Ch 209: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World

Jiu Hua was stunned. “The boss wants to invest in the film industry and even write her own script?”

Lu Yao explained that with the current progress, the new “Z-series technology” would be ready by the end of the year at the latest. She was very optimistic about its potential. While they still called it “Z-series,” the technology was entirely reworked, and once applied to audiovisual content, it might take time to find suitable sources to showcase it fully.

So, she decided to prepare in advance by creating her own script for a short film that could both serve as a test run for the new technology and be screened in the cinema.

Jiu Hua blinked. “Do we even have the funds to produce a film?”

Having worked closely with Ji Zhixin, Jiu Hua often saw him negotiating with collaborators over funding and knew that Lu Yao had invested almost all her money into stocking the store. Due to the world barriers, assets from her other shops couldn’t be converted to usable cash here.

Lu Yao nodded calmly. “The snack shop has some advanced technology, and they’re planning to expand into the film business. I’m planning to collaborate with them. The same goes for you; help me write this script, and we’ll sign a collaboration agreement. I’ll pay you accordingly.”

Jiu Hua’s eyes widened with growing excitement. “Boss, this idea is brilliant! Let’s discuss the script. I want to hear all your ideas.”

The conversation stretched on for hours as Lu Yao shared her numerous, detailed concepts, sparking waves of inspiration in Jiu Hua.

By the time the pet cafe closed for the night, Jiu Hua was brimming with ideas, clutching a stack of notes as she headed home to start writing.

Lu Yao reminded her, “Finish this part first. If you need any additional materials, just have Zhixin contact me.”

After Jiu Hua left, Lu Yao played with the water drop seals for a while in the fishing room, then did a quick check on the fluffy animals resting nearby.

The fluffies had grown since she’d last noticed, likely preparing for winter, as their fur seemed even fluffier.

Leaving the pet cafe, Lu Yao thought about resting at the nail salon, but her steps unconsciously led her toward the snack shop.

The shop had closed for the afternoon, and the staff were busy prepping ingredients for the evening and their own dinner.

The staff hadn’t seen Lu Yao around this time in a while, so Xingzi and Xiao Qie jumped up immediately.

Xingzi noticed Lu Yao’s tired expression and asked, “Boss, have you been working all day? Anything you want to eat? I’ll have Xiao Quan prepare it right away.”

Xiao Qie hurried to the first floor and returned with a plate of small snacks.

Qi Chen followed, carrying a cup of charred caramel cocoa. “A new autumn flavor.”

Lu Yao took a sip, closed her eyes in contentment, and glanced out the window. She remembered when she’d first arrived at the shopping street—the riverbank trees had been in full bloom. Now, layers of fallen leaves were piling up on the ground, marking the passing of several seasons.

Time flies.

Qi Chen sat across from her, his gaze slightly intense as if he had something on his mind.

Distracted by thoughts of the short film, Lu Yao didn’t notice his expression and, sipping her caramel cocoa with snacks, felt her fatigue melt away. Casually, she asked Xiao Qie, “How’s the progress with the modern film base next door?”

Xiao Qie blinked. “You seem particularly interested in the film base. It should be completed in about half a month.”

Lu Yao replied openly, “That’s because I want to shoot a short film and am thinking about collaborating with the film department. Do you think that’d be possible?”

The Dreamland had recently created a film department as one of its sub-branches, handling everything from expanding the film base and scouting talent to producing and screening films.

The staff were taken aback but soon grew excited.

The boss actually wanted to invest in film—she’d be a major client!

The film department would undoubtedly be thrilled to hear this, likely even more so than they were.

After all, everything in Dreamland was a way to pass the time. But even if it was all just pretend, everyone sought authenticity, and Lu Yao was the one who provided an endless sense of realism to their lives.

The boss’s investment in film, whether a movie or short, would make her the first official client of the film department.

Xiao Qie sprang up and started for the door. “Boss, I’ll go get the chief. He’d love to discuss this with you.”

The other staff, eager to hear about Lu Yao’s short film, seized the opportunity to finish their work quickly.

Qi Chen, less interested in the film, mentally reviewed his recent thoughts and, after some hesitation, finally said, “Boss, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you.”

Lu Yao looked up. “What’s the matter?”

Qi Chen’s fingers tightened slightly, looking a bit uneasy. “I want to form a soul bond with you.”

Lu Yao was taken aback, processing his words. “Are you sure about this?”

After bonding, he’d be able to rotate as assistant manager and even step outside the snack shop’s door.

Qi Chen nodded. “After talking with Fu Chi, I started thinking about it. A human life is too short, but life in Dreamland isn’t so bad; at least here, there’s infinite time.”

Lu Yao frowned slightly. “But won’t you want to see your past loved ones? You know that after the bond, there’s no moving on. A few decades might go by quickly, but what about after that?”

Relatives pass away, leaving you alone in the end.

Qi Chen looked up at her, his expression somewhat odd. “I thought you didn’t care about such details, given your own situation is even more severe.”

The boss has been running these shops for so long, her life becoming endlessly extended. While Dreamland might offer companionship, employees in other stores will still grow old and pass away. In the end, won’t she also be left alone?

Unlike Dreamland residents, the boss still ages.

As the years pass and time goes on forever, how would she face the solitude of watching over the street alone?

Lu Yao hadn’t truly considered this question. She paused, then smiled. “Worrying about what comes with age is pointless now.”

They didn’t know that the shopping street existed thanks to the Dream Fulfillment System, and if that dream is ever achieved, maybe the shops would no longer be needed.

However, she hadn’t given much thought to what would happen to these stores scattered across worlds when that day comes.

Qi Chen pressed his lips together, looking directly at her. “I feel the same way. We’ll deal with what comes when it comes. Besides, I’ll always have you here, won’t I?”

Lu Yao felt slightly offended but let it go. “Then let’s go ahead with the bond. It feels like we’re forming a sort of cycle.”

With their business concluded, Lu Yao invited the Head Guard and the Film Department Head for a meal.

Who could refuse a meal from the snack shop?

The only restaurant in all of Dreamland, and there might even be a hidden menu.

After the meal, neither the Head Guard nor the Film Department Head could get up, as they couldn’t stop eating the steaming dishes, each one more delicious than the last.

Finally, Quan Shengju brought out a dessert.

As Lu Yao ate the cake, which resembled a mooncake, she recalled that the snack shop’s staff could infuse “emotions” into the mooncakes, which was different from ordinary illusions.

The Dreamland Game’s illusions were crafted with extraordinary realism; it was essentially the materialization of an environment.

Could illusions be combined with science and magic to bridge the current technological gaps?

Lu Yao turned toward the Head Guard. “Actually, I’m working with friends on a new technology.”

…

When the Head Guard and Film Department Head heard that Lu Yao and scientists from another shop were developing holographic technology, and she was considering using illusion to create a fully immersive sensory experience, their previously calm excitement flared again.

The Head Guard considered it deeply. “High-level illusions are related to soul power, and as a living being, you might find it hard to master. But there are plenty of skilled personnel in Dreamland’s tech department whom I can introduce to you. If you do manage to develop such a holographic technology, I hope you’ll help us gain access to it.”

If Dreamland could acquire the holographic technology Lu Yao described, the Dreamland could embark on a whole new chapter.

Lu Yao was equally thrilled by the Head Guard’s proposal and had no objections. She also hoped Dreamland would continue to improve.

The Head Guard had high hopes for the holographic technology and didn’t want to waste a moment, immediately suggesting taking Lu Yao to meet with the Dreamland tech department staff.

Xingzi stopped him, “Head Guard, the boss has been busy all day without rest. Why not discuss this further after she’s had a chance to recover?”

Only then did the Head Guard notice Lu Yao’s tired expression. “My apologies.”

Lu Yao shook her head, indicating it was no problem, and added, “Incorporating illusion is just a preliminary idea. I’ll draft a theoretical plan over the next few days, and then come to discuss it with you. Does that work?”

The Head Guard nodded vigorously. “Yes, that’s perfect.”

Leaving the snack shop, Lu Yao saw there were still two hours before the cinema opened again. Instead of returning to the nail salon, she stepped into the neighboring blind box shop.

The time in the Impermanence World flowed slower than in other worlds, allowing her to rest a bit longer there.

The shop’s staff were delighted to see Lu Yao, feeling it had been ages since her last visit. Lilly, always the most affectionate, chatted with her briefly before Lu Yao took the tiger cub into the research room, resting her head on its soft, furry belly and quickly drifting into a deep sleep.

The sleep was comfortable, yet she felt as though someone was watching her. Half-asleep, she opened her eyes to see the young god, Balance Compass, standing beside the couch, quietly watching her.

Lu Yao jolted upright. “Am I dreaming, or awake?”

Balance Compass frowned. “They’ve all chosen you. Maybe, in the end, you really will be the one who wins.”

Lu Yao was confused. “What?”

Propping his head up with one hand, Balance Compass’s gaze was conflicted. “I don’t like taking sides; balance is the most intriguing. But maybe this ambiguity is why my world ultimately died. Anyway, here, take this.”

He handed her a ring, and Lu Yao, perplexed, asked, “Why are you giving me this?”

The alarm on her phone suddenly went off, and Lu Yao opened her eyes.

She had indeed been dreaming, but in her hand was the same ring she’d seen in the dream.

Getting up, Lu Yao walked to the room where the Balance Compass was placed. Someone had set up a makeshift altar with small cushions, positioning the Balance Compass right in the center of the couch.

Lu Yao carefully approached it. The Compass, previously pieced back together, now had a missing central section—the golden fragment was embedded in the ring in her hand.

Had the Balance Compass chosen her as its vessel? But it had mentioned not wanting to take sides—what did that mean?

The system couldn’t access Lu Yao’s dream but, seeing the ring, had a pretty good idea of what had transpired.

Even the Balance Compass had chosen the shopkeeper.

Noticing that Lu Yao hadn’t fully grasped the situation, the system quietly encouraged her, “Just keep it. You already have so many, one more won’t make a difference.”

The bone of the Demon God, a dragon scale, the Sea Goddess’s Eye, the Ring of the Balance God, and… that person’s keepsake…

The system tried to appear calm while reassuring Lu Yao, but the more it thought, the more anxious it became.

Lu Yao considered it and decided it was reasonable—one more wouldn’t hurt. Trying on the ring, she found it fit best on her right index finger and decided to keep it on.

Whenever the shopkeeper returns to the Shopping Street, any items from other worlds automatically vanish into her portable storage — with the sole exception of the Illusion Ring given by the Demon God.

However, late that night, as Lu Yao was leaving the blind box shop, she felt a warmth in her coat pocket. Reaching in, she pulled out the lotus blossom earring given to her by A.

This earring wasn’t exactly small, felt slightly weighty in her hand, and emitted a faint golden glow.

The handkerchief from Great Wu Dynasty, which had originally wrapped it, was now stored in Lu Yao’s portable storage.

Confused, Lu Yao asked, “What’s going on?”

The system dared not reply.

Stepping off the stairs, she stood on the Shopping Street’s small road. “I am indeed on the Shopping Street, so how is it that this earring can come out?”

The system continued to play dead.

After a moment of thought, Lu Yao speculated, “So this item must actually be from our side? Meaning… A must be…”

The system was internally screaming with anxiety, hoping she wouldn’t say anything further.

“…someone I know, right?”

The system took a deep breath, slowly releasing its panic. That person had indeed never directly revealed their identity.

Just then, a car drove in from the main road, and Fu Chi arrived for work.

Seeing that time was running short, Lu Yao casually placed the earring into her portable storage and strode towards the cinema. There was plenty to do that day.

…

With the cinema opening, Little Chef would reach its finale tomorrow, and a new film would soon premiere. Once Seeking Immortal updated, or perhaps with the screening of a documentary from Night light City, her film screening tasks would finally be complete. After observing two positive responses, this task would be considered fulfilled.

Exiting from backstage, Lu Yao saw that Fu Chi had already drafted a new ad plan and assigned the shopkeeper a task: to find four women in Liangjing with full lips who’d be willing to appear in the ad.

With four lipsticks, each in a different style, Fu Chi was eager to shoot a work that would be entirely unique.

First, Lu Yao arranged to invite Chen Lianlian from the Jinghong Pavilion, having previously agreed to feature her in the lipstick ad. The courtesan’s delicate, flawless features fit perfectly with Fu Chi’s aesthetic vision. So that made one down.

Hearing that three more actresses were needed, Chen Lianlian recommended two additional girls from Jinghong Pavilion. However, during the test shoot, one of them seemed uncomfortable in front of the camera, unable to relax, so only a girl named Chao Yan remained.

While many women were interested in the cinema and the idea of appearing in ads, they also had their reservations. Through Madam Xu’s introduction, Lu Yao met with several commoner women, but none worked out.

Finally, Chen Lianlian suggested that suitable actresses might be found among the performers at Baixiang Garden. Lu Yao approached the Garden’s owner and ultimately selected two musicians.

With four actresses in place, Lu Yao handed off the ad’s production entirely to Fu Chi.

That afternoon, Xie Wan and Sun Qinghe arrived to discuss the specific details of the girls’ academy project. Lu Yao spoke with them for nearly an hour, and they left feeling profoundly inspired.

The shopkeeper’s vision was astoundingly broad.

Issues like student recruitment, textbook selection, the qualifications of teachers, and safety considerations—points they hadn’t even considered—were all clearly outlined.

Initially planning to establish a well-funded girls’ academy, they decided, after hearing Lu Yao’s advice, to start with a charity school instead.

For most common families, schooling was already challenging, and the idea of sending girls to school was almost unthinkable.

Lu Yao suggested they first find a suitable location, enroll a small group of girls for free, and gradually change local mindsets while using this as a test of their own commitment and abilities.

The path to education was not easy.

Watching the two noble young ladies leave, Lu Yao returned to the main hall and instructed the post-production team to prepare a highlight reel of Little Chef.

As the first series to conclude at the cinema, it deserved a bit of ceremony.

The next program would be Great Liang’s Chief Justice, with its trailer debuting at the same time.

As Lu Yao went through the recently purchased licenses in the back, she found all sorts of genres—mystery, romance, horror, history… yet somehow, it still felt like something was missing.

After a moment’s thought, Lu Yao stepped outside and messaged Ji Zhixin: “It seems we don’t have any animated films yet.”

Ji Zhixin replied immediately: “Arrangements will be made right away.”

…

Four days later, the joint lipstick line by the cinema and Yan Zhi Pavilion officially launched.

That morning, some were still mourning the end of Little Chef, others had yet to see the full Moon landing, and many were already anticipating the premiere of Great Liang’s Chief Justice, the next show in line after Little Chef. But none were prepared for the cinema’s latest advertisement.

Displayed on the same immense screen that had shown the Moon landing trailer, four breathtakingly elegant women appeared like the first rays of morning light, capturing everyone’s attention in an instant.

🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️