Chapter Ten: The Pacific Department Store

  Those exquisitely carved wooden doors and windows have all disappeared, replaced by large glass doors that lead to the ground. Even the people of Shazhou, who are used to seeing strange things, were amazed by this crystal palace. In fact, if this small shop were placed in a previous life, it would be nothing more than a small boutique, and such decorations would be ordinary in a previous life. But this is not 2008's new China, this is the Eastern Jin Dynasty of some era. The first batch of people who got to enter and visit were those who received invitations. Gan Jing and Zhu Jinyan couldn't sit still anymore. Although the crowd didn't recognize the young man in yellow clothes next to them, they did know Gan Jing. So those Li bosses, Hongniang, and others also made way for him, while flattering and asking a few questions. Although they themselves wanted to enter earlier than others to take a look, even if they had the courage of a bear or leopard, they didn't dare compete with Young Master Jing for the right of way. After all, everyone still wants to get along well in Shazhou City. Maybe Gan Jing isn't that kind of person, but it's better to be safe than sorry.

  The onlookers, although slightly disappointed that they hadn't received an invitation, were able to catch a glimpse of the proceedings through the transparent glass exterior of the department store. Although the sunlight caused some glare, they could still see something and hoped that the nobles would finish soon. Gan Jing didn't want to appear too high and mighty in front of everyone, so he whispered a few words to Sima, who then ushered in the people holding invitations along with him.

  Inside the store, those wooden enclosed storage cabinets were also replaced with glass-made square cabinets, which not only facilitated customer selection but also ensured that merchants would not suffer losses. The Pacific Department Store is divided into two floors, and the lower floor has nothing but daily necessities for ordinary people. However, it can be seen that the items in the display cabinets on the east side are all brand-name products, while those on the west side are much more common. Looking at the prices, even ordinary families can afford to buy them. The goods are not very rare, but they have an advantage in being comprehensive. Originally, you would have to run several streets to buy everything, but it seems that you can buy everything at once at Pacific Department Store. People with a keen eye will also discover that the glass screens quietly separate different types of commodity cabinets, which is extremely convenient for customers. No longer do they need to fly around like headless flies; in the future, if there's anything needed, they can directly find that display cabinet.

  Although Gan Jing also admired the boss's novel creativity, he was a practical person and this kind of crowd-pleasing thing would not last long. Although he sincerely admired the mysterious boss in his heart, this model was very creative, but if they only sold these things, wouldn't it be too unfair to such an exquisite shop? The people in the same industry had already been immersed in the novelty brought by the ocean, and only Gan Jing and Zhu Jinyan showed different degrees of disappointment. The sharp-eyed Sima couldn't help but notice that although his facial muscles were stiff, he still accompanied a warm smile, which was more painful than taking a cold bath in winter for him, but who made this the eldest sister's request? He had to smile all the way through the service.

  "Ladies and gentlemen, you are all seasoned veterans, so I'm sure these things won't impress you. They don't truly represent our great ocean... Please follow me upstairs." Qi Xi had originally wanted to install an escalator, but unfortunately, the technology and materials at the time made it impossible. Even making large panes of tempered glass was a challenge in this era. Although there was nothing particularly new or surprising about the staircase itself, Qi Xi had still put a lot of thought into its design, transforming what would have been an outdated style into something much more elegant.

  The crowd followed hesitantly up the stairs, with a few of them bumping their heads on the transparent glass wall as they climbed. They had already been amazed by the material when they first saw it, and now, upon reaching the second floor, they discovered that it could not only be used for decoration but also made into various delicate objects. "What is this?" Hong Niangzi pointed at a strange object with a base made of brass and an upside-down bottle on top, although the intricate carving of the lady on the base was exquisite.

  It was just an oil lamp, but it seemed that the Eastern Jin Dynasty didn't have the habit of using oil lamps. The common people usually used candles or paper lanterns for lighting at night, but oil lamps were very common in Yunzhong City. This time, the eldest sister had some opinions on the external design and small details of the oil lamp, and after the craftsmen remade it, they created this exquisite oil lamp. Sima couldn't help but laugh, thinking that such a clever and resourceful person always had countless good ideas, but unfortunately, her hands-on ability was lacking. It seemed that heaven was still fair. He composed himself: "This is actually an oil lamp, which can replace candles and paper lanterns for lighting at night. Ha ha, even if it's not used for lighting, I think it would be a great decorative piece to put in the house."

  "Great!" The crowd also applauded, and even a few asked for the price, but Sima just smiled and shook his head: "If you want to ask the price, it's difficult for me to stay here. This thing is not for sale. Every month, the top three customers who buy the most in our store will receive such an oil lamp as a gift. Of course, our small shop also has some small gifts to give away." Sima called out and immediately had an assistant bring over a tray with five or six flat wooden boxes on it. Under Sima's indication, the assistant handed each of the bosses one of the wooden boxes.

  "This is a small token, I hope you won't despise it. Inside is a glass jumping chess set, only one is made every month and it's only used as a gift to others. You can't buy it anywhere else, even if you want to see it, you won't be able to. Although it's a small thing, I'll leave it with you all as a keepsake." Thinking of jumping chess, Sima's heart was also filled with regret. In Yunzhong City, he was recognized by everyone as a high-level expert, but every time he played against Heiying, he ended up defeated and humiliated.

  Although many people were curious about what the jumpers were, they didn't dare to open them in person. Today, Gan Jing and Zhu Jinyan both came alone, usually these small things of receiving gifts would be done by the little servants beside them. The two young masters took over the wooden box at the same time, but their hands shook slightly, and a crisp collision sound came from the box.

  Although Qi Xi was very afraid of such social occasions, today was after all the opening day of her first store. Although Er Ye helped a lot, she had also spent almost all the money in her own little treasure chest, and she didn't know if the business would be good on the first day of opening. She really wanted to see people's expressions when they saw her masterpiece for the first time, so she followed the usual practice and left early. Fortunately, she arrived just in time for the opening moment. Sima had already seen her hiding in the crowd, but only because she made eye contact with him did he not force himself on her. Qi Xi, who was hiding in the crowd, was just a young and tender little girl, at most looked like a very delicate little girl, but no one would have thought that the chief designer of this visual feast was standing beside them at this moment. Of course, no one could connect the two, it's just that things often turn out to be unexpected.