Ark Simulator, don't I have no physical form?

Mostima watched Suri's hasty retreat, picked up her coffee, took a small sip, and a complex smile curved her lips. There was smugness, amusement, and perhaps… even a barely perceptible hint of…pity?

"Can I escape, Suri?" she murmured to herself, her voice fading into the empty apartment. This game of "truth" and "pretense," which she had initiated, seemed to have only just begun. And Suri was clearly not ready to face it.

The apartment door slammed shut behind him with a somewhat rough thud. He practically fled downstairs; the cool morning air rushed towards him, but it couldn't cool the heat rising on his cheeks from shame, anger, and panic. Mostima's words echoed in his mind like a curse, each word piercing his heart like a needle he was trying to hide.

He walked briskly down the street, his steps disordered and aimless. He just wanted to get away from that space where he felt exposed, away from Mostima's all-seeing eyes. He needed Remian. Now, immediately, right now! Only by her side, in her all-encompassing, gentle gaze, could he find a moment's respite, a temporary escape from the turmoil and chaos within him.

He pulled out his communicator, his fingers trembling slightly as he dialed Remian's number. Almost instantly, the call was connected.

"Suri?" Remy's gentle voice came from the other end, tinged with a hint of doubt. "What's wrong? We just finished shopping and were about to head back."

Hearing her voice, Su Rui's tense nerves relaxed a little, but his heart started beating faster. He took a deep breath, trying to make his voice sound calm, but it still carried a hint of barely perceptible urgency: "...Where are you? I'm coming to find you."

"Hmm? It's right in front of that breakfast shop you mentioned. What's wrong? Did something happen?" Remy noticed the unusual tone in his voice and asked with concern.

"It's nothing," Su Rui denied stiffly, his tone as awkward as ever. "...I just wanted some coffee. Wait for me, I'll be right there." Before Remianne could ask any more questions, he hung up the call and quickened his pace, running towards the breakfast shop.

When he arrived at the breakfast shop, panting, he saw Remien and Fiameta standing by the roadside, carrying bags of packed breakfasts. Remien, sitting in her wheelchair, was looking around with a slight frown and concern. Seeing him approach, a relieved smile immediately appeared on her face, but it was quickly replaced by doubt.

Volume 17, Chapter 1037: Let's go back now.

"Su Rui? Why did you come here? And you're dressed so lightly?" She looked at Su Rui, who was only wearing a thin shirt and had fine beads of sweat on her forehead, and couldn't help but worry.

Suri didn't explain. He strode over to Remian and, almost instinctively, grabbed her hand from the armrest of her wheelchair and held it tightly. His palm was a little cold and sweaty, and the grip was so strong that Remian even felt a slight pain.

“Suri?” Remien was startled by his sudden action, her lake-blue eyes filled with confusion and worry.

Suri didn't look into her eyes, but kept his head down, his gaze fixed on the ground, as if something on the ground was extremely attractive to him. He gripped her hand tightly, as if grasping at a lifeline, and squeezed out a few words through clenched teeth: "...Go back. Let's go now."

His voice was low, carrying a suppressed restlessness and... a hint of fragile dependence. This was a state Remi'an rarely saw. Her doubts deepened, but even more so, she felt heartache. She didn't ask any more questions, but simply grasped his cold hand tightly, warming it with the warmth of her own palm, and softly said, "Okay, let's go back now."

Fiameta, watching this scene from the side, was also somewhat puzzled, but she wisely refrained from asking any questions and simply followed silently behind.

On the way back to the apartment, Suri stayed close to Remian's wheelchair, holding her hand firmly with one hand and pushing the wheelchair with the other, his pace so fast it was almost as if he were fleeing something. He kept his head down the whole time, his lips pursed, not uttering a word, radiating a low pressure that said "keep away," and even Fiameta didn't dare to get too close.

Remien could clearly feel the sweat and slight trembling of his palms, and the unease that emanated from his very bones. She didn't know what had happened between him and Mostima, but she was certain that Suri was deeply troubled. She could only offer him silent support and warmth, gently stroking the back of his hand with her fingertips, trying to soothe his agitated emotions.

Finally, he was back at the apartment building. But Suri hesitated. He looked up at the familiar window, his eyes filled with struggle and resistance. He knew Mostima was still inside. The woman who had left him nowhere to run.

“Suri?” Remianne called him softly, her voice questioning.

Suri gritted his teeth and finally pushed Remian into the stairwell. Running away wouldn't solve anything, and besides, he couldn't stay away from home forever.

She unlocked the door; the living room was empty. Suri's heart relaxed for a moment, but then tightened again. Mostima was definitely somewhere.

Sure enough, as they entered the living room and placed breakfast on the table, the bathroom door opened. Mostima emerged, drying her damp, silver-gray hair with a towel. She had changed into clean casual clothes and looked refreshed. Seeing them return, a bright smile immediately spread across her face, her gaze naturally falling on Suri.

"Oh, you're back? Did you buy breakfast?" Her tone was relaxed and natural, as if the unpleasant conversation that morning had never happened.

Suri's body stiffened instantly! Almost reflexively, he took a half-step back, completely hiding behind Remian's wheelchair, only revealing half his head and a pair of dark eyes filled with vigilance and resistance, staring intently at Mostima. He looked exactly like a frightened little animal hiding behind its owner.

Remian was taken aback by Suri's overreaction. She turned to look at Suri, then at Mostima, who appeared innocent (at least on the surface), her confusion reaching its peak. She gently patted Suri's hand that was gripping her shoulder (he had somehow released her hand and was now holding her shoulder instead), and asked softly, "Suri? What's wrong?"

Suri didn't answer, but silently accused Mostima with her eyes, her lips pressed white.

Mostima, far from being angry at Suri's "panic-like" expression, found it extremely amusing. Tilting her head with a teasing smile, she deliberately took a step forward: "Little Suri, why are you hiding? I'm not going to eat you."

Her move made Suri even more nervous. He almost shrank his whole body behind Remien, and the knuckles of his fingers gripping Remien's shoulders turned white from the force.

“Mostima!” Remian couldn’t help but speak up, her tone carrying a hint of seriousness. Although she didn’t know exactly what had happened, Suri’s strong reaction clearly indicated that Mostima was the “culprit.”

Seeing this, Mostima shrugged and stopped, but her smile remained undiminished. She spread her hands, her tone slightly aggrieved, "Remian, I didn't do anything! I just chatted with him, who knew he would react so strongly?" She looked at Suri, her eyes filled with undisguised teasing, "Isn't that right, little Suri? Just a chat, is it really necessary to be this scared?"

Suri trembled with rage at her words, but when he opened his mouth, he found himself utterly unable to refute her. Was he supposed to say that he had hidden away because he was ashamed of being exposed? He could only glare fiercely at Mostima, his eyes conveying his anger and...helplessness.

Remien, observing the bizarre scene before her, had a general idea of ​​what was going on. Mostima must have used some of her unique, unpredictable methods to "bully" Suri, touching a nerve or making him feel embarrassed. She sighed, a mixture of helplessness and heartache for Suri. She turned her wheelchair, completely shielding Suri behind her, and faced Mostima, her voice gentle yet undeniably firm: "Mostima, Suri... he might be feeling a little unwell. Breakfast is back, you eat first. Suri and I... need to be alone for a while."

This was a tactful way of asking him to leave, but also a gesture of protecting Su Rui.

Mostima, being incredibly clever, immediately understood Remian's meaning. She glanced at Suri, who was hiding behind Remian, only her angry eyes visible, then at Remian's protective expression, and a meaningful smile appeared on her lips. She nodded and said tactfully, "Alright, alright, then I won't disturb your 'private time' any longer. I'll have breakfast first, and then I'll leave." With that, she walked to the table, opened her breakfast bag, and began to eat with relish, as if everything that had just happened was merely an insignificant interlude.

Remien breathed a sigh of relief. She pushed the wheelchair, carrying Suri, who was still tense and looked like a frightened hedgehog, back to the bedroom and gently closed the door.

Volume 17, Chapter 1038: Isolated from the outside world

Once the door closed, cutting off the view and sound from outside, Su Rui's tense nerves finally relaxed a little. He leaned against the door and let out a long sigh, but his face was still pale, and his eyes were filled with frustration and irritation.

Remian pushed her wheelchair to him, looked up at him, and asked softly, "Now can you tell me what happened?"

Suri lowered his head, looking into Remian's pure, worried eyes, and a wave of intense guilt and helplessness washed over him. He opened his mouth, but found himself unable to utter a single word. What could he say? That Mostima had exposed his chaotic past? That he had fled in a panic because of his guilt and shame? That he was afraid of losing her?

In the end, he could only shake his head dejectedly, bury his face in Remian's neck, and mutter, "...Don't ask anymore. Let me...hold you for a while."

Remian didn't press the matter further. She reached out and gently hugged him, patting his back softly as if comforting a wronged child. She could feel his slight trembling and his inner turmoil.

In the bedroom, Suri buried his face deep in Remien's soft neck, greedily inhaling her familiar, comforting scent. Remien's hands gently but firmly patted his back, like soothing a frightened cat. She didn't ask any more questions, only offering him the strongest support through silent companionship and tender body language.

After a while, Suri's tense body gradually relaxed, and his rapid breathing became calmer. But he still didn't look up, as if this small haven was his only solace at this moment. Remien could sense his inner struggle and turmoil. Although she didn't know the specific reason, she knew it must be related to Mostima, and it had touched on some sensitive areas that Suri didn't want to show to others.

"Are you feeling better?" Remien asked softly, her voice as gentle as a feather brushing against your heart.

Suri gave a muffled "hmm" in the crook of her neck, his voice carrying a barely perceptible nasal tone. He slowly raised his head, the panic and anger that had been in his dark eyes fading, replaced by a deep weariness and... a hint of vulnerability. He avoided Remi'an's probing gaze and whispered, "...It's alright now."

Remien looked at his feigned strength, feeling both heartache and helplessness. She reached out and gently cupped his cheeks, forcing him to look into her eyes. Her lake-blue eyes were filled with tenderness and understanding: "It's okay if you don't want to talk. But remember, no matter what happens, I'll be here."

Suri's heart skipped a beat. Remy's words were like a warm current, instantly dispelling the gloom and unease that had accumulated in his heart. He took her hand in his own, holding it tightly, as if trying to imprint this promise on his palm. He nodded, still without explaining anything, but the gloom in his eyes had largely dissipated.

“Shall we go outside?” Remien suggested softly. “Breakfast will get cold. And… we can’t keep the guests waiting.” She was referring to Mostima and Fiameta outside.

Mentioning Mostima, Suri's brows furrowed involuntarily, a hint of resistance flashing across his face. But after looking into Remian's gentle yet firm eyes, he finally nodded. He couldn't keep hiding, and... he didn't want to put Remian in a difficult position.

The two composed themselves and reopened the bedroom door.

In the living room, Fiameta had finished breakfast and was looking out the window somewhat restlessly. Mostima, on the other hand, was still sitting leisurely at the dining table, sipping her coffee. When she saw them come out, a knowing smile immediately appeared on her face, and her gaze fell directly on Suri.

Suri instinctively tensed up, his eyes instantly turning cold, filled with undisguised wariness and aloofness. He almost immediately moved, positioning himself behind and to the side of Remian's wheelchair, using Remian's body as a barrier to block Mostima's unsettling gaze.

Remien observed Suri's reaction and understood. She pushed her wheelchair to the dining table and smiled gently at Fiametta: "Fiametta, is breakfast to your liking?"

Fiameta nodded quickly: "It's delicious! Thank you!"

Then, Remian turned her gaze to Mostima. Her face still held a gentle smile, but a barely perceptible glint of reproach and warning flashed in her lake-blue eyes. She gently patted Suri's hand on her shoulder (Suri's hand had somehow returned to her, as if seeking protection), her tone calm yet carrying an undeniable air of protectiveness: "Mostima, was breakfast to your liking?"

Her words, seemingly just casual pleasantries, carried a clear meaning when considered in light of Suri's earlier overreaction and her current protective stance towards Suri—she was subtly expressing her dissatisfaction with Mostima's behavior and clearly drawing a line: Suri was someone she wanted to protect.

Mostima, ever astute, immediately picked up on Remien's signal. Her smile remained unchanged, even brightening slightly, as if completely oblivious to any displeasure. She set down her coffee cup, placed her hands clasped on the table, leaned slightly forward, and glanced at the still tense Suri before finally settling on Remien. She casually changed the subject:

"Breakfast was wonderful! Thank you for the treat~" She paused, a sly glint in her eyes, then changed the subject, "Speaking of which, Remian, Suri, you two... you shouldn't have any urgent missions lately, right?"

Remien paused, not understanding why Mostima suddenly asked this, but nodded nonetheless: "Yeah, I just finished an overseas assignment, so I've been pretty free lately. What's up?"

Mostima's smile grew even more mysterious. She lowered her voice, her excitement like that of someone sharing a secret: "I passed by Siesta a few days ago and discovered an amazing place! It's a very niche seaside resort area, not many people know about it, the scenery is absolutely stunning, the seawater is as clear as sapphire, the sand is white, and there are even natural hot springs! Most importantly, it's very quiet there, with almost no tourists."

As she spoke, she gestured to Suri and Remian with her eyes: "I see you've just finished your work and need to relax. Fiameta hasn't had anything to do lately either (Fiameta's eyes widened upon hearing this, seemingly wanting to object, but Mostima stopped her with a look). How about it? Everyone has time, so how about... we go there together for a vacation? Consider it... a celebration of the successful completion of the mission, and also... a chance to unwind?"

Volume 17, Chapter 1039: Let's Go on Vacation

The suggestion came as a complete surprise. Remian hadn't expected Mostima to suddenly suggest going on vacation together. She instinctively looked at Suri, wanting to see his reaction.

When Suri heard the word "vacation," his brow furrowed even more. A vacation with Mostima? What a joke! He just wanted to get as far away from that woman as possible! He almost immediately refused.

Mostima seemed to have anticipated his reaction. Before he could speak, she continued, her tone seductive: "It's really quiet there, perfect for... just the two of us, you know?" She emphasized the words "just the two of us," her gaze shifting meaningfully between Suri and Remian. "And I know a fantastic private villa with a private courtyard and hot spring, where no outsiders will bother us. We can each do our own thing, without interfering with each other." She was clearly saying this to Suri, implying that he didn't need to worry about her disturbing his and Remian's time alone.

Remian's heart skipped a beat. A quiet, seaside resort with hot springs? It sounded incredibly tempting. Especially the words "a world for two" and "no interference between them," which resonated with her. She knew Suri was under a lot of pressure lately and needed to relax, and a secluded environment might allow him to truly calm down and strengthen their relationship. And… if she could use this opportunity to ease the tense and awkward atmosphere between Suri and Mostima, that wouldn't be bad either?

She hesitated for a moment, not answering immediately, but instead turning her gaze to Suri again, her tone suggestive and inquiring: "Suri, what do you think? It sounds... like a good place?" She didn't make the decision for Suri, but left the choice to him. She respected his wishes, especially given his obvious strong aversion to Mostima.

In an instant, everyone's attention was focused on Su Rui.

Fiameta looked bewildered and expectant, as if asking, "Are we really going?" Mostima wore a confident and alluring smile, while Remien's expression was full of anticipation and gentle inquiry.

Suri was caught in a huge dilemma. He absolutely didn't want to go with Mostima! But the obvious expectation in Remian's eyes, and the keywords like "just the two of them," "quiet," and "hot springs," stirred his heart like a feather. He really needed to relax, and even more so, he needed time alone with Remian to soothe the turmoil in his heart. If... if Mostima could really keep her promise of "no interference"...

He pressed his lips together, his dark eyes filled with struggle. To refuse? That would disappoint Remian. To agree? That meant enduring Mostima's presence.

Ultimately, his concern for Remian and his longing for a peaceful vacation outweighed his aversion to Mostima. He forced out a muffled syllable through clenched teeth: "...Whatever."

This is practically tantamount to admitting it!

Remien's face instantly lit up with a delighted smile! She hadn't expected Suri to agree! She happily grasped Suri's hand: "Really? That's wonderful!"

Mostima also wore a victor's smile, as if everything was under her control.

Only Suri remained sullen, already plotting how to avoid Mostima as much as possible once they arrived, and... how he would "deal with" Mostima if she dared to break her promise and disturb him and Remian. This sudden vacation invitation was destined to be anything but peaceful.

Suri's reluctant and strained "Whatever" was like flipping a switch. Remi's face instantly lit up with surprise, her lake-blue eyes sparkling as if filled with starlight. She immediately put her vacation plans on the agenda, enthusiastically making arrangements, as if she could already see the sunshine, the beach, and the waves.

“Great! Then we need to get ready quickly!” Remian pushed her wheelchair towards the bedroom, her tone as light as a bird released from its cage. “I remember the climate in Siesta is warm, so we need to bring some light summer clothes… Oh, and since it’s the beach, we definitely need to bring swimsuits!” As she spoke, she began rummaging through the closet, her movements carrying a long-lost, childlike excitement. For her, going on vacation with Suri was something to look forward to in itself, let alone the opportunity to help him relax.

Suri, still basking in the gloom of being forced to travel with Mostima, subtly twitched his ears and furrowed his brow at the mention of "swimsuit." The beach? Swimsuit? Images flashed through his mind: sunshine, sand, waves… and a noisy crowd in revealing swimsuits. This seemed quite different from his ideal of a "quiet vacation." He hated crowded places, and even more so, situations requiring him to expose his body. He always preferred to be fully covered, not just out of habit, but as a symbol of security and boundaries. Exposing his body to the gaze of others (especially those other than Remian) made him extremely uncomfortable and… an almost instinctive resistance.

He followed Remien into the bedroom, leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, and watched her busy figure, his face etched with disinterest and annoyance. Like a detached statue, he showed little interest in the upcoming trip, only wanting to end this tedious preparation as quickly as possible.

Remian rummaged through the depths of her wardrobe and pulled out several waterproof bags specifically for storing special clothing. She opened one of them. Inside were several neatly folded swimsuits. Suri's gaze lazily swept over them, first noticing a conservative, one-piece-style light blue swimsuit with delicate lace trim. The fabric was thick and covered a large area, with a perfectly designed neckline and hem, exuding both elegance and a touch of girlish sweetness. This style was unmistakably Remian's—dignified and proper, befitting her identity and temperament as a Lateran executor.

Just as he was about to look away and urge Remi to hurry up, his attention was suddenly drawn to another swimsuit in the storage bag. That swimsuit was clearly different; the color was a deep, almost inky blue, the design extremely simple and clean, with sharp lines and a distinctly…functional? Or perhaps a deliberate, minimalist style stripped of all embellishments? But upon closer inspection, it didn't seem to be entirely traditional men's swim trunks; it was more like…a unisex swimsuit with a strong sense of design, blending futuristic and sporty elements? More importantly, the fabric of this swimsuit…seemed pitifully thin! The upper part consisted almost entirely of several elastic bands of varying widths crisscrossing and intertwining in a geometrically beautiful way, barely covering any key areas, instead emphasizing the outline; the lower part was an extremely short, boxer-style bottom with breathable mesh cutouts common in tactical clothing along the edges!

What's going on in Volume 17, page 1040?

Suri's brows furrowed instantly! What... what is this?! Who would bring something so indecent, practically naked, to a vacation?! His gaze swept back and forth between Remien's conservative and proper swimsuit and this revealing, almost provocative one, his face filled with undisguised confusion and... a hint of offended disgust. The style difference was too great! It was like putting hymns from a sanctuary into the sound of heavy metal rock from an underground bar—completely incongruous! Did Remien prepare someone else's swimsuit? Fiameta's? No, Fiameta's style was more practical and direct; she wouldn't choose a design with such obvious "display" implications. Mostima's? He wasn't surprised what that woman wore; her style was mysterious and casual, but the lines of this swimsuit were too sharp and deliberate, seemingly not suited to her temperament.

He couldn't help but speak, his voice carrying a hint of awkwardness and doubt, as well as a subtle tension that he himself wasn't even aware of: "...Whose is that?" He pointed to the dark blue swimsuit that he considered like a "rag," his fingertips even carrying a hint of disgust, as if afraid of getting something unclean on it.

Remi'an was holding up her swimsuit in front of her when she heard Su Rui's voice and turned to look in the direction he was pointing. When she saw the dark blue swimsuit, a gentle yet mischievous smile, like someone who had just pulled off a prank, spread across her face. She put down her swimsuit, picked up the dark blue one, and carefully unfolded it in front of Su Rui. Her lake-blue eyes sparkled with anticipation and a hint of mischief as she said in a light tone, "This? Of course, it's for you, Su Rui!"

Suri: "!!!"

He froze instantly, as if struck by a high-voltage current! His usually half-closed, seemingly uninterested black eyes widened abruptly, pupils contracting violently, as if he had witnessed something unbelievable and terrifying! He stared incredulously at the scantly clad, almost provocatively designed swimsuit in Remian's hand, then at Remian's smiling face that seemed to say, "Surprised? You like it? I have good taste, don't you?" His mind went blank, and he even experienced a brief ringing in his ears!

This was prepared for him?! What a joke on Terra! Making him wear this?! In a situation where there might be other people (especially that persistent Mostima!)?! This is even more unacceptable to him than making him fight an entire Reunion squad alone! This is a complete trampling and insult to his personal dignity, aesthetic standards, and sense of security!

"Impossible!" Suri refused without hesitation, his voice rising several decibels in shock and anger, sharp and cold with a sense of severe offense. "I will never wear something like this!" His face instantly darkened, turning ashen, while his ears involuntarily flushed a distinct red, whether from anger or embarrassment, or both, it was unclear. He even subconsciously took a half-step back, as if the swimsuit were some kind of dangerous, contaminated contaminant.

Remien seemed to have anticipated his strong reaction. Her smile remained undiminished, instead carrying the patience and slyness of someone coaxing a disobedient child. She held the swimsuit up higher, allowing the lights to better showcase its cut, her tone as enthusiastic as a salesperson: "Why not? This swimsuit is gorgeous! The dark blue complements your silver hair perfectly, making you look incredibly cool! The design is also very fashionable, a cutting-edge functional style that really flatters your figure!" As she spoke, she held the swimsuit up to Suri's body, her eyes full of admiration and anticipation. "Look, the crisscross strap design is so unique! It ensures freedom of movement while maintaining a stylish look! It would definitely suit you perfectly! You'd look absolutely stunning in it!"

Suri was so enraged by her blatantly dishonest sales pitch that he almost choked! He took a step back, his back nearly hitting the doorframe, his face contorted with disgust and resistance, as if he had suffered a severe emotional blow: "Fashionable?! Shows off your figure?! Remien! Are you...are you sure your eyesight is okay?!" He used a rare, slightly exaggerated rhetorical question to express the absurdity of his feelings. "This is simply...simply shameless! Immoral!" He racked his brains, finally finding two relatively elegant but powerful words to describe the shock this swimsuit had on him. "Wearing this is worse than not wearing anything...worse..." He stammered, unable to find a more suitable word to describe the exposure and shame, "...I'd rather wear a uniform in the water!" He finally added through gritted teeth, trying to show his unwavering determination.

"It's not that exaggerated!" Remien pouted, launching into her usual cajoling tactic, her tried-and-true "secret weapon" with Su Rui. She pushed her wheelchair closer to Su Rui, tilting her head back and looking at him with her large, watery eyes that seemed to hold the stars and the sea. Her voice was soft and sweet, full of coquettishness, with the last syllable drawn out: "Su Rui~ just try it on~ just once, okay? I want to see it~" She reached out and gently tugged at Su Rui's clothes, shaking them carefully like a little animal begging for its owner's affection. "Look, I specially prepared this for you, I spent a long time choosing it, how can you bear to disappoint me? Besides," she changed the subject, throwing out the crucial reassuring condition, "it's a private villa's pool, independent, no outsiders, just the few of us, it's okay~ Fiameta and Mostima won't be watching you the whole time~" She deliberately spoke in a relaxed tone, trying to downplay Su Rui's concerns.

Looking at Remian's pitiful, expectant expression, Suri felt a pang in his heart, as if tickled by the softest feather. The words of refusal circled on his lips, but he couldn't bring himself to say them. The thought of wearing that… that thing that was practically underwear, even more revealing than some underwear, and parading around in front of others (especially with Mostima's all-seeing eyes!), sent chills down his spine and filled him with shame! It would be a devastating blow to his image as a cold-blooded executor! He could already picture the mocking smile Mostima would wear!

"No!" He hardened his heart, turning his face away from Remian's piercing eyes. His tone remained firm, but his confidence seemed to have waned, even carrying a hint of... wavering? "...It's too revealing. I...I'll wear normal swim trunks." He tried to make a final stand, offering a compromise.

Volume 17, page 1041: Take a picture.

“Normal swim trunks are so boring! They’re all black and have no character at all!” Remi’an persisted. She released Su Rui’s clothes, picked up the swimsuit, and held it up against herself. She deliberately spoke in a pitiful tone, “Look, I’ve chosen such a special style for you, can’t you… just give in to me for a little while? Just consider it… fulfilling a small wish of mine? I promise, I’ll only wear it once, take a picture to remember it, and I won’t force you to wear it again, okay?” She blinked her big eyes, her tone full of temptation and pleading, as if Su Rui’s refusal would be a grave sin.

"Take a photo?!" Suri's voice suddenly rose eight octaves, his expression as if he had just heard a terrifying story! "Absolutely not!" Taking a photo as a souvenir?! Wouldn't that leave behind eternal evidence?! What if Mostima saw it...? He couldn't even imagine!

"Just one, secretly, don't let anyone else see it~" Remy continued to press, her voice so sweet it could drip honey.

Suri was torn by an internal struggle. Reason and shame screamed, "Absolutely not! This is a matter of principle!" But Remian's pleading, pleading eyes, as if she would burst into tears if he didn't agree, were like an invisible hand, slowly eroding his defenses. He hated anything troublesome or that didn't suit his aesthetic (and sense of security), but he hated disappointing Remian even more. And… a private pool… just the few of them… taking photos (and promising not to tell anyone)? These keywords seemed to lessen the "horror" of that swimsuit a tiny bit… just a tiny bit! Like a thin steel wire strung across an abyss, still dangerous, but at least there was a sliver of "possibility."

He looked into Remian's eyes, which seemed ready to overflow with tears at any moment, and then at the swimsuit that still haunted his gaze, a garment that felt like a torture device. His Adam's apple bobbed with difficulty. Finally, under Remian's persistent, gentle yet firm "offensive," a tiny crack was finally breached in that seemingly impregnable fortress.

He clicked his tongue in extreme frustration, his gaze drifting towards the window as if something there held immense appeal for him. He muttered something rapidly, almost forced out through clenched teeth, a sound tinged with resentment, humiliation, and a sense of utter despair:

"...Just...once. And...no photos allowed!...Also, don't tell anyone!"

He put forward three harsh conditions in one go, trying to salvage some of his pitiful dignity.

The moment the words left his mouth, he felt as if a part of his soul had been ripped away, an unprecedented sense of weakness and…deep regret washing over him. What foolish decision had he made?!

Upon hearing his extremely awkward yet unmistakably clear compromise, Remien's face instantly blossomed into a smile brighter than the summer sun! She was so happy she almost jumped off her wheelchair, hugged Suri around the waist, buried her face deep in his chest, and her voice was filled with uncontrollable joy and emotion: "That's wonderful! Suri, you're the best! I knew you would agree! You love me the most!"

Suri stood stiffly in her arms, his face flushing and paling by turns, his heart a jumble of emotions, like a spilled spice jar. He felt he had made a foolish decision, one that would go down in history, with unimaginable consequences. A strong sense of shame and regret almost overwhelmed him. But… feeling Remien's genuine, warm, and real smile of happiness in his arms, feeling the dependence and happiness emanating from her tightly wrapped arms, that regret and shame inexplicably transformed into a complex emotion of helplessness, even tinged with… a secret indulgence.

"Fine... I'll just consider it... going along with her foolishness this once." He thought resignedly, trying to convince himself with this reason. As for how it would look in it... he refused to imagine it! He only hoped that the poolside lighting would be dim enough that no one could see him! No, he even hoped that it would suddenly pour rain that day, canceling all water activities!

And so, under Remien's masterful "persuasion" and "persuasion," Suri reluctantly prepared a swimsuit for his upcoming vacation—a suit he never imagined he'd wear, a serious challenge to his psychological and aesthetic sensibilities. This little "war" over the swimsuit undoubtedly added a touch of absurdity, drama, and anticipation to the upcoming holiday. Suri began to seriously wonder if this vacation might be another huge "mistake" in his life.

The departure day arrived quickly. Early morning sunlight filtered through the clouds, illuminating the clean streets of Lateran. A modified, spacious, and comfortable SUV pulled up in front of Remian's apartment building. Fiameta had arrived early and was helping load the luggage into the car, a mixture of anticipation and nervousness on her face. Mostima, as always, remained elusive, already leaning against the car, fiddling with a strangely shaped compass, a mysterious smile playing on her lips, as if she knew everything about the upcoming journey.

Suri pushed Remian's wheelchair last to appear. He had changed into a dark travel outfit that allowed for easy movement, with a light windproof jacket over it. His silver hair gleamed coldly in the morning light. His face was expressionless, still with that indifferent look that showed no interest in anything. But if you looked closely, you could see that his tightly pursed lips were even tighter than usual, and his eyes held a hint of wariness and... irritation at the prospect of spending a long time in the car with Mostima.

Remien, on the other hand, seemed much more relaxed and cheerful. She wore a comfortable light-colored dress with a thin blanket draped over it, and her lake-blue eyes sparkled with anticipation for the trip. She greeted Fiameta with a smile and nodded to Mostima.

"Everything ready? Let's go then?" Mostima opened the car door, gestured for her to proceed, and glanced meaningfully at Su Rui, a playful smile curving her lips.