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

Negotiations have been underway for some time. While the atmosphere isn't exactly tense, it's certainly not relaxed or pleasant. Significant disagreements exist between the two sides on details of some key terms, particularly regarding the depth of intelligence sharing, the scope of authority for Lateran executors within Siesta, and the conditions for certain technology transfers. Siesta clearly wants to maximize the protection of its sovereignty and interests, and its proposed conditions are relatively conservative, even somewhat demanding.

"...Regarding our personnel's authority to take preliminary action against specific threats within your city's borders, and their limited cross-border tracking authority when necessary, we believe these are fundamental guarantees for ensuring the effectiveness of our cooperation." Fiameta's tone was calm, but her words were firm, her fingertips lightly tapping the documents on the table. "Last night's riots precisely demonstrated the necessity of establishing an efficient coordination mechanism. If there had been smoother intelligence channels and operational authorization at the time, the suppression of the incident and subsequent cleanup work could have been faster and more thorough, minimizing the impact on your city's normal order and the safety of its citizens."

The deputy mayor of Siesta leaned back slightly, his hands clasped on the table, a formulaic smile on his face: “Ms. Fiameta, we fully understand your concerns and appreciate Lateran’s efforts in maintaining regional stability. However, your mention of ‘first-mover advantage’ and ‘cross-border tracking rights’ involves our sovereignty and legal system, and we need to assess them very carefully. We must ensure that any agreement does not harm Siesta’s independence and the rights of its citizens. Moreover, our city defense forces and security forces handled last night’s events quite well, preventing any uncontrollable consequences, which proves that we have the capability to deal with such incidents.” His words were subtly pointed, acknowledging Lateran’s “goodwill” while subtly emphasizing Siesta’s “capabilities,” implying that the other party’s demands were somewhat “overstepping their bounds.”

Fiameta's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. She knew the other party would create obstacles on this issue, but their seemingly polite yet unyielding attitude still made her feel somewhat uneasy. She was preparing to elaborate further, listing more examples of potential threats to exert pressure…

Just then, Mostima, who had been sitting quietly behind Fiameta as if she were just an insignificant "accomplice," suddenly chuckled softly. The chuckle was remarkably clear in the somewhat somber conference room, instantly drawing everyone's attention.

Mostima wore a slightly loose but well-made dark gray suit jacket today, over a simple white shirt. Her short, silver-gray hair was casually draped over her shoulders, a departure from her usual mysterious and carefree style, giving her a more formal look. However, her lake-blue eyes still shone with an unfathomable light. She seemed uninterested in the negotiation itself, spending most of her time fiddling with her unmarked black phone, a half-smile playing on her lips.

At that moment, she looked up, meeting the questioning gazes of the crowd, and gave a smile that was both innocent and sly. "Excuse me for interrupting." She waved her phone in her hand; the screen was lit up, displaying what appeared to be some charts and data. "I just received some... um... quite interesting 'background information,' which might help us to more... objectively assess the 'complexity' of the current situation?"

Volume 17, Chapter 1072: Wanting to Repay a Kindness

Fiame looked at her questioningly, her eyes asking a question. Mostima winked at her, then turned her phone screen toward the deputy mayor of Siesta, keeping a distance where the other person couldn't see the specific content, but could glimpse some complex data and maps.

“Mr. Deputy Mayor,” Mostima’s voice carried a languid yet undeniably confident tone, “you just mentioned that your city’s defense forces ‘handled things quite well.’ Indeed, the overt clearing operation was highly efficient. However…” She drew out her words, her fingertips lightly swiping across the screen, “according to some… non-public information we’ve just obtained, it seems that several of the key figures involved in last night’s riot have some… unclear financial dealings and personal relationships with a mid-level official of your city’s port authority, and… a local subcontractor of ‘Blacksteel International’? Moreover, a few hours before the riot, a batch of unregistered goods labeled ‘industrial parts’ entered the port’s Warehouse No. 3, and their energy characteristics… seem to highly match the Originium Arts activation modules of some of the modified firearms used by the rioters last night?”

With each word Mostima spoke, the smile on Deputy Mayor Siesta's face stiffened further. When he heard keywords like "Port Authority," "Black Steel International subcontractor," "unreported goods," and "matching energy signatures," beads of sweat even appeared on his forehead! This information was sensitive content that even their internal emergency investigation hadn't fully clarified! How could the people of Lateran know so much?! And why was it being thrown out at the negotiating table in such a seemingly casual manner?!

This hit them right where it hurts! If this information is true, it means that last night's riots were not simply "incited by external forces," but likely involved internal management loopholes in Siesta, or even... corruption! This is undoubtedly a heavy blow to Siesta, which is trying its best to maintain the city's safety and image and to occupy the moral high ground in negotiations!

“Ms. Mostima! Where...where did you get this information from?!” The deputy mayor’s voice trembled slightly as he tried to remain calm.

Mostima gracefully put away her phone, shrugged, and maintained her enigmatic smile: "The source... is naturally reliable. After all, Laterano has always valued the 'internal health' of its partners. We believe the Siesta government has the capability and determination to thoroughly investigate this matter and eliminate the bad apples. Our proposed cooperation framework, including deeper intelligence sharing and collaborative investigation mechanisms, is precisely to help friendly cities like Siesta better prevent and respond to such complex threats of 'internal and external collusion,' don't you think?" Her words were understated, yet like the sharpest dagger, they struck at the heart of the matter. She didn't directly accuse them, but instead threw the question back at them, packaging Laterano's "harsh" conditions as a gesture of goodwill—"helping a friend solve internal problems."

A deathly silence fell over the meeting room. The Siesta representatives exchanged bewildered glances, their faces grim. Fiameta stared at Mostima in shock, her mind reeling! This intelligence… she, as the negotiator, had never possessed such detailed and crucial information before! Where did Mostima obtain it?! Was she investigating this during her disappearance?

Taking advantage of the moment when the other side was thrown into disarray, Mostima picked up her water glass, took a leisurely sip, and glanced out of the corner of her eye at the encrypted message notification she had just received but hadn't yet opened on her phone screen. The sender's identifier was an extremely subtle code, but she recognized the unique encryption style at a glance.

Su Rui.

The message, received shortly after the negotiations began, contained a concise summary of information and data analysis regarding potential management loopholes within Siesta and connections to last night's riots. Simple, precise, and deadly. Just like him.

Mostima's lips curled into an even more pronounced, genuinely pleased smile. Oh dear… Little Suri… she's really been a huge help this time! She'd only been habitually gathering intelligence before negotiations, casually "borrowing" some special network access Suri might have to see if she could snag anything, but she never expected… he'd actually deliver such a generous gift! The timing, content, and accuracy of this intelligence were practically tailor-made for her! It had instantly shifted the balance of power in Laterano's favor!

It seems... last night's "time-stop kiss" and this morning's "breakfast reward" were quite effective! Mostima thought happily. Although she knew Suri's motivation for helping was probably to avoid trouble (after all, if the negotiations stalled, their vacation in Siesta wouldn't be peaceful), the result was that she and Fiameta had genuinely done her and Fiame a huge favor. This "gift" was truly substantial!

Afterwards… she'd better properly “thank” him. A sly glint flashed in Mostima's eyes as she began to plan various ways to “repay his kindness.” For example… she could pick the most sensational of the “intimate” photos taken last night and anonymously send it to Remian? Or… she could find an opportunity to play some even more exciting “games” with him? Thinking of this, the smile on her face grew even brighter and… more dangerous.

Meanwhile, back in the villa, Suri, leisurely sunbathing and reading with Remian, suddenly felt a chill run down his spine and sneezed. He frowned, glanced around suspiciously, and finding nothing amiss, lowered his head again to continue reading. He was completely unaware that his casual "small help" was not only about to secure a brilliant diplomatic victory for Laterano, but had also lured him into an even more "enthusiastic"... "repayment" plan.

The negotiations at Siesta City Hall ultimately concluded in a delicate atmosphere favorable to Laterano. Faced with Mostima's incisive "internal intelligence," the Siesta deputy mayor and his team were thrown into disarray, their previous composure and sense of superiority vanishing. They had to admit that there were indeed oversights and areas for improvement in the handling of the aftermath of last night's riots and the internal investigation. Laterano's "harsh" terms regarding deepening intelligence sharing and collaborative action mechanisms became difficult to refuse under the guise of "helping a friend solve internal problems and jointly maintaining regional stability."

After a series of urgent internal consultations and negotiations (mainly on non-core details and specific implementation aspects), both parties reached a preliminary memorandum of understanding on cooperation. Although a formal agreement will require further detailed negotiations, the core framework has been basically established, and Laterano has achieved results far exceeding expectations.

Volume 17, page 1073 is favorable to us.

As Fiameta signed her name on the memorandum, she was filled with incredible excitement and a profound sense of relief. The negotiations had gone far better than she had initially anticipated. She knew that the turning point had been Mostima's bombshell announcement at the crucial moment.

Stepping out of the city hall building, the afternoon sun was a bit dazzling. Fiameta let out a long sigh of relief, feeling as if most of the burden on her shoulders had been lifted. She turned to look at Mostima beside her, who remained calm and composed, as if she had just gone for afternoon tea. Her lake-blue eyes were filled with gratitude and admiration.

“Mostima! Thank you so much this time!” Fiameta said sincerely, her voice trembling with emotion. “If it weren’t for that crucial intelligence you obtained, our negotiations would never have gone so smoothly! You… when did you find out about this? How come I had no idea?” She recalled Mostima’s calm and collected demeanor at the negotiating table, her decisive strike still seeming somewhat unbelievable. This elusive and unpredictable messenger’s energy and skill displayed at this critical moment were truly astonishing.

Mostima was looking down at her phone, seemingly checking some information. Hearing Fiameta's words, she looked up, her short, silver-grey hair gleaming coolly in the sunlight. A mysterious smile appeared on her face. She waved her hand dismissively, her tone light: "Oh, it's nothing~ just helping out. As for the source of the information..." She winked, pausing to reveal herself, "It's a secret~ Anyway, as long as it's to our advantage~"

She didn't mention Suri's name. On one hand, she wasn't sure if Suri would let Fiameta know that he had helped her (given his awkward personality, he probably wouldn't); on the other hand, maintaining a bit of mystery was in line with her usual style.

Seeing that she was unwilling to elaborate, Fiameta wisely refrained from pressing for details. Everyone has their own channels and secrets, especially someone like Mostima. She simply thanked her again sincerely, "In any case, I really owe you a debt of gratitude this time! I will definitely speak to the Holy See on your behalf when we get back!"

“No need for praise~” Mostima grinned and put her arm around Fiameta’s shoulder, acting like they were best buddies. “But… we still need to express our gratitude~ You agree, right?” She changed the subject, her lake-blue eyes flashing with a cunning light, like a cat that had just stolen some fish.

“Of course!” Fiameta nodded vigorously. “What kind of thank you do you want? As long as it’s within my power, no problem!” She was a person who clearly distinguished between gratitude and resentment. Mostima had helped her so much this time, and she had to show her appreciation.

"Hmm..." Mostima appeared to be thinking, tapping her chin with her finger, her gaze drifting towards the distant sea, a meaningful smile playing on her lips. "As for a thank-you gift... I've already thought of one~ But, it's not something I'm asking you for~"

"Not to me?" Fiameta paused, somewhat puzzled. "Then to whom?"

Mostima's smile grew even more mysterious. She leaned closer to Fiameta, lowered her voice, and said in a mischievous yet excited tone, "It's... another 'hero'~"

“Another hero?” Fiameta was even more confused. “Who else helped?” She thought carefully, and apart from Mostima, it seemed that no one else on the negotiation team had provided such crucial information.

“Of course there is~” Mostima smiled like a fox, hinting meaningfully, “Think about it, that intelligence… didn’t it come a little too ‘timely’? And… wasn’t the content a little too ‘precise’? It’s like… someone specially ‘tailor-made’ it for us?”

Fiameta wasn't stupid. After being reminded of this, and recalling Mostima's constant fiddling with her phone, as well as Suri's unfathomable technical skills and... extreme aversion to trouble (if the negotiations stalled, their vacation in Siesta would definitely be ruined), a bold guess instantly popped into her mind!

"Could it be... Suri?!" Fiameta exclaimed in a low voice, her crimson eyes filled with shock! Suri, who was indifferent to everything and wanted to stay as far away from all trouble as possible, would actually help them in secret?! This was more unbelievable than the sun rising in the west!

“Bingo~ You got it right!” Mostima snapped her fingers, a look of approval on her face saying, “You finally got it.” “Although little Suri’s motive for helping… was probably to prevent our negotiations from failing and causing endless trouble, thus affecting his peaceful vacation.” She mimicked Suri’s icy tone perfectly. “But anyway, the result is good, right? We should remember this favor, shouldn’t we?”

Fiameta nodded blankly, still reeling from the shocking news that "Suri would actually help." That cold-faced devil... actually... had a "helpful" side? Although his motives might not be pure... it still struck her as utterly unbelievable!

“So…” Mostima spread her hands, a brighter, yet more “malicious” smile spreading across her face, “I’ve prepared a ‘special’ thank-you gift to personally ‘deliver’ to our young master Suri to express my sincere ‘gratitude’.”

Seeing Mostima's familiar smile—a mixture of excitement, cunning, and… a hint of danger—Fiametta's alarm bells went off immediately! She knew Mostima all too well! Whenever she showed that expression, it meant someone was about to be in big trouble! And that "someone" was almost certainly Suri!

“Wait…wait! Mostima!” Fiameta quickly grabbed her arm, her face filled with anxiety. “What…what do you want to do? Suri…he has a bad temper! Don’t do anything rash! What if you anger him…” She couldn’t even imagine what the consequences would be if Suri were provoked by Mostima’s “special thank you gift”! It would be absolutely disastrous!

"Relax, relax~" Mostima patted the back of her hand, indicating that she should rest assured, but the light in her eyes became even more intense. "I know what I'm doing~ It's just a little... a small way of expressing affectionate 'thank you'~ I promise it won't be too much~" She said "not too much", but her tone and expression made it seem like she was about to do something big!

"A way to express affectionate gratitude?" Fiameta frowned even more. "Like... giving him weapon parts he likes? Or... helping him collect some rare gun maintenance tools? Or... treating him to a meal?" She tried to offer some "normal" and safe suggestions. After all, Suri's preferences were quite limited, so catering to her tastes was never a bad idea.

Volume 17, Chapter 1074: Secretly Replaced

Mostima, upon hearing this, seemed to find it amusing and couldn't help but chuckle, shaking her head: "Fiameta, you're so unoriginal! Gifts? Dinner? That's so boring! With an awkward guy like Suri, you have to use something... special, something that will leave a 'deep impression' on him!"

She leaned close to Fiametta's ear and whispered mysteriously, "For example... secretly revealing his date with Remian to a few 'enthusiastic' fans? Or... adding some 'special' seasoning to his usual coffee? Or... changing all his clothes into... maid outfits while he's taking a shower?"

Fiameta: "!!!"

Her face turned deathly pale instantly! This…this wasn't gratitude?! This was blatant provocation! Given Suri's vengeful nature, if she knew Mostima had done this, she would have torn her to pieces! And Remian too…

"No! Absolutely not!" Fiameta gripped Mostima's arm tightly, her voice filled with anger. "Mostima! Calm down! I'm begging you! Don't provoke Suri! We... we can thank him in other ways! For example... I'll pay for a generous gift he'll absolutely love! Or... or I'll convey your gratitude to him! Don't go yourself!"

Seeing Fiameta's terrified expression, Mostima finally burst into laughter, drawing stares from passersby. She laughed for a while before wiping away her tears and waving her hand, "Oh, Fiameta, you're so cute! I was just kidding! Do I look like someone who doesn't know what's good for me?"

Fiame looked at her with suspicion, completely unsure of what to expect. Mostima's standards of "weight" had always been unusual!

"Don't worry~" Mostima put away her joking expression, but the sly glint in her eyes did not diminish at all. "My 'thank you' plan, although it will be a little... intimate, I guarantee it will be within the safe range, and... it will definitely be 'unforgettable' for him~" She deliberately emphasized the words "intimate" and "unforgettable", and a confident smile appeared on her lips.

"Let's go~" She didn't give Fiameta a chance to dissuade her, pulling the still worried Fiameta along, humming a little tune happily, "Let's go back and see what our 'great hero' is up to~ and while we're at it... to carry out my 'repayment plan'~"

Fiameta was being dragged along by her, her heart pounding with anxiety. She could only silently pray that Mostima's so-called "affectionate thanks" wouldn't turn into a bloodbath! Meanwhile, Mostima, walking ahead, was already mentally picturing the various expressions that might appear on Suri's icy face when she received her "special thank-you gift"... Just thinking about it made her incredibly excited! This vacation was getting more and more interesting!

Mostima and Fiameta returned to the secluded white villa along the seaside promenade, bathed in the golden light of the setting sun. The relief of a successful negotiation and gratitude for Suri's "secret help" put Fiameta in a good mood, but the thought of Mostima's "intimate thank-you plan" made her steps hesitant, her heart pounding with anxiety.

Pushing open the villa's door, a warm and tranquil atmosphere enveloped me. The living room was quiet, save for the faint sound of waves crashing outside the window. The setting sun cast long, warm shadows through the floor-to-ceiling windows onto the polished floor. Suri and Remian seemed not to be in the living room.

"Where are they?" Fiameta asked in a low voice, glancing around.

Mostima listened intently, a knowing smile playing on her lips, and pointed towards the sliding glass doors leading to the private courtyard and pool at the back: "Look, it's outside."

Fiameta looked in the direction she pointed. Through the clean glass door, she could see the azure private pool in the backyard shimmering in the sunset. On a poolside lounge chair, Suri was reclining, casually wearing a loose white T-shirt and beach shorts, a book covering his face, seemingly taking a nap. His long legs were crossed, his posture languid and relaxed. Remien sat in a wheelchair beside him, covered with a thin blanket, also holding a book, quietly reading, occasionally glancing tenderly at Suri beside her. Sunlight bathed the two of them, creating a peaceful and beautiful scene.

Seeing this, Fiameta felt a little more at ease. It seemed Suri was in a good mood, and the atmosphere was peaceful. This gave her a sliver of hope regarding Mostima's "dangerous" thank-you plan—perhaps she really was just joking?

However, Mostima's next words immediately shattered her illusions.

“Oh, how peaceful and serene!” Mostima looked at the two people outside the window, her lake-blue eyes sparkling with excitement. She leaned close to Fiametta’s ear and whispered, her tone full of mischievous eagerness, “Fiametta, look, this is a rare opportunity! The weather is so warm, and the pool is so beautiful! How about… we change into some ‘eye-catching’ clothes and give them a ‘surprise’ as a way of… thanking little Suri for her ‘helpful assistance’? What do you say?” She deliberately emphasized “eye-catching” and “surprise”, and winked ambiguously.

Fiameta's heart skipped a beat! Her face flushed crimson! She instantly understood what Mostima meant by "intimate gratitude"! Wearing a swimsuit?! Showing it to Suri?! This...this is simply...!

"You...you're crazy?!" Fiameta, both embarrassed and anxious, almost cried out. She grabbed Mostima's arm tightly, dragged her to a corner of the living room, and said in a low voice, both anxious and angry, "What kind of thanks is this?! This...this is simply...harassment! Suri will kill us!" She simply couldn't imagine what Suri's reaction would be if she and Mostima appeared in front of him in revealing swimsuits! He'd probably just pull out a gun and kick them out!

“Oh dear, don’t be so nervous!” Mostima patted her hand with a grin, as if to say, “You’re making a big fuss over nothing.” “How is this harassment? This is a ‘visual feast’! It’s the highest form of gratitude! Look, little Suri has helped us so much, isn’t it nice to let him have a good time and enjoy the ‘beautiful scenery’?” She tilted her head and said in a seductive tone, “Besides, just think about it, if Suri’s icy face saw us… um… ‘dressed up’, wouldn’t he make some interesting expressions? Maybe he’d blush? Don’t you want to see?”

Volume 17, Chapter 1075: She didn't want to read it.

"I...I don't want to see!" Fiameta's face turned as red as a boiled shrimp, and she shook her head repeatedly. "It's too...too embarrassing! And Remian is right there!" Dressed like that in front of Remian for Suri to see? This was simply an insult and a provocation to Remian! She couldn't do it!

"Relax, relax~ Remi'an won't mind~ She might even find it interesting!" Mostima waved her hand dismissively and continued to tempt her, "Look, this is a private pool, it's normal to wear swimsuits~ Just think of it as... normal pre-swim preparation? We just... happen to be dressed a little... um... pleasing to the eye~" As she spoke, she deliberately puffed out her chest, showing off her curvaceous figure.

“But…but…” Fiameta’s heart was pounding. Mostima’s words seemed to have a magical power, making her feel incredibly ashamed and resistant, yet deep down, a faint…slight curiosity and…eagerness were also rising? Did she see a crack appear on Suri’s unchanging icy face? This temptation…seemed…a bit too strong? And, what Mostima said seemed to make some sense? Wearing a swimsuit by a private pool…it didn’t seem…completely inappropriate after all?

“No buts~” Mostima noticed her wavering and immediately pressed her advantage, putting her arm around her shoulder and saying in an inflammatory tone, “Think about it, the negotiations went so smoothly thanks to Suri! We’re just expressing our gratitude in this… um… ‘light and cheerful’ way~ It’s not like we’re losing anything~ Besides, it’s just the two of us girls, what’s wrong with wearing swimsuits? Be confident, Fiametta! You have such a great figure, what are you afraid of?” As she spoke, she deliberately nudged Fiametta lightly with her elbow.

Fiameta was flustered by Mostima's words, her cheeks burning hot. She subconsciously glanced down at herself. Normally, due to the needs of her missions, she always wore practical uniforms or casual clothes, and almost never wore…revealing swimwear. But as a healthy young woman, it would be a lie to say she had absolutely no confidence in her body. After Mostima's compliment, that faint urge to try it out began to grow wildly within her!

"But... what should I wear?" she asked, almost involuntarily, in a voice barely audible. She regretted it immediately; wasn't that tantamount to agreeing?!

Mostima's eyes lit up; she knew she had a chance! She immediately pulled Fiameta toward the guest room with a grin: "Don't worry~ I've got it covered! I have a few new outfits that I haven't even worn yet~ I guarantee they'll be amazing!" Her tone was as excited as if she were going to a grand party.

Half an hour later...

In the guest room bathroom, Fiameta looked at herself in the mirror, her cheeks flushed crimson! Mostima had chosen for her an... extremely daring bikini! The top was a bright red, thin-strapped design with an astonishingly deep V-neck that could barely contain her full breasts. The bottom was a high-waisted thong with sexy side ties that perfectly accentuated her slender waist and pert buttocks! Large expanses of her snow-white skin were exposed to the air, filling her with waves of shame and... a strange, slightly (…) excitement!

"No, no! This...this is too revealing!" Fiameta crossed her arms over her chest, trying to cover herself, her voice trembling with tears. She had never worn such...indecent clothes before!

“Where is she showing? She looks amazing!” Mostima’s voice came from beside her. She had already changed into her swimsuit—a very revealing black strappy bikini with metal studs that perfectly showcased her sexy figure, and her short, silver-grey hair added a touch of rebellious charm. She looked at Fiametta, her eyes full of admiration. “Red suits your hair and skin tone so well! Be confident! Turn around so I can see!”

Fiameta was half-pushed and half-willingly turned around. In the mirror, her skin was as white as snow, her figure curvaceous, and against the backdrop of vibrant red, she exuded a stunning feminine charm completely different from her usual spirited style. Even she herself was somewhat stunned.

“Look! How beautiful!” Mostima snapped her fingers triumphantly. “Let’s go! Let’s give our ‘hero’ a ‘thank you gift’!” Without another word, she picked up two thin bath towels, threw one to Fiameta, draped the other over herself, and then pulled Fiameta, who was still having a final internal struggle, out of the guest room.

The living room was empty. The two tiptoed to the glass door leading to the backyard. Mostima made a "shh" gesture to Fiameta, a mischievous grin on her face, and then suddenly flung open the glass door!

"Surprise~~!" Mostima exclaimed in a cheerful tone, while throwing off the towel draped over her body!

Su Rui, who was taking a nap on the recliner, was startled by the sudden noise and movement, and the book covering his face slipped off. He frowned and opened his eyes with some displeasure—

When his gaze fell upon the two women at the doorway, who were practically wearing only a few thin straps and whose large expanses of snow-white skin were exposed to the setting sun, especially when he saw Fiameta's extremely eye-catching red bikini that accentuated her incredibly hot figure, he froze instantly as if struck by a high-voltage current!

Those always half-closed, indifferent black eyes suddenly widened! The pupils contracted violently! For the first time, his eternally unchanging icy expression revealed a clear mixture of shock, disbelief, and... a very rare, unexpected... panic?! His ears visibly flushed red!

Remien, sitting next to him, was also stunned by this sudden scene. She looked at Mostima, dressed in a daring swimsuit, and... Fiametta, her cheeks flushed red, flustered and almost shrinking into the ground, a hint of surprise flashing in her lake-blue eyes. Then, as if she understood something, she couldn't help but chuckle, glancing mockingly at the petrified Suri beside her.

The atmosphere in the backyard instantly became extremely strange and... awkward.

Mostima, seeing Suri's utterly astonished expression and flushed ears, wore a radiant, triumphant smile. She swayed her hips, deliberately striking a seductive pose, and winked at Suri: "So~ little Suri~ do you like our... 'special' thank-you gift?"

Suri: "..."

Volume 17, Chapter 1076: Trying to escape?

Suri opened his mouth, as if wanting to say something, but his throat seemed blocked, and he couldn't make a sound. His face flushed red and then turned pale. Finally, he abruptly turned his face away, grabbed the book that had slipped from his lips, and covered his face with it again, leaving only his bright red ears and taut jawline, revealing his extreme unease!

As for Fiameta, the moment Suri looked over, she wished she could disappear on the spot! She was so ashamed that she trembled all over, grabbed a bath towel to wrap herself up, and turned around to run back into the house!

Mostima's "affectionate thanks" plan seems to have achieved "success" beyond expectations? However, the subsequent effects of this "gift" are probably quite... unpredictable.

The setting sun bathed the backyard of the pool in a warm orange glow, the shimmering water reflecting the evening sky. Yet, at this moment, the air in the backyard was filled with an eerie atmosphere that clashed with the tranquil beauty, a mixture of embarrassment, shame, shock, and... a subtle hint of jealousy.

Suri covered his face tightly with the book, as if the hardcover was an absolute barrier to block out all embarrassment. Every muscle in his body was tense, like a stone being heated over a fire, an unnatural blush spreading from his ears to his neck. Mostima's "Surprise!" and "Did you like our gift?" echoed repeatedly in his mind like demonic whispers, bringing waves of intense shame and… a sense of offended anger! Those two women! Dressed like that! What are they trying to do?!

Fiameta, standing at the door, was utterly ashamed. She wrapped herself tightly in a towel, revealing only a pair of bloodshot eyes that screamed, "I want to disappear right now!" She wished she could dig a hole and disappear on the spot. Mostima's "thank you plan" was a complete disaster!

However, Mostima, the instigator of this "disaster," seemed completely oblivious to the eerie atmosphere, or perhaps she was simply delighted. Seeing Suri's ostrich-like embarrassment, she not only didn't restrain herself, but intensified her antics! Smiling and swaying her hips, she strode towards Suri on the recliner.

"Oh dear~ Little Suri, don't be shy~" Her voice was sweet and seductive as she walked to the recliner and casually leaned down, extending her nail-painted fingers to gently poke Suri's stiff arm muscles. "Look, Fiameta mustered up so much courage to thank you~ Aren't you going to give me any reaction? It's so hurtful~"

Su Rui's body trembled violently! As if touched by a venomous snake, he almost reflexively pressed the book against his face even harder, letting out a muffled gurgling sound from deep in his throat, as if saying, "Get away!"

This scene unfolded entirely before the eyes of Remian, who was in her wheelchair.

At first, Remien was both surprised and amused when she saw Mostima and Fiameta appear in such daring swimsuits. Especially when she saw Suri's unusually panicked and disheveled appearance, where she covered her face with a book, she couldn't help but laugh out loud, finding the scene both comical and... kind of cute? She knew Mostima was just fooling around, Fiameta had been dragged into the water, and Suri's reaction was so innocent it was hard not to chuckle.

However, when Mostima not only failed to stop while she was ahead, but instead went further and got closer to Suri, speaking in that intimate and provocative tone, and even touching her inappropriately, the smile in Remi's lake-blue eyes gradually faded.

A subtle, tingling, needle-like sourness silently seeped into her heart.

Although she knew Mostima was most likely just playing a prank, and Suri was clearly resistant and disgusted, the sight of another woman (and the hot and audacious Mostima at that) approaching her Suri so closely, almost teasingly, while Suri, though resistant, didn't immediately react due to extreme embarrassment and (perhaps) some consideration for her companion, still made Remy feel a little uncomfortable.

That was her Suri. The Suri who only showed awkward tenderness in front of her, the Suri who only allowed her to get close and touch. Now, however, someone else… even in a joking way… “shared” that intimacy?

The emotion came quickly, was faint, and even somewhat petty and inappropriate, but it was there. Remian gently bit her lower lip, pushed the armrest of her wheelchair, and slid towards the recliner.

“Mostima,” Remian’s voice was still gentle, but if you listened carefully, you could detect a subtle, protective distance. “Stop bothering Suri, he’s not used to this.” She slid to the other side of the chaise lounge, reached out, and gently took Suri’s hand, which wasn’t holding a book but was gripping the edge of the chaise lounge tightly, its knuckles white.

Her hand was slightly cool, and when it touched Suri's burning skin, Suri's body trembled almost imperceptibly. But he didn't pull away; instead, as if grasping a lifeline, he instinctively tightened his grip on her hand, so tight that it even caused Remien a slight pain. This subtle, dependent gesture instantly dissipated most of the bitterness in Remien's heart, replacing it with a soft feeling of being needed.

"Oh dear~ Remian's jealous?" Mostima, ever as astute, immediately caught the subtle change in Remian's tone and actions. Far from toning it down, she seemed to have discovered a new toy; her eyes lit up, and her smile grew even brighter and…as if she wanted to stir up trouble! She straightened up and beckoned to Fiameta, who was still wrapped in a towel like an ostrich. "Fiameta! Come here! Look, Remian's hogging the food! We have to stick together; we can't let her monopolize the 'most meritorious' little Suri!"

Fiameta: "!!!" She almost fainted! Mostima was really trying to kill her! She shook her head frantically, wrapped herself even tighter in the towel, wishing she could just evaporate on the spot!

But Mostima gave her no chance to escape. She rushed over, grinning as she ripped off her towel, and dragged the half-hearted, humiliated Fiameta to the lounge chair! In an instant, three women in revealing swimsuits, each with a different style, surrounded Suri, who was lying on the chair!

Remien held Suri's hand, her brows furrowed slightly as she watched Mostima's absurd antics. Mostima wore an amused expression, while Fiameta looked utterly dejected. Surrounded in the center, Suri felt the sudden pressure of the various scents and body temperatures pressing in, and the several pairs of gazes fixed on him, each with its own meaning. He felt like he was suffocating!