"You know," Song Miaozhu said thoughtfully, "the male ghosts of Yunlai Pavilion and the female ones too, all have such stunning faces. It'd be a tragedy to let that kind of beauty vanish into reincarnation without making use of it."
She gestured lightly, eyes shining with enthusiasm. "Have you ever heard of portrait rights? Basically, I'm offering to buy the rights to your face. I'd use your likeness to craft life-sized paper servants. That way, you earn some hell coins, and I get exquisite paper companions. It's mutually beneficial."
The idea had taken root in her mind, blooming with startling speed.
After all, her current business at Anshou Hall was growing stale. The paper ingots, lotus flowers, and other ritual items from first to third grade were offered by nearly every paper-crafting shop in Yingshui Alley. She was drowning in competition.
And reselling miscellaneous goods from the living world was never going to be a long-term solution.
Even The SEIU had already begun undercutting her underworld prices, and if she wasn't careful, they might find a way to cut off her supply lines from the world of the living too. The living world was their home ground, after all. They had the upper hand there.
At the moment, her only true advantage was her monopoly on fourth-grade Yin Paper Clothes. They sold well, yes—but one product line couldn't sustain a growing shop forever.
But paper servants? That was an untapped market with massive potential.
A life-sized paper servant modeled after the stunning ghosts of Cuiliu Alley… now that had promise. With her talent in the Secret Art of Paper Crafting, she could create lifelike figures—none of those crude, flat paper silhouettes. Her creations would be indistinguishable from real people. No uncanny valley, no stiff joints, no need to explain to nosy neighbors why she kept so many beautiful paper assistants around.
She envisioned not just one, but a series—graceful men and women, posed with elegance and allure. Art you could live with. And maybe, in some lonely corners of the underworld, clients would want more than simple companionship...
And not just male models. No, the female ghosts had stirred her imagination even more.
Song Miaozhu mentally retraced the women she'd seen on the way here—the soft curve of a shoulder beneath sheer silk, the bold confidence in a dark-lipped smile, the hint of danger in narrowed eyes, the kind of allure that didn't ask for permission.
She pictured them standing silently in her studio, wrapped in fine robes, eyes painted just so, beauty frozen in paper and ink.
Yes. A collection. Men and women both. But if she had to choose just one to start with… she already knew the face she'd pick—and it wasn't Fu Feng's.
Still, business was business.
By now, Fu Feng had finally processed her proposal.
He prided himself on being composed, always knowing what to say to a guest. But this time, his practiced smile almost slipped.
"Miss... you must be joking!" he said, voice half a laugh. "If you enjoy the company of our brothers and sisters, you're welcome to visit anytime. But selling our portrait rights? That's a bit far-fetched. No paper figure could ever compare to a real person."
"What if I paid this much for your portrait rights?" Song Miaozhu raised her fingers to indicate a rather generous number. "Of course, I'd only use your face after you reincarnate. But I'm not one to take advantage, so I'm offering to pay up front. If you're uncomfortable, feel free to refuse."
Fu Feng's eyes widened. He had seen many offers in his years at Yunlai Pavilion, but none like this.
Willing? He was very willing. Even if he never reincarnated, he'd still be willing. Letting someone use his face to make a paper servant didn't cost him anything—and the money she offered could fund a century of carefree afterlife.
"Yes!" he said quickly. "I'm sure. Absolutely sure!"
Song Miaozhu blinked. That was… too easy.
She had assumed, from his serene expression, that he had higher standards. Turns out, this was all it took? She must've overshot the price.
But since she'd already made the offer, she couldn't go back on it, even if it was too generous. All she could do was warn him,
"Once I purchase the portrait rights and make the paper figure, there's a chance it could be sold. If you sell your rights before reincarnating and then see a paper servant with your face later doing who-knows-what, you'll have no control over it. Are you really sure you want to go through with this?"
Fu Feng imagined that scenario. It did make him a little uncomfortable, but considering the payout, the discomfort didn't seem like much. If he cared that much about pride and image, he wouldn't be working this job in the first place.
Fu Feng clenched his teeth. "I'm sure!"
"Well then, let's add each other as ghost friends. When I begin crafting, I'll contact you to model. We'll sign the portrait contract and handle payment then." Song Miaozu said.
Fu Feng: "..."
So after all that… she wasn't even starting right away?
He stared at her, caught between admiration and exasperation. If it weren't for her refined clothing, the clarity in her eyes, and the rare sincerity in her tone, he might've assumed this whole scheme was just a clever excuse to get his contact number.
Just then, Song Miaozhu remembered what she had originally come for. A quick glance at the time told her it was almost time for her appointment. She hurriedly told Fu Feng,
"I'm a guest of the Flowing Wine Courtyard. I have a meeting scheduled—hurry and take me there!"