He opened his mouth, wanting to say something to express his current feelings.
But after holding it in for a long while, he finally realized that only those two most soul-piercing words could barely sum it up.
He leaped up from the rattan chair and rushed to the door of the back warehouse in a few strides.
The door was still that same small iron door he had looked at for over twenty years.
There were still many stickers on it that he had pasted there as a child.
But Lu You knew that behind this door was already a brand-new world.
With the excitement of someone entering an internet cafe for the first time, his hands trembling, he pushed open the door.
In the next second, his entire body froze in place, his pupils constricting instantly from shock.
The scene before him felt somewhat unreal.
Was this... was this still that dilapidated back warehouse filled with clutter where one had to walk carefully for fear of tripping every two steps?!
Before his eyes was a vast, pure white space that seemed to stretch on without end.
Soft, bright light spilled down from the vaulted ceiling, illuminating the entire space without leaving a single corner in shadow.
The floor was paved with a metal of indistinguishable material, polished as smooth as a mirror.
It could even clearly reflect his silhouette.
Rows of uniform metal shelves rose from the ground, extending deep into the space.
Various labels were affixed to them, categorized by type.
Lu You was like Grandma Liu entering the Grand View Garden, looking here and touching there.
He touched the cold shelves and felt the comfort of the constant temperature and humidity in the air, the shock in his heart was beyond words.
The entire massive space was clearly divided into different zones.
[Daily Necessities Zone]: From daily staples like oil and salt to toiletries, everything was available.
[Digital Audio & Video Zone]: The latest mobile phones, computers, and cameras were displayed in glass counters like works of art.
[Apparel, Shoes & Bags Zone]: Various trendy brands and luxury goods were hung neatly.
[Precision Instruments Zone]: This was an independent space separated by a transparent energy shield, containing various high-tech devices he couldn't name, all operating silently.
[Live Creature Temporary Habitat Zone]: Also an independent space, it contained simulated ecological environments like forests and oceans, he even saw a lively red fox chasing its own tail inside.
The various zones left Lu You dazzled.
Of course, all of these required spending business points to obtain.
"Cool! So cool! This is the kind of warehouse the God of Commerce across all realms should have!" he couldn't help but exclaim.
Amidst his excitement, he suddenly thought of a crucial question.
"Wait... where did my little bed go?"
He looked around and finally saw a small door in a corner with a sign that read [Host Rest Area].
Lu You breathed a sigh of relief. "Heh, the system is thoughtful after all, knowing to leave me a place to sleep."
Humming a little tune, he pushed open the door to the rest area.
However, when he saw the furnishings inside...
The smile on his face instantly froze.
In the center of that spacious, bright, and extremely luxuriously decorated rest area...
Sat his old, creaky folding cot, all by its lonesome!
"Wait... seriously?" Lu You stared blankly at the air.
"In such a luxurious room, shouldn't you provide me with an Italian leather sofa, a 200-inch giant screen home theater, and a two-meter-wide Simmons mattress? Why is it still this piece of junk?!"
This intense sense of incongruity made him feel as if his aesthetic sense had been insulted.
[Ding! A comfortable life requires a corresponding price.]
The system's voice sounded at the right moment.
[The System Shop has listed a full set of luxury furniture. The Host can use business points to exchange for them at any time.]
Lu You: "..."
He understood. The system's meaning was very clear: "Pay up!"
Wanting to freeload a good life without paying? Dream on!
Just as Lu You was sighing helplessly at that little broken bed, a "thud-thud" knocking sound suddenly came from the rolling shutter door of the shop outside.
Who is it at this late hour?
Lu You was just about to shout through the door, "We're closed, come back tomorrow," when the person outside spoke first.
"Excuse me, are you Boss Lu You of 'Old Lu Hardware Store'? We are staff members from the Yangcheng City Publicity Department, and we have something we'd like to discuss with you."
As the person spoke, they slid a work ID through the gap under the door.
Lu You picked up the ID and saw that it really was an official document.
His heart stirred. The Publicity Department?
Could it be...? He didn't dare delay and hurriedly ran over to pull open the door.
Standing outside were two staff members in formal wear, led by none other than Xiao Wang, who had been watching videos in the office a few days ago.
"Boss Lu, hello, hello." Xiao Wang enthusiastically extended his hand.
"Sorry for the intrusion. It's like this: your little shop has recently caused a huge sensation online, and our City leadership is taking it very seriously."
"So, representing the government, we would like to engage in some promotional cooperation with you to turn your place into a new landmark for our City's old district."
Hearing that the government was taking the initiative to promote him, and with such intensity, Lu You naturally had to welcome them warmly!
"Welcome, welcome! Please, come in!"
After entering the shop, Xiao Wang got straight to the point: "Boss Lu, before we cooperate, according to the process, we first need to verify if your place can really sell 'Everything You Need' as said online."
"This concerns the authenticity and credibility of our subsequent promotion."
Lu You was amused upon hearing this.
This was the government coming to deliver money and business points!
With a wave of his hand, he grandly announced, "No problem! You're welcome to test it! And to show my sincerity and celebrate my shop's upgrade today..."
"...I'm updating the rules—from now on, any item under 100,000 yuan, take your pick!"
Hearing this, Xiao Wang was a bit puzzled. "100,000? Boss Lu, I remember when you were livestreaming, you said under 1,000 yuan?"
Lu You smiled. "That was then, this is now. I have to let the leaders see my strength and sincerity, right?"
Xiao Wang nodded inwardly; this young boss had guts!
He began to ponder.
With items under 100,000, the range of choices was far too wide.
From as small as a needle to as large as a car, it covered almost all daily consumer goods.
He didn't believe this young man really had everything.
What kind of massive, terrifying inventory and supply chain system would be required behind this?!
If everything he said was true, then this young boss's strength was unfathomable!
"Alright." Xiao Wang decided to test the waters first and asked, "Boss Lu, do you... have motorcycles here?"
"Yes!"
Lu You answered with just one word and then stood there, smiling at him.
Without any further movement.
Xiao Wang waited for a long time, and seeing that he wasn't going to the back warehouse to get the goods, he couldn't help but ask, "Then... shouldn't you bring it out for a look?"
"Of course," Lu You said. "However, according to my rules, once you've made a choice, you must buy it."
"If you really want to buy it, you first need to determine the brand, model, color, and so on that you want. Only then can I give you a quote and retrieve the goods."
Xiao Wang was also stunned. "I have to pay before I can see it? I'm just testing it, is that not okay?"
"No." Lu You's attitude was firm.
Was he joking? A decent motorcycle redeemed from the System Shop would cost at least tens of thousands of business points.
What if you're just asking and don't buy it after seeing it?
If I can't sell it then, wouldn't my business points be wasted?
Not a chance!
As for whether he needed the corresponding qualifications and documents to sell motorcycles, he wasn't worried at all.
As long as he had enough business points, the system could handle everything for him.
Hearing this, Xiao Wang was also in a bind.
His budget for this visit was limited; he couldn't afford a motorcycle.
His eyes darted around as a plan formed in his mind.
If not something expensive, something cheap should be fine!
Just as well, he had to cook when he got home later.
"Ahem." He cleared his throat. "Boss Lu, then I don't want the motorcycle anymore."
"Give me 2 catties of celery, 4 catties of pork belly, and an 8 catties grass carp."
This test was both convenient and cheap, and he could use the items himself once he bought them.
Besides, it wouldn't be strange for a Hardware Store to produce a motorcycle, since it's considered machinery.
But being able to produce live fish and fresh vegetables would better prove his 'Everything You Need' capability!
If he could really even bring those out...
Then it would mean that the subsequent cooperation projects could definitely be implemented!
"Yes!" Lu You blurted out his classic line once again.
Before long, he walked out of the back warehouse.
In one hand, he carried a bag of fresh, succulent celery and a piece of marbled pork belly.
In the other hand, he held a large grass carp that was still lively and kicking, its tail slapping loudly.
Xiao Wang was momentarily stunned by this scene so full of the flavor of daily life.
Then, he felt completely at ease and paid the money with a smile after scanning the QR code.
No problem! Absolutely no problem!
It seems that the "National Challenge" project that follows can be officially launched!