My Years Working in the Underworld

For three nights in a row, I dreamed I was working in the underworld. I started out as a street vendor and worked my way up to become a specially appointed underworld bailiff. Evil ghosts steered clear of me, and a coworker sent word in a dream telling me to buy a lottery ticket. I won four hundred yuan on my first try. I thought I was just lucky, until I won “another bottle free” twice in a row when buying drinks. Then a strange text suddenly appeared on my phone: “Dear specially appointed underworld employee, your salary for this month has been deposited. In the mortal realm, it takes the form of random good fortune.” The note on the next line left me frozen with dread: “Friendly reminder: Your salary can be redeemed, but you must meet your performance targets. This month's KPI: escort three designated living souls to the afterlife. If you miss the deadline, the shortfall will be deducted from your lifespan.”