After three episodes finished playing, the unfinished cleaning resumed.

But everyone’s attention still clung to the Spirit Card Cinema. They clustered in small groups, whispering excitedly.

At first glance, the scene looked peaceful and harmonious—yet something felt subtly off.

After all, they were scrubbing a prison cell door… and the ones chatting were guards and inmates.

Su Hong pulled the Spirit Card from the slot, then, as usual, offered the sofa to Lia and settled back on the edge of his bed.

Lia, seemingly used to this routine, quietly took her seat.

Only then did Su Hong voice the question he’d held since before the screening.

“Lia, why don’t you have a Spirit Card Slot? I thought the warden was supposed to compensate you.”

“I really appreciate it, but… no, no, no! We can’t drain the prison’s budget! I won’t accept that kind of compensation!”

Lia shook her head vigorously, refusing adamantly.

Su Hong knew Lia had stubborn streaks in the oddest places. He shifted tone. “You won’t even keep the part-time job? But didn’t you plan to attend the Spirit Card Academy? How’s that supposed to work?”

Lia was terrible at hiding emotions. Her lack of confidence showed plainly as she stammered, “M-My grandpa and I run a restaurant. It’s… it’s fine!”

*She’s bluffing.*

“How many customers do you get?”

Lia lowered her head stubbornly, refusing to answer.

Su Hong turned to a nearby guard. “Do you know about Lia’s situation? How’s the restaurant?”

The guard hesitated, then shot Lia an apologetic grimace. “Sir Su Hong, her restaurant is tiny—barely any customers. Just her and her grandfather running it. Their whole month’s income probably doesn’t match what the place across the street makes in one day. And… Lia qualified for the Imperial Capital’s Spirit Card Academy two years ago. But unable to pay tuition, she’s had to re-qualify every year… only to come back home each time.”

*To this extent… and still so stubborn? Admire her or sigh in disbelief?*

Su Hong glanced at Lia. Cheeks puffed, she shot the guard an indignant glare—clearly hating how her struggle had been laid bare.

“Then at least take the Spirit Card Cinema I made. The slot broke because of me. See what it sells for—I’ll keep making more episodes.”

“Eh?!!!”

Lia’s eyes flew wide. For a heartbeat, even the guards and prisoners froze in shock.

The guard beside Su Hong nearly blurted a protest.

*This Spirit Card is pure art!* Even a senior Spirit Glyphsmith might copy its length—but never its flawless visuals and sound! It’s worth at least ten Spirit Card Slots!

And this was the Glyphsmith’s “maiden card”—a deeply meaningful keepsake. That it succeeded at all was a miracle; a thousand attempts might not yield one success. Its value couldn’t be measured in gold.

Lia’s cheeks flushed slightly. Flustered, she waved her hands frantically. “No, no! It’s too precious! I can’t accept this!”

Su Hong blinked, glancing slowly around the cell.

*Precious?*

*A Spirit Card like this… counts as precious?*

First attempt. Clumsy. Next time, half an hour would do.

*So simple… and they call it precious? Maybe they’ve just never seen anything fun…*

*Poor things.* Maybe he should make more—to broaden the horizons of these folks in this strange world.

With quiet pity in his eyes, Su Hong tossed the card straight into Lia’s arms.

“No refusing. Aren’t we friends? This is my compensation for the slot. If it’s not enough, I’ll make more.”

“Th-thank you…”

Holding the card, Lia felt it again—Su Hong was utterly unbelievable.

Mysterious. Brilliant. Powerful. Gifted beyond comprehension. Scarred by unimaginable tragedy. Distrustful of the whole world… yet toward others… so gentle.