Ch 156: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World

“Boss, how much is the popcorn?”

Returning to the lobby after watching the young beggars leave with popcorn and cola, Lu Yao found a customer standing anxiously at the counter. He had come out of the screening room, unable to resist the smell of the popcorn, but was in a hurry to get back to the movie.

“Two coins for a bucket of popcorn, one coin for a cup of cola,” Lu Yao replied as she approached the counter.

The man quickly pulled three copper coins from his sleeve. “I’ll take both, please make it quick.”

Lu Yao placed a cup under the dispenser, pressed the lever, and simultaneously filled a bucket with popcorn. As the cola finished pouring, she handed both items over in just a few seconds. “Here you go, enjoy!”

The man stared in amazement; he hadn’t expected her to serve it up so quickly, despite his impatience. This convenient bucket and cup design caught him off guard.

Grabbing his popcorn and cola, he hurried back to the screening room, inevitably attracting glances from others. Soon, a few more patrons exited to buy popcorn and cola, and before long, Lu Yao’s stock had run out.

By the third screening, word had spread about the popcorn and cola. Some patrons wanted to buy it even before entering the theater, only to find out it was already sold out.

During this last screening of the afternoon, Lu Yao went to the back to add the recruitment ad to the rotation on the lobby’s display screen, alongside The World’s Greatest trailer. The theater still needed more employees, at least four or five more to keep up with demand. Once the theater expanded and more films were available, she’d need even more staff, including security.

Lu Yao decided she’d take some time that evening to make an ad promoting the popcorn-and-cola combo, adding some playful content to entice future customers.

When the third screening ended, guests left the theater chatting animatedly about The World’s Greatest, clearly enthralled. That day, “Ye Qingzhou” became the most talked-about name in the city’s Song’an Street, especially among young men. Ye Qingzhou was like a dream—a thrilling, vivid dream, crafted with such care that it rekindled memories of childhood fantasies.

Lu Yao placed a lit-up signboard near the entrance, announcing that The World’s Greatest would officially begin screening tomorrow. It promised a complimentary popcorn and cola combo with every ticket. Guests who hadn’t managed to get popcorn earlier looked at the sign, visibly excited.

A ticket cost thirty coins, a bit pricey. Even in the bustling capital, Liangjing, thirty coins could buy five pounds of good rice or three pounds of premium pork. Yet, for most of those who had attended the preview, watching Ye Qingzhou on the big screen felt worth skipping a few meals or skimping on meat.

This “movie” was something entirely new, different from the plays and storytelling they’d seen. It wasn’t necessarily refined, but it was certainly captivating.

A small crowd gathered around the colorful, flashing sign, intrigued by the lights. Some reached out to touch it, trying to understand how it could emit different colors.

Their gaze frequently drifted back to Lu Yao behind the counter, who was bent over, deeply focused on writing something. After watching the movie, she seemed even more mysterious to them. Her hair was always loose, her clothing light and modern. They hesitated, lingering, yet too shy to call out to her.

A few patrons, still processing their emotions and fondness for Ye Qingzhou, left the theater together, deciding to continue their discussion over a meal at Fuxian Restaurant. After most guests had gone, Gouzi and a few other young beggars returned to the cinema, hesitantly looking around the entrance without daring to enter.

Lu Yao looked up and motioned them inside. Gouzi and his companions brushed the dirt off their clothes, shuffled around at the entrance, and then tiptoed in, stunned by the interior. The cinema looked even more impressive from the inside than it did from the outside, with bright, clean decor that rivaled even the nearby luxurious establishments.

Gouzi returned the empty box to Lu Yao, reporting, “We covered over ten streets, and the entire East Market knows the theater opens tomorrow. We ran out of treats toward the end, so we just shouted the message along the last three streets. We circled them a few times, so people should have heard.”

Usually, people avoided and chased them away. But with the enticing smell of popcorn and the word that it was free, people actively approached to get some. When they ran out, Gouzi even offered his own portion and persuaded the others to do the same, rationing what little they had to cover all the streets as planned.

Lu Yao pulled a small silk pouch from her pocket, offering it to him. “Here’s your payment. I don’t have much cash on hand yet, so I hope this will do. If it’s inconvenient, I can ask a staff member to help you exchange it at a nearby pawnshop.”

With the cinema not yet officially open, Lu Yao’s funds were limited to a handful of coins earned from popcorn and cola sales that day. Gouzi took the pouch, carefully opened it, and saw a beautifully round, high-quality pearl the size of a fingertip. He shook his head, tucking the pouch safely away. “There’s no need for that; we have a place to exchange it ourselves.”

Just as he was about to leave, the large advertisement screen started playing a hiring notice, different from the The World’s Greatest trailer. Gouzi turned back and listened intently to the woman who looked exactly like Lu Yao, describing the positions available at the theater.

After a moment’s thought, he returned to the counter, hesitating slightly as he placed the silk pouch back on the counter. “Boss, I’d like to use this pearl as a trade for a job here, if you’re willing.”

He avoided eye contact, fearing he might see mockery or disdain in her clear, indifferent gaze. They were used to being looked down upon as beggars, conditioned to tolerate the scornful looks of others. But somehow, he felt particularly averse to seeing that expression in her eyes.

He held onto the pouch tightly, feeling a mix of hope and trepidation. If he could work here and earn a wage, he could support the younger children and relieve his grandfather’s burden. The pearl could sustain them for a while, but it would eventually run out, and they would still be beggars. This job, however, could be his one chance to leave the streets behind.

As silence stretched between them, his heart began to sink. With a slow breath, he raised his head, ready to brush off the topic and retreat. But he saw Lu Yao observing him thoughtfully.

She had been quietly assessing these young beggars since she first encountered them around the cinema. They were quick-witted and resourceful, forced by circumstance to grow up early. Although she felt compassion for them, she worried that some might bring along less desirable habits.

After a moment of contemplation, seeing the child nearly on the verge of tears, Lu Yao spoke up, “Which position are you interested in? Selling or cleaning?”

So be it.

If there are any minor issues, they could be corrected; if not, she could let him go later. Having opened four stores, she’d encountered her share of challenges and didn’t need to hesitate over hiring decisions. Reflecting briefly, Lu Yao noted that despite his young age, Gouzi showed impressive determination—a promising quality.

Caught between relief and disbelief, Gouzi’s expression faltered. His eyes widened as he blinked, seemingly unable to grasp the reality. “You’re really willing to hire me?”

Lu Yao considered him thoughtfully. “How old are you?”

“Thirteen,” he replied.

Malnutrition made him appear younger than his actual age.

“Same age as Zhu Zhu,” she thought, realizing he was not too young after all.

“The pearl is your payment for today’s work. Take it back with you.” She tapped her fingers on the counter lightly, then instructed the system to assess Gouzi’s physical health. “Come here tomorrow at dawn. For now, your duties will include guiding guests and cleaning. There will be a seven-day probation, after which, if all goes well, you’ll officially join the staff.”

Gouzi seemed stunned, unable to believe she truly accepted him. He only came to his senses when the younger kids tugged at his clothes.

“Thank you, Boss.” He took a step back and bowed deeply. The other children followed suit, bowing in gratitude.

“Head back now; it’s getting dark,” Lu Yao said, waving them off.

After they left, Lu Yao called over Wen Jian and Zhu Zhu, handing them each a set of uniforms. “The store officially opens tomorrow, so all staff will wear the same attire. I’ve adapted it to suit local clothing styles. How does it look?”

The people of Great Wu typically wore long robes and skirts, resembling the traditional attire Lu Yao was familiar with, though with some differences in detail. While beautiful, the multiple layers seemed excessive for the heat.

Since she couldn’t change their perception of clothing overnight and have them dress in shirts and trousers like herself, she designed modified versions inspired by Great Wu attire. For summer, the men’s uniforms were in a cool blue, while the women’s featured a delicate white-to-green gradient, creating an elegant yet refreshing look.

Zhu Zhu’s face lit up as she held the dress. “Boss, this is so beautiful! I’d wear it even off work.”

Her training with Lu Yao had already introduced her to new terms like “work,” “trailer,” and “advertisement,” which she had started using naturally.

Wen Jian inspected the robe, appreciating its light, smooth fabric, superior to most common materials. “This is excellent quality.”

Satisfied, Lu Yao added, “Gouzi, who left just now, will start work here tomorrow. He won’t have time for much training, so I’ll need you both to help guide him.”

Zhu Zhu’s eyes widened. “Boss, you’re hiring the street children as staff?”

Wen Jian was also visibly surprised. Although she was a woman, the boss’s open-mindedness was impressive.

Lu Yao shook her head. “Only Gouzi for now. The rest are too young. It’s just cleaning and guiding guests; he seems quick-witted, so I think he’ll do fine.”

After distributing the uniforms, night had fallen, making it inconvenient for Wen Jian and Zhu Zhu to stay longer.

Lu Yao stepped out of the cinema, finding it still afternoon in the Shopping Street. She went from the Little Pet Cafe to the Blind Box Store and Nail Salon, conducting a routine inspection, and eventually requested to shoot a popcorn advertisement at the Snack Shop.

Since her last ad shoot at the Little Pet Cafe, Lu Yao realized how essential set design and lighting were. With the Snack Shop’s magic illusions for props, Xingzi, a former cinema employee, could create popcorn indistinguishable from the real thing.

When word got out that the boss was filming a popcorn ad, the staff gathered on the fourth floor of the Snack Shop, brainstorming ideas and crafting props and set decor together. The conductor happened to be dining there with his team and generously lent them some crew members. They shot and edited the ad in just over ten hours.

In the middle of the night, Lu Yao brought the new ad file to the cinema. Dawn was just breaking in Liangjing, with faint crowing from roosters outside.

She uploaded the popcorn ad data to the computer, adding it to the playlist on the advertising screen. The ad would also play on the large screen in the theater, serving as an initial trial of the ad space.

After setting up the data, she stepped out to prepare more popcorn, only to spot Gouzi peeking in from outside. His face was freshly scrubbed, and he wore a patched-up shirt, looking thin and shy as he offered Lu Yao a tentative smile.

Lu Yao called him in, handing him a uniform the system had rushed to complete overnight. “This is the standard work attire. Go inside and change into it. We still have time, so I’ll teach you how to use the popcorn and drink machines.”

Now that she had decided to hire him, she was committed to nurturing his potential.

Gouzi carefully touched the uniform, changed into it, and found that it fit him perfectly, as if tailored for him.

A bit later, Wen Jian and Zhu Zhu arrived. Lu Yao retrieved the porridge and small dishes she’d brought from the Snack Shop, and the four of them sat down in the lounge area to have breakfast together. By the time they finished, daylight had fully broken.

Lu Yao took out a large poster she had prepared beforehand and, with the staff’s help, hung it at the entrance, with the colorful, illuminated sign placed on the opposite side. The bright red title The World’s Greatest stood out boldly, featuring vivid depictions of Ye Qingzhou, Senior Sister Ning Shuang, and the cast, accurately representing the characters as they appeared in the film. The poster, nearly covering the transparent glass wall of the screening hall, was as eye-catching as it was striking.

Lu Yao’s Interdimensional Cinema was officially open for business.

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