Chapter 255 - 185: Battle of East Market_2

Words : 1170 Updated : Oct 3rd, 2025

Chapter 255: Chapter 185: Battle of East Market_2Can he guarantee that no one in the world will be able to rival him? Luo Jingtang already had a bad premonition in his heart, but he dared not go against Luo Yunzhou anymore. ... Zhou Xuan drove to Mingjiang Department Store and went upstairs to the second floor with Lv Mingkun, entering a shop named "Good Times Gramophones." The shop had patterned black-and-white tiled flooring, and the owner, dressed in a long gown, was diligently wiping a cabinet-style phonograph with a dry cloth. "Boss, do you have Victory brand gramophones?" Zhou Xuan asked as he entered the shop. "Yes, yes, we do." The shop owner enthusiastically responded, saying, "This cabinet-style one here is a Victory gramophone. Give it a listen." He connected the wires, flipped the switch, and both Zhou Xuan and Lv Mingkun quietly listened. Because it was a cabinet-style machine, it was very stable and reduced the minor vibrations caused by an unsteady base, producing a superior effect compared to Lao Yang’s gramophone. "The sound is good, and the electric one is more convenient than a hand-cranked one." Zhou Xuan tested a few more machines. Once he found a good one, he didn’t want to settle for anything less, especially since he wasn’t short on money these days. Just yesterday, two promissory notes had brought him a windfall of 160,000. "This cabinet-style machine is called a dual-purpose phonograph-radio combination..." The owner’s sharp eye noticed Zhou Xuan’s strong interest in the cabinet-style machine, so he eagerly started explaining its features. This machine resembled a five-drawer cabinet divided into two levels. The upper level had two wooden doors, and when you opened them, one side housed the electric gramophone while the other side had a tube radio. The lower compartment could store records. The cabinet’s design was meticulous; to listen to music, you would close all the cabinet doors, and the resonance of the cabinet would make the sound richer and fuller. "I’ll take this one. What’s the price?" "This one is pricier; it’s over ten thousand." The owner said. "How much exactly?" "Eleven thousand," the owner said. "Do you have a brand-new one in stock?" "No, it needs to be pre-ordered. It will arrive in a week," the owner said. "Then I’ll take this one." "The deposit is 800," the owner said. Zhou Xuan nodded, paid the deposit, filled out the address, received the pre-order receipt, and then left the store with Lv Mingkun. "Junior Brother, is this gramophone really that expensive?" "What’s there to fear about the price? We’re heading toward a brighter future; even our spirit and demeanor must keep up." Zhou Xuan was chatting about future spiritual development... "Brother Zhou." Zhou Xuan turned around and saw Si Yuer carrying large and small bags, standing in front of a woman with empty hands. The woman had styled her wavy, permed hair neatly into a bun, exuding a clean and sharp appearance. Her eyebrows arched like crescent moons, and her eyes sparkled like rippling autumn waters, contrasting starkly with her fiery red lips. Before Zhou Xuan could respond, Si Yuer enthusiastically introduced the woman behind her, saying, "This is the singer Bai Guang from Bailemen. Come, Bai Guang, sing a few lines for my Brother Zhou." Bai Guang placed her wrist over her mouth and smiled at Si Yuer’s straightforwardness. "Little Yu, what a coincidence, running into you at the mall." "I’ve been feeling better recently, so I asked some girlfriends to hang out. Today we went to the park, watched a movie, and did some shopping." "As long as you’re in good spirits." Out of politeness, Zhou Xuan shook Bai Guang’s hand and said, "I’m someone who loves listening to songs. Next time I go to Bailemen, I’ll definitely come to support you." "Thank you, Brother Zhou." Bai Guang smiled warmly in gratitude. "Brother Zhou, since we’ve run into each other, let’s eat together. There’s a Mingjiang Restaurant right across the street, and the food is excellent." "Alright... but I’ll need to call the shop first." Zhou Xuan returned to the gramophone shop. "Boss, could I use your phone?" "Of course, of course." The gramophone owner, having just closed a big deal with Zhou Xuan, was in an excellent mood. Zhou Xuan picked up the phone and informed Little Fuzi that he wouldn’t be home for dinner that evening. After hanging up, Zhou Xuan thanked the owner and then joined Lv Mingkun, Si Yuer, and Bai Guang as they headed to the restaurant. The restaurant was located in a small estate with a tranquil ambiance. Si Yuer chose an outdoor table and placed the large and small bags she was carrying on it. "Little Yu, you’re the one shopping. Didn’t Miss Bai buy anything?" "I did, but Little Yu insisted on carrying everything for me, and I couldn’t stop her." Bai Guang said, somewhat embarrassed. "I’m someone who performs ritual offerings; I’m strong, so naturally, I should carry things." Si Yuer, ever enthusiastic and naturally outgoing, unpacked the bags and began introducing what she bought to Zhou Xuan. "Here’s a doll with movable joints, super fun." "And this, a Buddha statue." "You also worship Buddha?" Zhou Xuan asked. "Not to worship Buddha, it’s a toy, and really interesting." Si Yuer pressed the spring mechanism on the back of the Great Buddha, causing cracks to form along the statue’s body. Then, following the cracks, she split the Buddha into three pieces. Each piece was a separate Buddha statue. The Future Buddha, the Present Buddha, and the Past Buddha. "Isn’t it fun? One Buddha becomes three." "It’s somewhat interesting." Zhou Xuan smiled and remarked, "The primitive version of a Transformer." "It also has symbolism." Si Yuer explained, "Legend has it that the Buddha comprises the Past Buddha, the Present Buddha, and the Future Buddha. When the three small Buddhas combine, they become Buddha. When the Buddha separates, they return to three small Buddhas." "United, they form Buddha; fragmented, they become small Buddhas... It seems like the Heavenly God works in a similar way." Zhou Xuan silently pondered this thought, and suddenly, the question of how to help Li Chengfeng resolve his doubts became clear to him. "Brother Zhou, what are you thinking about?" "Oh, I’m thinking about song lyrics." "What kind of lyrics?" "Some casual words that suddenly resolved my doubts," Zhou Xuan said. Si Yuer scratched her head and said, "That counts as lyrics?" "I don’t think so either," Bai Guang chimed in. In this era, song lyrics often carried a touch of literary eloquence. Now that Zhou Xuan’s doubts had been resolved, he felt less preoccupied and was in a lighter mood, eager to chat with Bai Guang about Bailemen’s dance halls. Speaking of dance halls, Bai Guang became a little lost. She said her singing career at Bailemen wasn’t going too well. Her performance fees were slightly below average, and her audience was sparse. Several prominent patrons even joked that her songs put them to sleep.

Chapter 255 - 185: Battle of East Market_2

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