Ark Simulator, Aren't I Supposed to Be Incorporeal?

The room fell into another extreme of awkwardness and silence. Only Su Rui's heavy breathing and Enya's soft, tearful sobs could be heard.

As soon as Su Rui felt the grip on his shoulders disappear, he immediately sat up! He quickly tugged at his disheveled robe, trying to cover his exposed skin, then hugged his bristling tail, shrank to the corner of the bed, and glared at the two "culprits" opposite him with a wary, angry, and utterly aggrieved look!

Look! This is the evidence! These two women, staying up all night, conspired to "kidnap" him into bed, and then turned around and accused him! Where is justice?!

Volume 18, Chapter 1113: Why is he turning around and biting back?

Enya felt like she could disappear into the ground under Su Rui's accusing gaze. She buried her face in the blanket and sobbed as she apologized, "I'm sorry... Su Rui... We really didn't mean it... We just... we were just worried you'd catch a cold sleeping on the carpet... we wanted you to be more comfortable..." Her explanation was weak and unconvincing; even she didn't believe it.

Yela leaned against the wall, her hands clenched into fists, her knuckles white. She took several deep breaths to barely suppress the turmoil in her heart, and with what she could muster a calm (but still slightly trembling) tone, she forced herself to explain, "... Last night... there were indeed some inappropriate things. But... touching others with one's tail... is not... the act of a gentleman." She was still trying to regain some ground, though her confidence was clearly lacking.

"A gentleman?!" Su Rui was so angry she almost laughed, her dark eyes blazing with even more fury. "I tried to reason with you, and you acted like thugs! Now you're talking about being a gentleman?! Was my tail touching you? I was just waking you up! A gentle pat! How can you just grab me and hold me down like this?! This is illegal detention! This is kidnapping!"

The use of modern terms like "illegal detention" and "kidnapping" from Su Rui's mouth startled Enya and Yela. Although they didn't quite understand the specific meanings, given the context, it was clearly not a positive word. Enya lowered her head even further, and Yela's face darkened even more.

"Besides!" Su Rui got angrier and angrier, pointing at Yela, "You! You're so strong! My shoulder still hurts from pressing down on me!" He then pointed at Enya, "You! You don't look heavy, but you made it hard for me to breathe!" Finally, he hugged his tail and concluded in despair, "Anyway! It's all your fault! I'm going back to my carpet now! None of you are allowed to touch me again!"

After saying that, he hugged his tail and angrily tried to crawl off the bed. He didn't want to stay in this godforsaken place for another second!

However, the moment he moved, Yela and Enya spoke up almost simultaneously!

"Wait!" / "Don't go!"

Su Rui paused, turning back warily to glare at them. "What?! Trying to kidnap me?!"

Enya peeked half her flushed face out from under the covers, her eyes filled with guilt and... a hint of reluctance? She murmured softly, "Su Rui... it's... it's cold outside... the carpet... it's really uncomfortable... you... you can sleep here... I... I promise I won't touch you... I'll go back to my room to sleep..." As she spoke, she tried to get out of bed, wrapped in the covers.

Yela took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down, and said stiffly, "... This matter... was due to my lack of consideration. You... stay and rest. I... will go stand guard outside." She was also preparing to leave this place of trouble that had made her extremely embarrassed.

Seeing the two of them acting as if they were "well-repentant" and preparing to "leave the scene," Su Rui's anger subsided slightly, but he was still full of resentment and dissatisfaction. He hugged his tail and snorted coldly, "Now you know you're wrong? Where were you before?" He looked at the hard bed, then thought about the warm carpet, and ultimately the temptation of "having the bed all to himself" won out. After all, even a hard bed is better than a carpet, right?

"... Hmph!" He let out a heavy snort, which was tantamount to tacit approval. But he still huddled in the corner of the bed, his eyes warning them: Get out of here! Don't get in the way!

Enya and Yela felt like they had been granted a pardon and practically scrambled out of the room in a disheveled state. Enya even forgot to put on her shoes and ran barefoot back to her bedroom. Yela, on the other hand, stood outside the door, leaning against the cold wall, looking up at the ceiling, experiencing for the first time in her life what it meant to have a "heart racing" and to feel "utterly ashamed."

Finally, only Su Rui remained in the room. He let out a long sigh of relief, as if he had just fought a tough battle, and collapsed onto the bed, completely exhausted. Holding his fluffy tail in his arms, he stared at the ceiling, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

Shame, anger, resentment, and a hint of... relief at surviving a disaster?

These two women... they're his nemesis! He must stay away from them from now on! Especially at night! He absolutely cannot let them succeed again!

He made up his mind, turned over, buried his face in the pillow that still smelled of Enya's hair and Yela's cold fragrance, and groaned softly.

He'll remember this! Yela! Enya! You just wait!

Su Rui, pouting, hugged his fluffy tail like a taunting, homeless snow leopard cub, curling up alone in the corner of the largest, softest sofa in the Meditation Room. He buried his face in his tail's bushy fur, revealing only his obsidian-like eyes, which warily scanned his surroundings, as if on guard against another attack from those two "female demons."

The chaos, shame, and anger stemming from that morning's "sharing a bed" incident still churned within him. Being forcibly "moved," "slandered," and "suppressed"... it was an utter disgrace! When had Su Rui ever suffered such humiliation?! Although... that salty milk tea tasted pretty good? And the pastries... smelled quite delicious? Bah! That's not the point! The point is a matter of principle!

He made up his mind to ignore those two people for the entire day! He was going to give them the silent treatment! He wanted to express his strong protest and dissatisfaction!

Time passed slowly in the silence. The fire in the fireplace was rekindled, crackling warmly. Outside, the wind and snow continued, but inside, an awkward, calm before the storm permeated the room.

After an unknown amount of time, the door to the Meditation Room was gently pushed open a crack.

Su Rui's ears perked up instantly! His tail bristled with fur! He abruptly raised his head, his sharp black eyes piercing the doorway!

The first thing to peek in was Enya's face, filled with caution and deep apology. Her lake-blue eyes were shimmering with tears, like a child who had done something wrong. In her hands, she carried an exquisite tray with a steaming cup of beverage that exuded a rich milky aroma and a hint of saltiness, as well as a small dish of crispy, golden-brown pancakes.

"Su Rui ..." Enya's voice was soft and ingratiating. "Are you...are you hungry? I...I prepared some salty milk tea for you, and some freshly baked pancakes...the kind you like, salty..." As she spoke, she carefully moved in, her footsteps so light they were almost inaudible.

Almost at the same time Enya entered, another figure slipped in from behind the door. It was Yela. She still had a cold expression, but her eyes weren't as sharp and intimidating as usual. Instead, they carried a hint of... barely perceptible awkwardness and... guilt? She was also carrying a tray with a pot of steaming black tea and several delicate traditional Kjerag pastries.

Volume 18, Chapter 1114: Two People Have Guilts

The two men, one after the other, like two servants with ulterior motives, shuffled slowly to the sofa.

Su Rui gave a cold snort, buried her face back in her tail, and turned her back to them, expressing her firm stance of "I don't want to talk to you" with her actions!

Enya and Yela exchanged a glance, both seeing helplessness and... a hint of awareness that "the task is arduous" in each other's eyes.

"Su Rui ...I'm so sorry..." Enya placed the tray on the low table in front of the sofa, then squatted down beside it, tilting her head back and looking pitifully at the back of Su Rui's head with her big, watery, lake-blue eyes. "This morning...we were wrong...we shouldn't have...we shouldn't have treated you like that...please forgive us, okay?" Her voice was trembling with tears, but it sounded incredibly sincere.

Yela didn't speak, but silently placed the black tea and snacks on the low table, then stood up straight like a wooden stake, but her eyes kept glancing at Su Rui's bristling tail and bright red ear tips.

Su Rui remained unmoved, even clinging to her tail even tighter. Hmph! A self-inflicted injury ploy? Useless!

Seeing that her gentle approach wasn't working, Enya's eyes lit up, and she began to use the "food temptation" tactic. She picked up the cup of salty milk tea, moved closer to Su Rui, and said in a coaxing tone, "Su Rui ~ Look, this salty milk tea is freshly brewed by me using the best yak milk and rock salt, and I even added a little bit of black pepper for flavor. It's so fragrant~ Why don't you try some? It won't taste good when it's cold~" The rich aroma of milk and saltiness, like little hooks, went straight for Su Rui's nose.

Su Rui's throat bobbed almost imperceptibly. He... was indeed a little hungry. He hadn't eaten much since last night. The smell of that salty milk tea... was indeed very tempting. And those baked pancakes, golden and crispy...

But he can't be so spineless! He thinks he can be bought off with a meal? What does he take him for?!

"And this pancake, Yela specially baked it, the heat was just right, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside..." Enya continued to add to the feast, even picking up a pancake and deliberately waving it next to Su Rui, making a crisp "crunch" sound.

Yela baked these? Su Rui's ears twitched almost imperceptibly. He remembered Yela's pastry-making skills... they were indeed quite good? He'd tasted some before...

Seeing that Su Rui hadn't turned his head, but his bristling tail seemed to relax a little and his ears turned slightly toward the source of the sound, Enya was secretly pleased and gave Yela a wink.

Yela received the signal, stiffly took half a step forward, and said in her flat, emotionless voice, though she tried to soften it (but to no avail): "... Black tea. Warming to the stomach."

Those three simple words were like the last straw that broke the camel's back.

Su Rui's willpower finally... wavered under the dual assault of hunger and the aroma of delicious food.

He very slowly, with utmost reluctance, lifted his face a little from his tail fur, and secretly glanced at the tempting food and drinks on the low table out of the corner of his eye.

Enya and Yela immediately noticed his subtle movement! They were both secretly delighted!

Enya quickly pushed the salty milk tea forward again, almost bringing it to Su Rui's lips. "Try it~ It's really delicious!"

Su Rui looked at the milky white drink, its surface glistening with a thin layer of oil, steaming hot and savory, then at the plate of golden pancakes, and finally... couldn't resist the temptation. He awkwardly let out a very soft "hmm" through his nose, as if... tacitly agreeing?

Enya felt like she had been granted a pardon and quickly handed him the cup. Yela also silently pushed the plate of snacks toward him.

Su Rui took the warm cup, sniffed it warily to make sure there was no strange smell, and then took a small sip. The rich milky aroma, the perfect saltiness, and a hint of black pepper spiciness instantly filled her mouth. The warmth slid down her esophagus into her stomach, dispelling much of the chill and... anger. The taste... was indeed quite good.

He picked up another tortilla, took a bite, and with a "crunch," it was crispy and crumbly, yet soft on the inside, with the aroma of wheat and butter. Delicious.

As the delicious food settled in his mouth, Su Rui's tense expression visibly eased. Although he still wore a stern face, the oppressive aura emanating from him dissipated considerably. He sipped his salty milk tea and ate his pancakes, temporarily forgetting the unpleasantness of the morning.

Enya and Yela both secretly breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing this.

However, just as Su Rui was enjoying the comfort of the food, two "devilish claws" silently... reached out to him again!

Seeing that Su Rui's mood had improved, Enya became bolder again. She squatted down by the sofa, a sweet, ingratiating smile on her face, and very "naturally" reached out and gently... placed her hand on Su Rui's fluffy snow leopard ears, which were drooping slightly as she relaxed!

"Su Rui ~ Is it good?" she asked softly, her fingers beginning to gently, almost like a massage, knead Su Rui's earlobe!

Almost simultaneously, Yela, standing on the other side, also seemingly casually reached out, her target clear— Su Rui's large tail, which was unconsciously swaying lightly on the sofa cushion! She grabbed the middle of the tail and began to use her fingertips... to comb the slightly messy long fur! Her movements still carried that "professional" skill and... an undeniable forcefulness!

Su Rui: "!!!"

He froze, his hand still sipping his milk tea! The familiar, tingling sensation returned to his ears and tail—two sensitive spots! He nearly choked on his milk tea!

He abruptly raised his head, his dark eyes instantly blazing with anger as he glared at the two women on either side who were pushing their luck! He was about to explode—

"Would you like another piece of this pancake? There are plenty left~" Enya immediately smiled and handed him another pancake to shut him up, but her kneading motions didn't stop at all. In fact, they became even gentler because of Su Rui's stiffness, with a soothing meaning.

"Black tea." Yela said succinctly, pushing the teacup towards him again, while her other hand began to groom her tail fur with even more... meticulousness? As if she were performing an important grooming task.

Su Rui looked at the pancake at her lips, and felt the rather... pleasant sensation coming from her ears and tail. Then, thinking of the delicious salty milk tea and snacks she had just drunk... the scolding that was about to come out of her mouth was swallowed back down.

He opened his mouth, but in the end... he only let out a heavy, extremely dissatisfied snort from his throat, "... Hmph!"

Then... he actually... didn't push them away?! Instead... it was as if he tacitly approved? He took a vicious bite of the crepe Enya handed him, then picked up the teacup and took a big gulp, as if turning his anger into appetite! And his body, after its initial stiffness, actually... gradually... relaxed under the two's skillful "massage"?!

Volume 18, Chapter 1115: Snow Leopard Cat

The comfortable sensation of having one's ears massaged, the smooth feeling of one's tail being groomed, plus the warm, comforting food in one's stomach... this comprehensive "pampering" seems... not so hard to accept? Perhaps even... a little enjoyable?

As Su Rui ate and drank, she secretly glanced at Enya and Yela out of the corner of her eye. Enya had a satisfied smile on her face, like a cat that had stolen cream, while Yela, though still with a stern face, seemed to have... softened a little?

The anger he felt melted away quickly under the combined onslaught of delicious food and a massage, like ice and snow under the sun. Fine... for the sake of the salty milk tea and snacks... for the sake of the rather comfortable massage... I'll forgive them this time for now? But not again!

Thus, an extremely "harmonious" scene unfolded in the Meditation Room: Su Rui (the snow leopard version) leaned back on the sofa like a lord, enjoying delicious snacks and drinks; Enya squatted to one side, "lovingly" kneading his ears; Yela stood on the other side, "professionally" combing his tail. The atmosphere that had just been tense had now become... warm (?) and... eerie.

Su Rui even unconsciously let out a very soft, satisfied gurgle, though he immediately covered it up with a cough.

Enya and Yela exchanged a glance, both revealing smug smiles of "the plan is in the air."

It seems that the best way to deal with this stubborn snow leopard is with delicious food and gentle care!

A morning "crisis" was quietly resolved amidst the aroma of salty milk tea and pastries, and... the clutches of some "malicious" individuals. It's just unknown how long this "harmonious" mode of "one willing to give, one willing to receive" can last. Su Rui's "principles" seem increasingly vulnerable in the face of delicious food and massage.

Time slipped away quietly amidst the rich aroma of salty milk tea, the sweetness of pastries, and... the drowsy, comfortable massage coming from his ears and tail. Su Rui (Snow Leopard version) leaned back in the soft sofa, eyes half-closed, like a large, lazy Big Cat fur had been pampered to the extreme, unconsciously emitting extremely soft, satisfied purrs. The slight unpleasantness of the morning had long since been washed away by the delicious food and the "massage." He was even... enjoying it?

Enya and Yela looked at Su Rui's unguarded, even somewhat enjoying, obedient (?) appearance, and were filled with the satisfaction of "successfully feeding/soothing her fur". Enya's rubbing of her ears became even gentler, Yela's fingers combing her tail became even more meticulous.

However, pleasant times are always fleeting. When the clock struck nine in the morning, Enya's sense of duty as a saint forced her to leave this warm (?) atmosphere.

She reluctantly withdrew her hand, gently patted Su Rui's shoulder, and said softly, "Su Rui, it's getting late, I have to go read the scriptures." There was a hint of helplessness and weariness in her tone.

Su Rui was being pampered comfortably when he heard this. He frowned almost imperceptibly, lazily opened his dark eyes a crack, glanced at Enya, and let out a muffled hum from his nose. "... Hmm." Meaning: Go ahead, what does it have to do with me? He couldn't wait for these two "female demons" to leave so he could have some peace and quiet.

Enya looked at his nonchalant, "it's none of my business" attitude, a sly glint in her lake-blue eyes. She suddenly leaned closer to Su Rui, a sweet, almost cloying smile on her face, "Su Rui ~ will you come with me? Reading scriptures alone is so boring~ With you by my side, I'm sure I can read faster!"

Su Rui: "!!!"

His eyes widened instantly, his dark pupils filled with disbelief and... disdain! Accompany her to read scriptures?! That kind of boring, tedious stuff where she couldn't even recognize all the characters?! Are you kidding me! He'd rather go to the training ground and practice his sword a thousand times!

"No!" Su Rui refused without hesitation, his tone stiff. "Go by yourself! I want to sleep!" After saying that, he immediately buried his face in his tail fur, adopting a "I'm fast asleep, do not disturb" posture.

"Oh dear~ please~" Enya persisted, gently shaking Su Rui's arm (avoiding sensitive spots), "Look, it's still snowing outside, so cold. The study is warm, and there's a soft couch you can lie on. Just think of it as... sleeping somewhere else~ I promise I won't disturb you! You can just sit next to me~" She pleaded softly, her lake-blue eyes filled with expectation, as if Su Rui refusing would be a grave sin.

Su Rui buried her face even deeper, covering her ears tightly with her tail, and protested in a muffled voice, "... Noisy! I'm not going! It's so annoying!"

Standing to the side, Yela watched Enya relentlessly pursue Su Rui, a hint of disapproval flashing in her dark eyes. She believed that the saint's study of scriptures was a sacred and serious matter; what kind of decorum was it to bring this "beast boy of unknown origin" to the study? What if he was clumsy and damaged the precious ancient books?

She was about to speak up to dissuade him when she met Enya's pleading gaze, which seemed to say, "Don't worry about it." Yela's words caught in her throat. She looked at the rare, vibrant smile on Enya's face, then at the furry figure curled up on the sofa, radiating rejection. In the end, she simply pursed her lips and swallowed her words of advice. Oh well... as long as the Saintess is happy, as long as... this kid behaves himself.

"Su Rui ~ please~" Enya, seeing that her hard approach wasn't working, started to use a softer one, her voice trembling with tears (pretended), "Those scriptures are so thick and heavy, and the words are so small, my eyes are getting tired from reading them... With you next to me, can I... can I ask you to help me turn the pages? Or... when I'm tired, can I look at you and soothe my eyes?" She got more and more outrageous, even using the word "soothe my eyes".

Su Rui lifted his head slightly from his tail fur, revealing half of his black eye that seemed to ask, "Are you alright?", and glared at Enya. This woman... she'd stop at nothing to get him to be her "study companion"! And she calls him "handsome"? What does she think he is? A pretty face?!

"I... won't... go!" he said, emphasizing each word and gritting his teeth as he reiterated his stance.

Enya that neither gentle persuasion nor force would work, Enya pouted, and her lake-blue eyes instantly welled up with tears, as if they were about to "rain": "Su Rui... do you... hate me? Because of what happened this morning... you're still angry with me, aren't you? So... you won't even spend a little time reading with me..." As she spoke, her voice choked up, her shoulders trembled slightly, and she looked heartbroken and pitiful.

Volume 18, Chapter 1116: Not being angry means agreeing.

Su Rui: "..." He couldn't stand women crying! Especially... a beauty like Enya, looking at him with those pitiful eyes and crying! Even though he knew she was probably faking it, those tears looked so real! What if she really cried? Wouldn't he become the sinner?

"You... you don't cry!" Su Rui frantically lifted her head from her tail, looking at Enya's red eyes, her voice softening involuntarily, "I... I'm not angry! I just... I just don't want to see those boring things!"

"So if you're not angry, it means you agreed to come with me?" Enya immediately seized the opportunity, her tears instantly turning into a smile, her change of expression leaving Su Rui speechless!

"I... I didn't mean that!" Su Rui realized she had fallen into a trap.

"So what do you mean?" Enya blinked her big, watery eyes, pressing closer.

Looking at Enya's "I'll keep crying if you don't agree" attitude, and feeling Yela's cold, warning gaze beside him, Su Rui felt utterly overwhelmed. He irritably flicked his tail, and finally, in a fit of self-reproach, let out a long, extremely reluctant sigh from deep within his throat:

"Ugh! Fine, fine! I'll go with you! Okay?! Stop crying! It's so annoying!" He practically yelled, his face etched with the despair of being forced into this situation.

"Yay! That's great!" Enya instantly lit up with a smile, all traces of sadness gone. She happily took Su Rui's hand (or paw?), "Let's go! The study is so warm!"

With a dark expression, Su Rui was reluctantly dragged off the sofa by Enya. He clutched his tail, as if being led to his execution, and was half-dragged, half-pulled towards the study by Enya. Yela silently followed behind the two, like the most loyal shadow.

As Enya had described, the study was indeed spacious and bright, with a roaring fireplace that kept it warm and cozy. A large mahogany desk stood by the window, piled high with heavy, antique-looking leather-bound scrolls. Beside it was a chaise lounge covered in soft animal hide.

Enya gently helped Su Rui sit down on the recliner and thoughtfully covered him with a light blanket. She said with a smile, "You can rest here, or... play with your terminal? Do whatever you want, as long as you're by my side~" Her tone was light and cheerful, as if Su Rui's company was some great joy.

Su Rui rolled her eyes at her, snorted, took out her terminal, and started swiping away on her own, demonstrating with her actions that "I'm just a heartless tutoring machine."

Enya didn't mind, and sat down at her desk in a cheerful mood. She took a deep breath and opened the ancient scroll that was so thick it could kill someone. The dense, tadpole-like ancient Kjerag script came into view, and her brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, a clear hint of... boredom and exhaustion flashing in her eyes. Studying these obscure and difficult texts was indeed a tedious and heavy burden for her.

She began to read aloud in a low voice, clear and melodious, but with a formulaic and unenthusiastic tone.

At first, Su Rui paid no attention, focusing intently on the paper on the optimization of the new type of firearm structure on the terminal screen. But Enya's reading voice, like background noise, continuously entered his ears. The awkward syllables, the repetitive prayers, and the undisguised boredom in Enya's tone gradually made him somewhat irritable.

He secretly lifted his eyelids and glanced at Enya. She was sitting upright at her desk, her back straight, her profile appearing exceptionally pure in the snowy light outside the window. However, her lake-blue eyes were filled with obvious... distraction and... drowsiness? She would read a few sentences and then sneak a small yawn, or let her gaze drift to the swirling snowflakes outside the window, clearly her mind had already wandered far away.

Su Rui's lips twitched almost imperceptibly. This is it? And they still insist on dragging him along to "study with them"? He can't even concentrate on his own studies!

Strangely, however, when Enya occasionally shifted her gaze from the scriptures to steal a glance at Su Rui lying on the soft couch beside her, when she saw the silver-haired boy holding a terminal, frowning, with an awkward "don't mess with me" look, yet quietly staying by her side, the weariness in her eyes seemed to dissipate somewhat, and the corners of her mouth would unconsciously curve into a small smile, and then... as if she had gained some kind of strength, she would (reluctantly) return her attention to the scriptures.

Although efficiency remains low, it seems... not so unbearable anymore?

Although Su Rui pretended not to see it, Enya's subtle emotional changes were clearly observed by him. He scoffed inwardly: Women are such strange creatures! Having a living person beside her can alleviate boredom? What kind of logic is that!