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

Volume 18, Chapter 1192: Hehe~ Can we reconcile?

"Ugh...enough...let go..." Su Rui's voice was particularly soft and indistinct because his cheeks were being pinched, lacking any threat and instead conveying a sense of grievance that made people want to "bully" him even more. His fluffy snow leopard ears, due to embarrassment and struggle, were completely bristling, standing straight up, the tips of his ears turning pink with shyness, trembling with his struggles, as if silently protesting the injustice.

Yera and Enya clearly weren't planning to let him off easily. Seeing Suri's pitiful and helpless state, their smiles deepened. Enya, in particular, seemed to have transformed her shyness and unease from the previous night into a surge of revenge and a desire for closer intimacy. She unconsciously tightened her grip on Suri's right cheek, her gesture carrying a coquettish undertone of "Who told you to... hmph!"

"Now you know how to beg for mercy?" Enya muttered softly, her face flushed, but the amusement in her voice was unmistakable.

Yera went even further, using her other free hand to gently tap Suri's slightly pouting lips, her tone carrying a divine leisure and a hint of mischievous teasing: "Hmm, it does feel quite nice. Looks like I can 'take care' of it more often in the future."

Su Rui: "..." His eyes widened suddenly, his dark pupils filled with disbelief, shame, and... a faint, ominous premonition. "Take better care"? What did that mean? Was this kind of "torture" going to become a daily occurrence?!

A tremendous sense of crisis and the will to survive surged through Su Rui's body like an electric current! No longer content with small-scale struggles, he took a deep breath, his muscles tensed abruptly, and a burst of explosive power and flexibility, far exceeding what he had just experienced, belonging to the snow leopard, suddenly erupted!

"Let me go!" Su Rui roared, no longer a vague protest, but with a sharp edge of predator driven to desperation! He suddenly exerted force in his waist and abdomen, trying to spring up from the couch, while his wrist, which was being held, began to twist and struggle violently at an extremely tricky angle, like a slippery fish!

This sudden outburst clearly caught Yella and Enya off guard. Enya, in particular, was not very strong to begin with. With Suri's sudden and somewhat brute-force struggle, the fingers gripping Suri's wrist loosened involuntarily, and her body leaned back slightly, almost causing her to lose her balance.

Su Rui was overjoyed, thinking he had seized an opportunity! He immediately wanted to take this chance to break out from between the two and escape this "place of trouble"!

However, he still underestimated Yela.

Just as he broke free from Enya's grip, his body springing halfway up, preparing to roll sideways and land, Yela's hand, which had been firmly holding his other wrist, suddenly exerted force as if it had anticipated his movement! A gentle yet mountain-like, completely irresistible force traveled up his arm, not only easily negating his struggles but also... with a subtle, effortless power, gently... pressing his body, which had just sprang up, back onto the couch!

At the same time, Yera's other hand shot out like lightning, precisely... catching Enya's waist as she lost her balance and fell backward due to Suri's sudden struggle, firmly supporting her and preventing her from falling off the couch in an embarrassing situation.

In the blink of an eye, Su Rui's "breakout plan" completely failed. He slumped back into the center of the couch, even leaning slightly backward against the soft backrest thanks to Yela's skillful manipulation. Enya, supported by Yela, also regained her footing, but her position had shifted from Yela's left to... closer to Su Rui, in the center of the couch?

Before Suri could recover from the frustration of her failed breakout and the shock of Yela's effortless maneuver, Yela had already released her grip on Enya's waist and, very naturally, as if simply adjusting her posture, leaned slightly toward Suri.

This left Suri completely "caught" between Yera and Enya! Yera was on his left, her body slightly turned to the side, with a smile and an undeniable air of authority; Enya was on his right, still somewhat shaken, her cheeks even redder, but her gaze had become bolder and... sparkling because of Suri's "resistance" and Yera's "support".

The two men, one on each side, leaned slightly towards Su Rui, forming an almost "encircling" posture. Su Rui could even clearly feel the warm body heat emanating from their clothes, and the unsettling scents mixed with their individual fragrances. He was like a poor pastry being baked in two ovens, with nowhere to escape, forced to passively endure this "sweet" torment.

“Looks like… you’re still not entirely honest.” Yera’s voice rang in Suri’s ear, tinged with a playful sigh. Although she released Suri’s wrist, her hand didn’t leave. Instead, it slid naturally up his arm, finally resting gently on his shoulder. The gesture was both comforting and… a silent form of control.

“No, you’re not being honest…” Enya echoed softly, seemingly finally recovering from the shock. She mimicked Yera's gesture, reaching out her hand, but instead of placing it on Suri's shoulder, she… hesitantly, tentatively… gently grasped the fabric of Suri's pajamas, as if afraid he would “run away” again. Her fingertips trembled slightly with nervousness and shyness, yet her grip was firm.

Suri's body froze completely. He could feel Yera's hand on his shoulder, its gentle yet undeniable strength; he could also feel Enya's fingers gripping his clothes, their slight trembling and...dependence. He was surrounded by the two in an extremely intimate manner, his nose filled with two different yet equally tempting scents. A tremendous sense of shame and a...strange feeling of being cherished and "possessed" intertwined, assaulting his senses.

"What...what exactly do you want?" Su Rui's voice was hoarse with tension and shame. He looked at Yela's deep, smiling eyes, then at Enya's bright blue eyes, which were filled with shyness and a kind of "shared hatred" (?). The ominous premonition in his heart grew stronger and stronger.

Yela and Enya exchanged another glance. This time, the unspoken understanding in their eyes was even more pronounced. It was a tacit exchange of glances, unspoken as if they had reached some kind of "consensus."

Volume 18, Chapter 1194: What are they planning now?

Last night's frenzied, chaotic, yet indescribably pleasurable and...something-like merging of souls memories flooded his mind like a tidal wave. The fiery passion beneath Yera's icy exterior, Enya's astonishing boldness and persistence after her shyness faded, and himself—the process of gradually sinking, losing control, and ultimately utterly surrendering in that atmosphere of being wholeheartedly "loved" and "needed" by the two...

Suri's cheeks began to burn uncontrollably. He felt a surge of immense shame, but even more so, a strange, overwhelming sense of happiness that seemed to fill his very soul. He knew that since last night, his relationship with Yera and Enya had undergone a qualitative, irreversible change. A deeper, closer, and more...complex bond had tightly bound the three of them together.

He slightly moved his somewhat numb arm, trying to adjust his position without waking them. However, this subtle movement seemed to startle Enya in his arms. She unconsciously murmured something, buried her face further into the crook of his neck, and tightened her arms around his waist. Yera, on the other side, seemed to notice his movement as well; the fingers on his chest twitched slightly, as if confirming his presence.

Su Rui immediately froze. He could only lie there stiffly, letting the two of them treat him like a "giant pillow" and continue to occupy him.

However, the soreness in his body and... a vague discomfort in a certain part of his body reminded him that he couldn't lie there any longer. And... looking at the increasingly bright light streaming in through the window, shouldn't he... get up and prepare breakfast? After all, judging from how soundly they were sleeping, with such a high level of "exercise" last night, they probably... wouldn't be able to get up today.

This realization stirred a complex mix of helplessness, indulgence, and… a secret sense of pride within Su Rui. Carefully, as if conducting a highly difficult bomb disposal mission, he slowly and deliberately withdrew his arm from under Enya's head. He then gently moved Yella's hand away from his chest, and finally, with utmost care, gently… removed Enya's “domineering” leg that was straddling his.

Throughout the entire process, he held his breath, his movements as gentle as if handling fragile porcelain. Fortunately, both of them seemed extremely exhausted; they only grumbled a few times in dissatisfaction and frowned slightly as he moved, before falling into a deep sleep again and not actually waking up.

Having finally escaped, Su Rui let out a long, silent sigh of relief, as if he had accomplished a difficult mission. He sat up quietly, feeling as if every bone in his body was screaming in agony. Gritting his teeth and clutching his aching back, he slowly shuffled off the bed, picked up his own crumpled clothes (his own, and... some others?) scattered on the floor, and hastily put them on.

He glanced back at the two women still sleeping soundly in each other's arms on the bed, a hint of tenderness flashing in his eyes that he himself didn't even realize. Then, he tiptoed out of the bedchamber like a thief, gently closing the door behind him.

The temple was unusually quiet in the early morning. Only the faint sound of wind and snow whistling past the eaves could be heard in the distance. Su Rui, supporting his aching back, slowly made his way towards the small, simply equipped kitchen in the side wing of the temple. He remembered there should be some food stored there; he could…cook something simple.

Despite feeling extremely unwell, for some reason, Su Rui didn't feel much resentment. Instead, a strange feeling, like that of a "stay-at-home dad," filled with a sense of responsibility and... a touch of satisfaction, quietly grew within him. He rubbed his lower back while grimacing as he began searching through the kitchen.

Fortunately, the ingredients were fairly complete. There was dried meat jerky, long-lasting tuberous vegetables, precious spices, and even a small jar of dried fruits and herbs that Yera usually used to make herbal tea, which were said to have nourishing properties. Suri thought for a moment and decided to cook a simple but nutritious meat and vegetable porridge. It would be easy to digest and would also replenish her energy.

He started a fire to boil water, and chopped the meat and vegetables. His movements were somewhat clumsy and slow due to the soreness in his body, but he was exceptionally serious. He was completely focused on processing the ingredients in his hands, as if performing a sacred ritual, and did not notice that behind him, outside the half-open kitchen door, two slender figures, like thieves, silently slipped in, one after the other...

Su Rui only became alert and stopped what she was doing when she heard the very faint rustling sound of bare feet stepping on the cold stone slabs behind her, and a familiar breeze mixed with the cool scent of herbs and the sweet fragrance of a young girl.

He slowly turned around, with a hint of disbelief and astonishment.

At the kitchen doorway, Enya and Yera stood supporting each other, one on each side. Neither of them wore the elaborate, solemn robes of saints or deities; instead… they wore only thin, moon-white silk nightgowns! The robes were loosely tied, the necklines slightly open, revealing large expanses of fair, delicate skin and exquisite collarbones. Both their hair was somewhat disheveled; Enya's silver hair cascaded over her shoulders, while Yera's black hair hung casually down her back. Their faces bore obvious, lingering fatigue; dark circles were clearly visible under their eyes. Their gait was… somewhat awkward and cautious, especially Enya, who moved with almost tiny steps, her brow furrowed slightly from the aches and pains of her body.

But their eyes sparkled with a strange light—a mixture of shyness, satisfaction, curiosity, and a kind of... eager anticipation, as if they had discovered a new continent. Their gazes were fixed on Su Rui, watching him stand before the stove in his "domestic" attire—an apron he'd somehow found, a spatula in hand—their eyes filled with undisguised...treasure-discovery...surprise and...something deeper.

Suri: "..." He was completely stunned. The spatula in his hand fell to the stove with a "clatter". He looked at Enya, who could barely walk but was still trying to come over, and then at Yera, who seemed calm but whose steps were also a little unsteady and whose robe was even trembling slightly (?). After a few seconds of blankness, his brain finally... belatedly reacted.

Volume 18, Chapter 1195: Enya is a veteran.

Oh…right. He almost forgot. Enya…last night was her first time, but before that…they had already had one “experience” together. Although she was also very tired, perhaps…she could recover a little faster? At least, she could get out of bed?

But Yela… she’s a deity! She is the very will of the snow-capped mountains of Shelag! This “minor injury” and “exertion” are probably… nothing to her? Just like she said herself, a deity doesn’t care?

So... did those two... take a short break and then couldn't wait to... run out to "check up"? Or... did they smell the aroma of food?

Looking at the two of them, who were clearly unwell but still insisted on coming, their eyes filled with expectation and... a certain "supervision" feeling, Su Rui felt a surge of helplessness and amusement at being "ambushed," which was instantly overwhelmed by a stronger surge of warmth, doting, and... a strange sense of satisfaction from being "needed."

He sighed helplessly, bent down to pick up the fallen spatula, and said irritably to the two "disobedient" patients (?) at the door:

"...You're awake? Why didn't you sleep a little longer? The porridge isn't ready yet. Go back to bed, I'll wake you when it's done."

His tone carried a hint of forced sternness, but the unyielding tenderness in his eyes betrayed him.

Enya and Yera exchanged a glance, both seeing a smile in each other's eyes. Instead of obediently returning, they supported each other and, with even greater determination, walked step by step towards Suri…

The aroma of food, mixed with the soft morning light, and a unique, warm, and sweet scent called "home" quietly permeated the air.

Inside the small temple kitchen, the air was filled with the comforting aroma of meat and vegetable porridge gradually boiling. The flames in the stove flickered, casting warm shadows on Suri's (Snow Leopard version) apron-wearing, somewhat "virtuous" back, and also outlining the two "uninvited guests" at the door—Enya and Yera, their figures approaching with unusual determination despite their slightly limping gait.

Su Rui was facing away from the door, carefully stirring the bubbling porridge in the earthenware pot, trying to mix the chopped meat and vegetables evenly. He was so focused that he was startled when two familiar, warm aromas, each carrying a different fragrance, quietly enveloped him from the left and right sides, and he instinctively gripped the wooden spoon in his hand.

"Why don't you go back to rest?" Su Rui didn't turn around, but asked in a voice tinged with helplessness and forced composure. He could sense that on his left was Yera, exuding a cool, refreshing scent of snow and herbs, and on his right was Enya, radiating a sweet, youthful fragrance and a touch of languor. The two of them, one on the left and one on the right, were like two warm, alluringly fragrant mountains, firmly "sandwiching" him between the stove and them in the small space.

"I can't sleep." Enya's voice, soft and slightly nasal from just waking up, came from his right side, so close he could almost feel her warm breath brushing against his ear. She seemed to naturally lean her soft body gently against Suri's arm, as if it were the most reliable support in the world. "And... I smelled something so nice, so... I wanted to come and see..."

Her voice trailed off, carrying a hint of barely perceptible shyness and... a self-righteous "craving."

“Mmm.” Yera’s voice came calmly from the left, brief and certain. She didn’t lean in like Enya, but Suri could clearly feel one of her hands, very naturally, with an undeniable intimacy, gently… resting on his other shoulder. The cool touch, transmitted through the thin fabric, carried a divine composure and… a silent, assertive declaration of sovereignty.

Su Rui's body instantly stiffened like a piece of wood. He was "surrounded" by the two women, one on each side, the aroma of food wafting around his nose, along with their unsettling body scents. Soft touches and an undeniable presence emanated from his sides. This was even more...oppressive and...ambiguous than when he was "besieged" on the long couch the previous night. After all, this was the kitchen, a smaller space, and...he was wearing an apron, holding a spoon, looking every bit the "househusband," with no room to resist.

He took a deep breath, trying to ignore the heart-pounding temperature and sensations coming from both sides of his body and focus his attention on the pot of porridge in front of him. However, the weight of Enya leaning on his arm and Yera's hand on his shoulder felt like the gentlest shackles, making it impossible for him to fully concentrate.

"The porridge...it won't be ready for a while." Su Rui tried to break the suffocating silence and ambiguity, his voice a little dry. "Why don't you...go sit over there and wait?" He pointed to the simple wooden table and two equally simple wooden stools in the corner of the kitchen.

“No need, it’s fine here.” Yera’s voice remained calm, but Suri seemed to detect a barely perceptible hint of…pleasure? Her hand on Suri’s shoulder even tightened slightly, as if she were soothing a disobedient pet trying to escape.

"Mmm, it's warm here," Enya whispered in agreement, nuzzling against Suri's arm like a kitten seeking warmth. Then, as if remembering something, she tilted her head back, her bright, still slightly sleepy, lake-blue eyes gazing curiously at Suri's profile, her tone carrying a natural, familial inquiry:

"Suri... what did you do when you went down the mountain? It seems like... you were gone for quite a while?"

Her question was casual and innocent, as if it were just ordinary chatter between lovers (?). But Suri's body tensed almost imperceptibly. He subconsciously wanted to glance at Yera on his left, but Yera's breathing was calm and even, as if she was also full of interest in the question, "curiously" waiting for his answer.

Suri's mind raced. He knew Yela definitely knew what he had done after coming down the mountain—after all, it was Yela who had given him the "messenger" robes and the "blank edict of wind and snow." But at this moment, Yela was acting as if she knew nothing, clearly...wanting to hear what he "himself" had to say? Or rather, wanting to see if he would "honestly confess"?

As for Enya... she genuinely didn't know. But her question clearly also carried concern for her "sister" Enshia, as well as... curiosity about his "whereabouts" and... a subtle, almost imperceptible, instinctive desire to know everything about the other person that belongs to a woman in love.

Volume 18, page 1196: Some things should not be said.

Suri remained silent for a moment, his wooden spoon stirring the porridge in the pot unconsciously, making a soft, rhythmic gurgling sound. He pondered how to answer. Should he tell the truth? Should he say that he was sent by Yera, wearing that shameful suit, to deliver a blank exam paper to the three great families? Or should he say that he was eating snacks with Enshia at Shivaesh's house, and then that blond goat (with his mace) cornered him and "molested" him?

The first one seems to involve "divine will," and it seems a bit... strange to say it in front of Yera herself? The second one... he would never say it! That would be an utter disgrace! Moreover, saying it would probably make Enya worry (or... be jealous?), and also give Yera something to laugh at.

So, Su Rui carefully considered her words, trying to use a simple, calm, and even somewhat "businesslike" tone to reply:

"...Nothing much. I just...went down the mountain to take a look. SilverAsh...and the other two seem to have had a bit of a disagreement over the mine. So...I just...took the opportunity to mediate a little."

He downplayed the issue, describing the "delivering of divine pronouncements" as "casual mediation," and blurring the identity of the "divine messenger" to that of a "helpful member of the public." Moreover, he emphasized the conflict between "SilverAsh and the other two families," attempting to include Encia's part in the category of "casual mediation."

Sure enough, upon hearing "SilverAsh" and "the other two families having a conflict," Enya's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. Although she disliked the disputes down the mountain, she knew they were unavoidable. But when Su Rui said he had "slightly mediated," a flicker of curiosity and... a barely perceptible hint of pride in Su Rui's abilities flashed in her eyes?

"Adjust? How did you adjust it?" Enya pressed, her body unconsciously moving closer until she was almost pressed against Su Rui's arm, her little face tilted up, her eyes full of curiosity.

Suri felt a clearer, soft touch on his arm, and Enya's warm, sweet scent. His ears began to heat up uncontrollably again. He tried to subtly pull his arm back a little, but Enya was too close, so he gave up.

"...We just...exchanged a few words," Suri replied vaguely, trying to bluff his way out. "We told them...not to make things too ugly. After all, they're all from the Sherag family, and a fight...wouldn't benefit anyone."

His explanation was quite reasonable. Given Su Rui's skills and "special" status (in the eyes of SilverAsh and others), it seemed plausible that he would step in to "say a few words" to intimidate or mediate.

Enya nodded, seemingly understanding. She didn't really understand the complex web of interests and power struggles. But hearing Suri say, "Don't let them fight," she still felt that Suri was doing the right thing. She disliked conflict and didn't want to see Sherag bleed.

"Then...did SilverAsh...listen to you?" Enya asked again, her tone carrying a hint of complex emotions towards her brother, and...curiosity about the weight of Suri's words.

Suri thought about SilverAsh's profound and knowing demeanor after receiving the "Blank Snowstorm Decree," and how he immediately began preparing for a new round of talks, and nodded almost imperceptibly.

"...Hmm. He...is quite sensible," Su Rui commented. This wasn't an exaggeration. SilverAsh's "reading comprehension" ability was indeed top-notch.

Enya seemed relieved upon hearing this. Although she was estranged from her brother and even harbored resentment, they were still blood relatives, and deep down, she didn't want him to be drawn into an irreversible vortex of conflict. Hearing Suri say that SilverAsh was "sensible," her worries seemed to lessen somewhat.

However, her thoughts soon shifted from her brother to someone else she cared about more.

"Then...what about Enxia?" Enxia's voice suddenly became urgent, and the hand gripping Su Rui's arm tightened slightly without her noticing. "Did you...did you go see her? Is she...is she alright? Has she been affected by those things? Did she...did she mention me?"

A barrage of questions, like a machine gun, came from Enya's mouth. Her eyes were filled with undisguised worry, longing, and... a hint of cautious expectation for her sister. It was as if Suri was the only, fragile bridge connecting her to her "home" down the mountain and to her sister Enya.

Su Rui could clearly sense the urgency and deep concern in Enya's words. He turned his head and looked into Enya's beautiful lake-blue eyes, which were filled with concern and expectation. The slight impatience he felt from being "interrogated" vanished instantly, replaced by a gentle, almost pitying emotion.

He knew that although Enya appeared distant and indifferent to the Shivaesh family, she had an unbreakable and pure kinship with this innocent and kind sister who was connected to her by blood.

“She’s fine.” Suri’s voice softened unconsciously. He stopped stirring the porridge in the pot, turned around to face Enya, and said earnestly, as if making a solemn promise, “I… went to see her. She’s in the greenhouse, growing flowers and making cookies. She’s very energetic and happy.”

He paused, noticing the sudden gleam in Enya's eyes, and added, his tone carrying a subtle, almost reporting quality that he himself was unaware of:

"She asked about you. She was worried about you. I told her you were doing well on the Holy Mountain. She... even asked me to bring you some cookies."

As he spoke, Suri subconsciously touched the specially made pocket in his arms with his free hand, a pocket that seemed capable of holding a lot. Although he had long since lost the bag of sweet cookies Enshia had given him last night due to that "accident" and the subsequent "madness" (perhaps in some corner, perhaps crushed), he still wanted to use this method to prove that he had indeed "seen" Enshia and "conveyed" her feelings.

Enya's eyes instantly welled up with tears when she heard "She asked about you" and "She brought cookies!" A thin layer of mist quickly blurred her beautiful blue eyes. Her lips trembled slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but she couldn't utter a sound because of her overwhelming emotions. She just gripped Suri's arm tightly, as if it were her only support at that moment.

"She...she really asked about me? And...and even brought me cookies?" Enya's voice was slightly choked, yet filled with unbelievable, immense joy. She seemed to have completely forgotten her physical aches and discomfort, and even Yera standing beside her; her entire being was occupied by the news about her sister that Suri had brought.

Volume 18, Chapter 1197: Some Seemingly Ordinary Things

"Yes." Su Rui nodded firmly, looking at En Ya's tearful yet overjoyed expression, a strange warmth welled up in his heart. He could feel how important and precious his small acts of "care" and "companionship" were to En Ya.

"Has she...has she grown taller? Is she still as thin as before? Are the cookies she makes still as sweet? Did she mention...what new flowers she's growing in the greenhouse? She..." Enya's questions came one after another, as if she wanted to express all the longing and concern she had accumulated for her sister at once.

Suri listened patiently, occasionally nodding or offering simple replies like "Mmm," "Yes," or "It's alright." He didn't actually know many details about Enxia, ​​but seeing her eager and happy expression, he couldn't bear to interrupt or use "I don't know" as an excuse. He could only try to recall Enxia's lively, cheerful, and enthusiastic nature in the greenhouse, describing it to her in the simplest of words.

"...She's very lively. She ran around in the greenhouse, introducing me to all sorts of flowers. The cookies... were a bit sweet, but they tasted good. She seemed to be... researching new savory cookies, saying she'd make some for me next time... uh, for us to try." Suri said, almost letting slip, and quickly corrected herself.

But Enya clearly didn't notice this small detail. She was completely absorbed in Suri's descriptions of her sister. Listening to Suri say that Enya was "lively," "cheerful," and "full of enthusiasm for life," her eyes sparkled with happy and gratified tears, and the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up, revealing a beautiful and gentle smile, like the first melting of snow.

"That's good...that's good..." Enya murmured to herself, as if a huge weight had finally been lifted from her heart. She released her grip on Suri's arm and instead gently wrapped her arms around his waist, burying her face in his chest. Her voice was muffled, tinged with both tears and laughter as she said, "Thank you, Suri...really...thank you..."

Suri's body stiffened again at Enya's sudden, more intimate embrace. But he could feel the slight trembling of the woman in his arms, and the pure, heartfelt gratitude and joy she expressed. He hesitated for a moment, then finally reached out and gently, with a comforting tone, patted Enya's slender back.

"You're welcome," Su Rui said softly, her voice gentle to a degree she herself hadn't even realized.

The kitchen fell silent. Only the crackling of the burning firewood in the stove and the gentle bubbling of the porridge in the earthenware pot could be heard. Sunlight streamed through the high window, bathing the two people embracing in a warm, golden glow. The aroma of food mingled with a warm and touching atmosphere of kinship and protection.

Yera, who had been standing quietly to Suri's left with her hand on his shoulder, was also watching this scene silently. In her dark eyes, the deep starry sky seemed to slowly shift, reflecting the figures of Suri and Enya embracing. A very subtle, almost gratified and satisfied smile curved her lips.

She didn't disturb this heartwarming moment. However, her hand on Su Rui's shoulder tightened almost imperceptibly, as if silently declaring: this is her place too. This warmth, this bond, also belongs to her.

It wasn't until the porridge in the earthenware pot started to boil and overflowed, making a sizzling sound, that Su Rui suddenly came to her senses, quickly let go of En Ya, and turned to tend to the stove.

"The porridge is ready." Su Rui said while frantically adjusting the fire, trying to use her busyness to cover up her momentary lapse in concentration and... the flutter in her heart.

Enya blushed and released her arms from Su Rui's waist. She took a small step back, feeling a little embarrassed, but her gaze remained fixed on Su Rui, filled with dependence and... a deeper emotion.

Yera also withdrew her hand from Suri's shoulder at the opportune moment, gracefully taking a step back, as if the intimate gesture just now was nothing out of the ordinary. Watching Suri's busy figure and Enya's submissive demeanor, the smile in her eyes deepened.

"It seems this trip down the mountain has been quite fruitful." Yela's voice rang out leisurely, with a hint of barely perceptible teasing. "Not only did you 'mediate' the family conflict, but you also... 'soothed' the Holy Maiden's longing for her sister."

Su Rui, with his back to them, paused almost imperceptibly in his act of ladling porridge. He didn't turn around, but simply gave a muffled "hmm" in response. His ears, however, involuntarily turned red again.

Enya blushed even more at Yera's teasing, but her eyes were full of happy smiles. Watching Suri's busy figure and then at Yera standing beside her with a smile, the shyness and unease she felt from last night's "madness" seemed to quietly dissipate in this warm morning light, transforming into a more solid and warmer sense of belonging.

Perhaps, this kind of life isn't so bad? With him by her side, with Yera's protection, and with news of her sister's safety... Enya's heart was filled with an unprecedented, peaceful, and contented happiness.

The aroma of porridge filled the air, and the sunlight was just right. In the small kitchen, a tacit understanding and warmth flowed between the three of them, unspoken yet deeply ingrained. As for the conflicts down the mountain, those hazy memories, those unresolved grudges... at this moment, they all seemed so distant, so insignificant.

A simple yet exceptionally warm and delicious meat and vegetable porridge breakfast quietly concluded amidst the subtle sweetness and intimacy flowing between the three. Suri (Snow Leopard version)'s cooking was surprisingly good; the porridge was cooked to the perfect consistency, the aroma of the meat and the sweetness of the vegetables blending perfectly. The addition of nourishing dried fruits and herbs provided by Yera further enhanced the flavor, making it not only delicious but also genuinely helping to restore their strength. Enya and Yera both ate with great relish, their movements still somewhat cautious due to their sore bodies, but the satisfaction and contentment on their faces were clearly visible.