Ark Simulator: Don't I Have a Physical Body?

"Has she always been like this?"

Su Rui didn't answer, but her silence said it all. Bai Xue suddenly remembered Lappland's seemingly casual touches and the way she looked at Su Rui —it wasn't the intimacy of an ordinary friend, but more like an obsession with some kind of possession.

"Don't pay any attention to her anymore," Bai Xue said sullenly, stuffing the candy box into the roadside trash can.

Su Rui's tail gently wrapped around her waist. "... Mmm."

The lights of Wenyue Estate were already within reach. A night breeze carried the fragrance of gardenias from the courtyard. Bai Xue took a deep breath, suddenly turned around and hugged Su Rui, burying her face in his chest.

"What's wrong?" he asked softly, his tail gently rubbing against her back.

"It's nothing," Bai Xue's voice muffled inside his clothes, "I just wanted to hug you."

Su Rui wrapped his arms around her and gently rested his chin on the top of her head. The two embraced quietly at the courtyard gate, the distant, indistinct sounds of the night market drifting in, like another world.

"Su Rui."

"Um?"

"Will you go?" Bai Xue looked up. "She mentioned... the usual place."

Su Rui's amber eyes looked exceptionally deep in the moonlight. "I'm not going."

What if I'm not there?

"... Same."

This answer made Bai Xue's heart skip a beat. She tiptoed and gently kissed Su Rui's lips, the coolness of the mint still lingering between her lips and teeth.

"Let's go home."

Su Rui's tail tightened around her wrist. "... Okay."

It was late at night, Bai Xue lay in bed, listening to the crickets chirping outside the window. Su Rui was sleeping in the next room, but she knew he wasn't asleep—she could hear him turning over slightly through the wall.

My phone suddenly vibrated; it was a text message from an unknown number: [Is he asleep?]

Bai Xue's fingers froze on the screen. She knew who it was without even guessing. She hesitated for a moment, then replied: [What's up?]

The other party quickly replied: [Tell him it's 8 PM tomorrow, at the Old Wharf. If he doesn't come, I'll go find him.]

Bai Xue stared at the message for a long time, but ultimately didn't reply. She gently put down her phone and tiptoed to the window. Moonlight streamed into the courtyard, and the surface of the pond shimmered with silver light.

In the distance, a Nightingale sings in the treetops, its voice clear and lonely.

Volume 15, Chapter 866: Su Rui's Little Trick

The morning sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains, casting dappled patterns of light on the tatami mat. Bai Xue groggily opened her eyes and found herself nestled in a warm embrace— Su Rui's arms were around her waist, and her silver hair cascaded down her neck, carrying a faint scent of minty shampoo.

His breathing was even and long, his eyelashes almost transparent in the morning light, and the corners of his mouth were slightly upturned, as if he were having a sweet dream. Bai Xue carefully reached out and gently traced his brow bone with her fingertips, afraid of waking him.

"Hmm..."

Su Rui let out a soft hum, his ears twitched sensitively, but he didn't wake up. Bai Xue couldn't help but chuckle, her finger sliding down his nose and finally stopping at his slightly parted lips.

His lips were soft, softer than she had imagined. Bai Xue's fingertips gently caressed his lower lip, when suddenly they were lightly bitten— Su Rui had woken up sometime earlier, his amber eyes half-open, carrying the languor of morning and a hint of cunning.

"Touching me?" His voice was incredibly hoarse as he lightly licked her fingertips with his tongue.

Bai Xue's ears instantly burned. "You, you were pretending to be asleep!"

Su Rui's tail peeked out from under the covers and happily wrapped around her wrist. "... Learning from you."

He tightened his arms, pulling her closer. Bai Xue's cheek pressed against his chest, and she could clearly hear his strong heartbeat. Su Rui's chin rested on the top of her head, his breath brushing against her hair, carrying a reassuring warmth.

"Sleep a little longer..." he whispered, his voice fading as if he were about to drift off to sleep again.

Bai Xue couldn't sleep. She looked up at Su Rui's sleeping face, couldn't help but lean closer and gently kiss his chin. Su Rui's eyelashes trembled, but he didn't open his eyes. He just tightened his tail and hugged her even tighter.

The sunlight gradually grew stronger, filling the room with a warm atmosphere. Bai Xue counted Su Rui's eyelashes, listened to his steady breathing, and unconsciously closed her eyes again.

When she woke up again, it was already noon. Su Rui wasn't beside her, but the warmth of his body still lingered in the blankets. Bai Xue rubbed her eyes and sat up, hearing a familiar whooshing sound coming from the courtyard—it was Su Rui practicing his shuriken.

She drew back the curtains, letting in a flood of sunlight. Su Rui, standing in the courtyard, wore only a black vest, his silver hair tied up high, tracing clean arcs in the air with each movement. His arms were sleek and graceful, each throw precise and accurate, the shuriken driving deep into the bullseye in the distance.

Bai Xue was engrossed in watching from the windowsill until Su Rui suddenly turned her head, her amber eyes accurately catching her gaze.

"Awake?" He sheathed his shuriken, his tail wagging happily.

Bai Xue nodded, then suddenly felt playful. She beckoned to Su Rui with her finger. "Come up."

Su Rui raised an eyebrow, but still leaped up and easily climbed onto the windowsill. He was still warm from training, his silver hair slightly damp with sweat and clinging to his neck. Bai Xue reached out and brushed the stray hairs from his forehead, then suddenly leaned in and kissed the tip of his nose.

"Good morning."

Su Rui's ears twitched, and she lowered her head to return the kiss. "... Good afternoon."

The kiss was cool and refreshing, like minty toothpaste, gentle and lingering. Unconsciously, Bai Xue wrapped her arms around his neck, practically clinging to him. Su Rui's arms steadily supported her waist, his tail coiling around her wrist, as if afraid she would fall.

"Are you hungry?" he asked softly as they parted.

"Mmm." Bai Xue nodded, "I want to eat your cooking."

Su Rui is actually a very good cook, but he rarely cooks most of the time. He gave a soft "hmm", picked up Bai Xue and jumped off the windowsill, landing steadily in the yard.

In the kitchen, Su Rui tied on an apron and began preparing ingredients. Bai Xue sat by the counter, swinging her legs as she watched him work. His knife skills were excellent; the radish was sliced into even, thin slices, and the fish was deboned cleanly and efficiently.

"Do you need my help?" Bai Xue asked.

Su Rui shook her head, but handed her a carrot. "Here."

Bai Xue took it with a puzzled look, and the next second Su Rui bit her fingertip instead of the carrot.

"Ah!" she exclaimed, quickly pulling her hand back. "What are you doing!"

Su Rui's lips curled up slightly. "... Sweet."

Bai Xue's face instantly turned red. "How can carrots be sweet...?"

"It's not a carrot." Su Rui lowered her head to continue chopping vegetables, but her tail quietly wrapped around her waist. "It's you."

This sudden declaration of love left Bai Xue stunned, her heart pounding. Looking at Su Rui's focused profile, she suddenly jumped off her chair and hugged him from behind. "You've gone bad!"

Su Rui's ears turned slightly red, but she didn't look away. "... I learned it from you."

Lunch was simple but delicious—miso soup, grilled fish, and a few side dishes. Bai Xue ate with relish, occasionally feeding Su Rui a piece with her chopsticks. He obediently opened his mouth each time, his tail wagging gently under the chair, showing that he was in a good mood.

"What are we doing this afternoon?" Bai Xue asked, biting her chopsticks.

Su Rui thought for a moment, "... Shopping?"

"Really?" Bai Xue's eyes lit up. "You'd like to go shopping with me?"

Su Rui's ears twitched. "... Hmm."

He actually didn't like crowded places, but Bai Xue's expectant eyes made it impossible for him to refuse.

The shopping street was even more crowded than expected. Su Rui's tail clung tightly to Bai Xue's wrist, as if afraid she would be separated from him by the crowd. His height was conspicuous in the crowd, and his silver hair attracted a lot of attention.

"That shop!" Bai Xue suddenly pointed ahead, "The newly opened dessert shop!"

She pulled Su Rui into the store, where a dazzling array of cakes made her dizzy. Bai Xue stood in front of the counter for a long time, hesitating before finally choosing a matcha mille-feuille and a strawberry cream cup.

"Want to try some?" She scooped up a spoonful of cream and held it to Su Rui's lips.

Su Rui lowered his head and took it in his mouth, the sweet taste melting on his tongue. His brow furrowed slightly. "... Too sweet."

"And this one?" Bai Xue handed over the matcha cake.

This time, Su Rui's expression softened a bit. "... It's alright."

Bai Xue looked at him with a smile, "You like matcha flavor?"

Su Rui's ears twitched. "... Hmm."

"Then I'll make you more matcha desserts from now on!"

Su Rui's tail gently wrapped around her wrist. "... Okay."

They sat in the shop for a long time, sharing desserts and milk tea. Bai Xue talked about interesting things that had happened recently, Su Rui listened quietly, occasionally responding with an "Mmm." Sunlight streamed in through the glass window, casting a warm glow on them.

As evening fell, they went for a walk along the river. The setting sun turned the river water golden, and a gentle breeze brought a touch of coolness. Bai Xue and Su Rui sat on a bench, watching the boats slowly pass by in the distance.

"Su Rui," Bai Xue suddenly spoke.

"Um?"

"Carry me on your back."

Su Rui raised an eyebrow. "... Why?"

"I just want you to carry me!" Bai Xue said coquettishly. "My dad used to carry me on his back for walks when I was little."

Volume 15, Chapter 867: So Heavy

Su Rui paused for a moment, then finally turned around and squatted down. Bai Xue cheered, jumped onto his back, and wrapped her arms around his neck.

Su Rui's silver hair brushed against Bai Xue's cheek, tickling her and carrying the familiar scent of mint.

"Is it heavy?" Bai Xue asked softly.

"... feather."

This metaphor warmed Bai Xue's heart. She buried her face in Su Rui's shoulder, breathing in his scent. "Walk slowly..."

Su Rui walked steadily, her tail gently circling her legs to prevent her from slipping. The setting sun cast long shadows of the two of them, moving slowly across the stone path.

"Su Rui."

"Um?"

Will we always be like this?

Su Rui paused slightly. "... Hmm."

"Real?"

"Real."

This simple promise brought tears to Bai Xue's eyes. She tightened her arms around him and whispered in Su Rui's ear, "I love you the most."

Su Rui's ears turned red instantly, and her tail stood straight. He didn't answer, but he carried her more steadily, as if to prove his promise with his actions.

As night fell, warm lanterns lit up the courtyard of Wenyue Estate. Bai Xue and Su Rui sat by the corridor, sharing a box of takoyaki they had just bought.

"Ah--" Bai Xue picked up a piece and held it to Su Rui's lips.

He lowered his head and took a bite, the steaming hot filling making him wince slightly. Bai Xue quickly handed him some iced oolong tea. "Drink some water!"

Su Rui took a big gulp, its tail twitching involuntarily. "... Hot."

"I'm sorry!" Bai Xue said guiltily, leaning closer. "Shall I blow on it for you?"

She cupped Su Rui's face in her hands and gently blew on his lips. The gesture was so intimate that Su Rui's ears turned bright red, and his tail wrapped tightly around her waist.

"Does it still hurt?" Bai Xue asked softly.

Su Rui shook his head, then suddenly lowered his head and kissed her. The kiss carried the salty aroma of takoyaki and the bitterness of oolong tea, tender and lingering. Bai Xue's eyelashes trembled slightly, responding unconsciously.

A night breeze carried the scent of gardenias from afar. The glow of the lanterns swirled around them, merging their shadows into one.

On this ordinary night, everything seemed so beautiful.

The nights at Lungmen always carry the damp scent of the sea breeze. The lights of the dock blend together in the night, like scattered stars reflected on the water. Bai Xue, arm in arm with Su Rui, strolled along the wooden boardwalk, the planks under their feet creaking softly with each step.

"It's so quiet here," Bai Xue whispered, her voice almost drowned out by the sound of the waves.

Su Rui's tail gently wrapped around her wrist, responding silently. His silver hair gleamed softly in the moonlight, and his amber eyes scanned the surroundings, maintaining their usual vigilance.

A light, cheerful whistle drifted from afar, its familiar melody instantly catching Su Rui's attention. Bai Xue followed his gaze and saw two figures sitting on a container at the end of the dock—Nian swinging his legs, holding a skewer of grilled squid; Lappland leaning against the railing, his red eyes gleaming in the night.

"Oh, a young couple on a date too?" Nian waved with a grin, almost getting squid sauce on her director's vest.

Lappland didn't speak, but stared intently at Su Rui, a faint smile playing on her lips. Her SilverAsh hair swayed slightly in the sea breeze, and the collar of her black leather jacket was open, revealing a small wolf head tattoo on her collarbone.

Bai Xue instinctively gripped Su Rui's hand tightly. "How did they get here...?"

Su Rui's tail tightened, but she didn't turn away. The movie from that year had just been released, and Lappland had just returned from Syracuse. The fact that the two of them appeared at the dock at the same time didn't seem like a coincidence at all.

"Come on over and eat with us!" Nian called out enthusiastically, jumping down from the container and holding up another skewer of grilled squid. "Just bought it, it's still warm!"

Lappland then strolled over slowly, her boots clicking crisply on the wooden boardwalk. Her gaze remained fixed on Su Rui, her red eyes flashing with unfathomable emotions.

"Long time no see, Bell." Her voice was low, with the languid tone characteristic of Syracuse.