In middle school, I developed a mania for PC games, especially LOL. In order to curb my obsession, my mother set a password for our family communal computer, which was stationed in my bedroom and study. Without the code, no one was able to log into the system.

However, it is usually impossible for Chinese parents to prevent their teenage kids from pursuing their passion. I downloaded a USB app from the Web, with which I could crack any code. As I expected, the app broke the password Mother set. Therefore, I was able to do LOL anytime, as long as my parents were not home.

So excited was I that a crazy idea came into my head. Since the PC was in my room, I thought I could play the game in the wee small hours when my parents were fast asleep. Apart from that, it being the summer holidays, I did not have to worry about getting up on time the next morning.

One night, I carried out my plan. When I heard thunderous snores coming from my parents’ bedroom, I booted the PC. 10 minutes into the game, I got ecstatic. Double Kill! Penta Kill! Legendary! … I was on cloud nine when suddenly I heard some noises drifting over from the bathroom. I thought it must be either my mother or my father flushing the toilet.

To save myself from being caught red-handed, I switched off the monitor right away. However, the main system was still running. Pressing myself against the wall, I was ready to pull the plug any moment. No sooner had the room door been pushed open than I unplugged the machine.

Standing at the door, my father eyed me suspiciously. Having come up with an explanation mentally, I said nonchalantly, “The air conditioner has gone off. It is so hot, Dad. I was turning the machine back on.”

Sleepy-eyed, Father went away mumbling something. Scared stiff, I hit the sack at once. Sleep came over me in no time.

I was very much on the verge of botching it. Father could have skinned me.

What a thrill! What a relief!