Yi Chen first returned to the Candle Puppet Shop and told Boss about the Duke extending an olive branch.
Boss was stunned at first, but then the mouth growing in the center of her face began to laugh wildly. She treated it entirely as a joke and even grew wary, suspecting that Yi Chen had some ulterior motive.
Only after Yi Chen showed her the "Mark of Transaction" on the back of his hand did Boss reluctantly believe part of it. She immediately closed the shop and accompanied him to the Duke's Guild.
There was no need for any formalities. Since she had been personally named, Boss only needed to sign a long-term contract before another-colored "Mark of Transaction" was branded onto her, signifying that she was an employee of the guild.
At that moment,
New radiance spilled from Boss's perpetually faded, uneven eyes. The dream that had once been reduced to a mere flicker was ignited once more. She was granted an independent workshop within the guild, along with permission to use public materials related to candle puppets. If she could create a candle puppet that the Duke found interesting, she would even gain access to higher-grade materials.
To show her gratitude, every candle-puppet-related service at her shop would be free for Yi Chen for life.
Boss also took the initiative to mention replacing the best candle puppet currently in the shop, but Yi Chen bluntly refused.
"In my eyes, this one is the best. Boss, go after your dream properly. I may add some things to this candle puppet in the future, so I'll have to trouble you then."
Boss grew even more curious. "What exactly is so good about this thing? Why can't I see it myself...? It's clearly damaged beyond recognition, and I even used inferior