Li City.
On campus, a young man with a slight middle part, suspenders, and a white shirt walked into the classroom.
"Wu Hen, since you've applied for withdrawal, say goodbye to your classmates. After all, you've been together for two and a half years." Homeroom teacher Wang Shan said.
"See you all again sometime." Wu Hen in the white shirt waved his hand with a sunny smile on his face.
In the classroom, the students looked at him, some surprised, some mocking, and some regretful.
"Why is Wu Hen dropping out when we're about to enter college?" a female classmate whispered.
"Maybe he's going abroad for studies. I heard his family is well-off. When he was in junior high, his female housemaids would always pick him up in different luxury cars at the school gate."
"Dude, you're so shortsighted, only noticing the luxury cars... it was different female housemaids picking him up at the school gate!"
"Damn, that rich? I didn't notice back then, I just thought the housemaids were classy!" a male classmate exclaimed.
"Tsk tsk tsk, a different elegant housemaid every day, wow..." Many male classmates shed envious tears.
"Don't you guys watch the news? Last year, the richest man in Li City went bankrupt and was burdened with a lot of debt. Doesn't anyone know Wu Hen is his son?" A male classmate with closely cropped hair said.
As soon as he said that, the class fell silent, and everyone's eyes were on Wu Hen.
What, bankrupt?
Have the housemaids ended up on the streets too?
Or found another master?
Seeing the slightly awkward atmosphere, Wu Hen chuckled indifferently, "I've always wanted to interact with you as an ordinary person, but before I could come clean, my family's mine was gone. Even if I get into college, I can't afford the tuition, so I'll enter society early. I wish you all a bright future!"
Leaving those words, Wu Hen waved his hand again, took his belongings, and left the classroom full of youthful memories.
After Wu Hen left, the class discussions became even more lively.
...
At the school gate, homeroom teacher Wang Shan glanced at the gloomy weather and sighed heavily.
The weather warning sirens blared through the city, and Wang Shan knew it wasn't safe outside, so he didn't dare to chat with the student for too long.
"Is it really unbearable at home?" Wang Shan was still very concerned about his student.
"Yes, my sister's continuous treatment needs money. My parents have been put on the blacklist for debtors. Every penny they earn now goes to creditors. Only the money I make can be used for my sister's treatment." Wu Hen said.
"What are your plans then? After all, you're just an adult and still have a lot to learn." Wang Shan felt it was a pity.
Despite being born with a silver spoon, Wu Hen excelled in both academics and personal conduct. It would be a great loss if he couldn't continue his studies due to family misfortune.
"I got the qualification for 'Otherworldly Dust'. The authorities said if I can find and bring out a Yuan You Mine, I'll be rewarded with a hundred thousand." Wu Hen said.
"That brain-connect virtual game?" Wang Shan said in surprise.
With the advancement of technology, humanity still couldn't find traces of other civilizations in the vast galaxy.
Helplessly, they shifted from interstellar voyages to virtual exploration.
Thus, a massive virtual world was created, known as—Desert Dust.
However, everything in Desert Dust was incredibly mysterious, seemingly developing beyond human control, even escaping human understanding...
"I feel that's the future. Honestly, I can't get used to a poor life. If I want to turn my life around, this is a rare opportunity." Wu Hen said earnestly.
It was also because of this extremely precious qualification that Wu Hen decided to drop out.
"If that's the case, I'm a bit relieved. Virtual world exploration has prospects. Given these troubled times, going out can easily lead to untimely deaths. Technological powers, frontier enterprises, and research giants have invested heavily in this exploration and development. They select trial players from universities each year and offer generous compensations and rewards..." the homeroom teacher said.
"Don't worry, Teacher Wang. I can still learn even after leaving school." Wu Hen said.
"Alright, be careful on your way back. If you live in the Old City, be wary of lightning storms. This storm has lasted many years, and thousands have died just in our Li City..." Wang Shan said.
"Teacher Wang, you should also take care. If possible, buy a house in the Silver Plate Building in the New City." Wu Hen said.
"Sigh, my stomach bug treatment alone exhausted my hard-earned down payment. In these times of constant natural disasters, even staying in the old house could be risky. My nephew died on the balcony due to poor signal while playing a game; his body suddenly lost temperature. Also, Teacher Xiao Guan in my office held an outdoor wedding on the lawn, and right after the vows, the storm struck them both dead... Indeed, the Silver Plate Building in the New City is safe, but I don't know where my two kids' future lies. Sometimes I think about not treating it anymore, leaving more money for my wife and kids..." Wang Shan couldn't help but chat about his family with Wu Hen.
"Old Wang, think about it, do you feel at ease leaving your wife and kids to another man?" Wu Hen said.
"You really know how to comfort people, thank you." Wang Shan said jokingly.