Chapter 2: Time Flows On, the Inescapable Cycle of Reincarnation
“Li Qiezi, there’s something wrong with your coffin, I want a refund!”
“Bullshit! The coffins I make have never been complained about.”
A figure directly sat up from inside the coffin, its eyes filled with anger as it scanned the surroundings, looking for someone who might slander his craftsmanship.
When Li Qiezi saw the person at the door, he was so frightened that he immediately lay back down in the coffin.
“It seems my time has finally come. Why would Chen Changsheng, that poor deadbeat, come find me?”
Listening to Li Qiezi’s muttering, Chen Changsheng grinned and walked straight up to the coffin.
Looking at Li Qiezi, who had his eyes tightly shut inside the coffin, Chen Changsheng said,
“Li Qiezi, you assured me that if there were any problems with the coffin, I could come back for a refund.”
“Now that you’re like this, are you trying to renege on your promise?”
Hearing Chen Changsheng’s words, Li Qiezi unwillingly opened his eyes.
“I don’t have money, but I have my life. Take anything you like from here.”
Facing Li Qiezi’s attitude, Chen Changsheng couldn’t help but laugh.
“Li Qiezi, aren’t you afraid of me?”
“When I was buried, you helped me with the dirt on my grave.”
Upon hearing this, Li Qiezi glanced at Chen Changsheng and said, “I’m sixty years old now. The doctor says I have at most three more years left.”
“I’ve never had children or grandchildren, nor do I have much left to live for.”
“Do you think I would care whether I live three years less or three years more?”
“Besides, when you came to buy the coffin, I knew you would come back.”
“Why?”
“I’ve seen people buy their own coffins before, but I’ve never seen anyone do it happily.”
As he spoke, Li Qiezi took another look at Chen Changsheng and hesitated.
“By the way, kid, are you interested in working for me? I’ll provide food and lodging, no pay needed.”
“This line of work suits you well, being alone and all.”
“And once you learn this craft, you won’t starve for sure.”
“After all, in this world, what’s lacking is not corpses.”
Hearing Li Qiezi’s words, Chen Changsheng felt tempted.
Although he could indeed live longer, he would still d*e from injuries.
Starvation was one of many possible causes of d*ath.
Originally, he only planned to stay temporarily, but now he unexpectedly had a long-term meal ticket. This seemed like a pretty good choice!
“Li Qiezi, your conditions are too stingy.”
“At least give me some money!”
Facing Chen Changsheng’s complaint, Li Qiezi pulled out a burial manual from his pocket and threw it over.
“Your lively appearance will surely d*e after me. Once I’m gone, everything will be yours, right?”
“You’ve seen how small this place is. There’s nowhere else for you to sleep.”
“The coffin next to you is your bed, as you like sleeping in coffins.”
As he spoke, Li Qiezi prepared to return to his coffin to continue sleeping.
But Chen Changsheng grabbed him.
“Hold on, aren’t you going to teach me how to make coffins?”
“What’s the point of giving me this?”
Facing Chen Changsheng’s confusion, Li Qiezi rolled his eyes and said, “As they say, having more skills doesn’t weigh you down. If you only sell coffins, who will take care of your business?”
“To be honest, I know everything about funeral services. There’s a lot you need to learn!”
With that, Li Qiezi shook off Chen Changsheng’s hand and lay back in his coffin.
Looking at the burial manual in his hands, Chen Changsheng was stunned for a moment, then laughed, “You’re right, having more skills doesn’t weigh you down.”
With that, Chen Changsheng immediately climbed into another coffin.
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Setting
Traditional Simplified
It’s reasonable to say that after getting used to sleeping in coffins, beds feel uncomfortable.
…
Through the seasons of winter and summer, autumn harvests and winter storage, eight years slipped by like a white horse passing through a gap.
Chen Changsheng settled permanently in Li Qiezi’s coffin shop. He spent his days reading and learning the craft of making coffins.
Whenever there was a funeral feast, Chen Changsheng could enjoy a better meal.
Only, during these peaceful times, he didn’t improve his diet much throughout the year.
As for those ten attribute points, Chen Changsheng put them all into defense.
In theory, as long as he lived a little longer, he could gain an incredibly long lifespan.
Thus, defense was the most important attribute for Chen Changsheng.
Notably, Li Qiezi did not d*e in the third year. After Chen Changsheng arrived, he lived for five more years.
In the end, he couldn’t outlast Chen Changsheng. One night, after lying in the coffin, Li Qiezi never got up again.
…
“Brother Changsheng!”
The door to the coffin shop was pushed open by a young girl.
Chen Changsheng was awakened by the commotion and reluctantly got up from the coffin, saying, “Nian Ci, I’ve told you many times.”
“This is a coffin shop. It’s not appropriate for you, a young lady, to come here all the time.”
Upon hearing this, Li Niansheng stuck out her tongue and said, “I don’t care what others say!”
“Let them talk as they wish.”
“Besides, with the epidemic rampant, they have no time to worry about me.”
“I’m going to cook for you. Come out of the coffin quickly. Don’t sleep in there all day.”
With that, Li Niansheng confidently headed towards the kitchen.
Watching Li Niansheng’s back, Chen Changsheng couldn’t help but sigh.
The epidemic had raged for a whole year. When it first began, Li Niansheng’s parents died.
Their funeral was still handled by Chen Changsheng.
The interval between periods of deep sleep should not be less than one-tenth of the total lifespan.
Since his last awakening, eight years had passed. According to the rules, he could go into deep sleep again.
But Li Niansheng was now orphaned. How could he bear to leave her alone?
Thinking of this, Chen Changsheng shook his head and jumped out of the coffin.
“Forget it, it makes no difference whether I sleep early or late. I’ll wait until this girl finds someone to marry.”
…
Soon, two steaming hot breakfasts were placed on the table.
Chen Changsheng and Li Niansheng silently drank their porridge.
Suddenly, Li Niansheng looked up and said, “Brother Changsheng, are you an immortal?”
“What nonsense are you talking about?”
“If I were an immortal, why would I watch your mother and others d*e from the epidemic? Your mother was my best friend.”
Seeing Chen Changsheng’s response, Li Niansheng lowered her gaze to her bowl.
“Brother Changsheng, I’m fourteen years old now. I’m not a little girl anymore.”
“Some things, you can’t fool me.”
Seeing this, Chen Changsheng patted Li Niansheng’s head and smiled.
“What’s wrong with you today?”
“It’s not that I didn’t want to buy you candied hawthorns, it’s just that your teeth can’t handle them anymore.”
“I’ll take you to buy some another day…”
“Nian Ci is my mother’s nickname.”
Before Chen Changsheng finished speaking, Li Niansheng interrupted him. This statement made Chen Changsheng put down his bowl.
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Setting
Traditional Simplified
