Chapter 16

Chapter 16

A few days later, a news story about the Ruan family again exploded on the Star Network, sparking heated discussions.

"Someone dug up the Ruan family's graves—is that true or false?"

"True. My neighbor was one of the Alliance soldiers sent to inspect this time. All five graves were dug up, and the contents were scattered everywhere. The mountains were damp in the morning, so everything got mixed in with the mud."

"Oh my god, who hates the Ruan family that much? With all these recent incidents, no wonder they're selling off all their assets. Now that I think about it, that was a smart move."

"Wasn't that young master from Luo Corporation the one who used the excuse of being attacked to go and cause trouble at the Ruan residence? I heard he even courted the Ruan family's youngest son back then. Love turned to hate. How scary."

"Alphas like that are the worst. If they can't have something, they destroy it. He might have planned this whole thing, too."

"..."

Ruan Yunchu didn't make an appearance in this matter. The news only featured a long-distance photo of him sitting with his back to the camera in front of the excavated graves. In the image, the omega wore a pale shirt, his figure thin and frail. With the media's caption, you couldn't help but feel lonely and sad.

With the wars finally calming down in recent years and people across the planets managing to reunite with their families, family bonds were valued more than ever. This incident struck a nerve, forcing Luo Peng to issue an emergency statement overnight, claiming he had nothing to do with it.

Still, not many believed him. Some thought the Alliance was deliberately covering things up, or that Luo Peng had hired other accomplices.

The culprit was never caught, and the story's popularity kept climbing day by day. It stayed at the top of the Star Network for a week before beginning a gradual decline.

Ruan Yunchu was pretty happy with how it turned out.

In the following days of treatment, he was unusually cooperative and had no objections to anything, which took Yan Zhuo by pleasant surprise.

At least his night digging up those ashes and scattering them wasn't wasted.

The branch hospitals slowly settled down. At Chen Quan's suggestion, Ruan Yunchu started making frequent appearances at banquets. Invitations that used to be returned were now all accepted. The more he appeared in public, the higher his popularity on the Star Network.

Meanwhile, he established a foundation specifically for disabled individuals who couldn't access the latest medical treatments. On the day of the charity gala, there were far more guests than expected.

Yan Zhuo didn't handle those things; he still stuck close to protect the young master. But as the guests gradually gathered and he was enjoying the sight of the young master holding a wine glass and chatting with others, a commotion suddenly erupted at the entrance.

"No kidding? Lieutenant General Peng is here?"

Hearing the noise, Ruan Yunchu also looked in that direction. Yan Zhuo frowned slightly, peering over the heads of the crowd to see a figure in military uniform approaching from afar.

The alpha stood tall and sturdy, with an imposing presence. Though he was attending a banquet, he still maintained a cold expression, nodding politely to the guests who greeted him without breaking stride.

Ruan Yunchu couldn't see well from his wheelchair, but soon the crowd parted, and the newcomer stopped in front of him.

"Mr. Ruan." Peng Zhongying's voice was deep and rich as he looked down at Ruan Yunchu, a faint curve at the corners of his mouth.

"Lieutenant General Peng, pleasure to meet you." Ruan Yunchu extended his hand.

Peng Zhongying gave his hand a firm shake before quickly releasing it—a very formal gesture.

Seeing them talking, the surrounding people didn't crowd in. Only Yan Zhuo stood nearby, clueless about the mood. Peng Zhongying, ever perceptive, noticed the blatant, hostile stare directed at him and frowned instinctively.

Ruan Yunchu noticed him staring at Yan Zhuo and said, "Lieutenant General Peng, please don't mind him. My assistant doesn't know how to read the room."

With that, he turned his head. When Yan Zhuo leaned in, he said, "Go find yourself a cooler spot."

"..."

Yan Zhuo shot him a resentful look and left reluctantly.

Then Ruan Yunchu invited Peng Zhongying upstairs for a chat. Peng Zhongying agreed readily, and the two quickly ascended.

Half an hour later, they reappeared in the banquet hall. After greeting a few familiar friends, Peng Zhongying hurriedly left without lingering.

People from the military were notoriously difficult to get to come, and Peng Zhongying had been a war hero. Even the commanders had to listen to what he said. So after he left, people frequently approached Ruan Yunchu to inquire about the conversation.

Regarding the topic they had discussed upstairs, Ruan Yunchu remained tight-lipped, deflecting with vague responses.

The result was that the charity auction that evening was unprecedentedly successful, raising several times more funds than expected.

Many who had stepped on the Ruan family during their fall were itching with curiosity, speculating that Ruan Yunchu was trying to hitch his wagon to the Alliance. They alternated between jealousy and thoughts on how to curry favor.

"..."

The banquet ended late into the night. Ruan Yunchu was exhausted, so he went upstairs to change into casual clothes. Looking around the empty room and seeing only Chen Quan and Wu Ming, he realized that Yan Zhuo hadn't returned since leaving in the middle of the banquet.

"Uncle Chen, did you see where he went?"

Chen Quan wasn't sure, "Probably the second floor? Maybe he's still on the terrace waiting."

If it were anyone else, Ruan Yunchu would think it was a silly assumption, but with Yan Zhuo... he found it somewhat plausible.

"I'll send someone to find him," Chen Quan said, opening his terminal.

"No, I'll go." Ruan Yunchu headed for the door, not noticing Chen Quan's slightly surprised expression.

The terrace on the second floor was spacious and empty. Ruan Yunchu wheeled his chair slowly inside, and soon saw Yan Zhuo standing with his back to him in front of the glass railing.

The man was tall and imposing, leaning on the railing with his elbows, his back slumped like an abandoned dog. Even from behind, he gave off a strong sense of resentment.

Ruan Yunchu found the image ridiculous and called out, "What are you still doing here?"

At the sound, Yan Zhuo started to turn around, then seemed to think better of it, stubbornly turned his head away again.

"..."

Ruan Yunchu frowned, maneuvering his wheelchair closer. Once near, he finally heard what Yan Zhuo was muttering.

"Didn't the young master tell me to go where it's cooler? I looked around, and this spot is the windiest and coldest, so I stayed here."

"..."

"I waited for ages, and no one came to find me. Not even a message. I thought the young master was just fine with me standing here all night."

Ruan Yunchu was speechless. "Let's go home."

He couldn't be bothered with Yan Zhuo's nonsense, but as he turned to leave, the man suddenly swung around and blocked his path, his face full of anger and grievance.

To anyone else, that expression might look intimidating, but Ruan Yunchu wasn't scared. He just smiled helplessly.

"You're so bad at reading the room. Was I wrong to say something?"

"Of course the young master isn't wrong. I'm the one who's wrong." Yan Zhuo's face darkened as he spoke through gritted teeth. "It's all because I care too much about the young master. I see danger in everyone and don't want to leave your side for a second. But I forgot I'm nothing. The young master has his own private life, and I have no right to interfere. When it's time to get lost, I get lost."

Ruan Yunchu found that amusing. "Even if a military lieutenant general really wanted to hurt me, there's nothing you could do about it, right?"

Not to mention Peng Zhongying didn't seem to be in the same category as Qin Jingli or Luo Peng. Even if he did have romantic intentions toward Ruan Yunchu, Yan Zhuo being there wouldn't make a difference.

"I will kill him." Yan Zhuo's eyes turned icy.

Meeting his gaze, Ruan Yunchu's heart skipped a beat, inexplicably feeling that he meant it.

He instinctively looked away and said coldly, "Peng Zhongying is no Luo Peng. He's not that easy to deal with. Besides, if you actually lay a hand on him, you'll become a wanted criminal of the Alliance."

Yan Zhuo slowly crouched in front of him, his tone stubborn. "I can do it."

"Fine, do whatever you want." Not wanting to argue further, Ruan Yunchu added an explanation: "It's not what you think. Lieutenant General Peng's younger brother can't walk either. His attendance this time was purely by chance; I didn't even send him an invitation."

During that half-hour upstairs, Peng Zhongying had not crossed any boundaries at all. He only praised Ruan Yunchu's charity work and character, and provided him with a list of potential collaborators—nothing more.

Yan Zhuo listened, but whether he believed it or not was unclear; he still had that same resentful look.

Ruan Yunchu was running out of patience, but just as his face turned cold, the man suddenly wrapped his arms around his waist and buried his face in his soft abdomen, like a big, clingy dog.

"Don't be angry, little master. I believe whatever you say."

Ruan Yunchu stiffened, pushing at his head, but couldn't budge him.

"Get off!"

"No." Yan Zhuo's tone was insistent. "Even if he didn't do anything now, who's to say he won't in the future? You still need to have me with you when you meet anyone."

For some reason, Ruan Yunchu found him especially stubborn today.

"What's gotten into you?"

"I'm not crazy. I'm just a little sad. The little master doesn't really like me. Unrequited love is unbearable."

"..."

Ruan Yunchu looked down unhappily. The head buried in his abdomen was fluffy, the hair coarse and stiff—just like the man himself, single-minded.

Normally, he would have pushed him away without hesitation, but hearing Yan Zhuo's soft complaints, it was as if the hard core of his heart had been pricked, softening inexplicably.

He wasn't sure how long he'd been in a daze, but then he instead placed his hand, which had been about to push him away, on Yan Zhuo's head and gently ruffled his hair.

"With such a big head, it's no wonder you're always daydreaming."

As he spoke, he let out a laugh.

Yan Zhuo heard the sound and looked up. Seeing the lingering smile in his eyes, he momentarily lost focus and murmured unconsciously, "Little master, I want to kiss you."

"..."

Ruan Yunchu laughed softly, his palm patting Yan Zhuo's cheek.

"You're not yet qualified to kiss me."

In that instant, Yan Zhuo narrowed his eyes, a dangerous glint flickering in his eyes, completely different from his previous innocent demeanor.

Yet even so, he obediently stayed on one knee, not lunging forward like other unruly hyenas to snatch what he wanted.

An obedient dog always gets a reward.

This thought flashed through Ruan Yunchu's mind, and he inexplicably leaned down, deigning to move closer.

"Come here."

Yan Zhuo sensed what was coming, his dark eyes flickering. Just as he rose, Ruan Yunchu grabbed his neck with one hand and pressed a soft, cool kiss to his lips.

It wasn't a brief peck. The little master gave him a quick peck and parted, a hint of complexity flickered in his clear, bright eyes, then came back to press again.

Yan Zhuo's Adam's apple bobbed. Desire shot through him, making his whole body burn. He was about to lean in and press forward, but the hand on his neck abruptly tightened, stopping him in his tracks.

"Calm down."