waiting lounge, and restrooms. The remaining space could only accommodate a single screening room with seats for around twenty people.

“Not bad—it’s even a bit bigger than I expected.” She already had plans and laid out a blueprint. “Decorate it in this style, and let’s have it upgraded tonight.”

System: Before maintenance, would you like to take a look at the world you’re about to enter?

Lu Yao’s curiosity piqued, and she opened the shop door again.

The world beyond had transformed.

🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️

Thingyan: I’m so looking forward to this world. I love modern meets ancient themes.