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

Ensia Silverash seemed to have completely recovered from her afternoon mood and the embarrassment she had just felt. She sipped her soup slowly, occasionally stealing glances at Su Rui, who was eating quietly across from her. Her blue eyes sparkled with happiness and contentment. Her sister's letter, Su Rui's company and comfort, and that peaceful nap... all of these made her feel incredibly safe and happy.

"Su Rui," Ensia Silverash put down her spoon and suddenly spoke, her clear voice breaking the silence of the restaurant, "Are you... going back to the Holy Mountain today?"

Su Rui's hand, holding the knife and fork, paused slightly. He looked up at Ensia Silverash. The girl's blue eyes, illuminated by the fireplace firelight, sparkled with anticipation and a hint of barely perceptible... reluctance.

Su Rui glanced out the window. Winter nights in Kjerag descended swiftly. Outside, it was pitch black; the thick darkness was like an impenetrable inkpane, almost devoid of any light. Only a few scattered lights within the manor shone like faint stars against the heavy night sky.

"Yes, I need to go back." Su Rui nodded. Although Yela hadn't specified when he had to go back, staying out all night wasn't a good idea. And... Enya would worry.

Upon hearing Su Rui's affirmative answer, the light in Ensia Silverash's eyes dimmed almost imperceptibly for a moment. She bit her lower lip, hesitated for a moment, and then mustered her courage to speak, "But... it's completely dark outside. The nights in Kjerag are especially, especially dark, the roads are difficult to traverse, and there might be wild animals and... bad weather."

Volume 18, Chapter 1219: Going back tomorrow?

Ensia Silverash paused, looking at Su Rui with genuine concern and earnestness in her eyes. "Su Rui, even with transportation, traveling back to Holy Mountain at night is too dangerous. Besides... you must be tired, right? Why don't you... rest here for the night and set off again tomorrow morning, okay?"

Her voice carried a hint of cautious pleading, and her blue eyes stared unblinkingly at Su Rui, as if afraid he would refuse.

Su Rui looked into Ensia Silverash's blue eyes, filled with worry and expectation, then glanced at the impenetrable darkness outside the window. Ensia Silverash was right; the nights in Kjerag, especially winter nights, were indeed fraught with danger. And he was indeed quite tired today, both physically and emotionally.

But... he didn't go home that night.

Enya's face involuntarily flashed through Su Rui's mind. What would Enya think if he didn't go back tonight? Would she worry? Would she... be unhappy?

Seemingly noticing Su Rui's hesitation, Ensia Silverash quickly added, "Su Rui, don't worry about Sister being upset! Just tell her you're staying to keep me company! Sister loves me so much, she'll definitely understand! Besides... and you're doing this for safety reasons!"

Ensia Silverash's tone carried an almost naive certainty. In her mind, as long as it was to keep her younger sister company, the older sister would never be angry.

Looking at Ensia Silverash's confident expression that "my older sister is the best and I definitely won't be angry," Su Rui felt a little helpless. Enya did indeed love her younger sister, but... Su Rui recalled Enya's occasional displays of concern and possessiveness about certain things (though she might not admit it herself), especially towards him... He wasn't sure if the reason of not returning home that night would completely convince Enya, especially since he was staying overnight at "Silverash Manor."

But the worry and expectation in Ensia Silverash's eyes were so genuine. And, objectively speaking, traveling at night was indeed very risky.

Su Rui was silent for a moment, but finally relented. He sighed softly and nodded, "Alright. I... I'll ask."

He didn't say who he was asking, but Ensia Silverash immediately understood, nodded happily, and her eyes lit up again.

Su Rui put down his knife and fork, and pulled the terminal the "Doctor" had given him from his pocket (this time, from another un-crushed pocket). He hesitated, his finger hovering over the screen for a moment. Contact Enya directly? That didn't seem quite right. And, for some reason, he felt that perhaps this kind of thing should be addressed first...

Finally, Su Rui clicked on another contact she rarely contacted, but who seemed to have higher "privileges" —Kjeragandr.

He quickly typed a short message: [Staying at the Silverash Manor tonight, returning tomorrow morning. Please inform Enya.]

After sending the message, Su Rui put the terminal down beside her and picked up her knife and fork again, but she was clearly distracted, glancing at the terminal screen from time to time.

Ensia Silverash didn't say anything more, but just looked at Su Rui with nervous anticipation and at the terminal beside him.

The restaurant fell silent again, with only the sound of burning wood in the fireplace.

About a minute or two later, or perhaps less, the terminal screen lit up silently.

Su Rui immediately picked up the terminal and unlocked the screen.

Only two brief, almost cold words from Kjeragandr: [OK.]

Looking at the simple yet powerful "Yes" on the screen, Su Rui breathed a sigh of relief, but then a complex and indescribable emotion welled up within her. Yela... she really knew everything. And, she didn't seem to mind, perhaps... she had even anticipated it?

He turned the screen towards Ensia Silverash, showing her the word "okay".

Ensia Silverash immediately smiled happily, as if she had solved a huge problem. "Great! Lady Yela agreed! My sister's side will definitely be fine too!" she said excitedly, as if she could already see Su Rui staying overnight and seeing him again tomorrow morning.

Looking at Ensia Silverash's pure and happy smile, the complex emotions in Su Rui's heart seemed to be somewhat diluted by that smile. He put away his terminal and nodded.

"Well then... I'll take my leave."

"No, no, not at all!" Ensia Silverash quickly shook her head, her smile as bright as a flower. "I'm so happy that Su Rui can stay! I'll have someone prepare a guest room right away!"

As she spoke, Ensia Silverash was eager to get up and make the arrangements, but was stopped by Su Rui.

"Let's eat first." Su Rui's voice carried a subtle gentleness that he himself was unaware of.

"Oh, right! Let's eat first!" Ensia Silverash stuck out her tongue shyly, sat back down, picked up her knife and fork, but couldn't stop smiling.

The fire in the fireplace danced warmly, casting the two shadows onto the polished floor, swaying gently. The night outside the window was as dark as ink, but the dining room was filled with the warm aroma of food and a strange, peaceful atmosphere.

Su Rui lowered her head and began to quietly enjoy her dinner. But in her heart, she couldn't help but think of that person on the Holy Mountain. Enya... what would her reaction be upon hearing the news Yela relayed?

He gently shook his head, temporarily suppressing his chaotic thoughts. At least tonight, he could put aside those disturbances and enjoy a relatively peaceful night in this cold manor.

As night deepened, the Silverash Manor was enveloped in tranquility. The fire in the fireplace had long since died down, leaving only a few dark red embers that emitted a final warmth. The wall lamps in the corridor were also dimmed, with only a few remaining at the corners, casting a hazy, yellowish glow that barely illuminated the dark carpet and the oil paintings on the walls.

Su Rui (Snow Leopard version) lay in the guest room that Ensia Silverash had arranged for him. The room was large and luxurious, befitting the style of the SilverAsh Family, with cold, dark-colored furniture, heavy velvet curtains, and the fireplace still lingering with the warmth of the pine-scented fire lit by the servants. The bed was soft and comfortable, and the bedding had a clean, sun-dried scent.

But Su Rui, lying on the large, soft bed, found it difficult to fall asleep.

Outside the window was the near-absolute darkness and silence characteristic of a winter night in Kjerag, with only the occasional whistling wind tapping against the windowpane. The room was quiet, so quiet that you could hear your own steady breathing and the occasional soft crackling of the embers in the fireplace.

He stared, his eyes wide open, at the intricate plaster patterns on the ceiling casting blurry shadows in the dim light. Involuntarily, scenes from the day replayed in his mind: Ensia Silverash's joyful smile upon receiving the postcard, her dimmed eyes when she mentioned SilverAsh, her silent sobs in his arms, and that unexpected yet peaceful afternoon nap... and, at dinner, when Ensia Silverash learned he could stay, her blue eyes lit up instantly, as if filled with starlight.

Why does Chapter 1220 of Volume 18 look so aggrieved?

What an... easily satisfied, yet heartbreakingly vulnerable child. Su Rui thought silently to herself. Somewhat like Enya, yet different. Enya was more composed and reserved, keeping her emotions and longing deeply hidden, only occasionally revealing glimpses of her tenderness and last night's "madness." Ensia Silverash, on the other hand, was more outwardly expressive, like unpolished crystal, her joys and sorrows written all over her face, pure and direct.

I thought of Enya again. I wonder what she's doing now? Is she already resting? Did Yela tell her he wasn't going home tonight? What will she... think? Will she worry? Or... be a little unhappy?

Su Rui rolled over and buried his face in the soft, fluffy pillow. The pillow carried a faint lavender scent, meant to help him sleep, but it only made him more awake. The sweet floral and fruity fragrance of Ensia Silverash from earlier that day still lingered in his nostrils, as well as... even earlier, on the Holy Mountain, the more crisp and tranquil scent of herbs and snow emanating from Enya.

He suddenly regretted agreeing to stay. It wasn't that he disliked the place or was worried about Ensia Silverash, but rather... a strange, longing feeling for home quietly grew within him. He wanted to return to that cold but comforting snow mountain, to that serene temple, and to... see that gentle, serene figure who would smile as he cooked and who would curl up in his arms and sleep peacefully at night.

Just as Su Rui was lost in thought, tossing and turning in bed—

"Thump, thump, thump."

A very soft, tentative knock suddenly broke the silence of the room.

Su Rui instantly snapped to attention, practically sitting bolt upright in bed, her gaze sharp as she looked towards the door. Who could it be so late? A servant? Mace? Or... SilverAsh?

He held his breath and didn't respond immediately, but just listened quietly to the sounds outside the door.

The person outside seemed quite patient; after waiting for no response, they knocked three more times gently. This time, the knocking was lighter and more careful than before, as if afraid of disturbing something.

Su Rui frowned. This didn't sound like a servant knocking; servants were usually more proper and methodical. It wasn't like Jian either; that woman either pushed the door open or didn't knock at all. As for SilverAsh... Su Rui couldn't imagine that the deep and aloof patriarch would knock on his door in this way at this time.

Then, only one possibility remains.

The sharpness in Su Rui's eyes faded, replaced by a hint of helplessness and understanding. He threw back the covers, got out of bed, and stepped barefoot onto the soft, thick carpet, silently walking to the door. He didn't open the door immediately, but lowered his voice and asked the person outside:

"... Ensia Silverash?"

There was a moment of silence outside the door. Then, a soft voice, equally low and tinged with nervousness and embarrassment at being discovered, rang out:

"... Yes, Su Rui, it's... it's me."

It really was Ensia Silverash.

Su Rui's wariness completely dissipated, replaced by a stronger sense of helplessness. What was she doing here so late? Wasn't she afraid of being discovered? Especially... by SilverAsh?

He grasped the doorknob, silently turned it, and opened the door a crack.

Outside the door, Ensia Silverash stood wearing a white nightgown with only a thick, fluffy coat hastily draped over her shoulders. She was barefoot on the cold floor (only then did Su Rui notice), her long, golden hair slightly disheveled, and she clutched a soft pillow. Her small face was tilted upwards, her blue eyes sparkling in the dim light of the corridor, carrying a hint of trepidation and anticipation, and her cheeks slightly flushed from the night's chill.

Seeing Su Rui open the door, Ensia Silverash's eyes brightened instantly, but as if afraid of being discovered by a servant who might be at the end of the corridor, she quickly put a finger to her lips in a "shh" gesture, and then whispered urgently:

"Su Rui, please let me in? I... I have something I want to tell you..."

Looking at her guilty expression (even though she was in his own home), and then at her slightly reddened toes, Su Rui felt a pang of helplessness that ultimately turned into a silent sigh. He stepped aside, clearing the doorway, and whispered:

"Come in. Be careful not to catch a cold."

Ensia Silverash's face immediately lit up with a relieved smile. Hugging her pillow, she nimbly slipped through the crack in the door like a nimble kitten, and then, with an extremely gentle and silent movement, she closed the door again, even... carefully locking it from the inside.

Su Rui: "..." He watched her series of practiced (?) movements, and a black line seemed to slide down his forehead. This girl, sneaking into a guest's room in the middle of the night and locking the door... If someone saw this, he wouldn't be able to explain himself no matter how hard he tried.

Ensia Silverash seemed to realize the "inappropriateness" of her actions. After locking the door, she turned around, stuck out her tongue at Su Rui somewhat embarrassedly, and whispered, "I... I was afraid someone might suddenly come in..."

Seeing her "I know I was wrong, but I'll do it again" expression, Su Rui shook her head, walked to the bedside, picked up her coat that she had taken off and draped over the back of the chair, and handed it to Ensia Silverash: "Put this on, the floor is cold."

Ensia Silverash paused for a moment, then happily took the oversized coat, draped it over her shoulders, and wrapped herself tightly in it. The coat still carried Su Rui's body heat and that crisp scent, making her feel inexplicably safe and warm.

"Su Rui," Ensia Silverash said softly, then hugged her pillow, looking at Su Rui expectantly, and then at the large, soft bed.

Looking at her longing expression that seemed to say, "I want to go to bed," Su Rui felt a headache coming on again. He pointed to the sofa in the room. "Let's sit over there and talk."

Ensia Silverash glanced at the hard, cold-looking leather sofa, then at the soft, comfortable bed behind Su Rui. A struggle flashed in her eyes, but she eventually obediently hugged her pillow, walked to the sofa, and sat down. However, her posture made her look somewhat aggrieved.

Looking at her pitiful appearance, Su Rui sighed inwardly again. He walked to the bedside but didn't sit down. Instead, he leaned against the bedpost, looked at Ensia Silverash, and asked in a low voice, "It's so late, why aren't you sleeping? What brings you here?"

His voice, in the quiet room, sounded exceptionally clear, and also exceptionally... carried an unquestionable, adult-like calmness.

Ensia Silverash hugged her pillow, curled up on the sofa, shrinking into a small ball, revealing only her face, which was filled with excitement and a little nervousness. She looked at Su Rui, her blue eyes shining brightly in the dim light of the wall lamp.

Volume 18, Chapter 1221: Ensia Silverash wants to know about her sister.

"I... I can't sleep," Ensia Silverash said softly, her voice carrying a barely perceptible vulnerability and dependence characteristic of the night. "And... I have so much to say to Su Rui. During the day... during the day in the greenhouse, I was so busy crying that I didn't properly thank you, and I didn't... I didn't properly ask about Sister."

She paused, her eyes filled with longing. "Su Rui, please tell me more about my sister on the Holy Mountain, okay? Anything! What does she do every day? What does she eat? Is she happy? Did the people from Manjushri Monastery really not bully her? Did she... did she mention me many times?"

A barrage of questions, like a machine gun, came from Ensia Silverash's mouth. She leaned forward slightly, clutching the pillow tightly in her arms as if it were a talisman to give her courage. Her gaze was fixed on Su Rui's face, filled with urgency and longing.

Looking into Ensia Silverash's clear, bright blue eyes, still bright even in the dim light, Su Rui felt a surge of helplessness and distress at Encia's late-night visit. This girl's longing and concern for her sister was so pure and intense, so intense that she could overcome her fear of nighttime rules and her girlish reserve to knock on the door of a not-so-familiar man, just to hear a little more about her sister.

"She..." Su Rui recalled Enya's daily life on the Holy Mountain. Those ordinary yet warm fragments flowed through his heart like a gentle stream. He leaned against the bedpost, his voice unconsciously becoming softer and lower, as if afraid of disturbing the tranquility of the night, or afraid of being overheard.

"She spends most of her time in the temple every day. Sometimes she organizes the scriptures, sometimes she tends to the flowers and plants... Behind the temple, there is a small greenhouse where she grows many plants that are not commonly seen in Kjerag, and she takes great care of them." Su Rui spoke slowly, trying to pick out some trivial and heartwarming details, "She likes to eat sweets, but the meals provided by Manjushri Monastery are rather bland, so... I occasionally make some desserts."

At the mention of "snacks," Su Rui's voice paused almost imperceptibly. He recalled Enya's eyes lighting up instantly, as if filled with moonlight, and her lips curving into a satisfied smile when she ate the snacks he made. His ears seemed to heat up again. He quickly changed the subject and continued:

"The people of Manjushri Monastery... respect her. At least on the surface. As for whether she's happy or not..." Su Rui thought about Enya's expression most of the time—a calm, slightly aloof gentleness, only revealing more pronounced emotions on rare occasions, such as when she mentioned her sister, or... last night. He carefully chose his words, "She seems... very calm. On the Holy Mountain, she seems to have found inner peace."

"Speaking of you..." Su Rui nodded, seeing Ensia Silverash's eyes light up instantly. "Many times... she... has been thinking about you. This time, she asked me to bring you a postcard; it was something she'd been wanting to do for a long time."

Su Rui's voice was soft and his pace gentle, like a soft night breeze in the quiet room. He didn't say much, just selected some trivial, warm moments, but each sentence made the light in Ensia Silverash's eyes shine even brighter. She hugged her pillow, listening intently, as if trying to etch every word Su Rui said into her heart. When she heard her sister say "I miss her" and "I've mentioned her many times," her eyes began to redden slightly again, but this time, they were tears of joy.

"I knew it... Sister is the best..." Ensia Silverash buried her face in the soft pillow in her arms, her voice muffled and thick with nasal tone, but full of happiness.

Su Rui looked at her without saying anything more, simply waiting quietly. The room fell silent again, broken only by the occasional soft crackling of the embers in the fireplace and the two of them breathing softly.

After a while, Ensia Silverash finally lifted her head from the pillow, wiped her eyes haphazardly with her sleeve, and smiled again. Although her eyes were still red, her smile was bright and satisfied.

"Thank you, Su Rui." Ensia Silverash looked at Su Rui and said sincerely, "Thank you for telling me all this, and thank you for... for being with me and comforting me today. I... I'm very happy."

Su Rui shook his head. "It's nothing." He paused, looking at the oversized coat Ensia Silverash was wearing and the way she was curled up on the sofa. He glanced at the still-dark night outside the window and said softly, "It's late. Go back and rest. Tomorrow... I have to get up early to go back to the Holy Mountain."

Ensia Silverash's smile dimmed slightly because of Su Rui's words. A hint of reluctance flashed in her eyes, and her hands, clutching the pillow, tightened unconsciously. But she also knew that it was already a great favor that her Su Rui had stayed for one night. She couldn't be too greedy.

"Hmm..." Ensia Silverash lowered her head and responded softly. But she didn't get up and leave immediately. Instead, she hugged her pillow and sat on the sofa for a while, as if gathering her courage, or perhaps simply not wanting this rare time to be close to her sister so soon.

Su Rui didn't urge her, but leaned against the bedpost and waited quietly. He was actually a little sleepy too. Today had been a day of emotional ups and downs, a long journey, and in the afternoon he had been used as a "human pillow" by Ensia Silverash for a nap. Now, in the quiet of the night, sleepiness came in waves. His eyelids began to feel heavy.

Ensia Silverash seemed to sense Su Rui's drowsiness as well. She looked up at Su Rui's dark eyes, which appeared somewhat hazy in the dim light, and the undisguised exhaustion on his face, and a wave of guilt and heartache washed over her.

"Su Rui, are you tired?" Ensia Silverash said softly, hugging her pillow and standing up from the sofa. "I... I'll go back now, you should get some rest."

As she spoke, she took off the coat that Su Rui was wearing, carefully folded it, and placed it on the sofa armrest. Then, clutching her pillow, she walked towards the door, her steps hesitant, as if reluctant to leave.

Seeing her looking back every few steps, like a little animal that had been abandoned, Su Rui's tender feelings were touched again. He straightened up, walked to Ensia Silverash's side, took the soft pillow from her hands, and then, to her somewhat surprised look, put the pillow back on the bed.

"Sleep here." Su Rui's voice was heavy with sleepiness, somewhat muffled, yet exceptionally clear. He pointed to the large bed. "The sofa's cold. Don't catch a cold."

Volume 18, Chapter 1222: I won't listen.

After saying that, without waiting for Ensia Silverash's reaction, Su Rui walked to the other side of the bed, lifted the covers, lay down, turned her back to Ensia Silverash, and closed her eyes, giving the impression that she was saying, "I'm going to sleep, do as you please."

Ensia Silverash stood there, her empty hands clasped behind her back, looking at Su Rui, who was lying on the bed with his back to her, seemingly ready to fall asleep. She glanced at the large, soft bed, her mind momentarily blank. Su Rui... let her sleep here? Sleep... sleep in the same bed?

A surge of immense joy and a touch of shyness instantly overwhelmed her. But looking at Su Rui's tired back, which seemed genuinely preparing to fall asleep, that shyness was quickly replaced by a warm, reassuring feeling. The person her sister trusted really was... a very, very good person.

Ensia Silverash bit her lower lip, no longer hesitating. She tiptoed to the bedside, lifted another corner of the blanket, and carefully lay down, trying not to make a sound. The soft bed, the warm blankets, and the cool and reassuring scent of Su Rui beside her instantly relaxed her.

She turned to face Su Rui's back. Su Rui seemed to be asleep, her breathing even and deep. Ensia Silverash looked at that broad yet slightly slender back so close to her, and her heart was filled with an unprecedented sense of security and satisfaction. It was as if her sister was right beside her.

She closed her eyes, inhaling the sun-kissed scent of the bedding and the comforting aroma of Su Rui. Sleepiness washed over her like a gentle tide. Before completely drifting off to sleep, she groggily whispered something to Su Rui's retreating figure:

Goodnight, Su Rui... Thank you.

There was no response. Only Su Rui's steady breathing echoed softly in the silent room.

Ensia Silverash quickly fell asleep, a sweet smile on her lips, as if she were having a beautiful dream.

Outside the window, the winter night in Kjerag remained as deep and inky as ever. But inside the room, two figures, one tall and one short, slept side by side, maintaining a polite distance, their breaths mingling, like the closest family members sharing the warmest and most peaceful corner of this cold winter night.

At dawn, the first faint rays of sunlight struggled to squeeze into the room through the gaps in the heavy velvet curtains, casting a narrow, grayish-white band of light on the dark carpet.