Having made up her mind, Shen Fuyao didn’t linger. She went straight for the space. Following the judge’s prompt and noticing the small red mole that had appeared in her palm, she silently recited the words to enter the space—and instantly arrived in another realm.
If it’s produced by the underworld, it’s bound to be top quality!
The space was enormous. There were three spiritual springs: one for drinking, one for washing fruits and vegetables, and one for bathing.
Perfect.
The drinks were equally abundant. Since the underworld now had connections with the human world, and Shen Fuyao had been in the underworld for 28 years after descending in 1996, the space included all the new products available in 2024.
There were delicate jasmine teas, orchid lattes, gardenia coconut drinks, rich oolong teas, osmanthus infusions, and velvety vanilla lattes. Naturally, alcohol and other beverages were also stocked—but everything was domestic, Chinese-made.
There were plenty of clothes, food, and daily necessities as well. In short, this space, besides Chinese medicinal herbs, medical books, martial arts manuals, and spiritual springs, was basically a gigantic, all-in-one commercial street.
Shen Fuyao was extremely satisfied. She picked up an orchid latte, drank it, and only then stepped out.
“Ready? I’ll send you back now,” the King of Hell said impatiently.
“Yes,” Shen Fuyao nodded.
The King of Hell sent her into the Rebirth Hall, and three lines of text appeared in the sky:
Soul being transported: Shen Fuyao
Time of transport: December 12, 1977
Location of transport: Niubi Mountain Brigade, Taohuayuan Commune, Hunan Province
“Mom, open the door! I’m so beautiful!”
Shen Fuyao opened her eyes again and heard her younger sister-in-law, Wang Chaomei, calling from outside.
By the moonlight, she glimpsed the newly built red brick wall and the hanging calendar—and she knew she had returned to December 12, 1977. At this point in her previous life, Wang Chaoying had just violated military discipline and had been ordered to retire.
Shen Fuyao felt a slight headache and didn’t get up. She took a sip of the spiritual spring water and closed her eyes, listening carefully to the sounds outside.
With a creak, the door opened and Wang Chaomei tiptoed in.
“Chaomei, why are you back so late? Your brother is in the army—he could at least have sent a telegram so I could come pick you up,” Zhou Lanxiang said, yawning as she took the large bag from her daughter.
“Shh, Mom, don’t say anything—don’t ask any questions. This is something I bought at a high price in the provincial city. It’s strong and fast-acting. Pour it on a handkerchief, cover sister-in-law’s mouth and nose, and wait until she faints, then come out,” Wang Chaomei whispered.
Thanks to the spiritual spring water, Shen Fuyao’s hearing was enhanced many times over. Although Wang Chaomei’s voice was low, she heard every word clearly.
Holding a sip of the water in her mouth and a few drops in her nose, Shen Fuyao didn’t worry about being discovered. She continued to play dead, needing to figure out what her sister-in-law was plotting.
Zhou Lanxiang, still half-asleep, made no move. Impatient, Wang Chaomei pulled a white handkerchief from her pocket, poured the medicine onto it, and quietly crept into Shen Fuyao’s room.
Soon, she reached Shen Fuyao’s bedside. Seeing the watermarks on her sister-in-law’s face, Wang Chaomei scoffed, “Tsk, staying alone must be lonely, huh? Even in your dreams you cry.”
Then she pressed the handkerchief firmly over Shen Fuyao’s nose and mouth.
Shen Fuyao counted silently to three in her mind, then tilted her head, perfectly playing the role of someone who had fainted.
“Sister-in-law! Sister-in-law!” Wang Chaomei shouted a few times. Seeing no response, she pushed harder. “Shen Fuyao, wake up—it’s time to eat meat!”
Four years ago, twenty-year-old Wang Chaoying had returned home with a pair of newborn twins, claiming they were the orphaned children of a comrade who had once saved his life.
Wang Chaoying’s father, Wang Daren, was the brigade leader of Niubi Mountain Brigade and usually busy. During the day he oversaw production, and at night he took turns with other cadre members guarding the warehouse. Tonight, he wasn’t home—he was on warehouse duty.
Zhou Lanxiang was the brigade’s only doctor and was busy during the day as well. Four years ago, Wang Chaomei was still in school. With no one at home to take care of the children, the Wang family decided it was time for Wang Chaoying to marry a wife.
After some discussion, they set their eyes on Shen Fuyao—the most beautiful girl within ten miles.