Ch 18: My Disabled Virtual Lover’s Healing Diary

The desk was cluttered with mechanical parts. Mercenary Jian walked in through the back door, carrying a grease-stained toolbox on one shoulder and a filthy robot on the other.

It was a butler robot, its silver-gray casing covered in grime, its crystal-chip eyes dim, head lolling to the side.

“This is my housekeeper bot. Energy’s still not drained, but it just up and died. Been meaning to fix it.”

Jian dropped the half-man-tall machine in front of Cen Han, then cleared a space on the table for his tools. Absentmindedly rubbing the scar at his temple, he said lazily, “Let’s see if you can fix it.”

Usually Cen Han only built or repaired scrap-level parts. This was a real test—miles harder. Even Old Zhang, who knew a little about machines, frowned uneasily.

Repairing loose junk from the garbage heap wasn’t the same as restoring an intact robot. It demanded advanced knowledge of structure, circuits, control systems. A mechanical academy student might manage—but Cen Han had no such schooling.

Old Zhang rubbed his wrinkled face nervously. Maybe the mercenary was deliberately making things hard. After all, the name “Cen Han” carried weight. And mercenaries might serve money, but who knew if this one held certain loyalties? Would he be angry at Zhang San for bringing this boy here?

Jian leaned back, crossing his legs. Zhang San busied himself behind the counter. The sickly old man looked on anxiously.

And next to them, the glowing little ghost stared with shining curiosity.

Cen Han pulled on black gloves, dragged the toolbox closer.

The robot’s shell, though filthy, wasn’t cracked. Confirming the fault was inside, he began to dismantle it. Hands steady, movements deft, eyes sharp—he handled every tool with practiced precision.

Jian leaned forward, interest piqued.

Qian Yuan held her breath, watching. If he succeeded, this Jian Dahua might think well of him. That would bring her one step closer to finishing the lucrative side quest.

But as she stared, her thoughts drifted. Cen Han’s serious face, so focused—it was ridiculously cute.

Outside, night had fallen. Yellow lamplight flickered. Voices from the street drifted in.

“Where’s Dahua? Didn’t he say he’d be hanging out in the outer ring? Gone again.”

“Who knows. That guy’s always running wild. Bet he hasn’t finished the order the boss gave him. He’s hopeless…”

Qian Yuan’s ears twitched.

No one inside reacted—except Jian. He nearly jumped, then forced himself still. His face shifted pale to green, little angry icons popping above his head.

So… he hated people calling him by his real name.

The footsteps faded, but they kept mentioning Dahua. Qian Yuan blinked. In a game, “passerby NPCs” dropping names at just this moment? Probably important.

She slipped out the back door, openly tailing the two mercs.

“…Saw him earlier, grabbing a robot. Said he was meeting someone—what was the name? Cen… Cen Han? Never heard of that.”

“Cen Han?” the other stopped, shocked. “How would Dahua know him? …Oh, you’re new to the capital. Cen Han’s Cen Xiaoyuan’s son.”

Cen Xiaoyuan?

Qian Yuan frowned. The medal she’d seen earlier bore a different name.

The second merc gasped. “You mean the one who betrayed the Empire, colluded with the Federation, caused the radiation on the capital star?”

“That’s him. Family stripped, estates seized. That kid can’t afford Fierce Vulture fees. No idea why Dahua’s bothering.”

“I’d like to see him myself. Cen Xiaoyuan was my idol! To park a battleship outside the capital without the military’s permission—that kind of trust from the Emperor! And then, boom, one cannon blast right in the Emperor’s face. Ignoring his own son onboard, he self-destructed—cold, ruthless, insane. Brilliant.”

“Careful. The boss has been working with the second prince. Say the wrong thing and you’ll lose more than your booze collection.”

The two disappeared around a corner.

Qian Yuan slowed, heart tangled. The game had just revealed Cen Han’s backstory: son of a traitor.

So that was why he was bullied. He’d even survived the explosion himself. Maybe that’s how he ended up disabled.

She sighed. Betrayal, radiation, condemnation—yet the guilty one was long dead. And the one paying the price was his child.

…

Back at the shop, the butler robot emerged, newly repaired, dust wiped away. “Master, it’s dinner time. Please don’t drink too much—”

“Shut it.” Jian smacked the back of its head. The bot blinked reproachfully.

“Finish those orders. Zhang San will deliver them.” Jian added, “And you, boy—stop hanging around garbage heaps. Earn your keep.”

Zhang San glanced guiltily at Cen Han. Cen Han only lowered his eyes—until he noticed Qian Yuan returning. His lips pressed tight, but his eyes brightened.

When Jian left, Cen Han and Zhang San prepared to go too. Qian Yuan accompanied Cen Han to the black market’s edge, waved goodbye, then teleported home.

Time to claim her daily reward.

【Congrats! You signed in and got: Gacha Coin ×1, Star Coins ×10!】

She checked her balance—fifty-three coins. Still far from filling his wardrobe with outfits. She sighed and spun the gacha.

Rainbow light burst forth—her heart jumped.

【Rare item: Bill Star Specialty Fruit Wine ×1!】

“…”

Just wine?

And Cen Han wasn’t even old enough to drink!

Disappointed, she remembered the mercs’ chatter about alcohol. Maybe if she gifted it to Jian, it would raise his favorability.

Night deepened. The lock clicked. Cen Han wheeled inside. Spotting her still there, his lips curved faintly.

“I got some orders.”

The joy lasted only a moment. His face cooled again, voice calm. “You don’t need to worry about me. From now on, I’ll buy you machine oil, energy stones.”

Qian Yuan’s dumpling avatar nearly toppled over.

A question mark popped over her head. Cen Han hesitated, then added: “…Or offerings, if you like.”

Qian Yuan: “…”

What on earth?!

ִֶָ. ..𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ🦋་༘࿐