Ark Simulator, Am I Not Intangible?

Su Rui glanced at her sideways, a barely perceptible smile playing on her lips, "Weren't you quite energetic last night?"

Jessica squinted, preparing to retaliate, when the doorbell suddenly rang.

They both paused simultaneously.

"... Who?" Jessica frowned.

Su Rui turned off the stove and casually wiped her hands. "I don't know, I didn't make any appointments."

The doorbell rang again, this time accompanied by Franka's signature, laughing voice, "Jessica? Su Rui? If you don't open the door, I'm going to hack in!"

The toast in Jessica's hand fell back onto the plate with a "thud".

"Oh no!" She jumped up. "I forgot we were supposed to settle our bonuses today!"

Su Rui sighed and went to open the door. As soon as the door opened, Franka leaned against the door frame with a smile, twirling a terminal in her hand. Liskarm stood behind her, as expressionless as ever, but his gaze paused subtly when it swept over Su Rui's open collar.

"Oh," Franka's gaze bypassed Su Rui and landed directly on Jessica, "Looks like we've disturbed someone's 'post-war rest'?"

Jessica's ears burned, and she grabbed a napkin from the table, crumpled it up, and threw it at him. "Shut up!"

Franka caught it easily, her smile widening even more, "Wow, you're so energetic! Looks like last night's 'mission' went very smoothly?"

Liskarm cleared his throat, interrupting at the opportune moment. "The bonus settlement statement has been sent to your terminals. Please check it."

Su Rui nodded and stepped aside to let the two in. Franka sniffed the air as soon as she entered, raising an eyebrow. "Fried eggs? Bacon? Is this breakfast or lunch?"

"Brunch," Jessica replied curtly, snatching Su Rui's coffee cup and taking a sip.

Franka gave a meaningful "Oh," sat down at the table, and looked at them, resting her chin on her hand. "Looks like you expended a lot of energy last night?"

Jessica nearly choked on her coffee, while Su Rui expressionlessly placed a cup of black coffee in front of Franka: "Drink yours, and keep quiet."

Franka took it with a grin, then turned to Liskarm and said, "Look, someone's feeling guilty."

Liskarm, head down, scrolling through his terminal, didn't look up. "Franka, that's enough."

Jessica glared at Franka, then looked down at the prize money details on her terminal, suddenly frowning. "Wait, isn't this amount wrong?"

Liskarm looked up. "Where?"

"Our mission reward should be 20% higher than this," Su Rui said, walking over and swiping her finger across the screen. "We underestimated the extra allowance for one night raid."

Franka whistled, "As expected of Su Rui, she even calculates the prize money so clearly."

Jessica proudly raised her chin. "Of course, my Su Rui can count every single bullet."

Franka blinked. "Oh? Did you include the 'ammunition' used last night?"

Jessica: "... Franka!!"

Liskarm sighed and stood up, "I'll contact the finance department to make the correction."

Su Rui nodded, then casually pulled Jessica closer to her, whispering, "Ignore her." Franka, seeing this, exaggeratedly covered her eyes. "Oh dear, in broad daylight! Be mindful of your behavior!"

Jessica grabbed a piece of bread and shoved it into her mouth. "Eat yours!"

Franka bit into her bread, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons with a smile.

Sunlight streamed through the window, the coffee on the table steamed, Liskarm typed rapidly on his terminal, Franka continued her relentless teasing, and Su Rui's hand remained on the back of Jessica's chair.

After settling the prize money, Franka and Liskarm left first. Before leaving, Franka winked at Jessica and deliberately drawled, "Have fun--"

Jessica rolled her eyes, grabbed Su Rui's arm, and pulled her outside. "Ignore her, let's go shopping."

Su Rui let her pull her along, a slight smile playing on her lips, "What can you buy with this little bit of money?"

Jessica turned and glared at him. "What, you think it's not enough?"

"No," Su Rui reached out and ruffled her hair, "It's just that you usually spend more than this much on a simple handbag."

Jessica gave a soft snort and took his arm. "That's different. We earned this ourselves."

Su Rui didn't say anything more, just let her pull her towards the commercial street.

--

The commercial street was bustling with people, neon signs were flashing, and the music of street performers mingled with the shouts of vendors, creating a lively atmosphere. Jessica enthusiastically dragged Su Rui around to various stalls, completely unlike her usual picky young lady.

"Su Rui! Look at this!" She suddenly stopped in front of a stall, picked up a hand-carved wooden kitten figurine, her eyes sparkling.

Su Rui glanced down at it. "You like it?"

Jessica nodded, gently stroking the kitten's ears with her fingers. "Cute."

Without a word, Su Rui took out his money and bought it. Jessica was stunned for a moment, then smiled and put the kitten into his hands, "It's yours."

Su Rui raised an eyebrow. "You're paying for this? Giving it to me?"

Jessica replied matter-of-factly, "Yes, that way every time you see it, you'll think of me."

Su Rui chuckled softly and put the kitten in her pocket, "... I wouldn't have forgotten anyway."

Jessica's ears burned with embarrassment, and she quickly pulled him forward. "Come on, come on, there's a barbecue stall up ahead!"

--

The barbecue stall was filled with smoke and a wonderful aroma. Jessica ordered a huge amount of food, while Su Rui stood beside her, already carrying several bags full of trinkets she had bought on a whim.

"Here you go." Jessica handed him a skewer of grilled meat, took a bite herself, and gasped as it burned. "Ugh... it's so hot!"

Su Rui sighed and reached out to pinch her chin, "Slow down."

Jessica puffed out her cheeks and mumbled, "It's delicious..."

Su Rui looked at her lips, which were red from the heat, her eyes darkened, and she lowered her head to gently touch her lips.

Jessica's eyes widened. "... Su Rui! This is on the street!"

Su Rui remained expressionless. "To help you cool down."

Jessica: "... You're kidding me!"

Su Rui smiled slightly and took the skewers from her hand to prevent her from getting burned again.

--

As dusk fell, the streetlights came on one by one. Jessica, clutching a bag of roasted chestnuts she had just bought, leaned contentedly on Su Rui's shoulder. "I'm tired, let's go home."

Su Rui hummed in agreement, took the bag of chestnuts from her arms, and took her hand with her other hand.

The night breeze was slightly cool, Jessica's fingers gently scratched his palm. "Su Rui."

"Um?"

"Next mission... let's do it together again."

Su Rui squeezed her hand, her voice low and firm. "Yes, together."

Volume 14, Chapter 793: A Showdown

The motion-sensor lights in the villa gradually turned on with the sound of their footsteps. Jessica casually tossed the shopping bags onto the sofa, turned to look at Su Rui, who was closing the door, her eyes gleaming with eager anticipation.

"Su Rui," she tilted her head, tapping her fingers lightly on the coffee table, "How about a match?"

Su Rui paused in locking the door, then turned to look at her. "What are we competing in?"

"Shoot," Jessica said with a smirk, "Then fight."

Su Rui raised an eyebrow, her gaze sweeping over her. "Are you sure?"

Jessica snorted and walked straight to the armory in the basement, "Scared?"

Su Rui chuckled softly and followed.

In the shooting range in the basement, the mechanical targets moved at a steady pace. Jessica skillfully assembled her pistol, then turned to Su Rui: "Ten shots, the one with the highest score wins."

Su Rui didn't say anything, but simply picked up his sidearm and cocked it deftly.

Gunshots echoed in the confined space. Jessica stared intently at the target, each shot hitting the bullseye precisely. After firing the last bullet, she turned triumphantly to Su Rui: "How was that?"

Su Rui put down her gun and walked to the target to check her score. The two had almost the same score, but Jessica's bullet holes were more concentrated.

"You win," he said calmly.

Jessica's eyes lit up, and she was about to speak when Su Rui suddenly leaned closer, her fingers brushing against her earlobe. "However, in actual combat, it's not like shooting at a stationary target while standing still."

His breath brushed against her earlobe, carrying a subtle hint of provocation. Jessica narrowed her eyes. "How about we try a fight?"

Su Rui took a step back and made a "please" gesture.

On the training mat, the two stood facing each other. Jessica made the first move, throwing a straight punch straight at Su Rui's face. Su Rui dodged to the side, grabbed her wrist with his other hand, and pulled her away. Jessica lost her balance, but used the momentum to spin around and knee him in the abdomen.

Su Rui grunted, his grip tightening as he shoved Jessica down onto the mat. Jessica struggled for a moment, then, finding herself unable to move, bit her lip in anger. "You're cheating!"

Su Rui looked down at her, a smile playing on his dark eyes, "That's called tactics."

Jessica suddenly bent her knee and aimed it at his groin, Su Rui reacted quickly, dodging to the side and loosening her grip. Jessica seized the opportunity to flip over, and the two instantly switched positions.

"That's what you call tactics." She straddled his waist, raising an eyebrow triumphantly.

Su Rui's eyes darkened, and he suddenly grabbed the back of her neck and pressed her down. Jessica was caught off guard, and her lips collided with his.

The kiss was tinged with the smell of gunpowder and sweat, as intense as another battle. Jessica's hand was pressed against his chest, and she could clearly feel his heart pounding.

Su Rui flipped over and regained the initiative, grabbing both of her wrists with one hand and pressing them above her head, while stroking her sweaty temples with the other. "Give up?"

Jessica was panting, her cheeks flushed, but she glared at him stubbornly. "I don't admit it."

Su Rui chuckled softly, then leaned down and bit her collarbone. "Stubborn."

Jessica gave a soft snort, then suddenly looked up and bit his Adam's apple in return. Su Rui's breath hitched, and his grip loosened slightly. Jessica took the opportunity to break free, and the two wrestled again, but their movements gradually changed.

The battle on the training mat had somehow moved to the master bedroom. Jessica's back sank into the soft mattress, and Su Rui's kisses traveled down her lips, leaving marks on every inch of her skin.

"Su Rui..." she said, clutching his hair, her voice trembling.

"Hmm?" He looked up, a dark fire burning in his eyes.

Jessica suddenly pushed him down forcefully, straddled him, and mimicked his earlier tone. "Give up?"

Su Rui's Adam's apple bobbed, and he placed his hand on her waist. "I don't admit it."

Jessica leaned down, her blue hair falling over his chest. "Then continue."

Moonlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains, casting dappled shadows on the floor. Exhausted, Jessica lay on Su Rui's chest, her fingertips unconsciously tracing circles on his abs.

"Tired?" Su Rui's voice was hoarse with satisfaction.

Jessica lazily hummed in agreement, muttering with her eyes closed, "Next time... I definitely have to win..."

Su Rui chuckled and pulled her closer to him, "I'm always here for you."

The morning sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains, casting dappled patterns of light on the floor. Jessica was curled up in Su Rui's arms, fast asleep, her blue hair disheveled on the pillow, a faint blush still lingering on her cheeks. Su Rui had one arm under Jessica's head, while the other rested unconsciously on Jessica's waist, her breathing steady and deep.

Outside the villa, Franka was pounding on the door, her voice booming. "Jessica! Su Rui! The sun's already high in the sky—"

Liskarm stood behind her, glancing expressionlessly at his watch. "It's already 10:30."

Franka raised an eyebrow, then turned to Liskarm with a sly smile, "Looks like last night's 'extra training' was quite intense."

Liskarm coughed lightly and turned his face away. "... Don't talk nonsense."

Franka grinned and pulled out her terminal, her fingers flying across the screen. "Since knocking doesn't work, then we'll just have to—"

" --Franka!" Liskarm frowned. "Don't just hack into other people's locks."

Franka blinked innocently. "I just wanted to send them a message."

Inside the villa, Jessica's terminal suddenly vibrated, the screen lit up, and a message from Franka popped up:

"If you don't open the door soon, I'm going to write a report on your 'battle' last night and post it on the Rhodes Island intranet!"

Jessica groggily opened her eyes and reached for the terminal, but her arm went limp and the terminal fell with a "thud" onto Su Rui's face.

"Hmm..." Su Rui frowned, raised his hand and grabbed her wrist, "... What are you doing?"

Jessica finally snapped out of it, quickly picked up the terminal, and stared wide-eyed at the message: "Franka?!"

Su Rui propped herself up and squinted at the window. "... She's outside."

Jessica scrambled to her feet, grabbed Su Rui's shirt and pulled it on, then ran barefoot downstairs. "Wait! Don't hack my lock!"

Su Rui sighed, slowly got up, casually picked up her pants from the floor and put them on, then went downstairs.

As soon as the door opened, Franka leaned against the doorframe with a grin, her gaze sweeping over Jessica before finally settling on the red mark on her neck. "Wow."