Volume 1 Сhаpter 1: Whаt a Cоinсidеnсе, Аre Yоu Аlsо Рlaying Dеad?
Brain Chесk-in: This is аn еmоtiоnаl, slicе-оf-lifе, brainless swееt romаnce. Thеre will bе some small fоreshаdowing, whiсh will bе resolvеd in the ending or ехtrаs.
Nightfаll.
Candlе shаdоws fliсkered оn the strеets. As thе wind blew, pаper mоney scаttеrеd on thе grоund swirled up and driftеd down аgаin.
The trаil of pаpеr mоnеy еxtendеd all the wау tо the front of the Yan Royal Раlace.
Twо lаrge red lantеrns swаyed in the wind at the entrance, and red silk ribbons hung from the beams. In the center of the courtyard, an ice coffin rested, eerie and sinister.
“How did Prince Yan die again for no reason? How many times is that this month?” a middle-aged man muttered in a hushed, troubled tone, shaking his head as he entered the palace.
The person beside him instinctively glanced at the ice coffin in the courtyard. “Stop talking and start crying.”
As soft weeping began, the entire Yan Royal Palace grew even more unsettling.
When Yun Jiao appeared in tattered crimson robes, the Yan Royal Palace was already filled with the sounds of suona horns, wailing, and… the aroma of food.
Yun Jiao paused, her stomach betraying her with a low growl.
She had been transported to this world for a full day now. While others who crossed over either had golden fingers or were born into wealth and nobility, she had spent the day walking from dawn till dusk, descending from a desolate mountain on an empty stomach.
A man nearly six feet tall sat curled up by the entrance, wiping his tears with his sleeve and sobbing softly, “Wah… Prince…”
Yun Jiao slipped into the back of the crowd, glanced at the man, and burst into loud wails.
“Wah… Prince! How could you leave us like this? Wah…!”
Her cries were so piercing that everyone around her froze for a moment.
Her stomach rumbled with hunger, and Yun Jiao cried even louder. Fat teardrops streamed down her face, pitiful and heart-wrenching, evoking sympathy from all who saw her.
Several tables were set up in the courtyard, with the ice coffin placed right in the center. Only the seats beside the coffin remained empty.
As she passed the coffin, she inadvertently glanced inside.
The person inside lay with eyes gently closed, a faint red mole beneath them. His ink-black hair cascaded like a waterfall, casually spread around him. His cold, pale hands were folded over his chest, and he wore fiery red robes as he lay in serene stillness.
So beautiful.
Yun Jiao had always been drawn to beauty. Unable to resist, she lightly traced her fingertip over the coffin occupant’s handsome face before taking a seat at a table and digging into the food, completely unaware that the person in the coffin had furrowed his brow.
She was happily engrossed in eating, gradually forgetting to cry, and failed to notice the eerie silence that had fallen around her.
Behind her, a red figure slowly sat up inside the ice coffin.
The man propped his elbow on the edge of the coffin, resting his cheek in his palm as he tilted his head to observe the person before him. His smooth, ink-black hair cascaded with the movement, the ends lightly lifted by the breeze.
“Is it tasty?” a low, lazy voice inquired.
“Very.”
Yun Jiao nodded without a second thought.
After a moment of silence, Yun Jiao’s chewing abruptly stopped. She turned her head mechanically.
Before her, the man lounged casually with one hand resting on the coffin’s edge and the other propping up his cheek. He lazily half-opened his eyes to look at her. Beneath his feathery lashes, a pair of light brown pupils shone clear and beautiful.
He resembled a noble Persian cat.
The pair of crimson bell earrings with tassels dangling from his earlobes made him appear even more flamboyant and bewitching.
Yun Jiao’s heart skipped a beat, whether from fright or astonishment, she couldn’t tell.
She looked like a startled fawn.
Truly, fascinating.
A playful glint flickered in Yan Shi’s eyes as they curved into a smile. His slender, well-defined fingers gently lifted her chin.The woman’s eyes were clear and bright, still glistening with tears. Her small face was pale as porcelain, like a doll’s, with two distinct tear tracks streaking down her cheeks.
Was it this little face that had been crying so loudly just now?
Even in such a disheveled state, her beauty couldn’t be concealed. Even Yan Shi was stunned by her appearance.
So beautiful. I like it. I really like it.
If only those clean, deer-like eyes weren’t shedding tears but two streams of blood instead—that would be even more beautiful, and I’d like it even more.
Thinking of this, Yan Shi felt an almost uncontrollable excitement, his grip gradually tightening.
Yun Jiao blinked her eyes and murmured, “What a coincidence, are you also a resurrected corpse?”
“…?”
Yan Shi’s hand froze. After a moment, as if hearing some joke, his chest shook slightly, and he let out a low chuckle. “Also? Resurrected corpse?”
His tone lifted slightly, and Yun Jiao felt as if a feather had brushed against her heart, leaving a faint itch.
As if bewitched, she nodded.
“I’ve been dead for half a year. How about you?”
It sounded like a joke, yet this little face looked utterly serious.
Yan Shi’s lazy eyes finally lifted, his brows raised as he looked at her.
“Tsk, me…” Yan Shi drew out his words, “I die whenever I’m in a bad mood.”
“Wow~” Yun Jiao exclaimed in admiration, her eyes clear and pure. “Then you’re amazing. You’re so good-looking.”
What kind of praise was that?
But her eyes looked obedient, so clean.
I really like it…
This was the first time someone had ever said a malevolent ghost was good-looking.
The crowd slowly began to regain their senses. Someone whispered, “Could this Yun Jiao be that infatuated fool?”
“Infatuated fool? The famous infatuated fool Yun Jiao who disappeared from the capital half a year ago?”
Yan Shi raised an eyebrow, looking at Yun Jiao as if he’d heard something novel.
Yun Jiao also heard the remark and hurriedly waved her hands in denial. “I’m not an infatuated fool.”
A hint of amusement deepened in Yan Shi’s eyes. Yun Jiao explained further, “I am Yun Jiao, but I’m not the infatuated fool Yun Jiao.”
“Oh.” Yan Shi responded indifferently, his eyes curving slightly.
Just as Yun Jiao breathed a sigh of relief, Yan Shi’s malicious voice rose, “If you’re not, then I’ll just kill you.”
Her deer-like eyes widened instantly, her small mouth slightly agape. Yun Jiao grew anxious, grabbing his hand, her watery eyes fixed intently on him.
She said, “I am, I am. I’m the Yun Jiao who’s infatuated with you.”
The hands holding his were so soft it was almost unbelievable.
I really like it.
I want to break them off.
Yan Shi’s eyes curved again. “But, Yun Jiao is very fond of This Prince.”
Yun Jiao’s eyes reddened—not from fear, but because they turned red uncontrollably whenever she grew anxious.
A pair of beautiful eyes, now red, reflected Yan Shi’s image. “I like you the most.”
“Then tell me, who is This Prince?”
Yan Shi’s fingers were long and pale, with distinct knuckles. His fingertip gently stroked her chin.
Yun Jiao blinked her crow-feather-like eyelashes, her voice soft. “You are… you are the prince I like the most.”
“Is that so…” Yan Shi drew out the last syllable, his fingertip moving upward to press lightly against Yun Jiao’s lips. “Then earlier…”
Before he could finish, Yun Jiao tilted her head, her cheek nestling against his palm, rubbing gently.
Her tone grew even softer, carrying a hint of coquettishness. “I was too hungry earlier and didn’t recognize you, Prince. I was wrong.”
Yan Shi’s brow lifted slightly, the amusement in his eyes deepening.Not only does she love lying, but she also loves acting spoiled.
If you don’t like lying, it’s better to be mute.
If I break her neck, she can be mute forever.
For some reason, Yun Jiao felt a chill run down her neck. She pouted and said, “It’s not my fault. It’s all the Prince’s fault—the Prince’s food is just too delicious.”
Yan Shi was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled softly. “Oh? Are you saying this Prince is inferior to a bowl of rice?”
Yun Jiao immediately showered him with praise. “Of course not! The Prince is more fragrant than rice. The Prince is a feast for the eyes.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, yes!” Yun Jiao nodded vigorously like pounding garlic.
“A feast for the eyes, in that case…” Yan Shi leaned in close, tilting his head to whisper by her ear, “Why don’t you devour this Prince, tearing me apart and swallowing me whole?”