My Virtual Wife Stepped Out of My Phone to Find Me - Chapter 54

After dressing Xiaochu and administering additional suppressants along with some inhibitor spray, Qi Ying made absolutely certain neither of them carried any lingering scent before hailing a taxi to the hospital.

During the ride, Xiaochu remained somewhat dazed, staring blankly out the window while Qi Ying held her hand, scrolling through her phone with the other.

Yesterday’s urgency had clouded her judgment, but now sober, Qi Ying realized something odd—the system had only provided a “go home” option in the classroom. Any rational person would’ve considered taking Xiaochu to the hospital first.

In this world, a heat cycle was no trivial matter. Uncontrolled alphas could attack, causing public panic. Hospitals here had isolation facilities; had they gone yesterday, perhaps… perhaps she wouldn’t have crossed that line with the delirious Xiaochu.

Not that she regretted it. Not one bit. In fact, she’d relished every moment.

What puzzled her was how skipping the hospital in favor of home seemed like the system deliberately pushing them together—as if anticipating Xiaochu’s heat-induced vulnerability would tempt Qi Ying into taking advantage, forcing intimacy between them.

Reviewing yesterday’s system log confirmed: no hospital option existed.

Was this game more than just child-rearing?

Less like raising a sister… and more like cultivating a wife?

Qi Ying stole a glance at Xiaochu beside her. She’d assumed this was about nurturing a little sister, a child. Now it dawned on her—she’d been grooming a future spouse all along.

No wonder Xiaochu was designed to be so breathtakingly lovely, tailored precisely to Qi Ying’s tastes.

The thought of eventually marrying Xiaochu—of her potentially bearing children, as the setting might allow—sent heat rushing to Qi Ying’s extremities. Her gaze darkened as she studied Xiaochu’s profile.

Perhaps the intensity of that stare penetrated Xiaochu’s haze. Blinking, she turned to Qi Ying. “Sister? Why are you looking at me like that?”

Qi Ying averted her eyes, clearing her throat. “Nothing. We should be nearing the hospital, right?”

The driver chimed in, “Almost there—just round this corner.”

Outside the window, the scenery struck Qi Ying as eerily familiar yet foreign. The bustling streets held no particular distinction, but upon arriving at the hospital, the déjà vu intensified.

As if she’d walked these steps before.

Frowning, Qi Ying dismissed it as imagination.

Helping Xiaochu from the car, she noticed the girl’s flushed cheeks and rising body temperature—likely the suppressants failing. She hurried them inside.

After a brief queue at registration, they were swiftly admitted to see an endocrinologist: a plump, fair-skinned middle-aged woman who examined the marks on Xiaochu’s nape before remarking dryly,

“First time as an alpha? Your technique is rather poor.”

Qi Ying: “…”

Xiaochu: “…”

The doctor continued, “But it’s nothing serious, just some swelling. Not a big issue. I’ll prescribe some medication for you.”

Xing Xiaochu nodded. Qi Ying added, “Doctor, she took suppressants yesterday and today, but they don’t seem to have any effect.”

“No effect?” the doctor asked. “Were they expired?”

Xing Xiaochu shook her head. “No, today’s dose wasn’t expired either, but I still feel really hot.”

The doctor inquired further, “Have you been taking medication frequently before?”

Xing Xiaochu nodded. “Suppressants are too expensive, so I usually take tablets or capsules.”

“Hmm, those are cheaper but can have side effects with long-term use. It’s probably due to your body not adapting well.” The doctor wrote out some lab test forms for her. “Go get these tests done first, then come back.”

Qi Ying took Xing Xiaochu to have her bl00d drawn for the tests. Two hours later, they returned with the report. The doctor told them, “It’s just an adaptation issue. Try to avoid oral medications from now on. Suppressants aren’t that expensive these days—parents shouldn’t skimp on buying them.”

As he spoke, the doctor glanced at Qi Ying and asked, “You’re her alpha, right?”

Qi Ying nodded. “Yes.”

“Then you’ll need to accompany her properly during this heat cycle.” The doctor advised, “One suppressant injection daily to help her adapt gradually. If she’s uncomfortable, comfort your omega.”

Qi Ying asked, “How do I comfort her?”

Seeing Qi Ying’s genuinely puzzled expression, the doctor chuckled and handed her an ABO physiology guidebook. “Read this carefully when you get home.”

Qi Ying: “…Understood, doctor.”

Leaving the hospital, Qi Ying carried bags of medication in one hand while holding Xing Xiaochu’s hand with the other as they waited for a taxi at the entrance.

The hospital entrance was crowded with people waiting for cabs. Qi Ying frowned slightly when she saw two families arguing over a taxi, shielding Xing Xiaochu as she led her further away.

Not having a car was inconvenient.

Though Qi Ying didn’t own a car in real life either—she could always borrow one from Xia Ruoxin when needed—she’d never found it necessary before. But now with Xing Xiaochu by her side, Qi Ying felt having a car would make things much easier.

At least they wouldn’t have to wait under the scorching sun like this.

After what felt like forever, their taxi finally arrived. Qi Ying helped Xing Xiaochu inside, and after several turns, they finally made it home. The moment they stepped inside, Qi Ying noticed Xing Xiaochu’s face flushing red again, her entire body glistening with sweat.

“Do you want to wash up?” Qi Ying gently touched the child’s warm cheek, removing her mask as she suggested, “Go take a shower first. I’ll call your homeroom teacher to ask for leave.”

Xing Xiaochu nodded weakly with drooping eyelids, grabbing her clothes before heading to the bathroom.

Qi Ying first called Xing Xiaochu’s homeroom teacher to explain the situation and request a week’s leave. Then she discreetly called Xia Ruoxin to say she needed to care for someone and couldn’t return to work, asking her to oversee the studio and call if anything urgent came up.

Xia Ruoxin teased, “A-Ying, don’t do anything you’ll regret now.”

Qi Ying: “…Shut up.”

Too late for that.

Hanging up, Qi Ying noticed Xing Xiaochu had just finished showering.

The suppressant patch had been removed during the bath, and now the sweet, soft osmanthus-scented treat was freshly “baked.” Having completed the marking just last night, both marked alpha and omega would naturally develop dependence on each other.

Qi Ying was no exception.

She now found her little sugar cake incredibly fragrant and sweet—just seeing her made her want to get intimate.

Thinking it, she acted on it.

“Why are you still so warm?” Qi Ying walked over, wrapping her arms around Xing Xiaochu’s waist as she bent slightly to inhale the scent of her neck—a mix of shower gel and pheromones.

She smelled so clean.

Xing Xiaochu shivered slightly as Qi Ying’s loose strands tickled her neck. She instinctively tried to pull away but then hesitated, thinking it might seem rude.

After all, avoiding her so soon after getting together might come across as rejection.

“Jiejie,” Xing Xiaochu suppressed the ticklish sensation, pressing her face against Qi Ying’s chest with a muffled voice. “It’s uncomfortable…”

Qi Ying suddenly remembered the ABO physiology guide the doctor had given her. Holding the girl in her arms, she said, “Don’t worry, let me check what the book says.”

On the bed, Qi Ying leaned against the headboard with Xing Xiaochu nestled in her arms as they skimmed through the guide together.

“It says temporary marking can have a calming effect,” Qi Ying pointed at the text. “And that an alpha’s pheromones can soothe you. So… should I try?”

Xing Xiaochu nodded, looking up at her with a hint of anticipation in her eyes.

Qi Ying had never done this before. She steadied herself, then caught the faint scent of plum wine wafting from her own body.

Pheromones were deeply expressive—especially for a bonded pair. They could sense each other’s emotions through scent alone.

Xing Xiaochu’s nose twitched. The pheromones she detected whispered to her: I like you so much, so much, so much.

Her ears burned red with shyness.

Qi Ying, still behind her, asked, “Can you smell me?”

Too embarrassed to speak, Xing Xiaochu pinched her fingers lightly and nodded.

“Then…” Qi Ying murmured, “Should I release more? I think I have plenty to spare.”

Xing Xiaochu’s face flushed even deeper.

For the rest of the day, Qi Ying practiced using her pheromones to soothe the girl in her arms. Occasionally, when she released too much, Xing Xiaochu would turn unbearably red, her body growing hot and pliant. Qi Ying guessed her heat was returning, so she leaned down, capturing her little sugar cake’s lips before pressing her firmly into the bed.

Did you leave with your sister yesterday?

Are you okay?

Are you still coming over today?

Su Yun stared at the messages she had sent, frozen for a long time.

She knew a simple phone call would clear everything up. Yet she stayed home for two days without a single reply from Xing Xiaochu.

On Monday, Su Yun arrived at school fifteen minutes earlier than usual. But even after the bell rang, Xing Xiaochu never showed up.

She was absent for morning reading, then for first period. By break time, Su Yun couldn’t sit still anymore. She rushed to the faculty office and asked the homeroom teacher, “Why isn’t Xing Xiaochu in school?”

The teacher replied flatly, “She took sick leave. Is there something you need?”

Su Yun pressed urgently, “What’s wrong with her? Who requested the leave?”

The teacher narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing Su Yun. “Why do you care? Xing Xiaochu is an Omega—her health issues are none of your business. Why are you so concerned?”

Su Yun flushed crimson and protested, “We’re desk mates! What’s wrong with me asking about her?”

“Stop with your little schemes. Don’t think I can’t see through them,” the homeroom teacher said coldly. “Your top priority now is studying for exams, not puppy love. Understood?”

Su Yun desperately wanted to say there was no puppy love between them—that her relationship with Xing Xiaochu was completely innocent. But the words stuck in her throat.

Her face alternated between red and pale before she turned and ran out of the teacher’s office.

For the next week, Su Yun didn’t see Xing Xiaochu at all. Her initial worry gradually turned to frustration, then finally indifference.

When school resumed the following Monday, Su Yun found Xing Xiaochu already seated at their shared desk, looking radiant as she chatted and laughed with Xin Ya and Chen Dongdong, completely oblivious to Su Yun’s entrance.

Expressionless, Su Yun walked up behind the trio and said icily, “Move. You’re in my way.”