I Faked My Death to Get My Rival into a Maid Outfit—Then It Backfired! - Chapter 1

I was screwed.

I really wanted to die. What was I supposed to do now?!

Standing right behind my archnemesis, Pei Jing, I’d heard every last word of his confession.

Heaven knew I’d only faked my death because I wanted to see him in drag!

Although, setting aside my entirely justified personal hatred, Pei Jing looked pretty damn hot in that maid outfit.

He already had great pecs, and with the cutout over the chest, I was getting about ninety-nine percent of the view.

Long, powerful legs. Black-and-white lace garters.

His chest looked ready to burst straight through the skintight bodice.

Absolutely unbearable. Every inch of him offended me.

I hated it!

But right now—

Maybe I should worry about myself first…

He’d cried through that confession. There was no way he’d been pretending just to make me sick.

And from what he’d said, he’d started liking me that long ago?!

Run first.

Questions later!

Pei Jing was sobbing harder than the entire troupe of mourners I’d paid. Not to be outperformed, they all started wailing even louder. The noise practically blew the roof off.

I slipped out in the chaos and headed home—

Only to find a row of black-suited men standing outside my door with their hands clasped behind their backs. No explanation necessary. They were Pei Jing’s men.

I could have cried. I had a home, and I couldn’t even go inside it. I absolutely, positively could not let Pei Jing discover I was alive.

If he found out I’d dared to trick him—and tricked him into wearing a maid outfit, no less—I wouldn’t even know how I died.

All I’d wanted was to see my archnemesis in drag. What crime had I committed?!

Hands in my pockets, I wandered mournfully down the street, reduced to a penniless vagrant.

I was getting hungry. Maybe once everyone left tonight, I could sneak into the funeral hall and eat some of the offerings.

They were offerings to me, after all.

I crept into the funeral hall, ready to feast.

Guilty conscience that I had, I didn’t even turn on the lights. I felt my way around in total darkness.

Whatever my hand found, I ate.

Halfway through an apple, I reached toward the offering table again—