A Time-Traveling Zombie Romance (GL) - Chapter 2

After days of inner struggle, Xiaoqi finally dared to be certain that she had transmigrated. Yet the heartache from her breakup lingered, casting a shadow over her every glance at others, always filled with melancholy.

And so, days passed, one after another.

Six years later

In a grand and luxurious mansion, there was a scenic courtyard filled with pink peach trees, their fragrance filling the air. In the center stood a stone table, surrounded by many small stone stools. Beside the stools, a young boy dressed in ornate silk clothing sat leisurely in a rocking chair, cracking melon seeds and sipping tea.

“Young master, why does your gaze always seem so sorrowful?” a maid asked curiously as she massaged his legs.

As you might have guessed, this was six-year-old Xiaoqi. At six, he had large, expressive eyes, thin lips, a straight nose, and delicate features—clearly destined to grow into a dangerously handsome man.

Xiaoqi paused from cracking melon seeds at her question, frowning slightly and closing his eyes, recalling the times he had spent with Shanshan. His heart was filled with bitterness and helplessness.

“Qier, how’s your schoolwork going?” Zhang Ming approached with a smile.

“Yes, sir,” the maids quickly bowed to Zhang Ming upon seeing him.

“No need,” Zhang Ming waved his sleeve, signaling them to rise.

“Father, I’ve finished all my schoolwork,” Xiaoqi said with a smile as he jumped down from the rocking chair.

Zhang Ming was very pleased with his “son.” He had been walking by age one, speaking by age two, and writing by age three. Now he could even compose poetry. Though Xiaoqi had never left the house, rumors about him had spread outside. Some said the Zhang family’s young master was a reincarnation of the god of literature, explaining why he had smiled from birth. Scholars insisted he was a prodigy. Regardless of the version, everyone agreed he was extraordinary.

In these seven years, Xiaoqi had also learned about the world. The country was called Yu Kingdom, ruled by Emperor Zhang Fei (oh, what a coincidence!), a name that had troubled Xiaoqi for days. Besides Yu, there were also Yun, Feng, and Lei Kingdoms (all named after weather phenomena—how quirky!). Yu Kingdom was the largest and richest of the four. Xiaoqi’s father, Zhang Ming, was the Fourth Prince, who preferred to live away from the palace. They were residing in Yangzhou, famed for its scenery. Xiaoqi realized this was a parallel world similar to Earth, and he had become the only son of the Fourth Prince—Young Master Zhang Xiaoqi.

“I’ve discussed with your mother. In a few days, she will take you to Lingguang Temple, a rather secluded temple said to be very auspicious, to pray,” Zhang Ming said.

“Oh,” Xiaoqi replied indifferently.

A few days later

A luxurious carriage trundled along a rugged mountain road.

“Mother, this road is so bumpy, my head feels dizzy,” Xiaoqi complained, pressing his temples.

“Hehe, Lingguang Temple is secluded, so of course the road is rough. Just bear with it, we’ll be there soon,” Xiaoyun smiled. Even after seven years, her elegance remained, now with a more mature charm.

“Alright, I’ll listen to you and endure a bit,” Xiaoqi said, resting his head on Xiaoyun’s lap and dozing off.

Xiaoyun gently stroked his adorable face, her eyes filled with maternal affection.

Soon, they arrived at Lingguang Temple. The temple was large, surrounded by mountains and trees, and although secluded, many people had come to pray, making it lively even deep in the forest.

Xiaoqi looked around curiously. Having never left home in seven years, he wanted to take in as much as possible. People wore clothes reminiscent of ancient times. A middle-aged man walked past, holding a very cute little girl’s hand. When the man saw Xiaoqi, he paused slightly but continued on, giving Xiaoqi a strange look. Xiaoqi was puzzled, while the little girl smiled widely at him.

After the man walked away, Xiaoqi and his mother entered the temple to pray.

They knelt before a large Buddha statue, hands clasped together, softly reciting their wishes. After finishing, they kowtowed, lit candles, burned incense, and offered paper money. By the time they were done, it was evening. Many devotees stayed in the temple’s back courtyard, and Xiaoqi and his mother did the same.

“I heard there are performances at the temple at night,” some people nearby said.

“Mother, I heard Lingguang Temple has performances tonight. Can we watch them?” Xiaoqi tugged at Xiaoyun’s sleeve.

“Alright,” Xiaoyun agreed, affectionately patting his head.

As promised, the temple was filled with fireworks that evening, enjoyed by adults and children alike.

“Mother, look at my firework, isn’t it beautiful?” Xiaoqi waved a sparkler in front of her.

“Hehe, very pretty. Keep playing,” Xiaoyun smiled, returning to weave Xiaoqi’s clothes.

Xiaoqi truly felt like a child. She understood that “life is precious,” and since heaven had given her the chance to be reborn, she was determined to live her life fully.

“Ouch!” Xiaoqi suddenly bumped into someone and fell to the ground while playing.

“It’s you!” a pleasant voice called nearby.

Looking up, he saw the little girl he had met that afternoon, also sitting on the ground.

“Hehe, what a coincidence,” Xiaoqi laughed.

They both stood up. “You’re here to play with fireworks too? Let’s do it together,” Xiaoqi suggested.

“Okay!” the girl replied cheerfully.

Hand in hand, they went to the back courtyard, away from the noisy front courtyard where children played. The back was quiet and deserted.

After playing for a while, Xiaoqi learned the girl’s name was Lin Yunxi.

Suddenly, a hand landed on Xiaoqi’s shoulder. He jumped in fright and turned around to see a monk. With a dark tone, the monk said, “Don’t go outside the temple at night. There are ghosts,” and slowly walked away.

Xiaoqi and Yunxi were frightened, their hearts racing.

“What the… That scared me! He didn’t even give a warning,” Xiaoqi patted his chest.

“Hehe, I don’t believe there are ghosts outside the temple,” Yunxi laughed.

“Neither do I. That monk must be trying to scare us,” Xiaoqi replied with a smile.

“Do you want to check it out?” Yunxi asked.

“But the temple doors are closed at night. We can’t get out,” Xiaoqi said.

“I saw a bamboo grove in the back. Let’s go there,” Yunxi suggested.

“Alright,” Xiaoqi agreed.

They slowly walked into the bamboo grove. As they went deeper, the air grew colder. Yet their curiosity drove them forward.

“Uh…” a chilling voice echoed around the grove.

Xiaoqi and Yunxi were startled.

“I think we should go back. Something doesn’t feel right,” Xiaoqi said.

“Okay,” Yunxi agreed, frightened.

As they turned to leave, a black shadow suddenly jumped down from a tree, blocking their path.

“Ah~~!”