Ch 214: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World

Lu Yao leaned back on the sofa, examining the note in her hand in the light. The word Childhood was printed on it, and behind the text was a faint, skull-like symbol.

Fu Chi entered, asking if it was time to release the trailer for the holographic screening room and I Come from a Thousand Years Ago.

Lu Yao clenched the note and nodded as she stood up. “Yes, let’s finish this with style.”

Many citizens were still gathered at the entrance, abuzz over the emperor’s personal gift of a plaque to the theater, a clear endorsement by the court.

For some, the theater had always been a source of intrigue, a place they couldn’t help but be drawn to despite their reservations. Now, with an imperial endorsement, their doubts finally eased.

At that moment, the large screen on the theater’s second floor, which had been displaying advertisements, suddenly switched, launching a brand-new trailer.

Since Moon Landing, the screen hadn’t shown any 3D previews, and this trailer lasted only twenty seconds. The visuals extended beyond the screen, creating an immersive experience.

A general who died on the battlefield arrives a thousand years later?

How will he survive in a world a millennium away?

A completely new genre—what would the world a thousand years later look like?

The trailer immediately captivated most viewers, sparking their imaginations.

At the end of the preview, the theater revealed new information—the holographic screening room would debut alongside I Come from a Thousand Years Ago.

Rumor had it that this screening room employed the latest holographic technology developed by the theater, promising an immersive viewing experience.

“Immersive?”

Wasn’t that like the 3D screening room?

Those who had seen 3D movies assumed that was as immersive as it could get.

Could there be an experience even more advanced than 3D?

They couldn’t imagine it.

The final message of the preview announced that seats for the premiere of I Come from a Thousand Years Ago could be reserved in advance, as the holographic screening room only had twenty seats per session, with each ticket costing a hefty five hundred copper coins.

Upon seeing this, many onlookers hesitated: This… this is way too expensive! Honestly, 3D was already great; there was no need to go holographic. The ticket price was outrageous, not to mention the runtime was less than forty-five minutes. It was nothing like a regular movie experience.

That day, four major topics buzzed throughout Liangjing’s streets and alleys, three of them related to the theater.

First was the upcoming I Come from a Thousand Years Ago, its unique theme igniting passionate discussion among film fans. Second was the simultaneous launch of the holographic screening room, advertised as “immersive,” and its shockingly high ticket price, drawing mixed opinions. Yet word spread that tickets for the premiere of I Come from a Thousand Years Ago had sold out within half a day of the announcement.

For fans with shallow pockets, the sentiment was clear: Those damn rich people!

The third topic was one that shocked the entire court—the emperor had issued an edict permitting the late crown prince’s orphan, Princess Deyi, to attend court and participate in state affairs.

Upon hearing the decree, the ministers kneeled en masse outside the Qinzheng Hall.

For years, they had submitted petitions urging the emperor to appoint a crown prince, but none had expected such an outlandish decision from him.

Allowing the princess to be involved in state matters was practically an open declaration.

However, the emperor was resolute, unmoved by opposition, insisting on bringing Deyi into court.

The atmosphere in Liangjing grew tense following this shocking political move.

Meanwhile, the theater’s trailer for The Crown Princess unexpectedly became a lightning rod—this was the fourth topic related to the theater.

Most citizens didn’t give it much thought, but it was the officials who felt indignant upon seeing the preview for The Crown Princess.

Some even secretly threw rotten eggs and scrawled red graffiti on the theater’s entrance.

However, the culprits were caught and escorted to the authorities before Lu Yao even needed to act, losing their official hats in the process.

Hongyu was loyal to the princess, and Chang Ming served the emperor.

These people weren’t attacking the theater—they were throwing rotten eggs in the faces of the emperor and princess.

Lu Yao speculated that the emperor’s determination might have been due to the Key of Time and Space’s guidance.

In every vision of Great Wu’s downfall, the emperor had never once chosen Deyi.

When one can see far enough, rules, traditions, and ancestral customs become obstacles, easily overturned in the face of survival.

The current emperor, it seemed, wasn’t particularly fond of Deyi.

But for the future of the country, he chose the option with the best chance of success.

Lu Yao found it unbelievable—the ultimate mission this time was truly tricky.

Without all the Hextech, she wouldn’t have had the confidence to influence the thoughts and decisions of a monarch.

The princess had indeed stepped onto the path of ambition.

One day, she would reach her “ideal” endpoint on her own.

…

At the premiere of I Come from a Thousand Years Ago, familiar faces filled the holographic screening room: Princess Deyi in high spirits, Boss Le of Chunxi Lou, Boss Rong of Rongxi Bookstore, Elder Jiang, Xie Xu, Chen Yuning, Prince Jin… as well as several court officials. For some reason, these people entered the theater with especially solemn expressions.

As the premiere began, Lu Yao descended from upstairs.

A line of carriages waited outside the theater, with Die Qi greeting guests.

Curious, Lu Yao went out. “What’s going on here?”

Jin Lu and Qi Wu hopped off one of the carriages and helped an elderly man down.

Die Qi introduced them. “Shopkeeper, this is the Old Pavilion Master. Pavilion Master, this is the theater’s shopkeeper.”

The Old Pavilion Master’s head ached at the sight of Lu Yao. Thinking back to a few months prior, all he felt was regret—if only he hadn’t taken that assignment.

Who could have foreseen that a seemingly ordinary investigation would end up ruining his long-established Ling Xiao Pavilion?

Seeing the Old Pavilion Master’s grim face, Lu Yao whispered to Die Qi, “Is he feeling unwell?”

Qi Wu interjected, “The Pavilion Master is getting on in years. The long journey was exhausting. We just stopped by to check in and will take him back to rest.”

Since Shui Shan and Ming Shi had arrived in Liangjing, Die Qi had arranged for a house two streets away from the theater. All the small-digit group members, once scattered across inns, had moved there, and there were still vacant rooms.

Yi Yi and Tai Er, meeting Lu Yao for the first time, were visibly excited.

After countless imagined scenarios, they were finally at the famous theater and didn’t want to go straight to the residence.

The Old Pavilion Master’s face grew darker—this shop had poached his members.

Die Qi nudged Yi Yi and Tai Er onto the carriage, telling them to go settle their luggage first.

The Pavilion Master was already troubled enough; no need to add fuel to the fire.

As for the investigation tasks from Ling Xiao Pavilion, they still needed to report the results to each client.

The small-digit group members didn’t realize it, but this was largely unnecessary by now.

Most of the clients sat in the holographic screening room, journeying through a thousand years with the general, immersing themselves in the future and coming to understand the truth about the theater.

When the premiere ended, guests exited the holographic screening room, dazed.

Le Han and Rong Shenghua exchanged glances, their shock still evident.

Xie Xu and his companions were silent, yet their eyes were full of astonishment, as if thinking, So that’s what it was.

Deyi found Hongyu. “Your task is complete.”

Hongyu was startled. “Why?”

Deyi’s smile was radiant, barely concealing her excitement. “The shopkeeper has revealed her origins and those of the theater.”

Hongyu was puzzled. “When? Did she tell you directly?”

Deyi shook her head. “Not exactly, but everyone who watched the premiere today should understand.”

The true meaning of I Come from a Thousand Years Ago was: We come from a thousand years in the future.

It was an open secret, a discreet confession from the theater.

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