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

Volume 18, Chapter 1164: No More Boredom

However, upon hearing his words, Ensia Silverash suddenly raised her hand and hastily wiped away the tears on her face with her sleeve. Then, with her still red but exceptionally bright and clear lake-blue eyes, she looked intently and unblinkingly at Su Rui.

Her gaze lingered on Su Rui's face for a moment, then slowly moved down, sweeping over his silver hair, fluffy ears, delicate features, and slender neck, before finally returning to his calm black eyes.

Then, Ensia Silverash gently shook her head. A gentle, insightful smile, somewhat different from her usual innocent and carefree demeanor, appeared on her lips.

"No," Ensia Silverash's voice was soft, but unusually certain, "My sister... shouldn't be bored now."

Su Rui was slightly taken aback and looked at her with some confusion.

Ensia Silverash's gaze fell on Su Rui again. This time, her eyes held a strange, almost gentle scrutiny and... understanding. She seemed to see beyond Su Rui's understated clothes, his distinctive ears and tail, the clean, pure scent of the Holy Mountain and his sister, and... his calm yet seemingly insightful black eyes (at least insightful enough to understand his sister's thoughts?), and something deeper.

"Because you were there for her, right?" Ensia Silverash said softly, her tone more of a statement than a question. Her eyes shone with a mixture of gratitude, relief, and... a faint hint of envy. "Although I don't know who you are, or how you ended up by my sister's side, you have my sister's scent, her aura... so reassuring, so calm. And you can tell me about my sister, you can... talk to me like this..."

She paused, her gaze softening as she looked at Su Rui. Her voice grew even softer, yet carried an undeniable sincerity. "My sister always seems so gentle and strong, as if she doesn't need anything. But I know that she's actually... very afraid of being alone. She chose to go to the Holy Mountain because... it's very quiet there, no one to bother her, but it's also... very lonely."

"So," Ensia Silverash reached out her hand, this time not touching Su Rui's ears or tail, but gently patting the back of Su Rui's hand resting on her knee, her movements soft and carrying a sisterly comfort and gratitude, "Thank you. Thank you for staying with your sister. Although your sister may still have to read those boring scriptures and handle those troublesome church affairs every day... but with you by her side, she definitely... won't feel bored. I can feel it."

Su Rui froze. He looked down at the back of his hand where Ensia Silverash had gently patted him, then looked up at Ensia Silverash's lake-blue eyes, so similar to Enya's, filled with sincerity and gentleness. A complex and unfamiliar emotion welled up inside him.

He... made Enya stop feeling bored? Because of him?

He had never thought about it from that perspective. He was simply... "picked up" by Enya, and then, naturally, he stayed, enjoying her care, occasionally responding to her intimacy, and incidentally... solving some minor troubles (like last night). He never felt that he had any special significance to Enya, except that he was her "tenant," or... a "special being" who needed care and whom she took in out of kindness and some kind of "bond."

But Ensia Silverash's words were like a faint yet clear flash of lightning, slicing through the somewhat chaotic lake of his heart. Enya's meticulous care for him, her gentle and indulgent smiles, the occasional hints of dependence and possessiveness... Could it be that it wasn't just because of "responsibility" or "sympathy," but also because... his very existence, for her, was a kind of... comfort and companionship?

This realization caused Su Rui's heart to skip a beat almost imperceptibly. A strange feeling, tinged with a bit of helplessness and... a peculiar warmth, quietly spread through her.

"I..." Su Rui opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but didn't know what to say. He had never encountered this situation before. He preferred to let actions and strength speak for themselves, and did not delete or process such delicate emotional analysis.

"It's okay, you don't need to say anything." Ensia Silverash seemed to see through his unease. She withdrew her hand, sat up straight again, and her lively and cheerful smile returned. However, deep in her eyes, the longing for her sister and the gratitude towards Su Rui were still clearly visible. "As long as my sister is doing well, I'm relieved. And..." She blinked, revealing a playful smile, "With you here, I feel... a little more at ease! Although you seem a bit... um... cool, and don't like to talk much."

Su Rui: "..." Cool? What kind of compliment is that?

Looking at Ensia Silverash's knowing, mischievous yet kind smile, the unfamiliarity and emotion he felt ultimately transformed into a barely perceptible, helpless sigh. These sisters, in some ways, really are... alike. Both are adept at using this gentle yet direct approach to leave others defenseless.

"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore!" Ensia Silverash stood up, patted her skirt as if to brush away the slightly melancholic atmosphere. "I'll take you to see the other side of the greenhouse! There are cacti there that were brought from Siesta and can bloom in winter! They're amazing!"

She regained her cheerful and energetic state, as if her tears and sentimentality were just a minor interlude.

Su Rui also stood up. He glanced at the enthusiastic Ensia Silverash, and then recalled her words earlier about "not being bored anymore." A corner of his heart seemed to soften slightly.

Perhaps... it wouldn't be a bad thing for her to occasionally come down the mountain to see this simple-minded younger sister who misses her older sister? At least it would put her mind at ease. And... she could also take the opportunity... to think about how to "retaliate" against that blonde woman.

Thinking of the mace, a cold, sharp glint flashed in Su Rui's eyes again. However, this time, that sharpness seemed to be mixed with something else, something more subtle. Since Ensia Silverash cared so much about her sister, and this mace was SilverAsh's trusted bodyguard...

A vague thought, tinged with mischief and "revenge," quietly surfaced in Su Rui's mind like a bubble in water.

Perhaps... we could learn a little about that weapon from Ensia Silverash? For example... what are her weaknesses? Or... what is she afraid of? Or... is there anything she's particularly concerned about?

Su Rui's lips curled up in an almost imperceptible, yet slightly malicious, arc.

Volume 18, Chapter 1165: She really did wait for it.

"That blond guy," Su Rui suddenly spoke, his tone flat, as if it were just a casual question, "Is he your brother's bodyguard?"

"Huh? You mean Sister Jian?" Ensia Silverash turned around, nodded, and a hint of admiration and dependence flashed in her eyes. "Yes! Sister Jian is amazing! She's the person Brother trusts the most! She's incredibly skilled in martial arts and very kind to me, but sometimes... she's a bit fierce and doesn't smile much."

"Doesn't like to smile? "Su Rui sneered inwardly. Not just doesn't she like to smile, she's practically a deadpan and violent woman!

"She... often follows you around?" Su Rui continued, seemingly casually.

"It's not often..." Ensia Silverash thought for a moment, "When my brother is busy, sometimes he'll have Sister Jian keep me company or protect me. But most of the time, Sister Jian has to train or help my brother with things. She's very busy."

Protecting Ensia Silverash? A glint flashed in Su Rui's dark eyes. This was interesting information.

"Oh," Su Rui responded casually, without asking any further questions. But in his heart, the vague "revenge plan" gradually became clearer and more concrete because of this information.

Perhaps... next time, when Ensia Silverash is around, I could subtly "test" the waters with that weapon? Or... take advantage of Ensia Silverash's "dependence" and "trust" towards me?

Of course, it had to be done discreetly, without actually harming Ensia Silverash. After all, she was someone Enya cared about.

A calculating glint flashed in Su Rui's eyes. He was already looking forward to the next "chance encounter" with that blonde "goat sister."

Meanwhile, in another training ground of the manor, Jian, who was sweating profusely and undergoing high-intensity combat training, suddenly shivered for no apparent reason. She stopped moving, her amber vertical pupils scanning her surroundings warily, her brows slightly furrowed.

Strange... I have this feeling... like I'm being watched by some troublesome thing.

Time slipped away quietly in the greenhouse, with Ensia Silverash chattering away and Su Rui listening absentmindedly (mostly preoccupied with plotting his "revenge"). Sunlight filtered through the transparent dome, gradually slanting westward, casting increasingly long, warm-toned shadows on the greenhouse floor. Although Su Rui had little interest in plants, he had to admit that Ensia Silverash's company and this warm haven had indeed eased his tense nerves and the anger stemming from the weapon. This younger sister, like the greenhouse flowers she so carefully tended, was pure, vibrant, and possessed a warmth untouched by the world.

Judging that it was about time, Su Rui stood up from the sun-warmed rock he had been sitting on, brushing off non-existent dust from his clothes. He glanced at Ensia Silverash, who was still enthusiastically humming a song to a fern with wavy leaves that was supposedly "able to understand music," and said:

"... I have to go now."

Upon hearing this, Ensia Silverash immediately stopped humming, turned around, and a hint of reluctance flashed in her lake-blue eyes, but it was quickly replaced by understanding. She knew that this mysterious new friend (she had now unilaterally categorized Su Rui as a "friend") probably wouldn't stay here forever.

"Ah... are you leaving already?" Ensia Silverash's tone was tinged with regret, but she didn't try to stop her. She simply walked quickly to Su Rui, tilted her head up, and looked at her with genuine concern in her eyes. "Then... be careful. It's getting dark outside, be careful on the road."

"Hmm." Su Rui nodded, preparing to turn and leave.

"Wait!" Ensia Silverash suddenly remembered something and quickly called out to him. She turned around, ran to an inconspicuous wicker basket in the corner of the greenhouse, took out a small, bulging package carefully wrapped in oil paper, and quickly ran back to stuff it into Su Rui's hand.

"Here you go!" Ensia Silverash's smile was as bright as the sun. "These are cookies I made myself, baked with greenhouse berries and honey! And this..." She then pulled out several colorful things wrapped in colored cellophane, which looked like dried fruit or candied fruit, from her small pocket. "These are fruit candies that my brother brought back from Columbia. They're not sweet, they're sour, and they're delicious! Take them back and try them!"

She paused, her cheeks flushing slightly, and added somewhat shyly, "Those cookies... my sister should like them too. When she was home, she loved the cookies I secretly baked... even though I always burned them." A nostalgic glint flashed in her eyes.

Su Rui looked at the small package, still carrying Ensia Silverash's warmth and faint sweet scent, that was being handed to him. He then looked into her eyes, which were filled with expectation and a barely perceptible desire to "convey" her concern for her sister through him. His heart softened slightly. He didn't refuse; he simply took the package silently and put it into the seemingly small but surprisingly spacious pocket in his pocket (probably specially made by Yela?).

"...Thank you," Su Rui said softly, her voice slightly gentler than usual.

"You're welcome!" Ensia Silverash smiled happily, as if giving a gift made her happier than receiving one. "Next time... if you have time, you can come visit me again! I can even show you other places!"

Su Rui gave a noncommittal "hmm," neither agreeing nor refusing. He glanced at Ensia Silverash one last time, then turned, opened the heavy greenhouse door, and stepped back into the increasingly chilly twilight outside.

Leaving the warm greenhouse, the cold air instantly enveloped her. Su Rui pulled down her hood, carefully clutching the small package Ensia Silverash had given her, and stealthily made her way back to the manor's outskirts. As darkness fell, the manor's lights gradually came on, and the number of patrolling guards increased. But Su Rui's movements remained as nimble as a cat's, skillfully avoiding all sight.

However, just as he was about to climb over the low wall at the outermost edge of the manor and leave the SilverAsh Family's territory completely, a familiar aura that instantly put him on alert, like a cold, venomous snake, silently locked onto him from the shadows to his side!

It's a mace!

She seemed to have been waiting here all along! Or rather, she had been keeping an eye on Su Rui's movements? At this moment, she leaned against the bare trunk of an old tree covered with icicles beside the low wall, her arms crossed. Her amber vertical pupils, in the deepening twilight, were like two burning, cold golden flames, fixed intently on Su Rui, who had just stopped and was tense all over, with a cat-and-mouse-like, intrigued gaze.

She changed out of her training clothes and into a dark, form-fitting outfit suitable for nighttime movement, with a matching short cape over it. Her long, golden hair fluttered slightly in the cold wind. Her expression remained cold and hard, but the corners of her mouth curved upwards in an extremely subtle, chillingly defiant arc.

Volume 18, Chapter 1166: We seem to have met somewhere before.

"Are you leaving?" Jian's voice rang out, deep and calm, yet like an ice pick, carrying a chilling coldness that clearly reached Su Rui's ears.

Su Rui didn't answer, but instead stared back at her with his equally cold, dark eyes, showing no sign of weakness. Every muscle in his body was in peak fighting condition, and his bushy tail unconsciously bristled slightly, the tip taut, as if ready to strike at any moment. He knew this woman was strong, and clearly harbored ill intentions towards him. But he, Su Rui, was not one to be trifled with!

The two stood facing each other silently in the twilight and cold wind. In the air, it seemed as if invisible sparks were crackling.

Jian's gaze slowly swept over Su Rui's entire body, finally settling on his snow leopard ears—ears that were fully erect with wariness and hostility, appearing exceptionally soft (?) in the dim light. A very obvious, undisguised... interest? Or perhaps some wicked desire to "confirm" it again? flashed in her amber, vertical pupils.

Su Rui's alarm bells rang loudly! What was this woman up to now?!

Sure enough, before Su Rui could react, Jian moved! Her movements were lightning fast, but not an attack! She simply closed in on Su Rui like a ghost! As Su Rui dodged backward and her left hand slashed at Jian's wrist like a knife, Jian's right hand, at an incredible, tricky angle, like a snake emerging from its hole, avoided Su Rui's block and precisely... pinched the tip of Su Rui's right furry ear again!

This time, her force was even greater than it had been in the greenhouse corridor! With an almost "punishment" and "marking" connotation, she twisted it hard! The calluses on her fingertips scraped against the sensitive skin of her earlobe!

"Ugh!" Su Rui groaned, his body trembling violently from the sensation in his ear, a mixture of pain and intense stimulation! A fierce rage instantly ignited in his dark eyes! His other hand clenched into a fist, slamming it down hard towards the mace's ribs with a sharp whistling sound! If this blow landed, even the mace would be in serious trouble!

However, Jian seemed to have anticipated this. Just before Su Rui's fist was about to strike, the hand that was pinching Su Rui's ear suddenly released its grip as if it had been burned! At the same time, her body leaned back in an extremely flexible and unpredictable posture, narrowly avoiding Su Rui's angry attack! Su Rui's fist grazed the hem of her clothes, only bringing with it a gust of cold wind.

Missing her first strike, Su Rui was about to pursue when Jian, like a startled cheetah, sprang back several steps, creating distance once more. Standing a few steps away, she still crossed her arms, her amber vertical pupils revealing an even more pronounced cold provocation and triumphant smile. She even raised her right hand, the one that had just committed the "crime," to her eyes, as if savoring the sensation, and then, almost imperceptibly... raised an eyebrow at Su Rui.

The expression and the gesture seemed to say, "Feels good, I'll squeeze it again next time."

Su Rui was trembling with rage! Her cheeks were flushed red with extreme shame and anger! The spot on her ear where the other woman had pinched her burned with pain! This damned woman! She's simply... simply... going too far!

"You...!" Su Rui spat out the word through gritted teeth, his voice filled with murderous intent. He could barely contain himself and wanted to rush forward and fight this hateful blonde woman to the death!

"Don't get agitated." Jian seemed oblivious to the murderous intent in his eyes, speaking calmly in her low voice, "It's just... a greeting. After all, you're a 'guest' too."

She emphasized the word "guest," her tone carrying a hint of amusement.

Su Rui stared intently at her, his chest heaving slightly from the intense emotions surging within him. He took several deep breaths of the cold air, forcibly suppressing the raging anger and murderous intent churning within him. He knew that fighting Jian here would not only be pointless (his opponent was clearly prepared and unfamiliar with the terrain), but it might also attract more guards, expose their presence, and cause trouble for Enya.

A small act of impatience can ruin a great plan. He'll remember this! He'll remember it tenfold! One day, he'll make this despicable woman pay the price for these two offenses of "pinching her ear" today!

Su Rui glared at her fiercely with his icy black eyes, as if trying to etch her image into his mind. Then, without lingering or concealing his anger, he turned, leaped onto the low wall like an arrow, and vanished completely into the vast twilight and forest beyond.

Jian stood still, not giving chase. She simply gazed in the direction Su Rui had disappeared, the cold smile slowly fading from her amber vertical pupils, replaced by a deep, thoughtful light. She raised her hand, looking at her fingertips, where the soft, warm, yet elastic touch seemed to linger, along with... a faint, chilling, and angry aura belonging to that silver-haired boy.

"...Interesting." Jian muttered to herself, a barely perceptible smile curving her lips. Then, she turned and, just as she had appeared, vanished silently into the shadows of the manor.

Holy Mountain, monastery.

When Su Rui, still radiating chill (and anger) and clutching the bulging, sweet-smelling bundle in her arms, quietly slipped back into the Meditation Room, it was completely dark. The fire in the fireplace was burning brightly, illuminating the entire room with warmth and light.

Enya sat on the couch by the fireplace, holding a thick, leather-bound ancient book in her hands. However, her gaze was not on the pages, but rather on the leaping flames, as if she were waiting for something. Hearing a very slight sound from the doorway, she immediately looked up, her lake-blue eyes lighting up like stars, and stared straight at the doorway.

Seeing Su Rui walk in unharmed (though she seemed a little grumpy?), a relieved and gentle smile flashed in Enya's eyes. She put down her book, stood up, and walked towards Su Rui.

"You're back?" Enya's voice was soft, carrying a hint of relief that she had finally waited for his return. She walked up to Su Rui and naturally reached out to brush away the tiny, unmelted snowflakes clinging to his hood.

However, just as her fingers were about to touch the edge of Su Rui's hood, her movement paused almost imperceptibly.

Her nostrils twitched slightly. In her clear, lake-blue eyes, a knowing glint, mixed with helplessness, indulgence, and... a barely perceptible, bittersweet light, flashed.

Did he sneak away again in Volume 18, Chapter 1167?

Enya smelled something on Su Rui. Besides the cold, snowy scent of a winter night in Kjerag that she had brought back from outside, there was also a faint, yet strangely familiar, aroma mixed with the fragrance of greenhouse flowers and sweet biscuits, and... a warm, comforting scent of "home" that she knew intimately yet deliberately distanced herself from, a scent that belonged to the Silverash Manor and carried the aroma of money and power.

And... a fainter, yet exceptionally clear, scent belonging to Ensia Silverash —a unique, youthful fragrance that was as lively as sunshine and carried a hint of herbal sweetness.

And then there were... Su Rui's furry ears, still slightly agitated from lingering anger, with the tips even sporting a suspicious, unnatural red tinge...

Enya's eyes darkened slightly. But soon, that darkness was replaced by a softer, almost indulgent helplessness.

Sure enough... he sneaked off down the mountain again. And he went to the SilverAsh Family. He even... met Ensia Silverash.

Although she had a pretty good idea of what was going on. Given Su Rui's restless nature and his apparent lack of real learning from yesterday's "lesson," he would definitely find another opportunity to sneak out. And down the mountain, the only things that could pique his interest were probably places related to SilverAsh (and the snacks he provided?), or... things related to Ensia Silverash.

I just didn't expect him to act so quickly, and... he seems to be getting along quite well with Ensia Silverash? At least, he brought back a "gift".

Enya's gaze fell on the bulging little package wrapped in oil paper in Su Rui's arms. The familiar packaging and the faint, sweet scent of Ensia Silverash's handiwork... warmed her heart, yet also brought a pang of sadness.

Su Rui noticed Enya's momentary pause and change in expression. He awkwardly turned his head away, avoiding Enya's probing gaze, and subconsciously hid the small package in his arms behind his back. The action was just like a child caught stealing snacks and trying to destroy the evidence.

Seeing his awkward and slightly guilty (?) expression, Enya felt a pang of helplessness and bitterness that instantly turned into a broad smile. She reached out, but this time she didn't touch his hood. Instead, she very precisely pinched Su Rui's slightly red, furry cheek, which still bore some suspicious teeth marks (? from being pinched with a mace?).

"You went to the SilverAsh Family again?" Enya's voice was still gentle, but her tone carried an unmistakable hint of "questioning" and "knowing everything." Her fingers, neither too light nor too heavy, but with a touch of punishment, gently rubbed Su Rui's wonderfully soft cheek.

Su Rui's body stiffened instantly! His cheek was pinched, a slight pain and... a familiar, inescapable sense of control belonging to Enya. A flash of embarrassment and annoyance crossed his dark eyes. He wanted to slap Enya's hand away, but then he remembered that he was indeed "in the wrong" (sneaking to her "parents' house" and being given snacks by her sister), and... Enya didn't seem really angry?

He gave up struggling, only glaring at Enya with somewhat displeased dark eyes, and mumbled a single word from his distorted mouth, "... Mmm."

That's considered an admission.

"Did you also see Ensia Silverash?" Enya continued to ask, slightly increasing the pressure on her hand, and even mischievously flicking the tip of Su Rui's nose with her fingertips.

"...Hmm." Su Rui's voice became even more indistinct, and the tips of her ears turned even redder from shame and...a hint of embarrassment at being "interrogated."

"Is she... alright?" Enya's voice softened almost imperceptibly, and the hand that was pinching Su Rui's cheek loosened its grip, becoming a gentle, comforting stroke. A barely perceptible hint of concern for her sister flashed in her eyes.

"...It's good." Su Rui said succinctly, but after thinking for a moment, he added, his tone still calm, yet carrying a hint of reporting that he himself didn't realize, "Very energetic. Playing in the greenhouse. They gave me this."

He turned slightly to the side, took out the small package hidden behind his back, and handed it to Enya. The movement was a little awkward, as if to say, "Look, this is from your sister, not something I asked for."

Enya's gaze fell on the oil paper package. The familiar packaging, the familiar sweet scent... her eyes instantly welled up slightly. She released her grip on Su Rui's cheek, took the small package, and carefully opened it.

Inside were several golden-brown cookies, dotted with dried purple berries, and exuding a rich aroma of honey and milk, along with a few translucent fruit candies wrapped in colorful cellophane. These were the simple yet heartfelt snacks that Ensia Silverash loved to make as a child and would always pester her to share.

Enya's fingertips gently brushed over the cookies, as if she could touch her sister's small, warm, slightly calloused hands that always carried a smile. Her lips unconsciously curved upwards, but her eyes were veiled with a thin mist.

"She... still likes making these things." Enya's voice was low, tinged with a hint of nostalgia and relief. She picked up a cookie, carefully broke it in half, and held it to Su Rui's lips. "Want to try some?"

Su Rui hesitated for a moment, looking at the half-eaten cookie still warm from Enya's fingertips, which was being offered to her mouth. She opened her mouth and took it. The cookie melted in her mouth, sweet but not cloying, with a hint of berry tartness and the rich aroma of honey. The taste... was indeed quite good. It had a touch more... a rustic warmth than the delicate pastries Yela made.

"Hmm," Su Rui responded almost imperceptibly, which could be considered her assessment.

Enya ate the other half herself, savoring it slowly, as if chewing on a distant, carefree time that belonged to the two sisters. After a long while, she raised her head and looked at Su Rui, the tears in her eyes gone, replaced by gentleness and clarity.

"Thank you, Su Rui," Enya said softly, her tone sincere. "Thank you... for going to see her and bringing this back."

She knew that, given Su Rui's personality, the fact that he could quietly stay with Ensia Silverash, accept her gifts, and even... bring them back for her, was itself a silent, clumsy... show of care and comfort. He was telling her in his own way that her beloved sister was doing well.

Su Rui turned her face away, her ears turning slightly red, and mumbled something indistinctly, "... just casually."

Enya smiled, a smile as warm and bright as the first ray of sunshine after the snow melts. She reached out, this time not to pinch his cheek, but to gently ruffle Su Rui's silver hair, her fingertips casually brushing against his ear, which still had a suspicious blush.