Ch 10: My Disabled Virtual Lover’s Healing Diary

After completing her goal for the day, Qian Yuan stood up with satisfaction.

She had lingered in this “casual” game far too long that morning. On a whim, she walked to the stove, waved at her little ward, pointed to the newly appeared kitchen set, then held up the three remaining buckets of instant noodles.

The slums had no electricity or gas, but at least there was running water. She had spent the entire morning fumbling with the setup, even searching online, before finally coaxing the fire to life. Pouring water into the pot, she patted the stove, giving Cen Han a questioning look.

He seemed to understand, his expression suddenly falling still.

“…Mn.” At last, he spoke. “I know how to use it.”

Qian Yuan sighed in relief.

No need to buy a quilt now to raise comfort—her new target was a cotton coat. At night, he could use it as a blanket, and outside it would keep him warm. For a household this poor, it was far more useful than a quilt.

If she wanted to save up quickly, he’d have to eat instant noodles with her for a while.

As Cen Han turned back to study, she waved. “I’ll come see you later.”

“…”

Her glowing ghostly form faded into motes of light, dissolving into the air.

Cen Han’s fingers twitched on the wheelchair armrest, then went still again.

He had thought…

A flood of tangled thoughts passed. At length, he wheeled himself to the desk.

The book the ghost had scribbled in still lay open. Carefully, he tore out the corner with her handwriting, staring at the little note.

Lowering his eyes, he smoothed the crease, tucked the scrap between the pages, and stored it safely in the cabinet.

…

Qian Yuan removed her headset.

A heavy rain had fallen before dawn. In Rong City the air was damp and cold, and even the heater couldn’t lift her reluctance to leave the bed. She curled up under her quilt and reached for her phone.

The guild chat was lively; someone had tagged her earlier while she was in-game. She skimmed the feed, finding the latest chatter about a photography exhibition.

Her father had been a gifted wildlife photographer, and she had inherited his passion. Since middle school she’d been shooting photos everywhere, first on her phone, later with the camera he passed down to her.

Back then he hadn’t been so absent from home, and she hadn’t withdrawn so much. He took her to exhibitions, introduced her to colleagues.

Adults had been patient with the quiet, pretty girl. One young woman, upon hearing she also played this game, invited her into their guild—a guild founded by local Rong City photographers.

Years passed. That woman and many others quit the game; new players unrelated to photography joined. A few veterans remained.

Qian Yuan already knew about the exhibition, but said nothing, simply watching.

Then came another tag.

[Universe’s Number One Pharmacist]: @Thousand-Paper-Crane, classmate, Teacher Wen Pian’s works will be shown this time. [hehe]

Qian Yuan froze.

She hadn’t followed that teacher’s news for a long time—she truly hadn’t known her works would be displayed. Her lips pressed tight. Before she could type, another message appeared.

[He Shang]: Wen Pian? The portrait photographer? Thousand, you liked her?

[Universe’s Number One Pharmacist]: She’s Wen Pian’s little fangirl! [rose]

Qian Yuan’s lashes trembled. She turned restlessly in bed.

That was all years ago…

Another ping.

[He Shang]: What luck! @Thousand-Paper-Crane, want to join us? I have a friend who can’t make it—I can sell you their ticket cheap.

[Universe’s Number One Pharmacist]: @Thousand-Paper-Crane @Thousand-Paper-Crane @Thousand-Paper-Crane [knife] [bomb]

With tags spamming her, she couldn’t ignore it.

Normally, she would have refused—these people barely knew her now. She had only ever met Cherry (the guild leader) and once, as a child, the Pharmacist. Neither knew her current situation.

But Wen Pian’s work would be there.

That was an artist she once adored—and in truth, still did.

She couldn’t quite bear to miss the chance, even though she no longer shot portraits.

Her fingers crumpled the pillowcase. After long hesitation, she typed slowly:

[Thousand-Paper-Crane]: I’d like to go, thanks for offering the ticket ^-^

After sending, her heart pounded wildly.

A vague ache spread through her limbs; making the decision alone left her shaken.

She rolled about under the blanket, pressing a pillow over her face, calming herself with effort.

Despite all her resistance, she couldn’t deny it: after so many years, the thought of returning to a photography exhibit filled her with quiet anticipation.

She splashed her face with cold water, meeting her reflection: bright almond eyes framed by dark lashes, features pretty but pallid, with faint circles under her eyes.

She hadn’t gone out in over two months. Everything—food, supplies—was ordered online.

This had been her life for years: leave the house once every few months to earn just enough, then hole up again like a snail until funds ran out.

Unhealthy, yes. But she had no will to change it yet.

After lunch, she curled up with her tablet for dramas. When the two-hour alarm chimed, she dove back into the game.

Going to the convenience store cost too much stamina; she had planned to grind at the dump for credits first. But opening the diary, she saw Cen Han had already gone to the store.

Snow was falling now, thin on the ground, making travel by wheelchair hard. She understood him skipping class, but why venture out now?

He still had three packs of noodles at home. Characters shouldn’t buy food until they ran out, right?

She frowned. Then two more diary lines appeared:

[November 5th, 1:30 PM][Cen Han spoke to the shopkeeper.][Cen Han is in a bad mood.]

Qian Yuan glanced at the top corner—and nearly screamed. In the short time she’d been offline, his mood had plummeted from a healthy green 80 straight to a glaring red 30, still dropping.

All her hard work—gone!

She rushed to spend her ten stamina to travel to the convenience store.

The scenery loaded. As soon as she arrived, she heard low, halting words. The voice was hushed, as though afraid to be overheard.

“…Don’t bring that up again… Xiao Han. We agreed you wouldn’t come here. What if someone sees you?”

ִֶָ. ..𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ🦋་༘࿐