"No! I—I still can’t accept this. Shan Weihao, I know you care for me, but this isn’t worth it."

"Everything’s worth it for you."

Are these two acting out a Qiong Yao-style melodrama? As an audience member, I’m cringing! Can’t we just be decisive?

"Are we starting the resurrection ritual or not?"

"Yes!" "No!"

Can you two get your stories straight? One says yes, the other no—how am I supposed to choose?

"Mengze, do you still want to live? You’re the key here. Just say no, and I won’t interfere. As for this guy, I’ll kick him out. If he clings to me again, I’ll punch him into next week. You know I can."

"Is this a threat? Using his life to—"

"Of course not. I’m just tired of this brat. Look at him—he’d throw his life away for you. Even if I ignore him, he’d probably kill himself to join you. I just hate tragic endings."

"Mengze, promise me. Live. You’re not alone anymore. I’ll always be by your side."

Shan Weihao’s broad palm enveloped Mengze’s hand. Though she felt no warmth, a flush of shyness colored her cheeks. After an inner struggle, Mengze finally nodded.

"Okay. I’m willing. I want to live!" She handed me the soul contract.

"Understood. I’ve heard your wish. Now, step out while I prepare. Shan Weihao, sign this contract."

This ritual came from an ultra-ancient Arcane Tome in another world. I’d tested it once out of boredom, but without the key ingredient—a Celestial’s feather—the resurrected being died within days. This time, it shouldn’t fail.

I drew a magic circle on the living room floor, placed Mengze’s skull from under the bed at its center, then tossed ingredients from my Dragon Treasury into a cauldron, stirring slowly.

*Cough... cough...* The thick stench filled the room. As a dragon, I’d never noticed it, but in this human body, the mix of crushed herbs and gemstones was overwhelming.

The ritual looked like a witch brewing poison. Truth was, it was human alchemy—a lost art even in my past life’s world. Only the Father God might still know it today.

I beckoned Mengze inside alone. Shan Weihao? Best he didn’t see too much beyond this world. His worldview’s already shaky enough.

"What should I do, Master?"

"Climb into that cauldron."

"Are you reenacting Gray Wolf cooking a sheep?"

I yanked her head and shoved her in. Her protests? Ignored.

I added magic, then stirred with a mop—don’t ask why; it was the only long stick handy.

"Master, this feels awful. Like being stuffed in a washing machine spin cycle."

I ignored her. Worse was coming—a rollercoaster ride awaited.

Soon, Mengze fell silent. Probably dizzy from spinning. Time for the Celestial’s feather.

Golden light erupted from the cauldron. Glowing cuisine complete—ugh! Mengze’s new body was ready. Wow! Golden legendary, a golden figurine!

"Huff... huff... Where am I? So sick... gonna throw up..."

A girl dripping golden liquid lay in the cauldron. I tossed her one of Cute Teacher’s rarely worn outfits.

"Congrats on your resurrection. Get dressed. Your boyfriend’s waiting to take you home."

Mengze climbed out, pale but normal for a fresh revival.

"Am I... really alive again?"

"Pinch your thigh to check—OW! Why’d you pinch *mine*?!"

"Heh. This isn’t a dream. I’m alive. Alive..."

She used *me* as a test subject? Shouldn’t she be overjoyed? Why that pained look? Did I mess up?

"What’s wrong? Feeling unwell?"

"No... just worried. I’m alive, but where do I go? Dad disowned me. He’d scream and run if he saw me. Now that I have a body, I can’t stay with you, can I?"

"Of course not. I’m not rich enough to feed an extra mouth. But Shan Weihao won’t mind, right?"

We settled Mengze’s future: Shan Weihao’s wealthy family would hire a live-in maid—wink wink. Mengze could sneak back for her belongings; her dad took a ¥300,000 hush-money payout, so her "death" was never public. The police wouldn’t interfere. She could return to school. As for Wang Zichang? Even if he claimed to be Qin Shi Huang, no one would believe him.

"Master, I don’t know how to thank you."

Shan Weihao beamed like a blooming flower. Eighteen and already bringing home a girlfriend—I was low-key jealous. After all my work, I was still alone.

"Stop calling me ‘Master.’ My name’s Qiuyuchen. Just treat her well."

"Don’t worry. She’s my other half. I’d never let her suffer."

Beside him, Mengze hung her head, her fingers already purpling Shan Weihao’s arm. He endured it silently. Real man.

"Huh? So many guests today, Qiuyuchen? Friends?"

"Xia Bing! You’re back. Cook something—I’m starving."

"Help me wash veggies. Cute Teacher’s almost home. What’s that smell? Brewing herbal medicine?"

Xia Bing’s nose was sharp. I’d cleaned everything, yet she caught the scent.

"Your imagination. Meet my friends. This is Xia Bing, my desk mate and household chef."

"Shoo! Who belongs to your household? This girl... smells strange."

Xia Bing leaned close, making Mengze shrink behind Shan Weihao’s back.

"Sorry, rude of me. Back to work, young master!"

"Make yourselves comfortable. Call if you need anything."

They’d planned to leave but stayed for dinner. Cute Teacher even mistook her own outfit on Mengze for a "matching set." Classic airhead.

After dinner, Shan Weihao left Mengze with a landscape painting and a bank card. I refused at first, but he insisted.

"It’s only two thousand—my allowance. If you won’t take it, my half-life isn’t worth ¥2000?"

¥2000 for a life plus a custom body? Yeah, I got ripped off. If the Celestial knew her feather was worth two grand and a painting, she’d rage-quit.

"Qiuyuchen, free tomorrow? Saturday."

"What for?"

"Just say yes or no."

Xia Bing was acting weird. Not like her.

"Yes. I’ll be home all day."

"Perfect! My big brother wants to meet his employer. 10 a.m., New City Wuyue Plaza. Don’t be late."

"Sure."

Wait—Cute Teacher hired you. Why drag *me* in?

But Xia Bing was already gone. There went my dream of sleeping all weekend.

Bored, I unrolled the landscape painting, pretending to be a cultured scholar.

Towering peaks, flowing rivers, seabirds skimming the sky, mist-shrouded pavilions hidden in emerald forests... ladies leaning from a balcony, gazing afar...

A fine piece. Pity I couldn’t appreciate it. My bare bedroom wall needed decor anyway—this’d boost my pretentious flair for visitors.

Exhausted (wasn’t I always?), I chose an early night. Xia Bing’s brother? Her parents were gone. They say an elder brother is like a father... so was this a meet-the-parents situation? In a way.