"What you long for in your heart will eventually come true? Does that mean there's no time limit? No explanation of when exactly it'll happen? And each use permanently consumes one page of a comic? The most powerful special ability under the Red Dress is nothing more than this." Chen Ge finished reading the description of Yan Danian's special ability on the black phone: "What I desire in my heart will go and accomplish itself, consuming other people's lives to fulfill my own dreams. Even if such a dream comes true, it's meaningless."
Chen Ge stared at the text on the black phone. In truth, he could sense a trace of bitterness behind those words.
The world beneath Yan Danian's pen was absurd and bizarre, but wasn't it also the purest and cleanest world? Precisely because it was destined never to become reality, the people of the real world called it absurd.
Chen Ge put his phone away. Before long, Heikei and his female assistant walked out of the building carrying a large bag, their faces brimming with excitement.
"How did the meeting go?" Chen Ge asked.
"Someone like Teacher Yan is worthy of being called a true artist. To have the chance to collaborate with him is my fortune and my honor." Heikei was an arrogant man by nature — getting him to say something like this was no easy feat.
"Yan Danian has spent his entire life drawing. He's simple and honest, with no hidden agendas. I hope you'll collaborate with him sincerely and not try any little tricks." Chen Ge stood in the center of the pitch-black corridor, wearing his blood-stained doctor's uniform, chains trailing along the floor behind him and stretching into the deep darkness.
"I understand. Rest assured about that." Cold sweat beaded on Heikei's forehead. His experiences inside the haunted house resurfaced in his mind — that memory had already become a nightmare he couldn't shake.
"Good. I hope your collaboration goes well. Also, if it's possible, I'd like the words 'Western Suburbs Haunted House' to appear in the manga volumes you publish. After all, Yan Danian is still my employee," Chen Ge added casually.
"Of course. We're all one big family." Heikei was very quick on the uptake. He didn't know why he was so afraid of the young man standing before him.
After seeing Heikei and his assistant off, Chen Ge went to talk with Yan Danian.
Yan Danian entrusted his works to Heikei's studio for management. Two manga series would be launched simultaneously in the near future — Ghost Guests of the Spirit Building and Afterlife Academy.
Ghost Guests of the Spirit Building was created by Yan Danian based on himself during his lifetime, while Afterlife Academy was a brand-new manga he had composed based on Muyang Middle School. The two series would appear in serialized form on major manga platforms both domestically and internationally. Yan Danian's name would be listed as the author, and the royalties would be split fifty-fifty between Yan Danian and Heikei's studio.
According to Heikei, Yan Danian's future income would be quite substantial.
"Danian is simple and honest. If he suddenly comes into that much money, he might go astray. To maintain the purity of his art, he absolutely must not be corrupted by the stench of money. I'll keep his royalties safe for him for the time being."
As Yan Danian's fame continued to grow, this most powerful ghost beneath the Red Dress might well become one of the haunted house's pillars.
Having taken care of Yan Danian's affairs, Chen Ge's mood improved considerably.
He walked out of the haunted house. Xu Wan and Xiao Gu had already finished cleaning and left, but Xiandao and Zhang Jingjiu hadn't gone yet.
"You both performed reasonably well today, but there's still room for improvement in certain areas." Chen Ge took out his phone and opened his notes. "Xiandao, you have real talent, but you haven't pushed that talent to its fullest potential yet. When we were both blocking a visitor at the same time, why did he choose to run toward your side? That means there's an opening in your performance — there's still room to improve."
"Jingjiu, don't worry. There's a lot for haunted house actors to learn. You've already gotten used to the darkness, and that's real progress. Take it slow. When I get the chance, I'll play the role of a boss at the Liwan Restaurant for you to watch. Maybe some of my methods with the visitors will give you inspiration."
After a brief chat with his two new employees, Chen Ge recommended some study materials and sent them off for the day.