Ark Simulator, Didn't I Have No Physical Form?

Night gradually fell, and the lake reflected the starry sky. Having eaten and drunk her fill, Bai Xue leaned lazily against Su Rui's shoulder. "Shall we go back tomorrow?"

Su Rui was cleaning up the mess when she heard this and looked up at her. "... Reason?"

"Well..." Bai Xue racked her brains for an excuse, "... Evening Primrose need more moonlight?"

The excuse was so flimsy that even she didn't believe it. Su Rui's lips curled into a slight smile, and her tail gently patted her wrist. "... The truth."

Bai Xue blushed. "I just... like being with you."

The moment she uttered those words, her heart raced, and she dared not look at Su Rui's reaction. The campfire crackled, illuminating their intertwined shadows.

Su Rui was silent for a moment, then suddenly reached out and pulled her in. "... Me too."

This simple response instantly melted Bai Xue's heart. She nestled into Su Rui's arms, listening to his steady heartbeat and feeling the warmth of his tail circling around her.

A gentle night breeze stirred the lake, causing it to shimmer with tiny silver lights. The distant hooting of owls echoed through the woods, only amplifying the tranquil beauty of the scene.

"Su Rui."

"Um?"

We'll come again next time.

"... Um."

The morning sunlight spilled across the lake, creating shimmering golden ripples. Bai Xue sat on a large rock on the shore, swinging her legs as she watched Su Rui pack up the campsite. Her movements were clean and efficient, her silver hair flowing like a waterfall in the morning light, her tail swaying gently with her actions, occasionally brushing against the fallen leaves on the ground.

The distant Lungmen city wall was already clearly visible, its towering towers casting long shadows in the rising sun. Bai Xue bit her lower lip, her heart a jumbled mess—she didn't want to go back.

"Su Rui..." she called out to him in a drawn-out voice, "Is the car checked?"

Su Rui was squatting next to the old SUV, checking the tire pressure. This car was lent to them by Nian, who said it was a prop car for filming a movie. Although it looked worn, its performance was still pretty good.

"Hmm." He responded without turning his head, his fingers expertly tightening a loose screw.

Bai Xue tiptoed to the back of the car, pretending to help pack the luggage, but secretly observing Su Rui's actions. When he turned to get his tools, she quickly crouched down, her fingers stealthily reaching for the oil pipe under the car—

"Bai Xue."

Su Rui's voice suddenly rang out above her, startling her so much she almost jumped. She looked up and met a pair of amber eyes, which held a knowing look.

"I... I was just checking if there was any oil leak!" she stammered, her hand still frozen in mid-air.

Su Rui's ears twitched, and her tail lightly brushed against her wrist. "... Liar."

Caught red-handed, Bai Xue's face instantly turned as red as a ripe apple. She sheepishly withdrew her hand, patting away non-existent dust. "I just... didn't want to go back so soon."

Su Rui didn't speak, but just looked at her quietly, her gaze so gentle that it softened Su Rui's heart.

"Wenyue Estate is so stuffy..." Bai Xue muttered softly, "Back then, it'll be training and patrolling again..."

Her voice trailed off as she spoke, and finally she grabbed Su Rui's arm in a pleading manner. "Can we play for one more day? Just one more day!"

Su Rui's tail gently wrapped around her waist, while her other hand continued to inspect the vehicle, "... Danger."

"What's dangerous?" Bai Xue pouted defiantly. "What's there to be afraid of when the two of us are together?"

Su Rui's ears twitched, seemingly pleased by her words. But he still insisted, "... Madam will worry."

Mentioning Lady Wenyue, Bai Xue's imposing manner immediately weakened. She released Su Rui's arm, dejectedly kicking the tire. "Then... at least go back slowly."

Volume 15, Chapter 874: The Scenery is Beautiful

Seeing her dejected appearance, Su Rui suddenly turned and walked towards the hood of the car. "... Get me a wrench."

"Huh? Oh!" Bai Xue quickly rummaged through the toolbox, handing over a wrench. "What do you need fixed?"

Su Rui took the tools and bent down to inspect the engine. His silver hair fell down, obscuring his expression. "... spark plugs."

Bai Xue's eyes lit up. She knew that a faulty spark plug could cause the car to break down on the road— Su Rui was giving her an opportunity!

"Let me help you!" She rushed over excitedly, deliberately clumsily handing over the wrong tool. "Is this it? Oh no, it's this?"

Su Rui glanced at her helplessly, took the correct socket wrench, but deliberately didn't tighten a certain key component. His movements were subtle, but Bai Xue still noticed, and the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up.

"Alright." Su Rui closed the hood. "Let's give it a try."

Bai Xue cheered and jumped into the driver's seat. The key turned, the engine made a few coughing sounds, and then—

"Boom!"

The car jolted violently, spewed a plume of black smoke from the exhaust pipe, and then stalled completely.

"Oh dear!" Bai Xue exclaimed dramatically, "What happened?"

Su Rui's lips curled up slightly, and her tail wagged happily. "... Oh no."

"What should we do then?" Bai Xue blinked, trying to hide the cunning in her eyes. "If it can't be fixed, will we be unable to go back today?"

Su Rui pretended to be serious as she inspected the parts, then "regretfully" announced, "... we'll have to wait for the parts."

"That's great—I mean, that's terrible!" Bai Xue almost blurted out, then quickly corrected herself, "Shouldn't we stay another night?"

Su Rui's ears twitched with pleasure. "... Mmm."

This simple syllable made Bai Xue so happy she almost jumped for joy. She hugged Su Rui tightly and gave him a loud kiss on the cheek. "You're the best!"

Su Rui's ears turned bright red instantly, and his tail bristled like a feather duster. He turned his face away, pretending to check the rearview mirror, but he couldn't hide the smile on his lips.

Around noon, the two ate some dry food by the lake. Bai Xue was in a great mood and even hummed a little tune. Su Rui sat quietly beside her, its tail occasionally brushing against her wrist, as if silently echoing her.

"Su Rui, let's go fishing!" Bai Xue suddenly suggested. "I see lots of fish in the lake!"

Su Rui glanced at the sun. "... Too sunny."

"Shall we go exploring in the woods?"

"... There's a snake."

"Then..." Bai Xue racked her brains, "Shall we play cards?"

Su Rui raised an eyebrow. "... I didn't bring it."

Bai Xue pouted. "If this won't work and that won't work, then what are we supposed to do?"

Su Rui's tail gently wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer. "... Like this."

His lips pressed against hers, gentle yet firm. Bai Xue was startled for a moment, then closed her eyes and responded. The kiss, carrying the freshness of morning dew and the warmth of sunshine, made her forget all her little worries.

When they parted, both of them were breathing heavily. Su Rui's forehead was pressed against hers, her voice so low it was almost inaudible. "... Is that enough?"

Bai Xue's face turned as red as a ripe tomato, but her eyes sparkled. "... Not enough."

Su Rui chuckled softly and kissed her again. This time, it was deeper, with an irresistible tenderness. The distant Lungmen city walls still stood, but at this moment, they seemed less important.

By evening, the car had miraculously returned to normal.

Bai Xue sat in the passenger seat, watching Su Rui skillfully start the engine, feeling both sweet and disappointed. Her little trick had been seen through, but Su Rui had still indulged her all day.

"Su Rui," she whispered, "Thank you."

Su Rui's tail gently patted the back of her hand. "... Mmm."

The car slowly drove towards Lungmen, the setting sun casting long shadows of the two. Bai Xue leaned against the car window, watching the scenery rushing by outside, and suddenly thought—actually, going back wouldn't be so bad.

After all, wherever Su Rui is, that's home.

The car hadn't gone two kilometers when Bai Xue couldn't sit still any longer.

The desolate scenery outside the window rushed past, sunlight filtering through the leaves and casting dappled shadows. She stole a glance at Su Rui, who was focused on driving—his silver hair was blowing slightly in the wind, his profile was particularly defined in the setting sun, and his tail was still wagging happily, clearly indicating that he was in a good mood.

"Su Rui..." she drawled, her finger playfully poking his arm, "Look over there!"

She pointed randomly to a field of flowers in the distance, where golden wild chrysanthemums swayed in the wind like a small ocean. Su Rui glanced in the direction she was pointing and unconsciously slowed down.

"It's so beautiful!" Bai Xue exclaimed dramatically. "Do you want to go take a look?"

Su Rui's ears twitched, and he glanced at the rearview mirror—there wasn't a soul in sight on the empty dirt road behind him. He lightly tapped the steering wheel with his tail, then suddenly made a sharp turn, veerging the car off the main road and heading towards the sea of flowers.

"Wow!" Bai Xue exclaimed with delight, "You're the best!"

Her excitement seemed contagious; Su Rui's lips curled into a slight smile, and her tail wagged even more merrily. The car stopped at the edge of the flower field, Bai Xue couldn't wait to jump out, stepping barefoot onto the soft grass.

"Come quick!" She turned and waved to Su Rui, sunlight dancing on her hair. "It's so beautiful here!"

Su Rui turned off the engine and got out of the car, his silver hair fluttering gently in the wind. As soon as he approached, Bai Xue grabbed his hand and pulled him into the depths of the flower field.

"Slow down..." His voice was filled with helplessness, but he let her pull him forward.

The fragrance of wild chrysanthemums wafted through the air, mingled with the scent of earth and grass. As Bai Xue ran, she suddenly let go of Su Rui's hand, turned to face her, and her eyes shone like stars. "Let's play hide-and-seek!"

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

"That's right!" Bai Xue spun around in place. "The area is this sea of flowers. We'll start counting to one hundred!"

Before Su Rui could answer, she covered her eyes and began counting. "One, two, three..."

Su Rui flicked his tail lightly, turned, and disappeared into the flowerbed. His movements were as light as a real white wolf, his silver hair appearing and disappearing amidst the golden sea of flowers.

"... Ninety-eight, ninety-nine, one hundred!" Bai Xue suddenly lowered her hand. "I'm coming!"

She walked through the sea of flowers, occasionally bending down to check for any suspicious movements. The wild chrysanthemums were almost waist-high, making it difficult to find the deliberately hidden Su Rui.

"Su Rui— " she deliberately drew out, "Where are you—"

There was no response, only the rustling of the wind through the sea of flowers. Bai Xue tiptoed forward, when suddenly she saw a patch of flowers ahead sway unnaturally.

"Got you!" She lunged forward, but only startled a few colorful butterflies.

Just as she was feeling annoyed, she suddenly heard a slight noise behind her. Bai Xue quickly turned around and met a pair of amber eyes— Su Rui had somehow gotten behind her, a few flower petals clinging to her silver hair, and a rare mischievous smile on her lips.

Volume 15, Chapter 875: All's Fair in War

"Ah!" Bai Xue cried out in surprise, instinctively backing away, but his tail gently wrapped around her ankle. "You cheated!"

Su Rui's ears twitched with pleasure. "... All's fair in war."

The way he said that flowery phrase was especially funny. Bai Xue couldn't help but laugh out loud, and taking advantage of his momentary lapse in attention, she pounced on him. "Then I'll cheat too!"

The two of them tumbled into the flowerbed, startling a flock of butterflies. Su Rui caught her steadily, cushioning her fall with his back so she wouldn't get a speck of dirt on her. Bai Xue lay on top of him, their faces so close they could count each other's eyelashes.

"Got you..." she whispered, suddenly feeling a little shy.

Su Rui's tail gently wrapped around her waist, and her other hand brushed away the petals from her hair. "... Mmm."

This simple syllable made Bai Xue's heart race. She leaned down and lightly pecked his lips. "A reward."

Su Rui's eyes darkened, her arms tightened, and she deepened the kiss. The scent of wild chrysanthemums surrounded them, and sunlight filtered through the petals, casting dappled patterns of light on them.

As the sun set and the sea of flowers turned golden red, the two reluctantly got up. A few wild chrysanthemums were still tucked into Bai Xue's hair, and there were also many bits of grass stuck in Su Rui's silver hair.

"Don't we look like two savages?" Bai Xue asked with a grin, reaching out to pluck a leaf from his hair.

Su Rui's tail lightly brushed against her wrist. "... Beautiful."

What's interesting?

"... you."

This blunt answer made Bai Xue blush instantly. She looked down and fiddled with the hem of her dress, then suddenly had a brilliant idea. "Let's play another game!"

Su Rui raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to continue.

"Let's see who gets back to the car first!" Bai Xue pointed to the SUV in the distance. "The loser has to grant the winner one request!"

Before Su Rui could respond, she had already dashed out like an arrow. "Start!"

Su Rui paused for a moment, then gave chase. He was much faster than Bai Xue, but deliberately lagged behind by half a step, his tail wagging happily, as if enjoying the chase.

"I won!" Bai Xue slammed her hand on the car door, panting but beaming with pride. "You have to grant me one request!"

Su Rui's breathing was still steady, only the tips of her ears were slightly red. "... Speak."

Bai Xue's eyes darted around, then she suddenly leaned close to his ear and said, "Carry me back."

Su Rui's ears twitched, and she turned around and squatted down. "... Get on."

Bai Xue happily climbed onto his back, her arms encircling his neck. Su Rui's body heat seeped through her clothes, and her silver hair brushed against her cheek, carrying the scent of sunshine and wild chrysanthemums.

"Su Rui," she whispered, "Am I heavy?"

"... feather."

"So... do you like carrying me on your back?"