VRMMORPG: The Other World Online

Cheng Xiu stared at the papers in her hand, her thoughts far away from her surroundings.

It was the fourth day since she had left the Other World due to having brain damage from playing it in Deep Dive. Deep Dive, which forced the Player's mind to work at high speeds. The time spent in the Game while usually was twice as long as reality, Deep Dive was 4 times faster than the Actual Game Speed.

And Gu Shu had not contacted her.

Cheng Xiu frowned. Were they not friends? Was she not her best friend? What happened to Gu Shu that was so bad that she did not even contact cheng Xiu herself to just ask if she was alive? Even Yaksha, someone who did not even have any relation with her showed more concern than Gu Shu did.

"Sister Xiu?" San Zhe called from opposite her.

Cheng Xiu blinked and looked up at him.

"The paper?" he prompted.

Cheng Xiu gave him a dazed nod and looked at the paper in her hands closer.

[Return Notice for Virtual Reality Pod, series 51. Status: Lagging in AI Reactions.]

This was the return notice for the VR pod that Gu Shu had given her.

"You need to sign it," San Zhe said with a smile.

"Why should I sign it? Didn't Gu Shu buy it?" Cheng Xiu asked in a low voice.

San Zhe looked at her for a moment. "You used it, you registered in it. There is no other way. You have to sign it. Miss Gu could have signed it but she is unavailable right now."

Cheng Xiu sighed and stuffed the papers back into his hands. "You can have her sign it when she returns or you can mail it to her."

San Zhe gave her a slight nod, wanting to say something to her but not sure what to say exactly.

"Did Gu Shu call you?" Cheng Xiu asked. Even though she did not want to, she still felt herself asking.

San Zhe shook his head.

Cheng Xiu looked down on the floor. "Then…do you think she contacted the doctors or someone?"

San Zhe hesitated. "I…don't think so."

Cheng Xiu pursed her lips.

Her Fold rang.

Cheng Xiu looked at the screen in a daze.

[Dad] it said on the black screen.

Cheng Xiu extended her hand to take it up and then paused. She looked at San Zhe. "What should I say?"

San Zhe shrugged, confused.

Cheng Xiu closed her eyes and picked up the phone. "Hello?"

"Little Boss," a gruff voice said, "Did you even forget that you have a father now?"

Cheng Xiu sighed. "Dad."

"Why didn't you call?"

She heard a light sniffing sound coming from the other side of the phone.

She felt a headache come on. "Are you crying?"

"No," the voice sounded even gruffer now.

Cheng Xiu put her head in her palm and massaged her temple. "Dad, I was busy with work. I texted you that I had to be the new coordinator for a college seminar."

"Still," the man said in a low tone. "Little Boss, you should know, your dad and your grandma only have you! We are living only for you. Are you that busy that you can't even text your father now?"

Cheng Xiu felt guilt raise in her heart, and her throat felt stuffy. "Dad…I am sorry. How about I make it up to you?"

"How?"

"I will visit you this weekend."

"Really?" Mr cheng's voice was extremely surprised. "You promise you will come this weekend?"

"I-"

"Give me that!" a female voice screamed at the other end.

"Mom! Let go! I am talking to Little Boss!" Mr Cheng's voice was heard.

Cheng Xiu felt herself smile.

"You unfilial brat! How dare you use your height against me!"

There was a thud sound.

"Ow! Mom!"

Cheng Xiu chuckled, biting her lips to prevent herself from guffawing.

San Zhe's eyes widened. He had never seen Cheng Xiu as relaxed as he did at the moment.

"Hello? Xiu? Little Xiu? Can you hear me?"

Cheng Xiu nodded. "Yes, Gran, I can."

"Good. I thought this useless father of yours cut the call off in revenge," the rough female voice said to her. "And don't come home on the weekend if you are too busy! This disgraceful father of yours is an obvious fool. Is it so easy to maintain the top position in any college? There must be hundreds of people eyeing your position, and Gran knows how much effort my dear child puts into her works. You will burn out yourself to overcompensate your absence if you come home."

Cheng Xiu shook her head. "I won't do that. Do I look like someone who would risk her health just for the fleeting notion of success?"

"Yes," two voices said together.

Cheng Xiu looked at San Zhe in surprise.

He gave her an awkward smile and then whispered "Deep Dive" towards her.

Cheng Xiu rolled her eyes.

"I know you well enough to know that you will," Gran said with light humour in her voice. "You used to pee in my lap once, remember? Wearing only single underwear and dancing round in the "

"Gran!" cheng Xiu shouted, her face deep red. "I seem to have found an excuse-I mean I have a job to do. Brother San is calling me, bye."

"Brother San? Who is brother San?" Mr Cheng's voice shouted.

Cheng Xiu cut the call.

She smiled at San Zhe awkwardly.

San Zhe returned the gesture with an even more awkward smile.

"Family," cheng Xiu said with a light laugh.

"They are always crazy," San Zhe said with a slight nod of his head.

After that they had breakfast, and the doctor came to give her a check-up.

She was allowed to leave that evening.

Cheng Xiu looked at the empty room in the dorm with a slightly complicated feeling.

"Shall I keep these here?" San Zhe asked her from behind. He held a pale suitcase in his hand.

Cheng Xiu nodded.

San Zhe stood there for a moment, hesitating. "Call me if you need anything."

Cheng Xiu shook her head. "You have done enough already. I don't know how I will ever repay you for your care."

San Zhe shook his head. "I didn't do much. The money was paid by Miss Bo and Yaksh-"

San Zhe's eyes widened as he realised what he said.

Cheng Xiu stared at him for a moment in surprise.

"Why would Yaksha pay-"

"I need to leave now!" San Zhe said with an awkward smile. "Bye!"

Before she could react, he dashed out the door.

Cheng Xiu looked on in confusion.