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

Su Rui ignored her gaze, carefully lifting Lemuen into the car and placing her in the spacious seat specially reserved for her. He fastened her seatbelt, then folded the wheelchair and put it in the trunk. He performed the entire process meticulously, his movements fluid and focused, as if completing an important task. Only after finishing did he sit expressionlessly in the seat next to the driver—he insisted on sitting there, arguing that it would allow him to better observe the road conditions (actually, it was to stay as far away as possible from Mostima in the back).

Volume 17, Chapter 1042: Opening one's eyes, one is greeted by the city.

Fiammetta sat on the other side of the back row, while Mostima sat in the middle with a grin, perfectly separating Fiammetta from... theoretically the furthest seat from Su Rui.

The car started smoothly and drove away from Laterano, merging into the Holy City road leading out of the city. The scenery outside the window gradually changed from the orderly buildings of the Holy City to the open wilderness. Low shrubs, exposed rocks, and undulating mountains in the distance formed a desolate yet magnificent picture.

The carriage was quiet at first. Fiammetta seemed unaccustomed to such a long journey, looking out the window somewhat nervously. Mostima, on the other hand, leaned back leisurely in her seat, closing her eyes to rest, a faint smile still playing on her lips. Lemuen occasionally exchanged a few words with Su Rui in hushed tones, mainly about the route and itinerary arrangements.

Su Rui remained silent for most of the time, his gaze fixed on the desolate landscape rushing past the window. His thoughts drifted. It wasn't until nearly an hour into the drive, when they passed a road sign, that he snapped back to reality. The sign clearly indicated the name of the city ahead and its distance— Siesta, 150 kilometers.

Siesta?!

Su Rui's pupils contracted slightly. He had only heard Lemuen and Mostima mention a "seaside resort area" before, without paying much attention to the specific location. Now he realized that the destination was Siesta! That bustling, vibrant coastal city famous for its tourism industry, teeming with tourists! This was completely different from the "quiet and secluded" resort he had imagined! He could almost picture the noisy beaches, the crowds, and the pervasive commercial atmosphere!

A wave of irritation washed over him instantly. He hated crowded places! He hated tourist cities with a strong commercial atmosphere even more! He almost immediately started questioning them, and even considered turning the car around and going back.

But just before he frowned and was about to explode, he caught a glimpse of Lemuen beside him out of the corner of his eye. She was tilting her head slightly, watching the scenery outside the window change, a serene and expectant smile on her face. Sunlight streamed through the car window, illuminating her soft cheeks and halo, as if coating them with a warm glow. She seemed very happy about the upcoming arrival at Siesta.

Su Rui swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue. He remembered Lemuen's promise—a private villa, a private yard, a private pool, and no outside interference. If... if it really was as she said, that they could avoid those noisy public areas and stay only in their own little world... then, perhaps Siesta... wasn't entirely unable to accept it?

More importantly, he saw the pure anticipation and joy in Lemuen's eyes. He couldn't bear to spoil her good mood because of his own likes and dislikes. This vacation was meant to make her relax and happy.

Thinking of this, his tense nerves relaxed slightly. He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his agitation, and turned his gaze back to the window. Oh well... since he agreed, he might as well... as long as he doesn't have to squeeze into those damn public beaches, everything will be fine.

His thoughts drifted back to the dark blue swimsuit he so vehemently hated, yet had been forced to shove at the very bottom of his suitcase. A private pool... just the few of them... Lemuen had promised... His ears burned slightly. If... if it really was only in that absolutely private space, only for Lemuen to see... perhaps... the shame and resistance... wouldn't be entirely unbearable? At least, it was infinitely better than wearing it in public. This thought gave him a strange... comfort? Or perhaps, a helpless self-hypnosis?

He leaned against the car window, letting the scenery outside flow by. The vast wilderness, the occasional fleeting ruins of Mobile City, the faintly visible Originium- contaminated areas on the distant horizon... he was already used to these sights. His gaze was somewhat vacant, as if he were looking, yet as if he wasn't seeing anything at all. His instinctive aversion to the unknown (especially crowded environments), his accommodation of Lemuen, and a secret expectation of "just the two of them" intertwined to form a complex and indescribable emotion.

The atmosphere inside the carriage gradually livened up. Fiammetta seemed to have adapted to the journey and started chatting with Lemuen, the topic gradually shifting from anecdotes about Laterano to her imagination of Siesta. Mostima would occasionally chime in, describing the sunsets and seafood of Siesta in her exaggerated and mysterious tone, eliciting gasps of surprise from Fiammetta.

Su Rui remained silent, but it was no longer the cold, guarded silence; instead, it carried a kind of... empty calm. He listened to Lemuen's soft voice and occasional chuckles behind him, felt the slight vibrations of the vehicle's smooth ride, and heard the howling wind of the wilderness outside the window... A strange feeling, somewhere between restlessness and tranquility, slowly enveloped him.

Perhaps... this trip won't be as bad as he imagines? As long as... he can avoid the factors he hates most. And right now, the most important factor— Lemuen —is within his reach. This realization is like a reassuring pill, gradually calming his chaotic thoughts.

He adjusted his posture to make himself more comfortable, closed his eyes, and planned to take a short nap. The journey was still long, and he needed to conserve his energy to deal with the various "unexpected events" that might occur (especially those that Mostima might cause). As for Siesta... he'd deal with that when they arrived. For now, he just wanted to enjoy this moment of relatively peaceful travel time.

Su Rui woke up to a gentle rocking and Lemuen's soft calling.

"Su Rui... Su Rui? Wake up, we're here."

He opened his eyes somewhat groggily, his consciousness still hazy from a long period of light sleep. The first thing he saw was Lemuen's face, close to his, with a gentle smile. Her lake-blue eyes looked exceptionally clear in the light streaming in from the car window. He blinked, adjusting his eyes to the light, before realizing that the car had stopped.

"We've arrived?" His voice was hoarse and languid, as if he had just woken up. He sat up straight, rubbed his slightly sore neck, and turned his gaze to the scenery outside the car window.

This sight instantly sobered him up considerably.

The view outside the car window was no longer a desolate wilderness, but a scene full of tropical charm. Tall palm trees swayed their broad leaves, and sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting dappled patterns of light.

Volume 17, Chapter 1043: I won't wear it.

The air was humid and warm, carrying the distinctive salty smell of the sea and a faint floral fragrance. They were parked in front of a modern, clean-lined, pure white villa, surrounded by lush tropical plants that formed a natural barrier, isolating them from the outside world's noise. Most striking was a shimmering, azure private swimming pool, its surface sparkling alluringly in the sunlight, clearly visible through the glass wall on one side of the villa.

This... is this our destination? Siesta?

Su Rui's brows furrowed unconsciously as he scanned his surroundings with a hint of wariness. To his surprise, the place wasn't as noisy and crowded as he had expected in a tourist city. The villa seemed to be in a rather secluded location, far from the main road, with no sounds of traffic, only the rustling of leaves in the wind and the faint sound of waves in the distance. The environment was indeed... very quiet and private.

Especially the private pool, which looked clean and spacious, and most importantly—there wasn't a single other person in sight! This finally eased his tense nerves. It seemed that Lemuen and Mostima hadn't lied to him; this truly was a secluded paradise away from the crowds.

"How is it? The environment is pretty good, isn't it?" Lemuen's voice carried a hint of pride; she had clearly noticed the softening of Su Rui's expression. "This villa was recommended by Mostima; it's in a great location and very quiet."

Su Rui let out a soft, ambiguous hum, tacitly agreeing. He opened the car door, got out first, and took a deep breath of the warm, sea-scented air. The stiffness from sitting in the car for so long made him reluctant to move immediately. He looked at the beautiful villa in front of him, then at Lemuen, who had just been carried out of the car and was sitting in a wheelchair, and at Fiammetta and Mostima, who were getting out of the car one after another. Suddenly, he felt... rather than going in to unpack and settle down right away, he should take care of his hunger first. After the long drive, he felt a little hungry.

"Let's eat first," he suggested succinctly, his tone carrying a lazy air of "not wanting to bother anymore." "Let's find a place." He didn't want to cook for himself in the villa; that was too much trouble.

Lemuen's eyes lit up at the suggestion, and she immediately nodded in agreement. "Great! I'm hungry too! I've heard the seafood in Siesta is quite good, shall we find a restaurant?" She looked at Mostima and Fiammetta, seeking their opinions.

Fiammetta naturally had no objections, Mostima also smiled and agreed.

However, just as Su Rui thought they could set off to find food immediately, Lemuen suddenly turned to look at him, a mischievous yet expectant glint in her lake-blue eyes, her tone slightly coquettish. "Su Rui ~ Now that we're at the beach, and the weather's so nice... why don't you go change into your swimsuit first? We can take a walk on the beach later, or... have dinner by the villa's pool? I'll have the restaurant deliver some food?"

A swimsuit?! Or that dark blue "rag"?!

Su Rui's body stiffened instantly! The languid look on his face was replaced by wariness and resistance! He stared at Lemuen as if he had heard some unbelievable suggestion. "Now? Change into your swimsuit? Go eat?" His voice was incredibly sharp, "Are you crazy?!" To eat in a public place (even a semi-public poolside) wearing that kind of thing? That was worse than death for him!

"It's not a public place!" Lemuen quickly explained, a reassuring smile on her face. "It's by a private pool! I've already checked, the pool is surrounded by a tall green wall, completely private! No outsiders will see us! Besides... it takes time for the delivery to arrive, so why don't you change into it first and get used to it? Just think of it as... getting ready for the pool activities tonight?" She blinked, trying to make her reason sound reasonable.

Su Rui's face remained grim. He was extremely unwilling! That swimsuit was the biggest psychological obstacle to his trip; he had originally planned to postpone wearing it as long as possible, ideally until the end of the trip! Now, he was forced to face it as soon as he got off the bus?!

He looked into Lemuen's expectant eyes, eyes that seemed to dim at the slightest disapproval, and then remembered her promises of "absolute privacy" and "no outsiders." He also considered that he had indeed been traveling for too long and was feeling a bit uncomfortable; changing into something more comfortable seemed... plausible? And if it were just in a completely private space... perhaps... the "horror factor" of that swimsuit would be reduced a little?

After a fierce internal struggle and bargaining, under Lemuen's persistent, gentle yet firm gaze, Su Rui reluctantly, with a sense of tragic desperation, squeezed out a single word through gritted teeth. "... Okay."

He agreed with extreme difficulty, as if he were embarking on a daunting suicide mission.

Lemuen's face immediately lit up with a delighted smile! "Great! Go on then! I've put your swimsuit in the top compartment of your suitcase!" she happily instructed.

With a dark expression, Su Rui walked silently to the trunk, took out his suitcase, and dragged it into the villa as if heading to his execution. He went straight to the bathroom to change his clothes. He needed some private space to mentally prepare himself.

Lemuen watched his retreating figure, her smile deepening. She pushed the wheelchair, and together with Mostima and Fiammetta, they entered the villa. The villa's interior was simply yet comfortably decorated, spacious and bright, with a beautiful private swimming pool visible through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

"Shall we go change into something lighter?" Lemuen said to Fiammetta and Mostima.

After a while, when Su Rui finally finished his long internal struggle and reluctantly put on the dark blue swimsuit, and put on a thin beach shirt over it (trying to increase the coverage), he walked slowly to the edge of the pool. The sight he saw made him freeze instantly, and then a surge of anger at being deceived rose up!

On a lounge chair by the pool, Lemuen, Mostima, and Fiammetta were sitting leisurely! And what they were wearing... weren't swimsuits at all! Lemuen wore a pale yellow knee-length dress, fresh and elegant; Fiammetta wore a neat short-sleeved shirt and shorts, comfortable for movement; even the most unconventional Mostima was simply wearing light linen trousers and a tank top! All three were dressed completely fully and neatly! They didn't look at all like they were about to go into the water or enjoy the sun!

Only him! Only him! Foolishly, he changed into that swimsuit that made him feel so uncomfortable, almost like he was half-naked! Like a fool waiting to be admired!

Volume 17, Chapter 1044: I Eat Lemons

Su Rui's face instantly darkened, turning a deep, almost black color! He felt like a clown being mocked! A powerful sense of shame and anger at being fooled intertwined, making him feel as if his body temperature had dropped several degrees! He stared intently at Lemuen, his eyes icy cold enough to freeze a person, and squeezed out a few words through clenched teeth. "... You... played... me?"

When Lemuen saw Su Rui emerge, her eyes lit up at first! The dark blue swimsuit looked surprisingly good on Su Rui! The tight design perfectly accentuated his smooth, powerful muscle lines, and the crisscrossing straps exuded a restrained yet sexy aura. The dark blue color made his silver hair even more dazzling and his skin even whiter. Even with an open beach shirt, he couldn't hide his stunning charm. But then, she met Su Rui's dark eyes, which seemed to spit fire!

She immediately realized that Su Rui had misunderstood! She quickly pushed her wheelchair forward, her face showing apology and a hint of panic, and hurriedly explained, "No! Su Rui! Listen to me! I didn't trick you! We... we wanted to wait for you to change so we could see how it looked, and then... we'd go change into our swimsuits together! Really!" As she spoke, she looked pleadingly at Mostima and Fiammetta.

Mostima suppressed a laugh and nodded, "Yes, Little Su, you look great in this outfit! We were just about to change!" Fiammetta quickly chimed in, "Yes, yes, yes! We'll go change right away!"

But Su Rui didn't believe it at all! He thought it was all a pre-arranged story, just to make him look foolish! He was so angry that his chest heaved violently, and he turned around to rush back to the bathroom to change his clothes! This damn swimsuit! He didn't want to wear it for even a minute longer!

"Su Rui! Wait!" Lemuen was anxious. She quickly pushed her wheelchair to catch up with him and grabbed his wrist. Su Rui was in a bad mood and his grip was strong, causing Lemuen to sway her wheelchair.

Su Rui sensed her unsteadiness and instinctively stopped, but still kept her back to her, radiating a low-pressure aura that said, "Don't touch me."

Lemuen gripped his wrist tightly, looking up at his tense profile and flushed ears, feeling both amused and heartbroken. She knew Su Rui was easily embarrassed, and this time he was genuinely angry. She softened her voice, filled with apology and coquettishness. "I'm sorry, Su Rui ~ I didn't think it through, I should have changed with you... Please don't be angry, okay?" She gently shook his arm, "Look, you look so good in this! Even better than I imagined! I... I really like it..." Her voice trailed off, tinged with shyness.

Su Rui's body remained stiff, but Lemuen's soft apology and straightforward praise were like a gentle breeze, lightly dispelling some of the anger in his heart. He still felt ashamed, but... the words "very beautiful" and "I like it very much" were like feathers, gently scratching a hidden corner of his heart.

Seeing that he didn't immediately shake her off, Lemuen knew she had a chance. She mustered her courage, released his wrist, turned her wheelchair around to face him, looked up at his still tightly pursed lips and his dark eyes flashing with anger, and suddenly reached out and gently cupped his cheeks, forcing him to look down at her.

Then, to Su Rui's astonishment, Lemuen slightly rose onto her tiptoes (with the support of her wheelchair) and quickly and gently placed a kiss on his tightly pursed lips.

The kiss was light and brief, yet it carried a comforting, appeasing, and undeniable affection.

After the kiss ended, Lemuen's cheeks flushed. Her lake-blue eyes gazed at him, watery, and her voice was soft and sweet. "Don't be angry anymore, okay? I promise, we'll go change into our swimsuits right away and be with you, okay? And... the takeout is arriving soon, we'll eat by the pool, just the few of us, absolutely no one else..."

Su Rui was stunned by her sudden kiss and soft pleading. The lingering softness on his lips and the undisguised love in her eyes were like a bucket of warm water, instantly extinguishing most of the anger in his heart. What remained was only a deep sense of helplessness and... a lingering sense of shame.

He looked at her pleading face so close to his, and finally, with extreme annoyance, clicked his tongue, turned his face away, his ears turning even redder. He let out a muffled, resigned murmur from deep in his throat, as if... acquiescing?

In the end... he still succumbed to her gentle advances.

Seeing that his attitude had softened, Lemuen finally breathed a sigh of relief and a smile returned to her face.

The air by the pool seemed to freeze for a few seconds. Su Rui, his face dark and radiating an aura of "keep away," sat stiffly on the lounge chair. His dark blue swimsuit, which he considered almost "indecent," now felt like a scalding hot iron pressed against his skin, making him extremely uncomfortable. He stared intently at the shimmering water, as if all his hatred resided there.

Lemuen, Mostima, and Fiammetta exchanged glances, a hint of awkwardness and... a suppressed chuckle filling the air. Finally, Lemuen broke the silence, pushing her wheelchair to Su Rui's side, a gentle, ingratiating smile on her face, her voice so soft it could melt your heart:

"Su Rui ~ Don't be angry~ Look, the takeout will be here soon, we can eat by the pool, isn't that nice? And..." She paused, her gaze sweeping over Su Rui's extremely eye-catching swimsuit, her eyes flashing with undisguised admiration, "You look really good in this, especially handsome! Let's just say we... admire it for now?"

Su Rui let out a very soft, disdainful snort, not even bothering to lift an eyelid. Appreciation? He felt like a rare animal being stared at! He didn't need that kind of "appreciation" at all!

Mostima watched with great interest, a playful smile on her lips, but she wisely refrained from saying anything that might add fuel to the fire. Fiammetta, on the other hand, was somewhat at a loss, glancing between Su Rui and Lemuen, unsure of what to do.

Just then, the doorbell rang—the takeout had arrived.

Lemuen felt like she'd been granted a pardon and quickly said to Fiammetta, "Fiammetta, could you please go get the takeout?" Fiammetta nodded eagerly and ran to open the door.

The takeout was Siesta specialty seafood set meal that Lemuen had ordered in advance. It was beautifully presented and smelled delicious. The food was placed one by one on the lounge table by the pool.

However, Su Rui merely glanced coldly at the seemingly fresh and juicy lobsters, scallops, and fish, his brow furrowing even deeper. Seafood? Again with this bland, sweet-smelling stuff? He was already seething with displeasure, needing something more direct, something more stimulating to his taste buds to vent! And... he glanced at Lemuen, Mostima, and Fiammetta —all three were Sankta! They'd definitely love this kind of thing! He wasn't going to let them have their way!

Volume 17, Chapter 1045: I don't eat this.

A vengeful thought surged into his mind. He abruptly stood up from the deck chair, the movement so forceful it creaked. He pulled his thin beach shirt tighter (trying to add a meager amount of coverage), his face grim, and spoke in a voice that left no room for argument:

"I won't eat this," he said firmly.

Lemuen paused for a moment, then said, "Huh? Su Rui, this seafood is very fresh, don't you want to try some?"

"No appetite," Su Rui replied curtly, his gaze sweeping over the three men. "I want barbecue." He emphasized the word "barbecue," with a distinct, defiant tone. Barbecue, heavy on oil and salt, smoky and full of life, was a stark contrast to the delicate, light seafood before him. More importantly, barbecue restaurants usually didn't have any decent desserts! He wanted to let these three Sankta, who had a sweet tooth, experience what it meant to "not suit their tastes"!

Lemuen blinked, immediately understanding Su Rui's little scheme. She felt both annoyed and amused, but seeing Su Rui's stubborn, determined look, she knew that going along with him was the best course of action. She quickly nodded, "Okay, okay! Barbecue sounds good too! I know a famous charcoal barbecue place in Siesta, the taste is really authentic! Shall we go now?"

Mostima and Fiammetta naturally had no objections. Mostima was easygoing, while Fiammetta dared not voice any objections.

So, what was originally planned as a poolside seafood feast was changed by Su Rui's capricious (and vengeful) decision to go out for a barbecue. Even more outrageous, Su Rui seemed determined to carry out his "revenge plan," as he even refused to change out of his swimsuit! He simply put on a white T-shirt and loose beach shorts (the T-shirt barely covered the embarrassing crisscross straps on his upper body, but the outline of the swim shorts was still faintly visible). Like a walking "performance art," he walked out of the villa first with an expression that said, "Don't mess with me if you're not happy."

Lemuen watched his retreating figure, sighed helplessly, but her eyes were full of indulgent smiles. She quickly changed into her outdoor clothes with Mostima and Fiammetta and followed him.

As Siesta settled in Siesta, the seaside streets teemed with tourists, brimming with the warmth and energy of a tropical resort. The arrival of Su Rui and her group immediately drew attention. The reason was simple—the silver-haired boy walking ahead was simply too striking. Tall and perfectly proportioned, even in a simple T-shirt and shorts, he couldn't conceal his innate cool demeanor and stunning good looks. Even more captivating were the glimpses of his dark blue swim trunks peeking out from under his T-shirt, his long, straight legs, and the icy expression on his face that seemed to say, "The whole world owes me money," creating a peculiar and striking contrast.

The stares from passersby made Su Rui even more irritated! He quickened his pace, wishing he could fly to the barbecue restaurant immediately and hide in a corner. He hated being watched! Especially... he always felt those eyes were scrutinizing his legs and... his swim trunks! This made him extremely uncomfortable, and his resentment intensified.

Lemuen pushed the wheelchair, trying to keep up with him, with Mostima and Fiammetta close behind. All three carefully observed Sulei's expression, not daring to say a word. Lemuen occasionally whispered reassuringly, "Su Rui, slow down, there's no rush... the shop is just ahead."

Finally, they arrived at what was supposedly the best charcoal barbecue restaurant in Siesta. The restaurant's decor was rugged industrial style, and the air was filled with the rich aroma of grilled meat and charcoal. As soon as they entered, the heat and noise made Su Rui's brow relax slightly—yes, that's the feeling! Direct! Authentic! Much more pleasing to the eye than those pretentious seafood restaurants!

The waiter led them to a relatively quiet booth. Su Rui sat down first, picked up the menu, and without even glancing at it, told the waiter directly, "The best Wagyu beef set meal, for four people. Drinks... iced water. That's it." He didn't give the others a chance to order, directly eliminating any possibility of ordering desserts or drinks.

The waiter paused for a moment, then looked at the other three ladies. Lemuen quickly smiled and nodded, "Let's do it his way, thank you." Mostima and Fiammetta also expressed their agreement.

Thus, the ordering process quickly ended under Su Rui's "dictatorship." While waiting for the food, the atmosphere became somewhat awkward. Su Rui, arms crossed, leaned back in the booth sofa, gazing blankly at the neon-lit street outside the window, still sporting his "don't mess with me" look. But the barely visible outline of his swimsuit beneath his T-shirt, and his slightly pouting lips (though he would never admit it), gave his "cool" image a strange... cuteness? And allure?

Lemuen, Mostima, and Fiammetta would occasionally exchange furtive glances, their eyes involuntarily drifting towards Su Rui. Lemuen was a mixture of pity and amusement, Mostima's was one of admiration and amusement, while Fiammetta's was filled with curiosity and a touch of... awe? They all tacitly remained silent, afraid that a single wrong word might ignite the young master's anger.

Soon, the grilled meat arrived. The high-quality Wagyu beef sizzled melodiously on the hot grill, dripping with oil and releasing an irresistible aroma. Su Rui finally perked up. He picked up the tongs and skillfully laid the slices of meat on the grill, his expression focused, as if performing an important ritual. He habitually placed the first piece of meat he had grilled into Lemuen's bowl.

This instinctive action startled Lemuen for a moment, then a warm feeling welled up inside her. Looking at Su Rui's still tense profile, she couldn't help but smile and softly said, "Thank you."

Su Rui paused for a moment, didn't say anything, but her ears turned slightly red. She continued to grill the meat, as if her previous action was just a casual gesture.

The meal proceeded in this strange yet harmonious atmosphere. Su Rui was in charge of grilling the meat, his movements precise and his control of the heat just right. He gave most of the grilled meat to Lemuen, and occasionally, expressionless, he would place a piece of meat on Mostima and Fiammetta's plate, but he never uttered a word. He ate quickly and intently, as if he wanted to vent all his dissatisfaction on chewing the food.

Meanwhile Lemuen, Mostima, and Fiammetta carefully ate their meat and drank their iced water, occasionally exchanging a few words in hushed tones, deliberately avoiding topics that might offend Su Rui, such as swimsuits and desserts. Their gazes, however, remained subtly fixed on the silver-haired boy who exuded an aura of "I'm not happy" yet was earnestly grilling meat.

Volume 17, Chapter 1046: The One Who Shot Me Up?

Finally, the four of them finished this barbecue feast—a meal without dessert or drinks (only ice water), all under the oppressive atmosphere of Su Rui. When it came time to pay the bill, Su Rui's expression seemed to have softened a little? Perhaps it was the satisfaction of being full, perhaps the subtle pleasure of his successful revenge plan (depriving them of dessert), or perhaps... simply because Lemuen and coaxing towards him the whole time, which finally calmed his stubborn temper.

Stepping out of the barbecue restaurant, the cool night sea breeze blew in. Su Rui subconsciously tightened the collar of her T-shirt, glanced at Lemuen beside her, and asked sullenly, "... Back already?"

Lemuen smiled and nodded, "Yes, let's go back. You must be tired today, get some rest."

On the way back to the villa, Su Rui still walked quickly, but the oppressive atmosphere around him had largely dissipated. He didn't even notice the complex emotions in the eyes of the three women behind him as they watched his retreating figure—helplessness, amusement, indulgence, and perhaps... even a hint of relief at being amused by this childish act of "revenge"?

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the villa's huge floor-to-ceiling windows, filling the living room. The air was filled with the salty, humid scent of the sea breeze and a relaxed, vacation-like atmosphere. Su Rui was the first to wake up; he was simply getting up early on instinct, even on vacation. Dressed in simple loungewear, he went to the kitchen, opened the refrigerator, and saw it was crammed with leftover seafood and barbecue ingredients from the previous night.

He frowned, his face clearly showing his annoyance. Cooking? Especially after yesterday's exhausting "swimsuit incident" and "barbecue revenge," he had absolutely no desire to cook. He just wanted to stay quiet and, ideally, be left alone.

So he decisively closed the refrigerator door, walked into the living room, and announced to the three ladies still in their respective rooms in an unquestionable tone, "Breakfast, go out to eat."

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a domineering "I'm in charge" attitude. After speaking, he walked over to the sofa, sat down, picked up a magazine about the local customs and culture of Siesta that he had somehow found, and began to flip through it, with an air of "I've made my decision, you guys deal with it."

A little while later, Lemuen emerged in her wheelchair. She had changed into a crisp light green dress, her face flushed with the morning glow. Seeing Su Rui, she smiled gently, "Good morning, Su Rui. Want to go out for breakfast? Sure, I was just thinking of trying Siesta's local breakfast."

Immediately afterward, Fiammetta and Mostima also emerged from the room. Fiammetta was still dressed in neat casual clothes, while Mostima had changed into a loose and comfortable cotton and linen dress with an exotic flair, her short SilverAsh hair casually draped over her shoulders, and her usual mysterious smile on her face.

None of the three objected to Su Rui's suggestion to "go out for breakfast." After all, enjoying local cuisine is part of the fun when on vacation.

So, the four of them tidied up a bit and left the villa, walking along the tree-lined street towards a breakfast market that was said to be very popular with the locals. In the early morning in Siesta, the air was fresh, the sun was warm, and there weren't too many pedestrians on the street yet, mostly locals who were up early to exercise or rushing to work. The sea breeze brought a refreshing coolness.

Su Rui pushed Lemuen's wheelchair ahead. He had changed into a simple black short-sleeved T-shirt and khaki cargo shorts, with comfortable canvas shoes on his feet. He looked neat and tidy, but his face remained expressionless, exuding a cold and aloof aura. Lemuen sat in the wheelchair, enjoying the morning sun and sea breeze, in a pleasant mood. Fiammetta and Mostima followed behind, talking in hushed tones.

They soon arrived at the breakfast market. The market wasn't large, but it was bustling with activity, lined with all sorts of food stalls, and the air was filled with the enticing aroma of food. There were stalls selling fresh soy milk and fried dough sticks, seafood porridge, and various specialty snacks... It was a lively and vibrant place, teeming with people.

Su Rui frowned almost imperceptibly. He hated crowded places. But to fill his stomach, he had to endure it. He pushed Lemuen, trying to avoid the crowds, and looked for a stall that looked relatively clean and quiet.