My Virtual Wife Stepped Out of My Phone to Find Me - Chapter 22

Xia Ruoxin blinked and squeezed next to Qi Ying, asking, “What’s really going on? Did something happen yesterday?”

Qi Ying couldn’t quite explain it. Shi Yu had only joked about staying over last night—nothing particularly wrong with that—yet Qi Ying felt inexplicably uncomfortable and resistant to the idea.

Ultimately, it came down to one simple fact: Qi Ying just didn’t like her.

Hearing this, Xia Ruoxin nodded in agreement. “If you really don’t like Shi Yu, don’t force yourself. Though I think she’s a nice girl, relationships require mutual consent. If being together makes you uncomfortable, it’s just not right.”

“But…” Xia Ruoxin added, “Didn’t you agree to attend her birthday party next month? Are you going to stand her up?”

Qi Ying fell silent. This was indeed a tricky situation.

She had given her word, and Shi Yu was also a customer at their shop. Both sentiment and reason dictated she should go.

Just treat her as a friend, Qi Ying thought.

At that moment, her phone pinged with a WeChat notification. Xia Ruoxin peeked and let out an amused “Oh-ho,” saying, “Speak of the devil.”

Qi Ying glanced over—it was a message from Shi Yu.

Xia Ruoxin tactfully busied herself elsewhere, leaving Qi Ying to open the message alone.

Shi Yu: Just checked into the hotel to rest. Meeting classmates later. What are you up to?

Qi Ying: Shop just opened. Preparing patterns to make clothes.

Shi Yu: That sounds exhausting. Go ahead with your work then. I need to change and head out soon. Can I call you tonight? I really miss you.

Qi Ying stared at the words for a long time before replying: Sorry, the shop’s quite busy. I might not be able to respond promptly.

Shi Yu: Alright, alright. Go do your thing. Bye~

Looking at the emoji Shi Yu sent, Qi Ying exited the chat with visible irritation, propping her head in her hands with a heavy sigh. Xia Ruoxin stole a glance, unsure whether to feel more sorry for Qi Ying or the oblivious Miss Shi.

Two customers came in that morning for custom orders. Xia Ruoxin handled their consultations, confirming fabric choices and measurements. Though somewhat distracted, Qi Ying still meticulously worked on patterns at the long drafting table, staying busy throughout the day.

It wasn’t until darkness fell that Qi Ying realized evening had arrived. Xia Ruoxin was pinning buttons on a dress form, bustling about nonstop.

“It’s almost eight. Aren’t you going home?” Qi Ying asked.

Xia Ruoxin, holding a hair tie between her teeth, replied, “Keeping you company. You’ve been in a funk all day. I’ll stay to help out a bit more. How about grabbing dinner later? My treat—barbecue?”

Qi Ying shook her head. “You should head back soon. You’re nearsighted but never wear your glasses—driving at night isn’t safe.”

Xia Ruoxin laughed. “Relax, I keep glasses in the car. I wouldn’t joke about my own safety.”

No sooner had she spoken than Qi Ying’s phone rang on the table. Xia Ruoxin leaned over to look, then immediately grinned knowingly. “Miss Shi calling you?”

Qi Ying let out an awkward “Hmm,” staring at the incessantly ringing phone on the table, unsure what to do with it. Meanwhile, Xia Ruoxin crossed her arms and leaned in, clearly enjoying the spectacle as she teased, “Answer it! Why aren’t you picking up? If you don’t, she’ll hang up—”

No sooner had she spoken than Shi Yu’s call disconnected.

Xia Ruoxin pointed at the phone and smirked at Qi Ying. “See? You missed your little sister’s call.”

Qi Ying shot her a glare.

The next second, Shi Yu called again. Qi Ying felt her head throb as she watched Xia Ruoxin stifling laughter behind her hand. Gritting her teeth, she finally answered.

“Hello?” Shi Yu’s voice came through the line. “A-Ying, why did it take you so long to pick up? Are you still busy?”

“Ah, yeah, I was just tied up earlier and missed your call,” Qi Ying lied through her teeth, sitting stiffly in her chair as sweat trickled down her back. “I’ve got a lot on my plate right now. I’ll reach out once I’m free, okay?”

A brief silence lingered before Shi Yu sighed in resignation. “Fine. I’ll hang up then. Don’t forget to call me when you’re done.”

The moment the call ended, Qi Ying exhaled heavily in relief.

Xia Ruoxin, still covering her mouth to hide her amusement, finally burst into laughter when Qi Ying glared at her again. “Oh my god, A-Ying, you might as well have announced you were dodging her on purpose!”

Qi Ying winced. “What else was I supposed to do?”

“If you’re not into her, just say so,” Xia Ruoxin chided. “Stringing her along makes you a total jerk. Imagine the emotional damage you could cause—how heartless would that be?”

Qi Ying realized Xia Ruoxin had a point. If things weren’t right, ending it was the decent thing to do—especially since they weren’t even officially dating. Dragging it out would only hurt Shi Yu more. She nodded firmly. “You’re right. I’ll talk to her properly when she gets back.”

Seeing her friend come around, Xia Ruoxin brightened and slung an arm over Qi Ying’s shoulder. “Come on, my treat—let’s grab some barbecue.”

Never one to turn down free food, Qi Ying quickly packed up and followed her out.

By the time Qi Ying logged back into the game, it was well past 10 p.m.

She hesitated at the doorway, debating whether to step inside.

Just the memory of Xing Xiaochu clinging to her arm sleepily the night before, murmuring her name, sent a rush of heat through Qi Ying’s body, leaving her restless and flustered.

Annoyed at herself, Qi Ying shook her head. Xing Xiaochu was just lines of code—how could she possibly feel anything for data?

Steeling herself, she pushed the door open and stepped in.

The moment she crossed the threshold, the faint scent of osmanthus greeted her—cool and delicate, like the crisp fragrance after an autumn rain, even in the summer heat.

The kitten perked up at the sound, its tail straight as it scampered over. It paused at Qi Ying’s feet, tilting its head with a tiny, inquisitive “Mew?”

Qi Ying glanced down, then bent to scoop the little furball into her arms.

“Meeew—” The kitten nuzzled against her chest, purring adorably.

Too sweet for words.

Smiling, Qi Ying gently rubbed its velvety ears between her fingers. When she looked up, her gaze landed on Xing Xiaochu—curled up on the sofa, fast asleep with her back turned.

The pale nightgown outlined Xing Xiaochu’s waist and hips, and the way she was turned away from Qi Ying made her heart suddenly race. She recalled the scene she had witnessed the night before, only this time it was in the living room, and Xing Xiaochu’s nightgown was still properly on her body.

Qi Ying cleared her throat, feeling the need to set some rules with this girl—she couldn’t just wander around in such a short nightgown in front of her.

She wouldn’t be able to hold back.

“Xiaochu.”

Qi Ying walked over and sat on the sofa, placing Small Milk Cat on her lap, then said softly, “You’re awake? Why did you fall asleep here?”

Xing Xiaochu drowsily opened her eyes and turned her head to look at Qi Ying.

But she just kept looking.

Qi Ying felt her whole body grow hot under that gaze. Unconsciously, she leaned closer, her nose filled with the sweet scent from Xing Xiaochu, stirring an urge to take a bite.

“You—”

Qi Ying’s hand had already reached Xing Xiaochu’s calf. Her throat was dry, and her eyes were fixed on the dazed girl lying on the sofa, sensing something wasn’t quite right.

“Meow—”

Just then, Small Milk Cat slipped and tumbled from Xing Xiaochu’s lap onto the sofa, letting out a startled cry. The sound snapped Qi Ying back to reality, and she quickly straightened up.

What had she been about to do??

Her heart pounded violently—she had almost lost control, wanting to caress Xing Xiaochu.

The warmth still lingered in her palm, carrying the rich fragrance of osmanthus.

“…Mmm, Sister, you’re back from work?” Xing Xiaochu seemed completely unaware of what Qi Ying had just done, still in a half-asleep daze. She lay on the sofa, pressing the back of her hand to her forehead, and only after a long moment did she glance at Qi Ying.

Meeting her gaze, Qi Ying tensed and quickly stood up. “You’ll catch a cold sleeping on the sofa. Go back to your room.”

She turned to leave but then remembered something and looked back sternly. “Tonight, you can’t bring the cat to bed again. It’s still too small—wait a few more months before sleeping with it, understand?”

Xing Xiaochu pushed herself up, her long black hair cascading over her shoulders. Her eyes were inexplicably red, as were the corners of her eyes and the tip of her nose.

Only then did Qi Ying realize something was off. Frowning, she asked, “Are you okay? Not feeling well?”

Xing Xiaochu shook her head groggily. She knew she was unconsciously releasing pheromones in her sleep, but Qi Ying was an alpha after all—she didn’t want her to notice. So she lifted her head and said, “No, I’m just… still sleepy from waking up.”

The osmanthus scent in the air seemed to grow stronger with her movements.

Qi Ying felt her own body temperature rising. She frowned and touched her forehead, surprised to find a thin layer of sweat. Her entire body felt unusually hot.

Xing Xiaochu noticed the change in Qi Ying and widened her eyes slightly. Too embarrassed to explain directly, she clutched the hem of her nightgown tightly and lowered her head. “Sister, I want to take a shower… is that okay?”

Qi Ying looked at her in confusion, noticing Xing Xiaochu’s flushed face. Assuming she was just as uncomfortably warm, she nodded. “Go ahead and shower first.”

Xing Xiaochu immediately stood up and hurriedly rushed to the bathroom. Soon, the sound of running water could be heard.

Qi Ying went to check if the air conditioner was broken—why was she feeling so hot?

But the air conditioner was working fine. Qi Ying drank a glass of cold water and stood in front of the freezer for a while, letting the cold air blow on her. Only then did she feel slightly better.

Could something be wrong with her?

Qi Ying closed the refrigerator door, puzzled.

“Sister.”

Just then, Xing Xiaochu suddenly called out to Qi Ying from the bathroom. The bathroom door cracked open slightly, and Xing Xiaochu stood inside, timidly looking at Qi Ying from afar. Her eyes were red and watery as she awkwardly said, “I forgot to bring my underwear… Can you help me, sister?”