Guo Youning thought to herself, this Netherworld is quite up-to-date, even incorporating socialist core values.
She really had hit the jackpot with timing. She pondered seriously: what request could maximize her benefits?
After careful consideration, she slowly spoke, "Three esteemed lords, since returning is hopeless, then let me reincarnate into a good life—with both parents alive, a harmonious family, free from worries about food and clothing, and in good health."
The Judge stroked his thick black beard, looking apologetic. "Sorry, young lady. I've checked the Book of Life and Death, and you still have over seventy years of lifespan left. Reincarnation is temporarily impossible."
Guo Youning was dumbfounded. Regret—deep regret. What a pity to miss out on such a century-long life!
She grew increasingly frustrated. Now, returning was impossible, reincarnation was hopeless, leaving her with nothing but helpless despair.
Her eyelids drooped, her entire being radiating dejection. Would she have to endure over seventy years in this sunless place? The thought alone was terrifying, and she couldn't help but shiver.
The vibrant, sunlit human world was where she longed to be. Since she couldn't think of a good alternative, she might as well see what arrangements they had.
Tentatively, she asked, "Lord of the Tenth Hall, similar accidents must have happened before. How were they handled?"
The Lord of the Tenth Hall straightened his back and answered solemnly, "Our Netherworld operates with strict precision. Such errors are extremely rare. Occasional slip-ups generally offer two options. Those with little lifespan left work as temporary laborers in the Hall of Untimely Death to earn Merit and pass the remaining time. For cases like yours with abundant lifespan, we send them to a parallel world to live another lifetime."
Guo Youning was stunned. Good heavens! Parallel worlds really exist! How incredible!
Compared to this Netherworld, a parallel world sounded much more appealing.
Her heart raced with excitement, filled with longing for this new world. She blurted out, "Then send me to a parallel world! But it must be to a good family—with both parents alive, harmonious, free from worries about food and clothing. I also need to be healthy and intelligent."
After a moment's thought, she remembered her newly purchased Farmhouse Paradise and over a million in savings—she couldn't let them vanish into thin air.
Raising her right hand, she rubbed her thumb, index, and middle fingers together repeatedly, adding with a smile, "I must take my worldly possessions with me. Also, you should show some sincerity and give me some goodies as compensation."
The three leaders huddled together, whispering. Guo Youning faintly overheard: "Caused a huge disaster… fourth-generation virtuous person… must not offend…"
A moment later, the Lord of the Tenth Hall spoke with a dejected expression, "Your requests can be granted. My subordinate made the error, and I bear responsibility for inadequate oversight. I am willing to sacrifice twenty years of Merit to transform the Farmhouse Paradise into your personal space."
Then, the Judge, looking pained, pulled out a crystal-clear jade bottle. "This contains ten drops of Immortal Dew, which I collected over thirty years to accumulate. One drop can save a life. While it cannot raise the dead or regenerate flesh and bone, as long as a breath remains, it can cure any ailment. I offer this to you as compensation."
Guo Youning was ecstatic. Fantastic! An ultimate treasure!
She now had the legendary personal space, plus ten extra lives!
Eagerly, she reached out with both hands to take the jade bottle, but despite several tugs, it wouldn't budge.
Immortal Dew! Guo Youning truly feared he might change his mind. Staring intently at the Judge, she said solemnly, "Judge, a gentleman's word is as good as his bond!"
The Judge gazed longingly at the bottle again and again, then closed his eyes, gritted his teeth, and finally forced himself to let go.
Muttering under his breath, he grumbled, "What a huge loss! White Impermanence, you little brat! Just wait—I'm going to beat you to death later. Even your King Yama father won't be able to save your hide."
Guo Youning, having secured her treasure, was in high spirits and beaming with joy. The reluctance and sorrow of others were of no concern to her.
However, she hadn't expected the newly appointed White Impermanence to be a "second-generation official"—seemingly ripe for exploitation. Her sparkling eyes turned toward him.
White Impermanence caught her gaze, his eyes slightly reddened as he lowered his head and choked up, "I'll convert your bank savings into equivalent items and currency from the parallel world and deposit them into your space… Sob… My entire eighty years' worth of savings for a wife are all gone…"
Guo Youning glanced at the pitiful White Impermanence, shook her head with a sigh, and felt a faint ripple of conscience.
But waver? Impossible! Such a careless newcomer deserved to be severely punished to learn a lesson—he had brought this upon himself!
Seeing that Guo Youning seemed reasonably satisfied, the Lord of the Tenth Hall wanted to wrap things up quickly to avoid complications.
He declared solemnly, "Miss Guo, we have met your demands. Let us now proceed to the parallel world!"
With a sweep of his hand, a shimmering white light gate appeared before them, and he gestured for Guo Youning to step through.
Her eyes scanned their faces, noting their sincere expressions that didn't resemble those of fraudsters. She could only hope the parallel world had no equivalent of "Northern Myanmar"!
With a trace of hesitation, a touch of apprehension, and a glimmer of anticipation, Guo Youning stepped inside!
Upon entering the light gate, everything went black in an instant, and she lost consciousness.
When her awareness returned, she found herself lying flat on a wooden bunk bed, her gaze fixed on the worn-out bedboard of the upper bunk.
Her entire body felt weak and limp, accompanied by dizziness and stomach pain. Could she have really ended up in a "Northern Myanmar"-style compound?!
Was this her promised wonderful new life?!
She recalled her demands: "Both parents alive, a harmonious family." She hadn't met her family yet, so she couldn't judge that; but "clothing, food, and shelter without worry, and good health" were clearly not being met!
Gnashing her teeth, Guo Youning swore inwardly: Lord of the Tenth Hall, Judge, White Impermanence—just you wait! I will file a complaint against you!
Just as she was fuming with resentment, a flood of memories surged into her mind.
Today was July 26, 1973, in the parallel world. She was in the Southern District of Beijing, China. The original owner of this body was also named Guo Youning, seventeen years old, having just graduated from high school.
Her father, Guo Aiguo, was the workshop director of the second workshop at Red Star Steel Mill, with a monthly salary of sixty-five yuan;
Her mother, Tang Xin, was a clerk at the Southern District Street Office, earning thirty-five yuan per month;
Her elder brother and sister, Guo Youjie and Guo Youyan, were twins, twenty years old. Her brother worked as a steel roller at Red Star Steel Mill—after three years as an apprentice, he had just become a regular employee this year with a monthly salary of thirty-six yuan;
Her sister was a warehouse manager at Star Canned Food Factory, earning twenty-eight yuan per month. Previously a temporary worker, she had become a regular employee six months ago thanks to her fiancé's family pulling strings.
Her younger brother and sister, Guo Youran and Guo Youting, were also twins, eleven years old, in fifth grade.
The family of seven was crammed into a fifty-square-meter apartment in the steel mill's residential area. The three sisters shared one room, the brothers occupied a partitioned corner of the living room, and the parents had their own room.
In this era, such a family situation was considered top-tier. The parents didn't favor sons over daughters, but with many children and busy work schedules, they couldn't attend to everything.
After graduating from high school, the original owner had spent half a month job hunting with no success, while the Educated Youth Office persistently urged her to go to the countryside.
At this time, the push for Educated Youth to go to the countryside was particularly strict. Failing to respond actively was seen as an ideological problem and could even affect her family members' jobs.
Despite her parents' repeated efforts and various negotiations, they couldn't secure a job for her. Heartbroken, they had no choice but to send the original owner to the countryside in Heilongjiang Province.
The original owner was innately sensitive and timid, a person of few words. As the middle child of three at home, she usually went unnoticed.
She had heard about a girl from the neighboring compound who, after being sent to the countryside, caught the eye of a local troublemaker. Her virtue was violated, she was forced into marriage, and in the end, she suffered relentless abuse, dying along with her unborn child.
The thought of being sent to such a dreadful place, combined with her fear and resentment toward her parents, made her fall ill. For several days, she remained bedridden, unable to eat a bite.