BEEP!

BEEP!

BEEP!

[You have a reminder for an annual event. Would you like to see the reminder?] rang the melodious voice of ZeLin's game pod.

"Bro, we gotta go. It's that time of the year again." "She'll kill us if we're late." said ZeLin as he logged off.

It didn't really matter where you logged off in Aegis, the system would register your location and when you came back, you'd still be there. But the environment could change.

Although the Wolf Lord was severely tempting, the brother's knew that something else meant more than just this game.

Without a word to the others, both siblings logged off at the same time.

Exiting their pods, the brothers quickly washed up and left the house. ZeRen's driver sent them to the Family Crypt. This crypt is not your average spooky crypt, it was a modern building located in the south end of town, where the wealthy and influential "kept" their dead.

"Masters ZeRen & ZeLin, we have arrived. I shall return in the morning for you both?" asked the driver.

"Yes, Amos, come round lunch." replied ZeRen.

"Happy New Year Masters." Amos said as he pulled out of the driveway.

"Shall we?" asked ZeLin as he keyed in the pass-code.

[Welcome Masters ZeLin and ZeRen, your family is waiting for you.]

As the door closed, another two opened for the brothers. Stepping in, they logged on to a virtual world.

"Maaaaa, we're home." yelled ZeLin as he entered the house.

"Di, ngor dei fan lei la.(1)" said ZeRen, just behind ZeLin.

"Hii, ngam ngam hou, ah ma zheng wa ju yun. Hoi fan la. (2)" replied their father.

"Waaa, li di song hou hou mei a! (3)" said ZeLin as he prepared to dig in. Although it was virtual reality, technology was advanced enough that it really felt like eating; even the smells were accurate.

"Sang yat dou gu ju sek! Ying xiong sin! (4)" reprimanded ZeRen. "Lei lei lei, mai wai mai wai. (5)" instructed ZeRen.

After the photos, the four of them dug in, eating and chatting, sharing their lives the past year. Lots of laughter around, good food, good drink, most importantly good company.

It had been many years since their parents had passed, but at the time of their passing technology had allowed the extremely wealthy an option of eternal life. ZeLin and ZeRen almost paid a foot and an arm, just to migrate their parent's consciousness to the virtual world.

In this world, their parents' lives would continue on, a fixed program, the idea was great, but the execution and follow up wasn't. Even though their consciousness was brought over to the virtual world. It just wasn't the same.

Their parents could not tell they were dead, and the siblings, just could never make the decision to finally pull the plug on this failed venture. Hence, each year, they would play their roles as filial children and return home for a reunion dinner. For their parents, they did not mind that they only saw the kids once or twice a year, after all, their kids were successful businessmen.

After all the food had been consumed and cleared away, ZeRen and Dad would often go off to the TV room and watch some programs as they talked sports, business and stocks. Just like they always did, when they were younger.

ZeLin however went to help mum set up the mahjong table. It was her favorite past time to play 3-man mahjong. In her later years, it prevented dementia from sitting in. A random cousin, aunt or uncle was called to sit in for the 3rd slot.

Pala pala pala

Pong!

Pala pala pala

Gong Xiong!

Picture!

Picture!

Picture!

Bao jor!

Besides mahjong, ZeLin and ZeRen also played 21, and Big 2 with mum and dad.

In the blink of an eye, a few days had passed in the virtual reality. In reality, only 6 hours had passed.

"D, Ma, ngor die sheng dan jit qin, hor yi ge wa, ngor dei wui joi lei tam lei dei liong gor. (6)" said ZeLin as he got ready to go.

"Ngor dei zi lei liong gor hou mong, gei dak you jiu gu shen ti a. Gei dak sek fan. (7)" reminded their mother.

"Ah Gor, tai ju sai lou a. Mou gu ju sek jek. (8)" ; "Sai lou, lei dou tai ju dai gor, mou bei kui sek kam dor! (9)" advised dad.

Both of them waved goodbye then logged out of the pods. In silence, the brothers got in the car and let Amos drive them home.

"See you inside," whispered ZeRen.

ZeLin took a long swig from his menthol vape, to clear his mind. Nodding in response to ZeRen.

After awhile of getting his mind back in place, he slid into his pod and logged back in.

They were right where they left, yesterday.