Ark Simulator, Am I Not Without a Physical Body?

A brief silence fell over the dining table.

Fiammetta and Mostima stared wide-eyed in disbelief at the four bowls of what looked... excessively plain "desserts." In their minds, Laterano desserts were supposed to be elaborately presented, rich in flavor, and incredibly sweet, capable of instantly bringing a surge of happiness. This bowl of bland, watery fruit chunks... could this really be called dessert?

Lemuen was also taken aback for a moment, but then a knowing and gentle smile flashed in her lake-blue eyes. She immediately understood Su Rui's intention—this was not a traditional dessert prepared for the Sankta at all; it was a "Su Rui special edition" made entirely according to his own tastes and standards!

Volume 17, Chapter 1031: Refusing to Leave

Lemuen picked up the bowl of fruit soup in front of her, gently scooped up a spoonful, and put it in her mouth. The soup was cool and refreshing, with the natural tartness of the fruit and a subtle, almost imperceptible sweetness that seemed only to balance the tartness, completely without the cloying sweetness of added sugar. The fruit pieces were cooked just right, retaining some of their crispness while fully releasing their fruity aroma. The overall taste was light, natural, and refreshing.

"Mmm! It's delicious!" Lemuen immediately offered sincere praise. She looked at Su Rui with encouraging and joyful eyes, "It's very refreshing, just right to cut through the greasiness of dinner. The sweetness of the fruit is just right."

Upon hearing her assessment, Su Rui didn't react much. He simply picked up his own bowl and began to eat slowly and deliberately. Clearly, this "dessert" was exactly to his liking.

Fiammetta and Mostima exchanged glances. Fiammetta hesitantly picked up the bowl, took a small sip, and immediately frowned. To her, the taste... was too bland! She could barely taste any sweetness; it was more like... a fruity broth? Accustomed to the rich, sweet impact of Laterano, she found this "blandness" utterly unacceptable.

Mostima, with an adventurous spirit, scooped up a large spoonful and put the soup and fruit in her mouth. She chewed a few times, a strange expression on her face, as if she were savoring something new. "Hmm..." she tilted her head, "The taste... is very special. It's not bad, but... is this really a dessert?" She looked at Su Rui, her eyes full of inquiry, "Little Su, did you make this dessert... according to your own taste?"

Su Rui raised his eyes, glanced at her coldly, and said with an arrogant tone that seemed to take it for granted, "Otherwise what?" His subtext was all too clear: the desserts I make are for myself, of course. Why should I cater to you sweet-toothed Sankta? If you want it sweet, add your own sugar.

Fiammetta choked a little, looking at the pitiful amount of fruit pieces in her bowl, feeling a bit aggrieved. This was so different from the sweet ending she had hoped for after the meal. She muttered under her breath, "This isn't sweet at all..."

Seeing this, Lemuen quickly smoothed things over, smiling as she said to Fiammetta and Mostima, "Su Rui prefers milder flavors and doesn't like things that are too sweet. This fruit soup is actually quite healthy; it's good for vitamins and helps with digestion. If you think it's not sweet enough, I have some honey; you can add a little." As she spoke, she pushed her wheelchair to get some honey.

"No need," Su Rui suddenly spoke, stopping Lemuen. His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable firmness. He looked at Fiammetta and Mostima, his dark eyes showing no sign of compromise. "This is the taste."

His attitude was clear: this was the dessert he offered; take it or leave it. He wouldn't change his creations to cater to their tastes. This almost stubborn insistence stemmed from his absolute confidence in his own taste and standards, and also carried a strong sense of "my territory, my rules."

Fiammetta and Mostima were both taken aback by his firm attitude. Fiammetta, seeing Su Rui's icy gaze, instinctively shrank back, not daring to mention adding sugar again. Mostima, however, blinked, not angry at all, but finding it even more amusing. She cheerfully picked up her spoon again and said, "Alright, alright, when in Rome, do as the Romans do~ Trying Little Su's special dessert is quite nice!" Then, she actually began to savor it seriously, as if experiencing a completely new food culture.

Thus, an amusing scene unfolded at the table: Su Rui and Lemuen enjoyed the light and refreshing fruit soup that suited their tastes; Fiammetta, on the other hand, ate with a pained expression, taking small, laborious bites as if completing a difficult task; while Mostima ate with relish, commenting as she ate. "Hmm, the mango is fragrant, the pear is cooked to the perfect softness, and the soup has a subtle lemon flavor? You put a lot of thought into it, Little Su!"

Su Rui ignored Mostima's comments and focused on eating his own. But Lemuen noticed that when Mostima accurately pointed out that lemon was added to the soup base, Su Rui paused almost imperceptibly while chewing. Although his face remained expressionless, that subtle reaction seemed to indicate that he wasn't entirely indifferent to others' understanding of his "work" (even if it was just a lucky guess).

The dinner concluded with a dessert that was distinctly "Su Rui's style." It might not conform to the Sankta ' traditional definition of dessert, but it truly reflected Su Rui's personal style—simple, direct, uncompromising, and even with a touch of ruthless domineering. But it was precisely this undisguised authenticity that gave Fiammetta and Mostima a more three-dimensional and complex understanding of Su Rui. He was not merely a powerful, cold-blooded executor, but also a living, breathing person with his own unique lifestyle and stubborn convictions.

After dinner, Lemuen and Fiammetta cleared the dishes together, while Mostima leaned lazily on the sofa, watching Su Rui walk to the window and gaze at the night outside, lost in thought. The apartment was filled with a unique post-dinner languid and tranquil atmosphere; all the awkwardness and conflict from before seemed to have quietly dissipated with this special dinner, leaving only a lingering, intriguing aftertaste.

As night deepened, the lights of the Holy City outside the window shone like scattered stars, reflecting the two bright moons hanging in the sky. The noise and bustle in the apartment gradually subsided after dinner. The dishes had been washed and put away, and only the soft glow of the wall lamps remained in the living room.

Mostima stretched lazily, like a lazy cat, and yawned at Lemuen, saying, "Oh, I'm full and ready to sleep~ Lemuen, I'm staying here tonight, okay? Can I sleep in the guest room for the night?" Her tone was so natural, as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world, and her face wore her usual irresistible smile.

Despite her fiery temper, Fiammetta seemed rather reserved when it came to staying overnight. She glanced at the time, then looked out the window, and hesitated, "I... I think I'll go back. I've disturbed you too much."

"Oh dear, why are you going back so late?" Lemuen immediately smiled and tried to persuade her to stay, her tone sincere. "The guest room was empty anyway, Fiammetta, why don't you stay too? We haven't seen each other in a long time, we can have breakfast together tomorrow morning." She could tell that Fiammetta was actually a little reluctant to leave, but was just too shy to say so.

Seeing Lemuen's warm invitation and glancing at Mostima, who was already sprawled comfortably on the sofa, Fiammetta's hesitation vanished. She nodded, a rare relaxed smile on her face, "Then... I'll take my leave."

Volume 17, Chapter 1032: They fell asleep.

"That's more like it!" Mostima patted the empty seat next to her with a grin. "Come on, Fiammetta, let's talk about where to go tomorrow?" She seemed to have no sense of being a guest at all, and instead started making arrangements like a hostess.

Lemuen looked at them, smiled helplessly yet indulgently, and pushed her wheelchair, saying, "Then you two chat first, I'll go prepare the beds and toiletries for your guest room." As she spoke, she glided towards the guest room.

Su Rui hadn't participated in any of these arrangements from beginning to end. He was already used to Mostima's elusive and capricious style, and couldn't be bothered to ask about Fiammetta's whereabouts. As far as he was concerned, as long as these people didn't disturb his and Lemuen's private space, they could stay wherever they wanted. While Lemuen was busy, he walked alone to the French windows in the living room, stood there silently, his back straight but exuding an indescribable loneliness.

Outside the window, the Twin Moons unique to the Terra hang high in the sky. One is slightly larger, gleaming with a cool, silvery-white light, while the other is slightly smaller, with a faint amber halo, like two enormous, silent eyes overlooking the land. The moonlight spills like mercury, outlining the ancient architecture of the Holy City clearly and mysteriously.

Su Rui tilted his head slightly, his obsidian-like eyes gazing silently at the two moons. His gaze was deep, as if piercing through vast distances to see the deeper universe, or as if he had simply emptied his mind, immersed in a tranquil peace undisturbed. His profile was exceptionally clear in the moonlight, its lines smooth and delicate. Long, silver eyelashes drooped, concealing any emotions that might be revealed in his eyes; only his tightly pursed lips betrayed his usual indifference and aloofness.

He stood there, motionless, like a sculpture in the moonlight. The hushed conversation between Mostima and Fiammetta in the living room seemed to come from another distant world, unable to penetrate the invisible barrier surrounding him. No one knew what he was thinking, perhaps not even himself. It was only in these moments of solitude facing the vast starry sky that he could temporarily escape from the hustle and bustle of the day and the disturbances of interpersonal relationships, gaining a deep inner peace.

Mostima chatted with Fiammetta while glancing at Su Rui by the window out of the corner of her eye. She looked at his aloof demeanor, a playful smile curving her lips, but she didn't bother him as before. She knew her limits, knowing when to joke and when to keep her distance.

Fiammetta also noticed Su Rui. Looking at his back bathed in moonlight, she felt that complex and indescribable feeling well up in her heart again. This boy was strong, cold, and unapproachable, yet at certain moments, he revealed a kind of loneliness that was completely different from what she had imagined, almost fragile (or perhaps it was her imagination).

Lemuen quickly prepared the guest room and pushed the wheelchair out. When she saw Su Rui's figure by the window, her eyes softened instantly. She knew him too well; she knew he needed this time alone to sort out his thoughts and calm the agitation caused by external disturbances. She didn't call him immediately, but just watched quietly from the side, her heart filled with love and understanding.

After a while, Mostima and Fiammetta also felt tired, got up, said goodnight to each other, and went to their respective guest rooms to rest. The living room became completely quiet, with only the soft light of the wall lamps and the moonlight flowing through the window remaining.

Lemuen then pushed her wheelchair and slowly slid to Su Rui's side. Without saying a word, she gently placed her hand on the back of his hand, which was resting on the windowsill. Her hand was warm and soft, contrasting with Su Rui's slightly cool skin.

Su Rui's body twitched almost imperceptibly, but he didn't break free. He continued gazing at the moon, and after a long while, he spoke in a low voice, his tone carrying a hint of the night's chill. "Are they asleep?"

"Yes, everyone's gone to rest," Lemuen replied softly, her fingertips gently stroking the back of his hand. "Are you tired? We should rest too."

Su Rui was silent for a moment, then slowly turned her head to look at Lemuen. In the moonlight, her lake-blue eyes were like the gentlest night sky, filled with understanding and love for him. The icy aura around him melted slightly when he met her gaze.

"Mmm," he responded, taking her hand in his own, his grip neither too tight nor too loose, yet carrying a sense of dependence.

He glanced one last time at the Twin Moons outside the window, then turned and pushed Lemuen's wheelchair towards the bedroom. The day's hustle and bustle, the unexpected events, the busyness, and that unique dessert were all left behind in the tranquil moonlight. The bedroom door closed gently, shutting out the outside world and leaving only a warm and peaceful night for the two of them. For Su Rui, no matter how much turmoil there was outside, as long as Lemuen was by his side, and there was this quiet place where they could be alone, that was enough.

The bedroom door closed gently behind her, completely shutting out the living room lights and the faint noise from outside. Only a softly lit bedside lamp illuminated the room, casting a warm glow on the beige walls. The air was filled with the familiar scent of floral and sweet aromatherapy that Lemuen often used—a scent that Su Rui knew well and found comforting.

Su Rui carefully lifted Lemuen from her wheelchair onto the bed. His movements, though still swift and efficient, were noticeably gentler than usual. He adjusted the headrests so she could lean back comfortably. Lemuen's lake-blue eyes followed his movements tenderly, a faint smile playing on her lips.

After doing all this, Su Rui didn't lie down immediately. Instead, she went to the window and drew back the heavy curtains. The cool moonlight instantly poured in, bathing the room in a silvery glow. The two bright moons, one large and one small, one silvery-white and one amber, hung quietly in the deep night sky, seemingly within reach. The moonlight was exceptionally bright tonight, and even the outlines of the craters on the moon's surface were faintly visible.

Su Rui stood by the window, his shadow stretching long in the moonlight. He didn't speak, but simply gazed at the huge, familiar Silver Moon, his eyes distant, as if he could see far away through the moonlight, or perhaps he was simply immersed in this tranquility. The events of the day— Mostima's disturbance, Fiammetta's surprise, the busyness in the kitchen, the subtle atmosphere at the table—receded like the tide, leaving only a clear and peaceful heart.

Lemuen didn't disturb him. She leaned against the headboard, her gaze fixed on Su Rui's retreating figure and the bright moon outside the window. She could feel the relaxed aura emanating from him, a result of being alone. She knew this was his moment to let down his guard and return to his true self. She liked seeing him like this, stripped of his usual coldness and sharpness, like a solitary snow leopard grooming its fur in the moonlight, its claws sheathed.

Volume 17, Chapter 1034: Infiltration, Assassin?

Su Rui's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. He opened his eyes extremely slowly and cautiously, his vision still a little blurry, but he immediately and precisely locked onto the source of that gaze—

Not far from the foot of the bed, near the bedroom door, a figure was leaning against the door frame, standing there in a languid posture.

It is Mostima.

She had clearly just woken up, wearing only a thin, silk slip dress that barely reached her thighs, outlining her slender figure. Her short, SilverAsh hair was slightly disheveled, adding to her casual allure. Her face wore her usual enigmatic smile, and her lake-blue eyes were fixed intently on the two people embracing in bed—or more precisely, on the newly awakened Su Rui.

Her gaze was bold and direct, carrying undisguised admiration and a hint of... almost provocation. It was as if she were appreciating an interesting scene, or waiting for her prey to reveal a weakness.

Su Rui's heart sank! A surge of anger mixed with extreme discomfort and irritation, stemming from being spied on, instantly overwhelmed her. This persistent woman! How dare she... how dare she appear here at this time, in this manner?!

He almost sat up immediately, ready to kick her out with the coldest look and tone! But just as his muscles tensed, Lemuen in his arms seemed to utter a muffled murmur in response to his subtle movement, nuzzling gently against his chest before falling into a deeper sleep.

The slight noise was like a bucket of cold water, instantly extinguishing Su Rui's impending outburst of anger. He couldn't wake Lemuen. She had gone to bed late last night and needed to rest. Besides... he couldn't imagine what Lemuen would think if she woke up and saw this scene. Misunderstanding? Sadness? That was something he absolutely didn't want to see.

His strong self-control kicked in once again. He forcefully suppressed all his negative emotions, his body stiffening as he remained still. Only his fully open black eyes, like arrows tempered with ice, pierced Mostima at the doorway with undisguised warning and a sense of expulsion.

His eyes conveyed the message clearly: Get out. Immediately. Right now.

However, Mostima was clearly not someone who would be intimidated by such a look. Instead of leaving, she caught sight of Su Rui's frustrated expression as she suppressed her anger but dared not retaliate, and her smile widened, her eyes gleaming with the smugness of someone who had pulled off a prank.

She even deliberately tilted her head and gave Su Rui a silent, provocative kiss. Then, instead of backing away, she took a step and, like a cat, quietly walked towards the bedside!

Su Rui's pupils contracted slightly! Every muscle in his body tensed, like a cheetah poised to pounce. He wanted to push her away, to scold her, but all his actions were firmly restrained by the thought of "not waking Lemuen." He could only watch helplessly as Mostima drew closer and closer, until he could smell the faint, milky scent of her shower gel (probably Lemuen's) that was out of character for her, until he could see the barely visible curves beneath her nightgown and the sly smile on her face.

Mostima walked to the bedside, leaned down, placed her hands on the edge of the bed, and brought her face close to Su Rui's, so close that she could almost feel each other's breath. Her gaze slid from Su Rui's dark eyes, which were filled with warning and irritation, to his Adam's apple, which was slightly bobbing due to tension, and then to his tightly pursed, beautifully shaped thin lips.

Then, under Su Rui's incredulous gaze, she swiftly and lightly, like a dragonfly skimming the water, planted a gentle yet clearly provocative kiss on his tightly pursed lips!

It feels warm and soft to the touch, and separates easily with a single touch.

Su Rui's mind went Blank for a moment! Not with anger, but with an extremely complex and chaotic shock. Disgust? Yes. Offended? Yes. But beyond that, there was a subtle... flutter in his heart that he himself was unwilling to admit? Mostima was undoubtedly a very charming woman; she was bold, mysterious, and unpredictable, qualities that in themselves had a fatal attraction for some people (including a corner of Su Rui's subconscious). And, to be fair, that kiss... wasn't unpleasant.

But the thought was barely crossed his mind before it was brutally suppressed by an even stronger sense of reason and morality! What was he doing? Lemuen was sleeping right next to him! How could he... how could he be even slightly swayed by another woman's kiss?!

A wave of inner turmoil, frustration, a touch of unspeakable guilt, and anger at his own "lack of resolve" overwhelmed him instantly. He didn't want to face Mostima, didn't want to confront the chaotic reactions within himself, and even less did he want to deal with this absurd situation with Lemuen by his side!

So, just as Mostima, with a triumphant smile, was about to straighten up, seemingly about to say something, Su Rui did something that startled Mostima—

He abruptly closed his eyes! Tightly! He even buried his face in the top of Lemuen's hair, as if that would shut out all external distractions! He adjusted his breathing, trying to make himself look like he had never woken up, or... simply pretending to be asleep! Using the most direct and childish method to escape this tricky situation that he didn't know how to deal with!

This is a silent rejection, and also an ostrich-like form of self-protection. He can't lash out, and he can't respond, so he simply pretends nothing happened! Out of sight, out of mind!

Mostima was taken aback by Su Rui's awkward, self-deceptive behavior. Then, her smile deepened and became more playful. She didn't make any further moves or say anything, but simply watched him quietly for a few seconds, her gaze lingering on his tightly closed eyelashes and slightly reddened ears, as if she could see through all his inner turmoil and escapism.

Then, she smiled silently, and just as she had come, she quietly straightened up, turned and left the bedroom, even considerately and very gently closing the door behind her.

The bedroom returned to silence, with only the sunlight and the two people's steady breathing remaining.

But Su Rui's heart could no longer find peace. He closed his eyes tightly, feeling the warmth of Lemuen's body in his arms, his heart filled with complex emotions. That sudden kiss was like a pebble thrown into a still lake, stirring up ripples he thought had long since subsided. He hated this feeling of being out of control, and he hated even more the slightest possible sense of "betrayal" he might feel towards Lemuen.

Volume 17, Chapter 1035: The Troublesome Guy

Su Rui took a deep breath and hugged Lemuen tighter, as if drawing strength and peace from her. He decided to completely seal away everything that had just happened, treating it as an absurd dream. Now, at this moment, he only wanted to protect the warmth and peace in his arms. As for the rest... he didn't want to, and didn't want to, delve into it. Escaping is shameful, but sometimes, it really works.

The morning sunlight gradually brightened, casting dappled shadows on the bedroom floor through the gaps in the curtains. Lemuen stirred gently in Su Rui, her long, thick eyelashes fluttering as she slowly opened her eyes. Her lake-blue eyes, initially still hazy with sleep, immediately blossomed into a gentle smile upon seeing Su Rui's face so close to hers, like the surface of a clear lake illuminated by sunlight.

"Good morning..." Her voice was hoarse and languid from just waking up, and she nuzzled against his chest like a kitten.

Su Rui had noticed her the moment she woke up. With his eyes closed, he felt her movements and sounds. The ripples in his heart caused by the morning's interlude gradually subsided when he encountered her pure gentleness. He hummed in response, his voice deep and magnetic with the morning light, his arms still wrapped around her, not letting go immediately. He cherished this warmth and tranquility, wishing time could stand still for a while.

The two lingered for a few more moments before reluctantly getting out of bed. Su Rui quickly washed up and changed into clean clothes. With his help, Lemuen sat back in her wheelchair and tidied herself up. As they walked out of the bedroom together, they could already hear noises coming from the living room.

Fiammetta seemed to have just gotten up, sitting on the sofa, somewhat awkwardly sipping water. Mostima, on the other hand, was leisurely leaning against the open kitchen island, a steaming cup of coffee in her hand. She had changed into her signature messenger attire, which gave her a travel-worn look; her short, SilverAsh hair was meticulously combed, and a mysterious smile, as if she knew everything, graced her face. Seeing Su Rui and Lemuen emerge, her gaze immediately and precisely fell on Suri, a barely perceptible slyness and amusement flashing in her lake-blue eyes.

Su Rui paused almost imperceptibly. The brief but unsettling contact of that morning flashed through his mind, causing him to instinctively avoid Mostima's gaze, his ears burning slightly. He didn't want to face her, especially not Lemuen.

"Good morning~ Did you sleep well?" Mostima spoke first, her tone relaxed and natural, as if the incident that morning had never happened.

"Good morning, Mostima, Fiammetta," Lemuen replied with a smile, pushing her wheelchair into the living room. "You slept quite well. How about you?"

Fiammetta nodded quickly, "It's very nice, thank you for the hospitality."

Su Rui didn't reply. He walked straight to the refrigerator, opened the door, and pretended to check the ingredients, but in reality, he was trying to calm his somewhat chaotic emotions. He needed to find an excuse to avoid being alone with Mostima, at least for now.

Lemuen glanced at the time and suggested, "It's getting late, shall we prepare breakfast? Su Rui, what would you like to eat today? I'll cook." She remembered that Su Rui had worked hard cooking yesterday and wanted him to rest.

Upon hearing this, Su Rui's heart stirred. He closed the refrigerator door, turned around, and tried his best to maintain his usual indifferent expression, but his eyes were somewhat unfocused, and he dared not look at anyone for too long, especially Mostima.

"I don't want to do anything today." He said somewhat stiffly, making up an excuse, "I'm a little tired. For breakfast... just make something simple." He paused, as if suddenly remembering something, and added, "Lemuen, I remember you said there's a nice new breakfast shop that opened nearby? How about... you and Fiammetta go and buy some?"

His suggestion seemed a bit abrupt. He rarely offered to go out to buy food, especially not Lemuen. Lemuen paused, looking at him with some confusion. "Hmm? That shop is a bit far... Besides, we have ingredients at home, I can cook quickly."

"I want to eat at that place," Su Rui insisted, his tone tinged with barely perceptible impatience. He didn't even dare to look Lemuen in the eye, afraid she would notice something amiss. "... And by the way, could you get me a black coffee, no sugar?" he made up a reason.

Fiammetta didn't think much of it; in fact, she was quite excited to hear that they could eat out. "Great! I've been wanting to try a local Laterano breakfast!"

Although Lemuen thought Su Rui was acting a little strange today, seeing that he genuinely seemed listless (she assumed he was tired from yesterday), she nodded obediently, "Okay, then Fiammetta and I will go buy it. What do you want to eat? I'll write it down."

Su Rui casually named a few dishes that sounded decent, his mind completely elsewhere. His goal was simple: to get rid of Lemuen and Fiammetta, creating a brief respite where only he and Mostima were in the apartment. He needed to... talk to Mostima. Although he didn't know what to talk about, the feeling of having his thoughts exposed and his emotions shaken was like a lump in his throat; he had to make a decision.

Lemuen noted down what Su Rui wanted, then looked at Mostima: "Mostima, what about you? What would you like to eat? Let's go together?"

Mostima held her coffee cup, looking at Su Rui with a half-smile, as if she had already seen through his little scheme. She took a small sip of coffee and shook her head. "No need, you guys go ahead. I'll just have a cup of coffee in the morning, and... I have something I'd like to talk to Little Su about." She deliberately emphasized the word "talk," her gaze falling meaningfully on Su Rui.

Su Rui's heart sank! His worst fears had come true! That troublesome woman!

Upon hearing this, Lemuen glanced at Mostima, then at Su Rui, whose expression was noticeably unnatural. Although she was somewhat puzzled, she didn't dwell on the seemingly inexplicable interactions between Mostima and Su Rui. Instead, she softly said to Su Rui, "So... shall we go? You and Mostima... have a good chat?" Her words carried a hint of barely perceptible worry.

Su Rui nodded stiffly, practically spitting out two words through gritted teeth. "... Go quickly."

Lemuen and Fiammetta quickly got ready and went out. The apartment door clicked shut, leaving only Su Rui and Mostima in the room.

The air seemed to freeze. Sunlight streamed through the window, and dust particles danced in the beams of light, yet it couldn't dispel the invisible, suffocating tension.

Su Rui stood there, his back to Mostima, his hands unconsciously clenched into fists. He could feel Mostima's gaze on his back, as if it were a physical presence, filled with inquiry and amusement. He took a deep breath and forced himself to turn around and face her.

Volume 17, Chapter 1036: You'd better behave yourself.

Mostima remained leaning against the island counter, leisurely sipping her coffee, a knowing smile on her face. "Sending them away... was it so you could talk to me alone, Little Su?" she broke the silence, her tone flippant.

Su Rui, his face dark, walked to the center of the living room, keeping a distance from Mostima. He raised his head, looking directly into Mostima's eyes, trying to make his voice sound cold and firm, "Mostima, I don't care what you're trying to do. But, while I'm with Lemuen, please... stay away from me."

He paused, seemingly organizing his thoughts, his ears involuntarily flushing red, but his tone remained firm. "I don't want... her to misunderstand. I don't want... to cause trouble." The last few words were almost squeezed out of his throat, tinged with an awkward embarrassment.

Mostima listened to his words without changing her smile. Instead, her expression held a hint of understanding and... a touch of mockery. She put down her coffee cup, took two steps forward, closing the distance between them, and stared sharply into Su Lei's somewhat flickering eyes.

"Oh? You don't want her to misunderstand?" Mostima chuckled, her voice alluring and magnetic. "But... Little Su, you seem to have forgotten that you're not some 'single-minded' innocent boy." Her tone became somewhat meaningful. "In Laterano, in the wilderness, in those places Lemuen can't see... you've had more than one or two girls you're 'close' to, haven't you? So, when you're with her, you're going to pretend to be chaste?"

Her words were like a sharp dagger, precisely piercing the corner of Su Rui's heart that he was most unwilling to face and most trying to hide! His face instantly turned pale, his pupils contracted slightly, and his lips moved, but he couldn't utter a single word.

Mostima's words... were true. Su Rui possessed an exceptionally handsome appearance and a cold yet dangerous aura, making him a magnet for attention wherever he went. As for himself, his boundaries regarding emotions and intimacy had always been blurred and capricious. Before meeting Lemuen, or rather, before Lemuen became the most important anchor in his life, he did have some... not exactly serious, but certainly not innocent, past experiences. He never even thought there was anything wrong with it, until... until Lemuen's appearance made him yearn for a more stable, purer relationship.

Being so bluntly exposed by Mostima at this moment, a mixture of shame, anger, and helplessness at being seen through overwhelmed him like a tidal wave. He couldn't refute it, because it was the truth. The image of "devotion" he had always tried to maintain in front of Lemuen seemed so pale and ridiculous at this moment.

"I..." He opened his mouth, his throat dry, but no sound came out. He subconsciously took a step back, his eyes filled with struggle and confusion. Mostima's gaze was too sharp, her words too direct, pushing him to the edge of a moral precipice, leaving him nowhere to hide.

Seeing his embarrassed, flustered, and even slightly vulnerable state, Mostima's amusement deepened. She didn't press him further, but simply stood there quietly, as if admiring his internal struggle.

This silent pressure was more suffocating to Su Rui than any words. He could no longer bear to stay here, facing Mostima's all-seeing gaze. He needed to escape! Immediately! Right now!

So, under Mostima's victorious smile, Su Rui abruptly turned around and, almost in a disheveled state, rushed to the apartment door without looking back. He flung the door open and strode out! He even forgot to put on his coat and forgot that he had just asked Lemuen to buy breakfast.

He needed to find Lemuen. To see her immediately. Only by her side, in her pure and gentle gaze, could he temporarily forget his wretchedness and chaos, and find the peace and... self-deceptive tranquility he depended on for survival.