Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Yan Zhuo agonized over this issue late into the night, staring at his reflection in the mirror for a long time, utterly unable to accept that judgment.

Wasn't he gentlemanly, gentle, and dignified? Even Uncle Chen, who was usually easygoing, had pointed out that he was often too rigid and fierce—so was he really the problem?

-

A few days later, Chen Quan carefully compiled a list and handed it to Ruan Yunchu again.

Ruan Yunchu, being gracious, set aside his current work and began flipping through the short list. His gaze swept down, but paused for a few seconds when it reached the last name.

After a long moment, he swiped away the terminal screen and looked at Chen Quan with suspicion.

"Uncle Chen, are you sure you didn't make a mistake?"

Chen Quan had expected this question and immediately replied, "According to your requirements, Yan Zhuo is also a very suitable candidate. Besides, he nearly gave his life to save you back then, making him far more trustworthy than others. Isn't that the most important thing you value?"

Ruan Yunchu hesitated, "But—"

"And Yan Zhuo's appearance is up to standard." Chen Quan's tone was sincere. "You might actually consider him. And as far as I know, he doesn't object either."

Ruan Yunchu raised an eyebrow, finding it intriguing. "You asked him?"

"Yes."

"What did he say?"

"He said... he likes you and is willing to do anything for you."

"How much of that do you think is credible?"

"This..."

Chen Quan thought about Yan Zhuo's mysterious appearance and his extraordinary skills, and for a moment, couldn't come up with a probability.

Seeing Chen's silence, Ruan Yunchu sighed. "Uncle Chen, you know he's not trustworthy. You didn't actually believe his nonsense, did you? He's only been with the Ruan family for half a year. What kind of spell did he cast on you, or did he promise you some benefit?"

His tone turned cold, and Chen Quan's expression immediately changed.

"No, I was reckless."

The young master, being an omega with a leg injury, had truly been fooled by Yan Zhuo's manipulation into pushing such a dangerous person close to the young master.

Since Chen admitted his mistake sincerely, Ruan Yunchu decided not to pursue it further.

His finger swiped over Yan Zhuo's report, deleting it, and then he selected two others from the list.

"Bring them tomorrow for me to see."

"Alright." Chen Quan glanced at the list—one warm and gentle, the other dashing. Neither of them resembled Yan Zhuo at all.

Having learned from other servants that Uncle Chen had already gone to ask for the young master's opinion early that morning, Yan Zhuo spent the whole day searching the grounds for him. But Chen Quan seemed to be deliberately avoiding him, and it wasn't until evening that Yan Zhuo finally cornered him at his room's door.

When Chen Quan came upstairs and saw him, his expression instantly turned awkward.

"You're looking for me?"

Yan Zhuo was leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed. At the question, he unhurriedly closed the mini-game interface on his terminal screen and smiled. "Uncle Chen, you're always so amiable with everyone else. Why do you treat me with such disdain? Am I really that off-putting?"

Chen Quan had a hard time explaining but tried to appease him. "No, that's not what I meant. Did you need something?"

"Of course I do." Yan Zhuo raised an eyebrow. "I heard you took the list to the young master today. What did he say?"

Chen Quan avoided a direct answer. "If you're so curious, why don't you ask the young master yourself?"

"I would like to."

Yan Zhuo's face darkened again.

But today, the young master had activated that smart security system again, and Yan Zhuo couldn't even get into the house, let alone see him.

Chen Quan could only sigh and tell him the truth. "The young master picked two candidates from outside the family. He's going to meet them tomorrow morning and then decide."

Yan Zhuo's expression soured. "Oh really? How interesting. What time are they arriving?"

"What do you intend to do?"

Chen Quan wore a wary expression. Seeing Yan Zhuo's displeasure, he could only advise, "I think the young master really doesn't have romantic interest in you. You might as well give up. Otherwise, not only will you gain nothing, but you might even make the young master hate you."

As someone with experience, even if Yan Zhuo concealed his emotions well, Chen Quan could see through to his deepest cares.

Yan Zhuo's lips curled into a cold smirk, but he was unconvinced. "Uncle Chen, what are you saying? I'm just worried about the young master's safety. I want to help screen them."

Unable to dissuade him, Chen Quan casually mentioned a time and finally got him to move aside, allowing him to return to his room.

Early the next morning.

After waking up and finishing his work, Ruan Yunchu received a message from Chen Quan urging him to come, learning that the two men had arrived very early.

He went downstairs in his wheelchair and, as he exited the courtyard, unconsciously glanced to his side. There was no familiar figure there.

Realizing what he was looking for, he silently laughed at himself for being absurd.

In the front hall, two young and handsome betas sat on either side. When they heard the sound of the wheelchair approaching, they instinctively looked toward the door.

Their eyes fell on that cold, stunningly beautiful face, and both were momentarily taken aback, unable to hide the admiration in their gaze.

Ruan Yunchu scanned the two of them. Their appearances matched the profiles, but seeing them in person, he felt an inexplicable sense of disappointment at first glance. Perhaps it was because their personalities were totally different.

They were certainly outstanding in appearance, but somehow, Chen Quan's words echoed in his mind, and he unconsciously compared the two men with Yan Zhuo.

Chen Quan had them briefly introduce themselves to him. When he felt it was enough, he looked at the young master, who had remained silent throughout.

"What do you think?"

At that, the two men instinctively turned to the omega, their eyes filled with eager anticipation.

Ruan Yunchu's gaze swept over them. He opened his mouth to ask a question, but a sudden voice, laced with a smile, cut through the air.

"The young master is naive. How can he tell good from bad? Let me help with the evaluation."

Looking up, Ruan Yunchu saw Yan Zhuo walking in from outside. Chen Quan sighed heavily, but Ruan Yunchu, for some reason, felt no surprise at all.

The two betas glared warily at the uninvited guest.

Yan Zhuo strolled into the hall, first glancing at the composed young master seated. He gave a slight smile, then casually glanced at the two on either side.

"Where did Uncle Chen find these rejects?"

"This is Young Master Ruan's territory. Who do you think you are? Are you going to overstep the young master and make a choice for him?" said the long-haired man on the left, with a smirk.

"You do have a sharp tongue," Yan Zhuo said without any hesitation, raising an eyebrow with a smirk. "You look like you're running on empty, with that shifty-eyed look. What, am I wrong?"

"You—"

"Enough, what are you two arguing about?" Chen Quan couldn't stand it any longer. "Yan Zhuo, stop stirring up trouble."

Yan Zhuo fell silent but slowly walked over to stand by the young master's side, couldn't help staring at him resentfully.

Ruan Yunchu hadn't so much as glanced at him, his eyes fixed on the two men, as if weighing which one to pick.

This deliberate snub infuriated Yan Zhuo. All he wanted was for the young master's eyes to land on him, and this situation made him inexplicably furious.

Seeing Yan Zhuo had quieted down, Chen Quan leaned down and asked, "Young master, what's your call?"

Ruan Yunchu raised a hand, but before he could speak, Yan Zhuo grabbed it tightly.

He turned his head coldly to meet Yan Zhuo's gaze.

The man's dark eyes blazed with intense displeasure. "Young master, you actually have the nerve to choose?"

"And who do you think you are to meddle in my decisions?" Ruan Yunchu said softly, pulling his hand free. "Take him to the back courtyard for a checkup. Tell him to come to me tonight."

He was referring to the long-haired man who had argued with Yan Zhuo earlier.

Yan Zhuo's face instantly darkened, his eyes cold and fierce. But as he watched the young master not spare him a glance, he suddenly bared his teeth in a ferocious grin.

"Fine then."

Chen Quan wanted to say something but stopped himself. He glanced at the delighted expression on the long-haired man's face, but had a bad feeling about this.

Was something bad going to happen tonight?

With matters done, Ruan Yunchu went back to the back courtyard. Yan Zhuo didn't stop him. He cast a cold glance at the long-haired man, noting the provocative look on his face, but only snorted, then strode out the door and left the Ruan residence.

Late that night.

Chen Quan took the man for a complete checkup. Once he was sure everything was fine, he went over a few things to keep in mind.

"You're here mainly to keep an eye on the young master during his heat period. He normally won't call for you. Just be on standby. If the young master needs you, keep him company, chat with him. Once you get familiar, you might get to stay longer. As for anything else, don't even think about it."

The man nodded confidently, showing no trace of ambition.

After escorting him into the small building, Chen Quan, still worried, reactivated the courtyard defenses before leaving at ease.

In the room, Ruan Yunchu had already washed up. He was reclining on a lounge chair, leafing through a book, his hair loose and falling over his shoulders. His cold, beautiful face was illuminated by the warm lamplight, giving a quiet and gentle impression.

Soft music played—a peaceful, pleasant time.

But before long, faint footsteps sounded outside the house. Before they could draw close, they were interrupted by a heavy thud, followed by an extended silence.

The young man didn't even look up. He finished reading that page, and only when he heard the door open did he leisurely close the reading interface on his terminal.

A tall man entered from outside, his face dark and cold. But upon seeing the young master quietly sitting inside, he forced a smile.

"Young master, I'm here."

Ruan Yunchu said softly, "Where is he?"

"The young master is so worried about him? Have you really taken a liking to him?"

Yan Zhuo's deep eyes emitted a cold, dangerous light. He braced himself against the lounge chair, blocking the young master's escape, though Ruan Yunchu probably had no intention of fleeing.

Ruan Yunchu stayed where he was, not moving. He only asked, "Did you kill him?"

Yan Zhuo's icy expression instantly relaxed, and he smiled. "What is the young master saying? Am I really such a ruthless person? I only knocked him out and threw him out."

"Then you've disappointed me greatly."

Ruan Yunchu's tone was indifferent, but it made Yan Zhuo pause for a moment and narrow his eyes.

"What do you mean?"

"Exactly what I said. I thought you would have directly killed him." Ruan Yunchu curled his lips into a smile.

He was naturally beautiful, and his emotions were usually subdued, like a handful of snow on a winter branch—always cold. The smile he showed now made one's heart tremble uncontrollably.

But his words remained as cold as ever.

"Yan Zhuo, you're even weaker than I imagined."