Su Ning returned home feeling both physically tired and mentally restless. The villa was quiet, the kind of silence that wrapped around her gently instead of pressing down on her.
She went straight to the bathroom and took a quick shower, letting the warm water slide over her shoulders and down her back. The heat helped her relax, loosening the tension that had built up throughout the day.
After drying off, she changed into a black tank top that clung lightly to her body and a pair of loose, baggy silk pants that felt cool and smooth against her skin.
Comfort mattered more than appearance now. She wanted to think clearly.
She walked back into her bedroom and sat on the bed, then reached toward the nightstand and picked up a notebook.
Her fingers rested on the cover for a moment as she stared into space, her thoughts slowly settling. She had made a decision.
She was going to try making puppets.
Placing the notebook aside, Su Ning adjusted her posture and closed her eyes. She took a deep breath, then another, gradually calming her heartbeat. The world around her seemed to fade as her mind grew quiet.
Soon, the art she wanted to use appeared clearly in her consciousness, every detail vivid and complete, as though it had always been waiting there.
She opened her eyes and tore a sheet of paper from the notebook.
Carefully, she began to cut.
Her movements were steady and precise, without the slightest hesitation. One human-shaped paper figure formed in her hands.
The quiet sound of scissors slicing through paper filled the room. When she finished cutting six little paper figurines, she stopped and exhaled slowly.
She laid all six on the bed, arranging them neatly in front of her.
After a brief pause, she picked up two figurines and placed them gently on the floor.
Her expression grew focused, and the playful softness in her eyes disappeared, replaced by seriousness and concentration.
She raised her hands and began forming hand seals.
Her fingers moved rapidly, weaving complex patterns in the air. As the last seal formed, a surge of Qi flowed out from her body. She carefully guided it forward, channelling it into the two paper figures lying on the floor.
At the same time, she visualized them clearly.
In her mind, she shaped a middle-aged man with calm eyes and steady hands, someone experienced and confident, skilled in all kinds of cuisines. Whether it was traditional dishes or foreign meals, he knew them all.
Then she imagined a middle-aged woman with a gentle but capable presence, someone efficient, organized, and skilled in taking care of a household.
Su Ning was careful not to give them unnecessary memories. She only implanted knowledge related to their duties, nothing more.
When she finished, she slowly withdrew her Qi and lowered her hands.
She stared at the paper figures, her heart beating just a little faster.
One second passed.
Then another.
Nothing happened.
Her brows knitted slightly, and a trace of doubt surfaced in her eyes. 'Did I fail? Did I misunderstand the technique?'
Just as uncertainty crept into her thoughts, the paper figures suddenly twitched.
Su Ning's eyes widened.
The paper began to ripple unnaturally, as though it were breathing. In the blink of an eye, the thin sheets folded, expanded, and transformed. Limbs took shape, faces formed, and soon, two real people stood in front of her.
Su Ning froze.
What shocked her even more was their appearance. The man wore a clean, professional chef's uniform, while the woman was dressed neatly like an experienced housekeeper. Everything looked so natural that it was as if they had always existed that way.
The two of them looked around briefly, clearly assessing their surroundings, before their gazes fell on Su Ning.
They bowed deeply at the same time.
"Master," they said respectfully.
Su Ning was startled for a moment. She quickly shook her head and raised her hand slightly.
"Please, refer to me as miss," she said, her tone calm but firm.
"Yes, young Miss," they replied immediately, bowing again without the slightest hesitation.
As she watched them, Su Ning felt something strange stir in her chest. It wasn't fear or unease, but a deep sense of connection. She could clearly sense their presence, feel their emotions, and even vaguely perceive what they were seeing. The bond between them was natural and unquestionable.
She nodded slowly, feeling satisfied.
Then suddenly, her expression changed.
She remembered that she didn't set a life duration on them.
She immediately formed another hand seal, intending to bind them to a lifelong existence. However, the moment the seal took shape, a sharp wave of dizziness struck her. Her face turned pale, and she staggered slightly, barely steadying herself.
"What's going on?" she asked urgently, her voice low but tense.
The system's voice sounded in her mind, calm and clear.
'Host, your current body is mortal. Creating lifelong puppets exceeds your current limits. The maximum safe duration you can create is ten years. Exceeding that will result in backlash.'
Su Ning clenched her jaw.
"Then what happens when the ten years are over?" she asked.
"They will dissipate. You can create new ones when that time comes."
She fell silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.
"I understand."
She adjusted the seal and carefully set their lifespan to ten years. This time, the pressure on her body faded, and her color slowly returned.
She looked at the two puppets again and said calmly, "Your names are Ah Wei and Ah Ming."
Ah Wei and Ah Ming nodded, accepting their names as if they had always belonged to them.
Without needing further instructions, they immediately went about their work. Ah Wei walked toward the kitchen, already thinking about ingredients and meals, while Ah Ming began inspecting the villa, her movements efficient and familiar, as if she had managed the place for years.
Su Ning watched them quietly, feeling a sense of relief and satisfaction.
Then she turned her attention to the remaining four paper figures.
She entered her personal space and placed the figurines on the open field. Sitting down, she once again formed hand seals, her movements smooth and practiced.
This time, her thoughts were sharp and decisive.
She imagined four shadow fighters with strong physiques and agile movements. Two men and two women, all between twenty-five and thirty years old. They were disciplined, loyal, and skilled in combat.
She immediately set their lifespan to ten years.
Qi surged forward, and the paper figures trembled before transforming rapidly. In front of her stood four fit figures dressed in combat uniforms. Their presence was sharp, yet controlled.
They knelt respectfully.
"Young Miss," they greeted in unison.
Su Ning nodded slightly.
"The two men are Ah Fu and Ah Ting. The women are Ah Ling and Ah Mei."
They acknowledged their names without question.
She led them to the training hall and gestured around.
"You will train here. When you're not training, cultivate near the pond."
She handed them a bottle of Qi Gathering Pills.
"Use these properly."
"Yes, Young Miss," they replied firmly.
Each of them moved toward a different training area, their discipline obvious in every step.
Su Ning watched them for a while, a faint smile forming on her lips.
After leaving her space, she returned to her bedroom and sat on the bed. Just then, her phone rang. It was Chen Anya, asking worriedly if she was okay.
Not long after, Mu Suying also called, her tone filled with concern. Su Ning reassured them both before ending the calls.
Soon, a rich and delicious aroma drifted upstairs.
Her eyes brightened instantly.
Without thinking twice, she jumped off the bed and rushed downstairs, her steps light and eager.
At last, she was about to enjoy a proper five-star meal.