My Virtual Wife Stepped Out of My Phone to Find Me - Chapter 44

The moment this thought surfaced, Qi Ying quickly suppressed it.

Joking aside, it hadn’t even been five minutes since they started talking, and she was already thinking about how to mess with Xing Xiaochu in bed. Qi Ying couldn’t help but despise herself.

So shameless!

How could someone have such a dirty mind all the time?

Xing Xiaochu had no idea what Qi Ying was thinking. After a moment of hesitation, she lowered her voice and asked, “Sister, should you go to the hospital for a check-up?”

Qi Ying glanced at her. “Hmm?”

Xing Xiaochu hesitantly repeated what the doctor had said when she took Qi Ying to the hospital before. “Sister, you differentiated late, and your functions don’t seem fully developed. It’s better to get a thorough examination at the hospital, or you might face complications later.”

Qi Ying blinked, rubbed her nose, and thought for a moment before agreeing. “Alright, I’ll go for a full check-up when I have time.”

Relieved by her response, Xing Xiaochu let out a sigh and looked down at their still-clasped hands, her face flushing as she pulled hers away.

Qi Ying didn’t force her but suddenly remembered something. “Speaking of which, that deskmate of yours—”

“Su Yun?” Xing Xiaochu paused. “She’s my deskmate, but we barely talk. I don’t know why she helped me today.”

“It’s fine.” Qi Ying ruffled the girl’s hair. “Thank her properly at school tomorrow. As for your father’s situation, I’ll keep an eye on it. For now, I’ll take you to and from school. Don’t come back alone.”

“Won’t that be too much trouble?” Xing Xiaochu asked.

“Not at all.” Qi Ying smiled. “Just one call, and I’ll be right by your side.”

Xing Xiaochu thought this was just an exaggerated metaphor, but seeing Qi Ying’s smile, all the gloom and distress from the past week instantly melted away.

True to her word, Qi Ying woke up early the next morning to take Xing Xiaochu to school.

Sitting at the dining table, Xing Xiaochu stared blankly at the breakfast Qi Ying had prepared.

“Why aren’t you eating?” Qi Ying took off her apron and sat across from her, amused by the girl’s dazed expression. “It’s all just reheated semi-prepared food. If you don’t like it, I can make you a sandwich instead.”

Xing Xiaochu immediately shook her head and picked up her chopsticks to grab a shaomai. “No need, Sister. This is more than enough.”

Qi Ying chuckled, cracked a boiled egg on the table, peeled it, and placed the plump white egg in Xing Xiaochu’s bowl before starting on a second one.

Xing Xiaochu ate while stealing glances at Qi Ying, quickly lowering her head to nibble on her shaomai whenever caught. After finishing the shaomai, she ate the boiled egg and drank a full glass of milk.

Only when she truly couldn’t eat anymore did Qi Ying take a few quick bites herself and then urge Xing Xiaochu to go change into her school uniform.

Xing Xiaochu was still a bit dazed as she changed into her school uniform. Although Qi Ying had driven her to school before, ever since the incident during her rut, being alone with Qi Ying had felt awkward—like something was off.

She slowly finished changing, grabbed her backpack, and opened the door.

Qi Ying was already waiting by the entrance. With the slight drop in temperature these past few days, she wore a beige jacket over a white top and jeans. She was sitting on the entryway bench putting on her shoes when she heard the door open. “Don’t forget anything,” she said. “Still wearing those sneakers today?”

“Yeah,” Xing Xiaochu replied, trotting over. She watched as Qi Ying pulled her sneakers from the shoe cabinet and mumbled sheepishly, “I can do it myself.”

Qi Ying didn’t stop her, standing up to make space while rolling up her sleeves. She watched as Xing Xiaochu sat down to change her shoes.

The girl still wore her hair in a high ponytail, the fine strands falling softly at her sides, revealing the smooth, delicate nape of her neck. The collar of her school uniform was slightly loose, offering a glimpse of her slender collarbone and fair skin.

A sudden memory flashed through Qi Ying’s mind—during her rut, she had pinned Xing Xiaochu to the bed and bitten her neck. The girl had cried hard, pushing at Qi Ying’s shoulders and begging her to stop.

“Don’t bite me… wuwu…” Xing Xiaochu had sobbed, her nose red. “Sister, as long as you don’t bite me, I’ll do anything…”

So Qi Ying had moved her lips away—only to sink her teeth into Xing Xiaochu’s pretty collarbone instead, leaving behind a faintly bleeding mark.

Qi Ying’s throat felt dry. Had that bite mark faded after more than a week? Or was it still there, as glaring as the day she left it?

When Xing Xiaochu looked up after putting on her shoes, Qi Ying’s intense gaze startled her. But Qi Ying quickly adjusted her expression and smiled. “Let’s go. Any later and you’ll be late.”

Watching Qi Ying push open the door and press the elevator button, Xing Xiaochu followed hesitantly, her heart still pounding.

From the elevator, they walked to the neighborhood gate, crossed a street, and arrived at the school entrance. The walk normally took fifteen minutes, though biking or riding an electric scooter would cut it down to just a minute or two.

Xing Xiaochu trailed behind Qi Ying, stepping on her shadow, until Qi Ying noticed and pulled her to her side, slowing her pace. “Want me to buy you a bike?” she asked. “It’d make getting to school easier.”

“A bike?” Xing Xiaochu glanced up, then lowered her head. “But I don’t know how to ride one.”

Qi Ying looked surprised but chuckled. “No problem. I’ll teach you when we have time.”

Xing Xiaochu peeked at her briefly before dropping her gaze again.

Qi Ying reached out and ruffled the girl’s fluffy hair, smiling. “Keep your head up. There’s nothing interesting on the ground.”

Xing Xiaochu’s ears twitched. Understanding the hint, she lifted her head shyly and gave a small nod.

When they reached the school gate, Xing Xiaochu was still nervous. The incident yesterday where a man had cornered her at the entrance left her unsettled. But now, aside from the teachers and students checking uniforms and badges, there was nothing out of the ordinary.

“We’re here,” Qi Ying said, standing at the school gate. “I’ll come pick you up after school this afternoon.”

Xing Xiaochu nodded. She was about to say something to Qi Ying when she heard someone call her name from behind.

“Xiaochu!”

Xin Ya and Chen Dongdong quickly ran up from behind, flanking her on either side. “We heard about what happened yesterday,” Chen Dongdong said loudly. “What was that all about? Your dad isn’t a good guy, huh?”

Xin Ya shot her a glare when she noticed Xing Xiaochu’s face pale.

Xin Ya glanced at Qi Ying and greeted her politely, “Good morning, Xiaochu’s sister.”

Qi Ying nodded. “Good morning.”

Chen Dongdong looked between Qi Ying and Xing Xiaochu before grinning. “Anyway, we should hurry inside, or we’ll be late!”

Xing Xiaochu snapped out of her daze and looked up at Qi Ying. “Then, sis, I’ll go to class now.”

“Alright,” Qi Ying said softly. “Wait for me after school.”

Xing Xiaochu nodded and followed the other two into the school. Once past the gates, Chen Dongdong couldn’t hold back her questions, chattering nonstop about what had happened the day before.

“We only found out about your trouble after we got home yesterday,” Chen Dongdong said. “If we’d known that guy was no good, we would’ve helped you. You shouldn’t have faced him alone—that’s just unfair!”

Xin Ya nodded seriously. “If something like that happens again, you have to call us. Even if we can’t do much, at least we can back you up.”

Xing Xiaochu gave a quiet “Mm” and smiled to show she understood.

When they entered the classroom, Xing Xiaochu immediately spotted Su Yun sitting at her desk. She had arrived unusually early today and was now propping her head up by the window, gazing outside. She didn’t even turn when Xing Xiaochu sat down beside her, maintaining an aloof demeanor.

Su Yun could afford to be indifferent, but Xing Xiaochu couldn’t. If not for her help yesterday, she might not have gotten away unscathed.

“Um…”

Xing Xiaochu hesitated before speaking. “Thank you for yesterday.”

Su Yun glanced at her and gave a nonchalant “Mm.” “No need to thank me. It was nothing.”

Xing Xiaochu knew she was just being modest. Fidgeting with the hem of her uniform, she asked softly, “Did helping me cause you any trouble? He… wasn’t easy to deal with.”

Su Yun laughed at that and finally turned to face her properly.

She saw her shy desk mate looking at her nervously, her pretty eyes like dewy grapes, which inexplicably warmed Su Yun’s heart. Smirking slightly, she said, “What’s so hard about dealing with him? He’s got no power, no influence, and he can’t even fight. Besides, I meant what I said yesterday—after school, I’ve got nothing better to do anyway. If he dares to bother you again, I’ll beat him up every time.”

Xing Xiaochu was a little bewildered by her words. “You don’t go home after school?”

Su Yun raised an eyebrow. “Not going back.”

“Is that so…” Xin Xiaochu was deeply grateful for Su Yun’s help but didn’t know how to properly express her thanks. A simple ‘thank you’ seemed too insubstantial. After careful consideration, she said earnestly, “Let me treat you to lunch?”

Su Yun looked at her with interest. “Just one meal?”

“Of course not,” Xin Xiaochu quickly replied. “This week—no, this entire month’s lunches are on me.”

After making this generous offer, Xin Xiaochu mentally calculated her allowance. Treating Su Yun to school cafeteria lunches for a month would be manageable. After all, Su Yun had helped her tremendously—it was only right to return the favor.

Hearing about a month’s worth of free lunches secretly delighted Su Yun, though she showed no outward sign of it. Only her slightly relaxed eyebrows betrayed her pleasure as she resumed her original posture, leaning on her hand. “Alright then,” she said casually. “You’d better keep your word.”

Xin Xiaochu noticed Su Yun gazing out the window again and followed her gaze, but saw nothing noteworthy beyond the school gates. She couldn’t fathom what held Su Yun’s attention.

But a promise was a promise—starting today, she’d be running errands to fetch meals for Su Yun!