Two more days passed. Chen Mo returned from the simulation to reality, finding himself sitting on the bed reading a book. The system’s auto-pilot was a bit rigid, but it handled simple tasks well enough.

He sighed, put the book down, and rubbed his eyes.

For three whole days, he’d simulated as Little Ash, trying to approach Yun Song. But in that time, he only made contact once. Yun Song clearly had no interest in the kitten—even a cute cat didn’t work. She just glanced at Chen Mo and ignored him.

The rest of the time, Chen Mo interacted with Zhu Yunqian, a girl with an overactive imagination and a touch of chuunibyo.

At night, Yun Song came home around 11 PM. Once inside, she stayed holed up. Occasionally, near the door, he’d spot her father drinking cheap beer alone.

In short, over three days, Chen Mo had done nothing but slightly boost Little Ash’s affection and learn roughly where Yun Song lived.

The only time he had Zhu Yunqian sneak him into school to find Yun Song ended with students spotting and reporting them. Zhu Yunqian got called in for a parent-teacher meeting.

Schools don’t allow small animals inside!

He’d just been too impatient.

Chen Mo sighed inwardly again. He’d already told Little Ash to approach Yun Song if possible, but he wouldn’t go over these next two days.

Anyway, she wasn’t going anywhere. Rushing was useless.

Actually, Chen Mo was quite satisfied with his recovery speed. By now, he could eat plenty. Except for his legs healing slowly, the rest of his body felt great. According to the system, it prioritized upper body functions before the lower body.

After all, the upper body houses vital organs.

He no longer needed messy tubes—just daily IV drips and pills. In a few days, he’d probably sit in a wheelchair and go out for strolls.

Putting the book down, Chen Mo pondered his next move when someone knocked on the hospital room door and opened it.

Zhou Hongxin, the cheerful nurse who’d cared for him, gave him a genuinely happy smile. "Chen Mo, Dr. Ge said you can move rooms. A new ward’s ready, and all you asked for—laptop, phone, drawing tablet—is set up. When do you want to transfer?"

"Now," Chen Mo said with delight. How could a modern person survive without phones and computers?

More importantly, he needed to update his manga. His drafts were almost gone; another delay would break his streak.

Zhou Hongxin was easy to chat with, unlike this room where phone time felt like prison yard breaks—just reading or sleeping, super boring.

Zhou Hongxin nodded. "I’ll arrange it."

Helping doctors moved quickly. There wasn’t much: Chen Mo’s books, gifts from his parents, and medical gear.

Finally, a tall, burly doctor carried him to the new room. The transfer was done. This ward smelled less medicinal and felt much comfier.

A high-spec laptop waited for him. Beside the bed, a small table neatly held everything he might need.

After thanking everyone, Chen Mo grabbed his phone and messaged his editor on QQ. "How many drafts left? Recent stats? New plot feedback? Cup-ge, when’s my recommendation? When? When?"

He fired off the messages. It was only 5 PM—still an hour before closing.

This was his first chat with the editor. Usually, he got phone time when the editor was off-duty or on weekends, leaving no room for idle chatter.

A minute later, the editor replied.

Cup: "Is this really you?"

Stranger on the Road: "Who else?"

Cup: "Last time, someone claiming to be your assistant talked to me. Congrats on discharge."

Chen Mo realized it must’ve been his sister. Scrolling the chat history, he saw only routine draft handovers with little talk.

He replied, "Not discharged yet, but I’ve recovered well. I can restart work soon."

Cup: "Good. Drafts ran out yesterday. Feedback’s lukewarm—fans say the new plot lacks the old vibe, and the new heroine’s design is dull."

Chen Mo rubbed his head. His manga had serialized nearly three months. With two weekly updates, it hit 150+ chapters, entering volume two.

A new heroine appeared, sparking a love triangle with the original two. He thought it was solid, but fans were unimpressed.

Stranger on the Road: "I’ll polish it tonight. Anything else?"

Cup: "Sales are dropping. Keep this up two more weeks, and you’ll fall off the bestsellers list. First, fix the plot. We’ll start with a one-week small push, keep you on the homepage till mid-next month. If sales rise steadily, we’ll schedule a full-channel promotion after Gaokao."

Chen Mo gasped at "full-channel promotion." Before replying, Cup added: "You’re still hospitalized, right? If your body can’t handle it, switch to weekly updates."

Chen Mo shot back, "No problem! Minor issue—I can do it!"

Joke! How could a silly illness stop his updates?

Anyway, with nothing to do in the hospital, drawing manuscripts was sweet.

After more chat, Chen Mo screenshot the conversation and sent it to Chen Ying.

Stranger on the Road: "Xiao Ying, apply for day schooling."

Silly Sister: "Bro, did your brain rot from oversleeping? Mad Death didn’t take you?"

Stranger on the Road: "Relax, I’m super fast."

After training under Luo Xianxue, Chen Mo’s skills had skyrocketed. Simulating her talents, he learned incredibly quick.

His speed was now 1.3 times his old pace.

Silly Sister replied instantly: "You’re fast—I’m not! Trying to kill me? Don’t treat your sister like trash!"

Stranger on the Road: "I’ve got a plan. Skip evening self-study too. Nights will be enough. Your grades are fine—self-study’s optional. Worst case, I’ll tutor you."

Silly Sister: "Get lost!"

Stranger on the Road: "It’s full-channel! After Gaokao, summer’s here. Monthly royalties? At least 100,000!"

Silly Sister: "???"

Silly Sister: "Got an extra hospital room? I’m moving in with you!"