Chapter 1 — The Eldest Sister from the Underworld

In the third year after my death, someone wept and called out my soul day after day, yearning to catch even a single glimpse of me again. The King of Hell, driven to absolute distraction by the incessant wailing, finally gave me a swift kick and sent me back to the mortal realm to visit my living kin. The moment I fluttered my eyes open, I found myself standing smack in the middle of my younger sister’s Best Actress award ceremony. Quyen Tinh Tinh was draped in a pristine white gown, looking as pure and delicate as a chrysanthemum

In truth, my childhood was plagued by a suffocating darkness. My older sister constantly bullied me, tearing my favorite dress to shreds and snatching away my meager allowance. But it does not matter, for now I am blessed with eight brothers who cherish me deeply, alongside all of you, my beloved fans. A light boat has already sailed past ten thousand heavy mountains!

I let out a chilling, sardonic laugh. What utter nonsense are you spouting? We severed all ties ages ago, yet you still refuse to miss an opportunity to frame me?

The moment Quyen Tinh Tinh laid eyes on me, she froze in her tracks, blinking rapidly as a cluster of theatrical tears welled up instantly in her eyes. Sister, have you come to snatch something else away from me again? I am naturally disinclined to bicker or calculate, but my brothers and my fans will be heartbroken—they might just kill you for this!

The fans seated beneath the stage reacted immediately, their voices swelling in a tide of righteous indignation. Tinh Tinh is entirely right; she chooses not to keep score, but we certainly do! Quick, tag the eight supreme lords who daze over their little sister, and force this vicious, wicked elder sister to kneel and kowtow in apology! Shen Zhiyu, the chief assistant to the wealthiest man in Northern City, is already on his way. Alongside him are Chu Ziming’s elite legal powerhouse team and underworld tycoon Xie Yaoguang’s personal bodyguard unit... This wretched blemish of a woman is completely finished!

I raised a single eyebrow in mild amusement. Aren’t these the very same little brats who spent their days weeping and calling out my soul? I vividly recalled my dying breath before the darkness claimed me, wheezing out my final instructions. I never managed to mention to you boys that I actually still have three other relatives, and you must absolutely... Before I could even finish the sentence, Do not let them live in peace, I had already breathed my last.

Wait a moment! Surely those eight little ingrates didn’t misunderstand and think I wanted them to dote on the entire Quyen household, did they? I was so furious I nearly laughed out loud. If that is the case, I am going to turn this place completely upside down!

I tilted my head, glancing sidelong at the person standing right next to me. Are Shen Zhiyu and those other fellows really that indulgent toward Quyen Tinh Tinh?

Her fan sneered with smug arrogance, spitting out the words. Needless to say! Our Tinh Tinh is the most pampered little princess in all of Northern City. Whenever she fancies watching fireworks, CEO Shen promptly orders the entire city to plunge into darkness for half an hour, illuminating the night sky of Northern City with tens of millions worth of fireworks! When internet trolls hurled abuses at her online, Tycoon Xie immediately mobilized his private bodyguard brigade, ultimately forcing those trolls to weep bitter tears into a video apology. Lawyer Chu is even more theatrical; the elite legal team under his command monitors the web twenty-four hours a day. Anyone who dares fling even half an insult at Tinh Tinh online receives an immediate legal notice holding them criminally liable! Tell me yourself, how could they not spoil her rotten?

Hearing this, the corners of Quyen Tinh Tinh’s mouth curled upward in satisfaction, though she still feigned an air of indifferent modesty. Now, everyone, please do not exaggerate things to such an extent. I have already tried advising them otherwise. Having grown accustomed to suffering since childhood, I hardly require such extravagant treatment. Yet they always tell me that merely catching a glimpse of my face and my smile makes them feel that no amount of devotion could ever be enough. Perhaps the heavens simply deemed my childhood far too wretched and thus dispatched eight brothers to compensate me.

Every single fan in the auditorium chimed in to praise her noble forbearance. Only I stared fixedly at that face, which mirrored mine by a terrifying eight parts, grinding my teeth in pure rage. Why on earth hadn’t I managed to cling to life just a little bit longer to finish my sentence before dying? And as for Shen Zhiyu and that wretched pack, aren’t they acting mighty grand! Back in the day, they were clearly nothing more than soft, spineless little boys who were easily bullied and clung desperately to their elder sister’s skirts at every turn. How on earth did they transform into a bunch of lawless scoundrels capable of covering the sky with a single hand?!

I rolled up my sleeves, turned on my heel, and prepared to leave. The King of Hell had only granted me two short hours to visit my mortal kin; I could not possibly squander my precious time entangled with Quyen Tinh Tinh. However, her fanatical supporters quickly rushed forward to block the grand exit entirely. Where do you think you are going? Has our Tinh Tinh given you permission to leave? The men dispatched by the eight supreme lords are almost here. I strongly advise you to drop to your knees and apologize to Quyen Tinh Tinh right now, or else you will experience a death more wretched than you can possibly imagine!

I let out a breath of utter contempt. Are their mere underlings even worthy of crossing paths with me? There is no need for such tedious theatrics. I shall go directly and beat those eight ungrateful brats myself!

Quyen Tinh Tinh’s tears began to stream down her face once more with practiced agility. As expected, you only came back to steal my brothers away from me. Sister, several years have passed, yet you have not changed at all. Does witnessing my misery truly bring you such profound joy? I have never fought or contended for anything since I was a child, but those brothers are the singular light within my gloomy existence. This time, I will absolutely not yield to you!

I rolled my eyes so hard they nearly vanished into the back of my head. Our parents had always favored her blatantly from the cradle, so of course Quyen Tinh Tinh never needed to fight for a thing—our parents would simply hand everything directly to her on a silver platter. Yet her gullible fans swallowed every word as gospel, their hearts aching for her to the point of imminent tears. Tinh Tinh, do not grieve. What on earth is she even worth? Those eight supreme lords wouldn’t even deign to cast a single glance in her direction! We only adore Quyen Tinh Tinh! Sisters, Tinh Tinh is simply a gentle, kind-hearted Cinderella. We must protect her fiercely and crush this wicked, poisonous sister!

Hearing this, Quyen Tinh Tinh’s eyes gleamed with undisguised triumph. Yet outwardly, she maintained her hypocritical façade. Everyone, please do not act this way. Although those wounds of the past ran deep, they are all behind us now. Regardless of everything, we were once sisters, and I simply do not wish to see matters turn so ugly!

It was beyond laughable. Unable to contain myself, the corners of my lips curled into a biting sneer. The surrounding fans instantly exploded into a frenzy of rage. What kind of attitude is that?! Kneel down and beg Tinh Tinh for forgiveness this instant!

As they shouted, they swarmed tightly around me, aggressively raising their fists into the air. I furrowed my brow and swept my gaze across the crowd. As for myself, I remained entirely unconcerned; after all, I was merely a wandering soul, and their frantic punches and kicks would simply pass straight through my ethereal form before landing on whoever stood behind me. Yet doing so would inevitably provoke a needless commotion. Pondering for a brief moment, a chilling smile bloomed across my face. The one who is in the wrong is the one who ought to kneel and apologize, is that not correct?

I lifted a single finger and pointed it squarely at Quyen Tinh Tinh. Then why don't you hurry up and drop to your knees?

A wave of mocking laughter instantly rippled through the surrounding crowd. Yet almost simultaneously, Quyen Tinh Tinh’s entire body began to convulse violently. With a loud thud, she dropped heavily to her knees directly in front of me, her face locked in an expression of sheer, unadulterated disbelief. I smiled faintly. Having operated as a ghost for three whole years, I certainly still possessed at least that modicum of ability.

The entire auditorium plunged into absolute silence for several agonizing seconds, stunning the fans who had been screaming for my blood only moments prior. Quyen Tinh Tinh was the first to snap back to reality, scrambling upward in a state of blistering humiliation. Driven completely mad by fury, she threw all regard for her public image to the wind and shrieked at the top of her lungs, You wretched bitch, what kind of filthy tricks did you use?!

It was only then that the fans regained their wits, surging forward with renewed hostility. Right at that critical juncture, Quyen Tinh Tinh’s personal assistant forced her way through the human barricade, hoisting a glowing smartphone high into the air as she shouted at the top of her lungs, Everyone, quiet down! It’s CEO Shen on the phone!

The auditorium instantly fell as dead as a tomb. The very same fanatics who had moments ago screamed for my execution experienced an instantaneous shift in expression. Each of them wore the gleeful, gloating look of spectators waiting eagerly to watch my execution. I folded my arms across my chest and raised an eyebrow. I was quite curious to hear what kind of drivel Big-Head Shen—the one who used to trail behind me day in and day out calling me elder sister—was capable of spewing now.

A low, frost-laden voice echoed through the speaker. Tinh Tinh, I heard someone has managed to displease you?

Quyen Tinh Tinh’s voice immediately dissolved into a choked sob. I am quite alright, Brother, it was merely a minor misunderstanding, you truly need not worry about me.

She projected the exact image of a delicate yet resilient little white blossom. The man on the other end of the line let out a soft, indulgent chuckle. Weren’t you expressing a desire to film in Hollywood? I have already ironed out the details with their production team; the script will be delivered to your hands in a few days’ time. As for that blue diamond tiara you fancied, I instructed my secretary to acquire it at auction; it will be delivered directly to you this afternoon. Are you feeling happier now?

Quyen Tinh Tinh’s face bloomed with feigned astonishment and delight as she cooed sweetly, Thank you, Big Brother~

The leading fan cast a triumphant, sideways glance in my direction before summoning the courage to speak up. CEO Shen, the person who bullied Tinh Tinh is standing right here beside us! Tinh Tinh hates fighting with others, so you simply must protect her!

Shen Zhiyu’s tone cooled by several degrees, though he maintained a veneer of superficial courtesy. Whoever this young lady may be, I care nothing for rights and wrongs. Tinh Tinh is our beloved younger sister, and our sole desire is to see her happy. Therefore, I must ask you to apologize to her. Provided you can coax a smile back onto her face, you may demand whatever sum of money you desire.

Quyen Tinh Tinh cast a haughty, victorious look in my direction, while the surrounding fans looked as though their eyes were turning into starry hearts. How wonderful it must be to possess an elder sister’s protector like CEO Shen! This wretched wretch has truly stumbled into an immense windfall!

A windfall? Hah. I ground my teeth together, squeezing out an icy, razor-sharp smile. Big-Head Shen, you truly have grown tired of drawing breath...

Before I could even finish my threat, Quyen Tinh Tinh’s gaze locked onto the collarbone exposed by my neckline. Her expression transformed in a violent flash, and she abruptly cut the phone call dead. Why on earth is that necklace in your possession?! This is the exact piece that my brothers crafted with their own hands a year ago! Each of them pricked their fingers to drip their own blood onto it. I have anticipated receiving it for so long. It was clearly meant for me! Why is it on you—

I lowered my gaze to inspect my own throat. The intricately forged necklace was currently emanating a faint, blood-red luminescence. This was an item those eight ungrateful brats had burned down to me across the nether boundary. Over the past three years, they had racked their brains inventing countless methods to catch a glimpse of me again, and this trinket happened to be one of those futile attempts. It served virtually no practical purpose, but out of lingering sentiment for the boys’ earnest intentions, I had reluctantly draped it around my neck.

Quyen Tinh Tinh’s complexion drained of all color, rendering her so pale she looked ready to faint on the spot. You, you... Could it be that you have actually made contact with my brothers behind the scenes?!

Her fans were instantly consumed by waves of agonizing sympathy, rushing forward in a chorus of frantic coddling. Tinh Tinh, do not let it break your heart. A gift prepared with such painstaking devotion by the eight supreme lords—how could it possibly belong to anyone else? She must have stolen it from you! Exactly, is there anything beneath contempt that a lowly creature like her wouldn’t stoop to?

Right at that precise moment, a phalanx of eight separate security teams tore through the venue doors, bursting into the hall. The fans shrieked in renewed excitement. The men sent by the eight supreme lords have arrived! Quick, grab her! She is the one who bullied Tinh Tinh and even dared to steal her necklace! Beat her to a pulp! With the supreme lords backing us entirely, we have nothing whatsoever to fear!

At that command, no fewer than a hundred individuals surged toward me in a chaotic tidal wave. The brawny mercenaries charged at the very forefront, followed closely by medical personnel poised to handle any injuries, while an elite legal delegation was already dialing their influential contacts on their mobile phones. True to form as the subordinates of Big-Head Shen and his cohorts, they were terrifyingly proficient at throwing their weight around.

I stood my ground without so much as flinching, my gaze sweeping over them with icy detachment. A flurry of heavy fists tore through the air, whistling with lethal momentum. Amidst the gleeful, gloating stares of Quyen Tinh Tinh and her flock of supporters, those very fists plowed straight through my ethereal body without meeting an ounce of resistance. Every single onlooker stared in utter bewilderment.

I curled the corners of my lips in a calm, serene smile. I was already a wandering soul, after all; the living could never truly touch me. I glanced down at my wristwatch. My permitted window of time in the mortal realm had exactly one hour remaining. I was currently debating whether I should promptly depart to hunt down Shen Zhiyu and the rest of those scoundrels to settle our accounts.

Suddenly, a hand struck my cheek with savage force.

A stinging slap that connected with absolute, undeniable solidity! The impact reverberated so violently through my spiritual essence that my soul shook, leaving my mind blank and concussed for a brief, breathless moment.

I raised my head in sheer, unadulterated disbelief. Staring back at me were two painfully familiar faces, their eyes filled with a searing, visceral disgust.

I couldn't help but shut my eyes and draw in a long, shuddering breath. Ah, of course. Ordinary mortals might indeed find themselves utterly incapable of inflicting harm upon a ghost, but that cursed bond of shared blood—that was an entirely different story.