48: Account balance: "250"

"A sea of flower of the other shore? Wow! BOSS, you are too romantic!" You Xiaoqian looked at Shang Wan Ning with a face full of admiration.

"I'm doing this to attract traffic." Shang Wan Ning didn't even lift her head, explaining casually, "Once the netherworld is built, there will definitely be many ghosts from the mortal realm coming over. By then, the Underworld will be able to make a fortune!"

"Mm-hmm, got it!"

"Buzz..."

Ling Qi's video call came through. Shang Wan Ning's eyes widened instantly; the blueprint in her hand was no longer interesting! She quickly gave You Xiaoqian a wink — "Get lost!"

You Xiaoqian understood and slipped away quickly.

Shang Wan Ning answered the phone impatiently, "Ling Qi, what's up?"

"BOSS, the infrastructure around Wangxiang Terrace is done."

"Okay! Thank you for your hard work." Shang Wan Ning was just about to hang up.

"Wait! BOSS." Ling Qi's magnetic voice came through the receiver: "I get off work around six today. Can I treat BOSS to dinner?"

"Okay!" Shang Wan Ning said coyly.

"Golden Bamboo Courtyard at seven, see you there~ Wanling~"

"Dong dong! Dong dong dong dong!"

...

Having been busy until four in the afternoon, Shang Wan Ning opened the System Mall and went straight to the building category.

She spent 5 billion incense offerings to secure the "Earth God Temple".

After clicking buy, a dazzling golden light flashed, and the Earth God Temple card appeared in front of her.

Building: Earth God Temple

Level: MAX

Defense: Below Rank 5

Ability: Produces 100 Rank 2 ghost messengers daily

Note: The first stop for souls after death; this is where they cancel their registration and obtain their travel pass.

Shang Wan Ning raised an eyebrow and picked up the card, taking a look, "An SP card! My luck just turned around!"

"Yo! Host, your luck is too good!"

"For the Earth God Temple to have this ability, even I, Xiao Si, am envious, jealous, and hateful. It's equivalent to earning two million incense offerings for free every day!" Xiao Si held its little face and spouted a stream of flattery.

"Hehehe... Good luck, can't help it!"

Shang Wan Ning decided to take advantage of her exploding luck and secure the Wangxiang Terrace as well.

"It's just 12 billion, this big sister has plenty of money $ _ $."

After she clicked buy, another dazzling golden light flashed, and the Wangxiang Terrace SP card landed firmly in her palm.

Xiao Si cooperated considerately: "Wow! COOL." ( இ ω இ )

The Wangxiang Terrace was pitch black throughout, with a total of seven levels, each corresponding to a different level of cultivation.

The two carefully examined the Wangxiang Terrace card attributes.

Building: Wangxiang Terrace

Level: MAX

Defense: Below Rank 5

Ability: 80% commission on incense offerings during the first seven days after death

Note: In mortal funeral customs, the deceased's body is kept for seven days, and the day of the first seven is the time to meet again...

"I'm rich, I'm rich!" Shang Wan Ning's eyes turned into gold ingots, "With this Wangxiang Terrace, skimming 80% off the top won't be a problem at all!"

Xiao Si chimed in from the side: "That's right, Host, this is truly a good treasure! A perfect tool for skimming profits!"

"Hey, hey, hey! This cannot be called a 'skimming' tool!" Shang Wan Ning showed a hint of disdain on her face.

"It's the operating expenses for the normal functioning of the Underworld! You know?"

A chill swept over, and Xiao Si quickly nodded like a garlic masher. "Understood, understood, great host."

Only then did Shang Wan Ning open the Underworld Bank account page with satisfaction and send large red envelopes to the ghost messengers responsible for the construction.

"Xiao Si, use the remaining incense offerings to upgrade me to the early stage of Rank 4, and use all the rest to buy ghost messengers and deploy them to the southern region of the Xia Kingdom."

"Alright! Host." Xiao Si clattered away at the keyboard.

"Ding-dong! Account balance: 250. Welcome back next time." A crisp system notification sound rang out.

Shang Wan Ning looked at the balance displayed on the system screen, her brows furrowing slightly, and a few black lines appeared on her forehead.

Taking a deep breath, she used a tissue to wipe the lipstick off her lips.

With a hint of faint melancholy, Shang Wan Ning turned to look at Xiao Si beside her, asking in a slightly questioning tone: "Do you have an issue with This Old Lady? What is the meaning of this?"

Xiao Si quickly explained: "That... 250 is just a coincidence! It really was an accident, Host, please believe me!" As it spoke, it put on a pitiful expression, pouting its little mouth, making anyone who saw it feel pity.

But Shang Wan Ning didn't buy it, snorting lightly to show disdain, her mouth slightly curled, revealing a mocking smile, as if saying: "Heh, only a ghost would believe your words!"

Seeing this, Xiao Si quickly changed the subject, trying to please Shang Wan Ning: "great host, how about letting Xiao Si guide you on your outfit for your date tonight? Guaranteed to make you the center of attention!"

Hearing this, Shang Wan Ning's attitude softened slightly, but she was still a bit tsundere.

"Hmph! Then I'll forgive you just a tiny bit for now." After saying that, she rolled her eyes at Xiao Si.

"Hey! Just waiting for those words~"

Seeing this, Xiao Si was overjoyed, pushing Shang Wan Ning toward the walk-in closet while muttering: "Hehehe, Host is so nice! Let's go in and pick out some clothes quickly!"

...

Not long after, Xiao Si handed over a backless long dress. Shang Wan Ning took it with great joy and walked into the fitting room.

Just a few minutes later, the door to the fitting room was slowly pushed open, and Shang Wan Ning walked out, holding up her skirt.

Seeing this, Xiao Si couldn't help but gasp, blurting out praise uncontrollably: "Wow! This is simply too beautiful, must give it a full score!"

A printed backless long dress fit perfectly on Shang Wan Ning's delicate body, as if tailor-made.

It looked exceptionally eye-catching. Especially her slender swan neck, which appeared even more delicate and fair against the dress, as charming as a jade carving.

Every gesture exuded an elegant and reserved temperament, making her charm irresistible.

Shang Wan Ning gently cupped her chin with one hand, the corners of her mouth slightly raised, and asked softly: "How is this outfit?"

Xiao Si gave a thumbs up, expressing sincere admiration: "Simply amazing!"

"Beautiful!"

A brilliant smile bloomed on Shang Wan Ning's face. She looked left and right, muttering to herself: "It's really so beautiful!"

"Watch this boss carry the flag of counterattack tonight!"

Suddenly, as if remembering something, Shang Wan Ning asked confusedly: "Eh! Xiao Si, do you think it's better for me to wear this one, or does that camisole dress I tried on before look better?"

"Will it be a bit too revealing?" Shang Wan Ning turned around and saw Xiao Si in a daze, staring at her back.

"What's wrong?"

Hearing the voice, Xiao Si came back to its senses and was startled.

The entire system avatar became flushed with embarrassment, and it quickly covered its eyes.

"great host, I'm just a 'talk-the-talk' system!"

Xiao Si was extremely shy but couldn't help but retort: "Host, you just finished your special period, and you're already being so intense with the Secretary-General?"

Shang Wan Ning's ears suddenly turned red, and she paused.

"How is that possible!"