Stretching both my arms up as I finished writing my report for the day. Looking at the time.
[ 4:38 AM ]
This has already been the third day of overtime. Lin Mei doesn't understand how her superiors despite the shortage of staff in there department chooses not to hire more staff.
Lin Mei could only sigh as she got up, thankfully she had slept for a bit in the office, otherwise she really wouldn't be able to do anything else with how tired her body was. She decides to look around her desk and see if there was any more work to be done.
Seeing as there was nothing else to be, she gets up and gathers her things as she ready to go home.
"Chief, I'm finished with the report for the disaster, I've also written up the…" - Lin Mei
After explaining to the chief that I had finished my job, I said my goodbyes to the chief and my coworkers as I finally head home.
"I'm home…" Lin Mei said as she closed the door to her apartment.
Lin Mei took of her shoes as she walked into her house, not expecting any response to what she had said earlier, as no one was inside her apartment aside from herself and the empty space.
Throwing her work clothes into the basket, she thinks about her work later in the morning. But she realised she didn't have work tomorrow, it was her day off.
Realising this, Lin Mei was a bit happy and seeing it was her day off tomorrow she decides to play her favourite game.
This was her one indulgence she had bought, her computer and her most beloved game. It was Minecraft.
In her high school days, she had worked part time jobs to help with the orphanage expenses, and for her own personal expenses. Though given how little she spent, she accumulated enough money to buy her own personal computer.
At first, she had bought it for school use, but then she used it for online work and afterwords with her friend's insistence, she bought and played Minecraft with her friend.
It was the start of everything, and to this day her computer was still the same, except for the parts that needed upgrades or replacements. Her computer and Minecraft had always been with her since high school and it's already been years.
Sitting down on her computer with new clothes and carrying a bunch of food, she opens up Minecraft, ready to play.
She had very few friends and those friends were everything, from time to time they would play but as they grew older, that time became shorter and shorter, living only her friend who had recommended Minecraft.
She didn't mind not being able to play with her friends, but she does regret not being able to do much with them and how busy she had gotten with her own life and her own ambition and dreams.
While Lin Mei was playing Solo on a Modded Minecraft, a message pop up on her computer, from her friend who had recommended Minecraft.
[ Ruo Xin: How's work, Linlin? ]
Seeing her message, it seemed like she was playing something. Ruo Xin was the only one in our friend group who seemed to have so much free time to play, though some of my friends were envious and hate her for that, I didn't mind.
For me, I was happy as each time I was free I could play with her and chat with her, though it had been years since we last met, she was still a very important friend.
Ruo and I kept messaging each other as we both played our respective game, and as we kept chatting, her questions were getting weirder. Still it was something I had gotten used to, and something I also found fun answering.
[ Ruo Xin: If given the chance, would you like to actually be in Minecraft, linlin? Given how much you love it. ]
Before replying, I thought about it. She was right. I had played Minecraft for quite a long time, and despite playing other games that Ruo Xin recommended, none stuck with me like Minecraft.
Though I had played Genshin Impact, it was only until the end of the Liyue Arc and I barely remember anything much from the game, aside from the characters.
I did keep playing it, but it was so intermittent and short, I really had no recollection of some of its story but it was still good and I mostly played with Ruo Xin whenever she needed someone to play with.
On the other hand, my knowledge of mods and Minecraft were much more abundant and deeply ingrained in me. From the lore of Minecraft, to the mechanics of the game. I remember them all. Though it would be hard to forget it, given how I often encounter them.
[ Lin Mei: I think I would, if it's just like the game, yeah. Imagine building a floating island or creating an automatic farm, or if there were mods it'd be more fun. ]
I finally replied after thinking for a while, as I received a simply response of "I see." From her, continuing to play our respective game as we continued to chat about numerous stuff.
Stopping for a moment, I stretch both my arms up and whole body while on the chair.
[ Ruo Xin: It's already 1:48 PM, Linlin. You better rest now and tomorrow will bring about something brand new! ]
Looking at Ruo's message, I took a look at the time and it seems I had been chatting with Ruo for quite a bit, while playing my game.
Ignoring her usual cryptic messages, I chuckle as I replied to her message.
[ Lin Mei: Okay, I will. Thanks Ruo, it was fun. I'll sleep now. ]
Standing up from the chair, I felt dizzy for a moment. I immediately held onto to the chair as I stood up, waiting for the dizziness to disappear.
[ Ruo Xin: That's good, you better take care of yourself Linlin. ]
Seeing her concern in the message, I felt warmth. Her timing to sense my wellbeing was always spot on. Heading to my room, I immediately fell on my bed, replying to Ruo.
[ Lin Mei: I'm on the bed, Goodnight Ruo. ]
After sending the message, I was getting more sleepy. It seems like I was truly time to rest.
[ Ruo Xin: Goodnight Linlin, I hope from now on tomorrow onwards will be start of something fun! I love you Linlin, take care! ]
Reading her message in my drowsy state, I chuckle as I responded.
[ Lin Mei: I hope so too, love you Ruo. Let's play your favourite game together later, after I wake up. ]
My eyes growing heavier and heavier, as my consciousness blurs.
[ Ruo Xin: No worries, Linlin. You'll get to enjoy your life, and you'll always be my most important friend too. Enjoy your new life, my dearest friend. ]
Reading her message, a sense of foreboding came over me and just as I was about to reply and ask what she meant, fearing she might be feeling depressed, I finally fell asleep.
[ Ruo Xin: Ruo had the best time in this world, because of you Linlin, but Ruo is sad to know you're going to die. This is the best of what Ruo can do for my dearest friend, without breaking the laws of the universe. Have fun Linlin! ]
The message appeared on Lin Mei's phone but Lin Mei could no longer respond, she was dead. She had died from exhaustion, and other complications in her body she had failed to notice.
And the messages on her phone slowly started to disappear, one by one. As one final message appeared on screen.
[ R2@ 38;-: Have a happy life, my dearest friend, Lin Mei from yours truly. ]