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

Ash's arms tightened for a moment, then she forced herself to relax. She knew this was Su Rui's job, but the thought of him returning to Talulah's side still made her heart ache.

That night, when Anastasia's villa was seized, Su Rui was nestled in front of the fireplace in his apartment, drinking hot cocoa. Ash pinched the back of his neck and gently rubbed against Su Rui's cheek.

Mornings in Chernobog always come late.

Wrapped in a blanket, Su Rui stood barefoot in front of the apartment's floor-to-ceiling windows, his fingertips tracing meaningless lines on the frosted glass. Ash wrapped his arms around his waist from behind, resting his chin on his shoulder, his breath brushing against his ear.

What are you thinking about?

Su Rui leaned back, sinking into her arms. "Thinking about that Mrs. Anastasia."

Ash's fingertips gently pinched his waist. "What, feeling sorry for him?"

Su Rui laughed and dodged. "I'm just curious." He turned around, his fingers twirling the Ash on his collar. "What do you think Talulah will do with her?"

Ash raised an eyebrow. "You know her better than I do."

"But I want to hear you say it." Su Rui tilted her head, her eyes shining brightly in the morning light. "Guess?"

Ash was silent for a moment, his fingers unconsciously stroking the back of his neck. "Strip him of his title, confiscate his property, and exile him to the snowfields."

Su Rui chuckled, "Too gentle."

Ash squinted. "Then you tell me."

Su Rui tiptoed close to her ear and whispered, "She'll make Anastasia watch her mansion get seized first, then throw her in jail with the soldiers whose pay she embezzled."

Ash's breath hitched slightly.

"Only after she's had enough of being inside will Talulah 'mercifully' announce her exile." Su Rui's fingertips lightly traced Ash's collarbone. "But the place of exile won't be Siberia, nor is there Siberia here. It will be the Permafrost Port in the far north of Ursus —where even potatoes can't be grown, only perpetual snow and hungry wolves."

Ash stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly grabbed his chin. "You knew all along?"

Su Rui blinked. "Talulah sent me a telegram last night."

Ash's hand froze.

Su Rui immediately smiled and hugged her neck, "Don't be jealous, she's just doing it as a routine."

Ash snorted coldly, but didn't push him away.

Rosa poked her head out from the kitchen. "Teacher, breakfast is ready."

Su Rui immediately released Ash and skipped and hopped towards the dining table like a carefree child. But Ash knew better than anyone how the game of thrones was played—after all, he was Talulah's "Queen," and now, he was her star.

As for Anastasia?

She would soon realize that provoking the stars of the Winter Palace came at a price.

Volume 10, Chapter 617: Visit

Honey-colored sunlight filtered through the gaps in the lace curtains, casting dappled patterns on the Oak floor. Su Rui curled up in the down comforter, her nose rubbing against Ash's shoulder blade, like a cat yearning for warmth. His fingertips traced the lines of her spine, gently circling an old scar.

"Stop messing around." Ash's voice was hoarse from the early morning as he grabbed Ash's mischievous fingers with his other hand.

Taking the opportunity, Su Rui placed his entire palm on her lower back, the cool touch instantly tensing Ash's muscles. "It's so warm here," he mumbled indistinctly, his breath brushing against her bare skin, "Like an oven."

Ash rolled over and pinned him beneath her, her black hair falling to form a private curtain. The sounds of the market opening and the jingling of sled Bell drifted in from outside the window, but none of it seemed to concern them. Su Rui tilted his head to reach for her lips, but was interrupted by a sudden knock on the door just as they were about to touch.

"Tsk." Ash's brows furrowed.

Su Rui had already nimbly slipped away from under her, stepping barefoot onto the carpet to reach for his scattered shirt. "Something probably Rosa," he said, buttoning two buttons haphazardly, the collar askew revealing a hickey on his collarbone.

Ash yanked him back, roughly tearing open his shirt to straighten it. "Get dressed." Her fingertips lingered briefly on the red marks. "It's minus twenty degrees outside."

The knocking sounded again, this time with a familiar rhythm—three long knocks followed by two short ones, like some kind of code. Su Rui suddenly froze, Ash immediately sensed something was wrong. "Who is it?"

"That's Yelena's way of knocking." Su Rui's eyes lit up, like sparks suddenly ignited. "Our agreement from our time in the Guerrillas."

The moment the door opened, a biting chill, carrying tiny ice crystals, rushed into the room. FrostNova stood on the porch, her breath rising slowly in the morning light. Her icy blue eyes curved slightly when she saw Su Rui, like edelweiss suddenly blooming on a tundra.

"Little liar, you promised to come see me often." FrostNova took off her fur gloves, her icy fingers cupping Su Rui's cheeks.

Su Rui shrank back, feeling cold from her, but chuckled and rubbed her palm against hers, "Getting tangled in Ash, huh?"

Ash leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, his gaze sweeping over FrostNova's newly acquired Originium: "A standard weapon for Guerrillas?"

"They're called the City Defense Force now." FrostNova released Su Rui and took out an oil paper package from her bag. "Try this, the pickled cucumbers you taught me."

The moment the paper package was unfolded, a familiar spicy aroma filled the air. Su Rui picked up a piece and crunched it down, her eyes narrowing from the sourness. "This is the taste! Back in the snowy plains—"

"Let's talk after we finish eating," Ash suddenly interjected, shoving the hot tea into his hand.

FrostNova surveyed the apartment's layout, her gaze lingering on the piano for a few seconds. Her fingertips brushed across the lid, removing a thin layer of dust. Gang had just conquered Chernobog, and Su Rui had casually played some wild piano pieces when bored. "Can you still play ' Winter Wind March '?"

Before Su Rui could answer, Ash blocked his way. "His only audience right now is me."

The indoor temperature seemed to drop several degrees. FrostNova raised an eyebrow and suddenly reached out to ruffle Su Rui's hair. "Looks like someone's being kept under strict control."

"No way!" Su Rui protested, but subconsciously moved closer to Ash.

FrostNova chuckled softly, taking off her cloak and hanging it up. Today she was wearing a dark blue uniform, the belt cinching her waist and highlighting her lean figure—a far cry from her Guerrillas attire of yesteryear. As she sat down at the coffee table, the silver cufflinks on her sleeves gleamed in the sunlight—the emblem of the new town of Chernobog.

"Shall I show you around Chernobog?" FrostNova suggested, sipping her red tea.

Su Rui immediately jumped up. "Let's go now!"

Ash pressed down on his shoulder. "Finish your breakfast first."

So the scene turned into the three of them sitting around a small table by the window, sharing pancakes. FrostNova brought a jar of blueberry jam, a specialty of the snowfields, Su Rui greedily scooped out a big spoonful, only to have Ash intercept it halfway.

"It'll hurt my stomach." She spread jam on her slice of bread without any expression.

FrostNova, resting her chin on her hand, watched their interaction. "I heard you met Anastasia?"

"It's already been taken care of," Ash replied briefly.

Just as Su Rui was about to ask for more details, a long whistle suddenly sounded outside the window. FrostNova got up and drew back the curtains, revealing the entire new city unfolding in the sunlight—in the distance, new factories were steaming, and nearby, trams clanged past on the streets, while children played and frolicked around a stall selling hot honey water.

"The third block is rebuilt?" Su Rui pressed his face against the windowpane in surprise.

FrostNova stood behind him, her hands braced against the window frame, almost encircling Su Rui in her arms. "It was modified according to your original design. Look over there—" she pointed to the central square, "The musical fountain you wanted."

Ash suddenly stepped between the two, pulling Su Rui back to his side. "It's cold outside, wear more clothes."

FrostNova looked at her with a half-smile, "Don't worry, I won't lose your star."

The streets of Chernobog were paved with non-slip volcanic rock bricks, and every few steps, Su Rui would squat down to touch the heating pipes emanating from the cracks between the bricks. "Is the geothermal system really working?" he asked FrostNova, his breath blurring his vision.

FrostNova bent down to tie his scarf. "Thanks to the engineer you poached from Victoria." Her fingers lingered on the back of Su Rui's neck for a second longer, before being repelled by Ash's warning glare.

FrostNova knew about Ash and Su Rui's close relationship, but she was also close to Su Rui; she just didn't want to cause any conflict.

The ice sculptures in front of the City Hall were melting in the sunlight, and water droplets dripped down the blades of the "Guerrilla Monument." Su Rui reached out to catch a drop, when suddenly FrostNova covered her eyes from behind.

"Guess where we're going next?" Her breath brushed against Su Rui's ear.

Ash pulled the person to his side. "Don't touch me."

FrostNova shrugged and pointed to a glass-domed building not far away. "Your concert hall. The children's choir is rehearsing today."

The interior of the concert hall is even more breathtaking than its exterior. Sunlight streams through the diamond-shaped glass, casting rainbow-colored patterns on the ceiling, while fifty children rehearse "Snowfield Ballad" on stage—a song that Su Rui wrote during her time with the Guerrillas.

"You taught them?" Su Rui's voice trembled slightly.

FrostNova leaned against the piano. "I come every weekend." Since the city got back on track, she had become relatively more relaxed.

She suddenly raised her voice, "Children, look who's here!"

The rehearsal came to an abrupt halt. The next second, Su Rui was surrounded by excited children. Some tugged at his clothes, some held up sheet music asking for his autograph, and a little girl with a red ribbon in her hair threw herself into his arms.

Volume 10, Chapter 618: The Way It Should Be

Ash looked at the crowd surrounding Su Rui and noticed a long-unseen, pure joy on his face. FrostNova stood beside her at some point. "This is how he should be."

"What do you mean?" Ash squinted.

FrostNova looked at Su Rui, who was being lifted high by the children. "A star that no one can have all of."

After visiting the newly built school, FrostNova led them into a secluded café. The proprietress, a former Guerrillas, was so excited to see Su Rui that she knocked over a milk jug.

"The usual spot." FrostNova familiarly pulled back the curtain in the attic.

This small space was clearly frequently used – the map on the wall was marked with various colors, the city planning map was spread out on the coffee table, and there was even an old harmonica that Su Rui used back then in the corner.

"Do you come here often?" Su Rui stroked the engravings on the harmonica.

FrostNova poured him a glass of vodka with honey. "Come over after you finish your work." She suddenly changed the subject, "Do you know why Anastasia dared to mess with you?"

The cup of Ash slammed heavily onto the table.

"Because someone is spreading rumors," FrostNova, her icy blue eyes fixed on Su Rui, "Saying that the Queen's wife has long since fallen out of favor."

Su Rui paused, her hand still fiddling with the wine glass. "Does Talulah know?"

"She tacitly approved," FrostNova sneered. "After all, this is the only way to force you back to the Winter Palace."

Ash suddenly stood up. "It's time to go back."

FrostNova added calmly, "Yesterday, a group of ' Inner Guard ' disguised themselves as merchants and entered the city."

A deathly silence fell over the attic. Su Rui stared at his reflection in his wine glass when Ash suddenly lifted him up. She pinched his chin, forcing him to look up. "You want to go back?"

"I..."

"No need to answer now." FrostNova stood up and straightened his collar. "But remember, there will always be a place for you in Chernobog." She glanced meaningfully at Ash, "And your choice."

It was late at night when they returned to the apartment. Ash filled the bathtub with hot water and pressed Su Rui in, scrubbing her vigorously, as if trying to wash away all traces left by FrostNova.

"It hurts..." Su Rui protested softly, lying on the edge of the bathtub.

Ash's movements suddenly softened. She brushed aside his wet bangs and noticed his eyes were red. "Were you crying?"

"No," Su Rui buried her face in her palm, "It's just... seeing those children..."

Ash silently pulled him out, wrapped him in a bath towel like a dumpling, and carried him back to bed. The firewood in the fireplace crackled as she combed through Su Rui's half-dry black hair.

"Ash." Su Rui suddenly rolled over and pinned her down. "I won't go back."

She stared at him for a long time, then suddenly bit his shoulder. "Prove it to me."

The kiss was tinged with blood and possessiveness, yet Su Rui responded passionately. As they parted, panting, a faint noise suddenly came from outside the window. Ash instantly grabbed the gun from the bedside table, but Su Rui pressed his wrist down.

"She's Yelena's woman," he gasped. "She's protecting us."

Ash's pupils contracted: "When did you—"

"The café's code." Su Rui kissed her tense jawline. "She guessed Talulah would send someone to follow us."

As night deepened, Ash held Su Rui tightly in her arms, as if afraid he would disappear in her dreams. Half-asleep, she heard Su Rui's murmurs:

"Can't I have both...?"

Moonlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains, drawing a silver line on the floor like a drawn sword, dividing the room in two.

Ash's fingertips dug deep into Su Rui's waist, pressing him into the bed. The last vestiges of twilight outside the window were swallowed by the night, leaving only the flickering firelight from the fireplace in the room, casting a dangerous shadow in her dark pupils.

"Look at me." She gripped Su Rui's chin, her thumb roughly grinding against his wet lips. "See clearly who's touching you now."

Su Rui's breathing was already erratic, the silver chain sweeping across his collarbone with each rise and fall of his chest. He tried to reach out and touch Ash's face, but his wrist was grabbed and pressed above his head. The taste of rust spread between his lips and teeth— Ash had bitten his lower lip and was licking the blood that seeped out like a wild beast marking its territory.

"Yelena touched you here?" She tore open Su Rui's collar, her canines pressing against the throbbing veins on his neck. Before he could answer, she bit down hard, leaving a new mark where FrostNova's fingertips had lingered. Su Rui arched his back in pain, but she swallowed the whimper that escaped his throat.

The firewood in the fireplace crackled with blinding sparks, Ash, in their fleeting light, scrutinized the person beneath them. Su Rui's eyes were red-rimmed, and physiological tears still clung to his eyelashes, yet he still stared at her with that infuriating, wet gaze. It reminded her of Su Rui in the concert hall, surrounded by children—so bright, so distant, as if anyone could steal his light.

"Don't smile like that at anyone else again." She ripped off the silver chain and threw it off the bed; the sound of metal hitting the floor mingled with the tearing of fabric. "Your notes, your warmth, your damn tenderness..." Each word was accompanied by a new kiss mark, spreading from her collarbone down to her waist, "They can all only be mine."

Su Rui suddenly struggled to sit up, his burning palms pressed against her cheek. "It always has been..." He panted as he leaned closer, his tongue licking her bloodied lips, "The smell of Ash... is the strongest..."

These words shattered her last shred of restraint. As Su Rui was turned over and pressed onto the pillow, he saw through his tears a swaying shadow at the head of the bed—two intertwined hands projected onto the wall by the firelight, sometimes entwined and sometimes separated with the violent movements, like a silent struggle.

Wolf howls echoed across the snowy plains in the dead of night. In his hazy consciousness, Su Rui recalled FrostNova's parting whispers. He trembled as he gripped the sheets, but Ash forcefully pried his fingers apart, forcing him to intertwine his fingers with hers.

"You're not even allowed to let your mind wander," she whispered, biting his earlobe, her other hand caressing his rapidly heaving chest. "Every beat here must be with me in mind."

As morning light streamed through the curtains again, Su Rui slumped weakly in the down comforter, his body aching all over. Ash was gently wiping away the marks on his body with a damp towel, his movements unusually tender. The silver chain that had been retrieved from under the bed lay quietly beside the pillow, gleaming warmly in the sunlight.

"Does it hurt?" she suddenly asked.

Su Rui blinked, then suddenly flashed that smile that Ash both loved and hated, "It hurts so much..." He leaned closer, his voice hoarse, and pressed his forehead against her collarbone, "... So you're going to make it up to me for a few more days?"

Ash watched the snowflakes drifting down through the gap in the curtains, then suddenly pulled the person closer to him. "Is a lifetime enough?"

That's unlikely; this body can't possibly last that long. I disappeared halfway through.