Ch 210: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World

The collaboration with the cinema featured four lipsticks, each color inspired by a character from each of the films, with the advertising focused on this unique theme.

Fu Chi and Lu Yao decided to create two looks for each actress in the ad: the first would recreate the makeup of the four female characters in the films, linking to the “movie” theme; the second would be a look that suited each actress’s own style, showcasing the lipsticks as part of an everyday makeup routine.

The first shade, Dewy Peach Blossom, represented the heroine Yu Zhengzheng from Little Chef.

Yu, a lively, spirited young chef, often wore her hair in two buns and sported a youthful, dewy pink lip like a fresh peach blossom touched by morning dew.

On the big screen, Chao Yan appeared dressed as Yu Zhengzheng, with her hair in buns and a yellow gown. She was stunning at first glance, though something was missing in her expression. Then, she took out a porcelain tube of Dewy Peach Blossom lipstick, opened the cap, and slowly twisted it.

The audience, watching curiously, realized that the intriguing object in her hand was a new type of lipstick—slender, finger-sized, retractable, and adorned with a delicate pink peach blossom pattern on the porcelain tube.

The close-up showed Chao Yan’s pale lips transforming with the Dewy Peach Blossom, making them look full and dewy. Her entire look took on a new vitality, resembling the lively chef from the film. The scene then shifted to Chao Yan herself, dressed in a silver-pink gown, with a more refined hairstyle and a hairpin with pearls and tassels. Her gaze held a subtle melancholy, yet she was radiant. Her maid presented her with the same Dewy Peach Blossom lipstick from Yan Zhi Pavilion, which she tested on her wrist before applying to her lips.

The close-up emphasized the lipstick’s soft matte finish—muted but hydrating, blending smoothly under her fingertips. The melancholy in Chao Yan’s eyes now appeared even more touching, drawing the compassion of onlookers, while many women were already whispering about the lipstick from Yan Zhi Pavilion.

Just as some women began heading toward Yan Zhi Pavilion, the ad continued with the next shade, making them pause.

The second shade, Sugar-Maple Red, represented Annie, the protagonist of The Sea Train.

Encouraged by Lu Yao, Qin Xian, a talented musician, donned a Victorian-style outfit with ruffled sleeves, a voluminous skirt, a large red bow, and delicate black shoes. Sitting in a train car, she rested her chin on her hand and held a porcelain lipstick tube decorated with overlapping maple leaves.

The screen captivated viewers with her elegance—a striking blend of Eastern beauty and a vintage Western look. With her defined features, deep-set eyes (enhanced with colored lenses), and the warm maple-sugar orange shade on her lips, she looked every bit like the poised, intelligent Annie.

As the train arrived at the station, “Miss Annie” lifted her skirts gracefully, stepping off the train, transforming back into Qin Xian, a musician skilled with the flute.

Still recovering from a recent illness, Qin Xian wore a white dress with red accents, holding her flute while fretting about her pallid complexion before her performance.

The head musician handed her Yan Zhi Pavilion’s Sugar-Maple Red, which she applied with delight as it instantly added warmth to her complexion, enhancing her porcelain skin without any trace of sickly pallor.

In the audience, a woman whispered to her friend, “This color is beautiful.”

Her friend nodded excitedly, “She looks so much healthier with that color! And it’s the same one Annie wore— I really want to buy it!”

Another woman added, “The peach blossom color was gorgeous too… how am I supposed to choose?!”

But the ad wasn’t over yet, and the friend groaned, “There can’t be another, right?”

The next shade, Snow-Almond Red, corresponded to Hua Shi’s final look as a village teacher in When blossoms fall.

By then, Hua Shi was no longer young, dressed in somber hues, her hair tied simply with a cloth, and holding a book with a serene, world-worn expression.

The actress portraying Hua Shi was Leng Gu, an experienced musician and instructor at the music hall. When Lu Yao visited the Hundred Faces Pavilion, Leng Gu hadn’t initially been on the casting list. She had stood quietly to the side, poised and calm, catching Lu Yao’s eye immediately. He invited her to try the role, surprising Leng Gu, who thought she was joking.

Snow-Almond Red was a refined, deep red-brown shade with low saturation— a sophisticated color that exuded an understated elegance. In her role as “Hua Shi,” Leng Gu brought back memories of that rainy apricot blossom scene, where Shen Xiang once gazed at Hua Shi from afar, and youth had already slipped away.

Despite time having left its mark, Hua Shi’s beauty remained undeniable, a testament to the depth that age had added to her features. Whether it was the film’s Hua Shi or this on-screen portrayal, both held a beauty refined by experience, impossible to look away from.

“Hua Shi” set her book down, walked toward the doorway, and passed through an apricot tree, transitioning seamlessly back to her everyday self as Leng Gu.

Leng Gu, skilled at the pipa, continued to practice alone even after her teaching duties were over. After a midday nap, she refreshed herself, and from her dressing table, she picked up a newly purchased lipstick from Yan Zhi Pavilion—Snow-Almond Red.

The ad continued with the final shade, White Frost Rose, associated with the character Bai Jiao, the once pure and passionate warrior-turned-cold-hearted demoness in Seeking immortal.

Chen Lianlian, dressed as “Bai Jiao,” matched the original actress’s aura perfectly, if not surpassing it. Lu Yao privately felt that the courtesan’s poise and emotional expressiveness brought an even greater depth to the character.

The crowd was captivated by the intensity of “Bai Jiao,” her madness and resolve embodied in a vibrant touch of crimson on her lips. She turned gracefully, transforming from the unfeeling ruler of the demon realm to an enchanting courtesan, clad in vivid red, with hairpins and elegant robes, her lips a bold winter plum.

Beautiful yet icy.

Dangerous and deeply alluring.

In the dim candlelight, the porcelain lipstick tube embossed with thorn-wrapped roses was reminiscent of a strong, resilient beauty. Lu Yao had indeed captured something special—each woman in his shots exuded a unique charm and allure, captivating in their own way.

After watching the sample ad, Lu Yao had no doubt it would be a sensation. Not only would the lipstick itself be a hit, but cinema ad revenues would likely reach new heights as well.

Yan Zhi Pavilion and the cinema both stocked the lipsticks, though most inventory was at Yan Zhi Pavilion. Each of the four shades came in full-size and mini versions. The cinema’s shop kept ten of each shade for display and sampling, encouraging a bit of cross-promotion.

Full-size lipsticks were priced at 110 coins each, with the mini sample versions priced at 100 coins. Buyers of a full-size lipstick would receive a complimentary mini sample of a different shade.

The lipstick’s pricing is considered sky-high among Yan Zhi Pavilion’s cosmetics, yet the quality, ingredients, and experience are unmatched in Liangjing.

Even Su Su was unaware that one of the ingredients in the formula came from an extract of an herb that Lu Yao had discovered in the magic world. This ingredient effectively smooths lip lines, soothes lip inflammation, and accelerates the forming process while keeping lips moisturized without drying them out.

It was a seemingly unremarkable herb that Lu Yao had come across when accompanying Harold to the lakeside for a bath. Harold mentioned that rubbing his scales with this grass would make them exceptionally clean. Intrigued, Lu Yao took some back to the lab for research, where she discovered its remarkable properties. She added a touch of this extract to the lipstick formula, and the results were outstanding.

The result was a transfer-resistant, non-drying, and line-smoothing lipstick that left lips feeling perfectly moisturized. Remarkably, despite its durability, it was also easy to remove—just a few minutes with a warm towel, followed by a rinse with warm water.

At Yan Zhi Pavilion, Madam Xu and Su Su were working tirelessly. The makeup trial station was packed with young ladies and a few older women. Normally, Yan Zhi Pavilion’s cosmetics were already on the pricier side, drawing mainly dancers and younger women. But the cinema’s ad had been so compelling that it attracted customers of all ages.

However, these customers had yet to discover the new, significantly higher pricing.

One middle-aged woman with a vegetable basket tried on the Snow-Almond Red shade at Madam Xu’s suggestion, smiling in delight as she admired the color. “This shade really suits me. How much does it cost?”

Madam Xu, feeling a bit nervous, quietly stated the price. The previously bustling shop fell silent as young girls, ladies, and older women alike stopped to stare, incredulous.

“What did you say?” one of them asked.

Madam Xu tightly clasped her hands in front of her, recalling the reasoning that Lu Yao had given her when they set the price. She looked up at the customers but couldn’t find the words.

Noticing the atmosphere turning uneasy, Su Su quickly stepped forward. “Ladies, you’ve all tried our new lipstick. There’s no need for us to explain further about its quality. Think carefully—doesn’t this lipstick feel much different from the ones you’re used to? The colors are vibrant, each with a unique scent, and once applied, your lips stay soft and moisturized. Even after drinking tea or eating, it hardly fades.”

One of the girls, hearing that it didn’t smudge, dabbed her lips against the back of her hand and found it truly didn’t transfer. Others followed suit, testing it out, and found that not only did it stay put, but it also felt comfortable without drying.

Su Su smiled and explained, “This lipstick was specially developed in collaboration with the boss of the cinema. It’s one of a kind—not just in Liangjing but across the entire Great Wu Dynasty. Once you try it, I guarantee you won’t want any other brand of lip color.”

A quick-thinking girl asked how to remove the lipstick. Su Su, following Lu Yao’s instructions, demonstrated the process in person. She was wearing Dewy Peach Blossom today, so she called for hot water, pressed a warm towel to her lips, and wiped it off. The color came off cleanly, leaving her lips soft, plump, and well-moisturized.

Seeing how fresh Su Su’s lips looked after removing her makeup, a young girl turned and fished out her purse. “I’ll take a Dewy Peach Blossom,” she said. “The small one, please.”

Indeed, one of the young ladies observed that Madam Xu’s daughter looked especially radiant today, and it turned out to be thanks to this lipstick. When Su Su removed it, her appearance became noticeably plainer.

The lipstick was expensive, but undeniably effective.

“Madam Xu, could I get a small Maple Sugar Red? I don’t know if it’s just my imagination, but it makes my skin look fairer,” another customer remarked.

Madam Xu quickly attended to her. “This Maple shade does brighten the complexion, especially now with the deep autumn colors. It goes perfectly with darker attire.”

Seizing the moment, Su Su announced, “Special launch offer! Buy a full-size lipstick and receive a free mini trial size in any shade of your choice!”

Even with the discount, the full-size price was high. Most customers glanced longingly at the lipstick display, hesitating before settling for a trial size.

At that moment, Jiang Yudie and three other ladies entered Yan Zhi Pavilion, accompanied by their maids.

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