Ch 8: My Disabled Virtual Lover’s Healing Diary

Cen Han’s gaze collided with theirs.

At the first-floor classroom windows, several students leaned out, grinning as they looked his way. One said gleefully, “Wanna bet on how he’s going to get up there?”

“How else? His legs don’t work. He’ll have to crawl up the steps with his hands! I bet ten Star Coins!”

“Pfft, that’s weak. I’ll bet twenty.”

“I’m in for twenty too—bet he’ll turn tail and slink back down.”

Their unrestrained jeers carried crystal clear into the boy’s ears. His fingers on the wheels froze. His jaw clenched hard.

Humiliation surged around him like a flood. His spine stiffened, nails digging deep into his palms.

In front of so many eyes, those few short steps of the ramp were no less than a sheer cliff face.

Someone passed by. Cen Han’s black eyes trembled, and for once, unable to restrain himself, he raised them. His usual indifference gave way to something close to pleading.

Tang Zhenzhen, backpack on her shoulders, was looking at him.

Her lips parted as if to speak, but she said nothing. Though she hadn’t wanted this, yesterday’s shame and resentment seemed somehow eased.

She turned her face away and jogged up the stairs.

The laughter at the windows grew louder. More faces turned to watch. His fingers slipped from the wheels, his face pale.

Cen Han rolled forward, trying to steady his weight. He bent, straining to push the crates aside.

Under his tense, veined hands, the heavy boxes shifted slowly. His posture was awkward, unsteady. Fear of toppling clung to him. The onlookers jeered, booing when he faltered. Cen Han squeezed his eyes shut.

He knew school would change nothing. He knew no higher academy would ever accept him. But because of one coward’s dying words, he had lived on as nothing more than a laughingstock.

Someone laughed at his contorted posture. Another said he looked like a twisted worm. They mocked his limp, senseless legs dangling uselessly.

Why had he fallen to this? Why punish him for crimes he never committed?

They—why didn’t they just—

His eyes filled with shadow. The taste of blood rose in his throat.

He dug his nails into his palms, almost to the flesh.

…

The next day, Qian Yuan woke, washed, ate quickly, and logged in early.

Her cub hadn’t come home for lunch yet. With her stamina full, she made two trips to the junkyard, spending ten points, and earned 15 Star Coins.

Added to yesterday’s 25, she now had 40.

—A quilt was within reach!

As the one-hour sign-in approached, she decided to stay in-game. She cleaned the floor and searched through his cabinet, hoping for clues about his background.

The cabinet held many things: textbooks, mechanical parts, the folded clothes she’d stashed before… but most striking was a badge.

A small round badge, finely crafted, bearing an inverted triangle. Inside it, a sharp sword, its hilt adorned with three diamond-like gems.

The delicate badge looked wildly out of place in this shabby room. Curious, she turned it over. Scratches lined the back, engraved in interstellar script. Thankfully, the system translated.

【Cen Zhengzhong】

The same surname as her cub.

Her dumpling avatar stroked its chin in thought.

She had thought his status was lowly. But this—this looked like a military insignia.

Uneasy, she set it back, glanced at the time, and went to sign in.

【Congratulations! You signed in and received: 1 Gacha Coin, 10 Star Coins!】

Fifty Star Coins now!

She opened the gacha machine, mind racing.

One stamina point every ten minutes. Two hours online meant another junkyard run. At this rate, six or seven more times, and she could buy the quilt.

The machine shook. A ball dropped—but this one glowed rainbow-bright, dazzling compared to the rest.

【Congratulations! You obtained Rare Item: Complete Kitchen Set!】

【Ding~! A mission is complete! Go claim your reward!】

—Eh??

The barrage of prompts stunned her. Eyes wide, she stared blankly at the kitchen set on the desk.

…The gacha prize had auto-cleared her mission?

The prompts faded. Heart pounding, she tapped the task menu.

The main quest reward lit with a 【Claim】 button. She tapped, receiving 50 EXP and 10 Star Coins. The interaction system unlocked.

【Congratulations! Profile updated!】
【You reached Level 2! Diary now tracks Mood Value!】
【Interaction unlocked! Go enjoy sweet moments with your cub! (Note: This feature is exclusive to your cub~)】

At the same time, a new quest appeared.

【Main Quest: Keep your cub in a good mood~!

Current Mood: 0/100

Goal: Maintain mood at 70/100 or higher for 3 consecutive days (0/3).

Reward: Unlock Communication System, EXP ×50, Star Coins ×10.】

Qian Yuan: “.”

Her dumpling avatar sprouted black lines overhead.

So she could interact—but not talk? She had to unlock another function just to converse?

If the forum post still existed, she’d downvote it into the ground.

But her thoughts shifted.

—Her cub’s mood was at rock bottom.

With a heavy expression, she opened the diary. Sure enough: 【Cen Han was bullied at school】 had been added.

Her profile now showed 120 EXP needed to level up, and stamina maxed at 15. She tapped the screen, wishing she could reach Level 3 immediately and go fight the villains at his school.

But she couldn’t cheat.

She sighed, checked the clock. He’d be home soon.

She thought: even if she couldn’t chase off bullies, she could still do something else.

ִֶָ. ..𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ🦋་༘࿐