Chapter 5

Chapter 5

"You came back to Sector A all of a sudden. Got another mission?"

In the study, the two sat facing each other. Lin Zheng's gaze fell on Ruan Yunchu, carefully scanning him from head to toe, unable to hold back a frown.

"You've lost weight."

Ruan Yunchu didn't call him out on his deliberate attempt to change the subject. "Yeah, I was sick for a while."

"Sick?" Lin Zheng's face showed concern. "The temperature in Sector A has dropped. Try to stay indoors as much as possible. Things have been pretty unstable lately."

"Is there going to be another war soon?"

"No." He looked hesitant.

Ruan Yunchu said, "If it's something you can't say, then don't. I'm not forcing you."

Lin Zheng finally relaxed. "It's not that I can't say it, but some information is indeed classified. Things have been pretty quiet outside lately, but you know how it is—with a new commander taking over, there's a crackdown across the Federation, and the methods are ruthless."

Although Ruan Yunchu stayed home all day, he had heard about these military matters.

He nodded slightly and didn't ask further. "How long will you be staying in Sector A this time?"

"At least a month, but it's a covert mission. The higher-ups... prefer that I don't reveal my whereabouts."

Ruan Yunchu gave a wry smile. "And you still dared to come to my place?"

Lin Zheng sighed helplessly. "I didn't expect to get caught either. I always managed to sneak in before. But speaking of which, why did you suddenly lock up the building? Did someone in the house sell you out?"

Although he had just been recalled from outside the planet, he had heard about the Ruan family's affairs. But unlike others, he wasn't worried that Ruan Yunchu would be upset.

He and Ruan Yunchu had grown up together and knew best what the Ruan family had done to him. He had only come to check on him after learning that the Ruan family's assets and shares were being sold off, and that Ruan Yunchu had locked himself indoors for quite some time.

"No." Ruan Yunchu's smile faded. Remembering the man downstairs, he felt irritated again.

Lin Zheng clearly recalled that person too and his expression turned serious. "Yunchu, keeping someone you don't know anything about by your side isn't appropriate."

He had been on the battlefield and served undercover. He had professional training and was good at reading people. That servant Ruan Yunchu took in was clearly no ordinary person.

Ruan Yunchu only said, "Inappropriate or not, he's already staying. If I want to kick him out, I need at least a reason."

Lin Zheng didn't understand. In his view, he could just send the man packing without needing any excuse.

But since Ruan Yunchu said so, there must be a reason. After thinking for a moment, he offered an idea. "The Commander is cleaning house in the military and is short-handed. How about I recommend him to the Federation forces? If he can move up the ranks later, it could be good for you."

He wouldn't casually offer such a suggestion, but he could see that Ruan Yunchu valued this man somewhat. Plus, he had witnessed the man's extraordinary skills earlier, so he was willing to give him a chance.

Ruan Yunchu didn't answer immediately. He lowered his eyes, lost in thought.

Based on his understanding of Yan Zhuo over this period, the man would most likely refuse.

Lin Zheng, unaware of his dilemma, recalled what the man had said downstairs and asked curiously, "By the way, what did he mean by 'use and throw away'?"

"..."

Ruan Yunchu let out an almost silent sigh and said vaguely, "He was a big help when Qin Jingli called off the engagement."

Lin Zheng had heard about that incident. Seeing Ruan Yunchu still hesitating, he asked, "You used to hate alphas, didn't you? Why keep him around?"

As Ruan Yunchu's childhood friend, ever since he presented, every time he came to see Ruan Yunchu, he had to crank his inhibitor bracelet to the max and use a suppressor patch in advance so he wouldn't make Ruan Yunchu uncomfortable.

But that alpha could stay by Ruan Yunchu's side anytime.

It bothered him whenever he thought about it.

"He's a beta."

Lin Zheng was startled, unable to hide his surprise. "He's a beta?"

His tone was full of disbelief.

Ruan Yunchu nodded. "Yeah."

"He doesn't look like a beta at all." Lin Zheng looked as if he'd seen a ghost. "Did you have him tested?"

"Several hospitals have checked." Knowing Lin Zheng's concerns, Ruan Yunchu added calmly, "The Federation Central Hospital too. He's definitely a beta."

Lin Zheng shook his head. "That's so weird. I think he'd fit better in the military."

Ruan Yunchu smiled. "I'll ask him about it later."

Lin Zheng had only come to check on him, and having confirmed he was fine, he felt relieved. He still had official business to attend to and didn't have much time, so he left shortly after.

After he left, Ruan Yunchu exited the study and, when he entered his room, glanced toward the dimly lit stairwell corner.

"Had your fill of eavesdropping?"

Yan Zhuo, who had been hiding behind the wall, stepped out. His expression was dark, but when he met Ruan Yunchu's eyes, he forced a smile.

"How did the young master find me?"

Ruan Yunchu's face was cold. "I smelled something nasty."

"It must be that stench from Lin Zheng." Yan Zhuo nonchalantly pinned the sarcasm on Lin Zheng. "Alphas are such a pain, can't even control their pheromones. That must be tough on you, young master."

"..."

Ruan Yunchu couldn't be bothered to trade barbs with him. He went back to his room, ignoring the figure trailing behind him.

"Young master, can I come in now?"

Hearing the tentative question, he let out a scoff. "I'm thinking of sending you to the military."

He deliberately didn't turn around, but he could feel the hot gaze at his back, cold and fierce.

Sure enough, Yan Zhuo gritted his teeth and said coldly, "I don't want to go."

Ruan Yunchu didn't give him a friendly look. "I told you, if you want to stay by my side, you have to be obedient."

"If I go to the military, who will protect you, young master?"

"I'm not short of people here. Besides... there are plenty of people who'd die for me. What makes you think I need you specifically?"

Yan Zhuo could no longer hold back his pent-up emotions. "They're not as skilled as I am, and not as loyal either."

"You call that loyal?"

Ruan Yunchu let out a laugh of exasperation.

Would a loyal person go against his word? And take advantage of him while he was out of it?

Yan Zhuo, however, said, all righteous, "You've gotta listen to the doctor, young master, or it'll mess up your gland development. In the end, it's you who will suffer. I'm only looking out for you."

Ruan Yunchu shot him a cold glare.

"Besides, I was just attending to you—not being disrespectful."

The tall man stood there, his sharp, striking features somehow twisting into a pitiful look, which pissed Ruan Yunchu off and annoyed him at the same time.

"You're full of excuses. So I'm the one who's wrong?"

Yan Zhuo lowered his eyes, all meek, "Of course the Young Master is not wrong. I was out of line."

"..."

"From now on, if something like that happens again, I'll ask for your permission first."

Ruan Yunchu's breath hitched. "You think there's gonna be a next time?"

Yan Zhuo cleared his throat: "If you need it..."

"There won't be a next time." Ruan Yunchu shut his eyes tightly, then reached up, grabbed his collar, and yanked him down.

That handsome and fierce face suddenly came closer, his dark, fathomless eyes reflecting Ruan Yunchu's icy expression.

"I warn you, this is the last time. If you want to stay in the Ruan family, behave obediently. Otherwise, I've got plenty of ways to kick you out of District A."

A smile curled at the corner of Yan Zhuo's lips. His gaze fell on the Young Master's soft and beautiful petal-like lips, almost able to smell the faint fragrance on them. His Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily, but his expression remained serious.

"Got it."

-

As the industries in his hands were gradually sold off, the news buzz around the Ruan family faded, leaving only the disgruntled branch families who'd come from all over.

They had thought that after Ruan Yunchu sold his shares, they'd at least get a slice of the pie, but they didn't expect that the major families in District A had long coveted the Ruan family. As soon as the news was released, the commercial empire Ruan Zheng had spent years building was gobbled up. Not only did they gain nothing, but they'd also burned through a ton of resources and bribe money.

After signing several share transfer documents, Ruan Yunchu heard Chen Quan enter the office and tell him the news that those people had come to the company to cause trouble again.

"Call the Allied Forces," he said indifferently, signaling the robot assistant to send the documents back.

"Already called 'em—they've been taken away," Chen Quan said, still worried. "What if they come again later?"

"They won't stick around. Coming to District A was a waste of time. They're just sore about it. If they keep dragging it out, they will only delay themselves. Once they figure it out, they will naturally leave."

Chen Quan nodded and added, "Young Master needs to be careful during travels recently. I'm worried they might do something desperate."

Ruan Yunchu pulled off his earpiece and wearily rubbed his temples. Hearing this, he laughed, "If they actually had that kind of guts, I'd respect 'em for it."

Seeing that Ruan Yunchu wasn't taking his warning seriously, Chen Quan looked worried but held back.

Ruan Yunchu didn't like staying in the company, and besides, he didn't understand these medical instruments well. So after finishing business, he headed straight home.

Today, the driver was arranged by Chen Quan. Although hovercars now come with autonomous driving functions, Ruan Yunchu was unwilling to entrust his life entirely to an intelligent system, so there had to be a driver in the car.

The wheelchair was locked into a custom-built slot. He turned his head to look out the window, but the guy beside him kept fidgeting, tiny rustling noises that grated on his nerves.

After a few seconds, he couldn't help turning back.

"Can you just be quiet for a second?"

Yan Zhuo blinked innocently, eyeing him at his leisure, and frowned slightly, "Young Master, are we going back just like that?"

"Where do you want to go?"

Yan Zhuo raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised. "Is the Young Master going with me?"

Ruan Yunchu glanced at him, a cold glint flashing in his narrow green eyes. "If you have other plans, I can let you out."

Yan Zhuo clicked his tongue, "Then forget it, I'd rather accompany the Young Master."

"Then shut up."

Ruan Yunchu didn't bother with him, turned his head, but suddenly noticed that the scenery outside the window was unusual.

The hovercar screeched to a halt. Before he could react, Yan Zhuo lunged at him, wrapping himself around Ruan Yunchu like a shield.

The next second, the car was violently struck.