Ch 157: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World

Chen Jingshan tossed and turned all night, thoughts racing about the cinema, that magical screen, the cola and popcorn, and the enigmatic proprietress—along with the celebrated Ye Qingzhou, whom everyone seemed to adore.

As the rooster crowed, he got up, splashed water on his face in the courtyard, tidied himself, and headed out with his money pouch.

Stopping at his usual noodle stall, he ordered a bowl of spring noodles. While eating, he overheard patrons at nearby tables discussing “Ye Qingzhou” and “the cinema,” realizing they, too, were planning to watch the film after breakfast. Hastily finishing his meal, he dropped a few coins on the table and rushed off toward Song’an Street.

From afar, he spotted the cinema’s massive poster, gathering a crowd of onlookers—locals and students from Song’an Academy alike.

He stood at the entrance, studying the poster.

A painting? No, it looked exactly like the figures on that screen, almost too real. The more he observed, the heavier his thoughts grew. This cinema was beyond strange.

As a storyteller, he relished the unusual and was confident he’d encountered it all, from fantastical tales to strange phenomena. But nothing he’d seen or read compared to the uncanny experience this place offered.

Crowds filed inside, lining up at the ticket counter. Steadying his cap and collecting his thoughts, Chen Jinshan walked in, determined to finally unravel the mystery of this peculiar shop.

After purchasing his ticket and receiving a complimentary cola and popcorn, he took a seat in the waiting area, noticing a familiar face nearby—Liu Gennong, another storyteller who worked across town. Surprised, Chen Jinshan greeted him, “Liu, my friend.”

Liu Gennong, slender and wearing a grayish-brown robe and a long hat, looked up, recognizing him immediately, “Chen.”

They chatted briefly. Liu, who worked at the Sixi Tea House in North Market, had heard rumors about the mysterious new place and had come to see for himself.

After a quarter of an hour, a voice announced for ticket holders to line up. Both men, their curiosity piqued, joined the queue for the screening.

The first screening began promptly, with all thirty tickets sold, and half the tickets for the second screening already gone.

…

Chunxi Tower, Second-Floor Private Room

Le Huan held a white porcelain teacup, leaning by the window and peering at the bustling crowd outside the cinema. “It’s lively over there, even this early,” he remarked.

Behind him, on the table, was a small red clay stove with a boiling kettle. Rong Shenghua, the bookshop owner, used a damp cloth to lift it and poured the water into a small teapot. He replied in a low tone, “That cinema next door is no ordinary place. The proprietress may seem gentle, but she’s clearly more than meets the eye.”

Le Han turned to sit by the window, idly spinning his teacup in his hand. “Indeed, it’s extraordinary. Even after visiting, the cinema remains an enigma. Yesterday, I even took a look at their restroom. Right around the corner is a smooth, clear mirror, a washbasin, and a dispenser with some kind of soap. It’s housed in a transparent container that releases a fragrant, foamy liquid when pressed. The fragrance is light and pleasant. The restroom itself is divided by gender, but what’s remarkable is that it’s equipped with entirely unique amenities. There’s no unpleasant smell—quite the opposite, there’s a faint, pleasing scent. Each toilet is a private stall with a door. The paper is thin and soft, and once you’re done, water automatically flushes the waste away. I’m 24, consider myself well-traveled, and I’ve never encountered such bizarre equipment.”

Initially, Rong Shenghua frowned, feeling it was an ill-chosen topic for early morning conversation. The notion of restrooms could easily ruin one’s appetite—he hadn’t even eaten yet. But as he listened, he was slightly embarrassed, realizing he hadn’t explored the cinema enough to notice such a feature.

He found it difficult to picture Le Han’s description—a shiny mirror, scented soap, private stalls, and automatic flushing with no odor, along with soft, thin toilet paper. None of it was familiar to him.

Increasingly curious, he considered buying a ticket in the afternoon to check it out. “The World’s Greatest” was indeed a captivating movie; seeing it twice wouldn’t feel wasteful.

“So, in your view, what’s the proprietor’s aim?” Rong Shenghua asked, putting aside his thoughts.

Le Han glanced at him, smiling slyly. “Surely, a seasoned merchant like you must have some idea?”

Rong Shenghua’s expression grew thoughtful as he rubbed his fingers along the smooth rim of his porcelain teacup. “I’ve seen many things, but nothing quite like this place. If I had to guess, I’d say it’s as if the proprietress and the cinema itself…dropped from the heavens.”

The cinema had been vacant for quite some time, but the renovations and the overall design didn’t fit with Great Wu’s customs. Their shops were next door, yet no workmen were ever seen going in or out; all the changes seemed to have occurred in silence.

As a book merchant who occasionally dealt with unique manuscripts, Rong Shenghua had read many strange tales. But this thought, once voiced, even sounded implausible to him.

Le Han, however, nodded slowly. “If your guess holds, then this is truly fascinating.”

Rong Shenghua raised an eyebrow. “You believe it?”

Le Han replied with a serious expression, “Belief is irrelevant; whether it’s genuine or mere trickery, we can investigate.”

Rong Shenghua asked, “How will you investigate?”

In truth, the cinema was openly accessible, and they’d explored every part they could. But despite their efforts, they’d been left none the wiser.

Le Han explained, “I’ve hired someone from Lingxiao Pavilion.”

Rong Shenghua looked taken aback, standing up abruptly. “An assassin?”

Le Han waved a hand. “Don’t worry; it’s not an assassination order. Lingxiao Pavilion takes on information-gathering jobs too. Since the cinema is hiring, I’ve arranged for one of their agents to apply and see if they can uncover anything.”

Rong Shenghua sat back down. “In that case, why not ask the current employees?”

Le Han shook his head. “No use.”

The employees there were tight-lipped, impossible to get anything out of.

After discussing everything, Rong Shenghua left. Le Han poured himself another cup of tea, savoring it leisurely by the window. Now, it was just a matter of waiting for Lingxiao Pavilion’s agent.

…

Cinema, Hall 1

Before the feature started, a few minutes of ads played.

Currently, the screen displayed the popcorn and cola ad that Lu Yao had shot with the snack shop employees the previous night.

Shooting the ad required actors, and the snack shop staff eagerly volunteered, especially when they heard it would be shown in the proprietor’s cinema.

As a well-known “crowd-pleaser,” Lu Yao naturally agreed.

The result was a series of short clips, with the first one airing today.

Bai Ming, Xingzi, and Xiao Qie were dressed in period costumes, preparing to watch a film. When buying tickets at the counter, they each also got popcorn and cola. This part featured a close-up product showcase of the popcorn and cola.

The ad then showed the trio entering the theater with their treats, enjoying the snacks while watching the movie. The scene was both heartwarming and amusing, giving viewers a taste of the unique cinema experience.

This was an ad so straightforward that it had no plot twists or fancy tricks, yet for the people of Great Wu, it was astonishing beyond words. They held the same products in their hands as the people on the screen. Watching the characters eat popcorn, they couldn’t resist taking a handful from their own buckets—and the taste was indeed delightful.

The most wondrous part was the surreal feeling of fantasy blending with reality. Eating the same thing as the people on the screen made them wonder—could those characters on the screen actually be real people like themselves?

The ad was shot in a grander setting, using the luxurious cinema at Paradise, which was even more spacious and opulent than Lu Yao’s cinema, with larger halls, more seating, and a giant screen.

The screen within the ad flashed scenes the audience had never seen before, creating curiosity about what sort of movie those characters might be watching. But just as interest peaked, the ad concluded, transitioning to safety instructions.

Shortly after, The World’s Greatest officially began.

Chen Jingshan and Liu Gennong sat near the back row, with two people seated between them. In the dim theater, the glow of the screen illuminated their faces, both of which bore serious expressions. As the movie progressed, their initial intrigue deepened, turning into growing astonishment.

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