Translator: _Min_ Editor: Caron_
His finger pressed the screen a few times, selected an international number, and put his phone back to his ear.
The call went through shortly.
“Where are you now?”
“Frankberg,” Xie Lei used a voice that implied: Where else could I be?
“Orthopedics?” Jiang Chen joked.
Xie Lei paused as he didn’t know how to respond.
He clearly didn’t know the joke behind the “orthopedics in Frankberg.” (Note 1)
“No, I am at Munich hospital to take care of my sister. She just received treatment three days ago.”
Regarding the brother and sister, Jiang Chen kept an eye on them since he paid for all their expenses. The blind sister was receiving treatment in Munich while the brother, Xie Lei, didn’t just sit around. After three months of military training in Niger, Ivan sent him to Frankberg. While he studied computer science at the University of Ber, he took care of his sister.
“Is your sister getting better?”
“Much better. The doctor said her condition is a miracle and she’ll regain her vision in two months… Thank you,” Xie Lie spoke with sincerity.
“No problem, it’s great for the soul to do some good deeds once in a while. Especially if I gained the loyalty of a hacker,” Jiang Chen joked.
“That’s right, my life belongs to you now,” Xie Lei said calmly.
“That’s enough joking around, you get to keep your life. Although I need you to help me with something.”
“What is it?” Xie Lei asked.
“Mhmm, this is what happened. A backdoor program was installed on Celestial’s server. Although I could easily take it out, I want to know which rat installed it. The only reliable information we have is that the data was leaked to an IP in Iceland, but even I know that Iceland is only a jumping board to someplace else. I need you to determine where the data was actually sent and it would be best if you could find out who the spy is. Could you do that?” Jiang Chen said.
“No problem.” Frivolous confidence, the trademark of a teen, appeared on Xie Lei’s face.
He was the third-best expert in the Hua Hacker Alliance. After a long period of extensive studies, he was confident that his abilities were even better than before.
“Okay, you can be cocky after you complete the task. Do you need an airplane ticket?” Jiang Chen asked.
“No, I can work anywhere as long as there’s internet. Give me access to the server and don’t alert the spy yet.” Xie Lei shook his head.
“Okay, then I’ll leave it to you.”
Jiang Chen hung up.
A dubious smile appeared on his face as Jiang Chen texted Ivan to grant server access to Xie Lei.
And now, the cat-catching-mouse game had begun.
…
Ayesha made lunch. With Jiang Chen’s mom’s careful guidance, her cooking skills became drastically more refined. Xia Shiyu, who hadn’t eaten her dishes for a few months, enjoyed a feast.
When Jiang Chen looked at her, shuddering, Xia Shiyu took a moment to realize how she was feasting on the food. Her face turned red as her actions became more reserved.
Ayesha stared at the two of them and smiled but didn’t say anything. Her sapphire pupils cast an intrigued light.
After lunch, Ayesha took the plates to the kitchen. At Xia Shiyu’s request, Jiang Chen took her to the gym on the first floor.
A server rested in the corner of the gym. Aside from the server were two motorcycle helmet-sized virtual reality helmets in the room. When she saw them, Xia Shiyu briskly walked up and placed a helmet on her head.
Her hands explored the helmet for a while but she couldn’t figure out how to use it.
Jiang Chen couldn’t help but smile at the scene and walked over to her.
“How do you open this thing?” Xia Shiyu asked rather helplessly as she held the helmet with both hands.
“Don’t rush to open it yet; I think it’s better for you to find somewhere comfortable to sit or lie down.”
Xia Shiyu was hesitant after she heard Jiang Chen’s words. “Does… virtual reality affect the physical body?”
“I wouldn’t say ‘affect’ – your real body will be in deep REM mode. If you stand up while you’re using it, you might fall down.”
[I see.]
Xia Shiyu nodded with understanding and noticed a recliner by the side.
When she lied down, Jiang Chen gave her further instructions.
“The helmet is activated by voice, just say ‘start’.”
Xia Shiyu took a deep breath as she repressed the excitement in her heart.
Ready to witness history, she used a clear voice.
“Start.”
The dark screen instantly lit up.
Countless 3D light particles rushed to her eyes. Xia Shiyu was tempted to move back, but she quickly realized it was just a picture on the screen.
“I thought it was the type that didn’t require a screen…” When she saw the interface, Xia Shiyu was evidently disappointed.
But she was relieved almost immediately. The almost-otherworldly neural connection virtual technology couldn’t have been mastered so easily; to be able to achieve even this much wasn’t bad…
“This is only the starting screen, the exciting part is yet to come.” Jiang Chen’s words made her look forward to what was next.
She was highly skeptical but decided to trust him. Xia Shiyu wanted to speak, but on the screen in front of her, a series of popup boxes appeared along with a clear system message in her ears.
“Pupil verification system initiated…”
“Registered as a user.”
“Registering…”
“Genetic code is registered, please set the username.”
Staring at the text in the middle, Xia Shiyu inhaled deeply.
“Shiyu.”
“User registration complete. Welcome, Ms. Shiyu. Your ID will be locked to your pupil information – it cannot be deactivated or registered again in principle. Your privacy will be absolutely safe in the virtual world. I wish you the best virtual experience.”
<Caution: Please ensure the body is in a flat position when connected to virtual reality. Please do not use when drinking, drunk, or in public… conditions.>
She looked at the “Activate” logo in front of her as she tried to calm her pumping heart. Xia Shiyu said:
“Activate.”
After receiving her command, the image on the screen began to fade gradually. It was followed by mild music and suddenly, Xia Shiyu felt a tingling sensation in her neck as her consciousness began to leave her body.
It felt like diving – her sensations were covered by a thin veil, but her sensations still felt so clear.
“This is…”
Xia Shiyu stared at her hands blankly and scanned her surroundings.
Because of her astonishment, she forgot how to speak.
Yes, she didn’t know how to express her astonishment.
The white cubic world she was in was empty, but she felt so fulfilled. 0s and 1s flashed on the wall and added a sci-fi dimension to this world.
She stood in the middle of the cube and stared at the interface that gradually surfaced in front of her.
She reached a finger out and touched the half-transparent interface.
She felt a cold sensation.
Ripples spread out from her fingertips and rushed to the walls of the room.
The wall shattered. Just like a window being opened, a vivid picture was presented in front of her.
There were endless rice fields, towering mountains that extended beyond the clouds, great sails that broke through wind and waves, and magnificent walls that stood like a giant cliff…
<Godly Land>
And she was standing on top of a hill.
