Chapter 2

The seven beautiful fairies sat around the table with me, utterly bewildered.

Given their lack of experience, the meeting mostly consisted of me talking and them listening.

“First, we must fully recognize the importance of the Seventh Fairy’s descent.

“Life in Heaven is lofty and far removed from the people. As a fairy holding a key position in a core department, the Seventh Fairy has volunteered to go down to earth, experience the hardships faced by ordinary people at the grassroots level, and assist an impoverished rural man still single past the usual marrying age. That spirit deserves encouragement!

“There is only one overall requirement for this descent: get close to the people.

“As for the program itself, since you wish to become a mortal couple and experience mortal life, you must commit fully. No special treatment. You must join the people as a mortal yourself.

“Any objections?”

All seven fairies shook their heads.

“Do we agree?”

All seven nodded.

“Good. Now let’s discuss the schedule and operational requirements.

“After this meeting, the Eldest Fairy will find a suitable mortal body for the Seventh Fairy. It must belong to a girl of around fifteen whose soul has just departed, with no family or other ties, far from Dong Family Village.

“The Seventh Fairy can then leave her own body and enter that one. I shall escort you down personally.

“Given that one day in Heaven equals one year on earth, and that peasants in Dong Yong’s dynasty have an average life expectancy of forty, I recommend a term of thirty celestial days. The program will conclude after thirty mortal years.

“Of course, if the Seventh Fairy believes an extension is necessary at that point, we can allow one, though the total must not exceed fifty days.

“Agreed?”

This time, she thought for a moment before nodding. “As you say, Mother.”

“Good.” I nodded too.

I wasn’t quite used to work moving this quickly.

“Now, the operational requirements.

“Remember one fundamental principle: from now on, the Seventh Fairy is an ordinary mortal.

“You must not reveal your immortal identity.

“You must not use magic or magical treasures.

“No other immortal, demon, ghost, or deity may interfere with you or offer you assistance.

“You must rely entirely on yourself.

“Can you do that, Seventh?”

All the Seventh Fairy could think about was marrying Dong Yong. She eagerly agreed to my proposal and even urged her eldest sister to hurry up and find her a body.

The two sisters were devoted to each other, and the Eldest Fairy worked extremely fast.

Unfortunately, in her haste to finish the assignment, she found a thoroughly ordinary body.

An ordinary face, an ordinary figure. Even dressed up, she could barely be called above average in looks.

I was very satisfied.

“A body is only an outward shell. Isn’t it Dong Yong’s kind, dutiful heart that you love?

“This makes you well matched, and it suits the realities of mortal life.”

The Seventh Fairy immediately banished the flicker of reluctance from her face and said firmly:

“You’re quite right, Mother. My Dong Yong would never judge anyone by their looks!”

I placed a magical array on the mortal body so it could hold her immortal soul, along with a restriction that would prevent her from using magic.

Once she had entered it, I took her to the great scholar tree outside Dong Family Village.

“Dong Yong will pass this way today on his way to work for Master Fu. Wait here for him.

“I’m leaving now, Seventh. Make the most of this experience.

“Remember our operational requirements. We’ll be watching from Heaven.”

Lost in the joy of her imminent marriage to Dong Yong, the Seventh Fairy was smiling so broadly that her happiness shone from every part of her face.

I said no more. Back to Heaven for me!