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

A tiny bluebell swayed in the rain. She had planted it last month, and she never expected it to actually survive. Su Rui crouched down and carefully parted the surrounding weeds, her tail like an umbrella protecting the seedling.

"It will grow..." Bai Xue squatted down beside him, her voice as soft as a dream, "When summer comes, this place will be full of flowers..."

Su Rui's profile was exceptionally clear in the rain, tiny raindrops clinging to her eyelashes. He turned to look at her, his amber eyes reflecting the hazy light of the sky, yet surprisingly bright. "... Mm."

This simple syllable holds too many unspoken promises.

Night deepened, and the rain gradually subsided.

PS: Listen up, you whistleblowers reading this, immediately give your pro players a hundred slaps! I know it's hard, but it's an order!

Volume 15, Chapter 884: My cooking skills aren't bad either.

Bai Xue curled up on the inside of the bed, listening to the dripping water from the eaves outside the window. Su Rui was changing clothes with his back to her, his silver hair gleaming softly in the moonlight, the lines of his back undulating with his movements, like some kind of elegant wild beast.

"Su Rui," she called softly.

He turned around, his tail lightly brushing against the sheets. "... Hmm?"

"Is this place more comfortable than Wenyue Estate..." Bai Xue patted the spot next to her.

Su Rui looked at her silently for a moment, then suddenly leaned over and straddled her. His silver hair cascaded down, creating a small, intimate space between them. His gaze slowly moved from her eyes to her lips, finally settling on the tips of her slightly reddened ears. "... It's comfortable with you here."

The answer was too direct, and Bai Xue's breathing became erratic. She reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck, her fingertips accidentally brushing against his sensitive earlobe. Su Rui's breathing became noticeably heavier, and his tail slapped against the bed, making the silver bells on the bedside table ring softly.

Moonlight streamed through the curtains, casting their shadows on the wall, overlapping into intimate silhouettes. Outside, the last few raindrops slid off the sycamore leaves with a soft "tap," as if pressing a gentle pause button on the night.

The next morning, sunlight streamed in through the sheer curtains.

Bai Xue groggily opened her eyes and found herself nestled in Su Rui's arms. His arms were around her waist, and his tail was loosely draped over her legs like a warm blanket.

She cautiously looked up and saw that Su Rui still had his eyes closed, his breathing even and deep. The morning light gilded his eyelashes, and the relaxed curve of his lips made him look much younger than usual.

Bai Xue couldn't help but reach out and gently trace his brow bone with her fingertips. Su Rui's brows furrowed slightly, but he didn't wake up. He just unconsciously hugged her tighter. His body temperature was slightly higher than normal, like a small furnace, making people drowsy.

Just as she was about to stay in bed a little longer, a clear bird song suddenly came from outside the yard. Su Rui's ears perked up instantly, and before her eyes were even fully open, her body had already instinctively gone into alert mode.

"It's alright..." Bai Xue soothingly stroked his silver hair, "It's a titmouse."

Su Rui relaxed, nuzzled her head against the top of her head, and said in a slightly hoarse voice, "... Good morning."

"I want a fried egg," Bai Xue said coquettishly, "I want it soft-boiled."

Su Rui's tail gently patted her waist, as if in agreement. But he didn't get up immediately; instead, he pulled her closer to him, as if wanting to linger a little longer.

Sunlight slowly crept onto the bed, making the two people's silver bells shimmer. Outside the window, the bluebell swayed gently in the morning breeze; a new day had just begun.

Before the morning dew had even dried, the Bai Xue had already awakened.

She opened her eyes and found that Su Rui was no longer beside her. The bedding on the other side of the bed still retained its warmth, and a few strands of silver hair were scattered on the pillow, almost transparent in the morning light. The rhythmic sound of chopping wood came from outside the window— Su Rui always got up earlier than her, and without fail completed her morning exercise before preparing breakfast.

Bai Xue curled up in the blankets that still held his body heat, and suddenly remembered the premonition she had three days ago.

Bai Xue sat up abruptly, her bare feet touching the cold floor. She rushed to the calendar, her fingertips trembling as she counted the days—only seven days until the next full moon. Su Rui would probably leave around that time.

The kitchen curtain was lifted, and Su Rui walked in carrying breakfast. His silver hair was still glistening with morning dew, and he wore the dark blue apron that Bai Xue had given him, with a small sprig of wild plum blossom curled at the tip. When he saw Bai Xue standing barefoot on the ground, his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

"You'll catch a cold." He put down the tray, and skillfully curled his tail to pick up a fluffy slipper from the side and handed it to her.

Bai Xue mechanically put on her shoes, her gaze fixed on the calendar. Su Rui followed her gaze, a complex emotion flashing in her amber eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.

"... What's wrong?" he asked, his voice softer than usual.

Bai Xue opened her mouth, but the words "You're going to disappear" stuck in her throat, unable to come out. In the end, she just shook her head and forced a smile, "It's nothing, it's just... I dreamt that you disappeared."

Su Rui's tail gently wrapped around her waist, leading her to the dining table. "... I'm here."

The fried egg was perfectly runny, the toast was golden and crispy, and there was a small bowl of her favorite berry yogurt next to it— Su Rui remembered all her preferences. Bai Xue ate with her head down, not daring to look up at him, afraid that if she raised her eyes she would reveal the panic in her heart.

"Today..." she tried to make her voice sound normal, "Shall we go fishing? Just the two of us."

Su Rui's ears twitched, seemingly surprised by the sudden suggestion. But he simply nodded, his tail tip slapping the chair leg with delight. "... Okay."

The reeds by the lake swayed in the breeze, and the water shimmered with tiny silvery lights.

Bai Xue sat on a small wooden boat, splashing her bare feet in the cool lake water. Behind her, Su Rui arranged his fishing gear, his silver hair tied into a neat ponytail, the lines of his neck particularly clear in the sunlight. His movements were practiced, his slender fingers deftly tying the fishhooks, occasionally glancing up at her.

"Do you remember the first time we went fishing?" Bai Xue suddenly asked, "You almost got dragged into the water by a carp."

Su Rui's ear tips turned slightly red. "... It's big."

"It's clearly because you were too light!" Bai Xue laughed as she turned around, poking his chest with her finger. "Back then, you had only recently transformed, and your tail was still semi-transparent..."

Her voice trailed off. In that instant, she suddenly realized that Su Rui's materialization had lasted for nearly a year—longer than any recorded spirit possession.

The fishing rod suddenly shook violently, interrupting her thoughts. Su Rui quickly stood up, using her tail to maintain balance while firmly gripping the fishing rod with both hands. The spool creaked as it spun, splashing water everywhere.

"It's a big one!" Bai Xue jumped up to help, temporarily putting aside those dark thoughts.

After a struggle, a plump bass was hauled onto the boat. Su Rui held the struggling fish down and deftly removed the hook. Sunlight streamed through his translucent fingertips, casting dappled shadows on the floor—a detail that made Bai Xue's heart clench.

"Su Rui..." She instinctively grabbed his hand, "Your hand..."

Su Rui looked down at her fading fingertips, then calmly curled her fingers. "... It's nothing."

His nonchalant attitude only made Bai Xue more uneasy. She gripped his hand tightly, as if that could stop him from disappearing. "Let's go home."

"... Let's fish a little longer."

"But--"

"... I want to be with you."

This simple reason instantly brought tears to Bai Xue's eyes. She lowered her head to hide her emotions, pretending to tidy her fishing gear. "Then... then I'll just catch one more..."

A delicious aroma wafted from the kitchen of the cottage.

Su Rui made steamed sea bass; the fish was snow-white and tender, topped with bright green scallions. Bai Xue sat at the table, watching him bring out the dishes one by one—pan-fried tofu, cold wild vegetable salad, mushroom soup...all her favorites.

"Too much..." she whispered, "We can't finish it."

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

The meal seemed to last forever. Bai Xue sipped her soup slowly, her gaze never leaving Su Rui. His silhouette was somewhat blurred in the candlelight, like a snowman that might melt at any moment.

Volume 15, Chapter 885: The Kite, Vanishing in the Wind

"Tomorrow..." she put down her chopsticks, "Shall we go fly kites?"

Su Rui was picking fish bones out of her bones when she heard this and looked up. "... It's windy."

That's why we fly kites!

"... good."

"Going to listen to storytelling at the teahouse the day after tomorrow?"

"... Um."

"The day after tomorrow..."

Bai Xue's voice grew softer and softer, until it finally turned into a sob. Su Rui walked around the dining table and pulled her into his arms. His body temperature was lower than usual, but his embrace still made her feel safe and secure.

"Don't be afraid."

"How could I not be afraid!" Bai Xue grabbed his collar. "That fortune teller said... said on the night of the full moon..."

Su Rui's tail gently patted her back, as if soothing a frightened animal. "... There's still time."

"How much time?" She looked up at him, tears welling in her eyes. "A day? A week? Or..."

Su Rui didn't answer, but simply lowered her head and kissed her beauty mark. The kiss was light, yet heavier than any promise.

The days that followed felt like a countdown celebration.

They went to all the places Bai Xue wanted to go—watching the sunrise from the mountaintop, eating snacks at the night market, and releasing lanterns by the river. Su Rui's physical form became increasingly unstable; sometimes, when Snow White woke up in the morning, Bai Xue would find his fingertips completely transparent, passing through her palm like mist.

But whenever she showed a look of panic, Su Rui would always wrap his tail around her wrist, proving with his actions that he was still alive. He taught her more shuriken techniques, took her to relive every corner filled with memories, and even danced a White Wolf Clan blessing dance for her under the moonlight—his silver hair drew graceful arcs in the moonlight, as if he wanted to etch the last beauty into her memory.

On the eve of the full moon, Bai Xue nestled in Su Rui's arms, listening to his gradually slowing heartbeat. Outside the window, the moon was nearly full, its silvery light as cold as a knife.

"Su Rui," she called softly.

"... Um?"

Will you become a star?

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

Which one?

"... the brightest one."

Bai Xue buried her face in his chest, inhaling the familiar scent of mint. "Then I'll make a wish upon the star every day."

"... What do you mean by 'promise'?"

"I'm letting you come back."

Su Rui didn't respond, but simply held her tighter. His silver hair fell over her shoulders, almost transparent in the moonlight, as if it might disappear into the night at any moment.

On a night with a full moon in the sky, the bluebells in the courtyard suddenly bloomed.

Bai Xue knelt on the veranda, her fingertips gently touching the small Bell- shaped flower. The moonlight gilded the pale blue petals with a silver edge, like the color of Su Rui's hair. She stared at it for a long time, until her eyes ached, and she realized that she was even breathing carefully—as if a slightly heavier breath would shatter something fragile.

The sound of a teapot boiling came from inside. Su Rui came out carrying a tea tray, his silver hair almost translucent in the moonlight. His footsteps were lighter than usual, almost inaudible, with only a soft rustling sound as his tail swept across the wooden floor.

"Have something hot to drink." He knelt down beside her and handed her a teacup.

Bai Xue took the cup, cupping it in her hands to absorb its warmth. The tea was a special calming formula made by Su Rui —mint, chamomile, and a touch of honey. She sipped it slowly, feeling the warmth slide down her throat, but she couldn't shake off the chill creeping into her heart.

"The moon tonight..." she looked up at the sky, her voice so soft it was as if she were afraid of disturbing something, "It's so round."

Su Rui didn't answer. His gaze fell on the stone lantern in the corner of the courtyard, where a faint claw mark was carved—it was left accidentally last month when he was teaching Bai Xue shuriken. The moonlight made the mark exceptionally clear, like some kind of silent farewell.

Bai Xue suddenly put down her teacup, turned around, and threw herself into his arms. Her movement was so sudden that the tea tray tilted slightly, and the remaining tea spilled onto the wooden floor, leaving a dark stain. Su Rui caught her steadily, his tail instinctively wrapping around her waist, and his palm gently stroking her hair.

"How much longer?" she asked, burying her face in his chest.

Su Rui's body stiffened almost imperceptibly. His fingertips ran through her hair, the movements slower and gentler than usual, as if he were memorizing the feel of each strand. "... Look at the moon."

Bai Xue looked up at the sky. The full moon was high in the heavens, its edges tinged with an ominous red halo. Her fingers suddenly gripped Su Rui's collar. "No..."

Su Rui lowered his head and kissed the crown of her head. The kiss was light, but it caused Bai Xue's tears to burst forth instantly. She clung to him tightly, her nails almost digging into his back, as if this could stop what was about to happen.

"You promised..." Her voice trembled uncontrollably, "You said you'd turn into a star..."

Su Rui tightened his tail, pulling her even closer. His lips brushed against her earlobe, his breath hotter than usual. "... Mmm."

The moonlight grew brighter and brighter, almost blinding. Bai Xue felt the body in her arms begin to lighten, and Su Rui's silver hair fluttered in the night wind, as if it were about to melt into the moonlight. She looked up in alarm and found that his outline was becoming blurred, but his amber eyes were brighter than ever.

"Su Rui? Su Rui!" She tried in vain to grasp something, but her fingers passed through his gradually transparent shoulder.

Light dust began to rise from his body, tiny silver particles like shooting stars drifting slowly into the night sky. With his last remaining physical form, Su Rui cupped her face, forehead to forehead, noses touching, breaths mingling.

"... Don't cry." His voice already carried an ethereal echo, "I..."

The last words vanished in the night wind. Bai Xue felt her palm go empty; that warm embrace suddenly transformed into countless points of light. Silver dust swirled around her like gentle eddies, before reluctantly rising into the sky.

The courtyard fell into a deathly silence.

Bluebells swayed gently in the moonlight, and the claw marks on the stone lantern were still clearly visible. The teacup lay overturned to the side, the tea long since cold. Bai Xue knelt on the spot, holding only an empty white kimono in her arms, the cuffs still stained with soy sauce from cooking that morning.

She mechanically picked up the garment and hugged it to her chest. The fabric still carried the scent of mint, but the person who always made her tea, grilled fish for her, and wrapped his tail around her wrist had become a part of the night sky.

The cold moonlight spilled into the courtyard. In the distance, a star suddenly lit up, twinkling in the Milky Way, like some kind of silent vigil.

Bai Xue looked up at the star, tears blurring her vision. Her hand trembled as she reached out, as if she could touch that unattainable point of light. "... Liar."

A night breeze rustled through her hair, causing the silver bell hairpin to jingle softly. It sounded like a response, or perhaps a farewell.

Hoshiguma's long green hair swayed gently in the morning breeze. She stood at the edge of the container yard in Lungmen Port, a freshly opened can of ice-cold beer in her hand. The sea breeze, carrying a salty, briny scent, swept over her, and the distant whistles of cargo ships sounded long and deep. She tilted her head back and took a big gulp of beer. As her Adam's apple bobbed, she suddenly felt a subtle tingling in her temples—like someone gently brushing her nerve endings with a feather.

"Um?"

Volume 16, Chapter 886: The Sudden Appearance of a Ghost

Hoshiguma put down her beer can and lightly pressed her fingertips to her temples. The sensation was peculiar; it wasn't pain or discomfort, but rather a gentle reminder. Just as she was wondering what was happening, a familiar voice flowed into her mind like a clear spring:

Drink less, it's bad for your liver.

Hoshiguma's lips unconsciously curled upwards, a knowing glint in her green eyes. "Su Rui?"