Chapter 28

### Chapter 28

Ruan Yunchu frowned slightly, taking a long moment to take it all in. "You mean an Enigma has stronger willpower and isn't driven by pheromones?"

"Yes and no—after all, Enigmas apparently still have heat cycles," Ming Ya said, a bit embarrassed after saying so much. "But these are just rumors. I don't know if they're true. I've never seen an Enigma in my entire life."

Ruan Yunchu nodded slightly, then after a long pause, snapped back to reality and let out a slow sigh.

"If Enigmas are really as you describe, they really are born fighting machines."

That would explain why the Commander was so versatile.

Ming Ya pursed his lips and lowered his voice. "I actually overheard something else when my parents were talking. They said the Commander has been having conflicts with the higher-ups of the Alliance, and he hasn't been staying on A-Star for the past two years."

"Is that so?"

Ruan Yunchu thought for a moment, seeing the expectant look in Ming Ya's eyes, but chose not to press further.

"Is the simulator ready?"

Ming Ya came to his senses at the reminder and hurried over to the simulation table, opening the latest model of the hovercar. He took a deep breath and regained his composure, then began introducing it point by point.

The Ruan family had once owned a tech manufacturing company, but after Ruan Yunchu took over, he had sold it off. Still, he had some knowledge of production and manufacturing, and in just one morning, he offered Ming Ya several pertinent suggestions.

Ming Ya looked delighted. "Mr. Ruan, I really appreciate it. These little designs might not seem like much, but after optimization, they'll definitely attract more customers."

In recent years, the rebels had been causing chaos across the stars. Even if the Alliance was vigilant, casualties were inevitable. Many civilians and soldiers had been injured. When Ming Ya accompanied his parents on inspections, he saw many victims of attacks. Now he was developing hovercars suitable for people with disabilities to help them travel more easily.

Watching Ming Ya take notes intently, Ruan Yunchu turned his head to look out the window, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

For some reason, Ming Ya's words left him feeling a little uneasy. Combined with that somewhat familiar side profile in that photo, an unsettling suspicion began to take root in his mind.

If an Enigma can normally suppress their pheromones, wouldn't they be indistinguishable from a Beta?

So when Peng Zhongying has been hovering around him lately, could it have been not merely because of Ruan Jing, but because of his loudly publicized search for a Beta in District A?

If that were the case, then everything that had puzzled him before now had a plausible explanation.

Did Peng Zhongying think he was already aware of the situation in the Alliance's upper ranks and was looking for a chance to approach the Commander? Or had the Commander himself received this information, or even taken part in this farce?

The moment this thought surfaced in his mind, Ruan Yunchu nearly broke out in a cold sweat.

Ever since he had taken over the family's power, while maintaining appearances, he had no long-term plans for where these businesses would go.

From the moment he was born, and after his mother's accident, he had never let up. Now that he had finally gained power, all he wanted was to live his own life.

Even now, he had only one additional goal: to restore his injured leg to normal. He had no desire to get involved in the dangerous intrigues of the Alliance.

Ming Ya didn't notice what he was thinking. After finishing his notes, he happily chatted about lunch and mentioned a lake at the foot of the mountain where they could go fishing together.

Ruan Yunchu, though his mind was full of tangled thoughts, agreed without hesitation.

After lunch, Ming Yuan joined them as they headed to the lake at the foot of the mountain. When they arrived, the housekeeper had already set up all the gear, and Chen Quan had also changed into more casual clothes to accompany them.

Ming Ya was like a little sun, sticking close to Ruan Yunchu one moment and bouncing over to Ming Yuan the next.

By the end of the afternoon, they had grown quite familiar. On the way back, Ming Ya couldn't help but lean in toward Ruan Yunchu and whisper, "Mr. Ruan, are we friends now?"

"Mm."

Ming Ya's face lit up with joy. "Then can I stop calling you Mr. Ruan? It feels a bit formal. Can I call you Brother Ruan?"

Ruan Yunchu had never been addressed that way before, and he immediately declined. "Just call me by my name. We're not that far apart in age."

"I guess that's true." Ming Ya quickly accepted. "Yunchu, can I call you that?"

"If you like."

Ruan Yunchu had few friends and rarely interacted with others, but so far, he had a good impression of Ming Ya and didn't mind his closeness.

On the way back, Ming Yuan walked beside Ruan Yunchu. While Ming Ya went ahead to pick flowers, he chuckled lightly. "Mr. Ruan, my younger brother is a bit impulsive. If he's been too much of a bother, let me apologize on his behalf."

"It's fine. Ming Ya's innocent personality is rare—it shows your family has protected him well."

Ming Yuan let out a soft sigh. "I don't mind telling you this—Ming Ya is an Omega. My parents originally wanted him to grow up happy and carefree. Unfortunately, I was the one who let them down. Because of my health, I couldn't fully take over the family business, so he had to share the workload."

"I can see that Ming Ya enjoys his work. There's no need to feel guilty."

Hearing his cool tone, Ming Yuan seemed to realize something and smiled apologetically. "Sorry, Mr. Ruan, I forgot you're also an Omega. I didn't mean to imply anything bad about Omegas, it's just—"

"I understand. You just dote on Ming Ya."

Ruan Yunchu wasn't so small-minded as to take offense at a simple remark.

Ming Yuan relaxed. "If you have time, I'd like to treat you to a meal to apologize properly."

"Let's talk another time. I have urgent business tomorrow, so I won't stay for dinner tonight."

Ming Yuan was about to say something else when they reached the estate gate. The butler hurried over and respectfully reported: "There's a man at the foot of the mountain claiming to be the Ruan family's butler, here to escort Mr. Ruan."

Ruan Yunchu looked at Chen Quan, who looked confused—clearly, this wasn't arranged by him.

Guessing who it was, his expression turned cold. "Tell him to wait at the gate."

Ming Ya was sad to see him leave. "Yunchu, can we go out and hang out again? I hear you're always busy."

"If you have the chance, you can come find me."

With that, Chen Quan handed a pass card to Ming Ya.

Ming Ya's eyes widened in surprise, overwhelmed. "Great! Once I finish this project, I'll come find you. The two beds I ordered have already been sent to the Ruan residence—they should be installed by the time you get back."

"Thank you."

After a short rest, Ming Ya and Ming Yuan offered to see Ruan Yunchu down the mountain, but he declined.

"Ming Ya, mind if I talk to your brother for a sec?"

Though a bit confused, Ming Ya nodded. "Alright, I'll go back then. Yunchu, remember to text me when you get home, or I'll worry."

"Okay."

Once the young man turned and disappeared through the estate gates, Ruan Yunchu turned to Ming Yuan.

Ming Yuan smiled helplessly. "That's just his nature—a bit childish."

"It's fine." Ruan Yunchu ignored the remark and looked directly at him. "Actually, Ming Ya isn't good at hiding things. Even though he didn't say it outright, I already guessed why he came to see me."

Ming Yuan was startled.

You must have heard I'm getting treatment for my legs, but unfortunately, there hasn't been significant progress yet, and our hospital hasn't perfected this technique yet. However, I can promise that if there's an opportunity in the future, I'll make sure you're first in line for the treatment.

Ruan Yunchu was direct and to the point, and Ming Yuan stood stunned for a long moment before responding.

He gave a helpless laugh. "I knew you'd figure it out, but I think you've misunderstood one thing. Ming Ya came to be friends with you not for that purpose—he genuinely likes you. The leg treatment was indeed my idea, but he didn't approach you on purpose just to cure me."

"It's fine." Ruan Yunchu had lost count of how many times he'd said this today; in any case, he truly didn't mind.

"Just wait to hear from me."

Ming Yuan opened his mouth as if to explain further, but seeing his indifferent attitude, he held back.

"Anyway, thank you."

Ruan Yunchu gave a slight nod and got into the car.

Once they'd left everything behind, Chen Quan finally let out a slow breath. "If that's why he did it, then it's not that bad."

"The Ming brothers have no ill intentions. We can get along with them in the future." Ruan Yunchu's expression was cold.

"Mm, I'll have someone keep an eye on them." Chen Quan understood his meaning.

The car slowly descended the mountain. Ruan Yunchu looked up and indeed saw several cars parked at the entrance, with a man leaning against the door of the car up front, his face dark and grim.

"..."

He rubbed his temples tiredly and asked, "When did he get back?"

Seeing how aggressive Yan Zhuo looked, Chen Quan could feel a headache coming on too. "No idea. Looks like he went home first."

Yan Zhuo has that nasty temper—he'd had a falling out with the young master and stormed off earlier. Now, finding the young master not at home, he was bound to be furious. Standing there with the look of someone catching their partner in the act, he was downright intimidating.

Ruan Yunchu's anger hadn't subsided yet. After getting out of the car, he didn't even glance at Yan Zhuo and directly got into the car behind.

Chen Quan intended to lock the first car, but Yan Zhuo was faster. He dove into the car, claimed the seat, and refused to budge.

Chen Quan could never manage him. Seeing that the young master remained silent, he had no choice but to close the door and head to the back himself.

Once the convoy started moving, the two in the back seat remained silent. Ruan Yunchu pondered the information he had obtained from Ming Ya, and his face gradually darkened.

Beside him, Yan Zhuo waited for a long time without hearing him speak, getting more and more annoyed. After holding it in for two minutes, he couldn't take it anymore.

"What were you doing last night?" His tone was accusatory.

Ruan Yunchu slowly turned his head to look at him at the sound of his voice. "What business is it of yours?"

"I'm your man—what do you think?!" Yan Zhuo was furious, his face tense and his eyes red. "How can you be like this? We were just having a fight and giving each other the silent treatment, and you go and cheat on me?"

Ruan Yunchu just gave a sneer. "Believe whatever you want."

"You—"

Yan Zhuo's face turned icy and grim, radiating anger.

Ruan Yunchu's heart suddenly sank at that look, remembering how crazy he'd acted before. A chill ran down his spine.

"Get out!"

As if he had been waiting for that word, the moment he said it, Yan Zhuo lunged at him like a wild beast, pinning him down.