Am I Not Without a Physical Body?

Su Rui didn't let go of her immediately. His hand was on her lower back, his fingertips unconsciously caressing that sensitive skin. "Wait five more minutes."

The sunlight gradually brightened, and tiny dust particles floated in the room. Jessica counted Su Rui's heartbeats, then suddenly looked up as if remembering something. "You promised to teach me sniping last night."

"Um."

"Go now?"

Looking into her bright eyes, Su Rui sighed helplessly, "Finish breakfast."

Jessica cheered and jumped off the bed, her bare feet slapping against the wooden floor. She grabbed Su Rui's shirt and pulled it on, the wide hem hanging down to mid-thigh, swaying with her movements.

"This is mine," Su Rui reminded him, leaning against the headboard.

"Now it's mine." Jessica made a face at him, then turned and ran towards the bathroom.

The sound of rushing water filled the air as Su Rui slowly got up and dressed. He picked up the nightgown Jessica had tossed on the floor, his fingertips touching the fabric still warm from her touch. The roar of the city's engines filled the air outside the window; a new day had officially begun. But he suddenly felt that this ordinary morning was more satisfying than any perfect mission execution.

***

The aroma of sizzling bacon filled the first floor of the Ice Brew Tavern. As Jessica skipped downstairs, Ice Brew was placing the last fried egg on a plate. The deer-eared girl, without looking up, said, "Finally decided to get up?"

Jessica blushed again, and she awkwardly tugged at the hem of her overly long shirt. "Good, good morning..."

Ice Brew turned around, her gaze sweeping over her before finally settling on the sapphire pendant around her neck. "Looks like someone didn't get much sleep last night."

"Ice Brew!" Jessica almost jumped up.

Su Rui appeared at the top of the stairs at just the right moment, holding the hair tie that Jessica had dropped. He walked behind Jessica expressionlessly and skillfully tied her hair up, his movements incredibly gentle.

"We have honey muffins today." Ice Brew glanced meaningfully at Su Rui, "Someone's favorite."

Jessica turned her head in surprise. "You like sweets?"

Su Rui turned her head back to continue tying her hair, "Shut up."

Wow! Your ears are red!

Jessica.

Ice Brew smiled as she pushed breakfast in front of them, the ice crystal ornaments on the antlers shimmering in the morning light. Suddenly, the tavern doorbell rang, and several familiar workers walked in, their faces bearing long-lost smiles.

"I heard the banking system isn't fixed yet?" one of the loudest voices asked.

Ice Brew poured them hot tea. "Who knows? Maybe it was hacked."

Jessica focused on slicing the fried egg, pretending not to notice Ice Brew's meaningful gaze. Su Rui, as always, remained expressionless, simply pushing the sliced bacon in front of Jessica.

Sunlight streamed into the pub, illuminating the three people's plates with a warm golden rim. Jessica secretly hooked her finger around Su Rui's under the table, feeling his rough fingertips gently brush against her palm.

At that moment, she suddenly felt that perhaps she could stay here a little longer—on this sunny morning, in this lively tavern, in this world where Su Rui lived.

How did you find mine in Volume 14, Chapter 809?

The afterglow of the setting sun bathed the entire city in a warm orange-red hue. Su Rui sat alone on the edge of the top floor of the abandoned clock tower, his long legs dangling casually over the rusted iron railings. A sniper rifle lay quietly beside him, its metallic surface reflecting the light of the setting sun like a layer of flowing flame.

He held a can of chilled beer in his hand, his fingertips lightly tapping the aluminum can, making a soft "tap-tap" sound. In the distance, pedestrians darted about like ants on the street, and the taillights of cars formed a flowing red river. The wind blew between the buildings, carrying the unique hustle and bustle of the city, and brushed against his hair.

Su Rui liked these moments—no missions, no orders, just himself and the city breathing.

"It's here after all."

Jessica's voice came from behind, accompanied by light footsteps. Su Rui didn't turn around, but the corners of his mouth relaxed almost imperceptibly. He had already sensed her approach—not through a telepathic link, but through the faint sweet scent emanating from her, a blend of shampoo and sunshine.

"How did you find it?" he asked, his voice low and calm.

Jessica sat down beside him, her blue hair fluttering slightly in the wind, the ends brushing against his arm, tickling him. She carried a bag of freshly baked buttered bread, the bag still stained with oil and emitting a rich, milky aroma.

"A mind link, huh?" She wagged her finger, a sly smile on her face. "Even though you've blocked your emotions, your location can still be sensed."

Su Rui gave a soft snort, not exposing her lie—he hadn't even opened the link. Jessica was able to find him purely because she knew his interests too well.

"Here you go." She broke off a piece of bread and held it to his lips. "Just bought it, it's still warm."

Su Rui lowered her head and took a bite. The warm butter melted on her tongue, sweet but not cloying. He turned to look at her and noticed a little flour on her cheek, probably from when she was at the bakery.

"It's dirty." He reached out and wiped her cheek with his thumb.

Jessica squinted, like a cat being stroked. "Deliberate."

"Um?"

"That way you'll touch me." She smiled smugly, then broke off another piece of bread and stuffed it into her mouth.

Su Rui didn't reply, but simply tilted his head back and took a sip of beer, his Adam's apple bobbing with each swallow. Jessica's eyes followed his movements, and suddenly she reached out and snatched his beer can, taking a large gulp from where he had just drunk.

"It tastes awful." She wrinkled her nose, but still took another sip.

Su Rui glanced at her nose, slightly red from the alcohol, and took the beer back. "Don't waste it."

Jessica pouted, then leaned against his shoulder, her fingers unconsciously tugging at the hem of his shirt. "What are you thinking about, hiding here all by yourself?"

"Nothing."

"You're lying." She poked his chest. "You always find a high place to daydream whenever you have something on your mind."

Su Rui was silent for a moment, her gaze falling on the distant city skyline. The sun had already sunk most of its way down, and the sky was gradually changing from orange-red to deep blue, like spilled paint.

"Just looking," he finally said.

Jessica didn't press him. She knew Su Rui too well—he needed to process some emotions on his own, rather than having them forcibly pried open. So she simply leaned against him quietly, watching the city lights come on one by one with him.

The night breeze grew cool, Jessica unconsciously snuggled closer to him. Su Rui noticed her movement, unbuttoned his coat with one hand, and pulled her inside. Jessica nestled into his arms, her cheek pressed against his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat.

"Are you cold?" he asked.

"I'm not cold." She shook her head, but her fingers secretly wrapped around his waist.

Su Rui looked down at her and noticed that her eyelashes cast small shadows in the twilight, and her blue hair was slightly disheveled by the wind. He reached out and tidied her hair, his fingertips inadvertently brushing against her earlobe.

Jessica suddenly looked up, her nose brushing against his chin. "Su Rui."

"Um?"

"Next time we're alone..." she blinked, "Could you tell me in advance?"

Su Rui raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"That way I can bring a blanket," she said matter-of-factly, "And hot cocoa."

Su Rui's lips curled up slightly. "Whatever you say."

Jessica laughed triumphantly, tilted her head back and kissed his chin. "It's a deal."

Night had completely fallen, and the city lights twinkled like stars. Su Rui's arm was around Jessica's shoulder, her body heat seeping through the fabric, warm and real.

Perhaps the meaning of being alone lies not in loneliness, but in knowing that someone will always find you—with warm bread and an open heart.

Jessica's fingers gently fiddled with the metal buttons on Su Rui's coat, her fingertips tracing the tiny scratches—marks left from the last mission. The night breeze carried the sounds of distant market noise, mingled with the sweet aroma of roasted chestnuts and caramel. She suddenly tilted her head back, her nose brushing against Su Rui's chin. "Can you smell that? It's candied apple!"

Su Rui's Adam's apple bobbed, her breath filled with the jasmine scent of her hair. "Mmm."

"Shall we go down and buy it?" Jessica's eyes shone brightly in the twilight, her fingers already gripping his belt buckle.

Su Rui pressed down on her restless hand. "Wait ten more minutes."

Eight minutes.

Nine and a half minutes.

Jessica chuckled, resting her forehead against his collarbone. "Su Rui, you look like an old man haggling at the market."

The sniper narrowed his eyes, then suddenly grabbed her waist and lifted her to the edge of the railing. Jessica screamed, instinctively wrapping her legs around his waist, clinging to him like a koala. "What are you doing!"

"My hand slipped." Su Rui remained expressionless, but her arm steadily supported her hips and legs. From this angle, the lights of the entire city became mere embellishments on her blue hair.

Jessica bit his ear in retaliation. "Liar." She could feel the hardness of the holster on his waist against her inner thigh, the leather rubbing against her skin with each breath. "Why are you pretending to be a melancholy youth when you're carrying a gun..."

Su Rui suddenly turned and pressed her against the rusty gear mechanism, the coolness of the metal seeping through the thin fabric. Jessica hissed, then her lips were sealed with a kiss. The kiss carried the bitter malt of beer and the sweet aroma of the butter she had just eaten. Su Rui's canine teeth lightly grazed her lower lip, making her fingertips tingle.

"Eight minutes are up," he said as he released her, his breathing a few beats heavier than usual.

Jessica, still dizzy, clung to him, suddenly realizing her hair tie was somehow on his wrist, the black elastic band wrapped around a blue vein, like some kind of hidden mark of possession. She laughed and tried to snatch it back, "Give it back!"

Su Rui easily restrained her wrist, then leaned down and kissed her again. "The collateral."

The crowds at the night market flowed like a colorful river. Jessica, holding candied apples, weaved through the stalls, while Su Rui's hand remained behind her waist, subtly separating her from the throng.

Chapter 810 of Volume 14 is too sweet.

"Try it!" She shoved the candy ball to Su Rui's lips; the amber-colored candy shell glistened under the light.

Su Rui frowned. "Too sweet."

"Just one bite~" Jessica stood on tiptoe, and the sugar strands from the candy ball brushed against his nose.

The sniper sighed, then bent down and took a small bite. The sound of the sugar shell crackling was crisp and pleasant. Jessica watched with satisfaction as his expression shifted from a slight furrow to a relaxed one. "Delicious, isn't it?"

"... good."

"Su Rui," Jessica suddenly grabbed his sleeve, "Look at that."

An old craftsman on the street corner was blowing glass, transforming the bright red glass into birds with outstretched wings in his hands. Before Su Rui could react, Jessica had already squeezed into the crowd, her blue hair like a dancing flame under the warm yellow light.

The old man smiled and handed her the finished product, "Little girl, this is for you."

"Huh? Why?"

"Your boyfriend's staring at me is making my hands shake." The old man gestured towards Su Rui. "If he keeps staring at me like that, I'm afraid my bird will become a target."

Jessica turned around and, sure enough, saw Su Rui standing three meters away with his arms crossed, his dark eyes sharp as knives in the night. She jogged over, proudly displaying the glass bird. "Doesn't it look like you? Cold and fierce."

Su Rui grabbed the "bird's neck" and lifted it up to examine it closely. "... Am I that ugly?"

"Pfft—" Jessica laughed and fell onto his shoulder, "That's artistic exaggeration!"

The glass bird was carefully tucked into Su Rui's inner pocket, close to his heart. Jessica took the opportunity to stuff the remaining candied apple into his mouth. "A reward for you."

The sweet syrup melted on her tongue. Su Rui looked down at Jessica's profile, illuminated by the neon lights, and suddenly thought—coming to the night market once in a while might not be so bad.

Jessica's fingers were stuck together in the sticky syrup of the apple candy. She wrinkled her nose and tried to shake it off, but only made the sugar strands entangle her more tightly. Su Rui sighed and pulled a tactical knife from her pocket—the blade flashing coldly in the neon light—startling the cotton candy vendor next to her so much that he almost called the police.

"Hands," he commanded curtly.

Jessica obediently extended her sticky paws, watching as Su Rui precisely sliced apart the sugar threads with the blade, his movements as gentle as defusing a bomb. His eyelashes cast fine shadows under the dappled lights of the night market, the lines of his nose remained sharp as ever, but the corners of his mouth were slightly more relaxed than usual.

"Su Rui," she suddenly said, "You have candy on your lips."

The sniper instinctively reached to wipe it, but Jessica beat him to it—she stood on tiptoe and swiftly licked the corner of his lips with her tongue.

"Just kidding~" She laughed like a cat that had stolen some cream, turned to run away, but Su Rui pulled her back and held her in his arms. His palm was on her lower back, and the temperature transmitted through the fabric was surprisingly hot.

"You've gotten bolder." His voice was low and husky, his breath carrying the sweet scent of apple candy.

Jessica poked his chest with her finger. "Who told you to have such a long face all day?" Her fingertips slid down his collarbone to his Adam's apple. "There's no new task, yet you're acting all serious."

Su Rui suddenly lowered her head, her nose touching Suri's. "I wasn't pretending."

"Then why aren't you happy?"

"..."

Jessica waited for a while without getting an answer, and was about to ask again when her stomach suddenly growled. Su Rui raised an eyebrow, blushing as she clutched her stomach. "What are you looking at! Apple candies don't fill you up..."

Ten minutes later, they were sitting on greasy plastic chairs at a roadside stall. Jessica had a pile of skewers, takoyaki, and oden in front of her, while Su Rui only had a steaming cup of black coffee.

"You really aren't going to eat?" she asked, her cheeks puffed out, the fish ball poking at her chopsticks jiggling bouncyly.

Su Rui shook her head, but as Su Rui lowered her head to drink her soup, she subtly pushed the roasted chicken wings next to her.

The crowds at the night market gradually thinned out, and the vendors began packing up their equipment. Jessica patted her stomach contentedly when she suddenly noticed a yellowed photograph pressed against the bottom of Su Rui's coffee cup—a picture of young Su Rui standing by the training field, with his former instructor, Blacksteel, beside him.

"This is..." She carefully picked up the photo.

Su Rui didn't stop her, but her gaze fell into the distance. "Three years ago today."

Jessica suddenly understood. She gently put down the photo, her fingers tracing the back of his hand. "You miss him."

Su Rui's fingertips trembled slightly, but he didn't pull his hand away. The night breeze ruffled his black hair and dispersed the steam from his coffee. Jessica sat quietly with him until the last stall went out.

On the way back to the tavern, Jessica suddenly grabbed Su Rui's sleeve. "Carry me on your back."

"Go by yourself."

"My feet hurt," she said, shaking his arm playfully. "And I ate too much, I can't walk..."