Ch 154: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World

The screening room was initially lit, drawing the audience’s attention to the bright, white light, which was different from the usual oil lamps they were accustomed to. Once they took their seats, they noticed the chairs were smooth, soft, and comfortably cushioned.

When the lights dimmed, a few people were startled and nearly leaped up in fright. Just then, a gentle glow appeared on the large screen in front, showing moving images, prompting those who were about to scream to settle back down.

Before the film began, an informational video was played, focusing on safety protocols. Although Lu Yao’s cinema didn’t have any commercial advertisements yet, she had prepared a short safety video. The cinema was equipped with fire exits, back doors, and other safety features, with instructions on how to evacuate in the event of an emergency, narrated in Liangjing dialect with a period-appropriate visual guide. This short video lasted about a minute and a half, and the thirty guests watched it with unwavering attention.

Rong Shenghua, the owner of the Rongxi Book House next door, thoughtfully stroked his beard. He had been keeping a close eye on this new establishment next door, intrigued by its odd name and the fact that its proprietor was a young woman. Rumor had it that it was some type of playhouse, yet no stage had been set up, and he hadn’t seen any performers either.

A couple of days ago, when they’d started showing the trailer for The World’s Greatest, he’d watched from outside, growing more curious each time, and had even sent one of his shop assistants to monitor it daily. This morning, he obtained a free ticket to the premiere himself.

The setup inside the cinema was beyond his expectations, unlike the scams he had initially suspected. The massive screen, as the owner had claimed, was indeed like a stage. He had not expected there to be an even larger screen inside. The sound, coming from the sides and surrounding the audience, was clear and resonant. It felt as if they were inside a box, able to observe the actors’ every move up close—something he had never experienced.

As the safety video ended, The World’s Greatest officially began. The main character, Ye Qingzhou, was born into a martial arts family, but his entire clan was exterminated when he was a child, leaving him the sole survivor. A friend of his father’s happened to pass by, rescuing Ye and taking him to Huafeng Peak, where he became a disciple.

The first scene of the film depicted the massacre of the Ye family, followed by Master Huayang rescuing the young Ye Qingzhou, who had been hidden in a rice vat by his mother. Although Lu Yao had edited out some of the more graphic details, key scenes essential for the storyline’s emotional impact were retained.

At first, the audience was distracted by their unfamiliar surroundings, their focus scattered. However, as they watched the gruesome destruction of the Ye family and saw Ye’s mother sacrifice herself to divert the intruders, hiding her son in the rice vat before being killed in the kitchen doorway, the intensity of the scene held their gaze. The young Ye’s terrified, helpless eyes peering through the crack in the rice vat’s lid conveyed profound emotion.

The gripping tension and raw impact of the scene silenced the screening room; sharp intakes of breath echoed as the viewers fixed their eyes on the screen, eager to see what would become of little Ye Qingzhou.

Seeing that her guests were completely absorbed in the story, Lu Yao quietly exited the screening room, where she found Wen Jian and Zhu Zhu lingering nearby. Both looked a bit sheepish. They hadn’t yet seen the full film of The World’s Greatest, but after watching the trailer, curiosity had gotten the best of them. Hearing snippets from the screening room had drawn them in, and with no other customers around, they couldn’t resist eavesdropping just outside.

Lu Yao chuckled and said, “I’ll watch over things out here; you two go inside and keep an eye on the guests.”

Delighted, the two hurriedly opened the door and went in.

In the film, Ye Qingzhou had arrived at Huafeng Peak, becoming the youngest disciple. Traumatized by the tragic fate of his family, he grew quiet and withdrawn, focusing solely on his sword training. His senior sister, Ning Shuang, the daughter of the sect leader and close to his age, often took care of him.

Time flew by, and ten years passed. Both Ye Qingzhou and Ning Shuang grew up. Ning Shuang became a beautiful and graceful woman admired by her fellow disciples. Meanwhile, Ye Qingzhou, talented and intelligent, was highly regarded by the sect’s elders for his promising future in swordsmanship. Their senior brother, Chu Fengran, though popular among the juniors, became somewhat of a roadblock between them. He wished to marry Ning Shuang, but she harbored feelings for Ye Qingzhou.

However, Ye Qingzhou remained absorbed in his sword training, oblivious to romance.

As this romantic tension unfolded, the audience slowly sank into the tender, lighthearted atmosphere. In the dim hallway, Zhu Zhu clasped her hands tightly over her chest, eyes sparkling with excitement as her heart raced. She couldn’t quite describe the feeling, but seeing Ning Shuang interact with Ye Qingzhou made her want to laugh, and she longed for more scenes of the senior sister teasing her junior.

The story developed as the main characters came of age and began training outside the sect. Ye Qingzhou learned about the enemy responsible for his family’s massacre. Determined to exact revenge, he resolved to win first place in the martial arts tournament, where he would finally have a chance to confront the man.

Thus, Ye Qingzhou threw himself into grueling sword training to strengthen himself.

Meanwhile, his senior sister became engaged to their senior brother.

Watching this, Zhu Zhu felt her heart twist in frustration, wanting to grab a hammer and knock some sense into Ye Qingzhou. “Your beloved senior sister is about to marry your senior brother! You fool, go stop her! Why are you still practicing with that sword?”

As the martial arts tournament began, the disciples of Huafeng Peak, led by the sect leader, attended the event, setting the stage for the story’s climax. Ye Qingzhou shone brightly in the tournament, his unmatched sword skills leaving all the renowned martial artists far behind.

Although the film was an older production with minimal special effects, its fight scenes were solid and fluid, keeping the audience captivated. Wen Jian, standing nearby, clenched his fists at his sides, a spark of excitement in his gaze. This is the true martial world. This is what the jianghu should be!

The rest of the audience watched with fervor, transported by Ye Qingzhou’s journey from a young boy carrying a deep-seated vendetta to an unparalleled swordsman who exacted justice on his terms. This experience, conveyed through the film’s vivid visuals, was far more lively and engaging than traditional storytelling or stage performances.

Near the end of the film, after the martial arts tournament, Ye Qingzhou confronted his enemy, and the two dueled for three days and nights, both falling into a frenzied state of mind. In a pivotal moment, his senior sister, Ning Shuang, appeared and brought him back to his senses.

Ye Qingzhou ultimately avenged his family, earning the title of The World’s Greatest Swordsman.

With his revenge complete, Ye Qingzhou began to understand his feelings for Ning Shuang. However, by then, she had committed herself to his senior brother, and their wedding was set to take place in ten days.

The story ended with the legendary swordsman Ye Qingzhou bidding farewell to his sect and setting off into the world with his sword.

The final scene showed him riding away along a riverside path, the willows swaying in the spring breeze, as his horse’s hooves clopped softly into the distance.

With a click, the lights in the theater came back on.

The audience sat in a daze, blinking as if waking from a dream.

That’s it?

The melancholy that had hung in the air dissipated with the sudden light. People exchanged awkward glances, clearly wanting to say something but not quite sure how.

One man smoothed the wrinkles on his sleeve and murmured, “My clothes are all wrinkled from gripping them. Those tense moments in the middle were nerve-wracking. I was so afraid Ye Qingzhou wouldn’t be able to take his revenge.”

A guest seated nearby, still lost in thought, replied, “True. Some scenes were incredibly suspenseful; my heart was pounding right along with his. I thought for sure he’d end up with Senior Sister Ning Shuang in the end. Who would have thought it would end like this?”

A person in the back couldn’t help but interject, “Actually, it makes perfect sense. The world’s greatest swordsman should be like Ye Qingzhou—free-spirited, unrestrained, and a bit lonely!”

“WAHHHH!”

A sudden cry interrupted everyone’s discussion.

Zhu Zhu covered her face with her sleeve, unable to hold back her tears. She was heartbroken that Senior Sister Ning Shuang didn’t end up with her junior brother.

The other guests were at a loss, unsure why this young girl had suddenly burst into tears.

Wen Jian stepped in to shield Zhu Zhu, bowing apologetically, “Sorry, she’s still caught up in the story. Please, don’t mind her. The free screening has concluded; you may exit through the side door.”

The first group of viewers left the theater still buzzing with discussions about the plot. The intense audiovisual experience had left an indelible mark on their minds, something they couldn’t easily shake off.

Rong Shenghua lingered until the very end, hoping to have a word with Lu Yao. While others were likely still immersed in this novel experience, Rong Shenghua, a learned bookseller and businessman, had already caught a glimpse of the theater’s immense potential.

Just then, Zhu Zhu exited the screening room and ran straight into Lu Yao’s arms, sobbing with little hiccups. Her first experience with a romantic storyline had ended tragically, and the disappointment hit her hard.

Seeing no chance to speak with Lu Yao, Rong Shenghua had to exit the cinema. Outside, he met Le Han, the owner of Chunxi Lou.

Le Han held a small purple clay teapot, smiling as he looked over. “So, Rong Shenghua, you’ve watched the film. What’s your impression?”

He also had a ticket, but having been busy at his teahouse that morning, he’d only managed to secure a ticket for the afternoon screening.

Rong Shenghua glanced at him, an enigmatic smile on his face, “Too much to say in just a few words, Le Han. You’d best see it for yourself.”

With a hint of mischief, Le Han twirled his teapot. “Well, if you put it that way, it must be quite the experience. I watched people leave just now, each with a different expression, all talking about some character named Ye Qingzhou. Who exactly is he?”

Rong Shenghua tucked his hands into his sleeves. “One or two words won’t suffice to explain it.”

Seeing he’d get nothing more from him, Le Han resigned himself to waiting for his afternoon screening.

Before noon had even passed, the cinema and its mysterious lead character, Ye Qingzhou, had taken the streets around Song’an by storm. Those who’d seen the movie could hardly contain themselves. Some even recounted Ye Qingzhou’s story while sipping tea at Chunxi Lou, while others shared tales of the mysterious new cinema on Song’an Street over meals at Fuxian Inn.

A storyteller named Chen Jingshan, performing at Fuxian Inn, noticed his listeners drifting over to another table where someone animatedly described Ye Qingzhou’s adventures. Feeling slighted, he called out, “What’s so special about a movie theater? At best, they just set up a stage for some dancing. How could it be as miraculous as you make it sound?”

One of the patrons stood, glanced at him, then sat back down, and replied with a tolerant tone, “You wouldn’t understand if you haven’t seen it, so it’s understandable. I wouldn’t believe it either if I hadn’t experienced it. There’s another screening this afternoon—if you’re curious, go check it out. It’s truly incredible! I snagged a ticket for today, and it was worth a lifetime. From now on, I am Ye Qingzhou!”

The diner punctuated his words by downing a large bowl of wine and tearing into his meat with the flair of a true martial hero.

Fuming, Chen Jingshan looked around to see almost everyone discussing Ye Qingzhou and ignoring his story. Frustrated, he packed up and left Fuxian Inn.

Before he knew it, he found himself walking down Song’an Street in a haze of irritation. Looking up, he spotted the peculiar sign in the distance: “Lu Yao’s Interdimentiomal Cinema.”

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