"Who goes there?"
"Lord Yan, the just judge of the underworld. This humble man is called Xiao Ye."
Xiao Ye knelt below the platform, trembling all over.
"How did you die?"
"I don't know either, but the last thing I remember is eating a meal my girlfriend cooked. I must have been poisoned."
Xiao Ye spoke with a tremble.
"However you died, the fact that you are here means your allotted lifespan is over."
"No, please, don't! I don't want to die!" Xiao Ye wailed. "Lord Yan, the just judge of the underworld, could I perhaps stay alive? I'm useful. We could work together."
"Oh? Let's hear it."
Xiao Ye raised his head, wiped his nose, and said:
"If someone has to die, could I introduce someone else to die in my place...?"
