My Virtual Wife Stepped Out of My Phone to Find Me - Chapter 21

Qi Ying immediately added, “I’m sorry, but I’m afraid it wouldn’t be convenient.”

Shi Yu blinked, gave Qi Ying a deep look, then smiled with her lips pressed together. “Look at you,” she said, “I was just joking. How could I actually stay overnight at your place?”

She walked over and tugged at Qi Ying’s sleeve, her eyes crinkling with laughter. “A-Ying, I need to go back to school for a few days and won’t be able to see you. Let’s have dinner together when I return, okay?”

Qi Ying nodded and asked, “Are you still in school?”

“I’m doing my graduation internship now,” Shi Yu replied. “I’m going back to work on my thesis. I study ballet at the Drama Academy—you know, the most famous one in the country. This trip is mainly to meet up with classmates and have some meals before coming back.” She smiled. “How about I bring you some local specialties when I return?”

Qi Ying shook her head slightly. “I appreciate the thought, but there’s no need for gifts. It’s getting late—you should head home soon.”

Shi Yu looked at her seriously. Their eyes met, and Qi Ying could even see her own reflection in Shi Yu’s dark pupils. After a long moment, Shi Yu took two steps back, swung her small bag over her shoulder, and said, “Alright then, I’ll head home now. Let’s keep in touch on WeChat.”

Watching Shi Yu leave, Qi Ying inexplicably let out a sigh of relief.

She couldn’t quite put her finger on it, but Qi Ying felt that Shi Yu had an inexplicably domineering air about her—like a princess who’d been spoiled since childhood, expecting everyone to cater to her whims, even toward someone she liked.

This made Qi Ying think of Xing Xiaochu. Such an obedient girl—she doubted there could be another like her outside the gaming world.

Qi Ying pinched her palm with her thumb before walking to the door and locking it from the inside.

The audible click of the lock finally put Qi Ying at ease.

She turned off all the lights downstairs before heading up to the second floor. After a quick wash, she lay in bed but found herself unable to sleep.

Tossing and turning until past 1 a.m., Qi Ying finally got out of bed.

Her phone screen lit up with a harsh blue glow. Without hesitation, she tapped on the game icon on her home screen. In the blink of an eye, she appeared in her virtual bedroom.

Qi Ying looked down at herself sitting on the bed, covered by a thin summer quilt, still wearing her pajamas. She pushed the covers aside, got up, and opened the door to stand in the dark, silent living room. After a long pause, she turned her gaze toward Xing Xiaochu’s room next door.

Click—

The sound of the door opening was stark in the quiet night. Qi Ying carefully pushed the door ajar and, by the dim moonlight filtering through the window, saw Xing Xiaochu sleeping with her back to the door.

The air conditioner hummed as it blew cool air. Xing Xiaochu must have been restless in her sleep—most of the blanket had fallen to the floor, leaving only a small portion barely covering her abdomen. Her pink lace panties were fully exposed to Qi Ying’s view.

Under the moonlight, two long, pale legs were casually crossed, the fabric tightening around them, causing plump, fair flesh to spill out from the seams. Qi Ying’s heart skipped a beat at the sight, and she averted her eyes uncomfortably before walking over to pick up the blanket and gently draping it over the girl.

As Qi Ying finished tucking the child in, she noticed a small orange creature stretching its arms and arching its back, squinting one eye at her before letting out a big yawn.

Qi Ying frowned. Why was this kid still sleeping with a cat?

Small Milk Cat lounged lazily by the pillow, watching Qi Ying, who sighed. She decided she’d have to talk to Xing Xiaochu properly once she woke up tomorrow—the kitten was so tiny, and keeping it on the bed risked accidentally crushing it. If anything happened, Xing Xiaochu would be the one suffering.

“Mmm…”

Xing Xiaochu seemed to sense something, tilting her head slightly and making a sound akin to a kitten’s yawn.

Qi Ying glanced down at her, only to see the girl sleeping in complete disarray, strands of hair from her temples strewn across her face. With a soft chuckle, Qi Ying reached out to tidy them, but the moment her fingers brushed Xing Xiaochu’s cheek, the girl rolled over and pulled Qi Ying’s arm into her embrace.

“Hn…”

Still asleep, Xing Xiaochu clung tightly to Qi Ying’s arm, her thin pajama collar slipping open to reveal delicate collarbones and softly rounded shoulders tinged with pink.

The warmth and softness against her arm made Qi Ying’s eyes widen. Her heartbeat inexplicably quickened as she watched Xing Xiaochu nuzzle against her arm, completely unaware of what she was doing in her sleep. The girl pressed her face into Qi Ying’s palm, her warm breath ghosting over Qi Ying’s wrist, her chest and stomach pressed flush against her, and…

Qi Ying could feel her face burning. She was certain she was blushing now, even catching the faint scent of plum wine radiating from herself.

This kid… just what was she…?

Qi Ying’s throat tightened. She tried to shift her arm slightly, but Xing Xiaochu only snuggled closer in her sleep.

“Mmm… Jiejie…”

Xing Xiaochu murmured drowsily in her dream, her voice soft and sweet with a nasal lilt as she called out, “Jiejie…”

Qi Ying’s heartbeat was so loud she could hear it clearly in her own ears.

The next morning, Xing Xiaochu woke up in bed, the blanket slipping from her grasp and falling to the floor. Her eyes landed on the now-familiar ceiling.

With a sleepy grumble, she rolled over, tugged the fallen blanket back up, and hugged it to her chest before closing her eyes again.

“Meow—”

From behind the door, Xing Xiaochu heard Guazi’s tiny mewl.

The kitten’s soft cries seeped through the door crack, reminding Xing Xiaochu—hadn’t she brought the little one into the room last night? Why was it outside now?

Xing Xiaochu quickly threw off the covers and got up, padding barefoot across the floor to open the door. The moment she did, the mewing kitten perked up its stiff little tail and darted inside. Xing Xiaochu bent down to scoop it into her arms, gently patting its back.

Yesterday was the same. Small Milk Cat refused to sleep alone in its cat bed. The moment Xing Xiaochu closed the door, it would squat outside meowing pitifully and loudly. Xing Xiaochu tried several times, but the clingy little thing simply wouldn’t sleep alone. Left with no choice, Xing Xiaochu had to bring it into her room.

Originally, Xing Xiaochu planned to carry the kitten out once it fell asleep, but despite its small size, the little furball started sniffing around everywhere after entering the room. Finally, it circled Xing Xiaochu’s pillow a couple times before plopping down decisively—clearly claiming that spot as its sleeping place.

Worried about accidentally crushing the tiny cat, Xing Xiaochu remained tense. Yet somehow, she ended up sleeping through until morning.

So who took Guazi outside?

Surely it couldn’t have gone out by itself and closed the door behind it?

Peering curiously at the opposite door, Xing Xiaochu wondered if Qi Ying had left yet…

Holding Small Milk Cat, she approached Qi Ying’s door, knocked, and listened intently. Hearing no response, she knocked again before turning the doorknob to open it.

The empty room was silent. Standing at the doorway, Xing Xiaochu felt a faint disappointment.

Qi Ying really wasn’t home.

“Meow—”

Small Milk Cat lifted its head, meowing to get its owner’s attention. Xing Xiaochu looked down with a smile and coaxed softly, “Are you hungry? Should I open a can for you?”

“Meow— Meow—” The little one responded happily.

With the kitten’s company, Xing Xiaochu felt less lonely. She padded barefoot around the house, opening cans for Small Milk Cat and teaching it to use the litter box.

Meanwhile…

Qi Ying watched through her phone’s surveillance feed as Xing Xiaochu’s fair, delicate feet moved across the floor. Those pinkish-white toes were distractingly visible, along with her slender ankles and shapely calves—enough to make Qi Ying’s throat feel dry.

She took a sip of coffee, considering whether to call and remind Xing Xiaochu not to walk barefoot. But going barefoot wasn’t the same as being naked—wouldn’t such a call seem overly fussy?

Moreover, if Xing Xiaochu discovered the surveillance cameras and realized Qi Ying had been watching her through the phone, it might frighten the younger woman.

And then there was last night…

Just remembering the previous evening made Qi Ying’s face inexplicably warm, her heartbeat accelerating. She didn’t understand her own reaction—why had a simple hug and nuzzle from Xing Xiaochu affected her so deeply?

This didn’t feel like her usual self at all.

With a long sigh, Qi Ying set down her cup just as the door chimed. Frowning, she looked up—then relaxed visibly upon seeing Xia Ruoxin.

Xia Ruoxin: “?”

Dropping her bag, Xia Ruoxin demanded, “What’s with that expression? Huh? Why do you look so deflated seeing me? Don’t want me here? Fine, I’ll leave then!”

Unable to be bothered with the woman’s dramatics, Qi Ying replied mildly, “Stop making a scene. It’s not about you.”

Xia Ruoxin’s dark eyes rolled around as she suddenly thought of something. She immediately bounced over to Qi Ying and nudged her with her hip, smiling brightly as she said, “Hey, so… how did things go with Shi Yu last night?”

At this, Qi Ying couldn’t help but glare at her.

Xia Ruoxin pointed at her, “Hey, don’t look at me like that! I was just creating an opportunity for you and Miss Shi to be alone together.”

Qi Ying replied, “Well, maybe you shouldn’t create those opportunities anymore.”

Hearing this, Xia Ruoxin immediately sensed something was off and pressed curiously, “What happened? Did you two not get along last night?”

Qi Ying shook her head. After a long pause, she finally said to Xia Ruoxin, “I just feel… Miss Shi and I might not be very compatible.”