Ch 208: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World

Lu Yao arrived at Zhuque Gate, where a young eunuch in blue was waiting to guide her inside.

The palace interior was grand and imposing. After walking for a long time, Lu Yao began to feel that they were going in circles. She summoned her system. “Why haven’t we arrived yet?”

System: Why ask me? Ask him!

Lu Yao: I think something’s off. Asking him won’t help. I only trust you.

The system almost wagged its virtual tail in pride, though it restrained itself. You’re right; something’s up. He’s been leading you in circles. I’ve already scanned and saved the whole palace map. What would you like to do?

After a moment’s thought, Lu Yao stopped the eunuch, slipping him a small pouch. “How much longer until we arrive, sir?”

The young eunuch felt the pouch, tucked it into his sleeve, and replied coldly, “Just follow along. Why so many questions?”

Realizing that money wouldn’t help, Lu Yao had a good idea of who was behind this. She had only ever offended one person in the palace—Eunuch Qin, who had delivered the decree.

Ignoring the eunuch, she turned and began retracing her steps, instructing the system, “Guide me.”

Seeing Lu Yao figure out his ploy, the eunuch’s face turned vicious. He stepped forward, trying to block her. “Stop right there, you lowly—ahh!”

Lu Yao released his wrist, taking a step back to look up at the sky, then down at the eunuch writhing on the ground. “Is he alright?”

Recently, she had watched Ku Ba teaching Gouzi some self-defense moves and had joined in for fun. When this eunuch charged at her menacingly, she reacted instinctively, twisting his wrist—perhaps a bit too forcefully.

System: His wrist is broken.

Lu Yao: …So, what now?

Do I have that much strength?

System: Don’t ask me.

Lu Yao squatted down, and the young eunuch, terrified, scrambled backward before getting up and running off.

Watching him flee, Lu Yao sighed, then turned to the system. “Lead the way. Let’s head to the Hall of Diligence.”

…

Hall of Diligence

Emperor Wu finished reviewing his documents and rose, moving to the bedroom at the back.

Sometimes, when too busy, he would sleep here.

A few days earlier, Emperor Wu had ordered a bronze mirror to be brought to the private chamber of the Hall of Diligence.

Now, he stood before the mirror, staring at the string of red numbers hovering above his head.

At first, he hadn’t understood what the numbers meant, especially since no one else could see them.

Soon, he noticed that each time he looked in the mirror, a day passed, and the numbers above his head decreased by one.

He quickly realized these numbers were counting down the time he had left.

From the day his memories had suddenly returned to the day he would die, five years later, time was slipping away, day by day.

Emperor Wu had a feeling that his restored memories were no mere coincidence.

This time around, he discovered a strange new shop in Liangjing City, one that hadn’t existed in his previous life.

Even before his memories had returned, he had already placed a spy in that shop.

The reports from his informant described the shop as extremely mysterious, though the exact nature of its strangeness remained unclear.

Emperor Wu suspected that this shop’s sudden appearance might be tied to his own resurrection.

When he heard about the film titled Moon Landing, he could no longer contain his curiosity and wanted to meet the owner of the cinema.

Leaving his private chamber, he glanced at the screen by the door. “Qin Mingde.”

Qin Mingde entered from outside. “Your Majesty.”

“Has the cinema’s owner not arrived yet?” Emperor Wu asked.

Qin Mingde shook his head. “Shall I go to Zhuque Gate and check?”

Seeing a slight shadow over the emperor’s face, he lowered his head, concealing his concern, and was about to turn when a voice announced from outside, “The owner of the cinema, Lu Yao, requests an audience with Your Majesty.”

Qin Mingde was taken aback—how did she arrive so quickly?

Emperor Wu’s expression softened slightly as he moved to sit behind the desk and signaled Qin Mingde to announce her.

Clearing his throat, Qin Mingde flicked his dust brush and, with a hint of smugness, announced in a sharp voice, “Summon the cinema owner, Lu Yao, into the hall.”

Lu Yao stepped into the hall, stopping before the Emperor and bowing slightly. “Greetings, Your Majesty.”

Qin Mingde’s eyes widened, shocked that she dared not to kneel before the Emperor. He took a step forward, shouting, “Audacious commoner! Before the Emperor, why do you not kneel?”

Before Lu Yao could reply, Emperor Wu interjected, “All of you, leave.”

Qin Mingde looked up, incredulous. “Your Majesty?”

The Emperor closed his eyes briefly and waved his hand toward the door. “Leave us.”

Reluctantly, Qin Mingde shot a hostile glance at Lu Yao before taking quick, measured steps out of the hall.

Standing alone, Lu Yao could feel the intensity of the gaze directed at her from above.

Emperor Wu’s eyes lingered on the numbers floating above her head. He counted backward and grew more astonished with each unit.

Seventy thousand, and the last unit was “years.”

He counted three or four times, unwilling to believe it, but the count never changed.

This woman, like him, had a string of numbers above her head.

But unlike him, who had five years left, she had over seventy thousand years remaining.

It was beyond belief.

The dragon-scale hairpin in her hair also caught his attention. He couldn’t discern its material, but the black, scale-like patterns glimmered faintly, sending a chill down his spine.

This woman was likely not an ordinary person.

“You…” Emperor Wu hesitated briefly, “Raise your head.”

Lu Yao complied, lifting her gaze.

Judging by the reign title, Emperor Wu was likely in his sixties.

In this world, such an age was remarkable.

Clad in a black-and-gold dragon robe, his hair streaked with white, his face dignified and stern, deep wrinkles marked his expression, and his gaze was sharp and composed, exuding authority.

However, the most striking thing was the strange string of red numbers above his golden crown.

Lu Yao only glanced briefly before averting her gaze, secretly asking the system, “Is the Emperor a player from the Park?”

The system hesitated. “Most likely not.”

Lu Yao: Then what are those numbers above his head?

System: That’s related to your mission, and I can’t disclose it.

Lu Yao pressed her lips together, recognizing it as a significant clue.

Emperor Wu continued observing her and noticed the slight pause in her gaze. Closing his document, he adjusted his posture.

Outside, Qin Mingde leaned against the door, but no sound reached him.

Inside, after listening to Emperor Wu’s request, Lu Yao considered for a moment. “It’s possible, though it would require a few days to prepare.”

The Emperor seemed merely interested in the cinema, as he couldn’t leave the palace and wanted to know if the cinema could screen a film within the palace walls.

Familiar with the structure of tasks, Lu Yao sensed it might not be so simple, yet meeting the Emperor made her realize she was close to an ultimate mission.

“How many days will it take?” the Emperor leaned forward slightly.

After a moment’s thought, Lu Yao replied, “Preparation will take five days. But I’ll need assistance to handle all the work; on the day I enter the palace, may I bring two helpers?”

The Emperor had been testing her, but hearing her straightforward answer, he grew genuinely interested and replied, “Permission granted.”

After almost half an hour, Lu Yao left the Hall of Diligence.

Before departing, she told the Emperor about the incident with the young eunuch at Zhuque Gate and even left a bottle of medicinal ointment.

The Emperor listened and then summoned a young attendant named “Chang Rong” to escort Lu Yao out of the palace.

Standing outside the hall, Qin Mingde’s face darkened.

It took over forty-five minutes on foot to walk from the Hall of Diligence to Zhuque Gate.

The inner palace was vast indeed.

Lu Yao glanced at the young eunuch beside her, her eyes gleaming. “There’s an attendant in my cinema named Chang Ming. His build and bearing are quite similar to yours. I almost mistook you for him at first.”

Eunuch Chang Rong bowed his head with a dry chuckle. “You’re too kind, Miss Lu.”

Lu Yao smiled, took a small keychain from her pocket, and offered it to him. “Just a little trinket from the cinema. I appreciate the trouble you’ve taken in escorting me; if you don’t mind, please accept it.”

Chang Rong’s face lit up with delight as he accepted it. “Thank you, Miss Lu.”

These little trinkets had recently become quite popular among the young palace maids and eunuchs, and Chang Rong had been eyeing one for a while but hadn’t managed to get one yet.

These keychain charms were in high demand outside the palace too, so palace residents could only ask trusted acquaintances who left the palace to bring some back, but it was never enough.

Thrilled by the unexpected gift, Chang Rong felt a newfound fondness for Lu Yao. “Next time you enter the palace, I’ll personally greet you at Zhuque Gate.”

Lu Yao smiled. “Then I’ll trouble you, sir.”

Walking together from the inner palace to the gate, their conversation was sparked by the keychain, leading Lu Yao to share a few things about the cinema and, in turn, learn a bit about palace life.

Her trip to the palace had taken quite some time.

As noon approached, she still hadn’t returned.

Other shops on the marketplace street had already opened, and Ji Zhixin, at the fishing room, received a call from the 1041 team regarding a minor issue they wanted to discuss with Lu Yao.

After trying to reach her by phone and receiving no response, Ji Zhixin posted in the work group chat, asking Fu Chi.

Ji Zhixin: “@Fu Chi, where’s the boss? I tried messaging her, but no response.”

After a few minutes:

Fu Chi: “Boss went to the palace to meet the Emperor and hasn’t returned yet.”

Zhou Su: “What kind of development is this?!”

No one was more bewildered than the three new hires in post-production, who had recently joined the shopping street’s work group chat.

They usually just lurked, rarely participating in the chat.

Privately, they had thought the chat conversations were a bit odd, but they loved the work environment—breakfast and lunch were delicious, and the meals changed every day. Gao Si and Gao Meng had learned to overlook the strange conversations.

That morning, though, after seeing Fu Chi’s message, the strange feeling they’d been ignoring reached new heights.

Since meeting Lu Yao, Liu Tang had been acting oddly, prompting Gao Meng to ask him if he knew her, but he wouldn’t answer.

Then, upon opening the group chat that morning and reading Fu Chi’s message, he froze.

Gao Meng: “The Emperor? What’s going on? Why is the boss meeting the Emperor?”

Gao Si: “Another undercover mission?”

Fu Chi: “Lu Yao’s back.”

Zhou Su: “Quick, ask her what the Emperor is like! Is the palace really big?”

As soon as Lu Yao stepped into the cinema, her phone started ringing. She glanced at it and quickly replied:

Lu Yao: “The Emperor is very imposing, and the palace is enormous. Just getting out of the inner palace took almost an hour.”

Lu Yao: “@Ji Zhixin, what did you need me for?”

Gao Meng: “Help! What are you all talking about? I don’t understand any of this!”

Lu Yao: “@Gao Meng, it’s about the cinema. Feel free to come by if you’re free to check it out.”

Lu Yao: “@Gao Si, Little Chef is almost finished, and the next show will either be Judge of Great Liang or Crown Princess. Whichever one is left will be shown after Seeking Immortals. I’ll send over the editing details soon so you can familiarize yourselves with the material.”

Gao Si: “Got it, boss.”

Gao Meng: “We show dramas too?!”

Liu Tang, hands trembling, hesitated for a moment before typing: Boss, do you know about the Park?

Don’t ask him why he didn’t DM her; he was too nervous to.

After a few minutes without a reply, Fu Chi posted in the chat: “Lu Yao went out again; there’s no signal outside. She said she’ll handle the 1041 team and post-production tasks in the afternoon.”

…

With five days left until the palace screening, Lu Yao considered it the perfect opportunity to promote her new cosmetics line.

As soon as she returned from the palace, she went straight to Yan Zhi Tower to check on the latest progress with the lipstick line.

Su Su had drawn plenty of inspiration from the movies and, with access to some of the cinema’s raw materials, had created even more possibilities for colors. She had already developed four entirely unique shades in line with the film’s aesthetic.

She had planned to visit the cinema in the afternoon to update Lu Yao on her progress and catch Moon Landing, which had just premiered. But upon seeing Lu Yao there in person, she eagerly brought out four mini lipsticks. “Master, come take a look!”

The kiln and carpenter had delivered some components, with 50 full-sized lipstick tubes and bases, and 60 mini lipstick tubes and bases.

Su Su had used the mini tubes to produce a small batch of lipsticks, with two of each of the four shades.

Lu Yao twisted open each lipstick, noting that the molds produced an almost flawless shape.

The swatches on her arm and lips looked good, though she made a slight adjustment to the red-brown shade. Next came the fragrance.

The scent of a lipstick is actually a key selling point.

Some lipsticks smell like chocolate, tempting you to take a bite, while others have a rose fragrance, giving an impression of femininity right from the scent.

Su Su’s method for blending fragrances was more traditional, with a heavy emphasis on floral scents that, if used too much, could become overwhelming.

Based on the four lipstick shades and their target audiences, Lu Yao reblended the fragrances.

Watching intently, Su Su was both amazed and a bit discouraged. “Master, your ideas and sense of aesthetics are far beyond mine. Honestly, if you did it all, it’d be faster and better.”

Lu Yao shook her head. “I’ve just seen a bit more than you have, and this isn’t solely my work. One day, you’ll be able to do just as well.”

Su Su had rarely met a woman like Lu Yao—someone who made her feel so reassured, and who was so incredibly kind.

Around Lu Yao, she could voice her hidden thoughts openly, and her master never scolded her but, with a natural and affirming tone, shared ideas that no one had ever spoken to her before.

These words were like nourishing rain, gradually soaking into her life. Over time, Su Su couldn’t help but believe that, in the future, she would become capable of anything.

Just as they finished, Madam Xu returned.

Su Su eagerly handed over the new lipsticks for Madam Xu to try.

With Lu Yao, Su Su, and Madam Xu representing three age groups, each found a shade that matched her own unique style, signaling the completion of the lipstick line’s development.

Next, they’d begin mass production, marketing, and sales.

Lu Yao also planned to shoot an advertisement and, with the palace’s support, fully open the lipstick market.

This would also require more custom accessories.

Inspecting the delivered lipstick tubes and carved wooden bases, Lu Yao was pleasantly surprised by the high compatibility—almost no defects at all.

Considering these were entirely handcrafted, she hadn’t expected such a high success rate.

After consulting with Madam Xu, they decided to order 200 more each of the full-size and mini trial accessories, totaling 800 units.

Given Liangjing’s population and the potential market, selling all of them might be a significant challenge, but the three women were brimming with excitement, ready to dive in.

Returning to the cinema from Yan Zhi Tower, it was already late.

…

The release of Moon Landing, the first 3D film, had only just begun to create a ripple of technological excitement across Great Wu.

Even Lu Yao hadn’t anticipated the unprecedented enthusiasm for innovation the film would spark.

After the cinema closed, it was still midday on the shopping street.

Lu Yao headed to the post-production team’s office for lunch before addressing the 1041 team’s issues at the pet cafe in the afternoon.

Upon seeing Lu Yao, Gao Meng voiced a half-joking complaint, “Boss, we just found out today that we don’t even have staff badges.”

That morning, they’d learned from the senior employees that they’d need special badges from shopping Street to visit other stores.

Since they had joined suddenly, and Lu Yao had been busy, she had forgotten about it.

She immediately used some popularity points to get three badges for them.

Sitting in the corner, Liu Tang took his badge and sneaked a glance at Lu Yao.

Unaware of him, Lu Yao handed out the badges and continued with her meal.

Liu Tang confirmed that Lu Yao hadn’t recognized him—or perhaps she had never even noticed him.

During lunch, everyone liked to sit close to the boss.

With this new office space, all the employees felt more at ease, as if they suddenly had more private time and camaraderie among colleagues.

Zhou Su, seeing Lu Yao finish her meal, immediately scooted over, “So, you really met the living Emperor? What’s the palace like?”

Fu Chi chimed in, “Next time, take some of the small recording devices. I’d love to get footage from inside the palace.”

For him, the palace architecture wasn’t the appeal; he wanted a glimpse into the real lives of ancient emperors, consorts, eunuchs, and palace maids.

Zhou Su’s eyes widened, “Will there be another chance?”

Ji Feiming and Ji Zhixin looked up with interest.

Finishing her meal in a few quick bites, Lu Yao nodded, “In five days, I’ll be screening a movie for the Emperor and his consorts in the palace.”

Zhou Su asked, “Does the palace even have electricity? How will you screen it?”

Ji Zhixin offered, “A small generator would work, or we could bring portable batteries.”

Fu Chi added, “I’ll handle the projection equipment.”

Zhou Su wondered aloud, “Can Lu Yao manage this alone?”

Lu Yao nodded, “I’ll bring Harold and Ye Xiao along. It should be fine.”

“Oh, there’s Harold. Who’s Ye Xiao?” Zhou Su asked.

“Another employee of the cinema,” Fu Chi replied.

Meanwhile, the three new hires in post-production, utterly clueless, pondered what kind of company this even was. Why was the lunch conversation so hard to follow? Was it them, or was it the company?

After lunch, Lu Yao looked over the notes Ji Zhixin had taken of the issues 1041 had called about in the morning.

She decided she’d need another trip to Night Light City.

Since Harold had been working at the cinema all day, Lu Yao told him to take a break at the nail salon.

This time, she brought along Lei lei and two elder water drop seals.

The chubby seals were overjoyed.

The trip to Night Light City went smoothly, with the integration of technology and magic nearly completing the new “Z-series technology.” But Lu Yao felt that something was still missing.

The 1041 team explained that, with the current technology, they could achieve extreme realism in visuals and sound, creating an immersive experience, but they still couldn’t incorporate touch, smell, or taste.

Lu Yao pondered over it for a long time, convinced it was a challenge worth attempting to overcome.

This left the 1041 team scratching their heads as well.

After returning from Night Light City, Lu Yao sought out Jiu Hua. “Professor Jiu, I have a favor to ask.”

Jiu Hua responded in character, “Professor Lu, what is it? I’m listening.”

Lu Yao handed her a stack of documents, “Could you write a script for me?”

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