Ch 6: My Disabled Virtual Lover’s Healing Diary

Early that morning, Cen Han didn’t go to the junkyard.

Nobody wanted him around, and being disabled, he couldn’t find work. Survival was hard enough as it was. For years, almost every morning, he had gone to the junkyard to dig for mechanical scraps, salvaging usable parts to assemble into various devices. Every so often, he would ask Uncle Tang to take them to the black market to sell.

The last batch had earned him nearly a hundred Star Coins, which he had almost entirely exchanged for nutrient fluid.

Now he was penniless. He had no food secured for the coming days, yet, unusually, he didn’t think much of it.

The boy sat at his desk, wearing his cheap optic membrane, quietly staring at the lamplight.

He tried to make sense of it all, to separate illusion from reality.

Last night, when he could not see, what had pressed the nutrient fluid to his lips? What had brought him that small glimmer of light?

Cen Han lowered his eyes, watching the clock tick away—morning, noon, dusk.

He left and returned, his eyes aching and swollen from the cheap membrane, but he didn’t remove it.

By nightfall, two empty bottles sat beside the lamp, the silence outside blending into the lifeless stillness inside.

Cen Han almost laughed. He didn’t even know what he was fooling himself with anymore.

He covered his eyes with his hand, expressionless, and lay down.

…

Qian Yuan spent the whole morning editing photos, then ran dungeons with her guild in the afternoon. She was lucky that day, looting a rare item she sold for good money at the Treasure Pavilion, enough to treat herself to a decent dinner.

That evening, scrolling her phone idly, she suddenly remembered her neglected little dumpling. Panicked, she logged back in.

Her child was still curled up in bed. This time, he was truly asleep, a little “Zzz…” bubble floating above his head. Qian Yuan melted at the sight, sat at the foot of his bed, and checked the diary.

【November 4th, 6:30 AM】
【Cen Han woke up.】
【Cen Han waited at the desk.】

【November 4th, 8:00 AM】
【Cen Han went to school.】
【Cen Han was bullied.】
【Cen Han didn’t pay attention in class.】

【November 4th, 12:00 PM】
【Cen Han came home for lunch.】
【Cen Han waited at the desk.】

…

【November 4th, 5:00 PM】
【Cen Han returned home from school.】
【Cen Han waited at the desk.】

…

【November 4th, 9:30 PM】
【Cen Han went to sleep.】

“…”

A drunk staggered past the window outside, crooning a slurred, off-key tune. Silvery light spilled through the half-shut curtain, dust floating in the glow.

The diary’s faint glow reflected on her dumpling face. Qian Yuan stared at the words.

…Who was he waiting for?

She didn’t need an answer. She knew.

This was a raising sim. He was her cub. He could only be waiting for her.

Yesterday, he had been tense and wary because of her. Today, he had waited all day.

From morning to sundown.

Moonlight draped the room in hazy gauze. An indescribable feeling wrapped softly around her heart, like soaking in a hot spring—warm all over, a little heady.

Her little dumpling avatar unknowingly pinched the corner of the blanket. For the first time, Qian Yuan felt a raising sim move her so deeply.

—Tomorrow, she must log in earlier to see him!

The thought took root. She nodded solemnly to herself, then reread the diary. This time, she noticed the other lines.

He had been bullied again.

The words “school” and “bullying” together sparked fierce disgust in her. She pressed her lips and, to distract herself, decided to go out exploring.

Her 10 stamina points had recovered. Remembering she hadn’t visited the junkyard last time, she chose that location.

Once again the barren planet flashed past, and she landed on solid ground.

The junkyard wasn’t as filthy or stinking as the word suggested. Sleek silver robots roamed about, dumping trash from their compartments into massive containers. At each console stood a uniformed robot.

Whenever it pressed a button, a container sealed, glowing blue circuitry patterns lighting up across its surface like flowing current.

When it reopened, it was empty.

Qian Yuan’s eyes widened.

…Efficient!

Homeless figures from the slums wandered the yard. She saw some pry open robots’ compartments, picking through scraps, and others climb ladders by the containers, fishing with long hooks as though casting lines.

Most simply sat at the entrance, gazing down the road like hungry beasts waiting for prey. Curious, Qian Yuan crouched nearby.

Suddenly, the rumble of wheels echoed. The vagrants stirred, instantly tense, pulling apart, their round dumpling faces hard and wary, scattering to either side of the gate.

【Ding~! Congratulations, player, you’ve unlocked a side quest! Go check the quest list!】

Eh?

Startled, Qian Yuan opened the quest menu.

【Side Quest: The junkyard hides salvageable treasures. The garbage trucks bring fresh loads untouched by others. Money-making opportunities lie ahead—be prepared!

Progress: 0/10

Objective: Recover at least ten items from the garbage trucks that can be sold.

Reward: EXP ×50, Star Coins ×10.

Note: Buy a one-time pass to hire a robot and instantly complete this quest!】

【You have entered: Junkyard. You now have temporary use of a small backpack, duration 30 minutes. Store all recovered items inside~!】

Qian Yuan: “…”

Qian Yuan: “.”

A small backpack appeared on her back. She tugged the straps, at a loss for words.

Still, a quest was a quest. She couldn’t waste it. And the EXP would help her level up, boosting her stamina limit by 5 each time. With two levels, she could finally accompany Cen Han to school.

Her dumpling clenched tiny fists, eyes locked on the approaching garbage truck.

One, two, three—charge!

Like how Cen Han’s wheelchair had once passed through her, the vagrants didn’t hinder her at all.

Glowing, she dashed to the front. But when she saw the mountain of refuse, she froze.

The slum dwellers’ eyes gleamed, pushing and jostling for the best scraps. Swept up in the frenzy, Qian Yuan grabbed a dark slab and glanced at her task screen.

【Progress: 0/10】

A silver panel.

【Progress: 0/10】

A bottle.

【Progress: 0/10】

Qian Yuan: “…” You’ve got to be kidding me.

As the vagrants pounced like starving wolves, she could only poke at items cluelessly, checking the screen after each.

Finally, she found one valid piece. Nearly crying with relief, she yanked the backpack forward and stuffed it in.

A voice rang out nearby: “Who the hell took that shard?!”

Nobody answered. In the dark, a fragment vanishing wouldn’t be noticed.

But Qian Yuan froze, turning sharply.

In the crowd, with his nest-like mop of hair and hulking build, stood the same dumpling brute who had stolen Cen Han’s nutrient fluid.

She hadn’t misheard—the voice was his.

He clutched a bag, flanked by cronies. Others kept their distance, not daring to compete. If they happened to want the same item, they swallowed their pride and backed off.

The villain and his lackeys tossed scraps into the bag one after another. Qian Yuan watched from the side.

A thought stirred.

…

Her dumpling eyes rolled slyly. Slowly, she started walking toward them.

ִֶָ. ..𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ🦋་༘࿐