Reply

Is it ok if I successfully communicate with my supervisor and return the checks I received? 
-It may be too late because the employer probably has sent your payment record to IRS.
My understanding is that they does not sent information to IRS until the end of the year. 
-Normally they send it every months.

 Plus I'm not on the payroll anyways. So I have a shot at this?
-Did you provide your SSN # to them? If so, they will report it to IRS and this is required by law.


So that what I did for the supervisor was not compensated and I was not providing goods and services to the company. 
And if that my efforts did not result in compensation and I only helped them twice, do you think I can restate my situation with the school officer and explain to them that there's confusion? Or is that a risky move? When I talked to them the first time, I spoke with one advisor very vaguely about the situation. After all, my sole purpose to remain in contact with the company is because I enjoyed working with them over the summer and I wanted to keep in contact. 
-Talk to your school and see whether they have terminated or will terminate your F-1 status. If yes, ask them to file reinstatement of your F-1 application to USCIS for you, or tell them you will go to China to get the F-1 visa to come back. Either way is OK to you. Not need to worry too much.
My concern for reinstatement is the risk of not getting approved.  Are the risks high?
-Not high.

Getting a new visa would harm my OPT application next Spring? Since I will not have stayed in the Status for a full academic year by then, I will not be eligible for OPT. 
-Not affect anything. You may discuss it with your school that you will go to China to get the F-1 visa during this winter vacation.

 Or is there a way around this? 
-No other way.

Again, I'm more than grateful 8老师.  Wish you all the best!