A Paper Cutie’s Charm

“Zhibo, relax. Calm down. Come on, let’s team up—I’ll take your Bai Jie Naiyi to level up.”

I patted Zhang Zhibo on the back.

He pulled away from my embrace, grabbed a tissue, and blew his nose loudly. Then he took off his glasses and wiped the tears from his face.

‘Too dramatic, man… Over the top, seriously.’

“Sniff. Ah, sorry, I got carried away. My apologies for all the trouble.”

He stood up, turned to face the staff and students, and bowed. Then he sat back down, put on his glasses, and silently stared at his phone.

“Huaimo, do you know? For Naiyi-chan, I’ve been so thrifty that I stretch one meal into two. Do you realize? Lately, I’ve even cut back on buying driving resources. I did all the first-time top-up bonuses and spent three monthly passes. I was already in despair, but you gave me hope! Brother Huaimo!”

He gazed at his phone with deep emotion and continued.

‘Okay, not over the top at all… You truly adore Naiyi-chan, Brother Zhibo. No one is more devoted to her than you. Even though she’s just a 2D character, the affection you’ve poured into her is beyond comparison.’

“Mm, I can see that.”

Tears threatened to spill over. I fought them back and said softly.

When you see through the mundane world, you become free from desires. But as long as there’s something you love, you reclaim that original passion to pursue and fight—even if it’s just a paper character. Because it’s precisely these paper characters that gift us a beauty we can never taste in reality.

The love players pour into them, they return as affection. Though it’s but a virtual marriage, it sets our hearts racing and our faces flushing. To them, we are their entire world. Every furrowed brow and every smile makes us feel a surreal authenticity.

They are not mere paper characters! They are our spiritual pillars! We love them!

“Exactly. That’s why I worked part-time, saved every penny, and lived frugally—all for this moment. Thank you, Brother Huaimo. With my weekend earnings, let me treat you to a meal.”

“Then I’ll gladly accept.”

We basked in this shared sentiment until Qian Tangjin approached to bid us farewell.

“Then, Huaimo, and Huaimo’s friend, I’ll take my leave.”

Qian Tangjin gave us a slight smile.

“Goodbye.” I smiled and waved.

“Mm, I’m Zhibo. Goodbye.” Zhibo returned a slight smile.

“Bye.”

Caiheng, however, didn’t even lift his head, utterly absorbed in writing his love letter. It’s a good thing, but you could at least look up—she is a proper heiress, after all?

As Qian Tangjin walked out, I turned and glanced at the plate on her table. I had to admit—it was immaculate, not a trace of leftovers. If I’d known, I would have brazenly asked for it… Sigh, a major loss.

“Teacher Huaimo! I’m done!”

Caiheng turned around, looking at me with great excitement and an air of confidence.

“Good! Let me see.”

Seeing Caiheng like this, I took the letter with satisfaction and scrutinized it carefully.

Dear Jiang Huaixin,

Yesterday has passed, and today has arrived. My love for you has increased by one more day. But even if I gain more days to love you, the distance between us cannot be shortened by a single millimeter. We are still far apart—because if I don’t speak, you won’t know.

So I gather my courage, full of shyness and love, to confess to you.

These words on paper pour out my feelings and affection for you.

I know I may not be worthy of you, because your virtues shine like the starry sky, dazzling and brilliant. Even your small flaws seem endearing to me.

Do you know? My eyes are beautiful because they reflect your figure. So, without a doubt, they are beautiful—breathtakingly beautiful.

I am waiting for you every moment, waiting for the instant when our distance can shrink slightly. But I am impatient. The torrent in my heart only recedes when I vent it through my brush.

Hey, can I share that blossoming forest of messages with a beautiful lady?

Waiting for your reply.

Your loving Lin Caiheng.

‘Phew, that line adapted from my wife’s voice was passable. At least it didn’t have any of my overly wild sentences.’

“Not bad. Out of 100, I’ll give you 30.”

I nodded and handed it back to Caiheng.

“Then is it acceptable…”

“No.”

“Why?!”

“Don’t you know why? You basically copied everything from my sample love letter! Come up with something original! There’s still time—go write another one.”

I waved my hand in annoyance. This guy didn’t even think; he just copied everything I wrote. How could he be so half-hearted? Is your confession even genuine?

“O-okay…”

Caiheng looked dejected, turned to a new page, and continued writing.

‘Sigh, when will this guy be ready to fly solo? Tough, tough.’