Days had passed by since his visit to Rising Wings. Xu Long, now a teenager with no work and no friends, dedicated all his time to the game. Every day, he would head to the internet cafe, his frequent visits turning into a daily ritual.
Today, he had a specific mission. He intended to use the card he had taken from his old room. "Stolen" might not be the right term, as it technically belonged to him. There wasn't anything wrong with it, right?
He entered the bustling internet cafe, filled with the sounds of clicking keyboards and excited chatter. Some patrons were immersed in serious work, but most were engrossed in games. The atmosphere was a mix of focused concentration and enthusiastic energy.
"Li Ling, can you get a computer set for me? I want to log in to an account," Xu Long called out.
"Oh, let me see," Li Ling responded, curious.
Xu Long handed her his account card. It was golden in color and had one star on it.
"No way! Who the heck is your friend? This is a first-generation card!" Li Ling exclaimed.
A first-generation card was the original card Valor made for its players. Issued during Valor's early days when it wasn't that popular, this card meant his "friend" had played Valor for 12 years.
"So, it was your friend that gave you this?" Li Ling asked, clearly impressed.
"Yup, this is his card, and he was one of the first-generation players," Xu Long lied smoothly.
The card actually belonged to him. When he became a professional gamer, the club had stopped him from using his old account, giving him a new one instead. His old account wasn't as high-leveled as the professional ones. After he got sick, he tinkered with his old account, creating something truly wonderful.
"Sorry to break it to you, but you can't play yet," Li Ling said, snapping him out of his thoughts.
"Why?" Xu Long questioned, frowning.
"The new server is about to be launched, and because of this, new accounts and beginner-level accounts can't play until it's been launched. What level are you in your account?"
"I think level 15."
"Sorry, that means your progress will be taken back to level 1, and you have to start from scratch."
Xu Long hadn't realized that Valor's anniversary had come, bringing with it the launch of the new server. The anniversary event was a major milestone, often accompanied by exciting updates and new features, making it a highly anticipated time for all players.
"You're going to have to wait for a week before you can start playing," Li Ling informed him sympathetically.
He left the cafe with a heavy heart, feeling a mix of disappointment and impatience. Waiting a week to use his account felt like an eternity.
Xu Long walked back home, where he found his mother already preparing dinner. The aroma of her cooking filled the air, a comforting reminder of normalcy amidst his internal turmoil.
"Oh yeah, your piano is being delivered today," she mentioned casually.
"Oh yeah, I forgot about that," Xu Long replied, trying to sound nonchalant. In truth, he had no memory of ordering a piano.
"I remember when you played the piano back then. I don't know why you even stopped. You were beautiful," his mother reminisced.
"So, this body played the piano in the past. That would explain my hand speed. It was fast for someone who didn't play games," Xu Long thought, piecing together fragments of his past life.
"Can you play me a song?" she asked, eyes filled with anticipation.
"Sure," Xu Long agreed, though internally he was panicking. "But wait, I haven't played a single instrument in my entire life. What am I supposed to do?"
The piano was delivered to their doorstep and moved to his room. His mother sat on his bed, eagerly waiting for him to play a tune he had never learned.
He sat on the chair and faced the keyboard. Surprisingly, he felt calm and confident. His body seemed to remember the motions, as if playing the piano was second nature.
When his hands touched the piano keys, they started moving instinctively, producing beautiful melodies. He began with "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star," a simple song, but his fingers transformed it into something more. The room filled with the enchanting sound of the piano, each note resonating with emotion and skill.
As he played, Xu Long lost himself in the music. The piano's harmonious tones flowed effortlessly from his fingers, weaving a tapestry of sound that captivated his mother. The simple children's song evolved into a complex arrangement, showcasing his innate talent.
His mother watched in awe, tears glistening in her eyes. The music stirred memories of a time when Xu Long's passion for the piano was evident in every performance. She marveled at his skill, amazed that he could still play so beautifully after all these years.
Xu Long, too, was astonished by his proficiency. It was as if his fingers had a mind of their own, dancing across the keys with grace and precision. Each note struck a chord within him, rekindling a sense of familiarity and comfort.
He played for what felt like hours, losing track of time as he immersed himself in the music. The melodies ranged from soft and gentle to powerful and commanding, demonstrating the full range of his abilities. The piano seemed to respond to his every touch, producing rich, resonant sounds that filled the room.
After finishing the piece, Xu Long looked up to see his mother smiling through her tears. The music had transported them both to a different time, a time when everything was simpler and filled with joy.
"That was beautiful," she whispered, her voice filled with emotion.
"Thank you," Xu Long replied, his own voice tinged with nostalgia.
From that day on, Xu Long spent every day playing the piano. It became a part of his daily routine, just like visiting the internet cafe. The music provided an outlet for his emotions, a way to express himself without words. It was a reminder of who he used to be and who he could become.
As the days passed, Xu Long's anticipation for the new server's launch grew. He continued to hone his skills on the piano, using the time to reflect and prepare for his return to the game. Each practice session brought him closer to mastering the instrument, and the music became a source of inspiration and motivation.
And just like that a week had passed, and the day of the new server's launch had arrived.