Ch 17: My Disabled Virtual Lover’s Healing Diary

At night, Zhang San arrived as promised.

“The black market’s between the slums and the outskirts of the capital. Not too far from your place, but some stretches of road are rough.”

The big messy-haired dumpling rubbed his bird’s-nest head even worse, looking battered, voice weak: “I’ll carry you over, kid. Just don’t lose your temper.”

Lose his temper?

Qian Yuan glanced at Cen Han’s face. Sure enough, at those words he looked displeased, a little rain cloud forming over his head.

Had he gotten angry about this before?

The front door stood open, icy wind pouring in. Cen Han pulled on the new coat she’d given him, zipped it to his neck, tugged up the furry hood. The ragged old clothes beneath were hidden, and in an instant, he looked different.

Qian Yuan delightedly circled him. Zhang San glanced over too, raising his brows in surprise.

“…Didn’t expect you to look like a real person,” he muttered. “Usually you’re half dead. Hey, why don’t you cut your hair?”

Cen Han ran his fingers through his bangs, briefly revealing his full forehead and sharp brows, then let them fall again.

“Not necessary,” he said flatly.

Why cut his hair? So the ones who mocked him could better see the hatred in his eyes? He sneered inwardly. Then, catching the little ghost’s starry-eyed stare, his gaze faltered.

He turned away, embarrassed, the hood brushing his cheek with a hint of warmth.

“…Let’s go,” he said quietly.

“I’ve been ready! Hurry up already!” Zhang San hollered.

Qian Yuan blinked.

Right… to reach the black market, there was still the journey.

She tried stepping toward the open door. As expected, her fingertips met the invisible barrier again.

Cen Han had already wheeled himself outside, body angled slightly, waiting for her—as if she could walk beside him—despite Zhang San watching with a puzzled stare.

She opened her mouth helplessly. How was she supposed to let Cen Han know she could only poof straight to the black market?

Seeing her pause, the little rain cloud over his head darkened, thunder rumbling.

Qian Yuan: “…”

A bead of sweat popped on her dumpling head. Uh-oh.

【Ding~! Limited-time “Travel Together” bundle now in the shop! With it, you can accompany your cub anywhere (still costs stamina)! Super discount price: 1888 RMB!】

Qian Yuan: “.”

She stared at the glowing words “super discount.”

Plenty of games opened top-up channels during beta, often refunding players later. But this one felt more like “grab all the cash before shutting down.”

She closed the window mercilessly, muttering, “Almost two thousand for a bundle? Is this game only for whales? If the packs were cheaper, I might’ve skipped meals to buy them…”

【……】
【…………】
【Ding~! Limited-time ‘Note’ bundle now in the shop! With it, you can send a heartfelt message! Super discount price: 1 RMB!】

Qian Yuan: “Wow!”

Did this game have a live customer service??

Finally she could spend a single yuan for her cub. The poor girl nearly squealed, bought the note, and typed quickly before his thundercloud burst.

【Cub, I’ll be waiting for you at the black market!】

The words turned into sparkling light. At that moment, a mechanical voice rang in Cen Han’s ear.

He froze.

The voice was cold, robotic, emotionless—so unlike the laughing ghost before him. But apart from Zhang San and himself, only the ghost was here.

So… was the ghost some kind of robot? Technology this advanced? And “cub”… what did that mean?

He stared blankly at the ghost. Zhang San, meanwhile, was horrified—watching him make eye contact with thin air was enough to make his scalp prickle.

“K-Kid…” Zhang San swallowed, voice cautious. “We… we should go, right?”

Cen Han came back to himself.

The ghost waved, poked at the air as if to prove something, then vanished.

Cen Han pressed his lips together and nodded at Zhang San.

…

Dilapidated shops lined the streets, men lounging on curbs, chatting lazily. Even the Empire’s shining capital had its dark sides—slums, black markets. The royals had long given up trying to stamp them out.

“The black market’s split inner and outer, like the capital itself,” Zhang San rambled as he led Cen Han. “We’re only in the outer ring now. The dangerous types aren’t here. Stick close and you’ll be fine.”

Cen Han said nothing. Qian Yuan followed curiously, invisible.

Unable to stand silence, Zhang San chattered on. “My old man lives here—sells light-brains. Yeah, illegal ones. Most stripped off corpses from the frontlines. Still cheaper than the municipal ones.”

At this, Cen Han’s chin lifted, eyes narrowing faintly behind his bangs.

They wound through alleys until reaching a quieter, bleaker street. Moss on stone walls, houses little better than slum shacks.

“Dad!” Zhang San called, stepping into a shop.

Voices answered. Cen Han waited outside, head bowed. Soon, Zhang San reemerged with a gaunt old man—and another figure.

“The mysterious supplier behind Tang Mingqi?” the stranger muttered.

Qian Yuan looked.

A bronze-skinned dumpling, clad only in a black vest and garish floral pants despite the winter cold.

Seeing Cen Han, his gaze flicked briefly to the boy’s legs. “A kid? Zhang San, you sure you’ve got the right guy?”

Strictly speaking, a sixth-year high schooler, Cen Han wasn’t really a “kid.” But Qian Yuan didn’t know that. Her attention was already caught by the pop-up:

【Ding~! Side quest unlocked! Help your cub expand his connections! Goal: Through mercenary Jian Dahua, establish ties with a mercenary corps. Reward: EXP ×100, Star Coins ×50.】

A side quest with rewards richer than the main quest! One hundred EXP—enough to level up and finally accompany him to school.

But high rewards meant high difficulty. Qian Yuan steadied herself, eyes sparkling as she watched the buzz-cut mercenary, “EXP 100” practically stamped on his forehead.

…

“A kid?” The words weren’t loud, but everyone heard. Cen Han’s eyes lifted, expression cold. Zhang San rubbed his nose awkwardly.

“Brother Jian, no mistake. He’s Cen Han,” Zhang San said.

“Cen Han… why does that name sound familiar?” Jian frowned, muttered, then turned toward the shop. “Come in. Let’s see if you’ve got any skill.”

The gaunt elder followed. Zhang San leaned back to whisper, “You’re lucky—Brother Jian’s from the Fierce Vultures. Big deal. If he takes you in, you’ll never worry about food again.”

His voice dropped with envy. “Those mercs drink top-grade nutrient fluid, sometimes even real wine and meat.”

Inside, Jian called again. Zhang San hurried in. Cen Han sat still, recalling an old conversation—

A man in uniform, browsing military news, had once grumbled: “Space pirates loot weapons, ships, mechs from the Zerg front, then resell them. Parasites. But mercenaries are no better—money-hungry scum.”

Then, more gravely: “Even royals sometimes use them as blades. But blades cut both ways. You’ll serve the Empire one day, Xiao Han. Protect your name. Don’t get tied to filth, or they’ll use it against you.”

…

Cen Han’s lips twitched. To the Empire now, he was filthier than any mercenary.

His chair jolted suddenly. He turned—

The ghost was pushing him over the curb, grinning, fist raised in encouragement.

“…Alright,” he murmured hoarsely, heart softening.

ִֶָ. ..𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ🦋་༘࿐