Ch 189: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World

Li Bo and the others continued discussing the ending of The Sea Train, while some were intrigued by the train, clock, Gatling gun, and telephone featured in the film. However, they could only admire these novelties on a surface level, as they didn’t understand their mechanics. Much of their conversation centered on expressing admiration for these innovations.

After a few minutes, Chen Shangshu found a small remote under the armrest of his seat and pressed the notification bell.

In the mini theater, movies could be queued on demand, something Chen Shangshu had already arranged with Hongyu.

Hongyu informed Lu Yao in the backstage that the notification bell had been rung, signaling the start of the new film.

The brightening screen drew the attention of the still-chatting group. Chen Shangshu said, “It’s rare to come here, so I’ve requested another film.”

Li Bo and the others hadn’t expected another movie, and their interest was piqued.

The screen showed another seaside scene, though the characters differed from those in The Sea Train. Their clothing and appearances were more like that of the young boss. This was In Search for the Deep Sea Beast.

Chen Shangshu had been deeply impressed when he saw this film’s trailer, and it was the one he’d most wanted to see, though he’d promised Li Bo to watch The Sea Train first.

For Li Bo and his group, this genre of film was also a fresh experience.

Perhaps out of professional instinct, the first thing they noticed was the expedition team’s boat.

A record clerk sitting to Li Bo’s right, who had gone to Yuguizhai the previous day to buy mooncakes, exclaimed, “So that’s what it was! The shop gave out a little fluffy trinket shaped just like this white boat.”

As the expedition team embarked on their journey, the theater grew silent again.

…

Meanwhile, Hongyu reported that Le Zhanggui from Chunxi Lou wished to see Lu Yao, claiming he had matters to discuss.

Lu Yao was in the back, and after a moment’s thought, got up and said, “Invite him in.”

Le Han followed Hongyu into the lounge, subtly observing his surroundings, realizing that there was a large space behind the screen.

Lu Yao had visited Chunxi Lou a few times for tea and had seen the young teahouse owner from afar but hadn’t spoken with him.

With the theater busy, Hongyu was needed outside and couldn’t attend to them here.

Lu Yao told her to go back to her duties and asked Ye Xiao to join them. She was about to make tea herself when she remembered that, after the Lantern Festival last night, she’d prepared a large pot of fruit tea and stored it in the icebox to chill overnight.

It was perfectly cold by now.

She retrieved a glass teapot, added some fruit, filled it with tea, and set out a plate of snacks.

Le Han, who had been observing her closely, watched her open a silver-colored cabinet and take out the tea and food, his gaze filled with curiosity.

When she opened the cabinet door, a light seemed to turn on automatically, illuminating an assortment of unusual items inside.

The tea she brought out was clear and cold, and soon a fine layer of condensation formed on the surface of the teapot.

Le Han’s eyes gleamed slightly. Was that cabinet actually an ice cellar?

Could it really store ice just like that, in a room?

Lu Yao poured him a cup. “This is a fruit tea I made yesterday. It’s different from Liangjing’s typical brewed teas. Please try it, Boss Le.”

Le Han picked up the cup, feeling the coolness of its surface, and even before tasting it, a rich fruity aroma wafted up.

He took a small sip, and the slightly sour, chilled fruity flavor blended with the subtle tea notes. The refreshing taste of the sweet fruit melded smoothly with the tea, leaving a pleasant aftertaste without a hint of bitterness.

Unable to hold back his praise, Le Han said, “What a fine tea! The freshness of the tea and the fruit’s sweetness are beautifully balanced!”

After drinking the tea, he tried the snack and was pleasantly surprised once more.

Though he had initially thought that too much fruit tea might be overly sweet and wouldn’t pair well with pastries, the combination was unexpectedly delightful.

But these snacks had a crisp texture and a subtle sweetness, with a rich wheat aroma that perfectly balanced the fruit tea’s sweetness.

Seeing that the moment was right, Lu Yao finally spoke up, “What brings you here today, Boss Le?”

Le Han snapped back to attention, almost forgetting his business after the delightful treats. “Boss Lu, I’d like to request a short film advertisement for Chunxi Lou, similar to the one you made for Yuguizhai, to display on the glass screen outside.”

When Lu Yao had chosen to collaborate with Yuguizhai, she had anticipated that other businesses might approach her in the future. She just hadn’t expected Le Han to be the first.

“You’d like an advertisement?” Lu Yao tapped her finger lightly on the sofa armrest.

Le Han felt an inexplicable hint of tension. Was Chunxi Lou not worthy?

His teahouse had always done well, especially since the theater had opened; business was booming even more. But admittedly, it didn’t have the legacy of a century-old shop like Yuguizhai.

“I’ve noticed that Chunxi Lou is usually full at lunchtime and in the afternoons. What prompted you to consider advertising?” Lu Yao asked with interest.

Le Han’s hand, resting beside his leg, clenched slightly. “I wish to reach greater heights.”

This was the truth.

Yuguizhai had already been a well-known pastry shop in Liangjing, but with the theater’s endorsement, it had swiftly outshone all other pastry shops in just two days.

No businessman could watch that without envy, especially not the big merchants of the Liangjing Chamber of Commerce. However, they were cautious and still observing.

Le Han, on the other hand, couldn’t wait. He had a more secret ambition in mind.

The collaboration between the theater and Yuguizhai was unique, and he wanted something like that, too.

In fact, he didn’t expect the advertisement to bring immediate profits to Chunxi Lou; he’d simply be delighted just to see his shop featured on the theater’s large ad screen.

Lu Yao understood his intention—it was driven by curiosity and a desire to try something new.

Just then, Ye Xiao entered, and Lu Yao asked, “Where’s Fu Chi?”

Ye Xiao nodded toward the direction outside. “Fiddling with the equipment.”

Lu Yao smiled, “Tell the second manager to come in; we’ve got a job.”

Fu Chi walked in, slightly bewildered. “What’s up?”

Lu Yao pointed to Le Han and introduced him, “This is Boss Le from Chunxi Lou next door. He’d like the theater to produce an advertisement for him.”

Fu Chi blinked, then sat down on a single chair nearby, looking at Lu Yao in surprise. “But I can’t go outside.”

Lu Yao nodded. “I know, but I still want you to handle the planning for this project. After all, you’re the expert. I, along with the others, will fully support you when the time comes.”

Fu Chi absentmindedly brushed his hair aside, lowered his gaze, and softly replied, “Alright, I’ll give it a try.”

With the theater’s first official ad project secured, Lu Yao discussed the pricing with Le Han, leaving the planning, content details, and shooting arrangements for Fu Chi and Le Han to coordinate.

Le Han had initially thought filming an ad would be simple for the theater, but he hadn’t anticipated the numerous details that required discussion and consultation on various ideas. In the end, both parties even signed a contract.

Leaving the lounge, Lu Yao was in high spirits—the theater was beginning to generate additional revenue streams.

…

After watching a film, Zhao Guanghong lingered around the theater.

He had traveled extensively for business, from remote rural areas to the bustling river towns of Jiangnan and even the vast, cold northern frontiers. He prided himself on his worldly experience, yet everything in the theater was beyond anything he’d ever encountered.

Even Aunt Wu was growing tired of his constant marveling.

Lu Yao emerged from the lounge and instinctively did a quick check of the screening areas.

In the main screening area, she encountered Aunt Wu.

Aunt Wu had already spoken to Lu Yao earlier in the morning about her son, who was fascinated by the theater’s mooncakes and was interested in selling them outside the area.

Aunt Wu informed her that Zhao Guanghong was now in the lounge.

Zhao Guanghong had heard from Aunt Wu that Lu Yao was young and a woman, but seeing her in person, he was still a bit surprised.

She was even younger than he had imagined and didn’t look like a businessperson at all.

Yet, the moment she spoke, that impression was dispelled. “I heard from Aunt Wu that you want to take some of our mooncakes to sell elsewhere. Our mooncakes aren’t cheap, and with Mid-Autumn already over, they might not fetch a high price.”

Hearing this, Zhao Guanghong thought the theater wasn’t interested in partnering, and he grew a bit anxious. He explained, “Your mooncakes are delicious and unique. It’s not just Liangjing—no other place I’ve been to has mooncakes with such a distinctive, exquisite flavor. Even if it’s not for the holiday, there will definitely be people clamoring to buy them. To be honest, I’ve been running trade routes for some years now and have a few connections; selling these mooncakes won’t be an issue.”

“My mooncakes can only be stored for a maximum of half a month; they mustn’t be eaten after that,” Lu Yao added.

Zhao Guanghong, delighted, said, “If it’s really as you say, even the meat mooncakes can last half a month. I’d like to take a good amount to transport by water to Jiangnan. It would reach there in as little as seven days.”

Lu Yao nodded, “It’s as I’ve said.”

After discussing the details, Lu Yao agreed to give him ten sets, with ten boxes each of five types of mooncakes—allowing him to make just one round trip within the product’s shelf life.

Fifty boxes of mooncakes was no small load.

Zhao Guanghong, a sharp-minded businessman, also requested a supply of the same type of tissues and hand sanitizer placed in the theater restrooms.

Seeing his quick thinking, Lu Yao agreed. Tissues and hand sanitizer weren’t expensive, so she took a box of each from the storage.

Where the theater couldn’t reach, let the mooncakes, tissues, and hand sanitizer do the work.

Zhao Guanghong signed a contract with Lu Yao, paid for the goods, and left gratefully with his small cart of supplies.

…

After sending off Zhao Guanghong, Lu Yao continued to patrol the smaller screening area.

As she approached the ticketing area, she overheard an argument. Walking over, she saw a familiar scene: familiar guests at the theater entrance.

Xie Wan, Sun Qinghe, and a group of young ladies from official families were again facing off against the same group of young dandies as the day before.

Lu Yao listened in briefly and realized they were arguing over The Sea Train this time.

The young dandies, still holding onto their previous grievances, were taunting Xie Wan about whether the Sea Train was real, laughing uproariously among themselves.

Xie Wan’s delicate brows furrowed in anger, but she struggled to find a response.

Lu Yao couldn’t help but intervene. “It’s for entertainment. No need to take it so seriously.”

One of the men, waving a fan, spotted Lu Yao and called out loudly, “The boss’s here! Didn’t you say you’d provide proof of a giant sea creature by Mid-Autumn? Mid-Autumn has passed, and we still haven’t seen any evidence!”

Lu Yao, unfazed, replied, “I’ve already provided evidence.”

The fan-waving man smirked. “When was this? We haven’t heard a thing.”

Chen Shangshu, having just finished watching In Search for the Deep Sea Beast, wasn’t quite satisfied yet and ordered another film, When blossoms fall.

However, after two back-to-back screenings, it was now midday, and everyone was feeling a bit tired from sitting for hours.

Led by Chen Shangshu, the group of six or seven officials decided to head out for a meal to refresh themselves before coming back for more.

After leaving the screening room, they realized they needed a restroom break and made their way to the facilities.

Unexpectedly, the theater’s restroom was unlike any other—clean, elegant, and without any odor.

A few officials inside couldn’t help but marvel at the restroom’s drainage system, spending extra time inspecting it. When they finally came out, they encountered a group of youngsters quarreling.

Chen Shangshu saw Lu Yao being troubled and, noting the brazen dandies, immediately thought of Chen Yuning. He stepped forward, saying, “Ignorant youths with shallow insight—don’t disgrace yourselves here.”

The lead troublemaker, not taking Xie Wan and the other noble ladies seriously, was actually the youngest son of Prince Zhuang, named Wan Baoxin. Unfamiliar with court matters, he didn’t recognize Chen Shangshu and shouted, “I’m talking to the boss; old man, don’t meddle in other people’s business.”

Li Bo and the others flushed with anger; they couldn’t believe a young man in Liangjing City could be so insolent.

Chen Shangshu’s expression turned cold and dignified as he replied, “I heard a bit of your conversation. You claim there’s no such thing as a great fish in the sea—that is ignorance. Harassing ladies and pressing your point without grace—how pitiful.”

Wan Baoxin scoffed, “There’s no fish that big in the world—it’s just a fantasy from a play. And here you are, throwing around lofty rhetoric. How dull.”

Li Bo couldn’t hold back and interjected, “Why would there be no such thing? You simply haven’t seen it. Have you heard of ambergris? It’s derived from the whale, the same large-headed fish you saw in the film. Coastal folk see them often, but instead of investigating, you label it a myth—truly narrow-minded.”

Lu Yao chimed in, “The evidence of great fish in the sea has long existed; you simply overlooked it. Sometimes, no amount of words can convey the truth. The best way is to go out to sea yourself and see.”

The seafood mooncake ad filmed at the Little Pet Cafe used real footage, no effects, with a giant whale even appearing, and Lu Yao made sure to reveal her face as proof at the end.

After repeated rebukes, Wan Baoxin began to waver. Initially, he had firmly disbelieved it, but after hearing mention of ambergris, he vaguely recalled reading about it somewhere. Could he have been wrong?

For the first time, he felt a sudden urge to visit the coast and see a great fish himself.

…

After dealing with the commotion, Lu Yao found herself engaged in conversation with Chen Shangshu. Suddenly, she received a message from Zhou Su.

In a private chat window: [Shopkeeper, Xiao Ji is throwing a fit—he’s terrifying right now!]

🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️