Let you join the army to quit Internet addiction, but you create the Matrix
Chapter 1 - Reborn in 2008, in the beginning, parents grab someone from an Internet cafe.

Chapter 1: Reborn in 2008, in the beginning, parents grab someone from an Internet cafe.

August 2008. It was in the midst of summer. The cicadas in the trees were buzzing loudly, and people moved sluggishly under the scorching sun. On the hot streets, it was challenging to lift one’s spirits.

However, there was an exception – a legendary internet cafe hidden deep in Hongrao County. It served as a battleground for the youth. The thick smell of tobacco and the clattering of keyboards filled the air, resembling the smoke and gunfire of a war.

This place stood out as a rare and invigorating spot in this otherwise drowsy county town. Sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a glow on Chen Ming’s face. He slowly opened his eyes, shielding them from the glaring sun. The chirping of cicadas outside mixed with the sounds of the internet cafe.

Chen Ming lowered his arms as his eyes adjusted, gazing around in bewilderment. The environment was familiar and unfamiliar. The worn-out single sofa beneath him had seen many users, with its leather cover showing numerous cracks. The computer in front of him emitted a faint glow, and the Vientiane network management system constantly flashed reminders of insufficient balance in the corner of the login interface.

The young people on both sides were wearing cheap headphones, their keyboards were clacking, and their eyes were fixed on the screen’s battlefield.

“Fall back, fall back!”

“Point A is under attack!”

They immersed themselves in the computer world, feeling like invincible heroes.

“Is this… an internet cafe?”

Curiously, Chen Ming, since starting work, had completely distanced himself from internet cafes. Looking at the familiar scene, he recalled it as a place where he once battled.

On the mottled walls hung posters of the once immensely popular game “Dungeon and Warriors.”

“On June 19th, official public beta, side-scrolling combat, make your summer enjoyable.”

“DNF has been around for years. Why is there still a public beta poster in this internet cafe?”

Looking at the familiar characters and slogans, Chen Ming felt extremely surprised. DNF was once hugely popular but couldn’t withstand the tide of time, eventually declining.

“Those playing now are probably old fans.”

Chen Ming chuckled at the game poster, recalling his days of dedication to DNF.

“I wonder why I’m in an internet cafe?”

Coming out of his memories, Chen Ming pondered the most puzzling question. He remembered catching the bus home after work, closing his eyes due to fatigue.

“Asleep and somehow ended up in an internet cafe? Could it be sleepwalking?”

Chen Ming quickly dismissed the idea, as he wasn’t prone to sleepwalking.

“It must be Li Yao’s doing! I have to work tomorrow!”

Chen Ming instinctively reached into his pocket, intending to scold Li Yao. But before his hand reached the pocket, a sudden sharp pain in his head furrowed his brows. Strange memories flooded his mind like a carousel.

After a moment, the headache subsided, but Chen Ming remained frozen.

“Have I… damn, been reborn?!”

After revisiting the scenes in his mind, Chen Ming confidently sat upright. He checked the time on the computer’s lower-left corner.

August 2008!

Examining his arm and the pale, thin palms, Chen Ming felt a mix of emotions.

Coincidentally, the original owner of this body was also named Chen Ming, an eighteen-year-old recent high school graduate. Born in the countryside, he was initially an academic achiever but took a detour in high school.

Chen Ming, venturing out to the county for school without his parents for the first time, found everything intriguing. Tempted by two friends, he delved into the emerging world of online games, becoming one of many addicted teenagers. His grades plummeted, and to save money for internet access, he’d rather go hungry, resembling a skinny monkey. Skipping the final English exam under the guise of patriotism, he immersed himself in an internet cafe before even finishing the college entrance exam.

As he reminisced about the original owner’s experiences, a commotion erupted at the internet cafe entrance. A seemingly familiar couple entered, causing a brief scare among the young gamers.

Chen Ming’s parents, well-accustomed to retrieving him from internet cafes, woke the dozing network manager. However, the scene was not uncommon in such places.

Observing the couple closely, Chen Ming recognised them as the original owner’s parents. Panic set in as they approached, but his corner seat offered a brief reprieve. His father, Chen Gensheng, radiated anger, veins bulging, fists clenched. His mother, Wang Yan, with tears still fresh, looked at Chen Ming with disappointment.

The original owner’s irresponsibility angered Chen Ming. His parents, hardworking farmers, sacrificed for his education, only for his addiction to shatter their hopes. Frustrated, he scolded the original owner for enjoying the pleasures of gaming while disregarding his family’s sacrifices.

Despite the tense atmosphere, Chen Gensheng refrained from public confrontation, perhaps considering his child’s dignity or fearing computer damage. After a prolonged silence, he uttered two words through gritted teeth: “Go home.”