Ch 180: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World

The World of Eden Sea and “In Search of Deep-Sea Beasts”

In the world of Eden Sea, the inhabitants revere both the Mother Goddess and the ocean, a place where land is scarce and over 99% of the environment is dominated by vast, boundless waters. The cities, hemmed in by the sea, develop under constrained conditions, while the ocean itself remains vast, mysterious, and unrestricted.

Lu Yao had carefully reviewed the historical data of Eden Sea and this world. While the two worlds differ significantly in history and development, the evolution and habits of deep-sea creatures are strikingly similar, with only minor differences in species. The expansive oceanic regions of Eden Sea, teeming with marine life—ranging from arthropods and brachiopods to algae, large sea beasts, and even ancient creatures long extinct in other worlds, such as Devonian-era fish and mollusks—present an environment far more suited to marine life.

In this world, people sustain themselves by the sea and have pursued extensive exploration and research on marine life, preserving their findings through written records and film. Among the three films Lu Yao acquired in Night Light City, two are documentaries, including In Search of Deep-Sea Beasts, a film chronicling the journey to uncover the mysteries of deep-sea life.

The Trailer

At this moment, the cinema’s advertisement screen is playing the trailer for In Search of Deep-Sea Beasts. Against a clear, open sea, a small white boat rocks on the waves. Suddenly, with a splash, a man in diving gear plunges into the water, steadily descending into the depths. As he dives deeper, he encounters an otherworldly blue realm where a group of enormous fish, upright with heads raised, hover in motionless formation, as if performing a mysterious ritual. Driven by curiosity about the meaning behind this behavior, the man ventures closer…

There are no intense dialogues or action scenes—only the haunting image of the deep blue sea, a school of massive, silent fish, and one lone human swimming towards them, as though surrendering to fate. A powerful sense of drowning, of overwhelming suffocation, seems to emanate from the screen itself.

Ku Ba watched, brow furrowed and visibly disturbed, even instinctively moving a step closer to Ye Xiao. He hadn’t felt this unsettled, not even during yesterday’s blood draw for the health check.

As the human diver draws nearer, his tiny frame contrasts sharply with the colossal bodies of the deep-sea beasts, making him appear both small and pitiful. The trailer’s final frame captures a haunting, chilling image: the immense, enigmatic creature slowly opening its eye.

…The implications of what might happen next are too terrifying to imagine, yet Ku Ba’s curiosity is piqued. What are these creatures? What purpose do their actions hold? And will that human diver make it out alive?

Viewers in the lounge, having finished the trailer, were visibly shaken—some bolted for the exit, while others found their legs too weak to move. Even passersby outside were drawn to the fearsome visuals on the screen. One parent who had brought their child to the cinema for popcorn and a hot dog found the child bawling in terror, refusing even a snack after glimpsing the monstrous sea creature.

As Ku Ba finally came back to his senses, he shot a glance at Ye Xiao, then approached Lu Yao with a pained expression. “Boss, what is this movie? It’s way too scary!”

Lu Yao observed the lingering fear in the audience’s faces, a mix of horror and intense curiosity.

“It’s a powerful reaction,” she said calmly, addressing their small, fearful yet curious gazes. “But why be so startled? Haven’t you ever thought about exploring the diverse forms of life?”

Ku Ba blinked blankly, slowly shaking his head.

He recognized each word she spoke, but the meaning behind her question escaped him entirely. Diverse forms of life?

Amid the crowd, some remained paralyzed with fear, while others wore contemplative expressions.

In a quiet corner, Qin Sanwei sat inconspicuously against the wall. He had come hoping to see When blossoms fall and had lingered around the cinema for days, still hesitant to spend thirty-five coins on a show. But he had not expected to encounter the new trailer. Now, as he sat, it wasn’t a lack of interest that kept him glued to his seat but rather the fact that his limbs felt too weak to stand.

And in his mind, he couldn’t help but ponder what the boss had said.

Explore what exactly?

Qin Sanwei couldn’t quite grasp the full meaning, yet he sensed a certain depth in that question. It was hard not to dwell on it.

The trailer for In Search of Deep-Sea Beasts was short and unsettling, presenting a fresh genre compared to previous films. This novelty stirred a fierce curiosity in some, while others were so terrified that they avoided it entirely.

Having grown accustomed to Lu Yao’s bold strategies, Fu Chi bypassed the mixed reactions around him and approached her. “When will this one premiere?”

In three days, the new screening area would be ready, and the Mid-Autumn Festival in Great Wu was just around the corner. Lu Yao had planned everything carefully. “In three days.”

Fu Chi nodded. “That’s the same day as The Little Chef update.”

Lu Yao smiled slightly. “A glimpse into the deep-sea world followed by a light-hearted romance sounds perfect, doesn’t it?”

Fu Chi laughed. “You really have everything lined up. Ji Zhixin also mentioned that a few new films are in the pipeline.”

Lu Yao nodded. “Yes, two more are set to release around Mid-Autumn: a suspense film and an adventure-fantasy drama.”

Intrigued, Fu Chi raised an eyebrow. “A suspense film?”

Lu Yao’s dark eyes fixed on him. After a few seconds, she said, “It’s one you haven’t seen.”

Fu Chi paused, taken aback.

If it was a film he hadn’t seen, then it must be from another world. That piqued his interest even more. Realizing his limited influence on the theater’s operations, he found himself, like everyone else, simply waiting for Lu Yao’s next decisions.

Then, remembering recent issues, he asked cautiously, “About the missing ingredients… what’s your plan?”

The smile on Lu Yao’s face faded slightly. “It’s a minor matter, but it can’t be left unchecked. Their trial period ends in a few days, and I’ll settle it then.”

Fu Chi nodded, though feeling a bit rueful. “I’m the one who hired them, after all.”

She shook her head. “If it hadn’t been them, it would’ve been someone else. The desires of the living are far more complex than those of the dead. I anticipated these situations, so don’t feel responsible.”

Her comment startled Fu Chi; his pupils constricted slightly as he looked down. The desires of the living versus the dead? Once people pass, they no longer harbor desires. There was indeed something strange about her choice of words.

And he couldn’t help but think of Qi Chen…

Lu Yao noticed the change in his expression but wasn’t sure of his thoughts. “How’s filming been going these past few days?”

At this, Fu Chi’s worries faded. He couldn’t help but smile. “It’s fascinating.”

The streets, lives, customs, food, language, and traditions of Great Wu… the more he observed, the more captivating it all became.

After listening quietly, Lu Yao offered sincere encouragement and mentioned a new plan. “I heard the Mid-Autumn Festival here is lively. Our mooncake boxes are beautiful; I wonder if there’d be interest in them.”

Fu Chi recalled the elaborate mooncake gift boxes he’d stashed in the fishing room at pet cafe. Besides the fact they couldn’t be taken back home, they were perfect in every way. Yet for those from the other world who could take them back, the boxes, if reasonably priced, would surely be popular.

Lu Yao knew this too, though the cost of the mooncake boxes left little flexibility. “I’ll think on it a bit more.”

For the cinema, the mooncake boxes were merely a cherry on top, but Lu Yao wanted to introduce them in a way that gave Great Wu’s people a taste of something different from their own culture—a subtle wish on her part.

While there may be countless fantasies and visions in this world, some things, seemingly irrational and beyond comprehension, did indeed exist, undeniably real.

🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️