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.
âWhere are you now?â
âFrankberg,â Xie Lei used a voice that implied: Where else could I be?
âOrthopedics?â Jiang Chen joked.
Xie Lei paused as he didnât know how to respond.
He clearly didnât know the joke behind the âorthopedics in Frankberg.â (Note 1)
âNo, I am at Munich hospital to take care of my sister. She just received treatment three days ago.â
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, didnât 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.
âIs your sister getting better?â
âMuch better. The doctor said her condition is a miracle and sheâll regain her vision in two months⊠Thank you,â Xie Lie spoke with sincerity.
âNo problem, itâs great for the soul to do some good deeds once in a while. Especially if I gained the loyalty of a hacker,â Jiang Chen joked.
âThatâs right, my life belongs to you now,â Xie Lei said calmly.
âThatâs enough joking around, you get to keep your life. Although I need you to help me with something.â
âWhat is it?â Xie Lei asked.
âMhmm, this is what happened. A backdoor program was installed on Celestialâs 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?â Jiang Chen said.
âNo problem.â Frivolous confidence, the trademark of a teen, appeared on Xie Leiâs 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.
âOkay, you can be cocky after you complete the task. Do you need an airplane ticket?â Jiang Chen asked.
âNo, I can work anywhere as long as thereâs internet. Give me access to the server and donât alert the spy yet.â Xie Lei shook his head.
âOkay, then Iâll leave it to you.â
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.
âŠ
Ayesha made lunch. With Jiang Chenâs momâs careful guidance, her cooking skills became drastically more refined. Xia Shiyu, who hadnât 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 didnât say anything. Her sapphire pupils cast an intrigued light.
After lunch, Ayesha took the plates to the kitchen. At Xia Shiyuâs 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 couldnât figure out how to use it.
Jiang Chen couldnât help but smile at the scene and walked over to her.
âHow do you open this thing?â Xia Shiyu asked rather helplessly as she held the helmet with both hands.
âDonât rush to open it yet; I think itâs better for you to find somewhere comfortable to sit or lie down.â
Xia Shiyu was hesitant after she heard Jiang Chenâs words. âDoes⊠virtual reality affect the physical body?â
âI wouldnât say âaffectâ - your real body will be in deep REM mode. If you stand up while youâre using it, you might fall down.â
[I see.]
Xia Shiyu nodded with understanding and noticed a recliner by the side.
When she lied down, Jiang Chen gave her further instructions.
âThe helmet is activated by voice, just say âstartâ.â
Xia Shiyu took a deep breath as she repressed the excitement in her heart.
Ready to witness history, she used a clear voice.
âStart.â
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.
âI thought it was the type that didnât require a screenâŠâ When she saw the interface, Xia Shiyu was evidently disappointed.
But she was relieved almost immediately. The almost-otherworldly neural connection virtual technology couldnât have been mastered so easily; to be able to achieve even this much wasnât badâŠ
âThis is only the starting screen, the exciting part is yet to come.â Jiang Chenâs 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.
âPupil verification system initiatedâŠâ
âRegistered as a user.â
âRegisteringâŠâ
âGenetic code is registered, please set the username.â
Staring at the text in the middle, Xia Shiyu inhaled deeply.
âShiyu.â
âUser 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.â
<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 âActivateâ logo in front of her as she tried to calm her pumping heart. Xia Shiyu said:
âActivate.â
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.
âThis isâŠâ
Xia Shiyu stared at her hands blankly and scanned her surroundings.
Because of her astonishment, she forgot how to speak.
Yes, she didnât 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 cliffâŠ
<Godly Land>
And she was standing on top of a hill.