Peninsula: I'm being supported by a top idol.

Realizing what had happened, Liu Zhimin quickly hid his phone, saying in embarrassment and annoyance:

"Hey! Why are you peeking again?!"

"Really?" Giselle exclaimed in surprise. "When are you coming?"

"Unnie, you should have told us before your brother-in-law came. We should at least clean up a bit so we don't get laughed at." Kim Dong-won looked at the messy living room with concern.

"Hehe, my brother-in-law will definitely go to my room when he comes, so we don't need to put too much thought into it~"

Ningning said worriedly, "But Unnie's room is the messiest~ What if my brother-in-law dislikes it?"

"Ugh!" Liu Zhimin's face flushed red. "My room isn't messy, okay?!"

"Heh." Giselle gave her a meaningful look. "So you're already dating?"

Kim Dong-won also realized what was going on: "Unnie didn't deny being called brother-in-law~"

"Oh my gosh!" Ningning was already celebrating: "Looks like we really do have a brother-in-law~"

"Hey guys, it's really not like that..." Liu Zhimin was both amused and exasperated, and was about to explain when Cui Shi'an suddenly sent a message—

I think I have a way to leave the North City District.

Liu Zhimin perked up immediately, and without bothering to explain, rushed back to his room to call Cui Shi'an.

"You can leave the North District now?"

Hearing her rapid breathing on the phone, Cui Shi'an's lips unconsciously curved into a smile:

"Hmm, I still need to test the specific details."

He picked up his phone, walked to the dormitory window, and casually glanced at the sparse lights on campus:

"I'll let you know after I've tested it in the next couple of days."

"An experiment?" Liu Zhimin's voice immediately tightened. "Is...is it dangerous?"

"There shouldn't be any major problems, since I'm now officially licensed to work."

Liu Zhimin asked curiously and with a hint of doubt, "What certificate?"

"Uh... more or less, a kind of... special professional qualification certificate."

Cui Shi'an glossed over the topic, not wanting her to be exposed to overly superstitious concepts like "evil gods" and "incense paintings" too early: "In short, it's related to exorcism."

"Oh..." Liu Zhimin seemed to understand but not quite, but hearing the certainty in his tone, he felt slightly relieved and then asked, "So what exactly is the method? How is it tested?"

Cui Shi'an hesitated for a moment, then decided to reveal part of it: "I'm still thinking... maybe I can try exploiting a bug."

"Bug?" Liu Zhimin was even more confused.

"Hmm, remember that shaman who wanted to worship me last time? I was thinking, if I cooperated with her and had her perform rituals in another place, could I project myself onto her?"

The more he spoke, the clearer his thoughts became. This might be another use of the "incense image" and "possession" functions that Hera mentioned—not by directly crossing the physical boundary, but by responding to the call of specific believers as a "spirit being worshipped" to provide remote "support".

This is like setting up a "proxy server" within the "regional network" of the North City District, which can be accessed by external "believers," and achieving limited "data packet" exchange through the "protocol" of incense and faith.

"This...can it really work?" Liu Zhimin was completely confused, but it sounded like something amazing.

"So we need to test it out," Cui Shi'an said. "I'll go see her in the next couple of days, and if possible, I'll give her the painting."

"...Mmm." Liu Zhimin responded softly, then added fiercely after a couple of seconds, "But no risks! If it's not okay, it's not okay. At worst... at worst, I'll just make a few more trips to the North City District to see you!"

She spoke her last sentence very quickly, with a hint of embarrassment and anger. After saying it, she seemed embarrassed and immediately changed the subject.

"Oh right! You just said... what was this painting? Did you paint it? Is it good?"

A barrage of questions came crashing down on him, and Cui Shi'an couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"I didn't draw it," he explained. "It's... the standard format for the hair, like... a landscape painting, with my back in it."

"Back view? Why not a front view?" Liu Zhimin immediately pressed, his tone carrying a strange hint of caution. "Is it drawn well? Does it look like you?"

Cui Shi'an was both amused and exasperated by her focus: "That's not the point... Besides, it's the symbolic ritual implements used for offerings."

"How is that not the point!" Liu Zhimin said matter-of-factly, "What if the drawing is really ugly, and when it's displayed, people see it and think, 'Wow, this god looks so unattractive,' and they don't want to worship him anymore?"

Cui Shi'an: "..." It seems...that makes some sense?

"In short!" Liu Zhimin declared decisively, "Experiments are experiments, but safety comes first! Also... take a picture of that painting and send it to me, understand?"

"I heard you, I heard you," Cui Shi'an replied with a smile, but in his heart he was already planning how to find that shrine maiden who was so eager to "serve" him tomorrow.

The night outside the window seemed less heavy because of this newly appeared crack that might break the cage.

On the other end of the phone, in Aespa's dorm, Liu Zhimin hung up, rolled half a circle on the bed with his phone in his arms, and buried his burning face in the pillow.

But the corners of her mouth just wouldn't close.

She suddenly sat up again, looked around the bedroom, and muttered to herself, "It seems like it's time to tidy up."

Just then, the phone rang again.

It was Choi Si-an who sent the photos.

She zoomed in for a closer look, and unconsciously curled her lip. What is this? So sloppy... I thought it was one of those realistic oil paintings...

The next morning.

Carrying milk and several boxes of children's snacks he bought at the convenience store, Cui Shi'an returned to the courtyard on Songxi Road.

Compared to the eerie atmosphere of the previous night, the courtyard was peaceful and serene during the day.

The clothesline was hung with clean laundry, and the plants in the flowerpots looked a little more vibrant despite their initial wilting.

The person who opened the door was Yanxiu's grandmother.

The old man's eyes lit up the moment he saw Cui Shi'an. He wiped his hands on his apron and bowed deeply.

"Aigoo! Our benefactor has arrived! Please come in, please come in!"

The room was bright and clean, with sunlight streaming in through the glass.

Yeon-soo's mother was busy in the kitchen, while her father got up to greet her, his attitude respectful and grateful.

"Yanxiu! Come out quickly, your benefactor has come to see you!" Grandma called out to the inner room.

A moment later, the curtain was lifted, and a little girl named Yanxiu walked out timidly.

Compared to her deathly pale face and convulsing body last time, she looks much better now.

Her cheeks regained color, and her eyes were no longer unfocused, but she still looked somewhat weak, like a wilted seedling after recovering from a serious illness, lacking the liveliness of a child.

When she saw Cui Shi'an, she seemed a little shy and subconsciously hid behind her grandmother.

"Yanxiu, say hello quickly," Grandma urged softly.

"Hello," Yeon-soo said softly, bowing slightly.

Cui Shi'an handed over the snacks and milk, trying to soften his voice: "Here, eat more and get better soon."

Yeon-soo's mother quickly thanked her and accepted the gift.

Grandma stared expectantly at Cui Shi'an, nervously fidgeting with the hem of her apron. After hesitating for a long time, she finally spoke:

"Um... my benefactor... could you... take another closer look at Yeon-soo? I'm worried... there might still be something dirty inside her that hasn't been cleaned out? This child sometimes talks in her sleep at night..."