Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Ruan Yunchu had almost no experience with kissing; all he knew was pressing lips together. Now, as he held Yan Zhuo's neck and felt the mingling heat of their breaths, the initiative gradually slipping away to the other, he found it surprisingly unique.

It was a completely unfamiliar sensation.

Yan Zhuo gently took the soft, moist lips into his mouth, the fragrance in his nose intoxicating, almost drowning him. A barely restrained urge to overpower rose in his heart, but the grip on his neck kept him from delving deeper, forcing him to merely suck and nibble on the jelly-like softness of the lower lip.

The young master's lips were beautifully shaped, now kissed to a bright red, slightly parted as he gasped for breath, nearly making Yan Zhuo lose control.

"Young master, I can do even better."

Blushing deeply, Ruan Yunchu pushed him away and wiped his swollen, moist lips with a hand.

"Get lost."

His tone was icy, but with his eyes moist and glistening, it lacked some of its usual edge.

Yan Zhuo's breathing was heavy; the lingering scent between his teeth and lips was captivating. He felt unsatisfied. He couldn't help but lick his lips. "Young master, you smell so good."

His tone was urgent, his gaze like that of a beast spotting its prey, making Ruan Yunchu sense danger. His expression turned cold.

"Yan Zhuo, you seem quite experienced."

His taunting tone snapped Yan Zhuo back to reality. Without a second thought, he defended himself: "That was my first kiss!"

"Is that so? Who'd believe that."

Ruan Yunchu touched the tingling corner of his mouth, recalling the obsessive, frenzied behavior from moments ago, his expression darkening further.

Yan Zhuo grew anxious. "Really, I've never kissed anyone else in my life. I'm still a virgin."

"..."

Who asked for that?

Ruan Yunchu had had enough. He sped his wheelchair to its maximum, quickly leaving the terrace, ignoring the footsteps chasing behind him.

But once in the car, watching Yan Zhuo talking with Chen Quan through the window, he stared blankly for a moment, then unconsciously the corners of his mouth lifted into a small smile.

What a fool.

Perhaps because of this new life experience, that night Ruan Yunchu didn't dream of the usual terrifying images that haunted his sleep. Instead, his ears were filled with a chattering voice, and an overly intense gaze seemed to bore through his clothes and bones, seeing right through him.

This feeling wasn't pleasant either. He opened his eyes to the faint light of dawn, unable to sleep, so he got up and went out.

The previous day's socializing had drained his energy, leaving him listless today. He couldn't muster any enthusiasm for anyone. He expected to see Yan Zhuo at breakfast, bustling in as usual, but instead, only Wu Ming showed up.

The food on the plate was tasteless. Ruan Yunchu glanced toward the door, waited a long time without seeing anyone, and set down his food.

"I'll go for a walk. Don't follow."

"Yes." Wu Ming, always one to follow rules, didn't even look up, remaining obedient.

His wheelchair moved through the vast garden. His face expressionless, he stayed alert to his surroundings, but he didn't hear the familiar footsteps he expected.

By the flowerbed, he saw a figure in the distance.

Chen Quan was recording something on his terminal screen. Hearing the sound of wheels, he looked up and offered a warm smile. "Young master, you're up early today."

Ruan Yunchu wasn't in the mood for pleasantries. He looked at the freshly turned soil.

"What are you doing?"

"Oh, we were short on seed purchases. I'm taking notes so I can buy a few already-grown plants later."

Ruan Yunchu nodded, then asked nonchalantly, "Where is he?"

Chen Quan paused for a moment, then caught on quickly. "Oh, I forgot to mention. After the banquet yesterday, Yan Zhuo said he had some family matters to attend to and asked for a week off. He probably left last night."

"..."

"You were already resting by then, so I forgot about it."

Ruan Yunchu's brows furrowed slightly, a hint of displeasure flickering across his strikingly handsome face. "Didn't you tell him I have an inspection in Sector C in a few days?"

Sensing the tension, Chen Quan dared not lie. "I did. I actually suggested he postpone his leave, but he seemed pretty anxious."

A deathly silence fell over the courtyard.

Before Chen Quan could defend Yan Zhuo, the young master's voice cut through icily.

"Tell him he's not coming back."

With that, the wheelchair slowly turned and rolled away, leaving Chen Quan no chance to speak.

"..."

That lingering kiss still seemed to replay in his mind—the man's dark, deep eyes burned with raw desire, yet held back by the weak grip on his neck that posed no real threat, never daring to go further.

Such devotion couldn't be faked.

But now, the little tremble of emotion he had felt that night had vanished entirely.

By the day of departure for Sector C, Ruan Yunchu had already forgotten Yan Zhuo.

The Ruan family had no shortage of guards. For this hospital inspection trip, Chen Quan not only accompanied him personally but also brought a full complement of guards—yet he still felt uneasy.

The young master disliked alphas and omegas, so all his personal bodyguards were betas. These men were skilled, but none were as reliable as Yan Zhuo.

Of course, he wouldn't dare say this in front of the young master. He simply hired outside bodyguards, doing his best to make sure nothing went wrong.

Starship travel required registration. Ruan Yunchu arrived at the airport early and immediately sensed something unusual.

The exclusive passageway was filled with disciplined soldiers in uniform—members of the Alliance army, apparently preparing for a mission. There were many of them.

Chen Quan understood and leaned in. "I heard the commander recently ordered inspections in Sector A, so these soldiers are probably heading to other sectors for advisory work."

The corridor stretched on endlessly. Ruan Yunchu thought for a moment. "Find out who's in charge."

Chen Quan received the order and quickly melted into the crowd.

Soon he came back, as the vast tarmac came into view. Dozens of warships sat in neat rows, while their own starship was larger. Beside it stood a man in military uniform.

"That's Lieutenant General Peng."

At the same time, Ruan Yunchu saw the man he had met at the banquet the other day.

Peng Zhongying seemed to already know the starship's owner was him. Seeing Ruan Yunchu approach in his wheelchair, he gave a tough, rugged smile.

"Mr. Ruan, we meet again."

Ruan Yunchu gave a slight curl of his lips, but there was no hint of a smile in his eyes. "Lieutenant General Peng, are you heading to Sector C?"

Seeing that he had guessed correctly, Peng Zhongying didn't seem surprised and nodded. "I'm going to Sector C for training drills. And you?"

"I'm also going to Sector C. It's the fifth anniversary of the branch hospital, and I haven't been there since taking over the family business."

"Mr. Ruan, you're accomplished at such a young age. If I ever feel unwell, I hope Jiaxie Hospital will admit me."

"..."

With such a stern, serious face trying to joke and get close, it wasn't funny at all.

Ruan Yunchu gave a polite smile. "Lieutenant General Peng, you're joking. Your health is in expert hands. If anything happens, the military hospital would get there faster than we can."

Peng Zhongying laughed heartily. "You really are... just as the rumors describe."

Ruan Yunchu looked puzzled, but the other man didn't explain further.

"Since our routes are the same, and the path to Sector C has been unstable lately, why don't you have your starship join ours, Mr. Ruan? It'll be safer."

Ruan Yunchu wasn't fond of owing favors and instinctively wanted to decline, but then he saw Peng Zhongying's expression turn serious, his brow furrowed in obvious annoyance.

"Those rats hiding in the shadows, after being defeated by the Alliance forces, scattered and fled. Several medical teams from Sectors G and I had trouble during the support missions. Since you're in the medical field, Mr. Ruan, and Jiaxie's parent company has just developed equipment to help with gland recovery, you should be extra cautious. You might very well be their target."

Ruan Yunchu was ultimately persuaded by his words and agreed to join the convoy.

Chen Quan, upon hearing the news, breathed a long sigh of relief.

Nothing was more reassuring than being escorted by the Alliance forces, especially with Lieutenant General Peng Zhongying, decorated with countless military honors, in command. At least he wouldn't have to worry the whole way.

Ruan Yunchu, however, showed no sign of joy. From boarding the starship to landing, he was entirely focused on the documents uploaded by the branch hospital in Sector C.

Soon, the starship gave a slight jolt, and a soft chime sounded overhead.

Chen Quan opened the door and said respectfully, "We're about to land."

Ruan Yunchu closed his terminal and gestured for him to shut the door. When Chen Quan approached, he asked quietly, "Is the Commander currently on the planet?"

This was a sensitive topic. As the highest commander of the planet, the Commander's whereabouts were strictly confidential; even privately spreading such information could get you arrested for treason.

Chen Quan's expression shifted slightly, unsure why the young master was asking this. He quickly replied, "I'm not sure, but probably not. Didn't the rebels just get driven back?"

"Peng Zhongying said just now that the Commander sent him to Sector C."

"How could he reveal such confidential information to you?"

As soon as Chen Quan started getting curious, he suddenly understood and his face changed dramatically.

Seeing that he had grasped the implication, Ruan Yunchu lowered his eyes and said calmly, "He's testing me."

"The Ruan family is already finished. Even if they want to make a move, they shouldn't come after us." Chen Quan furrowed his brows, suspicion rising. "Did Luo Peng set this up?"

The Luo family's recent rise to power was inseparable from the old general backing them, who had spent half his life fighting across the galaxy.

Even though that old General Luo had retired to the countryside, he still carried weight.

Ruan Yunchu said, "Who knows? We'll take it one step at a time."

Chen Quan's face grew grim. He realized that running into the Alliance forces heading to Sector C wasn't a coincidence.

The young master certainly didn't want to go against the Alliance, but the fact that they were hovering around without revealing their intent—this slow torture was the worst part.

After landing, Peng Zhongying led the Alliance forces away.

They returned to their residence in Sector C. It had been cleaned by staff, but the yard had few lights. In the glow of the central, brightly lit building, it looked dark and eerie.

A nearby guard couldn't help glancing at the pitch-black garden, but by then, Ruan Yunchu had already gone upstairs by himself.

The next day, Ruan Yunchu headed to the hospital early. He did inspections in the morning and took care of business in the afternoon. By the time he looked up, the city lights were twinkling outside the window. There was a knock at his office door; the hospital director was inviting him to dinner with the other hospital leaders.

In the private room, every face was unfamiliar. Several people observed the young master's perpetually cold demeanor, and one of them tried to break the ice.

"I heard you were looking for some fun toys in Sector A. Why didn't you bring them along?"

Ruan Yunchu understood what he was referring to and was about to end the topic when the image of a hungry face flashed through his mind. Instead, he said, "I didn't bring them."

The group smiled knowingly. The deputy director beside him leaned in to whisper something.

Ruan Yunchu's brow furrowed slightly. Just as they were about to expect a refusal, he raised an eyebrow and said calmly, "Since Director Fang went out of his way to find someone, let's have a look."