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

Then, to Su Rui's somewhat stunned gaze, Yela lowered her head slightly, leaned closer to him, and with her cold lips, carrying a barely perceptible warmth, quickly and lightly... placed a kiss on Su Rui's smooth forehead.

They parted in an instant, so fast it was almost an illusion.

"Be careful." Yela's voice remained calm and even, but Su Rui seemed to detect a hint of... tacit approval? And... a word of caution?

Su Rui's heart skipped a beat, almost imperceptibly. Her cheeks flushed slightly. This Yela... how could she...?

He didn't say anything, only gave a vague "hmm" in response. Then, without lingering, he turned around, pulled up his hood, and left the Meditation Room quietly, as usual.

This time, his steps seemed lighter than usual. Yela's unexpected kiss, rather than being a "farewell kiss," was more like... an unspoken "permission"? Or... another form of "marking" and "admonition"? In any case, it made him feel that this "outing" seemed more "legitimate."

Volume 18, Chapter 1160: An Encounter with Ensia Silverash

Skilled at avoiding the guards and leaving the Holy Mountain's perimeter, Su Rui once again moved like a snow leopard blending into the forest, speeding down towards the Silverash Manor. He had no specific destination; he just felt it seemed... a little more interesting than the dreary monastery. And this time, he was wiser—he would absolutely not touch anything containing alcohol!

The infiltration of the manor proceeded smoothly as before. Perhaps due to SilverAsh's tacit approval, the manor's defenses were practically nonexistent for him. Instead of going to SilverAsh's office, he wandered aimlessly through the manor's exquisite gardens, corridors, training grounds, and even the servants' quarters. The sun was shining, and although it was still cold, it felt more "human" than the snow and wind of the Holy Mountain.

Just as he strolled to a corridor planted with hardy shrubs and adorned with ice sculptures, a clear, melodious female voice, like the sound of silver bells, carrying undisguised joy and curiosity, suddenly rang out from not far behind him:

"Huh? Who are you? I've never seen you before. Are you new here? Your ears... are so cute!"

Su Rui stopped abruptly! His body tensed instantly! Someone was there! And very close to him! How could he not have noticed beforehand?! Was it because he was distracted?!

He slowly turned around, his dark eyes sharply sweeping towards the source of the sound.

At the corner of the corridor stood a girl who looked about sixteen or seventeen years old. She wore a thick, pale yellow winter dress embroidered with delicate snowflake patterns, over which she wore a white fur cloak, making her fair and rosy face appear like an apple covered in the Pramanix. She had long, smooth, silvery-white hair, the same color as Enya's but with a more vibrant sheen, tied into playful pigtails with two light blue ribbons, the ends falling over her shoulders. Most striking were her eyes—a pair of clear, bright, lake-blue eyes, completely different from the SilverAsh- gray of the snowflakes, like the purest sky, filled with innocent curiosity and naivety! At this moment, those eyes were fixed intently on the pair of furry snow leopard ears on Su Rui's head, which were slightly perked up in alertness!

It's Ensia Silverash! The third young lady of the SilverAsh Family, Enya's younger sister!

Su Rui recognized her instantly. Not only because of her hair and eye color, which were similar to Enya's, but also because of the undisguised, gentle, and tender light in Enya's eyes when she mentioned her countless times. The girl in front of her was indeed as Enya had described: pure, lively, and possessing an innocent, fragile, and touching naivety, like crystal.

"Your tail is so pretty! Is... is it real?" Ensia Silverash seemed completely unaware of Su Rui's wariness and aloofness. Lifting her skirt, she curiously, even cautiously, took two more steps closer to Su Rui, her gaze darting back and forth between Su Rui's ears and tail, her little face filled with a longing that said, "I really want to touch it."

Su Rui's body remained tense, but his wariness eased slightly because the other person was Ensia Silverash. At least, she wasn't hostile. And... that look in her eyes... it's a bit like the way Enya sometimes looks at him? Only more direct, more undisguised.

"...Hmm." Su Rui made a very vague, almost inaudible syllable from his throat as a reply. He neither said yes nor no, but subconsciously tucked his tail behind him.

"Wow! Really!" Ensia Silverash's eyes lit up instantly, as if she had discovered some incredible treasure! She seemed to have completely forgotten to ask about Su Rui's background and purpose, and ignored his understated yet high-quality attire, which was clearly not that of a manor servant. All her attention was drawn to his fluffy ears and bushy tail.

"You... what's your name? Are you the new gardener? Or... a guest invited by my brother?" Ensia Silverash tilted her head and asked innocently, taking another step forward as if wanting to see more clearly. "I'm Ensia Silverash, Enciodes is my brother. You... can I touch your ear? Just for a little while! I promise I'll be gentle!" She held up her index finger, making a "just a little" gesture, her lake-blue eyes filled with a pure, irresistible plea and expectation.

Su Rui: "..." He felt a bit of a headache. This Ensia Silverash, like her sister Enya, seemed to have a natural, irresistible "ability" in some aspects. However, Enya was gentle and tolerant, while Ensia Silverash was unguarded, like a small animal, with pure curiosity and affection.

He should leave immediately. But looking into Ensia Silverash's clear eyes, so similar to Enya's, and her genuine love for "furry things," he found himself... a little hesitant to harden his heart and refuse directly or turn around and leave.

Besides... Enya cares a lot about this younger sister. If he knew he had met Ensia Silverash and even... exchanged a few words with her, he probably... wouldn't be angry, right? Maybe... he'd even be a little happy?

While Su Rui was internally torn, hesitating between staying and leaving, whether to give her the cold shoulder or... just give her a perfunctory response, Ensia Silverash couldn't wait any longer. Seeing that Su Rui didn't immediately object, she suddenly became bolder, assuming he had tacitly agreed. Happily, she tiptoed, reached out, and... reached towards Su Rui's slightly trembling, furry ears on his head!

"!!!" Su Rui's body stiffened instantly! She wanted to back away, but behind her was a cold stone pillar! She wanted to dodge, but was afraid that any sudden movement would frighten or hurt the seemingly delicate girl in front of her! Besides... Ensia Silverash's movements weren't fast, nor were they aggressive; they were driven only by pure curiosity and... fondness?

In a flash, Su Rui's brain made a decision that even he found unbelievable—he... did not dodge.

And so, under the watchful eyes of Su Rui's stiff body and slightly widened dark eyes, Ensia Silverash's fingers, cool in temperature yet exceptionally soft, gently and carefully... touched the tip of his left furry snow leopard ear!

"Wow! So soft! So warm!" Ensia Silverash exclaimed softly in surprise, her fingertips gently caressing his earlobe as if stroking the most precious silk. Her movements were light and careful, as if she were afraid of hurting him.

Su Rui's ear trembled almost imperceptibly at the unfamiliar (yet with a hint of familiar warmth) touch, and the tips of her ear quickly turned a faint pink. A very slight, ticklish, but not unpleasant, sensation, similar to being rubbed by a small animal, came from her ear.

Volume 18, page 1161: That's fine, that's fine.

"...That's enough." Su Rui finally found his voice and spoke somewhat stiffly, tilting his head slightly to indicate that Ensia Silverash could stop. His cheeks flushed slightly from this unfamiliar intimacy from his sister Enya.

"Ah! I'm so sorry! Did I hurt you?" Ensia Silverash immediately withdrew her hand like a startled rabbit, her lake-blue eyes filled with apology as she waved her hands repeatedly. "I just... I just thought it was too cute, I couldn't help it... I'm so sorry!"

"It's nothing." Su Rui turned her face away, her tone still stiff, but she didn't seem really angry.

Ensia Silverash breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that he didn't seem to be angry, then cheered up again. "You still haven't told me your name! Are you new here? Would you like me to show you around the manor? I know lots of fun places!"

She seemed to treat Su Rui as some kind of novel "friend" who needed her "care" and "introduction," and her enthusiasm was so overwhelming that Su Rui couldn't handle it.

Su Rui wanted to say "no need," but looking at Ensia Silverash's excited and happy expression, as if she had found a playmate, and thinking of the gentle yet worried look in Enya's eyes when she mentioned her... he remained silent for a few seconds, and finally, almost imperceptibly, nodded.

"... casual."

"Great!" Ensia Silverash clapped her hands happily, then very naturally reached out and tugged at Su Rui's sleeve (avoiding his hand, seemingly a little shy?), "Come on, come on! I'll take you to see the greenhouse first! There are lots of cold-resistant flowers brought in from outside! They're so beautiful!"

Su Rui let her tug at his sleeve and followed behind her, walking deeper into the manor. Listening to Ensia Silverash's chattering and energetic introduction, and watching her cheerful figure, the impatience he felt from being "forced" to visit seemed to dissipate considerably. This girl was indeed as Enya had described—pure, kind, like a ray of sunshine that could dispel the gloom of winter.

However, this "harmonious" visit did not last long.

As they passed through a relatively secluded corridor leading to the side wing of the main building, a tall, agile, red figure, like a hunting leopard, silently emerged from around the corner at the other end of the corridor.

It is a mace.

She seemed to have just finished her morning training; fine beads of sweat still clung to her forehead, and her short, deep red hair shone like flames in the sunlight. She wore a training uniform that allowed for easy movement, with a dark jacket casually draped over her shoulders. Her amber-like, subtly golden pupils, the moment they appeared, locked onto Su Rui, who was being pulled along by Ensia Silverash and looked somewhat "helpless"!

Their eyes met! The air seemed to freeze for a moment!

In Jian's amber vertical pupils, a fleeting, extremely complex emotion flashed—surprise, wariness, a hint of understanding ("It really was you"), and... a suppressed trace of lingering shame and annoyance from being "teased" last night, and... a sense of eagerness?

Ensia Silverash also saw Jian and immediately greeted her happily, "Sister Jian! Good morning! Look, look, I've met a new friend! His ears and tail are so amazing!"

She seemed completely oblivious to the subtle, tense (one-sided) atmosphere between Jian and Su Rui, and continued her enthusiastic introduction.

Jian's gaze slowly shifted from Su Rui's face to Ensia Silverash's hand tugging at Su Rui's sleeve, her amber vertical pupils narrowing almost imperceptibly. Then, she looked back at Su Rui, the corners of her mouth curving upwards in an extremely subtle, slightly cold, and... playful arc.

"Good morning, Miss Ensia Silverash." Jian's voice, with a slightly husky and magnetic quality from training, was as she bowed slightly to Ensia Silverash with respect, but her gaze never left Su Rui.

Then, under the expectant gaze of Ensia Silverash (introducing a new friend) and the wary gaze of Su Rui (what is this woman up to?), Jian took a step and walked towards the two of them...

Her pace was neither hurried nor slow, yet it carried a silent, predatory pressure. She stopped in front of Su Rui. The distance was so close that Su Rui could smell the faint scent of sweat mixed with the aroma of leather and metal on her, and... a very subtle, dangerous scent belonging to a wild beast.

Ensia Silverash seemed to sense that something was off. She blinked, looked at Jian, then at Su Rui, and asked softly, "Sister Jian, do you... know each other?"

Jian did not answer Ensia Silverash's question. She simply stared intently at Su Rui with her amber vertical pupils. Then, as Su Rui grew increasingly wary and almost defensive, Jian slowly raised her right hand.

Su Rui's body tensed instantly! His dark eyes sharpened like knives! He thought Jian was about to attack! This woman really did remember last night's "settlement"!

However, the mace's hand did not attack him. Instead... it reached out with a clear target—the top of his head! It reached for his pair of furry snow leopard ears, which were completely erect with tension and vigilance!

Su Rui tried to dodge, but the mace's movements, though seemingly slow, were exceptionally precise, carrying an irresistible control befitting a top-tier warrior! Moreover, Ensia Silverash was right beside him, and he didn't want to frighten her with any sudden movements.

So, to Su Rui's somewhat surprised and... slightly offended and annoyed gaze, Jian's fingers, precise, with a slightly cool temperature and the rough feel of calluses, pinched the tip of his right furry ear!

Unlike Ensia Silverash's gentle and careful touch, Jian's touch was noticeably stronger! It carried a sense of "inspection" and "confirmation," and even... a mischievous, vengeful kneading! He pinched his sensitive earlobe with his fingertips!

"Ugh!" Caught off guard, the sharp, slightly painful stimulation on his ear made Su Rui's body tremble violently, letting out a short, suppressed groan! His cheeks flushed instantly! A flame of shame and anger ignited in his dark eyes! This damned woman! How dare she...

"Yes, it's true." Jian seemed oblivious to Su Rui's angry glare, simply offering a low, calm assessment as if confirming the authenticity of a product. Only then did she release her grip.

But her gaze remained fixed on Su Rui's ears, which were slightly red and even a little bristling from her earlier "torture." A barely perceptible, triumphant, and cold smile flashed in her amber vertical pupils.

"Feels good," she added casually, but it only fueled Su Rui's anger!

"You...!" Su Rui gritted his teeth, wishing he could pounce on this hateful woman and fight her right away! But reason (and the presence of Ensia Silverash) forced him to hold back.

Ensia Silverash, completely oblivious to the silent exchange between the two, simply nodded happily. "Right, right! I told you it was cute! You think so too, Sister Jian?"

Volume 18, Chapter 1162: The Silent Disappearance

Jian didn't answer Ensia Silverash, but gave Su Rui one last deep look, her eyes seeming to say, "We'll settle the score from last night later." Then, she nodded slightly to Ensia Silverash: "Miss Ensia Silverash, I have other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave now."

After saying that, she stopped looking at Su Rui, turned around, and with brisk steps, disappeared silently at the other end of the corridor, just as she had come.

Su Rui was left standing there, her ears still tingling and burning from the forceful pinch, her cheeks flushed with anger, her chest heaving. Ensia Silverash, however, was still basking in the joy of being accepted as a "new friend," tugging at Su Rui's sleeve and urging, "Come on, let's go see the greenhouse! Sister Jian seems to like you too!"

Su Rui: "..." Like? He'd rather not have that kind of "like"!

He glared fiercely in the direction where the mace had disappeared, secretly vowing: next time he encountered this blonde "big goat sister," he would make sure she knew that her ears and tail weren't something just anyone could touch! Especially... with such force!

However... for now, he should deal with the overly enthusiastic Miss Ensia Silverash first. Su Rui thought with a headache, letting Ensia Silverash pull him along to continue this "forced" tour of the manor. However, his mood, because of Jian's sudden "attack" with a hint of "revenge," became... not so pleasant.

Dragged half-pushed, half-pulled by Ensia Silverash towards the greenhouse deep within the manor, Su Rui (Snow Leopard version) was still preoccupied with her brief and "humiliating" encounter with Jian. The tips of her ears still seemed to linger on the firm, calloused touch of the woman's fingertips, a slight numbness, even a little... pain? That undisguised action, carrying the connotations of "inspection" and "confirmation," and even hinting at a touch of revenge, filled Su Rui with an unprecedented mix of shame and offended anger.

When had he, Su Rui, ever been so... "manipulated" like this?! Even Enya and Yela's touches were mostly soothing, indulgent, or... some kind of intimate meaning he didn't want to delve into. But this blonde woman, wow, her eyes, her movements, were clearly "provoking" him! Was she "retaliating" against his mischievous face and... shaving him last night?

Damn it! This is outrageous! Su Rui grew angrier the more she thought about it, her cheeks flushing slightly with anger, her dark eyes flashing with a cold, obsidian-like sharpness. Her bushy tail unconsciously tensed up, its tip irritably sweeping lightly across the gravel path.

He had to find a way to "get back at" that hateful "Big Goat Sister"! Otherwise, where would Su Rui's face be?! He wasn't the type to swallow his anger and let someone pinch his ear!

But... how to get revenge? A fight? That seems like overkill, and it might alert SilverAsh and cause trouble for Enya. A prank? Like last night, scraping her face? That seems... too childish, and that woman is very wary; it might not work. Besides, Ensia Silverash is right there...

As Su Rui absentmindedly followed Ensia Silverash, his mind raced, rapidly devising various "revenge plans," only to reject them one by one. He needed a clever, slightly quirky method—one that would allow him to vent his anger without escalating the situation, and ideally, make that woman experience the sting of being "Su Rui" herself...

Just as he was engrossed in his "revenge plan," Ensia Silverash's clear, melodious voice, filled with undisguised amazement and joy, interrupted his thoughts:

"We're here! Look! This is our greenhouse! Isn't it beautiful?"

Su Rui looked up and saw a huge building, shimmering in the sunlight, made of transparent crystal (similar to glass, but more solid, containing a faint Originium energy to maintain a constant temperature) and a sturdy frame. The greenhouse covered a considerable area, and inside, one could vaguely see various green plants that remained vibrant even in the harsh winter of Kjerag, as well as... scattered, dazzling colors.

Ensia Silverash couldn't wait to push open the heavy greenhouse door, inlaid with copper patterns. A warm current, mixed with the scent of earth, plants, and... a certain warm and moist aroma, instantly rushed towards her, a stark contrast to the freezing cold outside.

"Come in quickly! It's cold outside!" Ensia Silverash turned around and waved to Su Rui, who was still standing at the door, her face beaming with a pure, joyful smile.

Su Rui hesitated for a moment, then stepped inside. The warm air enveloped him, unconsciously relaxing his tense body, which had been tense from anger. He looked around; the greenhouse's interior was clearly thoughtfully designed, simulating different ecological environments. There were artificial hills and flowing water, small bridges and corridors, tall green walls formed by climbing plants, and low flowerbeds blooming with various exotic flowers. Sunlight streamed through the transparent dome, forming hazy beams of light amidst the misty vapor and dense foliage, creating a dreamlike scene. Butterflies and bees (obviously specially bred, cold-resistant varieties) fluttered among the flowers, emitting soft buzzing sounds.

Indeed... it's beautiful. Even Su Rui, who knows nothing about gardening, has to admit that in this land ruled by ice and snow, it's rare to find such a vibrant, warm place. It's clear that the SilverAsh Family is never stingy when it comes to enjoying and displaying their wealth and taste.

"Over here! These are improved Edelweiss plants imported from Columbia. Look, their petals are pale blue and they even glow faintly at night!" Ensia Silverash, like a happy little bird, flitted around the greenhouse, introducing various exotic flowers and plants to Su Rui. Her voice was clear and her eyes sparkled with a pure love for life and beautiful things. That enthusiasm could almost infect Su Rui, who had no interest in plants.

Su Rui followed silently behind her, his gaze occasionally sweeping over the plants he couldn't name. His mind was mostly still plotting his "revenge." However, listening to Ensia Silverash's cheerful introduction and feeling the peaceful atmosphere of the greenhouse, his anger seemed to dissipate a little. At least, this younger sister was completely different from that annoying blond guard.

The two walked to a pavilion covered with some kind of vine with small purple flowers. In the center of the pavilion was a small, steaming artificial hot spring pool. The water was crystal clear and emitted a faint smell of sulfur and herbs. Ensia Silverash sat down on a stone bench by the pool and patted the spot next to her, gesturing for Su Rui to sit down as well.

Volume 18, Chapter 1163: It's the Scent of My Sister

Su Rui hesitated for a moment, then sat down a little further away from Ensia Silverash. The stone bench was still warm from the hot spring, making it very comfortable to sit on.

"Are you tired? Have some water?" Ensia Silverash produced two small cups from seemingly nowhere, carved from a single piece of crystal, filled with clear, warm water with a few fresh mint leaves floating in them. She handed one of the cups to Su Rui.

Su Rui took the cup, mumbled a thank you, and sipped it. The water was at the perfect temperature, with a refreshing minty taste; it was indeed thirst-quenching.

The greenhouse fell silent for a moment, with only the soft bubbling of the hot spring water and the faint chirping of insects in the distance. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the vines, casting dappled shadows on the two of them.

Just then, Ensia Silverash suddenly put down her cup, turned around, and faced Su Rui. She leaned forward slightly, her clear, bright, lake-blue eyes, like the purest sky, fixed on Su Rui with a pure curiosity and... a hint of barely perceptible inquiry.

Su Rui was taken aback by her sudden closeness, her body instinctively leaning back slightly, a hint of wariness flashing in her dark eyes. "... What are you doing?"

"Don't move..." Ensia Silverash's voice was soft, with a hint of coquetry. She didn't get too close, just enough to smell his scent, her small nostrils twitching slightly, as if she were carefully discerning something.

Su Rui froze instantly! Did he smell something strange on himself? Was it the lingering scent of alcohol from yesterday? Or... the faint, cool fragrance left by Yela's kiss this morning? Or... the icy scent he carried from coming down from the snowy mountain?

Just as Su Rui's mind was racing, and she was even considering whether to get up and leave immediately, Ensia Silverash suddenly opened her eyes wide. In her lake-blue eyes, a very obvious light flashed, a mixture of surprise, joy, and... an indescribable, almost nostalgic light!

"This scent..." Ensia Silverash murmured to herself, her voice soft, as if afraid of disturbing something, "It's... the kind of scent from the snow-capped mountains... a very clean, very cold fragrance... and a little bit... of pine needles and sunshine..." As she described it, her eyes grew brighter and brighter, fixed on Su Rui, "But... it seems... there's also a little..."

She paused, seemingly unsure, then brought it closer and sniffed it carefully again.

This time, Su Rui didn't move. He was also curious about what Ensia Silverash had smelled.

"It's... my sister's scent!" Ensia Silverash finally came to her conclusion. She suddenly looked up at Su Rui, her eyes filled with unbelievable surprise and... a hint of eager longing. "You... have my sister's scent! It's faint, but... I can't be mistaken! It's Enya!"

Su Rui's heart trembled almost imperceptibly. Sister... Enya? He smelled of Enya? Was it because they slept together last night? Or because of Enya's caresses and kisses this morning? Or... because he had lived on the Holy Mountain for so long and had picked up Enya's scent? He himself... hadn't noticed at all.

"You... you know my sister? Right?!" Ensia Silverash's voice rose slightly with excitement. She even reached out and grabbed Su Rui's arm (avoiding his hand, seemingly still a little shy?). Her lake-blue eyes were filled with an undisguised, fervent light, as if she had found a clue to a long-lost relative. "Is she doing well on the Holy Mountain? Has she... has she mentioned me? Has she... has she lost weight? Is she happy?"

A barrage of questions came out of Ensia Silverash's mouth like a machine gun. In her eyes, there was longing for her sister, worry, and also a kind of... cautious anticipation, as if afraid of hearing bad news.

Looking at the girl clutching her arm, her eyes almost glistening with tears, Su Rui's wariness and displeasure stemming from the mace instantly gave way to a strange, unfamiliar feeling. It was a feeling of being touched by pure, unadulterated familial affection. Ensia Silverash's concern and longing for Enya were so sincere, so undisguised, that Su Rui, accustomed to indifference and calculation, felt an indescribable stirring within her.

He remained silent for a moment, not immediately withdrawing his arm. He simply looked into Ensia Silverash's expectant eyes and slowly nodded.

"... Yes. I know him." His voice was a little softer than usual, though it still carried a hint of indifference.

"Then... then my sister..." Ensia Silverash's eyes instantly reddened, and her voice choked with sobs.

"She's fine," Su Rui interrupted her, his tone certain. "Her health... should be alright. Every day..." He paused, seemingly choosing his words carefully, but ultimately used the most direct description, "...reading scriptures, handling academic affairs, drinking tea, eating, and sleeping."

He described Enya's most ordinary and "boring" life. But for a saint living alone on Holy Mountain, far from her family, this was probably the standard of "good." At least, there was no danger, no illness, and life was peaceful.

"Reading scriptures...handling academic affairs..." Ensia Silverash repeated Su Rui's words, tears finally rolling down her cheeks, but she was smiling. That smile was a mixture of heartache, relief, and...a faint understanding and helplessness towards her sister's "duty." "My sister is still the same...always locking herself away, doing those tedious things...it must be so boring..."

Her words were filled with heartache for her sister. She knew that her sister disliked the tedious academic work and obscure scriptures, but she had chosen this path for the sake of the family's "respect" (or rather, to escape the suffocating cage that the family had created for her). In Ensia Silverash's innocent heart, her sister's choice of this "boring" life must have been to protect her, or... to make a sacrifice for the family.

Looking at the complex expression on Ensia Silverash's face, a mixture of tears and smiles, Su Rui felt a slight pang in his heart. He recalled the undisguised tenderness and worry in Enya's eyes when she mentioned her younger sister. These sisters, though separated by distance and with vastly different backgrounds, shared the same genuine concern and care for each other, the same... touching sentiment.

"...Boring, yes, a bit." Su Rui, unusually, echoed Ensia Silverash's words. He recalled the fleeting boredom and absent-mindedness in Enya's eyes when she sometimes looked at scriptures, the occasional daze she would stare at the snowy scenery outside the window, and her tendency to always "cling" to him—perhaps...it was also because of that "boredom"?