After finishing the meal, I hurriedly ran to the paper shop.

While running, my mom shouted from behind, "Pan'er, don't tire yourself out. Mom will feel heartbroken!"

I turned my head, and my mom stared at me with piercing eyes.

In her eyes, I saw the same look she had when she witnessed my sister-in-law giving birth to her first baby girl.

The master saw my panic and frowned, "Are there ghosts chasing you outside that you're running so fast?"

I gasped for breath and told him in detail about the unusual things happening in my family these days.

The master slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "They are using you as the bait for the paper doll fertility ritual!"

"What an evil act! They dare to do such a sinister thing in order to have a male baby, even at the cost of their lives!"

It was the first time I had seen my master so angry.

I stood still, feeling as if my brain had been pricked with needles, causing intense pain.

Wengtou asked, "Master, shouldn't the paper doll fertility ritual use a newborn baby girl as the bait?"

The master shook his head, his eyes wandering.

"In the paper doll fertility ritual, a baby girl serves as the bait, bamboo as the frame, paper as the clothing, and fire as the positive energy. Only by consuming the heart can a male baby be conceived!"

"But there is an even more sinister method: a virgin serves as the bait, peach wood as the frame, yellow paper as the clothing, and fire as the positive energy. Boil the heart and bones in a soup, and the following year, a male child is born!"

I widened my eyes, unable to believe that my mom would use me as a tool for such a ritual.

I had vaguely guessed it before, but I couldn't convince myself that my family would kill me to seek a male baby!

No wonder my mom had been saying these days that she owed me and bought me new clothes and meat!

I held onto the master's clothes, fear filling my eyes, "Master, I don't want to become a paper doll..."

The master entered the house and took out a paper doll that looked just like me.

"The most taboo thing in making paper dolls is using a living person as the model and infusing life into the doll..."

My pupils trembled as I looked at the paper doll in front of me, which was almost identical to myself and even had eyes painted with cinnabar!

"Master, how can you still..."

"I've been in this business for decades, dealing with people below for just as long. I've had my share of life, and you, Pan'er, have a long road ahead. I can't just watch you die!"

"When you go home, take this paper doll with you. It will protect you, and the lifespans of those who have done this evil act in your family won't be long!"

"I'm tired. I've been running the shop for decades, and it's time to bring it to an end!"

I held the paper doll that looked exactly like me, but I still couldn't understand the meaning behind the master's words of being tired and bringing it to an end. Based on my understanding, the master must be retiring.

The next day, a piece of bad news spread throughout the village—Master Zha, the paper doll maker, had passed away.

I rushed into the house and saw the master leaning on a chair, his face pale, lying motionless like a paper doll.

"Someone who has been making paper dolls for half a lifetime must have encountered something unclean!"

"People in this business don't have a good death. He has already lived a good life to be able to survive until now!"

"What a tragedy!"

I avoided the villagers who were observing the scene and finally understood the meaning behind the master's words of being tired.

Suddenly, it felt as if my heart had been stabbed with a knife, empty and throbbing with pain.

I remembered the days when my mom kicked my belly, causing me pain for several days. The master bought me medicine and told me to take care of myself.

I almost got sold to a brick factory by my mom to earn money, but the master stood up for me, saying, "A girl shouldn't go to a brick factory. Let her follow meand learn the art of making paper dolls."

My tears fell like raindrops, soaking the paper doll in my hands.

I made a silent vow to the master, promising to carry on his legacy and protect the tradition of paper doll making.

From that day on, I devoted myself to learning the craft. I studied the intricate techniques, the symbolism behind each design, and the rituals to infuse life into the dolls.

I became known as Pan'er, the paper doll maker, and traveled from village to village, bringing joy and protection to those who sought my creations.

But deep inside, the pain and betrayal from my family still lingered. I couldn't forget the evil intentions they had towards me, their own flesh and blood.

One day, a woman approached me, her eyes filled with sadness and desperation. She told me her story, how her family was pressuring her to have a male child and how they were planning to use her as the bait for a sinister ritual.

I looked into her eyes, seeing my own reflection in her pain. I knew I had to help her.

Together, we devised a plan to expose the truth and put an end to the dark tradition plaguing our village.

With the knowledge and skills passed down by my master, I created a paper doll that resembled the woman, infused with protective energy.

We confronted her family, revealing the true nature of their intentions and the consequences they would face if they proceeded with their plans.

The villagers, shocked and appalled by the revelation, stood by the woman's side. They condemned the dark practice and vowed to protect her and any others who might face a similar fate.

Word spread, and neighboring villages became aware of the evil ritual happening in our midst. They, too, united against it, determined to preserve the sanctity of life.

The paper doll making tradition transformed from a tool of darkness into a symbol of hope and protection. People sought my creations not only for their beauty but also for the positive energy they brought.

Years passed, and the paper doll making tradition thrived. I trained apprentices, passing on the knowledge and values instilled in me by my master.

The memory of the master, his sacrifice, and his dedication lived on in every paper doll I crafted.

I had fulfilled my promise to him, and I knew he was watching over me, proud of the legacy I had built.

And as for my family, they faced the consequences of their actions. Karma caught up with them, and they experienced their own share of suffering.

But I had moved on. I had found my purpose and my family—the people who valued and cherished me for who I was.

I continued to create paper dolls, not only to protect others but also to remind myself that even in the face of darkness, there is always a flicker of light.