92: Sky City Commercial Opening

Shen Xiaochuan walked down the steps from the Main Hall before dawn. Last night he had just announced a city-wide holiday and a doubling of wages, but he still felt uneasy—would this policy truly be implemented? He didn't know that some people had already quietly taken action behind the scenes.

Pushing open the main door, Karl was already waiting at the bottom of the steps.

"Zhou Mingrui took care of it," Karl said. "The Commercial District can open today; the stalls are all set up."

"Do people believe it?" Shen Xiaochuan asked.

"They don't," Karl shook his head. "Many people took the money but dare not spend it. Some say that nothing falls from the sky, and they fear trouble later."

Shen Xiaochuan nodded: "Then let them see it with their own eyes."

He walked toward the square. Zhou Mingrui stood at the entrance to the Commercial District, behind him were rows of wooden sheds, hung with lanterns and equipped with shelves. Pots, pans, cloth, dry rations, and Lilia's specially made Nutrient Packs were neatly displayed within.

"Post the wage standards," Shen Xiaochuan said.

Zhou Mingrui immediately took out several sheets of paper and posted them on the pillars: Cleaners four to five thousand Copper Coins per month, Construction Workers eight thousand, doctors fifteen thousand, Restoration Mages ten thousand. The entries were clear and easy to understand.

Before long, a crowd gradually gathered. An old man in gray clothes stared at the notice for a long time, then turned to ask the person next to him: "Do they really give this much?"

"My son works at the construction site; he got six thousand yesterday, not a single coin less," the person replied.

The old man was still skeptical. He walked a few steps forward and saw the payment station—several workers were queuing to receive money, counting it clearly before leaving.

He squeezed in and received his four thousand five hundred Copper Coins, his hand trembling slightly.

"This money... can it be used?" he asked cautiously.

"Of course, it can," the person paying replied with a smile. "The Commercial District opens today, buy whatever you like."

The old man turned and walked inside. He entered a cloth shop and pointed to a piece of coarse cloth: "This one, I want one Zhang."

The shopkeeper skillfully cut the fabric, collected the money, and gave change, completing the transaction in less than half a minute.

The old man walked out holding the cloth, the expression on his face changed. It was no longer suspicion, but genuine joy.

Children pulled their parents, asking for Candied Hawthorns; the elderly tried on new Straw Sandals; young couples carefully selected iron pots. The sounds on the street increased, as did the laughter, and one lantern after another was lit.

Shen Xiaochuan blended into the crowd. He changed into a gray robe, a hint of the Gear Pendant vaguely showing at the cuff. No one recognized him.

He walked up to a roast chicken stall. The stove fire was blazing, and three chickens hung on a spit, golden and glossy.

"One, please," he said.

The stall owner was a middle-aged woman with a scar on her face, but her movements were quick. She took down a chicken, wrapped it up, and handed it to him.

"Five Copper Coins."

Shen Xiaochuan placed down ten.

"No need to give change for the extra."

The woman froze: "This... is too much."

"Opening day bonus," he smiled, and walked away with the chicken.

After walking a dozen steps, he looked back. The woman was still standing there, looking down at the five Copper Coins on the table, and suddenly raised her hand to wipe the corner of her eye.

The street grew livelier. The Pharmacy began seeing patients, the general store sold its first broom, and a line formed outside the church to receive water. Anna stood at the door, handing everyone a Talisman, saying it was for blessings.

Lolia's Blacksmith Shop also opened its doors. There was no sign, but several jobs were already piled by the entrance—a kitchen knife, two pots, and an iron spoon brought by a child for repair.

Shen Xiaochuan did not go in. He knew she was busy and didn't want to disturb her.

As he walked, he heard someone sigh: "It used to be common to go a day without food; now we can actually afford to spend money on meat."

Others said: "This life feels like a dream."

He didn't stop, just put his hands into his sleeves and lightly touched the Gear Pendant. It was still warm.

When the sun reached its zenith, the Commercial District was already packed with people. The cries of vendors, the haggling, and the crying of children mingled together. The ground was covered in footprints, scattered with vegetable leaves and charred wood chips, and the air was filled with the scent of cooking smoke—solid and vibrant.

He turned and returned to the Main Hall.

He met Karl on the way.

"How was it?" Karl asked.

"Better than I imagined," Shen Xiaochuan said. "The people are mobilized."

"Zhou Mingrui says this is a good omen," Karl smiled. "It will be like this every day from now on."

Shen Xiaochuan didn't speak. He knew the road ahead wouldn't always be smooth. But now, at least in this moment, Skydome City was alive.

He pushed open the door to the Main Hall. Lilia was standing by the table.

The food on the table was steaming—she had reheated it three times.

"Where did you go?" she asked.

"To the street," he said. "I watched everyone shopping."

"The meal is cold now," her voice was softer.

"I'm sorry," he sat down. "I lost track of time."

She didn't speak, and carried the pot back to the stove. He watched her back. Her shoulders looked slightly tired; standing for so long must have worn her out. He had never let her rest properly. He knew she disliked hearing these things.

The two ate in silence.

"Can you come back to eat on time in the future?" she asked.

"I'll try my best," he said. "But I might forget."

She sighed: "Then at least leave a message."

"Okay," he nodded. "Next time I go somewhere, I'll tell you first."

She finished eating and got up to clean; he didn't stop her.

He sat, waiting until she had wiped the table clean before standing up.

"More work tomorrow?" he asked.

"Yes," she said. "The Commercial District just opened; there are many orders."

"Don't stay up too late," he said.

"You too," she looked at him. "Don't always run outside; you need to eat."

He nodded.

She left, her steps a little lighter. The scent of food remained in the room; he sat alone at the table.

He straightened his chair. Outside the window, the Commercial District was brightly lit. There were fewer people on the street, and a child holding a Candied Gourd ran past happily.

He touched the Gear Pendant at his cuff again.

It was still warm.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the door.

Zhou Mingrui walked in, holding a clipboard.

"Today's income has been calculated," he said. "The Commercial District's transaction volume was seventy-three thousand Copper Coins, with a tax revenue of nine thousand two hundred."

Shen Xiaochuan nodded.

"There's one more thing," Zhou Mingrui paused. "Lilith came to find me and said the kitchen salt is almost gone; she needs to apply for procurement."

"Approve it," Shen Xiaochuan said.

"Also..." Zhou Mingrui hesitated. "A few residents asked if wages will be paid every month from now on?"

Shen Xiaochuan looked out the window.

An elderly couple walked by slowly, carrying a vegetable basket filled with meat and vegetables.

He said: "Tell them, as long as they are in Skydome City, as long as they are willing to work, they will have money to take."

As the words fell, cheers erupted around them. Those who had been skeptical also began to look forward to the future, their gazes toward Shen Xiaochuan filled with admiration.

Zhou Mingrui recorded the statement.

"Someone else asked if they can open their own shops?"

"They can," Shen Xiaochuan said. "As long as they follow the rules, anyone can open one."

Zhou Mingrui smiled: "Then I'll need to hire a few more managers."

Shen Xiaochuan didn't smile. He looked out at the street, at all those lit lamps.

He knew these lights would not be easily extinguished.

He walked towards the inner hall, preparing to handle the last few documents.

Zhou Mingrui followed behind, continuing to report data.

While listening, he took the clipboard and flipped through it.

He stopped on the third page.

It read: Twelve new shops opened today, three of which are run by former refugees.

He closed the board.

"I'll go take a look tomorrow," he said.

Zhou Mingrui acknowledged.

Just then, a person who had previously mocked Shen Xiaochuan stepped forward and said loudly: "So what if a few shops opened? What's so great about that? Maybe they'll close tomorrow!"

Shen Xiaochuan sneered: "The shops in my Skydome City are protected by me; they won't fall. If you don't accept that, we'll see about it."

The surrounding people criticized the man one after another. The man's face turned red, he lowered his head, and scurried away in embarrassment.

Shen Xiaochuan sat down at the desk and picked up his brush.

The tip of the brush dipped in ink, hovering over the paper.

He hadn't written the first word when a child's shout came from outside.

"Mom! I bought new shoes!"