My Virtual Wife From my Phone Has Come to See Me - Chapter 31

Chapter 31: Qi Ying Wonders, “Is the Problem Really Just Wearing the Wrong Clothes?”

Ever since Qi Ying decided to groom Xing Xiaochu to be a star, she began meticulously studying the training interface in the game.

As a high-freedom simulation, the game naturally allowed for Xiaochu to become a big star; in fact, it was a major plot branch. In the “Star Trainee” interface, Qi Ying could see all of Xiaochu’s stats as a civilian, along with various career paths.

Stars were divided into categories: actors, singers, idols, and variety personalities.

Qi Ying felt that being an actor or an idol was a bit too complicated. After much thought, she decided to train Xiaochu as a singer. That way, when she held national concert tours in the future, Qi Ying could design countless stunning outfits for her, making her sparkle on stage.

That night, Qi Ying suffered from insomnia, staying up all night in the game researching how to turn Xiaochu into a top-tier vocalist.

The next morning, Xiaochu was quite surprised to find that Qi Ying hadn’t left for work. She watched hesitantly as Qi Ying typed away at her computer, finally gathering the courage to ask: “Sister, what would you like to eat?”

Qi Ying looked at Xiaochu and waved her over with a grin. “Come here, Xiaochu. Look at these record labels. I’m planning to contact them to see if we can release a debut single for you to test the waters.”

Xiaochu was startled. She thought Qi Ying’s talk of making her a star the previous night had been a passing whim. Seeing her actually follow through made her a little scared.

“Sister, I can’t do it,” Xiaochu waved her hands frantically. “I’m shy, and I’m practically tone-deaf. There’s no way I can be a star.”

“Nonsense,” Qi Ying criticized sternly. “Your natural gifts are amazing. Your voice wouldn’t even need auto-tune. How are you tone-deaf?”

She had researched all night. As the protagonist of the game, Xiaochu’s innate stats were excellent. Whether it was IQ or talent, her “hardware” was top-notch. Since the player could shape her into various roles, it was impossible for her to be bad at singing.

But Xiaochu was too timid. This needed to change. She needed to learn from someone like Shi Yu—to stand on those stairs as if radiating ten thousand rays of light.

While the current, shy Xiaochu was cute, Qi Ying wanted the girl to become confident.

“You’re beautiful, you have a lovely voice, and your conditions are clearly superior.” Qi Ying reached out, pulled Xiaochu to her side, and said, “Look, these labels can release a single. It’s not even that expensive—from arrangement and recording to distribution, it only costs about twenty to thirty thousand yuan.”

With the 10:1 exchange rate between the game and reality, it only cost a few thousand real-world dollars to give Xiaochu a song.

Qi Ying felt it was a steal.

Xiaochu looked at the data on the screen, her eyes sparkling, yet she still couldn’t believe it. She had never dreamed she would one day have a record.

“But… it won’t work, Sister,” Xiaochu turned to look at Qi Ying. “I’m starting my senior year of high school. The priority is to study hard for university. I can’t chase unrealistic dreams.”

Qi Ying put an arm around Xiaochu’s waist, leaning in with a light laugh. “Releasing one song only takes a few days. It won’t interfere with school.”

Xiaochu still looked conflicted. “But school starts in a week.”

Qi Ying was surprised. “So soon?”

“It’s not that soon,” Xiaochu explained. “It was originally supposed to be September, but it was delayed. Now the date is fixed. Teacher Jiang posted the notice in the group chat two days ago.”

Qi Ying rubbed her nose. She had completely forgotten about that.

However, if school was starting, it meant Xiaochu’s birthday was drawing near. Qi Ying pondered; she would prepare a massive birthday surprise for her!

…

Since Shi Yu’s birthday banquet, the girl hadn’t contacted Qi Ying at all. She hadn’t even posted on social media. Her last post was a selfie from the day of the party; since then, radio silence.

Qi Ying found it strange but didn’t dwell on it. After all, Shi Yu not pestering her was a good thing. They had ended things cleanly; perhaps they could be friends in the future.

Today was a sunny day. Qi Ying sat at her desk sketching. She planned to finish a special outfit by Xiaochu’s birthday and then sign the record deal for her first single.

The song wouldn’t be ready instantly, but the contract could be signed. Qi Ying decided: the dress would be a birthday gift, and the contract would be one, too.

Xiaochu would surely love it.

The more Qi Ying thought about her plan, the more perfect it seemed. she even began humming a happy tune.

Xia Ruoxin watched Qi Ying with a face full of misery, leaning on the table. “A-Ying, did something good happen? Why are you so happy?”

Qi Ying glanced at her. “I was about to ask you the same. What’s up with you lately? You’re sighing every day. Did something bad happen?”

Xia Ruoxin opened her mouth to speak but hesitated. She couldn’t exactly say she had a “drunken lapse in judgment” and took advantage of someone, could she?

She couldn’t say it. If she did, what would she do…

Xia Ruoxin gave Qi Ying a long, deep look and sighed again. “Sigh…”

Qi Ying: “?”

Why is she sighing at me? Is there a situation?

Before Qi Ying could ask, the shop bell chimed. Qi Ying’s eyelid twitched as she looked up. Seeing the grim-faced Shi Yu at the door, she thought the girl should change her surname to “Cao”—how did she always show up right when she was mentioned?

“We’re doomed,” Qi Ying whispered to Xia Ruoxin. “Shi Yu is here.”

Xia Ruoxin’s face went pale. She practically jumped out of her chair. When she locked eyes with the upset Shi Yu, her knees went weak.

Xia Ruoxin stole a guilty glance at Shi Yu, then at Qi Ying. “I-I’m going to go hide for a bit.”

Qi Ying: “Huh?”

She didn’t know why Xia Ruoxin used the word “hide,” but since Shi Yu was usually there for her, it was fine if Xia left.

However, when Shi Yu saw Xia Ruoxin trying to leave, she barked: “Xia Ruoxin, stay right there!”

Qi Ying: “?”

Shi Yu strode over aggressively, grabbed Xia Ruoxin by the wrist, and looked up at Qi Ying. “Sorry, A-Ying. I need to speak with her. Privately.”

Qi Ying: “???”

Before Qi Ying could process this, Shi Yu dragged Xia Ruoxin out of the shop. They didn’t go far; they stopped just outside the door. Driven by curiosity, Qi Ying crept behind the glass door to eavesdrop.

Shi Yu: “Why have you been dodging me for days?” Xia Ruoxin: “I’m not dodging you. The shop is just busy.” Shi Yu: “What’s there to be busy with in this tiny shop? You just don’t want to talk to me!” Xia Ruoxin: “I don’t. You’re misunderstanding.” Shi Yu: “Misunderstanding? That morning, you grabbed your clothes and bolted. You left a pair of pants at my house. Come and get them back when you have time.” Xia Ruoxin: “Th-those pants… you can just throw them away. They aren’t expensive.” Shi Yu exploded: “Xia Ruoxin, what is that supposed to mean?!”

Behind the door, Qi Ying’s eyes went wide. She gripped the door handle and even pulled out her phone to record the conversation, deciding she would play it back for Xia Ruoxin during every major holiday.

Eventually, the two seemed to hit a deadlock and began arguing. Finally, the fuming Miss Shi went to her car, pulled out a bag containing clothes, and “thwack!”—hit Xia Ruoxin in the face with it before driving off in a huff.

Xia Ruoxin clutched the bag, looking at the freshly laundered dark pants inside. She had never been more embarrassed.

Turning around, she realized it was even worse: Qi Ying was hiding behind the glass door, likely having witnessed the entire argument.

Xia Ruoxin wanted to crawl into a sewer and never come out.

Qi Ying, on the other hand, was in a great mood. she stepped out and stood beside Xia Ruoxin, peering at the pants. “They even washed them for you. How thoughtful. Shi Yu is quite a nice person.”

Xia Ruoxin glared at her.

Qi Ying said: “Don’t look at me like that. I’m not the one who wore the wrong clothes.”

Xia Ruoxin’s head began to throb. She pulled Qi Ying aside, rambling an explanation: “That night, I saw her drinking and cursing you all by herself. She looked so pitiful that I had a few drinks with her. I don’t remember anything after that. I woke up next to her, got scared, and grabbed a random outfit and ran. How was I supposed to know I grabbed the wrong one…”

Qi Ying wondered: “Is the problem really just wearing the wrong clothes?”

Xia Ruoxin opened her mouth, then shut it.

Qi Ying patted her shoulder comfortingly. “Didn’t you say before that Shi Yu is a good person? If you did it, you did it. Whatever you do, don’t be an irresponsible person. That’s just gross.”

Xia Ruoxin felt her headache worsening.

Over the next few days, Shi Yu began visiting the shop every other day. Previously, Qi Ying would find ways to hide, but now she sat openly in the shop, watching Shi Yu stare at Xia Ruoxin as she ate handmade sushi and drank “buy-one-get-one-free” couple’s milk tea. Every time this happened, Qi Ying would sit at a distance, occasionally munching on melon seeds while enjoying the show.

She didn’t have heart-shaped sushi or couple’s tea, but she finally understood the joy of being a bystander.

Ding—

A familiar notification sound rang out. Qi Ying opened her phone while “eating her popcorn.”

[Dear Designer, Xiaochu’s opening ceremony at her new school is next Monday. If you can prepare a nutritious breakfast and walk her to school on the first day, she will trust you even more!]

[Notification: As Xiaochu’s 18th birthday approaches, a special gift is about to be delivered. We look forward to your feedback.]

Qi Ying was full of curiosity regarding the “special gift.” She wondered what the system could possibly send her.

When Qi Ying clicked into the game to see what Xiaochu was doing, she saw a new name suddenly appear in the character list. Shocked, she clicked on it and found it was a brand-new set of character data—her own.

[Qi Ying, 26, Co-owner of a clothing design studio.] [Gender: Alpha.] [Status: Rut Period.]