Chapter 7: Living Differently From Now On

“Be good now, put that down, it belongs to someone else.”
“But the Rainbow Pony is right at our door…”
Shi Xianyu stepped outside and saw the neighbors had returned with their daughter.
The neighbor offered her an apologetic smile.
Shi Xianyu quickly said, “It’s fine, really. If she likes it, she can have it. We’re moving these days and there’s so much stuff piled in the corridor—I was just wondering how to deal with it all. If you don’t want it, I’ll have to ask the property management to throw it away soon anyway.”
The little girl’s eyes lit up instantly as she asked with delight, “Big sister, can I take the whole set of Rainbow Ponies home?”
“Of course,” Shi Xianyu replied with a smile.
She couldn’t even recall when she’d bought those plush toys—probably a spur-of-the-moment purchase while shopping with a classmate. They’d sat in her closet, as new as the day she bought them.
Watching the little girl skip home, arms full of ponies, Shi Xianyu found herself infected by a quiet happiness. She returned inside to continue sorting her remaining odds and ends, the corners of her lips still curled in a faint smile.
Who would have thought that something so insignificant to her could fulfill someone else’s little wish? How marvelous!
Who says only spirits or immortals can grant wishes? Even without magic or enchanted artifacts, can a mere human wield no power at all? If one strives toward a goal, doesn’t that bring the wish a step closer to reality?
So what exactly was she so conflicted about?
She was nearly at the end of her life, still yearning for quiet days, but how many days could she truly have left? What meaning was there in such an existence?
Shi Xianyu couldn’t help but sigh softly.
The room, crowded with old possessions, tugged her into memory. With a casual flip through a box, she uncovered stacks of school awards and certificates—silent testaments to her obedient and well-behaved youth, her steadfast adherence to the rules. There had never been a rebellious phase for her.
She had always been the model student, secretly envious of those who fell in love early, generous and kind-hearted, yet so guarded she dared not grow close to anyone. Perhaps her classmates were right; she really was just a dull, hollow vase—honest, overly cautious, afraid to try anything, even something as simple as riding a Ferris wheel. She’d waited until death was near to summon up the courage.
What now…
So lonely…
She sat quietly, she didn’t know for how long, until her gaze fell on a piece of paper stuck to her bookshelf.
It was her bucket list, written for her final days.
On reflection, even the list seemed as boring and proper as she was—ten items, all neatly laid out, nothing novel or daring.
Since she was dying anyway…
If death was coming, why not try living differently?

She narrowed her eyes, studying each line of her list.

Read a good book… No—not just good books, but bad ones too! Dirty ones! Violent ones! Horror and gore!
Brave the highest Ferris wheel… No, brave roller coasters, bungee jumps, off-road adventures, deep-sea diving, skydiving!
Love someone deeply… No, love madly! Love many, many people!
Experience a first kiss… No! Experience it many, many times!
Experience… whatever it is, just do it many, many times!
…
Shi Xianyu took a deep breath, tore the list down, and crushed it into a ball in her hand.
All right, it’s decided!
From today—no, from this very moment! I’ll live differently!

“Hello, we’re the moving company…” A few men in matching uniforms appeared at the door, peering inside. “Is this the place that’s moving?”
“Yes!” Shi Xianyu threw the crumpled paper forcefully into the trash can and said clearly, “Sorry! I’ve just decided to add a few more things today. Could you come back tomorrow instead? I’ll pay for today as usual!”
The movers stared in surprise—this was a first for them. But a client’s request, especially one willing to pay, was to be honored.
They left the apartment building, still baffled.
“Did we get the right place? On the phone she sounded so delicate.”
“Yeah, it’s strange…”
…
That very day, Shi Xianyu went on a spree, buying large quantities of water-soluble chili extract, all kinds of spray bottles, two water guns of different lengths, and a full set of outdoor adventure gear!
She also bought a bicycle.
Getting the bike into the basement took no small effort—the entrance was much too narrow.
When she finally managed to wrangle the bicycle down, wheeling it across the arched bridge, she discovered that in her short absence, the celestial palace had changed again—
Right in front of the palace gates stood an incense burner taller than a man!
It looked a bit like the legendary alchemist’s furnace—dark, streaked with gold, carved with swirling clouds and mythical beasts. Inside, strange lights shimmered, and a faint smoke curled about, lending the whole scene an ethereal air.
“Your humble servant greets the Sovereign.”
The attendant deity drifted out from behind the incense burner to bow. As his robe swayed, a trace of the incense’s fragrance lingered, soothing and clean.
He noticed the bicycle and looked perplexed. “What is this?”
Shi Xianyu patted the bike seat. “A steed!”
The attendant deity stared wordlessly.
Afraid he wouldn’t understand, Shi Xianyu hopped on the bicycle and rode a circle around the incense burner.
“That Taoist clearly knows martial arts. I’m not as strong on foot, so I need a ride—this way I won’t get tired.” She spoke with utter seriousness. “I’ve also prepared plenty of self-defense weapons. Unless the monster is enormous, I should be able to handle it!”
The attendant deity regarded her with mounting suspicion.
He gave her a long, slow look. “Sovereign… you seem to have changed these past few days.”
“Everyone changes. Haven’t you changed too?” Shi Xianyu looked him over in return. “You’re a little bigger than before.”
The attendant deity bowed and reported, “The villagers have offered incense before the clay idol, which has increased the power of their wishes. Thus, I have restored the Spirit-Gathering Furnace. This furnace continuously absorbs wishes and refines them into spiritual energy. Not only does it nourish my spirit, it also allows you to draw upon it at any time.”
Shi Xianyu waved her hand generously. “I don’t need it for now. Restoring the celestial palace comes first!”
The attendant deity replied, “No matter. The next step is to restore the herb garden. There isn’t enough spiritual energy yet, but I can use some to nurse your body back to health.”
Shi Xianyu understood—this Spirit-Gathering Furnace was like a piggy bank; if she wanted to buy shoes for 200 yuan and had earned only 80, she’d need somewhere to stash the 80 until she had enough. That’s where the piggy bank came in.
She unzipped her oversized backpack, pulled out a little notebook, and began to take notes in earnest.
Sleeping Palace = Rest Area, for regaining energy.
Wishing Pool = Customer Service, to receive and transmit requests.
Goldfish = Customer Service Operators.
Spirit-Gathering Furnace = Savings Account, for both cash flow and storage.
—Perfect! Now everything was clear!
From now on, she’d do her best to be a proper deity!
Shi Xianyu looked up at the attendant deity, floating amidst a halo of light, and after a moment’s thought, she added another note to her book:
Attendant Deity = Secretary.
After a moment, she felt something was missing, so she carefully added “junior” in front.
Excellent. Perfect!
Now, as the CEO, it was time to work hard to keep her company alive!