Ark Simulator, Don't I Have No Physical Form? Chapter 273

"Stop staring," Su Rui tilted her head, laughing unrestrainedly. "If you keep staring, the Doctor will think you're planning to make a move on deck."

Ash didn't speak, but simply reached out and grabbed his wrist, his thumb grinding heavily against his pulse.

Su Rui let her pull her along and followed with light steps.

The Doctor's office door was ajar, and the sound of typing could be heard from inside. Ash stood in the doorway, took a deep breath, and forced himself to calm down.

Su Rui chuckled softly behind her, her finger gently hooking the belt at her lower back.

"Stop messing around," Ash warned in a low voice.

"I wasn't making a fuss," Su Rui blinked innocently. "I was just helping you organize your gear."

Ash closed his eyes briefly, then pushed open the door and entered.

The Doctor sat behind his desk, his gaze, hidden behind his mask, sweeping over the two of them before finally settling on Ash's face.

"Mission report?"

Ash handed over the data panel, his voice steady. "Complete."

The Doctor took it, quickly glanced at it, and nodded. "How many inhibitors were recovered?"

"All," Ash replied, "The enemy failed to relocate."

"The results of the interrogation of the enemy leader?"

"He's been handed over to the Rhodes Island interrogation team," Ash's voice was flat. "He gave the coordinates of three outposts."

The Doctor tapped his fingers lightly on the table before finally asking the most crucial question:

Why did we return four hours earlier than planned?

Ash's fingertips tightened slightly.

Su Rui interjected at the opportune moment. "Flash Shield had already set up the demolition points, which saved us time."

The Doctor's gaze swept between the two, finally settling on Ash's taut jawline.

"Yeah?"

Ash paused for a second, then nodded. "Yes."

The Doctor didn't press further, simply waving his hand. "Go and rest."

Ash turned and left, Su Rui followed slowly, turning back at the door to wink at the Doctor.

The Doctor looked at the closed door and sighed softly.

"Young people..."

As soon as Ash's dormitory door closed, Su Rui was pinned against the wall.

Ash's breath was hot, his fingers gripping his waist, his voice low and hoarse. "You did this on purpose?"

Su Rui looked up at her, her dark eyes filled with laughter. "What do you mean, intentional?"

"In front of the Doctor."

"I was just telling the truth," Su Rui blinked innocently. "Flash Shield did indeed set up the explosive points in advance."

Ash ground his canines and lowered his head to bite down on his Adam's apple.

Su Rui gave a muffled groan, ran her fingers through her hair, and said with a laugh, "So soon?"

Ash didn't answer; it simply proved everything through its actions.

Volume 10, Chapter 602: A Subtle Atmosphere

Morning light streamed into the room through the gaps in the curtains. When Ash opened her eyes, Su Rui was still curled up in her arms, breathing evenly and deeply. His black hair was scattered messily on the pillow, his cheeks flushed with a faint blush from deep sleep, and his eyelashes cast a small shadow under his eyes.

Ash looked down at him, her fingertips gently brushing away the stray hairs from his forehead. Memories of last night flashed through her mind— Su Rui's low panting in her ear, his sweaty palms pressed against her chest, and finally, exhausted, he lay limply on top of her, too lazy to even move a fingertip.

She sighed silently and reached out to pinch Su Rui's cheek.

"Hmm..." Su Rui frowned, instinctively shrinking deeper into the blankets, her voice muffled, "... just five more minutes..."

Ash ignored him, simply pulled back the covers, grabbed him by the waist with one hand, and lifted him off the bed. Su Rui was limp, like a cat forcibly awakened, squinting and muttering in dissatisfaction, "... Ash, you're inhuman..."

"Get up," Ash commanded curtly, picking up the clothes he'd thrown on the floor the night before, shaking them out, and then putting them over Su Rui's head.

As she helped him get dressed, Su Rui kept his eyes closed the entire time, looking like he might fall asleep at any moment. When Ash buttoned his shirt, his head kept nodding, until finally he slumped forward, resting his forehead on her shoulder, his voice muffled. "... Can't you let me sleep a little longer...?"

"No," Ash answered crisply, casually brushing his hair behind his ear. "Breakfast time is almost over."

Su Rui looked up at her with a mournful expression, her dark eyes still heavy with drowsiness. "... Then why don't you just bring one back for me?"

Ash raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure?"

Su Rui blinked, suddenly remembering the last time Ash brought him breakfast, only to return with a compressed biscuit and an energy drink, claiming with self-righteousness, "This is the most efficient way."

"... Fine." He sighed, resignedly straightening up. "I'll go with you."

Ash's lips curled up almost imperceptibly. She reached out to straighten his collar, then turned to get her own coat. Su Rui followed behind her, his steps still a little unsteady, and he almost tripped over the carpet at the door. Ash didn't turn her head, but precisely reached out and caught his wrist.

"... You did this on purpose, didn't you?" Su Rui squinted at her. "After all that fuss last night, you still insist I get up early today."

Ash didn't answer, but simply tightened his grip on his hand, gently rubbing his wrist bone with his thumb.

Su Rui gave a soft hum, letting her lead her towards the restaurant, but in her heart she couldn't help thinking—

We must win next time.

As the automatic doors of the Rhodes Island restaurant slid open to the sides, Ash was first greeted by the aroma of fried bacon and fresh coffee.

She held the tray in one hand, her gaze sweeping across the entire hall—analysts were gathered in twos and threes discussing data, Medical Department staff were eating breakfast in a hurry, and a few tactical team members were reviewing last night's drill in a corner.

Her gaze finally settled on the seat by the window.

Su Rui was pounced on by a small golden figure, its nine fluffy tails wagging merrily like blooming petals, almost knocking over the milk glass on the table. Sunlight streamed through the French windows, bathing them in a warm golden glow.

"Daddy!" Suzuran looked up, her golden eyes shining like they were filled with stars. "You're finally back!"

Ash's fingertips unconsciously tightened around the edge of the plate. The ceramic and metal made a slight sound, which made Jessica at the next table look up alertly, but she quickly lowered her head and continued eating after seeing that it was Ash.

She walked over slowly and heard Su Rui answer in her unique, gentle voice, tinged with laughter, "Missed me?"

"I really want to!" Suzuran nuzzled against Su Rui's neck, her fluffy ears twitching. "Mom said your mission this time will last a long time..."

The blonde woman sitting opposite her looked up, her icy blue eyes narrowing slightly. It was unusual for Vulpisfoglia to be wearing a black suit today; instead, she wore a light gray turtleneck sweater, which made the silver necklace around her neck stand out even more.

"Three days earlier than expected." Her voice carried a hint of reproach, but couldn't hide the concern in her eyes. "She didn't even answer the phone."

Su Rui looked away guiltily, like a scolded child, "The signal is bad..."

Ash's tactical boots made a soft sound on the floor. The three turned their heads at the same time, Suzuran's eyes lit up instantly. "Big sister!" She nimbly jumped off Su Rui's lap, her nine tails wagging happily, "Are you here for breakfast too?"

Vulpisfoglia's gaze swept between Ash and Su Rui, finally settling on the faint bite mark visible on Su Rui's collar. She elegantly picked up her bone china teacup, a knowing smile playing on her lips, "Looks like the mission went smoothly."

Su Rui's ears turned red instantly. Ash calmly placed the plate on the table, his arm making a soft "click" as it touched the surface. "Good morning."

Suzuran had already skillfully climbed onto the chair next to the Ash, the tip of her fluffy tail brushing against her arm.

Ash paused, glancing out of the corner of her eye as Su Rui frantically winked at her daughter. Vulpisfoglia chuckled softly, handing a slice of whole-wheat bread spread with blueberry jam to Suzuran: "Don't talk while you eat." As she spoke, the wedding ring on her ring finger glittered in the morning light.

Breakfast continued in a subtle atmosphere. Suzuran would occasionally nudge Su Rui's finger with her tail, whispering to him about the new spells she had learned. Ash noticed that Su Rui was listening intently, occasionally offering expert advice—this reminded her of how he had patiently guided her through adapting to new equipment at the training grounds.

"... Then I used Originium Arts to conjure little butterflies!" Suzuran gestured excitedly. "Mr. Mayer said I can try to materialize more complex things now!"

Vulpisfoglia gently put down her knife. "Finish your milk before you talk." She turned to Su Rui, "Kal'tsit wants you to have a full check-up this afternoon."

Su Rui's fork paused in mid-air for a second. "I don't think it's necessary..."

"Your old injury on your left shoulder," Vulpisfoglia's voice was calm, "Does it hurt when the weather changes?"

Ash looked up abruptly. She remembered the wound—the crossbow bolt that Su Rui had shielded her from two rainy nights ago. He had said it was just a scratch...

Lily of the Suzuran's ears drooped. "Is Daddy hurt again?"

"It's all better now." Su Rui ruffled her daughter's hair, then glanced helplessly at Vulpisfoglia. "Really."

Moreover, this wound will disappear along with the rest of the body.

Vulpisfoglia didn't argue, but simply took a small pillbox from her medical kit and pushed it over. "Painkillers. Take them before bed."

Volume 10, Chapter 603: Let's go shopping together?

Ash quietly ate her fried egg, noticing that Su Rui's coffee cup was empty. She subtly pushed her own cup towards her.

Su Rui paused for a moment, a smile involuntarily creeping onto his lips. Just as he was about to thank her, Suzuran suddenly tugged at his sleeve. "Dad, can you come with me to the training grounds today? Grandma Kal'tsit said my healing skills have improved!"

... Is Kal'tsit considered your grandmother? Actually, she's more like your stepmother. Su Rui didn't know how to explain, so she reluctantly accepted Suzuran's way of addressing Kal'tsit.

Vulpisfoglia gently put down her knife. "Your father just got back and needs to rest."

"But..."

Ash suddenly spoke up, "Three o'clock in the afternoon." Amidst the three's questioning gazes, she added, "I'll go with you."

Lily of the Suzuran's ears immediately perked up. "Really? Is Ash going to teach me?"

"Basic tactics," Ash replied briefly, noticing out of the corner of her eye that Su Rui was mouthing "thank you" to her.

Vulpisfoglia elegantly wiped her mouth, her icy blue eyes scrutinizing her. "It seems you two get along quite well."

Su Rui's coffee cup suddenly wobbled. Ash continued cutting bacon without changing his expression, but his ears quietly turned red.

As they left the restaurant, Suzuran held Vulpisfoglia's hand in one hand and tugged at Su Rui's sleeve with the other, her nine tails wagging happily. Ash followed behind, hearing the little girl excitedly say, "Daddy, can you tell me a bedtime story tonight? The one we didn't finish last time!"

Su Rui responded gently, glancing back at Ash with a questioning look in her eyes. Ash nodded almost imperceptibly.

At the fork in the corridor, Vulpisfoglia gently nudged Su Rui's back. "Go on, remember to be back on time tonight." She paused, then added to Ash, "Don't spoil him too much."

After Suzuran the Valley skipped and hopped away, Vulpisfoglia suddenly called out to Ash, who was about to leave. "Could I take five minutes of your time, Medical Department?"

Ash followed Vulpisfoglia into the empty examination room. The smell of disinfectant reminded her of the comprehensive physical examination she had when she first arrived at Rhodes Island.

After the afternoon training session, Ash took the sleeping Suzuran back to the childcare center. As she passed the Medical Department, she inexplicably stopped.

"Come in," Vulpisfoglia's voice came from inside. "He just finished his checkup."

Su Rui was sitting on the examination table, toying with a metal top in his hand. Hearing the door open, he looked up, his face still showing signs of weariness. "Is Suzuran asleep?"

Ash nodded, his gaze unconsciously falling on the back of his neck—where there was a fresh needle mark.

"Just a routine checkup." Su Rui jumped off the examination table, her movements slower than usual. "Vulpisfoglia is too nervous."

Vulpisfoglia was tidying up the equipment when she heard this, and without looking up, she said, "Your adrenaline level is 30% higher than last week."

"It's just a minor cold..."

The afternoon sun on Rhodes Island is always exceptionally gentle, golden rays filtering through the Mobile City's protective shield and casting a warm glow on the streets and metal buildings. Su Rui walks in the middle, holding Vulpisfoglia's hand with her left and Ash's with her right. The three of them stroll along the bustling street, attracting curious glances from passersby.

Vulpisfoglia's silver hair shimmered softly in the sunlight. She tilted her head slightly, her icy blue eyes sweeping over Ash's tense profile, a faint smile playing at the corners of her lips.

"The way you two are acting makes me feel like a prisoner being escorted." Su Rui sighed helplessly, gently squeezing Vulpisfoglia's palm and then scratching Ash's hand.

Ash didn't speak, but slightly loosened his grip, though he still didn't let go of his hand.

Vulpisfoglia chuckled lightly, "Are you sure it's not just that you're feeling guilty?"

Su Rui blinked. "What do I have to be guilty of?"

Ash glanced at him, his gaze falling on the faint bite marks on his collar, his eyes darkening slightly.

Vulpisfoglia followed her gaze, her smile deepening, "It seems last night's mission report... was written quite intensely?"

Su Rui's ears turned red instantly, but he quickly composed himself and changed the subject, feigning composure. "That dessert shop up ahead is nice; Suzuran really likes their strawberry cake."

Ash and Vulpisfoglia looked at him simultaneously, their eyes filled with doubt, as if asking, "Are you sure you want to continue this topic?"

Su Rui chuckled twice and simply dragged them towards the dessert shop, "Come on, come on, it's on me."

The shop's decor was warm and lovely, with the sweet aroma of cream and fruit filling the air. Su Rui, familiar with the place, ordered three signature desserts and a hot drink, then found a seat by the window.

Vulpisfoglia elegantly picked up her black tea, took a small sip, and glanced between Ash and Su Rui: "So, how did your mission go last night...?"

Ash's fingers tightened slightly, and his arm tapped softly on the table.

Su Rui quickly interjected, "It went smoothly; all targets were eliminated without any casualties."

Vulpisfoglia raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What happened to your neck?"

Su Rui subconsciously touched his collar and chuckled awkwardly, "Uh... from a tree branch?"