After the figure of the last girl to take the challenge disappeared,
The day-long excitement and clamor finally drew to a slow close.
The air seemed to still echo with the ecstatic shouts of the challengers whose dreams had come true.
No one had expected that this challenge, which seemed more like a gimmick than anything substantial,
Would result in such a... one-sided outcome on its first day.
Whether it was out-of-print Lego sets that had been discontinued for over a decade and required near-impossible mint condition,
Or meteorite slices from outer space with unique textures,
Whether it was double-sided irregular embroidery, a national treasure-level skill of exquisite craftsmanship,
Or rare newspapers that carried the memories of an era and were almost impossible to find... all the outrageous requests, all the wild imaginations,
In front of that young man named Lu You,
They were all met with just one word: "Available."
From the first challenger to the last person to leave,
Nearly two hundred challengers who had secured a spot suffered not a single defeat.
They couldn't stump Lu You, and they couldn't take away that ten-thousand-yuan compensation payment.
But not a single person had the frustration of failure on their face.
On the contrary, every one of them was beaming with an excitement a hundred times more radiant than if they had won ten thousand yuan!
Clutching their prizes, they discussed them excitedly on the street side,
Showing off their treasures to the jealous onlookers who hadn't managed to get a spot.
"Dear friends! Audience members!"
On the stage, the host's voice pulled everyone's thoughts back.
His voice was already a bit hoarse from shouting, but his excitement was palpable.
"Our first day of the 'Everything Available — Yangcheng City Tourism Treasure Hunt Challenge' concludes successfully here! Thank you all for participating!"
"I believe today's results speak for themselves! A miracle has happened right before our eyes!"
"For those who didn't get a spot, don't be discouraged. Tomorrow and the day after, our challenge will continue!"
"Same place, same time, the 'Almighty Boss' Lu You will continue to wait for your challenges right here!"
Amidst the host's impassioned voice, those who hadn't participated in the challenge finally left reluctantly.
Lu You also stepped out from behind the counter and walked over to the live-streaming setup.
Facing the cold lens, he gave a relaxed smile and waved.
"See you all tomorrow!"
Then, he closed the live stream.
The live feed suddenly went black.
But the internet-wide carnival had only just reached its climax.
Discussions about the "Old Lu Hardware Store" and that mysterious queen of the night
Swept across major social media platforms like a tsunami.
The on-site staff could no longer contain their excitement and swarmed around him.
One after another, they couldn't help but give Lu You a thumbs-up.
"Boss Lu, you're awesome! Absolutely incredible!"
"I've lived for over forty years, and today has truly been an eye-opener! You're a legend, a total legend!"
Director Wang of the Culture and Tourism Bureau smiled so broadly that all the wrinkles on his face bunched together.
He stepped forward and gave Lu You a heavy pat on the shoulder, his eyes full of approval and a hint of curiosity.
"Not bad, kid! You've really got something!" Director Wang's voice radiated heartfelt joy.
He was actually genuinely curious—so curious it was eating away at him.
Just what was hidden in this guy's back warehouse?
But he was a smart man and knew that such things were the foundation of a person's livelihood.
Even if he asked, the other person wouldn't possibly tell him.
So, he tactfully suppressed his curiosity.
Instead, he asked another question he was equally concerned about.
"Little Lu, I watched all day today and noticed something," Director Wang said, leaning in closer and lowering his voice.
"As far as I know, the prices of those treasures you sold them seem... to be quite a bit lower than the market price!"
"Take that Lego set, for instance. I heard some knowledgeable youngsters nearby saying fifty thousand yuan is practically a rock-bottom price. And that Suzhou embroidery—getting a master's work for a hundred thousand yuan is no different from picking it up for free."
"What are you... after? Why do this?"
This was indeed a question on many people's minds.
If Lu You were doing this for the money, his pricing strategy was clearly illogical.
Lu You gave a mysterious smile upon hearing this.
He glanced at the staff still busy around them and the crowd gradually dispersing in the distance, then said to Director Wang, "Director Wang, what do you think is the most expensive advertisement in the world?"
Director Wang was stunned, not following his train of thought. "The most expensive advertisement?"
"Yes," Lu You nodded.
"The most expensive advertisement isn't the one placed in Times Square, nor is it the one on the Spring Festival Gala."
"The most expensive advertisement is the one that no one watches. No matter how much money I spend, if it doesn't precisely touch my target customers, it's all for nothing."
He pointed at the satisfied challengers who were leaving. "Today, every item I sold is a living advertisement."
"The Lego enthusiast will share today's story with all his circles. The Suzhou embroidery buyer will hang that piece in the most prominent place and show it off to everyone..."
"What did I get in exchange for prices below the market rate?"
Director Wang shook his head, somewhat bewildered.
"It's their heartfelt word-of-mouth promotion."
"The power of this kind of promotion is incomparable to any commercial advertisement."
Lu You's eyes sparkled with a depth far beyond his years.
"Director Wang, look at the people here today—there are tourists, influencers, and true enthusiasts. But would you believe that among them, there are even more 'big fish' that I truly want?"
"Everything I did today is like throwing pieces of delicious bait into a calm lake."
"These individual challengers are the small fish coming for the bait."
"But the frenzy of the small fish will attract the real big fish. My goal has never been to earn a profit margin from these individual retail items."
"These are just to build brand awareness, to let companies with real strength and needs see me, find me, and... become unable to do without me."
Hearing Lu You's clear and logical explanation, Director Wang had a sudden realization and then gasped.
He looked at the young man before him, feeling incredibly shocked.
He had thought Lu You was just a lucky fellow who had stumbled upon an opportunity.
He never expected that behind this lay such a profound business strategy and ambition!
This kid's ambitions are truly massive!
He wasn't after the gains or losses of a single City or battle.
Could it be that he wants the power of discourse over the entire industrial chain?!
"Good... good kid!" Director Wang took a while to digest it before praising him sincerely.
"It seems that this time, a true dragon is really going to soar out of our City!"
He then asked with some concern, "Then in the future... once you've grown big and strong, you won't leave our City, will you?"
"Our little place can't handle you making such a splash and then running off!"
Lu You gave a light chuckle and didn't answer directly.
Instead, he extended a finger and drew a massive circle in the air.
It encompassed almost the entire Old District.
"That depends on whether our City can provide enough support for the circle I've drawn!"
Director Wang was stunned for a moment, then immediately understood Lu You's meaning.
He didn't want a single storefront; he wanted an entire area!
A business empire blueprint of his own!
Director Wang was instantly filled with lofty sentiments.
He patted his chest and laughed loudly, "No problem! As long as you can continue to bring this immense wealth and development to your hometown."
"Never mind this Old District; even if you want that plot of land in the east of the city, I'll find a way to get it for you! Leave it to me!"
Having received Director Wang's promise, Lu You also smiled with satisfaction.
The two shared a smile, everything understood without a word.