Otherworldly Desert Dust

"Hehe, let's go, Old Deng."

"You brat!" Wang Shan looked at Wu Hen's back and helplessly waved his hand.

After Wu Hen left, Wang Shan walked towards the classroom.

Just at the stairway, Wang Shan bumped into a girl who was looking out towards the school gate from the teaching building.

"Yang Qin, if you want to say goodbye, why not be brave about it?" As a homeroom teacher, Wang Shan had always been easygoing and open-minded.

"I... I..." Yang Qin hesitated, but her eyes couldn't help but be drawn to the classroom window.

At the window, a few boys and girls were watching, seemingly waiting to see Yang Qin embarrass herself.

"He's not a young master anymore, so why are you still being so shy? Who knows, maybe one day it will be him delivering your takeout, so romantic!" The crew-cut boy at the window sneered.

"Shut up!" Wang Shan scolded, then turned his attention back to Yang Qin, "Do what your heart tells you, don't worry about what others say."

Yang Qin felt even more uncomfortable after hearing this. She slightly raised her face and pretended to be proud, "I'm just going to the art room. Wu Hen and I are just ordinary classmates!"

Ordinary classmates?

Seeing Yang Qin's attitude, Wang Shan couldn't help but shake his head.

At the beginning of the semester, Yang Qin had shamelessly come to his office, bringing gifts and sweet-talking, just to have her seat moved next to Wu Hen, so they could be desk mates.

But now, knowing that his family had fallen, she couldn't even manage a simple farewell without worrying about others' opinions.

One could only say that she was short-sighted.

From what Wang Shan knew of Wu Hen, even without his family's backing, his brilliance couldn't be hidden. Wu Hen would undoubtedly make a name for himself in the future. Hopefully, Yang Qin wouldn't regret it then.

...

The school was at the junction of New City and Old City.

Wu Hen used to live in the luxurious Silver Plate Manor. Now, he had to cross through an old district, climb over a dilapidated building, and walk through an empty factory area to reach his new home.

The new home was bare, with only one room to fit his whole family of four.

His parents had started from scratch, initially setting up stalls to make a living.

After all these years, they had returned to the toughest times, only now, they had a mountain of debt compared to the past when they had nothing.

Normally, his parents wouldn't return until around eleven at night.

But today was Father's Day, and the family had agreed to have dinner together, so Wu Hen didn't feel like staying at school to say goodbye to his classmates.

Opening the door, he was greeted by a delicious aroma.

A pot of bamboo shoots and meat was already stewing, and his father, Wu Yingting, was sorting through the goods that piled up half the room. He probably had to rush out to set up the stall after dinner.

"Dad, there might be a thunderstorm tonight, why not skip the stall? With so much debt, one night's earnings won't make a difference," Wu Hen said as he walked in.

Despite his words, Wu Hen still helped Wu Yingting sort the goods.

"Your fifth uncle is pressing hard, saying he needs money for his kid's college," Wu Yingting replied.

After the bankruptcy, the big creditors and banks showed concern for Wu Yingting's health, advising him to take care of himself and not to bear too much psychological burden.

Ironically, it was those relatives and friends who had once profited with his father that were the most hateful now.

It was clearly an investment with risks, yet they demanded repayment when they lost.

"Weren't you a big shot in Li City? Can't you start a livestream to sell goods and repay the debts? How long will it take to pay off with this hard-earned money?" Wu Hen asked.

"I don't want to do that. I'd rather restart with what I'm familiar with. Times are changing quickly, and people's needs are changing. It's only going to be tough for a few years. We will rise again. Besides, I really miss the old days of setting up stalls and selling small goods. It was fulfilling and simple," Wu Yingting said with a smile.

"Aren't you worried that people will say you're pretending to be pitiful?" Wu Hen asked.

"Of course they will, but do I care?" Wu Yingting's attitude was quite positive. After all, it wasn't his first business failure. He glanced at his son and couldn't help but ask, "How is it at school? Are you being treated coldly?"

"It's okay. I never flaunted my young master status, though some kids of your business partners are pretty gloating. It's good to cut ties with them," Wu Hen replied nonchalantly.

"Then cut ties. By the way, there's something that came earlier. Did you order something online? It looks quite fancy. If you have extra money, save it," Wu Yingting said.

"Is it here already? So fast?" Wu Hen looked surprised, noticing a carbon fiber box in the room.

Fortunately, Wu Yingting hadn't opened it. If he found out it was a Virtual Helmet, he would definitely oppose it!

In Wu Yingting's view, virtual technology was still immature. Testers often suffered severe aftereffects, and he staunchly opposed Wu Hen becoming a guinea pig for technology!

"Honey, we bought your favorite braised pork. Hmm... Wu Hen is home too. So early today? Great, it's been a long time since we all sat down together for a meal," a woman said as she walked in holding a girl's hand.

It was Wu Hen's mother, Yu Yi, and his sister, Yu Yu.

It had been over six months since the bankruptcy.

This was the first time in half a year that the family sat at the same table.

"Happy Father's Day!" Wu Hen was the first to raise his glass, toasting to his father, Wu Yingting.

Yu Yi and Yu Yu also raised their small glasses, celebrating this rare meal.

Wu Yingting initially smiled, but as he continued, his hand holding the chopsticks began to tremble violently.

He wanted to say something humorous to lighten the mood, but seeing his grown-up son, his wife who stood by him through hard times, and his daughter who still needed protection...

The words choked in his throat.

His eyes quickly reddened.

"Did you sneak a drink? Look how you're choking. Hurry and eat!" Yu Yi deftly covered for her husband, quickly picking some food for him.

"I choked, it made me tear up. Let's eat together, you all eat too."

The family had tasted the finest delicacies, yet these few dishes of vegetables and the plate of braised pork were more delightful than any meal they had ever had.

Wu Hen actually saw his father secretly wiping his tears.

He deliberately lowered his head to eat, giving the old man a bit of dignity...

All this time, his father had been a towering figure in his eyes, unshakeable. Today, seeing him with teary eyes, showing vulnerability, Wu Hen realized that it was his turn to support the family.

...

After dinner, his parents braved the impending thunderstorm to continue their stall.

His sister also went to the free community tutoring class.

Wu Hen made an excuse, saying he would stay at a friend's house tonight.

But in reality, he headed to the basement of an old building, renting a storage room from the neighbor uncle. He planned to enter the virtual world tonight!

He closed the door.

Unboxed the helmet.

Looking at the technologically advanced Virtual Helmet, Wu Hen couldn't help but feel curious.

What kind of world was inside it??

Why didn't anyone who entered easily reveal the appearance of this second world?

He gently put on the helmet and turned on the device.

"Hello, Wu Hen, would you like to enter Desert Dust?" The helmet's AI voice asked.

Wu Hen took a deep breath.

This realm had limitless possibilities. Even if he might be a guinea pig, his parents working at the stall and his school-bound sister faced life-threatening risks due to their living conditions.

They didn't care about riches. What mattered was living safely together as a family.

Living in Old City with its dilapidated buildings couldn't withstand the escalating disasters.

Only by returning to Silver Plate in New City could they avoid misfortune befalling his family.

Participation came with financial subsidies, a one-time 30,000, with more for continued involvement.

Finding a Yuan You Mine in the virtual world would fetch 100,000!

He had to go for it!!

"Confirm to enter Desert Dust!"

"Please close your eyes and relax, as if you were going to sleep," the helmet's AI instructed.

Following the AI's instructions, Wu Hen soon felt a warmth, as if his entire head was immersed in some kind of warm oxygenated liquid...

Soon after came an overwhelming drowsiness, and his consciousness completely submerged.