Ark Simulator, Am I Not Incorporeal?

Volume 16, page 905: If you move again, I'll throw you down.

As the first rays of dawn pierced through the clouds, Hoshiguma carried the sleeping Moe Moe Xiang out of the shop. Su Rui's silver hair cascaded over her shoulders, and the new Bell earrings she wore jingled softly in the morning breeze, like a song only she could hear.

Morning mist shrouded the desolate highway leading to Lungmen, and the dilapidated off-road vehicle swayed along the bumpy road. Moe Moe Xiang curled up in the back seat, her pink hair glistening with morning dew, her fingers flying across the phone screen. The blue light from the screen reflected on her face, illuminating the sly smile on her lips.

"Wow! Mr. Su Rui! Look at this!" She suddenly held her phone up to the front, almost poking the silver-haired boy's cheek in the passenger seat. "Your fan club already has 300,000 followers!"

Hoshiguma's green hair exploded in the driver's seat, and she gripped the steering wheel so tightly it creaked. "Kid, if you move again I'll throw you out."

Moe Moe Xiang stuck out her tongue, retreated to the back seat, and continued scrolling through comments, "'The real identity of the silver-haired pianist revealed,' 'Does this handsome guy have any social media accounts?' 'I need all the information about this man in three minutes'..." With each comment she read, Hoshiguma pressed the accelerator harder.

Ling sat next to Moe Moe Xiang, her black fingernails lightly tapping on the car window. "So noisy."

"Miao-jie, look!" Moe Moe Xiang shoved her phone in front of her. "Someone even made a mashup video of Mr. Su Rui!"

On the screen, a slow-motion edit of last night's concert piano performance showed the silver-haired boy playing with his eyes lowered, enhanced with a soft-focus filter. The video has already been shared over a million times. The top comment reads, "[I need to know if this handsome young man is single within five minutes!!!]"

Hoshiguma's green eyes narrowed dangerously in the rearview mirror.

Su Rui's silver hair fell over his shoulders, and his amber eyes quietly watched the scenery rushing past the window. His fingertips unconsciously caressed the new Bell earring he was wearing—it was put on him by Hoshiguma himself this morning, the movement so rough that it almost tore his earlobe.

"Mr. Su Rui ~" Moe Moe Xiang leaned closer to him, clinging to the back of the chair, "So many people are asking you if you'll be giving a concert!"

The silver-haired boy tilted his head slightly, a wisp of silver dust drifting from his sleeve and forming the words "[No.]" on the phone screen.

"Oh—what a pity!" Moe Moe Xiang sighed dramatically, then her eyes suddenly lit up. "At least open a social media account! I can teach you how to manage it!"

The SUV slammed on the brakes, nearly sending Moe Moe Xiang crashing into the front seat. Hoshiguma's green hair bristled like a hedgehog in the morning light. "One more word and you're out."

Ling grabbed Moe Moe Xiang by the back of her collar at just the right moment. "Behave yourself."

Suddenly, her phone beeped with a notification from a special contact. Moe Moe Xiang looked down and screamed, nearly lifting the roof off the car. "Mr. Su Rui! Someone found a photo of you and Ghost Sister together!"

Hoshiguma's pupils suddenly contracted.

The photo is clearly an old one from many years ago, blurry but still legible—a young Hoshiguma stands at the entrance of the Lungmen Guard Department, her green hair tied up high, Hannya Shield hanging from her waist. Beside her stands a silver-haired boy, his profile youthful and gentle, holding a cup of milk tea. The two are shoulder to shoulder, their shadows merging in the sunset.

The caption reads: [Archaeological discovery! Isn't this the pianist from last night?!]

The comments section has exploded:

[It's him! It's him! The silver hair and eyes are exactly the same!]

[Wait, that green-haired girl next to me looks familiar...]

[Holy crap! Isn't that the "Demon's Shield" from the Lungmen Guard Department ten years ago?!]

[So the pianist is from the Lungmen Guard Department?!]

[That's not the point! Look at their posture! They're definitely a couple!]

Hoshiguma's ears instantly burned, and she nearly crushed the steering wheel.

Su Rui's silver dust discreetly reached for her phone, seemingly wanting to delete the post. Moe Moe Xiang, however, clung tightly to the phone. "No! This photo is so good!" She blinked, "Ghost Sister used to be so handsome..."

"Deleted." Hoshiguma's voice was as cold as ice.

"No way!" Moe Moe Xiang hid her phone behind her back. "This is historical data!"

Ling suddenly reached out and snatched the phone away, a blue light flashing across the screen as a snake tattoo appeared. All discussions about Su Rui instantly turned into gibberish, and the photos were replaced with landscape pictures.

"Mio-neechan!" Moe Moe Xiang wailed, "My collection!"

"Shut up." Ling tossed the phone back to her. "Check the traffic."

Hoshiguma glared at him through the rearview mirror. "Mind your own business."

Ling's snake-shaped tattoo glowed slightly. "Each other."

The SUV entered the tunnel, and the dim light enveloped the cabin. Su Rui's silver hair shimmered faintly in the shadows. He quietly reached out and touched Hoshiguma's hand with his fingertips. Hoshiguma's green eyes softened slightly, and she turned her hand to hold his fingers.

Moe Moe Xiang secretly raised her phone from the back seat and pointed it at the two clasped hands.

"Click."

The sound of the camera shutter was particularly jarring in the quiet carriage.

Hoshiguma's green hair instantly bristled. "Kid!!!"

Moe Moe Xiang quickly stuffed her phone into her bra. "No way! This is exclusive material!"

"Court death!"

"Whoa! Sister Mio, help me!"

Ling, expressionless, pinned down the restless Moe Moe Xiang: "If you keep causing trouble, I'll throw you to the Reunion Movement."

Outside the car window, the morning mist gradually dissipated. The outline of Lungmen in the distance emerged in the rising sun, the glass curtain walls of the skyscrapers reflecting dazzling light. Moe Moe Xiang finally quieted down and leaned against the window, watching the city draw closer. "Mr. Su Rui, what are some fun places to Lungmen?"

Su Rui's silver dust formed a three-dimensional map in the air, marking several glittering points: [Dessert Shop], [Used Bookstore], [Observation Deck].

"Isn't there an amusement park?" Moe Moe Xiang pouted in disappointment.

Hoshiguma sneered, "There's Lungmen Guard Department interrogation room. Want to go there?"

As the SUV entered the Lungmen checkpoint, Moe Moe Xiang's phone rang again. She glanced at it furtively, then her eyes widened suddenly. "Mr. Su... Mr. Su Rui! Someone created a Wikipedia page for you!"

The newly created entry was prominently displayed on the screen:

Su Rui, male, age unknown. Former Special Advisor to the Lungmen Guard Department, now an independent agent. Skilled in Originium Arts, piano playing, and close combat. Has a close relationship with the famous operator "Demon's Shield" Hoshiguma...

At the bottom of the entry, there's a helpful "Relationship Status" section, which clearly states: [Engaged]

Hoshiguma slammed on the brakes so hard that the two people in the back almost crashed into the front seats.

"This... this wasn't written by me!" Moe Moe Xiang raised her hands. "I swear!"

Su Rui's silver hair swayed slightly, as if he were also suppressing a laugh. His silver dust drifted to Hoshiguma's face, forming a line of small characters: [Want some clarification?]

Hoshiguma stared at the "[engaged]" sign for three seconds with her green eyes, then suddenly released the steering wheel, grabbed Su Rui's collar, and kissed her.

"Waaah!" Moe Moe Xiang covered her eyes, but her fingers were wide open.

Ling's snake-shaped tattoo swam up to her eyelids, automatically blocking out the view for her.

After a long ten seconds, Hoshiguma released the panting Su Rui, wiping his wet lips with his thumb. "Clarify my ass."

We'll talk about it after volume 16, page 906.

The SUV started moving again, cruising over the speed bumps at the checkpoint. Moe Moe Xiang, blushing, shrank back in the back seat and muttered, "That Wikipedia page... I actually created it secretly last night..."

Ling's snake-shaped tattoo suddenly tightened around her neck. "Don't drag me down with you if you're looking to die."

Su Rui's silver hair cascaded over Hoshiguma's shoulder, her Bell earring jingling softly as the car swayed. His fingertips subtly hooked onto Hoshiguma's clothes, silver dust swirling between them, forming words only she could see: [Going home to continue?]

Hoshiguma's ears instantly turned bright red, and she slammed on the gas pedal. The SUV roared into Lungmen city, leaving the morning light, the fog, and the girl's screams behind.

The off-road vehicle rolled over the last stretch of rugged dirt road, and the outline of Lungmen finally became clear on the horizon. The morning mist was dispelled by the rising sun, and the glass curtain walls of the high-rise buildings reflected dazzling golden light. From a distance, the entire city seemed like a steel island floating in the morning light. Moe Moe Xiang was pressed against the car window, her nose almost touching the glass, and her pink twin ponytails swayed gently with the bumps of the car.

"Is that Lungmen?" Her voice was filled with undisguised excitement. "It's even bigger than what you see on TV!"

Hoshiguma held the steering wheel with one hand, the other casually resting on the edge of the window, her green hair billowing in the wind. Her gaze swept across the rearview mirror; Su Rui sat quietly in the passenger seat, his silver hair cascading over his shoulders, his amber eyes reflecting the distant city skyline. Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating his profile and outlining soft lines, as if gilding him with a thin layer of gold.

"Where do we go after we get to Lungmen?" Moe Moe Xiang turned around, resting her elbows on the middle of the front seat. "Should we go straight to Commander Chen?"

Hoshiguma's lips curled into a slight smile, "What, can't wait to be questioned by the Lungmen Guard Department?"

"No, that's not it!" Moe Moe Xiang puffed out her cheeks. "I mean..." Her voice suddenly trailed off, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes, "Shouldn't we find a place to settle down?"

Ling looked up from the back seat, a snake-shaped tattoo faintly visible on her cuff. "Rhodes Island."

The word caused the atmosphere in the car to freeze for a moment. Hoshiguma's fingers tapped lightly on the steering wheel, her green eyes narrowing slightly. "Reason?"

"Medical support." Ling's voice was as calm as if she were discussing the weather. "Moe Moe Xiang needs regular checkups, and your old injuries should be checked as well." Her gaze swept over Su Rui. "As for him... Rhodes Island's research on Originium Arts is at the forefront."

Su Rui's eyelashes trembled slightly, and a wisp of silver dust drifted from her sleeve, forming a three-dimensional map in the air. Rhodes Island's main ship was marked as a blue dot, anchored near Lungmen's third port.

Moe Moe Xiang's eyes lit up. "I heard Rhodes Island has a lot of amazing doctors! And Miss Amiya is so cute!" Suddenly remembering something, she turned to Hoshiguma, "Oni-neechan, can we go take a look? Just a look!"

Hoshiguma's thumb unconsciously traced the grooves on the steering wheel. Her gaze swept over Su Rui, who was quietly looking at her, her amber eyes questioning.

"... Whatever you want," Hoshiguma finally said, her green hair gleaming softly in the sunlight, "But don't cause trouble."

Moe Moe Xiang cheered and almost jumped up from her seat, but Ling pressed her back down. "Sit still."

The SUV drove into a checkpoint on the outskirts of Lungmen, and a uniformed police officer waved for it to stop. Hoshiguma rolled down the window, and a cold wind, mixed with the smell of engine oil and seawater, rushed in.

"Identifications," the officer's voice rang out in a formulaic tone.

Hoshiguma pulled a few cards from his pocket and handed them over. The officer's fingers visibly trembled as he took them. His gaze swept back and forth between the cards and Hoshiguma's demon horns, finally settling on the silver-haired boy in the passenger seat.

"Who is this...?"

"Family members," Hoshiguma's voice was crisp and clear.

The officer's Adam's apple bobbed, and he quickly handed back his badge. "Welcome back to Lungmen, Hoshiguma."

The barriers rose, and the SUV slowly drove into the city. Moe Moe Xiang leaned against the window, her eyes wide. "Ghost Sister, they seem really afraid of you?"

Hoshiguma's lips curled into a cold smile, "I've beaten up a few fools before."

Su Rui's silver hair shimmered softly in the sunlight, and a wisp of silver dust drifted quietly to Hoshiguma's ear: [Majestic.]

Hoshiguma's ears turned slightly red as she reached out and brushed away the wisp of silver dust. "Shut up."

The hustle and bustle of Lungmen city hit you in the face. Holographic billboards between skyscrapers flashed with various colors of light, the streets were teeming with people, and the levitation train glided silently over the elevated track. Moe Moe Xiang's face was almost pressed against the window, and the tip of her nose left a small round mist on the glass.

Wow! Is that the central square of Lungmen? It's huge!

"That's a shopping mall," Ling corrected without looking up. "The Central Plaza is in the West Wing."

Hoshiguma's green eyes swept across the rearview mirror. "You know Lungmen very well?"

Ling's snake-shaped tattoo slowly moved across her wrist. "Work requirement."

The SUV drove through several bustling streets, gradually heading towards the port area. The salty smell in the air grew stronger, and the cries of seagulls mingled with the whistles of ships. Moe Moe Xiang's excitement slowly subsided, and she began to yawn.

"Tired?" Hoshiguma glanced at her in the rearview mirror.

Moe Moe Xiang rubbed her eyes and nodded. "I was too excited last night, I didn't sleep much..."

Her voice grew softer and softer, and her head tilted little by little towards Ling's shoulder. Ling frowned slightly, but ultimately did not push her away.

Su Rui's silver dust drifted silently towards the back seat, forming a thin film of light around Moe Moe Xiang, isolating her from outside noise. Hoshiguma's green eyes swept over this scene, and the corners of her mouth curled up slightly. "Spoiling a child?"

[She was tired.] Su Rui's silver hair was almost transparent in the sunlight.

The buildings in the port area gradually thinned out, and huge Lungmen and container yards came into view. In the distance, Rhodes Island's main ship was moored on its dedicated dock, its white hull gleaming in the sunlight, and the radar on top slowly rotating.

Hoshiguma slowed down, tapping her fingers lightly on the steering wheel. "We're here."

Moe Moe Xiang woke up with a start, her face still showing signs of sleep. "We're here? Rhodes Island?" She peered out the car window, "Wow! What a huge ship!"

Ling straightened her sleeves, which were wrinkled by the Moe Moe Xiang: "Be quiet, don't embarrass yourself."

Hoshiguma parked the car in a secluded parking lot, and after turning off the engine, the car suddenly became quiet. The sea breeze seeped in through the cracks in the windows, carrying a salty and damp scent. A few strands of Su Rui's silver hair were blown by the wind, shimmering like flowing mercury in the sunlight.

"What do we do now?" Moe Moe Xiang asked in a low voice, as if afraid of alerting something. "Should we go straight up?"

Hoshiguma unbuckled her seatbelt. "Contact them first."

Her fingers rapidly typed a string of code onto the communicator, and a moment later, a deep male voice came through the speaker. "This is Rhodes Island, please speak."

Volume 16, page 907 has a reservation.

"Hoshiguma," she said briefly, "I have an appointment."

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the communicator. "Please wait... Confirmation complete. Hoshiguma, please board the ship through the C-sector entrance. The Medical Department is ready."

After the communication was cut off, silence fell over the carriage again. Moe Moe Xiang nervously swallowed. "They... know we're coming?"

Ling's snake-shaped tattoo moved across her cuff. "I contacted them in advance."

Hoshiguma's green eyes narrowed slightly. "When?"

"Last night," Ling's voice was as calm as still water, "When you were beating up Mifune unconscious."

Su Rui's silver dust formed a smiley face in the air: [Reliable.]

Hoshiguma gave a light snort and pushed open the car door, "Let's go, don't keep them waiting."

The sea breeze blew in, carrying the distinctive salty smell of the harbor. Moe Moe Xiang trotted to catch up with Hoshiguma, while Ling strolled slowly at the back. Su Rui's silver hair fluttered in the wind like a small flag.

Rhodes Island's flagship appeared exceptionally massive in the sunlight, its white armor plating painted with blue markings. Upon closer inspection, a nearly invisible crack was visible on the side of the hull—a scar left from a fierce battle.