When Song Miaozhu returned today, she also brought back the printer and computer from the paper shop. She went ahead and cleared out a corner in the basement, setting them up there for the time being.
Back when she used to print product info at the shop, she always worried someone might walk in and see something they shouldn't. But printing here—no need to worry about that.
There was also a small study next to the living room, with bookshelves still completely bare. She only planned to place inconsequential books there. The truly important ones were locked away in the ghost shop's warehouse, inside a box made of yin wood.
Tomorrow, Zhao Huoyan and Old Master Zhao would be coming over to look at some cultivation classics. So she'd temporarily move the books out of storage and place them on the study's shelves—easy enough to put them back after the visit.
Compared to this small study, the adjacent paper-crafting studio was much more spacious and bright. It had a huge floor-to-ceiling window and even a storage room specifically for paper-crafting materials.
The house had been renovated exactly the way she wanted. Every detail brought her comfort.
She collapsed into the soft chair by the studio window, quietly watching the three kittens playing in the old locust tree outside. She didn't need to do anything—just this moment made her feel at peace.
That is, until the delivery company called.
The bamboo paper she ordered from Wu Zhuxiang had finally arrived. It was originally meant to be delivered to the paper shop, but she had paid extra to reroute it to Xiaozhu Mountain.
Thankfully, she had recently repaired the road in front of her house. Otherwise, the delivery truck wouldn't have been able to make it up the slope. All the bamboo paper was moved into the storage room attached to the studio.
Perhaps due to pixel distortion in the videos, the spiritual glow of the paper was actually stronger than what she'd seen on screen. By the standards described in the Secret Art of Paper Crafting, it could be considered low-grade spiritual paper.
After seeing off the deliveryman, Song Miaozhu immediately sent the remaining payment to Wu Zhuxiang via WeChat.
[Miaozhu]: The bamboo paper has arrived, and the quality is excellent! [Please accept payment: ¥50,000]
(Your transfer has been accepted.)
[Grandmaster Wu's Granddaughter]: Thank you! Grandpa and I just left the hospital—his lung cancer has improved! The doctor said if this keeps up, it might even heal on its own!
[Miaozhu]: Congratulations! Tell your grandpa to spend more time making paper—it'll be good for his health.
[Grandmaster Wu's Granddaughter]: This is amazing! How is this happening?
[Miaozhu]: I won't hide it from you—you'll hear about it sooner or later anyway. Spiritual energy has returned. Your grandpa's recovery is because of it.
...
Song Miaozhu briefly explained the spiritual revival and the existence of the SEIU to Wu Zhuxiang. It was both to calm her worries and to strengthen their relationship—she needed a stable source for spirit paper, after all.
Outside the hospital, Wu Zhuxiang came to a halt as she stared at the long string of messages on her phone.
[Grandmaster Wu's Granddaughter]: Miss Song… are you joking?
[Miaozhu]: You've seen the changes in your grandpa, haven't you? I didn't say anything earlier because I was afraid you wouldn't believe me.
Wu Zhuxiang did believe her—but it all still felt like something out of a fantasy tale.
When she told her grandfather, though, the old man accepted it even faster than she had:"This makes sense! I've been wondering how my health turned around so suddenly. If it's thanks to this spiritual energy, then that explains it.
If the government has even set up a special organization for it, it must be true. This is great! Craftsmen like us are about to become highly sought after!
When we get back, you and your parents must practice harder—it can even extend your lifespans!"
"Understood," Wu Zhuxiang replied.
"Oh, and tell Miss Song that I, Wu Qingtian, will remember her kindness. From now on, all the paper I make will be prioritized for her, at a discounted price!
You mentioned she makes paper offering, right? She'll probably need our paper often.
"Mm!" Wu Zhuxiang nodded firmly and started typing.
When her grandfather was critically ill and their family's bamboo paper workshop was on the verge of collapse, it was Miss Song who gave them new hope. No matter what, they owed her this debt of gratitude.
[Meow Bamboo]: As long as your grandpa's paper can be supplied to me first, that's enough. Market price is fine—no need for discounts.
Discounts could strain relationships over time. A stable supply was far more valuable.
After finishing her conversation with Wu Zhuxiang, Song Miaozhu couldn't wait to take out a stack of bamboo paper and start cutting out paper puppets.
Once she infused them with spiritual energy using a specific technique, the paper dolls—dressed in little skirts and twin braids—stood up, stretched, and seemed quite pleased with their new bodies.
One wasn't enough. Song Miaozhu cut out five more, using up the entire sheet.
Without any commands, the little paper puppets held hands and began dancing in circles on the carpet. Outside the window, the three kittens on the old locust tree were instantly captivated, their eyes following the paper dolls' movements.
Before long, a fierce battle of cats vs. paper puppets broke out.
Even Little Coal, usually the calmest of the three, couldn't resist joining in. To Song Miaozhu's surprise, the seemingly fragile paper puppets didn't lose ground in the chase. Their thin paper bodies and stubby legs moved just as fast as the kittens.
Their agility was astonishing—they could bend and dodge the cats' swipes effortlessly. Their only weakness was defense: a single cat's claw could leave deep scratches on their paper bodies.
But even when torn, the puppets remained lively. If an arm or leg was ripped off, they could still float away with the wind.
Even shredded into pieces, they could still transmit surveillance footage back to Song Miaozhu.
Only water or fire could truly destroy them. But as long as she cut out a new body, they could "revive" instantly.
Paper puppets made from spirit paper were not only stronger than ordinary ones but also lasted much longer. After all this play, the kittens were exhausted, but the paper puppets were still full of energy.
Normally, by now, they would have lost their spiritual vitality.
But this time, only a tiny fraction of their energy had been consumed, and their spiritual glow remained undiminished. Based on their feedback, they could remain active for at least another day or two. As long as their bodies weren't damaged, Song Miaozhu could also replenish their spiritual energy to extend their lifespan.
Finally, they were close to the paper servant described in the Secret Art of Paper-Crafting—useful enough to deploy. Originally, she had installed surveillance cameras around the old courtyard walls for safety.
Xiaozhu Mountain was so secluded, with only a handful of households nearby—she had worried about intruders.
But now? She found these little paper people far more effective than any camera.
Whatever they saw or heard, it was relayed directly to her—without interrupting anything else she was doing.