Ch 20: My Disabled Virtual Lover’s Healing Diary

Qian Yuan’s plan collapsed the moment she stepped out the door.

She had just pushed it open and was still hopping on one foot to tug at her shoe heel when, coincidentally, the door across the hall opened too. An old granny came out with the trash. Seeing Qian Yuan, she greeted her warmly.

Qian Yuan froze on the spot, mind blank. She hadn’t seen people for a long time. To suddenly bump into a stranger like this made her fingers curl nervously inside her sleeves. She muttered a stiff reply.

She tried to smile, but the corners of her mouth locked rigid, unbearably awkward.

The old woman’s eyesight was poor, and she didn’t notice the girl’s discomfort. Chuckling, she said, “Girl, I hardly see you going out. Young people shouldn’t just stay cooped up at home. Get some sun, it’s good for your health.”

Qian Yuan didn’t dare meet her eyes, just gave a stiff nod.

Fortunately, the elevator was empty. She slipped in like she was escaping, jabbing the first-floor button several times. As the car descended, she finally exhaled, leaning against the wall.

Her reflection blurred on the metal panel. A thin flush stained her face, sweat dampened her fringe, and her apricot eyes were unfocused.

—Clearly, the mental preparation she’d worked so hard on at home had fled. She pressed her lips, turned away from her reflection, pulled a handkerchief from her coat pocket to wipe sweat, then tugged her hat on.

There were more people in the compound. She kept her head down, walked fast, and finally spotted her father’s car. She rushed over, yanked open the back door, and dove inside.

“Why’s your face so red?” Qian Yicheng put away his phone and glanced at her through the mirror.

A bit embarrassed, she didn’t answer.

Qian Yicheng was, without doubt, a charismatic man. Middle-aged, yet untouched by the crises others faced—thick hair, fit build. His artist’s style was clear: dyed golden hair tied back in a little tuft. He looked nothing like the father of a grown girl.

He was also talkative, with friends everywhere. Maybe because he already had so much emotional richness in life, family ties didn’t weigh as heavily.

Traffic was smooth; they soon reached a Western restaurant. He’d booked a private room. Qian Yuan sat while he went to smoke, then returned and sat across from her.

“How’ve you been lately?”

“Pretty good, Dad,” she whispered.

“Got enough money? I forgot last time, I’ll transfer some later. Oh, and that editor I told you about—did it work out?”

He was stingy with care, but generous with money—so long as he remembered.

They chatted idly, mostly him talking, her replying. When the waiter came, he ordered two meals without looking, then pushed the menu to her.

She watched his easy motions.

“I’ve known your Aunt Wen Pian for years,” he said cheerfully, as though reading her thoughts. “I’ll tell you someday about the day we suddenly clicked. It was romantic. Remember to call her properly later.”

—Wen Pian.

Qian Yuan froze. The menu she was about to take slipped and clattered to the table. The waiter glanced over. She quickly grabbed it and ordered a few dishes.

Soon after, that aunt arrived. A beautiful woman, gentle-eyed, smiling as she greeted Qian Yuan.

She was stunned.

Her idol—together with her father? She didn’t know how to react. Her face wouldn’t cooperate, lips wouldn’t move. She managed a stiff nod. Her voice, when she tried to speak, was mosquito-soft.

Qian Yicheng chuckled: “Wen Pian, this is my Xiaoyuan. Don’t mind her—she’s very shy and slow to warm up.”

Wen Pian smiled warmly: “Looks like a sweet, sensible girl. Old Qian, I didn’t expect your daughter to be this cute. Much better looking than you.”

By the end of the meal, Qian Yuan had gained a new impression of her idol: gentle, talkative, a perfect woman.

When leaving, Qian Yicheng asked Wen Pian to mentor Qian Yuan in portrait photography. Wen Pian brightened: “Xiaoyuan likes portrait photography too?”

“She used to—”

Abruptly, Qian Yuan cut in: “No. I don’t like it.”

The room went quiet. Her father glanced at her. Wen Pian didn’t understand but tactfully shifted the subject.

…

Back in the car, Qian Yicheng lowered the window for a smoke.

“Do you have a problem with Aunt Wen Pian?”

“…No.”

“Then why say you don’t like portraits? She’s an expert, she could help you a lot.” He exhaled smoke, rubbed his brow. “If you’re unhappy, tell me. We can talk it out.”

Qian Yuan suddenly felt she couldn’t breathe.

He didn’t know why she’d quit school. Didn’t know she’d abandoned portrait photography long ago. Still—it hurt.

They rode in silence. When they reached her neighborhood, he tapped on his phone. A transfer popped up in her WeChat.

“Dad’s leaving tomorrow. Heading to Africa. If you run out of money, message me. I’ll reply if there’s signal. Sleep early, wake early, don’t stay up so late.”

She murmured assent, unbuckled, and left the car.

At home, she collapsed on the bed, staring at the ceiling, not wanting to move.

Her guild had tagged her during lunch raid time. One tank complained about her laziness; the other pharmacist joked she’d found another dog and he’d take her spot.

Qian Yuan smiled faintly. She showered, threw her sweaty clothes in the wash, and pinged the chat.

【Thousand-Paper-Crane】: @Universe’s Number One Pharmacist, dream on.
【Thousand-Paper-Crane】: Anyone up for a raid?

【Cherry】: We’re just finishing, one minute. Perfect timing—Pharmacist’s off to dinner.
【Drink More Lava】: Sigh, no room for two pharmacists.

For her, games were the best escape. The focus required drowned out bad feelings. She gamed through the afternoon until the group disbanded at dinner. Then she made instant noodles.

Her dad had sent her 5,000 yuan. She accepted the transfer. As she exited, she saw a public account in her chat list.

【Raising-Cub APP】: Ding~! Your cub needs your company!
【Raising-Cub APP】: Warning! Your cub’s mood is terrible!
【Raising-Cub APP】: Master, come back and protect your cub!

“…?”

When had she followed this?

The messages came at 5–6 p.m.—her cub’s school dismissal time.

She frowned. Uneasy. She wolfed down noodles, strapped on the headset.

The room was empty. She opened the diary.

Mood: blood-red, –80. Dropping by twos as she watched.

She stared, scanning the entries.

【Cen Han bullied.】
【Cen Han locked in school.】
【Cen Han mocked.】
【Cen Han threatened.】
【Cen Han blocked.】
【Cen Han’s hair yanked.】
【Cen Han’s wheelchair kicked over.】
【Cen Han fell.】
【Cen Han bit attacker’s hand.】

…

Qian Yuan’s breath caught. The further she read, the harsher it became. By the end, she couldn’t go on.

It was school violence.

She was seeing school violence again—inside a game.

The plain words burned. Old memories collided with these records. She clenched her fists and ran to the door.

But there was no 【School】 option. She was level 2. Max stamina 15. School required 20.

Would she have to watch, helpless, as he was beaten?

Her avatar spun in place, a volcano steaming over her head. Just then a prompt appeared.

【Ding~! Limited-time EXP Pack! Each adds +10 EXP! Only 50 yuan!】

“…”

This game planner…

She cursed, but quickly checked her stats.

【Player Info】
Name: Thousand-Paper-Crane
Birthday: Jan 15
Level: 2 (100/120)
Stamina: 15/15

Luckily, she’d finished the main quest. Only 20 EXP short. 100 yuan. Her heart ached, but she bought two packs.

【Congrats, leveled up!】
【Reached Level 3! Farm & Ranch Shop unlocked!】

Ignoring it, she grabbed the doorknob, chose 【School】.

【Insufficient stamina!】
【Ding~! Stamina Pack! +10 Stamina for only 20 yuan!】

“…” Addicted much?

But she’d already dropped 100. She couldn’t stop at 20. She bought it.

Light flashed. She shielded her eyes, then looked—

Her cub, black-haired, crumpled under a streetlamp. His wheelchair overturned, pinning his legs. Someone yanked his hair, someone kicked him. He seemed numb to pain, jaw locked on a blond boy’s arm like he meant to tear flesh.

Blood streaked his lips. The blond howled. Cen Han stayed silent. His soft, cute face had twisted into grim, desperate ferocity.

Qian Yuan’s heart clenched. For an instant, tears nearly fell.

ִֶָ. ..𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ🦋་༘࿐