Chapter 5: This House Is Somewhat Shabbily Decorated

The panel flickered twice, signaling compromise.

[Host, if you rescue the antagonist, I’ll renovate your home!]

Lu Li raised an eyebrow in surprise and waved her hand.

After confirming the system had returned home, Lu Li grabbed a long willow branch and strained her hands. The branch held firm, its resilience impressive.

Taking a deep breath, she planted her feet against the tree and pulled backward with both hands. The willow branch tore away with the bark, and Lu Li stumbled backward, falling near the riverbank.

Steadying herself, she picked up a torch and leaned close to the water’s surface.

Though the two fangs were unevenly worn, the face resembled a person, albeit with ghostly pale skin and lips.

Her gaze dropped, and the red flower she had discarded earlier seemed to beckon her.

She dabbed a bit of color on her lips and cheeks; the reflection in the water now bore a hint of life’s hue. Satisfied, Lu Li nodded and, summoning her courage, approached the pit’s edge.

At the bottom, Jiang Linyi was pressing a dagger to his heart. Suddenly, loose soil fell, and he looked up, displeased. His pupils trembled.

A ghastly pale, bluish female ghost’s face hovered at the pit’s rim, jagged teeth, lips stained eerily red as if she’d just gnawed on a child without wiping her mouth, and cheeks smeared with two splotches of crimson.

His wrist trembled, nearly dropping the dagger. Jiang Linyi began doubting the reality of his past lives.

Was that terrifyingly handsome, domineering zombie who left a deep psychological scar really like this?

On the surface, Lu Li pounded the pit’s edge, staring blankly at the dagger that had hacked at her like a watermelon.

I look human now, yet you’re still ready to stab me? How could I possibly help you up?

Pouting in resentment, she threw aside the willow branch and frantically shoveled dirt back into the pit.

Soil flew everywhere. Jiang Linyi snapped back to reality, spat out the dirt in his mouth, and weakly spoke, “Wait! Don’t bury me! *Cough cough...*”

Lu Li dug even more fiercely.

“*Cough cough...* I don’t want to attack you!”

She paused. Dirt fell from her hair as she cautiously peeked toward the pit’s edge.

Jiang Linyi brushed soil from his face and met Lu Li’s timid, glowing red eyes. His throat moved.

This zombie didn’t seem intent on eating him!

“You want to save me?”

Lu Li nodded, wary of the dagger in his hand.

Jiang Linyi followed her gaze. “You’re afraid of it? I’ll give it to you.”

After a moment’s thought, she ran to the riverbank and snapped off a branch. Seeing it was identical to the one on her leg, she used it to secure the dagger. Jiang Linyi cursed inwardly—this was the same damn thing that dug the latrine pit!

He wrapped the dung-covered dagger in cloth, carefully placing it aside. Lu Li sneezed loudly. Returning to the pit’s edge, she pointed to the backpack beneath Jiang Linyi.

Curious, he wondered if this zombie never intended to eat him. No... that was impossible. “You want my bag?”

Lu Li nodded.

“Save meI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.