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

Su Rui abruptly turned to look at her, his amber eyes burning brightly in the setting sun. His tail suddenly wrapped around her waist, the force almost suffocating her. "... I'm not going."

"It hurts..." Bai Xue gently pushed him.

Su Rui immediately loosened her grip, but her tail remained wrapped around her, as if afraid she would suddenly disappear. "... Only you."

This simple promise was more reassuring than any grand vow. Bai Xue nestled into his arms, listening to his gradually steady heartbeat. "What if... what if she comes again?"

Su Rui rested her chin on the top of her head, her voice coming from her chest, carrying an undeniable firmness. "... Refuse."

What if she threatens you?

"... to protect you."

"If--"

Su Rui suddenly lowered his head and kissed her, cutting off the hypothetical situation between their lips. His kiss was more urgent than usual, carrying a sense of asserting ownership, his tongue plunging deep into her mouth, sweeping over every corner, as if to dispel all her unease.

When they parted, both were breathing heavily. Su Rui's forehead pressed against hers, her amber eyes close to hers. "... I only love you."

This direct confession made Bai Xue's face burn instantly. She grabbed Su Rui's collar and buried her burning face in his chest. "... Say it again."

"... Love you."

"Not enough!"

"... I only love you."

"More!"

Volume 15, Chapter 882: Su Rui's Secret

Su Rui's tail patted Bai Xue's back helplessly, and she whispered something in her ear. Bai Xue's ears instantly turned bright red, and she curled up like a boiled shrimp. "W-where did you learn to say such things!"

Su Rui's lips curled up slightly, revealing a rare, sly smile, "... A secret."

This expression was so rare that Bai Xue was momentarily stunned. By the time she came to her senses, Su Rui had already picked her up and was carrying her towards the bedroom.

"Wait! Dinner isn't ready yet..."

"... I'm not hungry."

But I...

"I'm hungry."

His voice was deep and husky, carrying an air of undeniable authority. Bai Xue blushed and buried her head in his shoulder, letting him carry her through the corridor. The setting sun cast long shadows of the two of them, merging them together so that they were indistinguishable from one another.

On the distant city wall, a SilverAsh eagle silently swooped past, the letter tube tied to its talons swaying gently in the wind. But at that moment, no one looked up at it.

Three days after Talulah left, Lungmen finally returned to its former peace.

The morning sunlight streamed into the bedroom through the paper window. Bai Xue groggily turned over, her fingers instinctively reaching for the side—but finding nothing. She opened her eyes and discovered that the other side of the bed was empty, with only the lingering warmth of the bedding proving that Su Rui had been lying there not long ago.

She put on her robe and pushed open the door; the morning mist in the courtyard had not yet dissipated. Bai Xue rubbed her eyes as she walked through the corridor and caught a glimpse of familiar silver-white at the kitchen doorway— Su Rui was standing with her back to her in front of the stove, an apron loosely tied around her waist, the tip of her tail swaying gently with her movements. The sizzling sound came from the pot, and the aroma of fried eggs and miso soup wafted in the air.

Bai Xue tiptoed closer to Jin and suddenly wrapped her arms around his waist from behind. Su Rui's ears perked up instantly, but he didn't turn around, simply letting her press her face against his back.

"Up so early..." Her voice was hoarse from the early morning, and her fingers restlessly poked at the tie of his apron.

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

"Mmm," Bai Xue mumbled in response, her nose brushing against the fabric of his shirt, the scent of mint mingling with the dampness of the morning dew. "You smell better than breakfast."

These words made Su Rui pause for a moment. The tips of his ears turned red at a visible speed, and the wooden spatula in his hand lingered on the edge of the fried egg for a few more seconds until the edge of the egg turned slightly brown before he hurriedly flipped it over.

Bai Xue chuckled to herself, her fingers slowly moving up his waistline, only to be caught just before they touched his ribs. Su Rui turned around, his amber eyes exceptionally clear in the morning light, his other hand still steadily holding a bowl of miso soup.

"... Stop fooling around." His voice was lower and husky than usual, but the tip of his tail honestly curled around her fingers and gently caressed them.

Bai Xue tiptoed and gave him a quick peck on the chin. "A reward for the chef~"

That fleeting kiss was clearly not enough. Su Rui put down the soup bowl, his tail wrapping around her waist without giving her a chance to refuse, and lowered his head to plant a deeper mark on her lips. The wooden spatula was still in his hand, and the aroma of the fried eggs gradually grew stronger, but at this moment, no one had the mind to pay attention to the breakfast on the stove.

"Ugh... it's burnt..." Bai Xue mumbled a warning between breaths.

Su Rui reluctantly let go of her and turned to salvage the fried egg, which had turned golden brown. His ear tips were still red, but his tail stubbornly clung to her wrist, as if afraid she would run away.

Bai Xue leaned against the water tank with a smile, watching him busy. The morning light shone through the window, gilding Su Rui's silver hair with a fluffy golden edge. He was very focused as he fried the eggs, his brows slightly furrowed, as if facing some important task—it was just the most ordinary home-cooked dish, but he made it into a ritual.

"Su Rui," she suddenly said, "Shall we go shopping today?"

"... Um?"

"Let's go to the shopping street!" Bai Xue shook off his hand that was entangled with hers. "To buy new clothes, eat desserts, and watch street performances..."

Su Rui's ears twitched alertly—he never liked crowded places. But looking into Bai Xue's bright, sparkling eyes, the words of refusal circled on his tongue, finally turning into a helpless "... okay."

The commercial street was even more bustling than I had imagined.

After Talulah left, Lungmen seemed to have come back to life overnight. The shouts of vendors rose and fell, colorful lanterns swayed gently in the breeze, and the sweet aroma of roasted chestnuts and sweet potatoes filled the air. Bai Xue held tightly to Su Rui's sleeve, afraid of being separated by the crowd. His tail, hidden under his wide trench coat, secretly wrapped around her waist like an invisible seatbelt.

"Su Rui! Look at that!" Bai Xue suddenly pointed to the candy shop on the corner, "The new rabbit candies!"

A row of crystal-clear candies, shaped like various small animals, was displayed in the shop window. The shop owner, a smiling old man, was drawing a lifelike silver fox on a stone slab with syrup.

"Doesn't it look like you?" Bai Xue pulled Su Rui to the counter, pointing at the candy fox, "Pointy ears, fluffy tail..."

Su Rui's ears twitched slightly, seemingly dissatisfied with the metaphor. But when Bai Xue bought two fox candies, he obediently accepted his own.

"Want to try it?" Bai Xue looked at him expectantly.

Su Rui hesitated for a moment, then lowered his head and licked Sugar Fox's ear. It was too sweet, so sweet that he frowned slightly, but Bai Xue's smiling face made the sweetness bearable.

"Is it tasty?"

"... Um."

Bai Xue suddenly leaned in and gently licked his lips. "It really is sweet."

The sudden movement froze Su Rui in place, nearly dropping the candy in his hand. His ears instantly turned bright red, and his tail puffed up under his trench coat, causing the fabric to billow slightly. Passersby looked on curiously, and Bai Xue quickly pulled him away from the scene.

"Are you shy?" After disappearing into a quiet alley, she mischievously poked Su Rui's burning earlobe.

Su Rui's tail gave her waist a warning tug, but he didn't press hard. He lowered his head and bit her fingertip, his teeth grinding gently. "... You've gone bad."

Bai Xue's breath hitched. Su Rui rarely took the initiative like this. His amber eyes were so close, reflecting her flushed face. The sweet scent of sugar filled the air between them. She didn't know who leaned in first, but when she came to her senses, her back was already against the brick wall of the alley. Su Rui's silver hair fell down, creating a small private space between them.

In the distance came the shouts of vendors and the laughter of children, but the alley was so quiet that only their breathing could be heard. Su Rui's kiss was more urgent than usual, as if to confirm something, his tongue, sweet as candy, plunging deep into her mouth, sweeping over every corner. Bai Xue's fingers unconsciously ran through his silver hair, her fingertips brushing against his sensitive earlobe, eliciting a low moan from his throat.

"Su Rui..." Her voice was incredibly soft as they parted, "It's all sweetened up..."

It had indeed melted. The silvery strands between their lips shimmered in the sunlight; it was unclear whose candy it was. Su Rui wiped the candy residue from the corner of her moist lips with her thumb, then naturally put it in her own mouth. This action was too ambiguous, and Bai Xue's face instantly burned.

Volume 15, Chapter 883: I know this is difficult, but it's an order.

"Where... where else do we need to go?" she stammered, trying to change the subject.

Su Rui's tail wagged happily as she led her out of the alley. "... Whatever you want."

As the sun set, they sat on a bench by the riverbank, sharing a box of takoyaki. The evening glow dyed the river a brilliant orange-red, and the distant shouts of dockworkers drifted over. Bai Xue leaned on Su Rui's shoulder, squinting contentedly.

"Are you happy today?" she asked softly.

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

"Isn't it more interesting than training in Wenyue Estate?"

"... Um."

"So you'll come out often from now on?"

Su Rui didn't answer immediately. His gaze fell on the river in the distance, where several egrets were foraging for food in the shallows.

"... good."

This simple promise warmed Bai Xue's heart. She looked up at him and saw that the setting sun had gilded his profile with a soft golden edge, and even his eyelashes had turned into a transparent amber color.

"Su Rui," she said suddenly, "Look down."

Su Rui obediently leaned down, thinking she wanted to steal another kiss. But Bai Xue simply plucked a cherry blossom petal stuck to his hair—he didn't know when it had gotten there.

"Got it!" She proudly waved her prize.

Su Rui's eyes softened. He took her wrist, lowered his head, and placed a kiss on the petal, his lips lightly brushing against her fingertips. "... Mine."

This was too much for Bai Xue; her heart nearly stopped. Blushing, she snatched the petal back and carefully tucked it into her little notebook. "I won't give it to you!"

Su Rui wasn't annoyed; she simply wrapped her tail around Suri's waist and pulled her closer. A river breeze began to rise, carrying the chill unique to early spring, but the place where the two were touching felt as warm as spring.

The distant clock tower struck six, startling a flock of white doves. Watching the birds flutter their wings, Bai Xue suddenly remembered something. "Su Rui, will Talulah ever come back?"

Su Rui's body stiffened almost imperceptibly. His tail tightened, but his voice remained calm. "... I don't know."

"If she comes again..."

"... reject."

What if she insists?

Su Rui turned to look at her, her amber eyes unusually resolute in the twilight. "... I choose you."

The answer was too direct, and Bai Xue's eyes suddenly welled up with tears. She buried her face in Su Rui's arms, listening to his steady heartbeat. "It's a promise, okay?"

"... Um."

His chin gently brushed against the top of her head, his tail silently tightening in the twilight. Egrets on the river flapped their wings and flew away, while their intertwined shadows merged into one under the setting sun, indistinguishable from one another.

The rainy season in Lungmen always comes suddenly.

Bai Xue, holding an umbrella, led Su Rui through the winding alley. Raindrops splashed on the bluestone slabs, wetting her wooden clogs. Su Rui's tail was tightly wrapped around her wrist under her large overcoat, and her silver hair, wet with rain, was a deeper color, clinging to her neck like a soft scarf.

"We're almost there!" Bai Xue's voice was especially clear amidst the rain. "It's just ahead!"

After rounding the last bend, a small courtyard hidden behind sycamore trees came into view. White walls and black tiles, wind chimes hanging under the eaves, tinkling softly in the rain. Bai Xue took out a key from her bosom, and when the brass lock clicked open, her eyes shone as if filled with stars.

"Welcome home!" she said to Su Rui, raindrops still clinging to her eyelashes.

Su Rui stood at the doorway, raindrops dripping down his silver hair. His gaze swept over the courtyard—the cobblestone path, the stone lantern in the corner, the bamboo rack under the eaves for drying herbs... every detail revealed meticulous arrangement.

"... When?" His voice was a little hoarse.

Bai Xue smiled and pulled him inside, "We started preparing six months ago!"

Like a child showing off a treasure, she dragged Su Rui around to visit each room. On the low table in the living room were Su Rui's usual tea set, and on the bookshelf were books they had read together. Even the futon by the window was custom-made to his preferred firmness. The spice rack in the kitchen was neatly arranged with various spices, and in the most conspicuous place was the jar of Bai Xue's special barbecue powder.

"This is the bedroom—" she pushed open the door to the inner room, her voice suddenly becoming softer, "I... I decorated it according to the style of Wenyue Estate..."

The room wasn't large, but it was well-lit. The bed was slightly wider than the one in Wenyue Estate, and it was covered with indigo sheets— Su Rui's favorite color. On the small table by the window sat an exquisite incense burner, next to which was Bai Xue's usual calming incense. The most eye-catching feature was the knife rack on the wall, specially designed for Su Rui's weapons, with matching maintenance tools hanging next to it.

Su Rui's tail trembled slightly, as if touched by this detail. He walked to the knife rack, his fingers tracing the smooth wood where grooves for holding shuriken were already prepared.

"Do you like it?" Bai Xue hugged him from behind, pressing her cheek against his back.

Su Rui turned around, his amber eyes appearing exceptionally deep in the dim light. He didn't speak, but simply lowered his head and kissed the top of her head, his tail gently encircling her waist—a response more direct than any words.

The rain intensified, and the wind chimes under the eaves tinkled.

Bai Xue sat cross-legged by the fireplace, brewing a pot of grapefruit tea. In the steamy atmosphere, she stole a glance at Su Rui, who was reading a book across from her—he had changed into a plain white loungewear outfit, his silver hair loosely draped over his shoulders, his tail resting comfortably on the cushion, occasionally patting it gently. The warm yellow light softened his features, even making his usually sharp eyebrows and eyes appear gentle.

"Want to try some?" She poured a cup of tea and pushed it towards her. "I've added honey."

Su Rui put down his book and took the teacup. His fingertips gently traced the rim of the cup, a small gesture he made when he was thinking. The steam from the tea blurred his expression, but Bai Xue could see the slight upturn of his lips.

"Is it good?"

"... sweet."

Bai Xue chuckled to herself. She knew Su Rui didn't like things that were too sweet, but he would always finish the tea she brewed. Sure enough, he sipped it slowly until only a few pieces of grapefruit peel remained at the bottom of the cup.

A bolt of lightning suddenly flashed past the window, followed by a deafening clap of thunder. Bai Xue instinctively moved closer to Su Rui, and his tail immediately wrapped around her wrist like a warm, plush bracelet.

"Afraid?"

"No way!" Bai Xue retorted stubbornly, but then scooted half an inch closer to him. "It's just... I suddenly remembered that the herbs in the yard haven't been harvested yet."

Su Rui put down his teacup and got up to get an umbrella. Bai Xue quickly grabbed his sleeve. "Wait until the rain subsides!"

His tail gently patted the back of her hand. "... Soon."

But Bai Xue stubbornly refused to let go. "Then I'll go too!"

Finally, the two of them shared an umbrella and rushed into the rain. Su Rui held the umbrella in one hand, hugged the bamboo basket of herbs in the other, and also had to keep his tail wrapped around Bai Xue's waist to prevent her from slipping. He was as busy as an octopus. Bai Xue giggled and snuggled into his arms, deliberately rubbing the raindrops on him.

"Su Rui!" she suddenly pointed to the corner of the herb garden, "Look!"