The Price of Promotion and the Hunger for Rebirth

“I must be out of my mind to believe you.”

Bai Wanwan stared at the so-called “clear path” Liu Hanzhi had laid out for her. Abstract promotional slogans were par for the course, not to mention countless live streams designed to attract traffic. The sole aim was for the businesses of the Rebirth Pavilion to become widely known in a short period.

Just like those ubiquitous ads for chefs, excavators, or Brain Platinum—regardless of how outlandish they seemed, didn’t people instinctively recall the advertiser whenever those things came up?

Fame brings business, and business brings profit.

However, this particular plan made Bai Wanwan shake her head like a rattle-drum.

“Are you joking? Whether it’s funeral services or helping people with physiognomy and fortune-telling, these are all actions that incur karma.”

“If someone was destined to die, but you helped them by reading their fortune, warning them not to go out, and they consequently escaped their fate…”

“You would have incurred the karma of their rebirth, and if you couldn’t clear it, it would inevitably rebound and consume you.”

Bai Wanwan’s expression was grave; while she possessed considerable abilities, everything came with a price.

This was precisely why, even for those capable of ascending to immortalhood, their actions still had to be legitimate and justifiable.

Because karmic debts must be repaid!

If they couldn’t be repaid, the consequences would be far more severe than the three hundred million in debt Bai Wanwan carried… no, now it should be three hundred and two million.

“If you save someone who was supposed to be taken by the underworld envoys, and they make a wasted trip with empty chains, you’d better make amends, or those soul-snatching chains will be around *your* neck.”

Bai Wanwan looked at Liu Hanzhi, her expression serious as she spoke.

In her previous life, when she studied these matters with her grandfather, the first thing she learned was the rules.

What could be done, and what absolutely couldn’t. The greater one’s abilities, the more careful one had to be not to casually entangle themselves in karma.

“I wouldn’t mind being taken by the underworld envoys’ chains; then I could finally be reborn!”

Liu Hanzhi pursed her lips, a hint of displeasure in her voice as she spoke.

She floated behind Bai Wanwan, lying on her side, her small feet in red shoes dangling near Bai Wanwan’s shoulder. In a wheedling tone, she said, “I understand all that you’re saying, but repaying our debt is what’s urgent now.”

“You need to repay your debt, and I need to be reborn. Once your debt is cleared and I’ve successfully reincarnated, our marriage contract will automatically dissolve, and everyone will be happy!”

Liu Hanzhi’s words were not wrong; the immediate priority was indeed to clear the debt and dissolve the marriage contract.

However…

“This idea of performing a hot dance in a black-stockinged zombie cosplay outfit—is that something a human could even come up with? Who would wear it? Me?”

Bai Wanwan pointed to the part of Liu Hanzhi’s plan that she found most unacceptable. While it might be ‘risqué’… she could watch it, but she was a million times unwilling to wear it herself.

“And most importantly, do you even know how expensive such a cosplay outfit is? 398! Where are we going to scrounge up 398 from our entire fortune?”

Bai Wanwan shot Liu Hanzhi an annoyed glare. The plan was meticulously outlined, but it hit a snag when it came to funds.

The human and the ghost stared at each other in the rented apartment, both utterly at a loss.

Given the circumstances…

“Let’s just eat first.”

Bai Wanwan went out, leaving Liu Hanzhi at home to continue her deep contemplation. Before long, Bai Wanwan returned from the downstairs convenience store with instant noodles and a bundle of barely acceptable incense.

Compared to Bai Wanwan’s instant noodles, the incense Liu Hanzhi required was considerably pickier, and also much more expensive.

A small bundle cost Bai Wanwan ninety yuan, and it only contained ten sticks.

Bai Wanwan’s three discounted instant noodle cups had only cost ten yuan. She had initially considered adding an egg but ultimately held back.

Nine-tenths of her hard-earned live stream wages from the previous night had been squandered by this female ghost. With no one to pay her salary in the future, shouldn’t she be more frugal with her money?

Back home, boiling water for the noodles, Bai Wanwan watched Liu Hanzhi float in mid-air, lost in thought. She didn’t call her to eat, letting her continue her contemplation.

“I’ve got it!”

Liu Hanzhi suddenly looked up, startling Bai Wanwan, who had a mouthful of instant noodles, nearly making her spray them out.

“Can you stop overreacting, alright?”

Bai Wanwan said with annoyance, taking a small slurp of noodle soup. At that moment, the instant noodles were akin to a national banquet. Having been hungry for almost four days, let alone instant noodles, even shoe soles would taste delicious.

Even that little ghost, Liu Hanzhi, looked fair and delicious, making one’s mouth water… Bai Wanwan was truly starving.

“We don’t need to buy any cosplay outfits! Don’t you know how to make paper effigies? You can make me a physical body, and at the same time, make a cosplay outfit for the live stream. I can then cosplay as a succubus zombie and promote products for you, couldn’t I?”

Liu Hanzhi pursed her lips, her gaze flicking to the cheap instant noodles Bai Wanwan was eating and the incense on the table.

Though not top-tier, it was evident that Bai Wanwan had carefully selected it, and its price was certainly not cheap.

At least it was much more expensive than the near-expired instant noodles Bai Wanwan was eating…