Rumble… rumble…
On a rainy night, 18-year-old Yu Hua had just gotten off work. Holding a tattered umbrella, she hurried home through the storm.
Suddenly, she heard someone crying for help.
Turning her head, she saw a beggar who had fallen into the rainwater. No matter how hard he struggled, he couldn’t stand up.
Without a second thought, she rushed over, helped him up with difficulty, and even stuffed her own dinner into his hands before turning and leaving.
But when she returned to her shabby rental room, the structure—unable to withstand the heavy rain—collapsed.
Kind-hearted Yu Hua was crushed to death on the spot…
When she opened her eyes again, she found herself in the dim underworld.
Two figures—one black, one white—were leading the way in front of her.
“Am I… dead?”
The black figure stuck out his tongue and turned back, holding a soul-catching chain. “That’s right. You’re already dead.”
The white figure also turned around, holding a mourning staff. “But strangely, our weapons have no effect on you.”
Yu Hua didn’t feel discouraged at all. Calmly, she said, “Dead is fine. At least I won’t have to live that exhausting workhorse life anymore.”
The Black and White Impermanence brought her before the King of Hell.
“Your Majesty,” they reported, “for some reason, our weapons cannot affect this soul.”
The King of Hell frowned in confusion and turned to the Judge beside him. “Check what’s going on.”
The Judge immediately took out the Book of Life and Death to investigate. His expression grew solemn.
“Your Majesty, this person has gone through nine reincarnations. In every life she accumulated virtue and did good deeds. She carries immense merit. That is why this situation has occurred.”
After thinking for a moment, the King of Hell said, “Yu Hua, considering that you have been a good person for nine lifetimes, how about being born into wealth and officialdom in your next life?”
Yu Hua smiled brightly. “Really? I won’t have to live like a corporate workhorse anymore?”
“Of course! I am the King of Hell. Why would I deceive you?”
She looked half-believing, half-skeptical. At that moment, a radiant glow of merit shone from her body. The ghosts in the underworld trembled involuntarily at the sight.
The King of Hell grew slightly anxious. “Miss Yu Hua, as long as you nod, I’ll send you to reincarnate immediately.”
“If I find out you lied to me, I’ll make your underworld restless. I’ve got nothing to lose anyway—worst case, I’ll come back and cause you trouble.”
“I wouldn’t lie! Please, go reincarnate quickly!”
Yu Hua happily jumped onto the path of reincarnation.
How could she not be happy? She had been a workhorse for several lifetimes—a fated laborer.
The Judge whispered into the King of Hell’s ear, “Your Majesty… didn’t she forget to drink Meng Po’s Soup?”
The King slapped his thigh. “How did I forget that?! Go see if it’s still in time!”
“Too late. It’s already too late.”
“Forget it. With merit like hers, better to send her off quickly. Did you see how frightened those little ghosts were?”
Since the King had spoken, the Judge said no more.
When Yu Hua opened her eyes again, she saw only darkness. There was a crushing pressure all around her.
“What’s going on? Did reincarnation fail?”
The pressure intensified, pushing her in a certain direction.
“S-so uncomfortable… where am I?”
Then she saw a faint glimmer of light and began crawling desperately toward it.
“Madam, push harder! One more effort—the baby’s almost out!”
A voice entered her mind.
Yu Hua couldn’t care less about anything else. The pressure increased, her breathing growing weaker.
【I finally reincarnated into a good family. I can’t miss this chance! I’m going to live the life of a rich second generation and an official’s daughter!】
With that thought, she pushed even harder.
She crawled along with the pressure toward the light. After what felt like forever, the light grew brighter.
【I’m almost there! The light of hope is right ahead! Yu Hua, you can do it!】
Just as she was losing consciousness, she vaguely heard someone shout—
“The door’s open!”
She gulped in the air outside.
“Madam has given birth! She’s delivered!”
A woman around forty cried out in surprise.
Yu Hua felt her legs being separated.
“Madam, it’s a girl! It’s a girl!” The voice sounded even more excited.
【Don’t just celebrate! I’m freezing here! Can someone put some clothes on me first?】
Another maid spoke up, “Nanny Wang, why are you even more excited than Madam? Wash the young miss first and bring a quilt, or she’ll catch cold.”
“Yes, yes, Miss Qingmei is right. I’m just too happy!”
They quickly got to work.
“Qingmei, is it really a girl?” A weak but pleasant voice asked.
“Yes, Madam. It’s a young miss—and she looks exactly like you. Very beautiful.”
The woman called “Madam” nodded.
Before long, everything was settled.
“Madam, look how beautiful the young miss is!” Nanny Li placed the swaddled baby beside her.
The woman opened her eyes and instantly felt endless affection.
She was Shen Yanchu, wife of the Minister of Rites, Yu Jinghong, and the daughter of a wealthy merchant.
She had already borne two sons and had long wished for a daughter—a sweet little companion.
“I finally have a daughter.”
At that moment, a rough voice sounded from outside. “Madam, how are you?”
The maids and servants bowed in greeting.
“Husband, look! We have a daughter! I gave birth to a daughter!” Shen Yanchu said happily.
A tall, sturdy middle-aged man with a worried expression hurried in.
“That’s wonderful! We really have a daughter. How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine. This little girl was very well-behaved and didn’t trouble me much.”
【He does look like an official. That old King of Hell really kept his word—I’ve become an official’s daughter. Now I just wonder if I’m also a rich second generation?】
“Husband, give our daughter a name.”
The man thought for a moment and said, “Yu Hua.”
【What are the odds? I’m still called Yu Hua! I like this name. I just wonder if my dream will come true. My life as a rich and official second generation—here I come!】
Shen Yanchu repeated the name with joy. “It’s a good name. A very good name.”
Soon after, two teenage boys rushed in, equally excited.
“We have a little sister now!”
【So I have two older brothers. I wonder if they’ll love and dote on me. But at least… I have family now.】
“Qingshan, Qingyun, come look at your little sister. She’s very beautiful,” Shen Yanchu said.
【What? Yu Qingshan? Yu Qingyun? You’ve got to be kidding me! Aren’t these the names from that novel I read while slacking off at work? No way… this has to be a coincidence!】