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

Su Rui hesitated for a moment, but still opened her mouth to accept.

"How was it?" Nightingale asked expectantly.

"... It's alright," Su Rui commented.

Shining then cut a small piece of her own foie gras bread and offered it to him as well. "And this?"

Su Rui paused for a moment, then obediently took a bite.

"... It's too greasy."

Nightingale and Shining exchanged a glance and laughed simultaneously.

"You're only suited to eating well-done steak," Nightingale shook her head.

Shining said calmly, "At least he tried."

Su Rui: "..."

He silently lowered his head to drink water, but the tips of his ears turned slightly red.

When the main course was served, Su Rui's well-done steak did indeed look more... unpretentious than Nightingale's and Shining's.

Nightingale gently cut off a piece of her Wagyu beef, a little juice seeping from the pinkish cut surface. "Really not going to try it?"

Su Rui shook her head firmly. "No need."

Shining simply forked a piece of her own black pepper steak and offered it to him. "Just one bite."

Su Rui: "..."

He stared at the piece of meat, still streaked with blood, remained silent for two seconds, and finally sighed, "... Just one bite."

He reluctantly opened his mouth to take it, chewed it a couple of times, and frowned slightly.

"How is it?" Shining asked.

Su Rui swallowed, his face expressionless, and said, "... I prefer mine fully cooked."

The Nightingale finally couldn't help but laugh out loud, "Just as I expected."

Shining shook her head slightly, but a slight smile played on her lips, "Stubborn."

Su Rui ignored them and focused on cutting her steak.

For dessert, Nightingale ordered tiramisu, Shining opted for Black Forest cake.

Su Rui hadn't planned to eat it, but Nightingale had already scooped a spoonful of her own tiramisu and held it to his lips. "Want to try some?"

Su Rui: "... I don't like sweets."

"Just one bite," Nightingale insisted.

Left with no other choice, Su Rui had to speak.

The cloying sweetness of cream and coffee liqueur spread in his mouth, and he frowned slightly. "... Too sweet."

Shining then cut a small piece of Black Forest cake and pushed it in front of him. "This isn't as sweet."

Su Rui: "..."

He finally took a bite and commented, "... a little better than before."

The Nightingale looked at him with a smile, "You've improved."

Su Rui drank her water, deciding not to participate in their dessert-sharing plan anymore.

The sun was shining brightly as they left the restaurant. Nightingale gently took Su Rui's arm, while Shining walked on his other side.

"Where to next?" Nightingale asked.

Su Rui thought for a moment, "... Go back to work."

Shining said calmly, "There are no urgent matters today."

Nightingale nodded. "Yes, a rare day off."

After a moment of silence, Su Rui finally relented. "... Then let's just take a walk."

Nightingale and Shining smiled simultaneously.

Volume 12, Chapter 733: Eat Well

The hotel corridor was carpeted with thick carpet, completely absorbing the sound of footsteps, leaving only the faint sound of door locks turning. Nightingale had just helped Su Rui take off his coat, Shining was bending down to straighten his boots, when suddenly there was a light knock at the door.

"At this time?" Nightingale frowned slightly, her fingertips still lingering on Su Rui's collar.

Su Rui raised her hand to signal them not to move, then walked to the door and peeked through the peephole—long golden hair, bright blue eyes, and that signature, slightly sly smile.

Maria Nearl.

As soon as he opened the door, Maria rushed over, wrapped her arms around his neck, and practically clung to him.

"Su Rui! Long time no see!" Her voice was as clear as a wind chime, and she affectionately rubbed her cheek against his.

Su Rui's body stiffened visibly, her fingers hovering in mid-air, unsure whether she should hug her back.

The Nightingale's smile froze on her face.

Shining's fingers silently gripped the hilt of her sword.

Maria seemed completely oblivious to the tense atmosphere in the room, still holding onto Su Rui tightly. Her fingers even casually traced the back of his neck, as if confirming something.

"You've lost weight." She frowned slightly, her blue eyes filled with concern. "Have you been neglecting your meals again?"

Su Rui coughed lightly, finally grabbing her wrist and "tearing" her off. "... Maria, what are you doing here?"

Maria blinked and smiled brightly, "I came to Kazimierz for the opening ceremony of the Knight Tournament! I heard you were here, so I came to find you right away."

Her gaze passed over Su Rui and finally fell on Nightingale and Shining standing behind him.

"Ah, Miss Nightingale, Miss Shining, good evening!" she greeted warmly, as if their previous intimate gestures were perfectly normal.

Nightingale's smile returned, but the warmth in her eyes had cooled slightly. "Good evening, Miss Nearl."

Shining simply nodded indifferently, her grey-purple eyes narrowing slightly.

Maria was completely unaffected by their attitudes. Instead, she clapped her hands enthusiastically. "By the way! My castle is nearby, with plenty of empty rooms. Would you like to move in? It's much more comfortable than a hotel!"

Su Rui instinctively wanted to refuse. "No need, we--"

"Really? That's wonderful!" Maria interrupted him, her blue eyes sparkling. "The castle gardens are gorgeous, and there's a hot spring! Su Rui, you'll love it!"

Her fingers naturally rested on Su Rui's arm again, gently shaking it with a hint of coquetry.

Nightingale's fingertips dug silently into her palm.

Shining's fingers were already on the hidden clasp of the scabbard.

Su Rui took a deep breath, trying to politely decline. "Maria, we're quite comfortable here, and our work—"

"You can work from home too!" Maria tilted her head, her smile bright. "My study is quiet, and I even have a private meeting room. It's much more convenient than a hotel!"

Her enthusiasm was almost irresistible.

Su Rui was silent for two seconds before finally turning to look at Nightingale and Shining, her eyes questioning.

The Nightingale's smile remained unwavering, "... Whatever you say."

Shining coldly replied, "Whatever."

Maria cheered and immediately took Su Rui's arm. "It's settled then! I'll have the rooms prepared right away!"

Nightingale walked to Su Rui's other side, gently placing her fingertips on his wrist, her voice soft. "Su Rui, you haven't taken your coat yet."

Her movements seemed natural, but they subtly pulled Su Rui closer to her, forcing Maria to loosen her grip a little.

Shining simply picked up Su Rui's luggage, stood behind him, and stared at Maria with her grey-purple eyes. "Lead the way."

Maria blinked, seemingly finally realizing the awkward atmosphere, but her smile remained bright, "Great! My car's downstairs!"

As they descended the stairs, Maria remained close to Su Rui, enthusiastically describing the castle's layout. Nightingale walked on Su Rui's other side, her fingers constantly and subtly supporting his lower back. Shining, like a silver shadow, silently followed behind the three, her gaze fixed on Maria's hand resting on Su Rui's shoulder.

Maria's limousine was spacious, but she "just happened" to arrange only three seats—she and Su Rui sat in the back, while Nightingale and Shining were "politely" invited to the front.

The Nightingale's smile was almost too bright to hold back.

Shining's fingers left a tiny dent on the car door.

On the way, Maria continued her incessant chatter, occasionally whispering something in Su Rui's ear, which occasionally made him smile helplessly. Nightingale watched this scene through the rearview mirror, her golden eyes slightly darkening.

Shining maintained a cold expression throughout, his grey-purple eyes fixed on the rapidly receding scenery outside the window, as if contemplating how to "reasonably" throw Maria out of the car.

The Nearl family's castle was indeed luxurious, with tall stone walls covered in vines and a fountain in the garden shimmering silver in the moonlight.

Maria personally led them on the tour, her fingers never leaving Su Rui's arm.

"This is a guest room. Miss Nightingale and Miss Shining can stay here." She pushed open a carved wooden door, revealing a spacious double suite.

Then, she turned to Su Rui and smiled, "Your room is next to mine, so it'll be easier for me to take care of you!"

The Nightingale's fingertips dug into her palm.

Shining's voice was as cold as ice. "No need, he'll share a room with me."

Maria was taken aback. "Huh?"

Nightingale added gently, "Su Rui is a light sleeper, so Shining and I usually take turns keeping watch."

Maria blinked, seemingly surprised by the answer, but quickly smiled again, "Alright then! But my room is at the end of the corridor, so feel free to call me anytime if you need anything!"

She gave Su Rui's shoulder a final squeeze before reluctantly leaving.

The moment the door closed, the Nightingale's smile vanished.

Shining grabbed Su Rui's wrist and slammed him against the wall, his grey-purple eyes closing in. "Explain."

Su Rui sighed helplessly, "... I have a lot of connections, you know that."

Nightingale walked up to him, her fingers gently tracing the fabric of his collar—the spot Maria had just touched. "I don't like her touching you."

Her voice was soft, yet carried an undeniable possessiveness.

Shining's fingers tightened. "Leave tomorrow."

Su Rui sighed, "... Fine. But if you didn't want to come, why didn't you just refuse from the start?"

Nightingale's fingertips slid to his chin, gently lifting it. "Tonight, you won't be leaving this room."

Before Su Rui could say anything, Shining had already lowered her head and kissed him.

Outside the window, moonlight spilled onto the castle's spires, while the temperature inside the room gradually rose...

Volume 12, Chapter 734: There are spectators outside.

The castle corridors were quiet in the early morning.

Nightingale was preparing breakfast in the kitchen, while Shining was doing her morning exercises in the courtyard—this should have been the safest time.

So when Maria suddenly appeared from around the corner and grabbed Su Rui's wrist, he almost reflexively activated Originium Arts.

"Shh—" Maria put her index finger to her lips, a mischievous glint in her blue eyes, "Come with me."

Her fingers were warm and strong, and she pulled Su Rui through the side door without giving him a chance to refuse. In the morning mist, a low-key black sedan was already running.

"Wait, Nightingale and the others—"

"I left them a note." Maria slammed the car door shut and gestured to the driver, "To the Grand Arena."

Amidst the roar of the engine, Su Rui watched the castle spire gradually recede into the distance in the rearview mirror, and suddenly felt a subtle sense of guilt, like that of a traitor.

The Grand Arena was bustling with noise.

Today is the qualifying round of the Kazimierz Knight Tournament, and the stands are packed. Maria, however, led Su Rui through a special passage with practiced ease, to a semi-enclosed VIP box at a higher level.

"The view is the best here." She proudly pulled back the curtain, revealing the intense match below, then quickly closed the inner soundproof curtain. "And..."

She pressed a button on the wall, and the blackout film on the outer layer of the one-way glass slowly rose, transforming the private room into a space that offered a panoramic view while ensuring privacy.

Su Rui raised an eyebrow. "Do you often bring people here?"

"No way!" Maria angrily punched him. "This is the Nearl family's private room... specially prepared for you."

Her voice suddenly softened, and the tips of her ears turned slightly red.