Ch 167: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World

Lu Yao and Ku Ba returned to the cinema after delivering the rumor-monger to the authorities.

Ku Ba had already collected all the information about the rumor-spreaders and provided precise details—names and addresses—along with the captured man, leaving the authorities to handle the rest. This matter, while not overly serious, required setting a firm stance. Those who caused trouble would face consequences if caught.

Back at the cinema, Lu Yao changed out of her elegant dress, which, although beautiful, was too hot for the midsummer heat. She planned to return to the shopping street shortly; her traditional attire wouldn’t be suitable there, so she needed to change.

Concerned about the progress, Fu Chi asked as soon as she stepped out, “How did it go?”

“All the rumor-mongers are detained. Tomorrow, I’ll put out a clarification,” Lu Yao replied, pouring herself a glass of cola and taking a large gulp, sighing in satisfaction. “It’s way too hot outside; the cinema is far more comfortable.”

The Great Wu Dynasty was in the height of summer, and while time and seasons were different from the shopping street, here it was still July with an intensely hot sun.

Fu Chi, surprised she had actually managed to resolve the tricky issue, asked, “What are you clarifying?”

“Mostly about the popcorn monster,” Lu Yao thought aloud. “I’ll release some behind-the-scenes footage.”

“…” Fu Chi was taken aback at how straightforward her approach was.

Reclining in her chair, Lu Yao noticed Fu Chi’s expression and, sensing his thoughts, reassured him, “Xiao Fu, we’ve already opened a cinema here. Let’s not hold back. We’re not spending all this time and money selecting content and purchasing rights just to tiptoe around. No need to hide everything from the people.”

Fu Chi felt he was seeing Lu Yao in a new light. His initial impression of her seemed far off the mark. Or perhaps he’d never fully understood her. “Do you have enough footage?”

“Mostly, though I’ll need to shoot a bit more. I’ll stop by the snack shop later—they’ll help out,” she replied.

The snack shop, seemingly the most inconspicuous yet mysterious place on the shopping street, intrigued him. Fu Chi had been warned both by Ji Zhixin and his uncle never to get curious about the snack shop. Yet, hearing Lu Yao mention it so casually, it seemed like any other place.

Suppressing his curiosity, he asked, “The trailer for When Blossoms Fall is scheduled for tomorrow—should we delay it?”

“No need,” she replied with a shake of her head.

…

As the saying goes, rumors spread quickly, but clarifications take time to catch up. Despite the confrontation at Four Joy, discussions about the cinema only grew. But with truth and rumors now intertwined, it only made matters more confusing.

The afternoon brought no more guests. With Fu Chi stationed at the cinema, Lu Yao felt at ease heading to the snack shop.

Fu Chi pulled a chair over and sat by the cinema’s entrance, listening to the melodic calls of street vendors, as people strolled by on the cobblestone road, some sneaking cautious glances in his direction. Unlike his experience at the Little Pet Cafe, the atmosphere here was lively, yet it somehow brought him a sense of peace.

At the ticket counter, Ku Ba, Gouzi, and Zhu Zhu huddled together, exchanging glances as they eyed Fu Chi’s back. The boss had introduced him as the assistant manager, saying they should go to him if they needed anything in her absence. But aside from his first day, the assistant manager hadn’t spoken to them since.

Ku Ba nudged Gouzi in a low voice, “Go on, go talk to him.”

Gouzi shrank back, “I don’t dare. Ku Ge, you go.”

Ku Ba turned to Zhu Zhu, “How about you go?”

Zhu Zhu shook her head vigorously, “Ku Ge, I don’t dare either. You’re the bravest, you should go.”

The three of them were strategizing how to break the ice with their mysterious and reserved new manager. There was a sense of curiosity and fascination towards this aloof figure, which only made him more intriguing.

After watching Fu Chi for a while, Ku Ba whispered to the others, “Do you think his clothes look pretty good?”

Gouzi looked on, puzzled and unaffected.

Zhu Zhu, however, nodded eagerly, lowering her voice, “I think his glasses look cool too, and that way he adjusts his watch band—so unique.”

Zhu Zhu mimicked Fu Chi’s way of pushing up his glasses and adjusting his watch, captivated by the gestures and feeling they were endlessly watchable.

Ku Ba stood up straighter, placed one arm on the ticket counter, flattened his mouth in imitation, and lifted a hand to push up imaginary glasses on his nose.

Zhu Zhu burst into a giggle, covering her mouth, “You really nailed it.”

Gouzi: “…”

Fu Chi noticed the murmuring behind him and slightly turned, his gaze lowered, his voice slightly hoarse, “What’s going on?”

The three fell silent instantly.

After a brief pause, Ku Ba cleared his throat and approached the door, “Nothing.”

Fu Chi let the matter drop without further comment.

The awkwardness set in, and Ku Ba, inwardly wincing, couldn’t help but think fondly of the cheerful and approachable big boss. At least she was easy to talk to, even if she didn’t dress “properly.”

Suddenly, feeling a restless urge for a cigarette, Fu Chi reminded himself that he’d quit the day he started this job. Instead, he reached into his pocket, pulled out a mint, unwrapped it, and popped it into his mouth to stave off the craving.

A strong stare pulled his attention to his side, and Fu Chi glanced over.

Ku Ba quickly looked away, pretending to be engrossed in the scenery outside.

Fu Chi grabbed another mint, held it out wordlessly.

Ku Ba blinked and took the mint, copying Fu Chi’s method of unwrapping it and popping it into his mouth. The cool sweetness spread across his tongue—it was slightly spicy but also pleasantly sweet.

Behind them, Zhu Zhu and Gouzi’s eyes shone with envy.

“So, you already knew the boss?” Ku Ba asked.

Fu Chi replied, “Yes.”

“And why are you both here?”

“I’m not sure, really. You’d have to ask Lu Yao.”

Ku Ba frowned. Looks like he’d have to go directly to the boss for useful information.

Now Fu Chi and Ku Ba stood side by side, one seated and one standing, guarding the cinema’s entrance. That day, no more customers came.

…

The following day, residents of Song’an Street noticed that the cinema had undergone a sudden transformation.

The large posters for The World’s Greatest and The Little Chef on one side of the theater’s exterior glass had been replaced with an advertising screen, matching the display in the adjacent seating area. This screen, however, was larger and positioned on the glass, making it even more visible.

The new screen was playing a freshly-made video titled The Birth of a Monster.

Having regained his composure the previous day, Xie Xu had immediately dispatched people to investigate the cinema in the East Market. But the curfew had already started by the time he got the information, frustrating him. As soon as it lifted the next morning, he hurried out, mischievously inviting the Prince Jin’s son to join him.

Three or four young noblemen raced their carriage to the East Market. But before they even entered the cinema, they found themselves captivated by the video on the screen.

The Birth of a Monster was quite different from the cinema’s previous films—none of the people wore traditional garb, their hair was short, and they were dressed in modern casual clothes.

With a keen eye, Xie Xu spotted Lu Yao among them. Today, she looked different, dressed in light clothing, her hair down and tucked behind her ears, cradling a lump of white clay with focused hands.

A bustling group shaped the clay into an indescribable creature’s shell. In the end, a man with green hair crawled inside, bringing the creature to life and moving it around while everyone else shrieked and scattered in mock terror.

The behind-the-scenes reel concluded with the scene from the popcorn ad where Meng Qin and Ning Yun were cornered by the monster. However, this version showed blooper footage.

After too many takes, the man inside the monster costume, overheated, took off his headpiece to cool down.

At first, Xie Xu and his companions didn’t quite understand the purpose of this behind-the-scenes footage—until they entered the cinema and, on the adjacent screen, watched the complete popcorn monster ad.

🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️