The next morning, Lu Ximing woke up to the sound of birds.
He opened his eyes slowly.
Sunlight streamed through the wooden window, warming the room.
For a few seconds, he forgot where he was.
Then he remembered.
The accident.
The goddess.
The three wishes.
The beast world.
Ximing sat up and stretched.
"...I'm alive."
Technically, he had died.
But he had been given another chance.
And this time, he had no intention of wasting it.
He got dressed and walked outside.
Kael was already in the yard, chopping wood.
"Morning," Ximing said.
Kael looked over.
"You're awake."
"Yes."
Kael handed him a piece of fruit.
"Eat."
Ximing took it.
"Thank you."
He sat beneath a nearby tree and took a bite.
It was sweet.
He looked around the quiet village.
Children were playing.
Farmers were working in their fields.
People were preparing breakfast.
Nobody was rushing to work.
Nobody was calling him about documents.
Nobody was expecting him to meet a deadline.
Ximing smiled.
"This is nice."
Kael finished chopping the wood and walked over.
"What are you smiling about?"
Ximing looked at him.
"I've decided something."
"What?"
"I'm retiring."
Kael stared.
"You're what?"
"Retiring."
"But you're young."
"I know."
"Watch me."
Kael looked completely confused.
Ximing leaned back against the tree.
"I spent my previous life working."
"You remember your previous life?"
Ximing paused.
"...A little."
He decided not to explain everything.
"I just don't want to spend this life doing the same thing."
Kael crossed his arms.
"So what are you going to do?"
Ximing looked toward the distant fields.
"Grow food."
Kael blinked.
"That's it?"
"Grow food. Cook. Sleep. Read. Explore occasionally."
He counted on his fingers.
"Maybe build a beautiful house."
Kael stared at him.
"You really don't want an adventure?"
"No."
"Not even a little?"
"No."
"What about becoming rich?"
"I already have enough."
Kael's eyebrows rose.
"You have money?"
"Enough."
"How much?"
Ximing smiled.
"That's private."
Kael sighed.
"You're strange."
"I've heard that before."
That afternoon, Ximing finally decided to explore his personal space properly.
He opened the golden doorway.
Kael stared at it.
"What is that?"
"My home."
"Your home is behind a door?"
"Yes."
Kael looked suspicious.
Ximing stepped inside.
After a moment, Kael followed.
His jaw dropped.
The small house from the outside was nothing compared with the land inside. Get faster updates on g.com.
There were enormous fields stretching toward the horizon.
Fruit trees.
A clear river.
A vegetable garden.
A comfortable house.
A storage building.
Even a small workshop.
Kael looked around.
"You said you didn't have a home."
"I didn't."
"Then what is this?"
"My retirement plan."
Kael stared at him.
"You planned all of this?"
"Not exactly."
Ximing smiled.
"I had a very helpful goddess."
Kael froze.
"...What?"
"Nothing."
Ximing walked toward the fields.
"I'm going to plant some vegetables."
Kael followed.
"You know how to farm?"
"I have knowledge."
"What kind?"
"Everything I need."
Kael shook his head.
"I don't understand you."
Ximing laughed.
"Don't worry. I'm beginning to understand myself."
He looked over the peaceful land.
For years, he'd dreamed of having a place where nobody could control him.
A place where he could wake up whenever he wanted.
Eat whenever he wanted.
Work only when he felt like it.
No family drama.
No office.
No deadlines.
No pressure.
Just peace.
Ximing took a deep breath.
"Finally."
He smiled.
"My retirement."
And for the first time in his life...
Lu Ximing had absolutely nowhere he needed to be.