Ark Simulator, Don't I Not Have a Physical Form?

"Good night."

Jessica felt her face burning hot, and her tail unconsciously wrapped around Su Rui's arm.

The two walked back hand in hand.

Jessica's fingers gripped Su Rui's sleeve so tightly they almost crumpled the fabric of the black trench coat. Her ears were pressed against her head, but her tail was held high, displaying a contradictory resolve.

"I... I've made up my mind!" Her voice was a notch higher than usual, but the last syllable still trembled. "You're going to live with me!"

Su Rui stood in the entrance hall of the villa, her gaze shifting from Jessica's flushed cheeks to the hand that was tightly gripping hers.

"A room?" he asked, his tone still calm.

Jessica's ears twitched, but her chin lifted even higher. "Yes! A room! A bed!"

Su Rui was silent for a moment. "Why?"

"Because..." Jessica's voice suddenly trailed off, "... because I don't want you to be alone."

Her fingers tightened slightly. Su Rui had only recently materialized and always kept to himself in Blacksteel's dormitory. After each mission, she couldn't help but imagine him returning to his empty room alone, which made her feel suffocated.

Looking at her lowered eyelashes, Su Rui suddenly reached out and stroked the top of her head. "Okay."

Jessica looked up abruptly. "You said yes?"

"Um."

Her tail bristled instantly, but she quickly coughed, trying to appear calm, and said, "Then, I'll help you pack your things now!"

An hour later, Su Rui's luggage, consisting of only a few clothes and tactical gear, was neatly arranged in Jessica's bedroom.

Jessica stood by the bed, watching helplessly as Su Rui disassembled and maintained the sniper rifle. Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains, casting a soft golden glow on his shoulders.

"Um..." she twisted her fingers, "Which side do you want to sleep on tonight?"

Without looking up, Su Rui said, "Anything is fine."

"Then, then I'll sleep on the left!" Jessica said quickly, then added, "Because the left side is closer to the bathroom..."

Su Rui finally looked up at her and said, "Mm."

His gaze was so calm that it only made Jessica more flustered. She turned and rushed to the closet. "I... I'll get you your pajamas!"

She pulled the wardrobe door open too hard, and several pieces of clothing fell out. Jessica frantically tried to catch them, but accidentally stepped on the tip of her own tail, causing her to tumble forward.

A pair of hands caught her steadily.

Su Rui had somehow appeared behind her, his chest pressed against her back, his breath gently brushing against her earlobe.

"Careful."

Jessica froze on the spot, feeling all the blood rush to her face. Su Rui's aura completely enveloped her—it was a unique blend of gunpowder smoke, metallic scent, and a faint, chilling aroma that made her dizzy.

"Th-thank you..." she stammered, but didn't dare turn around.

Su Rui let go of his hand, bent down to pick up the fallen clothes. "I can do it myself."

Jessica then realized that it was her favorite nightgown, the light blue silk fabric of which Su Rui was currently holding in her hand.

"Th-that's mine!" She frantically tried to grab it, but accidentally stepped on Su Rui's foot, and fell forward again.

This time, she bumped right into Su Rui's arms.

Volume 14, Chapter 773: It Will Not Go Back to the Way It Was

Su Rui caught her steadily, still clutching her nightgown in her hand. The two were so close they could count each other's eyelashes. Jessica felt her heart pounding so loudly the whole villa could probably hear it.

"I'm sorry!" She tried to back away in a flustered manner, but Su Rui gently pressed her shoulder down.

Jessica.

"Yes, yes!"

"Breathe."

Jessica then realized she had been holding her breath. She took a deep breath and choked, coughing. Su Rui gently patted her back until she calmed down before letting go.

"I'll go prepare dinner," he said, turning and leaving the bedroom.

Jessica slumped to the floor, burying her burning face in her nightgown. Good heavens, it was only the first day, and she'd already embarrassed herself this badly...

Dinner was prepared by Su Rui: a simple pan-fried steak and salad. Jessica sat at the table, eating in small bites, occasionally stealing glances at Su Rui across from her.

"Is it good?" he suddenly asked.

Jessica nodded eagerly, "It's delicious! Do you often cook?"

Su Rui shook her head. "The first time."

Jessica's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? Then how come you..."

"Look at the recipe."

Jessica glanced down at the perfectly cooked steak on her plate, then at Su Rui's perpetually calm face, and suddenly felt a pang of frustration. How could this person even cook perfectly on her first try?

"I... I'll make you breakfast tomorrow!" she said, mustering her courage.

Su Rui glanced at her. "Okay."

It's late at night.

After taking a shower, Jessica stood at the bathroom door in her light blue nightgown, hesitant to come out. She took several deep breaths before finally mustering the courage to push open the bedroom door.

Su Rui had changed into black pajamas and was leaning against the headboard reading a book. Hearing the noise, he looked up, his gaze lingered on Jessica for a second, and then returned to the pages of his book.

"Would you like the lights turned off?" he asked.

Jessica nodded and tiptoed to the other side of the bed. The soft mattress sank slightly with her movement, and Su Rui's breath was close at hand.

"Shut down, shut it down..."

The lights went out.

In the darkness, Jessica lay stiffly, even her breathing was cautious. She could feel Su Rui less than thirty centimeters away, her warm body temperature seeping through the sheets.

"Can't sleep?" Su Rui's voice rang out in the darkness.

Jessica gave a soft "hmm".

The mattress vibrated slightly, and Su Rui turned over to face her. Even though she couldn't see him, Jessica could feel his gaze.

"Fear?"

"No, no!" Jessica quickly denied, "It's just... I'm not used to it."

After a moment of silence, Su Rui suddenly reached out and pulled her into his arms. Jessica was caught off guard and bumped into his chest, instantly freezing in place.

"How about this?" Su Rui's voice came from above, carrying a gentleness she had never heard before.

Jessica's face was pressed against his chest, and she could clearly hear his steady heartbeat. Su Rui's arms were wrapped around her waist, with just the right amount of force so that she couldn't break free, even though she didn't want to.

"Much better..." she whispered, her tail unconsciously wrapping around Su Rui's calf.

Su Rui gently rested her chin on the top of her head. "Sleep."

Jessica closed her eyes, her breathing gradually becoming steady. Su Rui's aura enveloped her, like an invisible barrier, shutting out all her fear and unease.

In the last moments before drifting off to sleep, she vaguely thought: This must be what security feels like...

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains and onto the bed.

Jessica opened her eyes groggily and found herself clinging to Su Rui, her arms wrapped around his waist, her legs draped over his legs, and her tail tightly wrapped around his wrist.

Su Rui had already woken up and was quietly watching her.

"Good morning," he said.

Jessica snapped back to reality and frantically tried to back away, but Su Rui grabbed her lower back.

"Sleep a little longer."

Jessica froze. "But... but I said I'd make you breakfast..."

"No rush."

Su Rui's voice had a low, husky quality that came with the early morning, making Jessica's ears burn. She hesitated for a moment, then obediently lay back down in her original spot.

Su Rui gently stroked her back, as if petting a cat. Jessica unconsciously relaxed, her tail swaying slightly.

"Su Rui..."

"Um?"

"Wouldn't that... seem strange?"

Su Rui was silent for a moment, then said, "Not surprising."

"But we've only known each other for a short time..."

"Not to me."

Jessica looked up at him, puzzled. "What do you mean?"

Su Rui's gaze fell on her face, so deep it seemed to draw her in. "I knew you even before I had a physical form."

Jessica blinked. "So, what were you like back then?"

"Like a shadow," Su Rui whispered, "Watching you train, watching you eat, watching you hide under the covers and cry alone."

Jessica's face flushed red instantly. "You... you saw everything?"

"Um."

"Then... then you saw me too..."

"I saw you holding my sniper rifle and saying, 'I really want to see him.'"

Jessica buried her face in his chest, her ears turning bright red. "Stop talking!"

Su Rui's chest trembled slightly; he was actually laughing.

Jessica had never heard him laugh like that before—deep and joyful, like spring water flowing beneath the ice. She couldn't help but look up, meeting Su Rui's slightly upturned lips.

"You smiled..." she said blankly.

Su Rui looked down at her and said, "Mmm."

Jessica suddenly reached out and cupped his face. "Smile again!"

Su Rui: "..."

Please!

Su Rui sighed helplessly, but the corners of her mouth turned up again. Jessica's eyes lit up, and her tail excitedly patted the sheets.

"Su Rui, you have such a beautiful smile!"

Su Rui reached out and ruffled her hair. "Time to get up."

Jessica reluctantly let go, but as Su Rui stood up, she suddenly hugged him from behind. "Wait!"

Su Rui stopped what she was doing. "What's wrong?"

Jessica pressed her face against his back, her voice muffled. "... Don't go back to how you used to be."

Su Rui turned around and pulled her into his arms. "No."

His promise was simple and firm, and Jessica knew it was more reliable than any flowery vow. She tiptoed and gently touched Su Rui's lips to his.

"Good morning kiss," she explained, blushing.

Su Rui's eyes flickered for a moment, then she lowered her head and wrapped her arms around Jessica's neck, deepening the kiss. At this moment, she couldn't let Jessica get away.

Su Rui ended up making breakfast.

Jessica sat at the dining table, swinging her legs, watching Su Rui's busy figure in the kitchen, her tail wagging happily.

Sunlight streamed into the entire villa, making it warm and bright.

Just like her heart.

Volume 14, Chapter 774: Can it be? No.

Morning light streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, filling the dining room. Jessica sipped her warm milk, a ring of white foam clinging to the corner of her mouth. She stole a glance at Su Rui, who sat opposite her—the dark-haired boy quietly slicing a fried egg on his plate, his long, slender fingers moving with the knife and fork with the elegance of someone disassembling a sniper rifle.