Jiang Chen never expected that just by sitting in front of his computer as usual, ready to log into a game, he would be hit by a large truck that crashed through his house, killing him and transmigrating him to Neon.
“This is too unlucky. My good life as a landlord hadn't even begun before it ended. Farewell, my Technician Sister No. 98. Farewell, all the female teachers stored on my D drive. I’ll never be able to enjoy Tokyo’s heat from videos again, because now I can feel how hot Tokyo really is right here, on-site.” Jiang Chen lay on the bed, murmuring sadly to himself.
“No, what if the search and rescue personnel check the computer...?” This was no longer a question of life or death. He never deleted his browsing history when he went online. Jiang Chen thought of his reputation being ruined even after death, and he felt completely burnt out. “Forget it, it’s hopeless.”
When Jiang Chen recovered and looked around the room, he found it was a typical Japanese-style room. Ukiyo-e with elegant colors hung on the walls, and the bookshelf beside it was filled with beautifully bound manga and literary books. Soft light streamed through the window, casting a warm atmosphere over the room. Looking at the alarm clock on the table, it was already around 10 AM.
Jiang Chen sorted through the memories in his mind and found that he was of Chinese descent, also named Jiang Chen. His ancestors had immigrated here from the mainland, then married, had children, and passed down their lineage. The history of this world was the same as before his transmigration up until the Chongzhen Emperor hanged himself during the Ming Dynasty, but after the Chongzhen Emperor failed to hang himself, history took a direct turn.
It is said that after the rebel Li Zicheng broke into Beijing, the Chongzhen Emperor initially hanged himself on Coal Hill, but for some reason, the white silk rope broke. When the eunuch Wang Chengen woke the Chongzhen Emperor, he was furious.
The Chongzhen Emperor cursed and ranted, tearing his heart out, asking why the heavens had sent him here? He thought he was coming to be an emperor and enjoy blessings, with three palaces, six courtyards, and seventy-two concubines, but instead, he was here to wait for death. He demanded to be sent back.
Later, in the memoirs of Wang Chengen, the eunuch by the Chongzhen Emperor's side, it was written that after His Majesty returned to normal, his eyes red like a demon's, he said something like, “If you transmigrate into the Qing Dynasty and don’t rebel, you’ll get a drill in your chrysanthemum,” and then took Wang Chengen to Nanjing.
In Nanjing, the Chongzhen Emperor enriched the country and strengthened the military, single-handedly rebuilding the Great Ming Empire once again. Today, Neon is one of the Great Ming Empire’s vassal states.
Upon seeing this, Jiang Chen immediately understood what was going on with the Chongzhen Emperor. This was clearly a “fellow countryman” possessing him. “It seems I’m not the only transmigrator in this world. I need to be careful. As the saying goes, when fellow countrymen meet, tears well up in their eyes. But it’s also possible that when fellow countrymen meet, one stabs the other in the back.” Jiang Chen thought silently.
However, this was only the beginning; the truly chilling part was yet to come. Deep in Jiang Chen's memory, there were even “Ghosts” in this world.
“Oh my god!” Jiang Chen couldn’t help but exclaim, “Isn’t having a fellow countryman enough? Now I have to deal with these strange things too? This is practically saying my life is too long! You can’t increase the difficulty like this!” A wave of despair and fear washed over him, as if the whole world was against him.
The original Jiang Chen had fainted because he saw something unclean while burning incense for his parents at home, which startled him. Afterward, the original Jiang Chen had taken three days off from school, staying at home all day, constantly on edge, afraid of seeing those terrifying things again. Perhaps it was a case of 'what one thinks about during the day, one dreams about at night.' Sure enough, last night, when he was about to sleep, he saw a “Ghost” again and was scared to death, which allowed the transmigrated Jiang Chen to take over his body.
Knock, knock. A knock on the door sounded. Then, a pleasant female voice asked, “Chen Jun, are you awake?”
It was a very familiar voice, that of Tojo Nozomi-senpai, who worked at his family’s shrine.
“Senpai, I’m awake. Please come in.” Jiang Chen quickly replied.
With a creak of the door, a girl with long purple hair, as deep as night, flowed smoothly over her shoulders, her slightly curled ends adding a touch of charm. Her purple eyes seemed to hide countless secrets, lively and profound, as if they could see through people's hearts, walked in.
She sat by Jiang Chen's bed and asked softly, “Chen Jun, how are you feeling now? Are you still uncomfortable?”
“Nozomi-senpai, I’m fine now. You worried about me.” Jiang Yang replied.
Tojo Nozomi patted her high, towering peaks that one couldn't see past to her toes, and replied reassuringly, “That’s great! I heard you fainted at home and almost scared me to death. Now you’ve been staying home and not going to school, which made me very worried about you.”
Jiang Chen’s gaze was drawn to Tojo Nozomi’s movement, his eyes fixed on her peaks, and his mind began to wander. “My children won’t be lacking milk in the future.”
Tojo Nozomi noticed Jiang Chen's gaze and playfully asked, “Is it good to look at?”
“Ah...!” Jiang Chen was a little embarrassed by Tojo Nozomi’s words, his face slightly flushed. Tojo Nozomi looked at Jiang Chen’s appearance and chuckled softly, her laughter as melodious as silver bells. “Chen Jun, you’re really cute.” She reached out and gently pinched Jiang Chen’s cheek.
Jiang Chen, with a slight blush, gently swatted away Tojo Nozomi’s hand and said, “Senpai, I’m not a child. Don’t pinch my face like you’re pinching a little kid. Also, how did you get into my house?”
Tojo Nozomi smiled and said, “Of course, it’s the key Auntie gave me before.”
Then, Tojo Nozomi placed her hands on her lap, her expression solemn as she consoled him, “Chen Jun, I know you’re very sad about your aunt and uncle’s passing, but I hope you can cheer up. After all, life still goes on. If your aunt and uncle are watching over you from heaven, they definitely wouldn’t want to see you so down. You should return to school as soon as possible and resume your studies; that way, your aunt and uncle can rest easy.”
Jiang Chen’s expression instantly returned to calm, and he said, “I plan to go back to class tomorrow. Thank you for worrying, Senpai.”
Tojo Nozomi’s face broke into a happy smile as soon as she heard Jiang Yang’s reply. “That’s good. I’ll go to school with you tomorrow.” Tojo Nozomi said gently.
“You haven't eaten yet, have you? Shall I go down and cook for you?”
“Ah… no need, Senpai. I can do it myself later.” Jiang Chen quickly said.
“Is Chen Jun afraid that the food I cook won’t be delicious?” Tojo Nozomi’s face instantly showed a sad expression.
Jiang Chen looked at Tojo Nozomi’s pitiful appearance and was immediately a little overwhelmed. “No, no, Senpai’s Cooking must be delicious. Then I’ll trouble you, Senpai.”
Tojo Nozomi immediately broke into a smile, stood up, and said, “Then I’ll go show you my Cooking skills.” With that, she stood up and went downstairs to the kitchen.
Jiang Chen shook his head helplessly, but the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up.
Afterward, Jiang Chen got out of bed, washed up, took care of his personal hygiene, and came downstairs to the living room.
Then he heard Senpai’s bell-like voice, “Chen Jun, the food will be ready in a little while.”
“Uh… Senpai, I’m not in a hurry. It’s okay if you take your time.”
It was a very common Japanese meal, with no dazzling golden light. With a shared “Itadakimasu” from both of them.
“Chen Jun, how is it? Is it to your taste?”
Jiang Chen took a bite, and his eyes instantly lit up. “Senpai, this is too delicious! I didn’t expect your Cooking to be so good.” Tojo Nozomi smiled happily at the compliment. “It’s not as good as you say.”
“Senpai, you underestimate yourself too much. With your skill, you will definitely become a good wife in the future. I don’t know which lucky guy will get to marry you, Senpai.” Jiang Chen said, his face showing an indignant expression.
As soon as Tojo Nozomi heard this, her face instantly turned red as a ripe apple, burning hot. Then, like a startled rabbit, she quickly picked up her bowl and stammered, “Quick… eat your food, or it’ll get cold… and won’t be delicious.”
Jiang Chen looked at Tojo Nozomi with great confusion, not expecting Senpai to be so easily shy. However, he didn’t think much of it and continued to bury himself in his meal.
After they finished eating and washing the dishes, Tojo Nozomi suggested it was time for her to leave.
Jiang Yang walked Tojo Nozomi to the crossroads when he heard her voice. “Chen Jun, this is far enough. See you tomorrow.”
“See you tomorrow, Senpai.”
When Jiang Chen finished seeing Tojo Nozomi off and returned home, he sat on the sofa and opened the system he had brought with him from his transmigration.