Chapter 7

Chapter 7

"Business trip?"

The next morning, Yan Zhuo received the orders and raised an eyebrow again, finding it interesting. "The young master is pissed at me again, trying to send me away."

Chen Quan's expression was unreadable, giving him none of the reaction he wanted, only saying calmly, "It's not what you think. This is serious; the young master personally selected you for it."

"Is that so?" Yan Zhuo flashed a smile, but his words were far from cooperative. "I don't buy it. Take me to him."

Unexpectedly, Chen Quan didn't stop him, just said, "The young master is waiting for you in the back courtyard."

So he wasn't dodging me after all. That surprised Yan Zhuo.

He didn't waste any more time arguing with Chen Quan and headed straight to the back courtyard. Sure enough, he saw the young master sitting among the flowers, holding a freshly cut bouquet and trimming the stems.

The scene was beautiful, making it impossible for him to look away.

"Young master." He strode forward, habitually kneeling on one knee beside the wheelchair, his burning gaze fixed on that porcelain-smooth face.

Ruan Yunchu used the scissors to trim off excess stems, his eyelashes slightly lowered. "Uncle Chen said you're not willing to cooperate with the arrangements."

"I never said I wasn't cooperating," Yan Zhuo said, feigning innocence. "It's just that Chen Quan didn't even tell me what the mission was. I suspect he's fooling me."

Ruan Yunchu finally lifted his eyes to glance at him, his tone deadpan. "Going to the Qin family—you game?"

"..."

Yan Zhuo's expression stiffened as he recalled the Qin family's smarmy attitudes that day. Deep down, he didn't want to go, but he had to put on a brave face.

"What does the young master want me to do at the Qin family?"

"Qin Jingli is no pushover. He knows you're capable and will definitely try to poach you from me. All you need to do is go with the flow."

Yan Zhuo raised an eyebrow in silence, motioning for him to continue.

"Once you're at the Qin family, find evidence that they hired rogue assassins to attack me. That's it."

Yan Zhuo finally let out a small sigh of relief. He had really thought the young master was about to sell him out.

"Alright. I'll be back as soon as possible. Don't screw me over, young master."

Ruan Yunchu shot him a displeased look. "When have I ever lied to you?"

"Tons of times." Yan Zhuo gave him a meaningful look, then seemed to think of something. "Oh, and if I successfully complete the mission and bring you an unexpected surprise, will you let me have another wish?"

"Do you take me for a genie in a lamp?"

"Just say if it's a deal or not." Yan Zhuo cleared his throat. "If you promise me, I'll bust my ass. They insulted you that day—don't you want to make them pay double?"

What he said made sense, but Ruan Yunchu hated being threatened. So he only replied, "If you don't do it, there are plenty of others willing."

"None of them are half as useful as me, right?"

Yan Zhuo narrowed his eyes and gradually leaned closer to Ruan Yunchu, his heat pressing in around him, enveloping him like a shadow.

Ruan Yunchu's gaze instantly turned cold, and he drove the sharp scissors straight at Yan Zhuo's throat.

"You're too full of yourself."

"This is exactly what the young master likes, isn't it?"

"..."

The back courtyard was bathed in sunlight, but the tension was thick enough to cut.

Yan Zhuo looked seriously at the young master, feeling the anger burning inside him, but for the first time, he didn't back down.

He wanted too many things. If he didn't seize this chance while the young master needed him to cash in on some favors, he might never get it again.

The blade kissed Yan Zhuo's neck. With just a little force, it could pierce his skin, yet Yan Zhuo wore a fearless expression, a glint of amusement in his eyes.

Ruan Yunchu stared at him coldly, then suddenly went limp, dropping the scissors and tossing the flowers aside.

"Fine, then beat it."

Watching the wheelchair slowly roll away, the smile on Yan Zhuo's lips froze a little.

The once beautiful flower branches were crushed under the tires, petals sinking into the mud, losing all their delicate beauty.

Damn, he'd blown it.

Half an hour later, a brand-new bouquet, carefully packed was delivered to Ruan Yunchu's room. The thorns had been trimmed, and the petals were adorned with morning dew, looking quite lovely.

Wu Ming felt a bit awkward but mustered the courage to set the bouquet on the table.

"Young master, Yan Zhuo packed this himself. He said it's a peace offering. He's already left for the appointment with the Qin family."

Ruan Yunchu sat by the window without so much as turning his head.

Seeing that he didn't speak, Wu Ming didn't dare linger. He tiptoed out, quick as a mouse.

The car outside gradually disappeared from view. Ruan Yunchu shifted his gaze and finally looked back at the bouquet behind him. It was the exact same color palette as the one he had thrown away, even the accent grass was identical.

The scissors had been cleaned and returned. He walked over slowly and spotted a card tucked inside the bouquet.

"Young master, don't be angry. I was wrong. TAT. —Yan Zhuo"

His gaze swept over it without the slightest stir. He didn't touch the bouquet again.

-

"Just as expected, Qin Jingli offered Yan Zhuo triple the salary and placed him in his own household after poaching him. But I still don't know the progress on that end." Chen Quan reported on Yan Zhuo's situation, scratching his head. "You know, Yan Zhuo's a piece of work. I sent him a few messages, but he never replied."

Ruan Yunchu closed his eyes. "Let him stew for now. Is the branch hospital ready?"

"Ready and already in the soft launch phase." Chen Quan thought for a moment. "But... those few former financial backers have returned. They've accepted the Alliance Army's investigation, but they're all worked up."

"If it's not them, what do they want to stir up?"

"They're probably just looking to clear their names. The chatter on StarNet about this has gotten way out of hand. Most people believe they're the culprits."

Ruan Yunchu let out a cold snort. "What do they want from me? If they want to prove their innocence, they should figure it out themselves."

A bunch of idiots, still can't figure out who's trying to pin it on them.

"Get Yan Zhuo to wrap this up within a week."

"Yes."

On the other side, Yan Zhuo received the orders, but his mood was still sour. He had thought that after his little stunt, the young master would be unable to resist seeking him out. Who would have guessed that today's message was still in that old geezer Chen Quan's tone.

Just looking at them is annoying.

Why can Chen Quan and Wu Ming stay by the young master's side, while he has to be stuck in some annoying place?

He was feeling restless when Qin Jingli came to bother him again.

"A-Zhuo, come out with me today."

Yan Zhuo leaped down from the tree with a cold expression and asked, "Where to?"

"A charity gala organized by the military. Let's show our faces." Qin Jingli put an arm around his shoulder with a smile and probed, "Ruan Yunchu will be there today. You won't mess things up, will you?"

Yan Zhuo glanced at him, the corners of his lips curling slightly, but the look in his eyes suddenly went cold.

"What could I possibly mess up?"

"After all, he was your former master. You were very loyal to him back then. Seeing him this time, you won't switch sides at the last moment, will you?"

Qin Jingli's gaze carried scrutiny. In truth, ever since Yan Zhuo came to his side, everything he did was perfect, which gradually made him lower his guard.

However... he always felt that he and Yan Zhuo weren't close enough, which kept him from ever fully letting his guard down.

"No matter how good Young Master Ruan is, he's just an omega. If he were an alpha, I would have chosen to stand by his side."

Yan Zhuo's words weren't exactly pleasing, but they really hit home with Qin Jingli.

He couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"You're quite perceptive. Yunchu really lost out because of his secondary gender. When his father divided the property back then, he never gained recognition because of his identity. In terms of ability, no one of his generation could compare to him."

Although Qin Jingli felt it was a pity, he was actually quite satisfied with this outcome.

"Once I marry Yunchu, you won't be in such a tough spot."

Once in the car, Yan Zhuo activated semi-autonomous driving and turned to ask, "I heard there's more than one omega in the Ruan family. Why did you get engaged to him?"

Qin Jingli looked out the window and couldn't help but laugh. "Of course because he's good-looking. I've known him since childhood. Yunchu's grown up and gotten really cold, but he was extremely cute when he was little."

There was a hint of nostalgia in his tone, along with an unmistakable softness.

Yan Zhuo snorted dismissively, but he was very interested in this version of Ruan Yunchu. "Just that simple? So you're all about looks."

"Of course not just that." Qin Jingli's eyes flickered. "Although Yunchu's mother died early, she was extremely wealthy and left a large inheritance to Yunchu. However, it was stipulated back then that he could only inherit after turning twenty, so he hasn't fully obtained the medical company's shares yet. His family members are also coveting them. If I marry him, I can take those assets for myself."

Yan Zhuo lowered his eyes, concealing the murderous coldness in them.

Qin Jingli, not hearing him speak, couldn't help but continue: "After Yunchu's mother passed away, he went through a lot. Seeing him so tired really hurts me. Otherwise, why would I want to marry him so soon? It was all my father's fault that day for being too impatient. I've always said Yunchu's personality responds better to gentleness than force. Since I offended him this time, I need to be more attentive to make it up to him."

He rambled on the whole way. When they got out of the car, he turned to look at Yan Zhuo as if something else occurred to him.

"You've been by Yunchu's side for so long. Do you know what type of alpha he likes?"

Yan Zhuo got out from the other side and smiled upon hearing this. He decided not to cause the young master any more trouble: "He doesn't like alphas."

Qin Jingli was stunned.

Entering the banquet, amid a crowd of guests and the clinking of glasses, Yan Zhuo couldn't keep his attention on Qin Jingli.

Soon, his gaze caught a figure in a wheelchair by the door. He immediately perked up, but before he could find a moment to approach, he saw a man in military uniform stride over.

He recognized that figure. Even in different attire, it was the same person he had confronted upstairs before.

"Lin Zheng? How did he come back to Planet A?" Qin Jingli also saw this scene, his voice turning extremely displeased.

"Who is that?"

"Yunchu's childhood friend. They were closest when young. This Lin Zheng... don't let his being a Union officer fool you; he's actually quite insidious."

Having said this, Qin Jingli strode forward.

Yan Zhuo followed behind. As he got closer, he heard Qin Jingli already quarreling with Lin Zheng.

Facing this brainless wealthy scion who coveted his childhood friend, Lin Zheng showed no courtesy. "What business is it of yours what happens to Yunchu? Young Master Qin might as well take care of your own family's matters first."

Qin Jingli's expression turned cold. "Major General Lin, you've just been promoted this year. Don't cause trouble here. A lot of people are waiting to toast you."

He tried to send the man away, but Lin Zheng naturally wouldn't listen to him and stubbornly stood in front of Ruan Yunchu.

"The engagement was called off long ago, so please, Young Master Qin, have some dignity and don't cling like sticky candy."

Qin Jingli was about to lose his temper when Lin Zheng coldly added, "You no longer have the right to speak to Yunchu."

"..."

The atmosphere was tense, but the person they were arguing about had already slipped away.

"Where did Yunchu go?" Lin Zheng turned and didn't see him, his expression tightening. He looked at Yan Zhuo and recognized him, his expression growing colder. "A real turncoat indeed."

Yan Zhuo shrugged nonchalantly. Seeing Qin Jingli go looking for the person, he quietly left the banquet hall, with his back to the guests passing through the corridor, and slowly walked toward another empty corridor around the corner.