My Virtual Wife Stepped Out of My Phone to Find Me - Chapter 28

As the last two pieces of fabric were stitched together, a small cream-colored cloth fish with golden bead eyes came to life in Qi Ying’s hands.

Guazi, thinking the little cream fish was for it, came meowing with its tail held high, only to be scooped up into Xiao Chu’s arms. She tapped its tiny nose and said, “This one’s mine.”

The kitten tilted its head, looking at her in confusion: “Meow—”

The little cream fish was sewn onto the side waist of the dress. After neatly tucking away the loose threads, Qi Ying examined the perfectly placed fish and turned to Xiao Chu. “Does this look okay?”

“It’s perfect—it looks really cute!” Xiao Chu gazed at the beautiful dress on the mannequin, adorned with a matching fish at the waist. Though it might seem a bit odd to others, she was utterly pleased.

After all, this was the first piece of clothing Qi Ying had made just for her.

The altered school uniform and pajamas didn’t count.

Seeing her satisfaction, Qi Ying smiled and took the dress off the mannequin. “Try it on,” she said.

Xiao Chu nodded eagerly.

While Xiao Chu went to change, Qi Ying tidied the living room—moving the mannequin back to the storage room and sweeping up stray threads and fabric scraps. Meanwhile, Guazi crouched outside Xiao Chu’s door, its little butt wiggling as it peered inside, scratching at the gap with visible impatience.

Soon, Xiao Chu emerged wearing the cream-colored dress.

“Jiejie,” she called softly, pinching the hem of the skirt. “How do I look?”

Qi Ying looked up—and felt as if the room had brightened.

Xiao Chu was already radiant by nature, her youthful charm impossible to ignore. These days at Qi Ying’s home, she had gained a bit of healthy weight, her complexion glowing even more. Now, dressed in the cream-colored dress, her skin seemed to shimmer like sunlight.

Qi Ying couldn’t tear her eyes away. “You look beautiful,” she said sincerely.

Xiao Chu flushed with happiness at the praise—shy, but mostly thrilled.

“Meow—”

Guazi spotted the little fish on Xiao Chu’s waist and, mistaking it for its own toy, immediately latched onto her leg, scrambling upward. Xiao Chu hissed in pain.

“Meow! Meow—!”

The kitten leaped and pounced, trying to snatch the fish, while Xiao Chu dodged and ducked behind Qi Ying. The two of them circled Qi Ying in a playful chase.

“That’s mine!” Xiao Chu scolded half-heartedly.

Guazi’s tiny legs moved like lightning, occasionally launching into the air to claw at the dress. Qi Ying swiftly intercepted, scooping the kitten into her arms.

“Alright, enough playing—don’t ruin the new dress,” she chided, holding the squirming Guazi. Noticing its sharp claws, she narrowed her eyes. Xiao Chu leaned in, glancing between Qi Ying and the kitten.

They instantly had the same thought.

Snip, snip—

“Mrow—!”

Qi Ying settled Guazi on her lap and held out a paw for Xiao Chu. “Be careful of the quick—kitten claws are shallow, so don’t cut too deep.”

Xiao Chu nodded seriously, carefully trimming each tiny claw with the clippers.

The little kitten, Guazi, mewled and cried, but neither of its owners paid it any mind. After trimming its front paws, they moved on to its hind paws, nearly driving the little thing to frustration. Still, they managed to clip all its nails successfully in the end.

Once the ordeal was over, the tiny kitten jumped off the couch with its tail held high, grumbling all the way. But because it was still so small, it ended up faceplanting onto the carpet. Its tail, no longer as perky as before, drooped dejectedly as it trudged back to its cat bed, turning its back on the two humans before settling down to sleep.

Qi Ying let out an “Aiya” and said, “It’s mad.”

Xing Xiaochu, who was cleaning the kitten’s clipped nails, smiled with crescent-shaped eyes—only to sneeze loudly the next second.

Qi Ying’s expression immediately darkened as she reached out to feel Xing Xiaochu’s forehead. Meanwhile, Xing Xiaochu squinted slightly at the person before her. Qi Ying’s palm was warm, so comforting that it made Xing Xiaochu’s whole body feel soft and weak.

“You’re still feverish,” Qi Ying said with concern. “Go back under the covers, quick.”

Xing Xiaochu blinked and replied, “But, sis, I’m hungry.”

Qi Ying, however, kept a stern face. “First, back to bed. I’ll make you some dumplings.”

With no other choice, Xing Xiaochu changed into her pajamas and climbed into bed.

Perhaps because she had slept too much today, Xing Xiaochu didn’t feel like resting at all now. She glanced at the neatly folded dress she had taken off earlier and couldn’t resist picking it up, running her fingers over the fabric again and again.

Knock, knock, knock—

Qi Ying tapped on the door from outside. “I’m coming in~”

Xing Xiaochu quickly responded and set the dress aside.

Qi Ying entered with a plate of dumplings. Ever since she realized that, in this world, two women couldn’t be as openly intimate as they once were, she had developed the habit of rarely entering Xing Xiaochu’s room—and always knocking first when she did.

She placed the steaming dumplings by the bedside, unfolded the bed tray in front of Xing Xiaochu, and said, “They just came out of the pot, so be careful—they’re hot.”

Xing Xiaochu nodded, steadying the bowl and chopsticks.

Qi Ying asked, “Do you want vinegar or chili sauce?”

Xing Xiaochu thought for a moment. “Either is fine.”

“Then I’ll bring you both.” Qi Ying stood and went back to the kitchen, returning with two small dipping dishes and a bowl of dumpling broth.

The dumplings tasted just how Xing Xiaochu liked them—freshly cooked, warm, and delicious. Eating them made her feel a little less unwell, as if Qi Ying’s cooking alone could cure her sickness.

While Xing Xiaochu ate, Qi Ying tidied up the bedroom. Noticing how empty the wardrobe was, she said to the younger girl, “Autumn’s coming soon, and school will start. We should get you some fall clothes. Anything in particular you want? I can go shopping for you ahead of time.”

Xing Xiaochu blew on a dumpling before looking up at Qi Ying. “We have to wear uniforms at school, sis. I don’t need that many clothes—what I have now is enough.”

Qi Ying still thought the girl had too few outfits.

“I’ll pick some out for you myself. I know your size anyway,” Qi Ying said, closing the wardrobe door. When she turned back, she found Xing Xiaochu eating slowly—one bite of dumpling, one sip of broth—chewing carefully in small, deliberate bites. It was oddly endearing.

She eats like a kitten.

Amused, Qi Ying watched as Xing Xiaochu blew on the hot broth before taking small sips. But being stared at while eating made Xing Xiaochu self-conscious. After a couple more bites, she paused, gripping her chopsticks as she looked at Qi Ying in confusion.

Xing Xiaochu asked curiously, “Sister, do you need something?”

Qi Ying shook her head and said softly, “Take your time eating. Call me when you’re done. I’m going to check on that little cat of ours who’s still sulking.”

Although Xing Xiaochu looked adorable while eating, she was still a young adult after all, and watching her eat like she was some small animal seemed a bit excessive. Fortunately, the other little animal in the house didn’t have this problem—the originally round and puffed-up kitten was quickly won over by a cat treat, allowing Qi Ying to pet it freely.

When would she get to pet Xing Xiaochu like this?

Qi Ying mused with interest.

After tidying up the dishes from the child’s meal, it was already quite late. Qi Ying tucked Xing Xiaochu’s blankets snugly around her before turning off the light and urging her to sleep early.

After logging out of the game, Qi Ying returned to her room to sleep, thinking she’d check on Xing Xiaochu again in the morning. If the fever persisted, they’d have to go to the hospital for an IV.

Luckily, early the next morning while brushing her teeth, Qi Ying heard a ‘ding’ from her phone—a notification bringing good news from the system.

Dear Designer, your Xing Xiaochu’s fever has subsided. She slept very comfortably last night, so no need to worry.

Qi Ying’s eyes lit up. Still brushing her teeth, she switched to the view inside Xing Xiaochu’s room and saw the girl sleeping soundly on her side. When Qi Ying noticed the sundress she had made yesterday clutched tightly in Xing Xiaochu’s arms, her brushing hand froze.

Did Xing Xiaochu… like the dress that much?

Qi Ying gazed at the sleeping child and the dress in her arms, feeling a strange sensation welling up inside—something between satisfaction and overwhelming tenderness.

She felt as if something in her heart had been gently tickled by this scene.

Clenching her toothbrush between her teeth, Qi Ying stared intently at the phone screen, her heart softening with warmth.

After changing clothes and logging back into the game, Qi Ying found Xing Xiaochu still asleep. She quietly entered the room, placing a glass of water and medicine on the bedside table before reaching out to feel Xing Xiaochu’s forehead.

“Mmm…”

Xing Xiaochu seemed to be waking up. She hugged the dress tighter and drowsily opened her eyes.

Qi Ying had intended to slip away unnoticed, but since Xing Xiaochu was awake, she said helplessly, “You’re up? Remember to take your medicine when you get out of bed. I’m heading to work now.”

Still half-asleep, Xing Xiaochu murmured “Sister” and tried to sit up, only to blush furiously upon seeing the pale yellow dress in her arms before burrowing back under the covers.

Pretending not to notice Xing Xiaochu’s reaction, Qi Ying continued gently, “Order takeout for lunch—nothing too greasy or heavy. Stick to lighter foods, okay?”

Nodding with flushed cheeks, Xing Xiaochu clutched the blankets tighter.

Unable to suppress a smile, Qi Ying ruffled Xing Xiaochu’s hair. “Alright, I’m off then.”

“Goodbye, Sister,” Xing Xiaochu called from under the covers.

After exiting the game through the escape route, Qi Ying prepared to open her shop for the day.

With late summer approaching, many stores had already begun displaying autumn collections, and Qi Ying’s shop was no exception. Today, she stripped the mannequins in the display window bare, dressing them instead in caramel-toned fall outfits.

A few days ago, after discussing with Xia Ruoxin, they decided that caramel-colored outfits featuring coats and sweaters would be most suitable for this year. So they prepared several sample outfits in advance and hung them up to see the effect first.

After dressing two mannequins in autumn attire, Qi Ying was adjusting the cuffs of a cashmere coat on one of them when she noticed several people entering the store from the corner of her eye.

Looking up, she saw Shi Yu walking in surrounded by a group, and her expression shifted slightly.

Stepping out from behind the display window, she quickly opened WeChat and sent Xia Ruoxin a voice message for help, turning her back to the crowd: “Shi Yu is here at the store, and she brought a lot of people…” Before she could finish, someone tapped her shoulder from behind, startling her into sending the message prematurely.

Shi Yu stood behind Qi Ying, smiling brightly at her. “Hey, A-Ying.”