11. Gentleman

Casey’s reminder only irritated her. Ruka ignored it.

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Nikolai kept talking. “Ruka. How do you feel tonight? To celebrate your discharge, it’s a little more extravagant than usual. But in Heaven, you can eat roughly this well almost every day.”

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No way. Such luxury every day? Ruka fought to control her expression. Inwardly, she was astonished. In food alone, this place far surpassed the surface.

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“It’s all right. Thank you, Nikolai.”

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She should not speak carelessly. Brevity was her best disguise.

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Nikolai smiled, satisfied. “Don’t worry. The best is yet to come.”

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Exquisite dishes arrived one after another. Fine wine went down sip after sip. Ruka gradually relaxed. Her thinking slowed. Became more impulsive. Casey would not stand by. “Ruka. Stop immediately. I also detect—”

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“Shut up. Mute mode.” Before it could finish, Ruka—muddled by alcohol—cut it off. She wanted to enjoy this beautiful time without Casey’s voice bothering her.

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Citizens were allowed to activate mute mode themselves. Normally, the Central System would force it off in emergencies. Now that Casey had disconnected, it had lost that function. Unless Ruka removed it herself, she would not hear Casey again.

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After that, under the alcohol’s stimulation, Ruka talked more. She relaxed and chatted with Nikolai about food. The resolve carved into her subconscious pressed against her remaining reason. She fantasized. Cooperated with the setting that she was a Heaven resident. Tried her best to avoid other topics.

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She did not reveal herself. But Ruka’s body, experiencing alcohol for the first time, eventually could not hold it. She felt slightly dizzy. Supported herself weakly, hand pressed to her forehead.

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Had Nikolai discovered her identity and drugged her? Or was this simply the side effect of alcohol? Like spicy food causing a burning sensation. Sourness making one shiver. A normal reaction? The more she thought, the less she dared show anything. All Ruka could do was glance sideways at Nikolai. Try to make him afraid to act rashly.

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Nikolai noticed something off. He still kept his gentle smile. Patted her shoulder. “It’s about time. I didn’t expect you to hold your liquor so well, Ruka. You actually kept drinking with me to the end. The upper floor is the lodging. I’ve already registered for you. Go back and rest well first. Tomorrow morning I’ll come and take you home.” He stood. Went to the side to register. It seemed Heaven had limits similar to the surface. This place could not be visited every day.

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Nikolai made no further moves. This was merely a normal reaction after drinking. Ruka thought she had wronged a good man. She tried to stand and return to her lodging on her own. Unexpectedly, her whole body was weak. She had truly underestimated the side effects of alcohol.

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Ruka looked back helplessly. Happened to meet Nikolai’s eyes. “Please help me upstairs. Thank you…”

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“I was teasing you. Please. Let me help.” Nikolai smiled even more broadly. He had long seen that Ruka would be too drunk to return alone. He had deliberately pretended to leave casually. Only when Ruka asked for help did he step forward. “Sorry, Ruka. I just didn’t want you to misunderstand that I, a strange man you just met, intended to take advantage of you.”

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Paradise residents on the surface were innocent and conservative by nature. Ruka had never experienced such a thing. The thought had never crossed her mind. Fortunately, the other party was an understanding, considerate gentleman. She felt much more at ease.

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Nikolai skillfully hooked Ruka’s left hand around the back of his neck. Placed it on his left shoulder. Wrapped his right hand around her back. Placed it at her side so she could use it as support. Ruka could only lean weakly against Nikolai. The two slowly walked toward the elevator.

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After the hospital, their bodies were pressed close again. This close contact with a man she had just met produced a subtle reaction in Ruka’s body. “Maybe it’s the alcohol?” Ruka’s thinking had already slowed from the alcohol. She lost the will to resist. Alcohol became her only excuse to rationalize it. After all, only Nikolai could save her now. A little physical contact was very normal.

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They stepped into the elevator. Even with support, Ruka did not move away from Nikolai. From the side of his face, she saw that his eyes were only focused on the floor with concern. His hands made no improper moves toward her at all. He only wanted to deliver her to her room to rest. This made Ruka feel even safer.

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After entering the room, Nikolai bent down. Gently laid Ruka on the bed. He even considerately knelt down, removed her shoes, and lifted her legs onto the bed. Then stood and turned around.

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Ruka thought Nikolai was about to leave. Or perhaps it was simply the instinct to grab onto a lifesaver in danger. Under the influence of alcohol, her judgment was impaired. She actually felt a little reluctant to see him go. Just as Ruka was still guessing, Nikolai considerately poured a glass of water and brought it over.

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“Do you feel like throwing up? Here. Drink some warm water. It will make you feel better.” Nikolai sat on the edge of the bed. Helped Ruka up to lean against the soft cushion at the headboard. Brought the glass to her lips.

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Having never been drunk before, Ruka knew nothing of such things. She only felt terribly thirsty. Drinking water suited her perfectly. After gulping down one glass, she handed it back to Nikolai to signal for another. Murmured hazily, “So uncomfortable… Luckily I have a gentleman like you…”

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Nikolai smiled without answering. He let Ruka lean weakly against his shoulder. Reached out to tidy her messy long hair.

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The moment his fingertips touched her scalp, Ruka’s body suddenly felt as if pierced by an electric current. Goosebumps covered her whole body. What was happening? The fingertips stroked downward from her scalp. Along her ear. The back of her neck. To her collarbone. Under the electric stimulation, Ruka became sensitive. Her body began to move beyond her control. Looking at Nikolai’s gentle eyes so close, she had a forbidden thought.

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“She wanted to perform the ritual with the man before her.”

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Ruka no longer had the spare capacity to feel strange about this thought or resist it. Her heartbeat accelerated. Her sensitive body was taking the lead. Her left hand had, unknowingly, intertwined its fingers with Nikolai’s left hand, which had circled behind her. In the room it was so quiet only their breathing could be heard. Ruka unconsciously swallowed. Nikolai said nothing more.

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After a moment, Ruka took the initiative to kiss him. Her mind immediately went blank.

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What should have been an intimate act performed only with one’s fiancé in the six months before marriage was now being done with a man she had known for less than a few hours. Compared with David, whom she had known for years, her body was especially excited by its first contact with another strange man. Their lips pressed together. Saliva mixing.

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Nikolai’s right hand also moved from Ruka’s collarbone. Lightly held her waist. Deliberately avoiding her chest. Ruka’s body was stimulated again. Unconsciously, she extended her tongue. Exploring and entwining with the most sensitive organ. Then her body began to twist and turn from the heat. As if craving to be touched.

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So this was how intense the pleasure brought by the ritual was? Ruka had completely thrown herself into the ritual. With no Casey to stop her, she became even more unrestrained. Holding Nikolai’s left hand, she slowly moved it upward from her waist.

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