“You wish! I’ve already been married to him once. If we divorce, I’ll become a second-time divorcee. If he hadn’t tried to act tough and ended up disabled, would I have divorced him? So this is what he owes me—these money should be considered my compensation,” Lu Miaomiao said righteously.
“I don’t care. If you leave, you must leave the money behind,” Liu Huifang said as she reached out to snatch Lu Miaomiao’s luggage.
Furious, Lu Miaomiao pushed her away. The two women began clawing at each other—scratching faces and pinching waists, aiming wherever it hurt most. Before they realized it, they had fought their way outside.
Having been pampered since childhood, Lu Miaomiao was no match for Liu Huifang, a stout and sturdy rural woman. Caught off guard, she was shoved onto the sharp edge of the stone steps and fainted instantly.
Startled, Liu Huifang hurriedly checked her breathing by feeling her chest. Relieved to find that she was still alive, she lost interest. In the countryside, especially during this era, people didn’t casually seek medical attention—it was far too expensive.
She then searched Lu Miaomiao and found 1,000 yuan, along with several ration coupons: meat coupons, grain coupons, cotton coupons, and even a bicycle coupon.
“My goodness, I’ve struck it rich! This little wretch is actually so wealthy!” she exclaimed joyfully, kissing the coupons several times.
She quickly ran to the doorway and looked around. Seeing no one watching, she stuffed everything into her own pockets. Then she dragged the original Lu Miaomiao back to the bed and, as if nothing had happened, went to intercept Xiao Bi’an—who was on his way to borrow an ox cart from Heizi. She told him that Lu Miaomiao was unwell and that the divorce would have to wait until the next day.
With no other choice, Xiao Bi’an returned home.
Taking advantage of the situation, Liu Huifang later conspired with Liu Xianhua to drug Lu Miaomiao. For the sake of two “Da Tuan Jie” (large-denomination banknotes), she deliberately concealed the fact that Xiao Bi’an had become permanently disabled, merely stating that he had suffered a minor injury and was recuperating. Xiao Bi’an himself, having just returned, was unlikely to complain to outsiders.
Had Liu Xianhua known the truth, she probably wouldn’t have gone through with the scheme, as her lofty ambitions would never allow her to marry a disabled man.
That evening, the original host indeed woke up. Liu Huifang pretended to return the money, apologized, and coaxed her into drinking a bowl of white rice porridge laced with drugs.
When she awoke again in the dilapidated thatched hut, the soul inhabiting the body had already become that of the apocalypse’s formidable leader, Lu Miaomiao. The original host had likely died from the head injury combined with the effects of the powerful drugs—essentially “reporting to the Buddha,” as the saying goes.
After recalling everything, Lu Miaomiao could only sigh and quote a familiar Chinese xiehouyu (two-part allegorical saying):“Peppercorns drying at the neighbor’s door—numb next door,” a pun expressing speechless shock and disbelief.
The original host was truly an odd character, but it didn’t matter. The body now belonged to her, and the past was nothing but drifting clouds—irrelevant to her.
With the vast supplies stored in her space—enough to last eight lifetimes—and in an era free from pollution and mutant creatures, surrounded by lush mountains, clear waters, birdsong, and fresh, adorable livestock, life seemed perfect.
She only needed to retire peacefully in this picturesque mountain village.
Excitedly planning her future, Lu Miaomiao almost wanted to spin in circles.
“First, I’ll go next door and have a large bed made. This wooden plank bed is unbearable. Then I’ll get a wardrobe!”
As for the original host’s husband, as long as he behaved himself, she didn’t mind supporting him. After all, he was a hero who had contributed to the country and deserved respect. Besides, she preferred staying at Xiao Bi’an’s home for the time being—there were people to run errands, and it was livelier than the educated youths’ dormitory, which was crowded and required her to cook for herself.
Once she fully understood the situation, she planned to build a siheyuan (traditional courtyard residence), a layout she had loved in her previous life.
“Wait a moment, Lu Miaomiao. You can’t just think about yourself!” A childish voice suddenly echoed in her mind.
“Who’s there?” Lu Miaomiao’s eyes turned icy as she scanned her surroundings with vigilance.
“I mean no harm. Please don’t be nervous. I’m merely a consciousness—you can’t see me,” the adorable voice replied.
She quickly calmed down, exuding the imposing aura of a former apocalypse leader, and asked coldly, “What do you want? Get straight to the point.”
“Hello, Miss Lu Miaomiao. I am Tiandao Customer Service No. 2, here to serve you. Because you led humanity on Blue Planet to completely eradicate the zombies, restoring order fifty years earlier than expected, Tiandao wishes to reward you.”
The voice continued with great enthusiasm, recounting her heroic deeds—how she led humanity through ten arduous years of struggle, ultimately bringing light and hope back to the world. It concluded with lavish praise, declaring that her name would be remembered for generations.
Lu Miaomiao rolled her eyes speechlessly.
“Isn’t that the exact eulogy the chubby guy read at my funeral? Word for word! What, are you trying to make me relive the grand occasion of my own memorial service?”
Tiandao No. 2 was momentarily at a loss.
“Ahem… I thought the writing was quite good. It seemed a shame to use it only once, so I borrowed it,” the voice said awkwardly, attempting to cover its embarrassment.
“Whatever makes you happy. I don’t really care. Now tell me why you’re here,” Lu Miaomiao replied lazily, lying back on the wooden bed. She casually took an apple from her space and began eating it while swinging her leg.
“Alright, let’s continue. In recognition of your tremendous contributions—and because Tiandao sympathizes with your untimely and rather embarrassing death—”
The voice suddenly burst into laughter before it could stop itself.
Lu Miaomiao’s face darkened like ink. With a slight increase in pressure, the apple in her hand was instantly crushed into pulp, its juice dripping through her fingers. She calmly took a wet wipe from her space and cleaned her hands, struggling to maintain her composure.
Through gritted teeth, she said, “Get to the point. Stop the nonsense.”
“Of course! Your transmigration is actually Tiandao’s reward. From now on, you are truly Lu Miaomiao of this era. However, due to the restrictions of Tiandao, your supernatural abilities will remain at their initial level and cannot be further advanced. That said, your spatial dimension and spiritual spring can be used freely.
“And… therefore… her family is now your responsibility. You cannot simply ignore them and live a carefree life.”
Tiandao No. 2’s voice grew softer and faster as it finished speaking, clearly feeling somewhat guilty.
Lu Miaomiao raised an eyebrow.
“Oh? So that means I can’t divorce either? Her husband is now my husband, and his family is also my family? I’m supposed to take care of them meticulously and help them live happily ever after, perhaps even reach the pinnacle of life?
“Is this supposed to be a reward or a punishment? If that’s the case, you can take this ‘reward’ back. I don’t want it.”