Enduring the stabbing pain of makeup brushes pressing repeatedly against his face,

finally,

the makeup was finished.

“All right, let them in. Our work here is done.”

Eric Carter felt himself being changed into new clothes, and then he was pushed out. The hospital attendants carried him into a soft, cramped space.

This

should be the ice coffin.

Then, all the surrounding noise was instantly cut off—

the lid must have been closed.

Shaking,

rocking,

bumping...

He didn’t know how much time had passed before Eric Carter finally heard sounds again. The lid of the ice coffin must have been opened.

What reached his ears

was funeral music.

The director was speaking into a microphone, praising himself, lamenting himself,

then the deputy director and other department heads spoke as well.

Around him,

there were occasional footsteps passing by.

Some people just quietly walked past, taking one last look at him.

Some even tried to call out to him a few times, their voices choked with tears.

This was the viewing of the remains.

Viewing—

my remains!

I’m not dead,

I’m really not dead,

I’m still alive!

I’m not dead!

Eric Carter wailed in his heart.

He tried again to struggle,

but still couldn’t do anything.

He could only hear, and feel,

but he couldn’t speak,

nor could he open his eyes.

Everyone believed he was dead,

but he knew clearly,

he was still alive!

The children from the orphanage also came, crying by his side.

They cried sincerely, because Eric Carter himself had grown up in the orphanage. After starting work, he donated most of his salary to the orphanage. This time, the car accident happened because he was rushing back at night to spend Children’s Day with the kids.

“Little Zhou, rest in peace. This time, it counts as a work-related accident. You have no family, but the hospital will give your compensation to the orphanage, don’t worry.” The deputy director stood beside Eric Carter and said.

After that,

Eric Carter sensed himself being isolated again—the ice coffin lid must have been closed once more.

Then came another round of bumping and jolting,

and finally, everything stopped.

The ice coffin lid was opened again.

It was quiet all around, with only occasional voices, but not noisy.

Two people—one grabbed his shoulders, the other his legs—lifted him up and placed him on another cold platform, probably a steel slab.

These two were very skilled, extremely skilled.

Faint sobbing could be heard in the distance.

At first, Eric Carter couldn’t tell where he was now,

but at this moment,

he suddenly understood.

Bastards!

They brought him to the crematorium!

They were going to burn him!

I’m not dead, you bastards!

Damn your ancestors!

I’m not dead!

Still not dead!

Don’t cremate me,

don’t cremate me!

I’m really not dead!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You beasts,

bastards!

Sons of bitches!!!!!!!

This was the most frenzied, the most desperate Eric Carter had ever been.

He knew

that once he was cremated,

there would be no turning back!

He would face death directly!

A complete and utter end!

He was unwilling, truly unwilling—he wasn’t even thirty yet, he hadn’t started a family, didn’t have children, still had a life ahead, still had a long road to walk!

“Mom, I just saw this uncle’s hand move.” A little girl’s timid voice sounded nearby.

“Smack!” A slap landed.

“Don’t talk nonsense. Wait till we get home, I’ll deal with you.” The girl’s mother scolded.

Eric Carter was in despair.

No matter how he struggled,

no matter how he screamed inside,

no one outside could sense it.

He was placed on a conveyor belt.

The machine started up.

He was being pushed forward.

He knew what he was about to face,

and so, he was terrified!

No,

no,

no!

I’m not dead, I’m really not dead!

Don’t burn me!

Don’t burn me!

No one could hear his cries.

They were only responsible for being sad,

only responsible for grieving,

only responsible for completing this process,

then going home for dinner, and continuing with life tomorrow.

Finally,

Eric Carter sensed himself being pushed into a narrow space reeking of grease and oil,

and then,

a sticky liquid was sprayed onto his body.

He knew what it was—

gasoline.

Immediately after,

“Sizzle...”

Hot!

So hot!

Pain,

intense burning pain!

Fire,

fire,

flames,

fire everywhere...

Chapter Two: Hell!

Cold,

so cold...

Eric Carter didn’t know why it was so cold here,