Chapter 2: Traveling Through a Book?

Ming Dai was shocked. “How is that possible? I just died less than five hours ago—maybe no one has even noticed yet! How could I already be cremated?”

The grim reaper straightened up and spoke solemnly. “Miss Ming, you have been in the underworld for five days. Your senior brother discovered your body on the second day and informed your parents. Upon learning that you had died of natural causes, your parents entrusted your senior brother to handle your cremation. So…”

Ming Dai hadn’t expected time to pass so quickly, but she could understand her parents’ decision. After all, in their eyes, she was never more important than their scientific research.

Back then, her parents had been forced to have her. Once she was born, they felt they had fulfilled their duty. Before she was even a month old, they left the country together without hesitation, leaving her behind like a hostage in the care of her grandparents.

It wasn’t that they didn’t love each other. On the contrary, they were deeply in love—so much so that even their own child had no place between them.

If they hadn’t been pressured into having her, they probably would have chosen to remain child-free forever.

So at this moment, Ming Dai wasn’t heartbroken over her parents’ coldness. What she truly regretted was the loss of her beautiful life—and the long string of zeros in her bank account that she would never get to spend.

The three ghosts sitting across from her hesitated before carefully taking their seats again, eyeing her cautiously.

“Miss Ming, it was indeed our staff’s mistake to summon the wrong soul. If you have any requests, we will do our best to fulfill them.”

Ming Dai’s eyes lit up as she looked at the three ghosts. “Can I just lie around in the underworld and enjoy life? You know, with free food, free lodging, and entertainment?”

In just this short time, she had already spotted several beautiful ghostly ladies and some rather handsome male ghosts!

She couldn’t help it—she was a sucker for good looks!

The grim reaper hesitated before speaking with difficulty. “I’m afraid that’s not possible. Souls can only remain in the underworld for a maximum of three days. If they don’t leave by then, they will completely dissipate.”

Ming Dai found it hard to believe. “How can your staff stay here? Aren’t they ghosts too?”

He then explained, “They are, but the underworld’s staffing is extremely tight. All of them passed the entrance exams several lifetimes ago and had to wait in line for several more lifetimes before finally getting their positions. Especially now, since we handle everything online, all names must be publicly listed three lifetimes in advance. So, unfortunately, we can’t arrange a position for you.”

Ming Dai deflated, slumping into her chair.

“So I have to reincarnate now, right? Then can you at least assign me a good life? Something wealthy and privileged, where I don’t have to work or study? Preferably as a man—I’ve never been one before, and I’d really like to experience what it’s like to pee standing up.”

Silence was the only response.

“No way! You can’t even help with that?!”

Ming Dai was starting to get angry. “Then why did you even tell me to make a request? Are you just messing with me?”

The young ghost across from her immediately burst into tears. Miss 38 (38^th clerk) couldn’t take it anymore—she grabbed him by the collar of his suit and threw him out before proceeding to beat him up.

The grim reaper awkwardly spoke again. “Miss Ming, well… there’s a small issue with your reincarnation.”

Ming Dai narrowed her eyes at him. “What issue?”

“Uh… according to the Life and Death Registry, you’re not dead yet. Technically, you were supposed to live to 100. But now that you’ve died unexpectedly, the system hasn’t had time to assign you a reincarnation slot.”

Ming Dai clutched her chest. “So… how long will it take to arrange one?”

“Uh… about 70 years.”

Ming Dai’s hand trembled as she pointed at him. “Seventy years?!”

The grim reaper nodded frantically. “Yes! Just 70 years. Normally, once a person dies, a reincarnation slot automatically becomes available.”

Ming Dai swallowed hard. “Can I wait here for 70 years?”

He then gave her an apologetic smile. “I’m afraid not, dear. You can only stay here for three days.”

Ming Dai was furious!

“So what you’re saying is, I just have to wait here and let my soul dissipate? Who’s your boss? I want to file a complaint!”

“No, no, no, Miss Ming! Please, sit down! I have another solution.”

The grim reaper and Miss 38 who had just run back in quickly grabbed Ming Dai, preventing her from going into full rage mode. They coaxed her into sitting down with gentle words.

Once she had calmed down, the grim reaper mysteriously pulled out a travel brochure from who-knows-where.  

“Here’s the deal, Miss Ming. Since this major error was caused by our staff, we’d like to offer you a special compensation—a ‘Book-Travel Experience’ tour.”

Book-Travel Experience?

Ming Dai looked at the brochure he handed her with suspicion.

“Book-Travel Handbook – Exclusive to the Underworld! A Custom-Tailored Journey Just for You!”

Below the title was a list of customized options. Ming Dai skimmed through them and found them rather intriguing.

Seeing that she was tempted, the grim reaper immediately took advantage of the opportunity to elaborate. “You can state your preferences, and I’ll tailor the experience to match them. I guarantee you’ll have fun!”  

Then, as if remembering something, he quickly added, “But nothing too outrageous, okay?”

Ming Dai eyed him skeptically. “It’s not one of those tragic stories, right? The kind where I have to suffer endlessly?”

The grim reaper shook his head firmly. “No, definitely not. Your role will just be part of the background. You’ll simply use the world as a place for reincarnation, with no involvement in the main plot.”

Satisfied, Ming Dai started considering her requirements.

“I want to be born into a wealthy family, have an abundance of food and drink, never have to work, and I want a smart brain and a healthy body.”

Of course, she would still have to attend school and integrate into society, but she didn’t want to struggle through learning everything from scratch again.

“No problem at all!”

“And give me a storage space. That’s essential for any proper transmigration. You guys have that, right? Preferably with a spiritual spring or something.”

The grim reaper nodded. “Of course, we have that. But no spiritual spring, okay? The timeline we’re sending you to allows for a storage space, but a spiritual spring would be rejected by the world itself. I can set you up with a freely accessible planting space with unlimited storage. It’s very popular.”

 

“Then fill it up with supplies—things suited to the time period I’m going to.”

The grim reaper exchanged a few whispers with Miss 38 before replying with a pained expression, “Fine. We’ll cover the cost.”  

Ming Dai nodded in satisfaction. “Not bad. Also, the money I had when I was alive—you need to convert that for me. I need to bring it along and spend it. Otherwise, I’ll never rest in peace!”

“That won’t be an issue either. I’ll convert it into gold—it’s the universal currency and can be used across different timelines.”

Ming Dai nodded again, satisfied, but a thought crossed her mind. They were agreeing to everything a little too easily… Could there be a catch?

“My memory will remain intact, right? And you’re not going to make me do anything weird? Is this really all free?”

The grim reaper shook his head firmly. “Your memory will remain intact. Your journey is completely free, and since this is a first-time mission, you’ll even receive a beginner’s gift package!”

Ming Dai felt a surge of excitement. She was starting to look forward to this. After all, transmigration was something every novel-loving girl had fantasized about. Now she could actually experience it—how amazing was that?

“Can I know exactly where I’m going?”

The grim reaper smiled and shook his head. “That’s classified. Company policy. Think of it as a little surprise for your journey. But don’t worry, you’ll receive a guidebook once you arrive.”

“Well… alright then.”

After that, Ming Dai asked a few more questions, negotiated for some extra perks, and meticulously reviewed the contract before finally signing it.

Once the paperwork was done, the two ghosts led her into an elevator and took her up two floors. After a brief walk, they entered a company office.

Seeing the name above the entrance—Underworld Travel Agency—Ming Dai felt a rush of excitement. Her book-transmigration journey was about to begin!

Before long, she was led to a large mirror.

The swirling mist within the mirror looked a little eerie.

A service assistant beside her patiently explained, “You just need to step through. Don’t worry, you won’t feel any discomfort during the time-travel process.”

Ming Dai nodded, took a deep breath, and gathered her courage—then stepped forward into the unknown.