Ch 187: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World

Noticing someone approaching, Lu Yao looked up to see Wan Baozhu. “Something on your mind?”

Wan Baozhu’s gaze fell on the book in front of Lu Yao, her curiosity piqued. She walked over and took a seat across from her. “Mind a chat?”

The cinema was bustling with people. Fu Chi was busy adjusting equipment angles to capture the reactions of the Great Wu Dynasty citizens experiencing a suspense film for the first time.

Ye Xiao stood by the entrance, maintaining order to prevent line-cutting. The ticket counter and concession stand were swarming with guests, creating a noisy scene.

Cui Zhu and Qing Fei stood at a distance, ensuring no one approached the corner table.

Lu Yao placed a bookmark in her book, closed it, and nodded toward Wan Baozhu. “What would Miss Qian like to discuss?”

Wan Baozhu’s eyes fell on the title embossed on the book’s black cover, and she paused. “May I take a look?”

Thanks to the system’s capabilities, all texts within the shop areas would automatically be translated into the common language of this world.

Lu Yao slid the book over and waved for Hongyu to bring over a pot of tea and some snacks.

Hongyu adjusted her glasses and went to the break room. Moments later, she returned with a tray.

The glass teapot held floral tea, with two matching glass cups and a plate of cookies.

Wan Baozhu was so absorbed in the book that she didn’t notice the refreshments.

Lu Yao poured herself some tea, sipped quietly, and observed the customers coming and going.

About twenty minutes later, an announcement prompted guests to proceed with ticket checks as the second screening was about to start.

By then, Wan Baozhu had only a third of the book left.

During this time, Lu Yao received a message from Ji Zhixin about two new films she had her eye on. One, a modern youth drama set in a high school, had already received an offer.

They exchanged a few words about the pricing, and when Lu Yao looked up again, Wan Baozhu had finished reading The Sea Train Serial Murders.

“So, the entire story of The Sea Train came from this book?” Wan Baozhu seemed slightly unsettled.

Lu Yao, though puzzled, didn’t deny it.

A train floating over the sea, the round timer, powerful firearms, tools that could communicate across miles… Were all the extraordinary items shown in the film simply figments of imagination?

Why make it so realistic that she almost believed it?

The disappointment after such high expectations felt even heavier than if she’d never had those expectations.

Head bowed, Wan Baozhu’s feelings were as deflated as they had been buoyant while watching the film. “So, it was all fake.”

Lu Yao observed her thoughtfully. “Most guests leave discussing the ending of The Sea Train, but you seem less interested in that part of the story?”

Wan Baozhu raised her eyes, her gaze dark and deep. Her bright, dignified face held a trace of somberness. “The writer of this story has an astute grasp of the depths of human nature. The ending is indeed clever, worth savoring. But for me, it wasn’t entirely unexpected.”

Lu Yao understood. “Because you’re also adept at reading people’s hearts, so it lost its novelty.”

Wan Baozhu’s gaze was sharp, and she didn’t deny it. “Why wouldn’t it?”

Lu Yao shook her head. “Nothing wrong with that.”

Wan Baozhu’s eyes flickered, and she quietly watched Lu Yao without speaking further.

After a pause, Lu Yao asked, “When you said it was all fake, what did you mean?”

Qing Fei suddenly stepped forward, her tone slightly urgent. “Young Master, any later, and you’ll miss the banquet.”

Wan Baozhu glanced at Lu Yao. “We’ll talk more another day.”

Lu Yao nodded in understanding and waved to the clerk.

The clerk fetched two nearly half-human-sized gift boxes from the rest room, wrapped in thick, printed paper with ribbons tied around them. Although the contents were hidden, they still looked luxurious. “Young Master Qian’s two custom dessert boxes, with the complimentary gifts included inside.”

Cui Zhu and Qing Fei each took a box carefully, holding them with great care.

Back at the residence, Wan Baozhu changed her clothes and fixed her hair and makeup before instructing someone to open the boxes.

Two identical, intricate birdcages were placed on the table, brightening up the room.

Wan Baozhu picked up a handful of gemstones, playing with them thoughtfully. Her eyes darkened as she murmured, “Genuine Baoyu pearls of the highest quality… Mysterious, wealthy, unpretentious, and running such an unusual shop—what exactly is she after? Even I can’t figure her out.”

Cui Zhu presented a small redwood box. “Your Highness, these were with the desserts. They must be the complimentary gifts the clerk mentioned.”

Inside the luxury birdcage gift box was a complete set of postcards and five plush keychain toys. With two cages, there were two sets of gifts, and both Cui Zhu and Qing Fei eyed them longingly.

Wan Baozhu took the only plush keychain of a small white boat and a postcard featuring a pod of sperm whales swimming across the ocean. She waved her hand. “Leave one set of gifts in each birdcage for the shelves, rewrap them, as I’ll bring them to the palace. The rest, distribute as you wish.”

Cui Zhu and Qing Fei’s faces lit up with joy, and they curtsied repeatedly in thanks.

Once everything was prepared and just before they left for the palace, Qing Fei couldn’t help but say, “Your Highness praised these desserts yesterday, yet now they’re all going to the palace?”

Wan Baozhu chuckled. “It’s just a few boxes of pastries; why be so stingy? If you’re craving them, I’ll have the steward buy more later.”

Cui Zhu added, “Your Highness might not know, but the cinema’s mooncakes are hard to buy. The specialty ones at Yuguizhai are still available, but the rest are exclusive to the cinema. Yesterday, many thought they were expensive and hesitated, but those who tried them were amazed. Today, anyone wanting more had to queue for ages to get them. Qing Fei was so surprised by a bite of the meat mooncake she was mumbling about it all night.”

Qing Fei blushed, unwilling to admit it. “That didn’t happen, Your Highness. It’s getting late.”

…

After watching the movie, Xie Xu and Chen Yuning each returned to their homes, where their families were ready and waiting for them.

Chen Yuning’s father, the Minister of Works, heard that his son had gone out early in the morning to watch a movie and only returned around noon. He was so furious he was ready to discipline his “rebellious son” with the family rules, but the women of the family managed to calm him down, though he now held a negative view of the cinema.

The old minister, always busy with official duties, spent even his days off at home drafting water transport blueprints and rarely indulged in entertainment. He had never even heard of the cinema.

To him, this cinema seemed like another lowbrow fad in Liangjing, and seeing his son engrossed in such frivolities was difficult to bear.

Had there not been a Mid-Autumn Festival banquet at the palace today, where both ministers and their families were expected to attend, nothing could have persuaded him otherwise.

The Dragon Boat Festival in June, the Moon-Watching Banquet at Mid-Autumn, and the New Year’s Banquet were the regular palace events. Flower viewing, poetry contests, performances… year after year, the palace elders grew tired of the routine and longed for something fresh.

The ministers’ families, however, feared mishaps and were exceedingly cautious.

As a result, the bold and lively Princess Deyi, skilled at navigating various social circles, became a welcome sight.

The palace ladies loved hearing her talk, and she usually arrived early for such banquets.

Today was different, though. Princess Deyi arrived fashionably late, just as the banquet was about to begin.

The Moon-Watching Banquet on Mid-Autumn Night would only end when the moon reached its peak in the sky.

On this day, the curfew was also exceptionally lifted, allowing the streets to host lantern festivals, with the ladies of Jinghong Pavilion performing music and dances on riverboats, creating an atmosphere of lively celebration.

The cinema would close at 5 p.m., screening one less film than usual.

After all, it was a holiday, and guests would be returning home for family gatherings, and the cinema staff would celebrate as well.

The cinema provided each employee with a holiday gift box, including the four new hires still in their probationary period.

Each employee received a complete mooncake gift set from the five shops on the shopping street, packed in a custom five-layered redwood box, and each took one home.

Die Qi’s words reminded Lu Yao to cancel the super-luxury birdcage gift box with the gemstones.

The cinema only had five mooncake sets for its employees, but the packaging boxes were preserved, along with the full set of postcards and one optional plush keychain toy.

Zhu Zhu heard that the holiday gift was mooncakes and started bouncing around excitedly. “Boss, are you really giving each of us a big box of mooncakes?”

Die Qi covered her forehead, looking quite exasperated. “At this rate, the little boss is going to run the family fortune dry.”

Ku Ba, holding onto her braid, her eyes gleaming, said, “Generous! I like it. If the cinema really goes bankrupt, the boss can come live with me. My place is pretty big.”

Ye Xiao couldn’t resist giving Ku Ba a light knock on the head.

Ku Ba clutched the back of her head, looking baffled. “What are you doing? Trying to start a fight?”

Ye Xiao looked up at the sky, full of challenge.

Ku Ba, annoyed, lunged at him, ready to stir up trouble, but Ye Xiao held him back easily with one hand.

Fu Chi, sitting lazily to the side with his long legs propped up, had a slight smile on his lips. “Relax, Lu Yao’s fortune is plenty deep; it won’t run out anytime soon.”

Die Qi’s interest was piqued, and she hinted eagerly, “Oh? The little boss doesn’t seem great at managing money. Maybe she could use a competent accountant.”

Die Qi didn’t have many hobbies, except for handling silver. Whether it was hers or someone else’s, once it was in her hands, it was safer than in any bank.

Suddenly, Ye Xiao spoke up. “She’s actually quite good with money.”

Die Qi asked instinctively, “Who?”

Ye Xiao: “Lu Yao.”

Die Qi frowned, looking puzzled. “How do you know? Are you close with the boss?”

Ye Xiao didn’t respond further.

Lu Yao glanced at Ye Xiao, feeling a bit curious herself.

Ye Xiao had been at the cinema for a while, moving about lazily most of the time, quiet and often unremarkable, though his work was error-free.

This moment felt similar to the way he’d been at the snack shop before. It was as if his sole mission was to simply help out.

But there was a familiarity in his tone just now, as if he knew her quite well.

Fu Chi checked the time and reminded, “It’s getting late. Boss, I’ll need you to head out for a bit.”

On a festive night like the Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival, the streets were filled with novelties.

Fu Chi wanted footage of the festivities, but he couldn’t walk the streets of Great Wu Dynasty himself, so he had to rely on Lu Yao.

Lu Yao, eager to experience the authentic atmosphere of an ancient festival, decided to go enjoy the lantern festival that evening.

The other staff happily took their holiday gifts and headed home.

Ye Xiao mentioned that the streets would be crowded in the evening and that it wouldn’t be safe for Lu Yao to go alone. Since he had nothing else to do, he offered to accompany her.

Ku Ba and Die Qi, upon hearing this, also clamored to join.

Lu Yao, thinking it’d be more fun with a group, happily agreed.

Fu Chi even handed each of them a handheld camera.

Die Qi and Ku Ba held theirs with utmost care, handling them even more cautiously than the mooncake boxes.

The four of them set out for a night on the town, while Fu Chi stayed back at the cinema.

He didn’t get bored, instead testing out the equipment, capturing the night view of Song’an Street from various angles through the glass.

…

Aunt Wu, Grandpa Liu, and Zhu Zhu lived on the same street, heading back together with smiles that they couldn’t hide.

Their boss was truly generous.

These mooncakes weren’t cheap, and they all knew the price of those birdcages—the most affordable ones cost at least twenty taels of silver.

Their holiday gift boxes might not have the birdcages, but they included five boxes of mooncakes and some additional gifts.

It was a special perk of working at the cinema.

As Aunt Wu carried the mooncakes home, she saw a carriage parked at her door, and her heart leapt. Stepping inside, she found her son had indeed returned.

She called out loudly, “When did you get back?”

The daughter-in-law responded, “We just got in.”

Wu Yi’s son was washing his face, and upon seeing his mother come in with a large food box, he was startled. “Mother, did you order something from a restaurant?”

Wu Yi placed the redwood box on the table and opened it layer by layer with a cheerful expression. “No, this is a Mid-Autumn gift from our employer—all mooncakes.”

The daughter-in-law, upon seeing five boxes of mooncakes, was also taken aback. “These mooncakes aren’t cheap. Mother, did the boss really give them to you?”

Wu Yi shot her a look. “Don’t you know your mother? I wouldn’t buy such an expensive treat, let alone so much of it.”

The daughter-in-law nodded in astonishment. She’d initially doubted when Aunt Zhu said she’d found such a good job for Wu Yi.

Now she had nothing to say—the cinema’s manager was truly generous.

Wu Yi’s son, Zhao Guanghong, came over. “Mooncakes, you say?”

He spent much of his time conducting business outside, and hearing his mother and wife’s conversation sparked his curiosity.

When he saw the five different boxes of mooncakes, Zhao Guanghong couldn’t help but look surprised. “Which pastry shop in Liangjing made these new mooncakes? How much do they cost?”

Wu Yi replied, “I already said, they’re a Mid-Autumn gift from the boss. You can’t buy these outside. Go ahead and try one—I tasted some at the shop yesterday, and they were delicious.”

The three adults and one child each chose a mooncake from the five boxes to share.

Wu Yi was relatively composed, having already tried them the day before.

Zhao Guanghong and his wife, Chen Shi, were amazed with every bite, especially Zhao Guanghong, who stared at the remaining mooncakes with a heavy expression.

Wu Yi looked at her son, confused. “What’s the matter? You don’t like the taste?”

Zhao Guanghong covered his face. “I regret not coming back sooner. If I’d known Liangjing had such a rare treat, I’d have brought some to sell elsewhere and made a fortune. Mother, tell me more about this cinema.”

Meanwhile, Zhu Zhu returned home, triumphantly setting her five boxes of mooncakes on the table with a proud look. “These mooncake gift sets, which cost dozens of taels of silver outside, were given to each of us by our boss.”

Her parents, Aunt Zhu and Uncle Zhu, chuckled, knowing she was teasing them for initially opposing her working at the cinema.

Now, though, they didn’t mind, even if people still thought it was improper for Zhu Zhu to work there.

For an ordinary family like theirs, practical benefits mattered most.

They all sat in the courtyard, happily sharing the mooncakes, enjoying a moment as blissful as immortals.

Elder Liu returned home, but his mute son hadn’t come back yet. His wife was at the stove, steaming coarse wheat buns.

Elder Liu carefully placed the food box on the table, then went to help with the fire, his voice hoarse. “The boss gave us mooncakes. We’ll wait for Cheng’er to come back and eat them together.”

His wife asked, “What mooncakes?”

Elder Liu pointed to the table, his face full of joyful wrinkles. “Go take a look. They’re good stuff. Cheng’er will definitely like them.”

Later that evening, Liu Cheng returned, covered in sweat. He drew water from the well to wash off and changed clothes before heading to the kitchen. Upon seeing the redwood box on the table, he was surprised, though he couldn’t express it with words.

The family ate coarse wheat buns with simple tea, but they couldn’t help casting glances at the food box.

At the far end of another street, in a run-down house, there was another scene of joy.

The children sat in a row, well-behaved and eagerly watching Brother Gouzi as he divided the mooncakes.

In past years, Mid-Autumn Festival was a harder time for them than usual.

They had no families, no homes.

On a day meant for family reunions, they were still begging on the streets.

But this year was different. They had a place to stay, clothes to wear, didn’t go hungry anymore, and were eating the finest mooncakes in Liangjing.

…

The moon rose high in the sky, and the palace banquet finally came to an end.

Emperor Wu and the Empress left together, parting ways in the imperial garden.

The Empress returned to Fengqi Palace, while Emperor Wu headed to the Hall of Diligent Governance to review documents.

As he stepped into the hall, he noticed an unusual box behind the screen. “What’s that?”

A young eunuch answered, “Your Majesty, it’s a Mid-Autumn gift from Princess Deyi.”

Intrigued, the Emperor said, “Open it up and let me see.”

Several young eunuchs stepped forward to unwrap the box, taking nearly half a cup of tea’s time to unpack it. Inside was a cage filled with gemstones and pearls, stunning them so much they almost made a mistake in handling it.

The chief eunuch, unable to stand by any longer, stepped forward and took out the box. “Your Majesty, it appears to be mooncakes.”

Emperor Wu’s expression was unreadable as he observed it for a moment. “Bring it here; let me try it.”

Qin Mingde hesitated briefly before instructing a young eunuch to fetch bowls and silver spoons.

The Emperor was always very cautious with food, especially items sent from outside the palace. Naturally, as the chief eunuch, Qin Mingde would need to taste it first for safety.

However, he had just enjoyed a lavish holiday meal and was feeling uncomfortably full.

Still, he scooped a tiny piece of the mooncake with a silver spoon, closed his eyes, and tasted it. As he savored the bite, his eyes opened in surprise. “Oh?”

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