Chapter 1: Countdown to Transmigration

“Save me, save me, please, please…”

A suffocating feeling washed over her, a bone-chilling coldness seeping into every pore, stealing her life away.

It felt as if her life was disappearing in that very instant.

“No, I haven’t lived enough…”

The silent night was shattered by this desperate, low growl.

Ruan Xiaotang’s eyes snapped open in terror. Like a zombie returning from the grave, she sat bolt upright, the images from her dream too vivid. Fear caused her body to tremble uncontrollably.

Beads of sweat, thick and numerous, trickled down her scalp, mingling with her black, silk-like hair, and flowed down her cheeks.

“The feeling of death was too real!”

It felt like she had just escaped death.

She lifted her damp sleeve and wiped her forehead and temples.

The familiar scent of her room immediately calmed her.

“Thank goodness it was a dream!”

Slowly, she raised her eyes, scanning the objects in the dark room.

After regaining her composure, she leaned against the bedside table, unable to sleep.

Insomnia had completely overtaken her.

With nothing else to do, she began to interpret her dream.

Could this dream mean that she would… die soon?

Ugh, no!

She was so young, and just a few days ago, she had won 50 million RMB in the lottery. Her good fortune had only just begun; it couldn’t possibly end so quickly…

Impossible, absolutely impossible.

Her attention shifted.

Her dreams for the future, like a magnificent flower, drifted further and further away in the gentle breeze of her thoughts.

As if guided by a mysterious force, her fingers unconsciously twined around the jade pendant hanging around her neck.

It was the color of chicken fat, a bright yellow, shaped like a droplet, with a crystal-clear luster.

The jade’s orange-yellow hue shone with a bright, moist light, as if containing endless vitality. The thick patina was like the mark of time, telling of its age and value.

Ruan Xiaotang had spotted it while browsing an antique shop. After several rounds of intense haggling with the owner, she had finally bought it for 200 RMB.

Now, bathed in the bright light of her bedside lamp, she carefully examined the jade, as if admiring a priceless treasure.

Holding the jade pendant between her index finger and middle finger, she tilted her head, examining it closely under the lamplight.

She carefully recalled the shocking events of the past few days in her short life.

First, she bought this jade pendant that resonated with her, then she won 50 million in the lottery, and then she had this terrifying dream.

The dream was so real, as if her soul had traveled to a dying body.

She not only felt the physical fear of death, but also clearly perceived the intense unwillingness in that person’s heart.

What still lingered in her mind was that body’s infinite longing for life.

It seemed that person had unfinished business.

…

Haunted by the nightmare, her eyes became vacant and listless.

She stared thoughtfully at the jade pendant.

Suddenly, a dazzling golden light, with a powerful suction force, enveloped Ruan Xiaotang, who was leaning against the headboard, pulling her inside.

“Where am I?”

Ruan Xiaotang’s long eyelashes trembled slightly, then slowly opened.

A luxurious crystal chandelier, dazzling and brilliant, hung above her.

Her cherry-red mouth formed a surprised O, and her pupils dilated considerably.

Goodness gracious!

It was daytime.

The house was surrounded by mountains, stretching as far as the eye could see.

Having seen large sets on film shoots, Ruan Xiaotang estimated the area to be about ten football fields.

It was incredibly extravagant.

She kept clicking her tongue in amazement.

Unable to contain her curiosity, she looked around.

Clouds and mist swirled between the peaks, creating a fairy-like atmosphere.

A rushing waterfall, like a silver ribbon, flowed majestically, eventually falling into the winding stream at the foot of the mountain.

The stream meandered, nourishing the surrounding trees and fields.

Square plots of land, neatly arranged side by side, resembled blocks of tofu neatly cut by a skilled craftsman.

Such fertile land was being wasted by letting it grow weeds.

Wait.

Ruan Xiaotang cautiously looked around again.

Could this be… the kind of space often described in novels?

The kind of space a female protagonist would have before transmigration, a space she could enter and exit at will using her mind, a space where she could store and retrieve things by thought.

A space in hand, the world is invincible.

With the thoughts and knowledge of this world, she had transmigrated to another.

Wouldn’t she live a wonderful life?

The more Ruan Xiaotang thought about it, the more excited she became.

With a heart full of curiosity, she carefully walked out of the luxuriously yet elegantly decorated room.

As soon as she opened the door, the golden wallpaper of the corridor caught her eye.

European-style wall lamps were embedded on both sides of the corridor.

She walked slowly on the soft wool carpet.

One step at a time.

She continued walking forward.

A 100-square-meter master bedroom, three 80-square-meter guest rooms, a 200-square-meter walk-in closet, and a 90-square-meter study.

Even the toilets here were bigger than her entire rented apartment.

Heartbreaking!

Reaching the corner of the stairs on the second floor, her gaze was immediately drawn to the extra-long crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling.

The contractor for this space must be a super-rich Middle Eastern tycoon.

The right side of the first floor had a swimming pool.

All kinds of fitness equipment and exercise machines, everything imaginable, were available.

Ruan Xiaotang was not interested in these, so she went straight to the kitchen and poured herself a glass of water.

It was spring water.

The taste was extraordinary.

Sweet and refreshing, with a lingering aftertaste.

She had a shallow red scratch on the back of her left hand from two days ago, though not serious, it was still visible.

After drinking a glass of water, the red mark on the back of her hand had surprisingly disappeared.

Amazing!

This magical water must be able to strengthen the body and nourish the mind.

It was a good thing.

Regular consumption could also prolong life.

Ruan Xiaotang picked up a large apple from the table and, while biting into it, looked around.

She found a wall-mounted television and turned it on. The screen clearly displayed: “You have 7 days until transmigration.”

Her thoughts were confirmed.

Ruan Xiaotang happily threw herself onto the white sofa.

Hugging a pillow, she smiled triumphantly, full of anticipation.

Her top priority was to stockpile supplies.

With only seven days left, time was tight and the task was heavy.

She had to make the most of every second.

She silently said, “Go out.”

Sure enough, she was back in her 10-square-meter room.

Everything illogical now had a logical explanation.

Ruan Xiaotang no longer worried, and without any more nightmares, she slept soundly until dawn.

The next day, she woke up earlier than the birds and went to a small, inexpensive restaurant for a bowl of soy milk and a fried breadstick.

After eating, she took a bus to a slaughterhouse in the suburbs.

She was a meat-lover, and if she were to transmigrate to a time of famine, she didn’t want to eat bark and wild grass.

That would be worse than death.

So she was going to stockpile meat, lots and lots of meat, more meat than she could eat.