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

Su Rui's eyes instantly turned cold. "... Don't touch her."

"You're really protecting her." Talulah chuckled. "Don't worry, I'm not interested in little girls."

She walked slowly towards the door, and as she brushed past Su Rui, she parted her red lips slightly. "I'll be leaving Lungmen in three days. Before then, you can change your mind at any time."

A Ursus Royal Emblem was placed in Su Rui's hand, still warm from her touch.

"After all..." Talulah's voice faded into the distance, "Our debts haven't been settled yet."

The night breeze stirred the curtains, filling the room with a cool fragrance. Su Rui stood there, the badge in his hand digging painfully into his palm. In the distance came Bai Xue's suppressed sobs, like tiny needles pricking his heart.

Bai Xue ran very fast, her wooden clogs making a series of messy sounds on the corridor. The night wind whipped up her sleeves, and her silver hairpin slipped off as she ran, falling with a "clink" onto the stone pavement. But she didn't turn around; she just bit her lower lip harder, letting the night wind blow her tears across her cheeks.

When Su Rui caught up to the courtyard, he only saw the lonely hairpin lying in the moonlight. He bent down and picked it up. The silver Bell was slightly warm in his palm, as if it still retained the warmth of the Bai Xue. In the distance, he heard sobbing from the waterside pavilion, intermittent, like the whimpering of a small animal being deliberately suppressed.

He strode through the bamboo grove, his boots crushing a few fallen bamboo leaves. By the railing of the waterside pavilion, Bai Xue was curled up, hugging her knees, burying her face deeply in her arms. Su Rui's tail wagged restlessly, gently resting on her shoulder—

"Don't touch me!" Bai Xue abruptly shook him off, her voice thick with nasal congestion, "Go find your Queen!"

Volume 15, Mr. 880

Su Rui's hand froze in mid-air. In the moonlight, he could clearly see Bai Xue's red-rimmed eyes and her lips, which were bitten until they were white. A large patch of her kimono sleeve was wet, whether from the lake or from her tears, he couldn't tell.

"... No, that's not it." His voice was lower than usual, with an unusual urgency.

"What did that mean?" Bai Xue looked up, her tears glistening in the moonlight. "I saw it all! She kissed you like that... like that, and you didn't push her away!"

Su Rui's ears were pressed tightly against the back of his head, and his tail thumped the ground restlessly. He opened his mouth, but didn't know how to explain that complicated past. In the end, he could only kneel on one knee in front of Bai Xue and gently tuck the silver bell hair clip back into her disheveled temples.

"... That's all in the past." His fingertips brushed against her damp cheek. "You are the present."

This clumsy explanation made Bai Xue's tears fall even harder. She clutched Su Rui's clothes tightly and buried her face in his chest. "Then why... why didn't you move away..."

Su Rui's hand hovered in the air for a long time before finally slowly encircling her trembling shoulders. "... My fault."

His voice was soft, but it made Bai Xue cry even harder. Hot tears soaked through the fabric of his shirt, as if they were burning a hole through it. Su Rui's tail carefully wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer to him.

The cry of Nightingale drifted from afar, startling the koi carp beneath the waterside pavilion, which swung their tails, creating ripples in the water.

In Lady Wenyue's tea room, Talulah was elegantly sipping her second pot of Biluochun tea.

"Your taste hasn't changed over the years." She put down her teacup, her red eyes sweeping over the upright-sitting Lady Wenyue across from her. "You still prefer this light flavor."

Lady Wenyue gently waved her folding fan. "His Majesty has changed quite a bit."

"Is that so?" Talulah chuckled, her fingertips tracing the rim of her teacup. "For example?"

"She's more like an empress now," Lady Wenyue said meaningfully, "And she understands... boundaries better."

Talulah's red eyes narrowed slightly. "Is Madam warning me?"

"I wouldn't dare," Lady Wenyue smiled. "I'm just reminding Your Majesty that some birds, once they've flown out of their cages, shouldn't be forced to return."

The teacup clinked against the tray with a crisp sound. Talulah stood up, her robes gleaming coldly in the moonlight. "Madam, you misunderstand. I've only come to catch up."

Her fingertips traced the Ursus emblem on the table. "As for him..."

Red eyes turned to the window and saw Su Rui carrying Bai Xue across the courtyard. Bai Xue's face was buried in his shoulder, while his tail was tightly wrapped around her waist, a protective gesture.

"... Consider it a pleasant surprise." Talulah withdrew her gaze, a meaningful smile playing on her lips. "I'll be departing for my homeland in three days, and I hope you, Madam, can come to see me off."

Lady Wenyue nodded. "Definitely."

In the bedroom in the side courtyard, Bai Xue had cried herself to sleep and was curled up in Su Rui's arms, sobbing softly.

"Where... where did she kiss you?" she suddenly asked in a muffled voice, her fingers unconsciously tugging at Su Rui's sash.

Su Rui's ears twitched, and after a moment's hesitation, she pointed to her lips.

Bai Xue immediately reacted like a cat with its fur standing on end, propping herself up to wipe his mouth. "Here? And what else?"

Her fingertips trembled slightly, but she didn't control her strength well, rubbing Su Rui lips until they turned red. Su Rui let her do as she pleased, gently patting her back with her tail to soothe her. "... It's gone."

"Really?" Bai Xue stared at him, her eyes red. "She didn't touch your ears? She didn't rub your tail?"

Su Rui shook her head, nuzzling her wrist affectionately with the tip of her tail.

Bai Xue calmed down a little, but then quickly remembered something. "What about that badge? You accepted it?"

Su Rui took the Ursus badge from her sleeve and placed it in her palm. The double-headed eagle emblem gleamed coldly in the candlelight, and the wolf head engraving on the back was clearly visible.

Bai Xue's fingertips trembled slightly. "Are you... going with her?"

This question made Su Rui's tail suddenly flare up. He grabbed Bai Xue's wrist and pulled her into his arms. "... No."

His voice was deep and firm, carrying an undeniable force. Bai Xue pressed her face against his chest, listening to the strong heartbeat coming from there, and finally slowly relaxed.

"What about this?" She shook the badge.

Su Rui took the badge and casually tossed it into the pond outside the window. With a "plop," water splashed up and fell back down, startling a few koi carp.

Bai Xue burst into laughter through her tears. "You spendthrift! That's gold!"

Su Rui's tail wagged happily, and she lowered her head to rub her nose. "... worthless."

This intimate gesture made Bai Xue blush again. She grabbed Su Rui's ear and whispered a threat, "No one is allowed to touch you from now on! Not even the Empress!"

"... Um."

"You're not allowed to accept gifts from others!"

"... good."

"And..." Bai Xue's voice trailed off, "You have to tell me you love me every day..."

Su Rui's breath hitched for a moment. He looked down at the little girl in his arms, her eyes red-rimmed, her amber eyes incredibly gentle in the candlelight.

"... I like it." His lips touched her forehead. "Every day."

This promise was more precious than any badge. Bai Xue nestled contentedly in his arms, listening to the chirping of insects outside the window. The badge in the pond slowly sank to the bottom, while the moonlight still gently enveloped the two embracing figures.

Three days later, at dawn, Ursus's convoy slowly drove away from Lungmen.

Talulah stood outside the car window, her red eyes sweeping over the crowd seeing them off— Lady Wenyue wore a polite smile, Chen Hui-chieh looked wary, and Su Rui... was nowhere to be seen.

Her fingertips traced the edge of the car window, where a faint claw mark was etched—left by a silver-haired boy many years ago.

"Your Majesty?" a servant whispered, "It's time to depart."

Talulah withdrew her gaze, her robe brushing against the chair. "Let's go."

As the convoy drove out of the city gate, a SilverAsh eagle swept across the city wall, a small Bell tied to its talons, gleaming in the morning light.

That was a silver bell from Wenyue Estate, which someone had tied to the flagpole last night—with a note inside:

[We'll meet again, don't worry.]

The handwriting was sharp and forceful, as if carved with a knife.

Talulah watched the eagle fly away, a complex emotion flashing in her red eyes. But in the end, she simply closed the car window gently, shutting out the morning light of Lungmen.

In the shadows of the city wall, Su Rui's tail gently wrapped around Bai Xue's wrist as the two watched the convoy disappear into the dusty distance.

"She's really gone?" Bai Xue asked softly.

Su Rui's tail tightened. "... Hmm."

"Then what will you do in the future...?"

"... Only you."

This simple promise made Bai Xue's eyes crinkle with joy. She stood on tiptoe and gave Su Rui a loud kiss on the lips. "Officially stamped!"

Su Rui's ears twitched with pleasure, and her tail curled up even tighter around her. In the distance, wisps of smoke rose from the chimneys of Wenyue Estate, signaling the start of a new day.

Volume 15, Chapter 881: Exclusivity

Ursus's convoy kicked up its last cloud of dust on the outskirts of Lungmen, gradually disappearing into the winding mountain roads to the north. Bai Xue stood on the city wall, tiptoeing and gazing into the distance until the silhouette of the last vehicle melted into the vast sky. Su Rui's tail gently wrapped around her wrist, her silver hair fluttering slightly in the morning breeze, her amber eyes calm and composed, revealing no emotional fluctuations.

"Is she really gone?" Bai Xue asked softly, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes.

Su Rui's ears twitched, and the tip of her tail patted her hand reassuringly. "... Mmm."

This simple syllable should have been reassuring, but Bai Xue felt uneasy. She recalled Talulah's meaningful look as she left—the determined glint of a lurking wolf pack eyeing its prey.

"Su Rui..." she tugged at his sleeve, "Wouldn't you..."

Before she could finish speaking, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from behind her. Chen Hui-chieh strode over, her long gray-blue hair tied into a neat ponytail, and the long sword at her waist swayed gently with her steps.

"Finally found you." She was slightly out of breath and pulled a gold-embossed envelope from her bosom. "A 'gift' Talulah left for Wenyue Estate."

The envelope was sealed with sealing wax, bearing the coat of arms of Ursus, the double-headed eagle emblem gleaming coldly in the sunlight. Bai Xue instinctively gripped Su Rui's hand tightly, her nails almost digging into his skin.

"For me?" Her voice was strained.

Chen Hui-chieh shook her head. "Specifically for Su Rui."

Su Rui's tail instantly straightened, and his ears perked up alertly. He took the envelope but didn't open it immediately. Instead, he carefully examined the sealing wax pattern against the sunlight—this was the first time Bai Xue had ever seen him so cautious.

"Shall we return to the manor?" Chen Hui-chieh asked, her gaze sweeping between the two women. "Madam said it's up to you to decide."

Bai Xue looked up at Su Rui and noticed that his jawline was taut and his amber eyes were as dark as a deep pool.

"... Go back," he finally said, stuffing the envelope into his sleeve.

The doors and windows of the tea room in Wenyue Estate were tightly closed, and even Aju had been sent away. Lady Wenyue sat upright in the main seat, gently waving her folding fan, watching Su Rui place the envelope on the low table.

"Aren't you going to open it and take a look?" she asked softly.

Su Rui flicked her tail impatiently. "... You look first."

Lady Wenyue raised an eyebrow and used the tip of her fan to pry open the sealing wax. Two pieces of paper slid out of the envelope—one was an official document with gold lettering, and the other was a yellowed old letter with worn edges.

"Interesting." Lady Wenyue unfolded the official document and glanced at it. "A special appointment letter from the Ursus Royal Military Academy, ten-year term, with excellent benefits."

Bai Xue gasped, her fingers gripping Su Rui's clothes tightly.

"And this too." Lady Wenyue unfolded the old letter, then suddenly stopped. Her gaze swept back and forth between the pages and Su Rui, finally handing the letter to him. "Read it yourself."

Su Rui took the letter, her fingers trembling almost imperceptibly. Bai Xue leaned closer and saw that there was only one line of text on the paper, the handwriting sharp as a knife:

I will wait for you, until the wings of the double-headed eagle cover the Lungmen.

The signature was a small wolf head mark, exactly the same as the engraving on the silver bell around Su Rui's neck.

The air in the room seemed to freeze. Bai Xue felt dizzy; the phrase "covering the Lungmen" felt like a block of ice, sliding down her spine and into her heart. She instinctively grabbed Su Rui's arm, only to find his muscles taut like stone.

"This is..." Her voice was barely audible.

"The agreement from twenty years ago." Lady Wenyue closed her folding fan. "It seems our Empress has a very good memory."

Su Rui suddenly crumpled the letter into a ball, and a cluster of eerie blue flames ignited at her fingertips. The paper ball turned to Ash in the firelight, drifting into the teacup and turning the emerald green tea into a murky gray.

"Su Rui?" Bai Xue called out to him worriedly.

He turned to look at her, his amber eyes almost transparent in the dim light. "... It's nothing."

This answer was clearly unconvincing. Bai Xue wanted to ask more questions, but Lady Wenyue suddenly stood up. "Don't spread what happened today."

Her folding fan tapped the engagement letter on the table. "I'll handle this. You two..." Her gaze swept between the two men, "... have a good talk."

After saying that, he left the tea room, leaving behind a room full of silence and floating ashes.

The courtyard was bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun. Bai Xue sat on the edge of the corridor, swinging her legs as she watched Su Rui practice his sword. His movements were more swift than usual, the sword in his hand cutting through the air with a sharp whistling sound, his silver hair drawing sharp arcs behind him, as if he were about to tear apart some unseen enemy.

"Su Rui," she called softly, "Take a rest."

He paused for a moment, his shuriken firmly embedded in the bullseye ten meters away, its tail feathers still trembling slightly. As he turned, the stray hairs on his forehead were soaked with sweat, clinging to his pale skin.

Bai Xue patted the spot next to her. "Come here."

Su Rui silently walked over and sat down, his tail unconsciously patting the floor. Bai Xue took out a handkerchief and gently wiped the sweat from his forehead. This affectionate gesture relaxed his muscles a little, and his ears were no longer so tense.

"That promise..." Bai Xue carefully chose her words, "Was it something from a long time ago?"

Su Rui's Adam's apple bobbed. "... Hmm."

"Back then you..."

"... It's different." He interrupted her, his voice hoarse, "Not the me now."

This answer sent a shiver down Bai Xue's spine. She suddenly realized that Su Rui's past was like an iceberg, and what she knew was only the tip of the iceberg.

"And now?" she asked softly, "Would you... go with her now?"