Dream Walker: Feng Shui Master Bai Ya

After leaving the security room, Fourth Uncle said goodbye to Shang Muchen and Liu Qingyang. He planned to see President Fang again before continuing to look up information at the library.

Shang Muchen didn't know what information his fourth uncle was researching, but since his uncle hadn't asked him to come along, he didn't want to ask any further questions.

Fourth Uncle whispered to Shang Muchen and Liu Qingyang, "You two should keep a low profile these few days, be careful, and don't cause trouble."

I have a feeling that our behavior may have angered some people, and someone might come looking for trouble with us.

"When navigating the world, caution is the best policy."

"Yes, I understand." Shang Muchen nodded.

"I'll protect him, don't worry." Liu Qingyang smiled and put his arm around Shang Muchen's shoulder.

"You? I'm only at ease with you around! Remember, don't fight, and don't fall into anyone's trap to extort money." Fourth Uncle specifically instructed Liu Qingyang.

"Girl, remember this: this is not an era of violence and bravado. It's about brains and character, not fists."

You have a very strong personality and are easily provoked; be careful not to fall for it!

"Don't worry, I'm not stupid," Liu Qingyang replied with a nonchalant laugh.

After seeing off their fourth uncle, it was getting late, so Shang Muchen and Liu Qingyang decided to find a place to eat nearby.

The two left the Longtou Scenic Area and strolled to the Qianchenggang Mall on the east side.

Upon entering this upscale shopping mall, which is decorated in a grand and opulent style and filled with various art exhibits, a sense of desolation and decline immediately hits you.

Even though Shang Muchen didn't understand aura reading, he could instinctively sense that this place was utterly deserted and desolate.

I remember a few years ago this place was a famous photo spot, and all kinds of online celebrities were proud to take pictures of the interior decoration art pieces here;

Today, this place is so deserted that it's like leftover king crab seafood risotto that's been sitting in the fridge for days. It's rotten and toxic, looks expensive, but is inedible.

Liu Qingyang also sighed, "The problem with this shopping mall is that it's too highbrow and doesn't appeal to everyone."

I think they are too focused on luxury and high-end lifestyles, which makes them out of touch with reality.

Look at those popular shopping malls in Beijing these days; none of them gained popularity through luxury goods and an air of extravagance.

Think about it, why would you want to go shopping in those busy malls?

It's because the clothing brands there are young, fashionable, and inexpensive; the creative and cultural shops there are novel and trendy; and the food streets there are diverse and lively.

In today's era of economic downturn and declining consumption, this kind of impractical high-end luxury that is out of touch with ordinary young people is no longer the mainstream of consumption. Being down-to-earth and keeping up with internet fashion is the right way to go.

After hearing Liu Qingyang's evaluation, Shang Muchen nodded repeatedly and said, "Qingyang, you know what, your point of view is really spot on. I completely agree with what you said."

Actually, sometimes whether a shopping mall is popular or not may not be due to factors like feng shui or layout.

Feng shui is merely icing on the cake. To succeed, relying solely on illusory methods like feng shui is insufficient. The key is to understand the economic situation, accurately position oneself in the market, and capture consumers' attention. One cannot act arbitrarily or recklessly.

"That's right." Liu Qingyang held Shang Muchen's hand and instructed, "When you see that President Fang later, just rephrase what we discussed and tell him."

You know, I told you, don't put these sculptures, modern art, and all that fancy stuff in the mall.

This shopping mall has such a great location! It's conveniently located and close to tourist attractions. If it took a cue from those popular shopping malls and introduced food, clothing, and cultural and creative brands that young people like, it would definitely thrive.

Look at all these brands—selling stamps and snuff bottles, selling pure copper handicrafts, selling silk scarves, selling silk cheongsams…

Even my mom wouldn't wear this old-fashioned silk cheongsam!

These shops are ruining this mall! It's like a pot of strawberry dumplings, chocolate buns, and lamb dumplings!

"You know what, they actually have meat-filled glutinous rice balls," Shang Muchen said earnestly.

"That day I was chatting with a guy from Ningbo, and he specifically recommended a specialty of eastern Zhejiang: Ningbo large meat dumplings."

"Really?" Liu Qingyang's eyes widened in surprise. "They even have meat-filled glutinous rice balls? That's amazing! I have to try them sometime!"

The two walked and talked, and happened to pass by a Zhejiang restaurant, so they decided to go in and eat.

The restaurants were empty; the shopping mall was so desolate, so naturally the restaurants inside were even less popular.

A tired-looking waiter politely presented the menu, and Shang Muchen generously ordered several famous dishes, trying his best to act like a rich young master.

Liu Qingyang shook her head with a smile and said, "Alright, we can't eat anymore! It's just the two of us, how can we eat that much?"

Don't be too extravagant. Even if money isn't an issue, we shouldn't waste it, right?

"I want you to eat well," Shang Muchen said earnestly. "I don't want you to suffer any injustice."

Otherwise, if I run into that bastard Lu Mingdi one day, and he says a few sarcastic things, saying something like, "I've mistreated you," I'll be left speechless and unable to retaliate. What would that be like?

"Hey, it's not worth arguing with him." Liu Qingyang waved his hand repeatedly and said, "Like I said, don't compare yourself to him."

I don't mean that he is particularly outstanding or capable.

Mu Chen, you grew up in an ordinary family, so you have absolutely no concept of what young masters from that social class face.

When I told you not to compare yourself to him, I didn't mean that he's richer or more extravagant than you.

In fact, the extra burden he carries is far greater than yours, far greater than you can imagine.

You can eat at a fancy restaurant or at a street stall, but he can't.

If he eats at a street stall and gets photographed by paparazzi, rumors will immediately spread that something bad has happened to his family, which will then affect the stock market, and his company's stock price may plummet.

In short, he is the young master, the crown prince, and the face and symbol of the family.

Countless eyes are watching him at all times;

There are all kinds of analysts from all walks of life and from all schools of thought who spend all day studying him, scheming against him, and guessing at him.

Many people admire him, but even more people are jealous of him and hate him.

Under this distorted pressure, his personality became extremely unpredictable, very awkward, bizarre, arrogant, and paranoid.

Frankly, I sometimes feel sorry for him.

When I was little, Lu Mingdi was a very simple, cute, and generous little boy. I remember he would share his candy with me and shield me from the rain.

But by middle school, he had become annoying, even repulsive.

His change was not due to his inherent evil nature, but entirely caused by the distortion and oppression he faced by his own family environment and the social environment he encountered.

He was originally a straight sapling, but external forces forced him to bend, squeeze, tear, and reassemble into a distorted bonsai that they saw as morbidly beautiful.

Let me put it this way: if it weren't for his three henchmen—Glasses, Curly, and Shorty—who constantly stopped him, gave him advice, and stood up for him, Lu Mingdi might have been a hundred times crazier than you see now!