The Match Maker for the Dead

My name's Oliver Lincoln, and I'm the Chief Massage Therapist at Cloud Spa. While most people look forward to clocking out, I'm actually counting on the day turning into night—because my other job hides in the dark. During the day, I knead out the kinks in my clients' shoulders and necks, tuning into all the everyday drama of the living world. At night, I'm holding the red threads of fate in the underground world, weaving romances that cross the line between life and death. Being a part-time matchmaker for the underground world sounds crazy, but it actually happened in a pretty weird way. Three years ago, I had an accident. Near death, I was saved by Leader Yvonne from the underground world's matchmaking team—on the condition that I'd help set up soul matches for three years. There're only three months left until the end, and I haven't dared to slack off even once. After all, this gig not only racks up Merit and Virtue, but also lets me witness stories most folks won't see in a lifetime. On the night of the fourteenth day of the seventh lunar month, just after I finished giving the last client a shoulder and neck massage, my phone buzzed. Not a regular phone from the Living World, but the Silver Bell Phone given to me by Leader Yvonne—the bell engraved with the words ‘Fated Underworld Ties,' a line only folks from the underground world can call. I pressed the icy Silver Bell against my ear, and Leader Yvonne's voice came through with that signature chill only the underground world has. "Oliver Lincoln, tomorrow is July 15th, and two distinguished guests will be coming to your place for a date. You must make sure to handle the matchmaking well." My heart skipped a beat—July 15th is the Ghost Festival, when the connecting passage is widest open, perfect for soul matchmaking. But special guests... when Leader Yvonne specifically reminds me, they've gotta be a big deal. "Leader Yvonne, who exactly are the guests? I want to get ready in advance." I asked. "Sam Carter and his wife Miranda Shawn. Get the red candles and marriage certificate ready, and hang the wedding dress meant for dates in the inner wardrobe." Sam Carter? I was momentarily dazed. Rumors have long been circulating in the Living World that this veteran businessman suddenly died of a heart attack three years ago. He was famously devoted during his life, sharing a loving life with his wife, Miranda Shawn. "Aren't those two... practically one soul by now? Why do they still need to go on a date?"I asked one more question. Leader Yvonne sighed, "Miranda just passed away five days ago. Her spirit hasn't entered the underground world yet. To keep her from wandering the Living World and getting lost, the King of the Underground World specially allowed them to have their date at the connecting bridge—where the living and the dead meet—so they can reunite sooner." Got it, this is a good deed that earns merit. After hanging up the phone, I dug out the red candle given by the underground world from the Spa Center's storage room—the candle is dark red, embroidered with winding lotus, and when lit, it doesn't smoke, just releases a faint sandalwood scent. I purposely kept the private room in the back free, usually not taking clients there, just to handle the underground world's requests. I hung that wedding dress in the wardrobe, and when my fingertips brushed the fabric, I felt a chill—that dress is meant for souls to wear, living people shouldn't touch it, or they'll automatically get locked in as a date. By the time I finished all that, it was already 1 a.m. I locked the Spa Center's door and walked down the empty street. The night breeze carried the smell of burning paper from every household—the Ghost Festival vibe was getting stronger. The next day, the Spa Center wasn't too busy during the daytime. Around noon, a regular customer, Madam Clark, came in. While I was giving her an essential oil back massage, she vented about her son not listening. I listened, kept up the pressure with my hands, but my mind was racing about tonight's work—please, no screw-ups. Madam Clark said her son flopped his college entrance exam and now hides in his room playing games all day. She'd tried talking to him a bunch of times, but it didn't work. I went along with her and said a few comforting things, telling her the kid's just a bit lost right now but will be fine after a while. Madam Clark sighed and said I was the one who knew what to say, wishing her son was even half as sensible as me. At three in the afternoon, a young guy named Mike came in. He works in tech, stuck in front of a computer all day, and now his lower back is acting up. While I was doing some therapy on his lower back, he started talking about his recent work stress, saying he's been working late every night and feels like his body's about to give out. I reminded him to get more rest because health is your real wealth. He nodded and said he'd be sure to take care of himself from now on. At five in the afternoon, I locked the Spa Center's front door early, leaving only the side door open so the VIP guests could get in easily.