Ch 202: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World

1041 felt as if he were in a dream, never expecting to encounter the goddess’s representative at such a time.

Could it be that the Mother Goddess really was watching over them?

He was born into an era where magic was vanishing, technology was rising, and the presence of magic was fading fast. Truthfully, apart from “Z-series technology,” magic had almost no impact on everyday life. His colleagues who once researched “Z-series” had moved on to other fields, leaving him the only one holding on. But just moments ago, the last machine in the best condition had faced an irreversible failure; he was ready to let go too.

1041 looked at Lu Yao.

He had heard rumors about her store, with some even claiming the owner was the Mother Goddess herself, citing the fact that divine tears had once been used as a prize. But 1041 had never visited that store and wasn’t interested. To him, technology held greater power than magic. Magic was the unstable, dangerous component of “Z-series technology.” Perhaps without it, the “Z-series” would develop in the right direction.

Yet here he was, at the end of the line, with magic once again extending a hand to him.

For once, the rumors online had proven accurate. Although this young woman wasn’t the actual Mother Goddess, she was her chosen representative, an agent of her will.

Lu Yao reexamined the machinery below, realizing that the broken module was just a tiny piece of the whole structure. Beneath this cinema was likely a massive engine room, with an intricate series of magical formations. Rewriting them all was no small task.

She turned to the dazed young man. “1041, is it possible that beneath this cinema lies the core of the ‘Z-series cinema’?”

1041 snapped back to reality. “Yes. Below is the only functional part of the ‘Z-series cinema,’ the essential core that keeps it running. You… can really fix it?”

Lu Yao sat cross-legged on the floor. “I think we can, but there’s one condition.”

1041 paused, a bit surprised that a divine representative would have personal motives, but the temptation was strong. “What do you want?”

Lu Yao tapped her finger on the floor. “In exchange, I want to bring this technology to my world, so I’ll need a little flexibility from you.”

That’s all?

1041 exhaled in relief. “Of course.”

As soon as he agreed, he suddenly realized: why would the goddess’s representative want to import their technology?

But Lu Yao, Harold, and Lei Lei were already discussing how to modify and reconfigure the new array of magic formations, leaving him no space to ask further questions.

He sat on the ground, straining to understand their discussion but quickly realizing it was beyond him.

“1041, would it be possible for us to go down and check things out?” Lu Yao asked.

Before setting a plan, they needed a full assessment of the site.

1041 led them down in the elevator to the underground chamber.

Beneath the cinema was a massive underground facility, resembling a secret base. Coiled lines snaked around like tree roots, with numerous large container-like modules stacked to form walls. They maneuvered through the tangled lines and the spaces between the walls. Along the way, Lu Yao and the others found multiple dysfunctional magic arrays. Not only were these arrays ancient, but their engravings were also poorly done; many parts didn’t connect, leading to frequent malfunctions.

Harold tapped on the adjacent container wall, frowning. “This magic energy wall is far too crudely made; it’s already pretty much useless.”

Lei Lei nodded. “The magic arrays are outdated, the machinery is aging, and the energy has run out. There’s really no point in repairing this place.”

1041’s heart dropped from heaven to earth in an instant. “How… can that be?”

Lu Yao turned back to him. “I agree—there’s no point in fixing it.”

The last light in 1041’s eyes faded, and he slumped down, spiritless.

Lu Yao continued, “I think it’s better to reference the operational data of the ‘Z-series cinema’ and simply rebuild the system from scratch.”

Lei Lei nodded repeatedly. “Just like the Ghost Phone system.”

Harold, looking unimpressed, said, “The magic stones here are way too low-grade, barely have any energy. I’ll bring over some suitable ones tomorrow.”

Lu Yao turned to 1041. “So here’s the plan: we’re deciding to rebuild the ‘Z-series system.’ We’ll handle the magic side entirely, but we’ll need your help for the tech side, Mr. 1041.”

1041, whose shoulders had been slumped, suddenly felt renewed hope. A spark ignited in his eyes, and he asked with disbelief, “Is it really possible to rebuild the ‘Z-series system’?”

Lu Yao nodded. “From what we’ve seen, at least the magic system isn’t a big issue; we can even consider a major functionality upgrade. The only problem is the part we’re unfamiliar with.”

Scientific research was far outside their expertise.

At times, fast-advancing technology could appear similar to magic, just like magic could be seen as an unobserved form of science. However, for now, the two were still quite distinct. It was a bit embarrassing that all three of them—Harold, Lei Lei, and Lu Yao—were solely in the magic category.

1041 felt like he was dreaming, this one particularly surreal. “Can I call in some others? Former colleagues who also studied ‘Z-series technology’ with me.”

“If they’re willing, we have no objections,” Lu Yao replied easily, “but just note that this isn’t the same agreement as before.”

This rebuild would be an entire overhaul of the ‘Z-series technology,’ potentially even needing a new name.

1041 didn’t mind at all. “I have the authority to register this technology under your name.”

Lu Yao shook her head. “That’s not necessary; we can sort out the details later.”

She wasn’t a resident of Night light City, and the ownership of the technology wasn’t her primary concern at this point.

What Lu Yao was after was an upgraded holographic technology, though she hadn’t expected to have to do so much herself in the end.

1041 made a few calls, and soon, two other young men arrived—1043 and 1044.

Lu Yao joked, “Where did 1042 go?”

1043 glanced at 1041. “1042 is free now. Maybe you’ve heard of him—he’s actually kind of famous online under the name… I think it’s ‘Nine Sparrows.’”

Lu Yao paused, then chuckled. “Small world. Quite the coincidence.”

Lu Yao, 1041, 1043, and 1044 spent the better part of the day sorting through historical data on the ‘Z-series cinema’ and its operational details, getting a clear sense of how the current ‘Z-series technology’ functioned. As it stood, magic still formed the greater part of the system’s power source. So, with the decline of magic, the system could no longer function properly.

Due to this, Lu Yao could comprehend most of the data and materials.

The workload to rebuild the ‘Z-series system’ was even larger than anticipated, but they managed to draft a comprehensive plan. The new system design would be significantly superior to the original, particularly in terms of stability.

Lu Yao had the Dream System scan and save all the data and records from the ‘Z-series cinema’ to bring back to the shopping street and discuss with her coworkers at the nail salon about designing new magic-powered drives and magic balance systems, alongside necessary materials. She also planned to involve the waterdrop seals in designing a fresh set of magic arrays. Meanwhile, the tech team would have an even tougher task.

They would need to modernize the technology to match the upgraded machines and magic formations, with a tight timeline.

The project wouldn’t be finished overnight. After each team clarified their responsibilities, 1041’s group began studying machine components and new operational modes, while Lu Yao and her companions returned to the pet cafe.

Before leaving, Lu Yao gifted 1041 a pink conch shell, which allowed him to dial directly into the pet cafe’s Ghost Phone system whenever he needed to reach her.

Lu Yao’s intention to custom-make a massive screen was overheard by 1041, who volunteered to take care of it and promised to notify her once it was ready.

By the time Lu Yao and her companions left Night light City, the sky was completely dark.

Swimming through the ocean at night was somewhat eerie. Harold transformed into his massive dragon form, carrying Lu Yao and Lei Lei on his back as they headed toward pet cafe.

Lei Lei sat on Harold’s back, feeling unexpectedly excited. “Harold, are you also a servant of a god?”

Harold looked thoroughly annoyed. “Who wants to be a servant of a god? Dragons are born noble; we don’t submit to anyone.”

Lei Lei pressed, “Then why do you always follow Lu Yao?”

Harold hesitated. “…I…I…well, that’s because she’s too weak.”

Lei Lei replied innocently, “So, isn’t that just like being a guardian? We protect Lady Emerald Star the same way.”

Harold fell silent.

The sea breeze, salty and cool, brushed against their faces. Lu Yao stretched out her arms, fingers splayed as the wind slipped through her hands, and found it surprisingly pleasant.

When they arrived back at pet cafe, the store was already closed for the night.

Lu Yao handed Lei Lei the snacks they’d picked up in Night light City to give to the resting waterdrop seals. Earlier, when they heard Lei Lei was going out, they whined and fussed. Without any treats, they’d throw a fit upon his return. Unaware that tomorrow’s meals would be reduced, the chubby little seals huddled together, snacking contentedly on their treats.

Harold returned to the nail salon first, and Lu Yao also prepared to rest there. In a few hours, the cinema would open once more.

That day, Fu Chi arrived especially early, even before the cinema had opened.

Lu Yao, coming out of the nail salon, saw him standing outside a snack shop and remembered that today was the day to give Qi Chen a response.

It was midnight, but the snack shop was still bustling. Lu Yao figured that if this matter wasn’t resolved, Fu Chi wouldn’t be able to focus on work today.

She walked over, opened the door to the snack shop, and was about to step inside when Fu Chi called after her. “Boss, can’t I go in with you?”

Lu Yao didn’t turn around. “No. Do you really have no idea why Qi Chen can remain here?”

The night wind stilled his turbulent thoughts.

Inside, the snack shop was lively as always, with patrons both inside and out. Late-night barbecue and beer had become a staple of their daily lives.

Qi Chen was also busy helping out. When he saw Lu Yao enter, he seemed to know her purpose.

Lu Yao walked up to him and got straight to the point. “He’s outside.”

Qi Chen’s expression darkened, and he said nothing.

Lu Yao looked at him for a moment. “It’s entirely up to you. If you don’t want to see him, I’ll turn him away.”

After all, the living and the dead meeting each other was not a common occurrence.

Qi Chen had been wondering these past few days why it was Fu Chi who discovered him. But somewhere deep inside, he felt a subtle sense of relief. If it hadn’t been Fu Chi, he might have struggled even more with the decision to meet.

Taking a deep breath, Qi Chen finally spoke, “I’ll agree to see him. But I don’t want to go through the door.”

Lu Yao nodded. “Alright. Go to the park and find the guard there. They’ll know where to take you. I’ll bring him over.”

The mention of the park still made Qi Chen uneasy.

Lu Yao saw through his hesitation and smiled, “Want me to walk you over?”

Pride wouldn’t allow him to accept her offer. Qi Chen kept a stern face. “No need, but thank you.”

As he walked out the door, Lu Yao called Xiao Qie to follow him.

Although the amusement park was right next to the snack shop, Qi Chen had never gone there in the months since he arrived in the Dreamland. The psychological shadow of the place was hard to shake off.

Step by step, he moved closer to the amusement park, regretting having declined Lu Yao’s offer.

“Ah Chen, wait up!” Xiao Qie caught up to him, carrying a three-tiered food box. “The boss asked me to bring a snack for the guard captain, so I thought we could go together.”

Qi Chen looked at him with a wooden expression. “Why suddenly bring something for the guard captain?”

Was Lu Yao interested in the chief?

Xiao Qie looked at him with wide eyes, surprised. “Isn’t it because you’re asking the amusement park for a favor? The boss has always paid attention to these little things. Whether it’s the snack shop or us, whenever we receive help from them, she always finds ways to quietly return the favor…”

Qi Chen was stunned.

Xiao Qie frowned. “You’ve been in the Dreamland for so long and haven’t noticed that you’re being looked after?”

Qi Chen’s head shot up in surprise.

It had never even crossed his mind.

Xiao Qie continued, “I know you were once alive in the other world, and you were a challenger in the amusement park, so you probably have bad memories of the place. But you’re lucky to have met the boss just as you were reborn here. Many people spend hundreds, even thousands of years here in Dreamland, only to eventually face the end of their soul. No afterlife, no next life, just like they never existed at all. Without meeting the boss, your worst outcome might have been to end up as an NPC in the amusement park, with your soul eventually ending in the hospice.”

Qi Chen’s face went pale.

Xiao Qie patted his shoulder, “Let’s go. If there’s something that needs addressing, get it sorted out. If you truly don’t want to stay in Dreamland, we’ll help you sever your attachments.”

After sending Xiao Qie to accompany Qi Chen to the amusement park, Lu Yao left the snack shop.

Fu Chi was still waiting outside.

Lu Yao slipped on her phantom ring and extended a hand toward him. “I’ll take you to him. But you’ll have to hold onto my hand the whole time, or you won’t be able to get back.”

Fu Chi hesitated. “The whole time?”

Lu Yao smiled. “If it bothers you, you can wear a glove?”

Fu Chi responded, “…It’s not that, I just meant… while we’re talking, will you also be there?”

Lu Yao nodded. “Afraid so, there’s no way around it.”

Fu Chi sighed. “Alright, thank you.”

As soon as Fu Chi took Lu Yao’s hand, a door appeared before them out of thin air.

Startled, he barely had time to react before Lu Yao opened the door and walked inside.

It was a vast, empty black space with a huge round black table at the center and three chairs arranged around it.

Qi Chen was already there. Upon seeing the two of them holding hands as they entered, his face changed once again.

Lu Yao guessed what he was thinking and quickly said, “Oh, I forgot to mention, Fu Chi also works in the market, as the cinema’s lobby manager. Since he’s alive and doesn’t have a ring, he usually can’t come here. I hope you don’t read too much into it, but please understand the situation.”

Qi Chen & Fu Chi: “…”

After a long moment of silence between them, they both finally sat down facing each other, still wordless.

Lu Yao amused herself on her phone for a while before finally looking up, belatedly asking, “Am I in your way?”

Qi Chen & Fu Chi: “…”

Lu Yao didn’t understand. “Why are you two so sensitive? Without me here, your conversation would be monitored by the amusement park’s system and saved as a backup. With me here, that monitoring is canceled. See…”

Qi Chen & Fu Chi: “Do we even have a choice?”

Lu Yao added, “Also, the cinema opens in forty minutes.”

Fu Chi finally began to speak, stumbling through several minutes of small talk before the conversation gradually turned serious.

He asked Qi Chen many questions, finally leading up to his own situation. For the first time, he shared the details of his week-long ordeal of being kidnapped abroad, the heavy secret that had weighed on him ever since.

Finally releasing it lifted a burden he’d carried for so long.

And Qi Chen, in turn, finally heard from Fu Chi the truth about his own death and the events his family had endured afterward.

Qi Chen remained silent for a long moment, looking over at Lu Yao, whose expression made it clear she already knew everything.

He recalled Xiao Qie’s words—how the boss, in her own way, always looked out for those around her.

The conversation between Fu Chi and Qi Chen lasted over three hours. At one point, Lu Yao grew sleepy and dozed off for a bit.

When she woke up, the two men had finished their talk.

“It’s time to go, Boss,” Fu Chi said, standing up and helping Lu Yao to her feet.

Qi Chen also stood, but he turned toward a different door from theirs.

Once they stepped through the door, Fu Chi bowed deeply to Lu Yao, “Thank you, Lu Yao.”

There was no response. When he looked up, she was already striding quickly toward the cinema, waving back at him. “Fu Chi, take the day off. Go home and rest.”

At that moment, Ji Zhixin was covering her shift at the cinema, and she needed to hurry back.

On Fu Chi’s day off, Ji Zhixin sent Lu Yao a list of possible 3D films to consider.

After watching each one, Lu Yao decided on a four-year-old sci-fi film titled The Moon Landing Project.

Most of the options were foreign films, heavy on impressive visual effects with simple plots. But Lu Yao chose The Moon Landing Project, a domestic sci-fi film focusing on how the people of China overcame technological challenges, built their own spaceship, and ultimately achieved a successful moon landing.

The film contained almost no heroic, individualistic highlights, and its effects were relatively modest compared to foreign sci-fi movies, but it felt just right to her.

After months of working together, Ji Zhixin had a good sense of Lu Yao’s tastes, providing extensive information on The Moon Landing Project in the list, including two pages of supplementary material.

Once Lu Yao confirmed her choice, Ji Zhixin immediately began arranging the rights purchase.

Meanwhile, the private editing team that Chen Yutong had introduced accepted the job offer and joined the cinema’s staff in the Market Street.

On the day Gao Si and his three colleagues arrived, The Moon Landing Project rights were officially in Lu Yao’s possession.

At the same time, the Nightlight City team contacted her, informing her that the custom screen was ready.

Over the phone, 1041 hinted that this screen featured their latest technology with some surprising effects.

Lu Yao promptly set aside her other plans to retrieve the screen from Night light City as soon as possible.

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