Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Because of that conversation, Yan Zhuo had been sulking for days. His acts of protest included refusing to accompany the young master during treatment, staring blankly at the wall, and secretly switching the young master’s pre-sleep lullabies to high-tempo Star Network hits.

Yet none of this seemed to have much impact on Ruan Yunchu. In fact, in the end, even that new pretty boy gradually replaced him, frequently accompanying Ruan Yunchu to various events and banquets.

Fortunately, they wouldn’t be staying in Zone C for long, and Yan Zhuo was ready to wait until he regained favor.

But unexpectedly, at a charity banquet that day, he learned from Chen Quan that Lin Qing would be returning to Zone A with them.

-

People around him were discussing the next auction item. Ruan Yunchu leaned in his wheelchair, his expression cold.

Lin Qing sat beside him, speaking in a low voice about the situation at the banquet.

“I heard they invited someone from the military, but they’re in a different hall. They’re currently in contact with the military and might secure this line in the future…”

This was information he had overheard at the banquet.

Ruan Yunchu nodded slightly. “What number is our item?”

“It should be up next.”

The banquet host was an old acquaintance of Ruan Yunchu’s mother, so Ruan Yunchu had sent one of the Ruan family’s antique jewelry pieces to the banquet to show support and goodwill.

He nodded, tapping his fingers lightly on the armrest. “Is it easy to get information from the military side?”

Lin Qing looked troubled. “Without clearance, you can’t get through. I only heard… Lieutenant General Peng seems to be here.”

As soon as he finished speaking, a snicker came from behind.

Lin Qing turned abruptly and saw the man who had tied himself up and locked himself in a closet. His expression turned furious. “Why are you here again?”

Yan Zhuo completely ignored him, turning with a smile toward Ruan Yunchu, who wasn’t even looking at him.

“Young master, how about I go find out?”

Ruan Yunchu didn’t seem interested. “What useful information could you possibly get?”

“Well, it’s not like Lieutenant General Peng Zhongying is the only option. Everyone knows Lieutenant General Peng is in Zone C. How could he miss an event like this? That kind of news… I don’t see what point that has.”

Yan Zhuo’s words were clearly sarcastic. Lin Qing was furious but dared not speak. Ruan Yunchu waved his hand, signaling for him to go.

Yan Zhuo smiled brightly and turned to leave the banquet hall.

Lin Qing’s face turned cold, his heart full of resentment, but he didn’t believe Yan Zhuo could bring back any other useful information. After all, the other banquet hall was completely sealed off, even the waitstaff had undergone specialized training.

Even though he had tried his best to impress the young master, he hadn’t found out much. How could Yan Zhuo possibly dig up anything different?

But just ten minutes later, as the auction item came on stage, Yan Zhuo strode back and sat down directly beside Ruan Yunchu.

“Got the info.”

Ruan Yunchu had already figured out the rules of the venue and, like Lin Qing, didn’t hold out much hope.

“Lieutenant General Peng wasn’t invited today. Strictly speaking, he had originally declined this banquet. He came because he was accompanying a VIP.”

Yan Zhuo’s voice was low, and he deliberately paused here.

“Don’t keep me in suspense.”

“Fine.” Yan Zhuo pretended to be hurt. “It’s the Commander.”

At those words, Ruan Yunchu was stunned. “Really?”

“Yeah, I was shocked too when I heard it. Young master, you don’t know—there’s a waiter I used to see in a bar. He was assigned inside today, and when he told me, he was so excited, you can’t imagine—”

“Isn’t the Commander in Zone A?” Ruan Yunchu frowned, finding it illogical.

When he had met Peng Zhongying at the airport, Peng Zhongying had casually revealed the Alliance’s latest arrangements. Now, such a coincidence, he was suddenly learning the Commander was in the same venue as him.

It was too weird.

“Who knows? He’s always appearing and disappearing. Haven’t you heard? Some high-ranking elders in the Alliance are trying to impeach him, saying he’s not qualified to be the Supreme Commander. Maybe he’s lying low too.”

This wasn’t just news to Ruan Yunchu; it was widely discussed across the entire galaxy.

Three years ago, the Alliance’s Supreme Commander hadn’t been the current one. It was said that the previous one had died in an ambush by the rebels, and the current one was a young major general hastily pushed into the position, rumored to be brilliant.

Because the rebels were rampant during that period, successfully assassinating several high-ranking Alliance officials, the Commander position had remained vacant for three months. Even the fierce rivals had withdrawn their candidacies. Everyone said the one pushed forward was just a decoy to lure the rebels.

But unexpectedly, half a year later, the new Commander went on his first expedition. With reinforcements cut off, he fought his way out of the battlefield alone, not only avoiding capture but also capturing hundreds of rebels and extracting enemy intelligence. Then, instead of retreating when reinforcements arrived, he led his limited forces straight to the enemy’s stronghold, inflicting damage from which the rebels had yet to fully recover.

The rebels were now scattered, no longer a threat, all thanks to him.

After that battle, he secured his position as Commander, and no one dared question him since. But now that times had been peaceful for a while, some former generals who had backed down were stirring things up again.

Ruan Yunchu lowered his eyes, saying nothing.

Yan Zhuo leaned lazily against the back of his chair and couldn’t help asking, “What’s your impression of him?”

“I’ve never even met him. How can I have an impression?”

“I get the feeling you like him. Your expression turned serious when I mentioned him.”

Ruan Yunchu let out a mocking laugh. “He’s the Supreme Commander, a hero of the galaxy. Shouldn’t I be respectful?”

Yan Zhuo was silent for two seconds, then said darkly, “Don’t put him on a pedestal. I heard the Commander’s face was injured in battle. He’s really ugly.”

“…”

Ruan Yunchu looked at him with amusement, a faint smile on his lips. “Where do you get all these little rumors?”

“These aren’t little rumors. They’re all over the Star Network, and they’re well-founded.” Yan Zhuo started to pull out his device to show him, but then thought of something. “Oh, right, I heard the inner hall has its own numbers. Maybe they’ll buy something from our hall.”

Ruan Yunchu wasn’t really interested in that. He only cared about who was in the other hall to gauge the current trends.

“Is that so? What number?”

“Seems like number 11.”

Ruan Yunchu fell silent. Hearing the item name announced, he looked up. Under the dazzling lights, the diamond necklace sparkled brilliantly, clearly no ordinary piece.

Lin Qing finally had something to say. Leaning close to his ear, he smiled. “Young master, this is the one you sent.”

“Mm.”

Yan Zhuo was unconvinced. “What’s the starting bid? Maybe I’ll buy it.”

As soon as he finished, Ruan Yunchu shot him a teasing look. “How much is your salary? You don’t even have enough for the spare change, do you?”

Yan Zhuo looked up indignantly, waiting.

"Bidding starts at three million—"

"..."

Hearing that number, he immediately deflated.

"Another ten years on the job, and maybe I could afford to bid on it."

But just as he finished speaking, sporadic paddles went up around them, and the price instantly tripled.

That made Yan Zhuo even more deflated.

Lin Qing found it amusing, watching from the sidelines, but then he saw the young master raise a hand and gently pat the man on the head. Though his eyes were full of teasing, the gesture felt intimate.

"Something I sold—buying it back would just be a waste."

Yan Zhuo looked up, about to say something, but the auctioneer suddenly spotted something and visibly froze.

"Bidder No. 11: ten million."

Hearing that number, the corner of Ruan Yunchu's mouth stiffened slightly, and a rare flicker of confusion appeared in his eyes.

Murmurs rippled through the room, as if no one had expected such a high bid. In the end, no one else competed.

Ruan Yunchu only slowly reacted when the next item was brought onstage. "No. 11 is the Commander?"

"Yes."

Yan Zhuo let out a meaningful tsk, his expression somewhat complicated.

After the charity auction ended, the organizer came specifically to thank Ruan Yunchu. He clearly knew who had bought the necklace; his eyes crinkled shut with a grin.

Ruan Yunchu assumed he must have already met with the seller. Taking advantage of the moment when no one else was around, he asked directly: "The person who bought that necklace—was it really the Commander?"

The organizer was familiar with him and didn't want to lie. After hesitating for a moment, he could only say: "I'm not entirely sure. Later, the word was that it was him, but the Commander never showed his face the entire time. Even his private room had been cleared. Lieutenant General Peng came to pick it up just now—he also won a bid."

Hearing that the Commander hadn't been seen in person, Ruan Yunchu felt a twinge of disappointment. He simply thanked the organizer and pushed his wheelchair away.

Yan Zhuo was waiting outside. Seeing him come out, he immediately approached. "How did it go?"

Ruan Yunchu said nothing, letting Yan Zhuo push him, lost in thought.

He couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Even the old Ruan family, with all its power, hadn't been high-ranking in Sector A. Yet now, not long after he had taken over, Peng Zhongying had approached him voluntarily, and then the Commander just happened to show up at the banquet.

It was all way too coincidental—it inevitably seemed suspicious to him.

Yan Zhuo didn't understand his concerns. After following behind him for a long time without so much as a glance, he couldn't help but complain.

"Boss, I heard the Commander is also an alpha. Don't tell me you're falling for him?"

"..."

Ruan Yunchu let out a sigh, not wanting to deal with his ridiculous words.

When they got into the car, Lin Qing habitually moved toward the back to attend to him, but Yan Zhuo firmly shooed him away.

Once they were alone in the private back seat, Yan Zhuo was finally satisfied. He asked patiently, "Boss, what are you worried about? Maybe it really is just a coincidence. The military has no reason to approach the Ruan family."

Ruan Yunchu frowned slightly, still not relaxing.

"For the current Ruan family, there would be no reason, indeed. But I can think of one possibility."

Yan Zhuo's mind went blank for a second at his serious expression. His gaze drifted between those rosy lips and cold eyes, and he couldn't help licking his dry lips.

"Oh? What is it?"

"Maybe the dead members of the Ruan family left behind something—something even I don't know about—and the military is still coveting it."

As he finished speaking, a faint glimmer crossed Ruan Yunchu's clear, deep eyes, filled with annoyance.