Ch 169: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World

For the citizens of Liangjing, the cinema was already a place filled with novelty.

Beyond its unique decor, the unusual and convenient amenities, and the intriguing food, the experience of “watching a movie” offered a refreshingly different form of entertainment that brought new feelings every day.

This morning, The Birth of a Monster had not only revealed the true nature of the “monster” but had also sparked more questions: why did the people in the films look and dress so differently? Where and how were these “behind-the-scenes” films made? Where did the theater’s owner come from, and what was their purpose?

There were just too many questions.

The cinema felt like an elaborate, mysterious puzzle that ceaselessly piqued the curiosity and inquisitiveness of the people of Liangjing. While some felt cautious about it, many couldn’t resist its allure.

This was exactly the situation now.

The cinema had just clarified the mystery of the popcorn monster and was now releasing a new trailer on the street-facing screen. The new film, When Blossoms Fall, instantly captivated the attention of every passerby.

In an era of unrest, where people’s lives were harsh, a female assassin named Hua Shi is ordered to assassinate the frail but powerful court minister Shen Xiangjun. However, due to an unexpected twist, the two swap “souls,” binding the assassin to her intended target in a thrilling story filled with peril and unknowns.

The setup alone, with the assassin and her target forced into a fateful link, was enough to intrigue audiences, and the “soul swap” added layers of mystery and imaginative potential to their already tense relationship.

The Great Wu Dynasty had its fair share of tales featuring supernatural beings, spirit possession, and otherworldly encounters. But the visual experience created by a movie—through set design, music, acting, dialogue, and special effects—was incomparable to reading or hearing such tales.

The soul swap between Hua Shi and Shen Xiangjun was unlike the usual possession tropes in local stories, which often depicted creatures devouring humans or ghosts seizing bodies to blend in with society. Some stories told of romances between humans and spirits, where a ghost might possess a body to stay with a loved one.

But When Blossoms Fall had two human protagonists, making viewers especially curious: why did they swap souls? And would they ever swap back?

If they couldn’t return to their original bodies, how would they go on living? And if they did switch back, how would Shen Xiangjun treat Hua Shi, given she had initially tried to kill him?

The trailer was only thirty seconds long, but each second hit precisely the most suspenseful, enticing points. The last frame showed Hua Shi and Shen Xiangjun exchanging glances after yet another attempt to return to their bodies.

Xie Xu pounded on the carriage door, startling the horse, “So, did they manage to swap back or not?”

Chen Yuning felt a burning curiosity, “When does this movie release? It’s fascinating!”

Prince Jin, squeezed into the narrow carriage window beside Chen Yuning, tried to move back disdainfully but couldn’t see the screen from afar, so he reluctantly leaned in again. “Didn’t they say in two days?”

Chen Yuning groaned, “Two whole days! That’s unbearable.”

Xie Xu sat back inside the carriage. “No point in getting anxious. Let’s just go eat.”

Meanwhile, Chen Jingshan had heard that the theater’s owner had gone to the Four Joys Restaurant yesterday, promising to reveal the popcorn monster’s true form. He had arrived early to wait outside the cinema.

After watching the behind-the-scenes clip, he was deep in thought and couldn’t help but marvel at the cinema’s depth. Passing by again in the afternoon, he saw the new trailer and stood outside watching it for a long time.

After several replays, he finally had his fill and prepared to leave, only to turn and see Liu Gennong. He went over, clasped his hands, and greeted him, “Brother Liu, how have you been?”

Liu Gennong was still absorbed in the new trailer. After a moment’s pause, he quickly returned the greeting, murmuring, “I haven’t even finished adapting The Little Chef, and now a new film is about to be released. Even ‘possession’ can be portrayed. Unbelievable.”

Chen Jingshan was eager to gather some information. “I heard that the young cinema owner visited Four Joys Restaurant yesterday. Were you there at the time, Brother Liu?”

Liu Gennong nodded, recounting the scene vividly. “That young owner looks youthful but is quite sharp. With just a few words, she left the rumor-monger speechless. Her assistant is skilled in martial arts and escorted the slanderer straight to the authorities. Within half a day, all the rumor-mongers were arrested and punished. Oh, and the young owner showed a device used to make films. It was just a small item, with a tiny lens, yet it could capture a person’s face, body, voice, and even the surrounding objects—utterly remarkable.”

Chen Jingshan hadn’t expected Lu Yao to reveal such a treasure in public. Listening to Liu Gennong’s account, he couldn’t help but feel envious and regretful for not witnessing it himself.

…

Xie Xu, the second son of Chancellor Xie Qianru, had been studying abroad for a year. With his grandmother’s birthday approaching, he returned to the capital early.

Madam Xie, doting on her grandson, insisted on hosting a welcome banquet for him ahead of her own grand celebration.

Though it was a small gathering, it was lively and bustling with young guests and noblewomen close in age to Xie Xu.

An invitation from the Chancellor’s household was hard to refuse, so the banquet was filled with young nobles.

After a few rounds of drinks, a group of them surrounded Xie Xu, eager to hear tales of his travels.

With a fair amount of wine in him, Xie Xu’s cheeks were flushed, and his eyes sparkled. He shared stories from his journey, but his mind soon turned hazy, and he found himself talking about the legendary swordsman Ye Qingzhou.

Since watching The World’s Greatest and The Little Chef at the cinema the previous day, the characters Ye Qingzhou, Yu Zhengzheng, and Jing Hao had firmly taken root in his mind. When he left the cinema, he hadn’t felt much, but later, over dinner with friends, all they could discuss were the plotlines.

At the height of youth and ambition, who hadn’t dreamed of donning fine clothes, riding a swift horse, and roaming the world with a sword?

Of the three films, The World’s Greatest had captivated Xie Xu the most, with scenes of Ye Qingzhou even appearing in his dreams.

Gifted with words and captivated by the characters, Xie Xu’s storytelling brought the intense swordplay and chivalrous heroics of the jianghu world to life, quickly drawing the attention of the guests.

Chen Yuning, sitting nearby, occasionally added details to the story.

Curious, one of the listeners asked, “Chen, have you also met Ye Qingzhou?”

Prince Jin, always stern-faced, answered with a barely detectable hint of pride in his tone. “Ye Qingzhou isn’t someone Second Young Master Xie met while traveling. He’s the protagonist of the film The World’s Greatest. If you’re in the capital, you must be aware of the cinema, no?”

With reddened cheeks, Xie Xu smacked his forehead, muttering, “I was going to say that!”

Chen Yuning quietly teased, “If I recall, the Prince only learned about the cinema yesterday himself.”

Prince Jin: “…”

Hearing this, the others grew even more intrigued. “What is a cinema? And how does it differ from ‘cinematic images’? We’ve never heard of such a thing.”

This time, Xie Xu jumped in before Prince Jin and eagerly recounted everything he had seen at the cinema.

On the other side of the screen, noble ladies were listening in with wide-eyed fascination, whispering among themselves.

“It sounds quite entertaining, but it’s such a pity it’s in the East Market. It’s not convenient to go there,” one young lady remarked wistfully.

A girl in a yellow embroidered pleated dress nodded, the tassels by her ear swaying. “From what Second Young Master Xie said, men and women from all walks of life gather to watch these ‘cinematic images,’ even turning out the lights. How could a lady go there? What about her reputation?”

Though initially tempted, the noblewomen quickly realized that no matter how fascinating the cinema might be, it was unlikely they’d be able to visit.

Wan Baozhu, having been held back at the palace for a conversation with the Empress that morning, had gone home to change before arriving at the Xie household. Though she was late, her high status and the Emperor’s favor meant no one dared say a word against her.

A maid led the way ahead, and before Wan Baozhu even entered Qingfeng Pavilion, she could already hear Xie Xu’s voice.

On the other side of the screen, the gathered noble ladies stood up and bowed. “Your Highness.”

“No need for formalities,” Wan Baozhu said, making her way to the seat of honor at the center of the banquet hall. “I heard lively chatter from outside. What’s all the excitement about?”

No one dared to respond hastily. Xie Wan, Xie Xu’s younger sister and responsible for hosting the female guests, briefly mentioned the cinema.

With someone to break the ice, the other ladies began to join in, chatting quietly about the cinema with great interest. Unfortunately, due to their status, whether still single or already married, it was nearly impossible for them to go to such a place.

Wan Baozhu listened as the noble ladies’ lively discussion turned into resigned sighs. She toyed with the pouch hanging from her waist, her tone leisurely: “It’s not some scandalous place. If men can go, why shouldn’t women? If you want to go, just bring along your maids and attendants. What’s the harm?”

Eight years ago, during a palace banquet, an assassin managed to infiltrate. In the midst of the chaos, the Crown Prince took a fatal blow meant for the Emperor, ultimately succumbing to his injuries.

The Emperor, grief-stricken, fell ill, and it was Wan Baozhu, the Crown Prince’s orphaned daughter, who was summoned to the palace at the tender age of five to comfort him. Day and night, she kept him company, and he later granted her the title of Princess Deyi, showering her with constant favor over the years. As a result, she acted freely and without constraint.

No one dared contradict her; they simply agreed in soft murmurs and refrained from further comment.

Wan Baozhu quickly lost interest and, recalling Lu Yao, allowed a slight smile to play on her lips. That young shopkeeper truly behaved without a care, and the noble daughters of the great houses would surely be half-scared out of their wits if they ever met her.

What a pity, indeed, that they’d never visit the cinema.

The next day, news of the cinema had spread thanks to the tales shared at Xie Xu’s welcome banquet.

On the opening day of When Blossoms Fall, several carriages arrived one after another at the cinema’s entrance.

Xie Xu jumped down from his carriage, followed by a fair-skinned young man dressed in light blue silk robes.

With her brother’s help, Xie Wan descended from the carriage, but before she could take in the famous cinema, she caught sight of a familiar face stepping down from another carriage, her expression freezing momentarily.

Sun Qinghe noticed Xie Wan and looked equally uncomfortable.

She, too, was dressed in men’s attire, accompanied by her brother, Sun Qingju.

At yesterday’s banquet, all the noble daughters had lamented that they couldn’t visit the cinema, leaving the matter at that. However, once the banquet ended, Xie Wan’s curiosity got the better of her, and she sought out her brother, pleading for him to take her to the cinema.

Xie Xu, still slightly tipsy, initially resisted but ultimately yielded to his sister’s persistent pleas.

Sun Qinghe had a similar experience. After leaving the Xie residence, she couldn’t resist sending someone to inquire about Song’an Street.

The cinema was so famous on Song’an Street that any passerby could easily provide plenty of details.

The servant who went to investigate even ventured to the cinema, observing from the entrance for a long time before returning to report in detail.

After listening to the account, Sun Qinghe remained silent for a long while—until her maid informed her that her brother had arrived.

Sun Qingju was the study companion of the Crown Prince Sheng.

The Crown Prince Sheng, brimming with curiosity, had somehow learned about the cinema. However, frail since childhood, his movements were strictly regulated by his parents. Apart from studying and visiting the palace, he rarely left the estate. He secretly asked his companion to visit the cinema and later recount the experience to him.

At just eleven years old, Sun Qingju relied heavily on his sister, Sun Qinghe, apart from his parents. Excited to receive this task, he couldn’t resist running to find her.

Sun Qinghe suddenly recalled Wan Baozhu—who was known among the noblewomen for dressing as a man and mingling among the common folk. Many admired her secretly, though none dared imitate her.

After careful consideration, Sun Qinghe assumed she wouldn’t encounter any familiar faces and decided to join her brother on this outing. But, to her surprise, she ran into the Chancellor’s daughter, Xie Wan, at the cinema entrance.

Xie Xu also spotted Sun Qinghe. Setting aside his surprise, he urged Xie Wan to hurry and buy tickets; any further delay and they might miss the first showing.

Since When Blossoms Fall had been advertised, diners at the taverns had frequently mentioned their eagerness to attend the screening.

Once tickets were secured, Xie Xu took Xie Wan to the waiting area, where they awaited the broadcast announcement for ticket checks. Soon enough, they found themselves among a handful of other noblewomen, all in disguise.

Some had come with their brothers, while others were accompanied by nursemaids and attendants. Their gazes met briefly, only to look away just as quickly, as if they had touched a flame.

Awkwardness and silence slowly settled over the entire waiting area.

Chen Yuning and Prince Jin had arrived earlier and were comfortably chatting over popcorn in a corner, their ease standing in stark contrast to the tension in the room.

Meanwhile, Lu Yao was in the back adjusting the content on the advertising screen. In addition to When Blossoms Fall, the final popcorn and cola advertisement was scheduled to be released.

Unlike the previous ads, this one had quickly become Lu Yao’s favorite.

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