Ch 193: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World

The dining venue was booked by Shen Sisi, located downtown and called “Sky Garden.”

Lu Yao checked it online and found that the average spending per person exceeded four figures. It was a high-end restaurant known for its tranquil ambiance and dining experience.

Upon learning about the restaurant, Fu Chi fell silent for a moment.

Lu Yao asked, “Is it inconvenient for you?”

Fu Chi shook his head, “No.”

..

Shen Sisi set the time for 7 p.m., as she had things to handle that day. However, the scheduled tasks finished early, and she hadn’t seen Lu Yao in a while. After tidying up, she arrived at Sky Garden ahead of time.

She had reserved a window seat, where one could look out over the dazzling night view of Yaoguang City as evening fell.

Not long after Shen Sisi sat down, producer Chen Yutong and Duan Zhengjia arrived together.

These two were friends Shen Sisi knew well within the industry.

When Lu Yao contacted her, she immediately thought of inviting them.

Another ten minutes later, Xu Siqing arrived.

Initially, Shen Sisi hadn’t invited her, as the two were not that close.

Shen Sisi had originally arranged to meet another friend, who happened to be Xu Siqing’s colleague. However, that friend had an unexpected work trip and couldn’t make it, so they introduced Xu Siqing as a replacement.

Shen Sisi hadn’t taken it to heart when her friend couldn’t come and had said it wasn’t necessary to find a replacement.

Yet last night, Xu Siqing took the initiative to reach out, saying her colleague had recommended her for the dinner.

Given how things were, Shen Sisi felt it would be impolite to refuse.

Xu Siqing, in her forties, was considerably older than Shen Sisi and her friends Chen and Duan. Her outlook, expertise, and even her conversational habits differed from theirs.

For example, while this gathering was partly about business, it was also a relatively private dinner.

Xu Siqing not only came herself but also brought someone else—Xia Zhiyi, a popular young star.

The unexpected arrival of someone unfamiliar made Shen Sisi uncomfortable, and she hadn’t anticipated that Xu Siqing would also bring a celebrity.

As soon as Xia Zhiyi entered, he removed his mask and hat, which startled the waiter.

Their table was by the window, tucked into a corner with greenery separating them—a quiet environment suitable for dining and discussing business. However, staying discreet was now impossible.

Since a drama featuring Xia Zhiyi had become a hit earlier in the year, his career had been on the rise, with a high profile online.

The waiter’s gasp attracted quite a bit of attention.

Sky Garden’s dining area was somewhat private, yet not fully enclosed.

Shen Sisi’s expression darkened. Xia Zhiyi looked slightly embarrassed but was unwilling to waste the opportunity.

Xu Siqing had told him that this was a small gathering of industry insiders and that although there wouldn’t be many people, they were all well-known producers. Xia Zhiyi became intrigued.

Xu Siqing had assumed Shen Sisi intended to introduce a new contact to their circle.

Since Xia Zhiyi worked at her company and had expressed interest in networking, Xu Siqing saw no reason to refuse.

The atmosphere grew a bit awkward as Shen Sisi suppressed her irritation, refraining from making a scene.

She ordered tea and snacks, attempting to ease into small talk.

Chen Yutong remarked, “I haven’t heard you mention this Ms. Lu before.”

Shen Sisi replied, “Yeah, we haven’t been in touch for a while. When she suddenly contacted me, I was a bit startled, thinking something serious had happened. Turns out she opened a private cinema.”

Shen Sisi was genuinely surprised, having not expected Lu Yao to quit her nail business quietly and start a private cinema.

From her perspective, opening a private cinema as an ordinary person didn’t seem promising; continuing with the nail business would’ve been better.

But after their previous disconnect, there was no use saying more.

If Lu Yao needed help, she’d do what she could.

Xu Siqing commented with mild impatience, “Your friend seems rather full of herself.”

Shen Sisi checked her phone; it was twenty minutes before seven. “It’s not seven yet. She just messaged me saying there was traffic, so she might be a bit late.”

Xu Siqing crossed her arms, impatiently picking at her sleeve, and then motioned with her chin toward Xia Zhiyi. “Xia Zhiyi, you all know him, right? His new show just wrapped. If you have any suitable scripts, let him give them a try.”

Xia Zhiyi stood up with a smile and offered a toast.

Shen Sisi exhaled, her eyes nearly rolling to the ceiling.

It was supposed to be a small gathering of familiar faces, yet here was this young star trying to take center stage before the main guest even arrived.

Her patience was wearing thin.

Lu Yao and Fu Chi exited the elevator, walking along the glass corridor toward the entrance of Sky Garden.

The doorman spotted Lu Yao and immediately approached to greet her, pausing slightly when he saw Fu Chi behind her.

Fu Chi subtly shook his head, following behind Lu Yao.

Understanding the gesture, the doorman led the way, while Lu Yao discreetly took in her surroundings.

The restaurant’s decor was indeed intriguing, with transparent glass partitions and lush green plants creating semi-enclosed spaces, giving it a sophisticated touch.

However, maintaining greenery indoors was prone to attracting insects, especially in a restaurant setting amid the plants. The owner must be quite innovative and unafraid of challenges.

After passing a vibrant cluster of pink roses, Lu Yao spotted Shen Sisi. With a quick glance, she was surprised to see another familiar face.

A group of people were gathered around the table, chatting animatedly.

It wasn’t until Lu Yao approached that Shen Sisi noticed her and stood up to greet her, “Lu Yao, over here.”

Upon hearing her name, Xia Zhiyi froze slightly, turning his head. The warmth from the alcohol he’d been drinking instantly turned cold, sending a chill down his spine.

Why was it her?

Lu Yao took her seat and introduced Fu Chi, “This is Fu Chi, my colleague. He’s accompanying me today.”

She had already informed Shen Sisi that she’d be bringing someone along.

However, Shen Sisi hadn’t expected that “colleague” to be Fu Chi.

Fu Chi, the famous eldest son of the Fu family.

In the upper echelons of Yaoguang City, who didn’t know him?

Yet, rumors had circulated that he’d had a breakdown abroad after an accident and was now recovering in a secluded sanatorium.

No one would have guessed he’d never actually left Yaoguang City.

Chen Yutong and Duan Zhengjia were equally surprised, their gazes flickering between Lu Yao and Fu Chi, unable to discern the nature of their relationship, but feeling that this dinner was getting all the more interesting.

Since Lu Yao and Fu Chi had joined the table, Xia Zhiyi had remained silent.

Lu Yao exchanged pleasantries with the others, ordered food, and everything flowed naturally.

Fu Chi was intrigued, noticing that Lu Yao didn’t seem to need his assistance at all.

It wasn’t until the dinner was nearing its end that Lu Yao brought up the main topic.

With their bellies full and everyone somewhat acquainted, discussing business felt much smoother.

Chen Yutong and Duan Zhengjia both had a favorable impression of Lu Yao, and they exchanged contact information.

Xu Siqing tried several times to steer the conversation back to Xia Zhiyi, but without success. She glanced sideways at Lu Yao and asked, “Miss Lu, what’s your relationship with Mr. Fu?”

Lu Yao replied innocently, “Sorry, I don’t know any Mr. Fu.”

Xu Siqing smirked, “The Mr. Fu sitting right beside you—you don’t know him?”

Fu Chi slightly curled his fingers, setting down his wine glass, preparing to speak.

Lu Yao gave Xia Zhiyi a brief glance, her expression calm, “Mr. Xia, it’s been a while.”

Xia Zhiyi immediately stood up, nervously responding, “Miss… Miss Lu.”

Lu Yao said, “No need to be so formal, please sit down.”

Xia Zhiyi, still tense, sat back down with caution.

Xu Siqing’s face darkened. “You two know each other? What’s your relationship?”

Lu Yao’s lips curled slightly, and she glanced at Xia Zhiyi again. “We’ve met once.”

Xia Zhiyi recalled an event from a few months prior. Shortly after he’d shot to fame, he’d received the devastating news that his days might be numbered.

Unwilling to give up, he found a channel on a forum to purchase the Black Ring, even foolishly attempting to bribe the game’s administrator with money, hoping for help to pass the game and extend his life. But on the day of the ring exchange, he was scared out of his wits by an NPC, and now, just recalling it made his legs go weak.

And that administrator was the girl standing before him now.

He had thought he’d never encounter her again in this lifetime.

Xia Zhiyi lowered his head and sincerely said, “Miss Lu, I apologize for today.”

Xu Siqing looked bewildered, nearly driven mad with frustration, feeling the entire situation was baffling.

Lu Yao, with an innocent expression, replied, “Relax, it’s just a greeting.”

What are you so afraid of?

But Xia Zhiyi couldn’t sit still any longer and hurriedly stood up. “Sorry to disturb you, Miss Lu. I have something urgent, so I’ll be leaving now.”

Xu Siqing: “…”

Shen Sisi, Chen Yutong, and Duan Zhengjia exchanged glances, utterly puzzled by what had just happened.

Fu Chi felt a bit out of place, silently sipping his wine. It seemed the boss’s line of work was far broader than he’d imagined, almost like his presence here didn’t matter at all.

“Well, it really is the boss. I thought the voice sounded familiar.” Suddenly, a young man emerged from behind the green plant wall, his face lighting up with excitement upon seeing Lu Yao. After glancing around, his gaze returned to her, “Why is it just you and Brother Fu? Where’s Ji Dashao?”

The others looked up and saw yet another familiar face.

The young man was Luo Huan.

Luo Huan had acted in various roles and had some notable works to his name.

Chen Yutong had recently worked with him, so they recognized each other.

But what was he talking about?

Could it be the Ji Dashao they knew—the eldest young master of the Ji family?

Lu Yao greeted him with a smile, “Zhixin is on vacation, he’s back in Tianji. Are you here for dinner too?”

Ji Zhixin.

Tianji.

Those two words alone were enough for them to confirm that this Ji Dashao was indeed the Ji family’s eldest young master.

Luo Huan had come with his mother for dinner and, unexpectedly, ran into Lu Yao. After chatting briefly, he said he’d come to visit her in a few days before leaving.

Chen Yutong and Duan Zhengjia exchanged looks, feeling that today’s dinner had come with an overwhelming amount of information.

Luo Huan’s interruption helped ease the atmosphere at the table a bit.

After Xia Zhiyi left in haste, Xu Siqing stopped speaking altogether.

Staying felt awkward, but leaving alone was even more embarrassing, leaving her caught in an uncomfortable in-between.

Lu Yao glanced at her watch, noting the time, and decided to bid farewell to everyone and head out.

With Xu Siqing present, further conversation wouldn’t go smoothly, so it’d be better to discuss business privately with Chen Yutong and Duan Zhengjia later.

Everyone else felt like they’d been fed a full meal of gossip, learning quite a few exclusive tidbits that hadn’t yet circulated in the industry.

Who exactly was Shen Sisi’s friend?

The Fu family was one thing, but even the Ji family was involved.

As Lu Yao prepared to leave, the others also rose to leave together.

Both Lu Yao and Shen Sisi intended to pay the bill, only to be informed that the owner had preemptively waived it.

The owner of Sky Garden was, in fact, Fu Chi.

Lu Yao: “…”

No wonder the doorman had acted strangely when they arrived.

Because of the payment situation, they lingered at the entrance for a moment.

Just then, Shen Pingjin finished his meal and happened to run into them as he exited.

Seeing him, Shen Sisi ran over with a grin, “Brother, you’re done? I’ll ride back with you.”

Lu Yao was slightly surprised; she had met this person before.

It turned out to be Shen Sisi’s older brother. Sometimes the world was truly small.

Shen Pingjin looked up and saw Lu Yao. Ignoring Shen Sisi, he walked over and stopped in front of Lu Yao. “Miss Lu.”

Lu Yao was a bit taken aback, “You still remember me.”

Shen Pingjin gave her a “you must be joking” look. “Someone as unique as Miss Lu is unforgettable after just one meeting.”

Shen Sisi looked suspicious, “Brother, you know Lu Yao too?”

Lu Yao gave an awkward smile.

After leaving Sky Garden, Fu Chi offered Lu Yao a ride back to the shopping district.

On the way home, Lu Yao finalized a contract with Chen Yutong to purchase a youth-themed movie. Once the formalities were complete and it premiered in theaters, the mission would be accomplished.

Watching Lu Yao enter the nail salon, Fu Chi lingered for a moment before turning and walking along the street. He stopped in front of the snack shop.

Lu Yao knew Shen Sisi, and she also knew Shen Pingjin, as well as that actor.

Both Shen Pingjin and Xia Zhiyi had behaved strangely toward Lu Yao.

The boss seemed to carry many secrets.

Fu Chi couldn’t help but think of Qi Chen. Was he really here at this store?

Why did the Ji family treat this store so mysteriously?

Fu Chi approached the snack shop, taking a slow breath, and raised his hand to knock gently on the door, but there was no response.

What kind of world was hidden behind this little shop?

After standing there for a while, he felt the dampness seep through his socks, and his knees grew stiff. Slowly rotating his ankle, he turned and walked back to his car.

Back home, Fu Chi couldn’t sleep. Eventually, he reached for his phone, sat up, and made a call.

It rang several times before the person on the other end picked up, their voice tinged with sleepiness, “Hello?”

Fu Chi: “Qi Jue, it’s Fu Chi.”

Do you know Lu Yao?

…

On Sunday afternoon, Ji Zhixin returned to the shopping district. Ji Feirong had intended to accompany him, but work demands had kept her tied up.

During his few days back in Tianji, Ji Zhixin hadn’t relaxed at all despite it being a so-called vacation. He connected with old friends, re-established contacts, and secured the rights to a film Lu Yao had been interested in, all at a very favorable price.

The day before he left Tianji, he took care of certain internal issues within the Ji family, declined a position from his clan, and flew back to Yaoguang City on his own.

Once back in the cozy fishing room at the little pet cafe, he hugged Piaopiao, who seemed to have gained weight, feeling an immense relief. Indeed, there was no place as comfortable as this.

Ji Zhixin got in touch with a professional post-production team, but they mentioned they were still occupied with other projects.

Lu Yao received the update without pushing, opting to post a recruitment ad online.

…

Three days later, Fu Chi handed the ad sample to Lu Yao.

Lu Yao found a moment to retreat backstage and review the sample.

In the dim light of dawn, under the warm glow of candlelight, the clinking of pots and bowls accompanied rising steam, and the chef’s shouts were full of energy.

Assistants cleaned counters, washed ingredients, and the head chef ground and brewed tea, preparing tea snacks… The kitchen of Chunxi Lou was bustling.

With a creak, the two redwood doors at the entrance of the teahouse opened, lighting up the main hall and the private rooms upstairs.

A young man from Jiangnan, raised in the gentle waters and wealthy lands, walked in, elegant and refined.

He gently waved his folding fan, walking slowly, his gaze bright.

At that moment, a clear, serene melody from a qin echoed. The young man paused, turned, and looked at the large, prominent redwood plaque of Chunxi Lou.

He closed his fan, turned, and entered the building.

Upstairs, a young man in a blue robe played the qin, his music tranquil and resonant, creating an ethereal atmosphere.

The young Jiangnan merchant and the qin master immediately hit it off, becoming close confidants.

As the melody ended, the Jiangnan young master poured tea for the qin master.

Music finds its soulmate, and tea forges a bond.

…

The scene shifted to another day.

The young Jiangnan man waited in the teahouse for the qin master to meet him. By chance, someone in the teahouse was trying to solve an unsolvable chess puzzle.

He watched the commotion for a while, but no one managed to crack it.

He couldn’t solve it either, and just as he grew bored, a girl in a pink dress easily solved the puzzle.

Intrigued, he invited the young girl upstairs for a match without a second thought.

The editing of this match scene was meticulous.

Wang Sheng and Chen Lianlian were initially concerned that this part of the plot might come off as too revealing, with emotions swirling in a way that might appear improper.

But they had to admit, Director Fu had a sense of aesthetics.

During filming, they shot from multiple angles, capturing a wealth of material. The editing switched seamlessly between close-ups and wide shots, interweaving shots of the chessboard with the two characters’ glances and expressions.

As the chess game deepened, their expressions shifted multiple times, layering upon each other until finally reaching an emotional crescendo.

The battle on the chessboard was ostensibly a match, yet also served as a metaphor for the development of their relationship.

This segment featured no superfluous dialogue, relying solely on visuals, lighting, and the ethereal sound of a qin in the background to drive the story forward.

The final edited version differed entirely from the shooting process.

Subtle, restrained, and beautifully elegant.

As the game ended, the young Jiangnan gentleman poured tea for his beloved.

A worthy opponent at chess, tea shared as a token of affection.

…

On another day, the qin master arrived at the teahouse with his instrument to meet a friend. By then, the Jiangnan gentleman was already with his companion.

The qin master, pleased for his close friend, personally brewed tea for the pair.

From the tea-making technique, the girl in pink realized the qin master might be her brother.

At this point, the truth was revealed: the girl in pink had left home alone to the capital in search of her long-lost elder brother.

The siblings recognized each other—one of life’s rare joyful moments.

The three sat around a low table, drinking tea and conversing happily until the moon rose high in the sky.

Feelings entwined across miles, and tea relieved all worries.

Tea served as the connecting thread, linking the three scenes.

The frequent qin music in the advertisement was played by Xuan Li himself, with remarkable skill.

Coupled with the striking appearances of Wang Sheng, Xuan Li, and Chen Lianlian, Lu Yao watched the final version repeatedly, never tiring of it.

Once satisfied, she called Le Han to view it personally.

In the back room, Le Han watched the final cut in silence over a dozen times, and as he left the cinema, he was still in a daze.

To be honest, he had observed the entire ad filming process from the sidelines.

At the time, it only seemed novel to him; he hadn’t imagined those seemingly fragmented shots would turn into such a captivating advertisement.

Unable to describe his feelings, he returned to the teahouse, quietly brought out an ornate birdcage dessert stand, and spent the entire afternoon by the window, sipping tea.

In the middle of the night, he woke up suddenly, feeling the urge to find Lu Yao to discuss extending the ad’s run time.

The production cost of this ad was five hundred taels of silver, excluding the actors’ fees. Showing it in the cinema also required an additional payment.

There were two options for ad placement: the large screen at the entrance, which cost twenty taels a day, and the small screens in the screening room, where a full-day run before each feature film was fifty taels.

Originally, Le Han’s contract with Lu Yao was for a twenty-day run on the large screen at the entrance, yet even in his sleep, he was preoccupied with this matter.

He was thoroughly impressed by the cinema’s advertisement. Spending five hundred taels on production and four hundred on placement, only to have it run for twenty days, left him somewhat unsatisfied.

Le Han got up, threw on an outer robe, and went to the window, pushing it open and leaning out.

Outside was pitch dark, with a few scattered stars in the sky. The cool night breeze brushed his face, yet it didn’t cool his overheated mind.

He needed to find Lu Yao to negotiate at least a three-month contract.

How long until dawn?

…

“Isn’t that a performer from Baixiang Pavilion? How did they get on the cinema’s display wall?”

“That’s not all—look, the courtesan from Jinghong Pavilion is next! She’s absolutely stunning!”

“Chunxi Lou? After Yuguizhai, now it’s Chunxi Lou?”

Early in the morning, a crowd of townsfolk once again gathered at the entrance of the cinema.

As usual, when passing by, they instinctively turned to glance at the cinema, only to see something entirely new.

This time, it was Chunxi Lou displayed on the glass wall, followed by an indescribable visual spectacle.

Baixiang Pavilion’s Xuan Li and Wang Sheng appeared, strikingly different from their usual stage performances in heavy makeup. Dressed in simple attire, their elegance and poise were breathtaking, impossible to look away from.

Then came Chen Lianlian, a sight even more dazzling. Even without opulent clothing or lavish jewelry, the famed courtesan’s beauty was undeniable.

The chess match between Wang Sheng and Chen Lianlian became a widely discussed scene.

The townsfolk may not have understood why this segment quickened their pulse and held their gaze, but the human instinct to feel emotion and the pursuit of romance are universal.

The crowd at the entrance grew thick, with a plain-draped carriage and an ornate carriage adorned with scented charms parked at the street corner.

Wang Sheng and Xuan Li squeezed at a window, watching the cinema entrance from afar, as they hadn’t seen the final cut either.

Chen Lianlian, seated inside the carriage, nervously twisted her handkerchief, feeling restless but too shy to step out. The crowd remained at the entrance for ages, so she finally sent Xiao Tao to go out and take a look.

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