Qiao Suisui shivered, goosebumps rising on her skin, and she gently brushed his hand aside to change the subject.
"How much longer until Ruka comes back? I want to leave."
Of course, Leberli wouldn't let her stay and wait for Ruka. Soon after, she was carried onto the Flying Ship. He took her to the busiest business district, and with a single command from Leberli, the entire area was cleared out. Only after everyone had left did he lead her inside to shop. He started by picking out more than ten outfits for her; and once the clothes were settled, he said she needed matching shoes.
While trying on shoes, Leberli practically spent the whole time kneeling on the floor, helping her put them on one by one, even comparing and analyzing each pair meticulously.
"This pair makes you look fairer, even though our Suisui is already very fair. Buy it."
"This pair looks nice, but they aren't too comfortable. Good for occasional wear. Buy it."
"This pair is perfect for wearing outdoors, matches that skirt we picked earlier. Buy it."
"You like this pair? Buy it."
After shoes, Leberli said she needed accessories in different styles; he wanted to take her shopping for jewelry next, but Qiao Suisui was too embarrassed to let him keep paying, so she made an excuse that she was tired and dragged him to a tea shop, insisting on treating this time. Even though her Star Coin account was tied to Ruka's, she hypnotized herself, thinking as long as she showed sincerity and gratitude, it would be enough.
The tea shop was uniquely decorated, as if inside an Amazon rainforest; around them, male beastmen in beast form were working.
"Suisui." Leberli smiled so gently, looking at her with sincerity. "Can I take care of you?"
"Ash, you've already done so much for me."
"No, I want to be your mate."
'Ding——''Bang——'
Suisui lost focus, knocking over her teacup. Leberli immediately stood up and began wiping the tea stains from her skirt.
"Sorry, Ash, I..."
"Suisui," Leberli smiled, gently holding her slightly panicked hand, "You never have to apologize to me."
She stared dazedly at Leberli. He seemed about to say something, but as he breathed, it looked like he swallowed his words back down.
"I'll submit an application, just wanted to let you know first. However you choose, you don't have to feel burdened by it."
"Why do you suddenly want to be my mate?" She was confused; the distance between them had been so unpredictable before.
"Because I like you."
"What do you like about me?"
Leberli had never considered this question before; he felt she was wonderful, and they synced well, unlike other females who were so spoiled. Today he learned she was pregnant with Ruka's child—anger, jealousy, awe, surprise, all mixed inside him. He seldom lost composure like this; never had a female stirred him as she did.
Most importantly... Leberli glanced at her belly.
It was so flat—was there really a baby inside?
He wanted her to carry his child as well...
Leberli didn't want to pile this pressure on her so soon, so instinctively he resorted to the sweet-talking tactics he used on other females.
"Because you're beautiful. The moment I first saw you, I was captivated...."
She was supposed to accept, so he could activate the System, but the word 'beautiful' caught Qiao Suisui off guard, stinging unexpectedly.
"It's because I'm female, right? And because I can bear children." she cut him off.
Leberli froze; although he couldn't see what was wrong with his answer, her expression wasn't good, so he quickly changed his words: "I don't know how to say it, but I really want to take care of you. Seeing you happy makes me happy too, I..."
"Ash, you only like my functions—not me. I'm sorry, I'm not ready for a mate."
She said it quickly, stood up, and walked straight out, ignoring Leberli, who stood stunned.
Her steps sped up, as voices flooded her mind.
——Suisui, this is Uncle Wang's son, quickly, call him brother.
——Qiao Suisui, how's your relationship with Uncle Wang's son? Their family are contractors and pretty well-off. Look, your brother's school problem—Uncle Wang solved it for you.
——Little girl, you don't know how lucky you are. Listen, girls should get married early and carry on the family line. Do you think our money grows on trees? College tuition isn't free, you know?
——Suisui dear, I've already accepted the betrothal gifts. Your brother needs money right now, you won't refuse, right?
——Suisui, I've raised you all these years; you have to be worthwhile to me.
She covered her ears. The more she tried to endure, the more unstoppable her tears became.
In her life, she'd never once been loved simply for being beautiful. Instead, beauty became her curse—being ostracized and isolated at school, harassed and bullied by male classmates, targeted early as a marriage commodity for a good price. If she got too close to a boy, neighborhood gossips reported to her mother, and what followed was punishment and humiliation.
She grew used to the pain in her body, but those humiliating words always sprang back at the moments she thought happiness might come, haunting her like an inescapable curse.
Only by being useful could she earn love.
Only by making sacrifices for family could she earn love.
Only by being hard-working, sensible, obedient, and achieving good grades could she earn love.
Only by running endlessly, never stopping, not being left behind, could she earn love through excellence.
Beauty, to her, was a disaster.
And Leberli said he liked her because of that disaster.
If he liked her for beauty, what if she was no longer beautiful one day?
If he liked her for wanting to care for her now, what about after a year? Or ten?
No one is reliable, except herself.
Qiao Suisui ran until exhausted and crouched by a fountain, hugging her knees; she used the sound of the water to muffle her suppressed sobs.
Each time tears fell, she wiped them away—again and again, in repetition.
Suddenly, she saw a shadow cast across the ground.
She looked up, stunned, and saw Ruka standing before her, somehow appearing without notice.
One tall, one low; one standing, one squatting—they gazed at each other in silence.
As she tilted her head, tears slid from the corners of her eyes; she stared blankly at the bruises around Ruka's eyes and cheeks, momentarily forgetting her sadness.
Suddenly, something heavy settled atop her head, a light mix of tobacco and mountain spring freshness enveloping her.
Ruka gently draped his military coat over her head. What had once fit him perfectly now looked oversized on her petite frame, covering her entirely.
"This way, nobody will see you. Go ahead and cry."
Suisui froze, curling in on herself, clinging to the edge of his coat. Her tears were even more unrestrained now.
She knew that if she truly allowed herself to cry, the sadness wouldn't last very long. The feelings she could have pushed past by enduring seemed to overflow, just because someone offered warmth and care.
Ruka stayed where he was, listening to her delicate whimpers, so careful and timid. His chest ached sharply. He exhaled stale breath and, out of habit, reached for a cigarette—but recalled she was in pregnancy, so he tossed the whole pack directly into the fountain.
She heard a 'plunk', looked up to see, and not knowing what he'd thrown in, asked in a muffled voice, "What are you doing?"