Old Yuan
You Smell So Good, an Evil Cultivator Climbed into the CEO's Bed on a Dating Show
Biodata
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Old Yuan (袁老) |
| Gender | Male |
| Occupation/Role | Funeral-shop owner and paper-offering craftsman; teaches Mu Ze paper-effigy making 26 27. |
| Affiliation | His funeral shop in an old alley 26. |
| Marital Status | Never married 27. |
| First Appearance | Chapter 26 26. |
Background / History
Old Yuan runs a funeral shop at the end of an aging alley. According to his elderly neighbor, the area was once lively, but development elsewhere gradually drew visitors away. Unwilling to see the alley’s traditions disappear, he volunteered when the dating-show production team sought workplaces for its guests. In his later years, he also hopes to find someone to inherit his craft 26 27.
He receives Xie Yuan and Mu Ze as temporary workers, initially asking them to watch the storefront and attend to customers. After learning about his wish for a successor, Xie Yuan brings Mu Ze into the courtyard to learn paper-offering craftsmanship. Old Yuan allows him to observe, while warning that success will depend on his aptitude 26 27.
As custom orders accumulate, Old Yuan lets both guests assist with production for additional pay. Before their departure, Xie Yuan presses him to hire help. He initially refuses but agrees to seek two assistants after receiving several more substantial orders. He cooks a farewell dinner, escorts the pair to the alley entrance, and gives each a large red envelope 32 41. The search for suitable employees remains underway after the show ends 60.
Appearance
- An elderly man in his sixties 26.
- Wears a Zhongshan suit when he welcomes Xie Yuan and Mu Ze to the alley 26.
Personality
Old Yuan speaks gently but is usually reserved, often continuing his craftwork while answering questions. His neighbor calls him stubborn, particularly about preserving the alley’s traditions. He also maintains a professional boundary with customers, explaining that those in his trade do not pry into their private affairs 26 27 28.
His exchanges with Xie Yuan and Mu Ze reveal a dry, teasing manner. He complains about wage negotiations and their affectionate behavior, but accepts that more work deserves more pay. His grumbling contrasts with practical gestures of care, including preparing their farewell meal and giving them red envelopes 32 34 41.
He recognizes Mu Ze’s feelings for Xie Yuan early and tells him to treat Xie Yuan well. Although he later mocks Mu Ze’s excessive concern over an injured finger, he also cautions him not to frighten Xie Yuan with a stern expression 27 33 34.
Abilities & Skills
Paper-Offering Craftsmanship
Old Yuan makes highly lifelike paper figures, including contemporary designs and likenesses of specific people 26 27 34.
- Realistic figures: The two eyeless figures displayed outside his shop look human enough to startle livestream viewers 26.
- Modern clothing: His commissioned male figures wear suits, formalwear, and uniforms rather than only traditional funeral-offering designs 27.
- Customized likenesses: He accepts a request for an effigy resembling a deceased daughter, explaining that the complicated process will be expensive 34.
Teaching
He teaches Mu Ze through observation before assigning simpler production tasks 27 32.
- After two days of watching, Mu Ze can perform basic paper pasting and coloring 32.
- Old Yuan also recognizes Xie Yuan’s painting skill, praising his coloring as better than his own 32.
- The supplied chapters do not establish Mu Ze as his formally appointed successor.
Cooking
- Prepares a full farewell dinner without allowing either guest to help, despite saying that he rarely cooks 41.
Funeral Shop
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | At the very end of a quiet alley containing several funeral shops 26. |
| Layout | An old storefront with a rear courtyard and several living rooms 26 27. |
| Displays | Paper funeral offerings, including two lifelike, eyeless figures by the entrance 26. |
| Price records | A notebook listing prices, entrusted to Mu Ze when the guests begin work 26. |
| Guest compensation | Initially tied to sales; later includes extra pay for production assistance 26 32. |
Documented Commissions
| Customer / Order | Details |
|---|---|
| Xiang Qing | Commissions fashionable male paper figures and pays 10,000 yuan after inspecting them. Xie Yuan later brings back an order for five beautiful female figures 27 29. |
| Caller honoring a deceased friend | Orders ten custom female paper figures and pays a deposit 32. |
| Elderly father | Requests an effigy resembling his deceased daughter to keep his deceased wife company 34. |
| Later customers | Place orders starting at three to five paper figures, together with paper villas and other offerings, prompting Old Yuan to accept help with recruitment 41. |
Across eight orders, Old Yuan awards Xie Yuan and Mu Ze commissions totaling 3,000 yuan, including Xiang Qing’s first-day order. Their earnings place them first among the dating-show pairs 42.
Relationships
- Xie Yuan — Temporary employee and frequent sparring partner. Xie Yuan helps color offerings, negotiates additional wages, and arranges a search for assistants so Old Yuan will not have to manage the growing workload alone 32 41 60.
- Mu Ze — Temporary employee and craft learner. Old Yuan teaches him paper-effigy making, recognizes his affection for Xie Yuan, and repeatedly teases him about his attentiveness 27 32 34.
- Elderly neighboring shopkeeper — Knows his unmarried history and wish for a successor. She asks Xie Yuan to spend time with him and consider learning his craft 27.
Notable Quotes
“In our line of work, we don't ask about customers' private affairs.” 28
“More work, more pay. Perfectly reasonable.” 32
“I've barely eaten, and I'm already stuffed. Stuffed with your lovey-dovey antics.” 34