Chapter 34

Chapter 34

Yan Zhuo did not stay in the hospital room for long. After deploying the outside security and speaking with the two guards who had accompanied Peng Yun, he rushed back to the office upstairs.

Although Ruan Yunchu had already left, he knew that under today's circumstances, the other would never go home early. He was definitely waiting in the office, ready for anything unexpected.

As expected, when he pushed open the office door, he saw Ruan Yunchu sitting on the sofa—a rare sight—wearing only a thin shirt, the fabric a little damp with sweat, showing off his pale skin underneath.

"Why are you sweating so much?" Yan Zhuo felt something was wrong and reached out to touch his back.

Ruan Yunchu's breathing was still uneven. After a moment, he said, "Just a little tired."

Figuring he'd worn himself out moving from the wheelchair to the sofa, Yan Zhuo felt guilty and pulled him into an embrace.

"I'd better stop watching that old man, or there'll be no one looking after you, young master."

Ruan Yunchu initially wanted to push him away, but after a moment's thought, he lowered his hands and said quietly, "What's it to you? You got a problem with me working out?"

"What if something goes wrong when I'm not around?"

Yan Zhuo's hand slid down his back, gently taking hold of his trembling arm and massaging the sore muscles.

Even after so many intimate encounters, Ruan Yunchu still wasn't used to this sensation. It felt like an electric current sending tiny fireworks all the way to his brain, forcing him to bite his lip to stifle a groan.

Hearing his breathing grow heavier, Yan Zhuo couldn't help but find it amusing. "Young master, you're holding back in front of me? Too much pride, huh?"

"Shut up."

After just walking a little while holding the wheelchair, Ruan Yunchu was exhausted. Now in Yan Zhuo's arms, he leaned on his shoulder, breathing lightly to get his strength back.

Admittedly, Yan Zhuo's massage skills were top-notch—he'd learned them from a doctor on purpose. After finishing both arms, he pulled him closer and kissed his earlobe and cheek hard.

Feeling the hot kiss moving toward his neck, alarm bells went off in Ruan Yunchu's head. He immediately shoved him away.

"Enough. Go keep watch downstairs."

"No hurry. The guards are there. While we've got time, let me massage your legs, young master." Yan Zhuo said, behaving himself and ceasing his mischief. He laid Ruan Yunchu flat on the sofa, then sat at the foot and rested his calves on his knees.

The slender calf muscles twitched slightly. As his palm pressed and kneaded, the loose soft fabric bunched up, showing pale skin that rarely saw sunlight.

"Young master, you should get some sun when you have time. It's good for you, and you don't tan anyway."

Ruan Yunchu, lying back on the sofa, was too busy enduring the soreness from the leg massage to listen to what he was saying.

"Ah, if you won't listen, I'll have to make you."

"..."

At that, Ruan Yunchu turned to him, panting a little, with a cold, mocking look in his eyes.

"Yan Zhuo, have you stopped pretending? Not hiding your twisted side from me anymore?"

Yan Zhuo gave an ambiguous smile, his eyes fixed on the omega on the sofa.

So beautiful. But way too disobedient. So much so that many times he could hardly hold back the violent possessiveness inside him. He knew the young master would never accept it.

He had to hold back.

That's what he thought, but what he said was different.

"How could that be? I'm only messed up with you in bed, young master."

Ruan Yunchu just gave a cold laugh and didn't say anything else.

Deciding enough time had passed, Yan Zhuo stopped, straightened the rumpled trouser legs, and looked up to find that the young master had closed his eyes and fallen into a deep sleep.

He looked truly exhausted. Yan Zhuo couldn't help but crouch by the sofa, leaning in to study his face carefully.

Long, dark lashes drooped, tracing a delicate eyeline. The young master's features were refined and beautiful, with an androgynous elegance. Since he was still young and not fully grown, he occasionally revealed a childishness not seen during the day.

So adorable.

Yan Zhuo couldn't resist lowering his head and planting a gentle kiss on his forehead.

He truly wished this beautiful time could stretch on a little longer.

-

Old Master Peng stayed peacefully in the hospital for half a month without any incident.

Ruan Yunchu took the time to visit him personally and, upon learning that the old man could be discharged in another week, breathed a sigh of relief.

Peng Yun enjoyed playing chess. From the moment Ruan Yunchu entered, the game on his terminal never stopped, yet he could still multitask—talking while assessing the board.

Sensing that Ruan Yunchu was about to leave, he looked up with interest and asked, "Little Ruan, do you play chess?"

Ruan Yunchu shook his head honestly. "I've played, but I'm not skilled. I can't compare to you."

"I'm just an old fogey. I've been playing ancient chess for decades. Of course, you young folks can't match me—except for geniuses." Peng Yun added that if Ruan Yunchu wanted to learn, he could come to him for advice.

Ruan Yunchu naturally wouldn't refuse. He nodded in agreement, then thought of something.

"By the way, Elder Peng, I have an impertinent request. I know it might not be appropriate, but I still want to hear your thoughts."

His direct attitude struck Peng Yun as refreshing.

"Alright, go ahead."

"The bodyguard who has been attending to you these past days—his name is Yan Zhuo. He has top-tier skills in every aspect, but his background is poor."

Peng Yun's heart skipped a beat at these words, but he kept his expression unchanged, maintaining a kind smile as he nodded.

"Yes, I know him. The young man is quite good."

"What do you think about him joining the Alliance?"

Peng Yun paused, momentarily at a loss for words.

If it were anyone else, he would have brushed them off with a few perfunctory remarks. But after spending these days together, he knew full well that the young man before him was not as easy to handle as he appeared.

After a long hesitation, he finally said, "Serving the Alliance is not that simple. Countless soldiers risk their lives on the front lines and only get one promotion when they return to the star system. An outsider arriving out of nowhere will never earn their respect."

"Yan Zhuo graduated from the I-Star First Military Academy, ranking first every year. If I give him the chance, I believe he can seize it."

"Well..."

Peng Yun felt troubled. His gaze instinctively fell on the door of the hospital room, hoping to see someone through the small window who could rescue him from this dilemma.

This old man really wasn't used to handling such matters.

Seeing that he remained silent for a long time, Ruan Yunchu did not press further. "You can consider it. The front is about to see battle again, and the Alliance is in need of talent. I believe, after spending so much time with Yan Zhuo, you've seen his abilities."

"Yeah, I'll think about it." Peng Yun smiled. "You're clever, but I've heard he's helped you handle a lot of problems. Are you really willing to send him away like that?"

A flicker of complex emotion passed through Ruan Yunchu's eyes, but in the end, he became calm again.

"Everyone has their own fate. I can tell he's not cut out for this kind of life."

"But ultimately, this is just your opinion. Have you considered the possibility that he might not be willing?"

"I can't keep someone who lacks ambition either." Ruan Yunchu said with a smile, then nodded slightly at Peng Yun before leaving the ward.

Peng Yun leaned back on the hospital bed, his heart in turmoil, inexplicably beginning to worry about Yan Zhuo.

But that thought only lasted a moment before he dismissed it.

Bah!

What was he thinking? Worrying about that rascal?

He had watched Yan Zhuo grow up; it was always Yan Zhuo playing tricks on others, never the other way around.

Able to humble himself and put on an act—why did he join the military back then? Why not become an actor?

"..."

As Old Master Peng's condition improved, Yan Zhuo no longer had to stay outside the ward all day. He reluctantly followed Chen Quan to a pharmaceutical company. On the way back, his watch beeped loudly. As soon as he saw the red notification, his eyes lit up.

"1 day until sweetheart's heat"

Eagerly, he hurried back to the hospital, ready to head upstairs to find him, but was stopped outside the office.

"The young master is with a guest and said no one should go in."

At this, the smile vanished from Yan Zhuo's face. He cast a telling glance at the tightly shut office door.

"Who's in there?"

"I'm not sure. Some Alliance officer, I think. Came to visit Old Master Peng today and went straight into the office after leaving the ward."

"How long has it been?"

His tone was pressuring, clearly an interrogation, and under normal circumstances, no one would answer. But since he was indeed Ruan Yunchu's trusted aide, even the reluctant guard gave him a rough estimate of the time.

"Over half an hour."

Hearing this, all expression drained from Yan Zhuo's face.

Inside the office.

Lin Zheng, dressed in a crisp military uniform, stood solemnly in front of the desk, while Ruan Yunchu leaned back in his office chair, eyes lowered as he reviewed the classified document.

Ruan Yunchu made no sound, but Lin Zheng couldn't help pacing back and forth.

The prolonged silence gradually wore down his patience, and he finally exploded.

"They're all fake. Every single one of his identities."

After finishing his review, Ruan Yunchu felt only a slight jolt inside, without much surprise.

Only then did he realize that he had already vaguely understood Yan Zhuo's disguise, just lacking the data to confirm it.

Seeing that he was silent, Lin Zheng couldn't help but walk to the desk, lean over the desk, and look down at him.

"Yunchu, this man clearly came prepared. If I weren't high up in the military, these identities couldn't have been traced. He directly stole someone else's identity..."

"I saw that." Ruan Yunchu said flatly.

Lin Zheng seemed unable to comprehend why he remained so calm, and said, "You've been deceived by him. I told you long ago this man was suspicious."

"..."

Lin Zheng let out a heavy sigh and made a decision immediately.

"In a moment, I'll go out. Hand him over to me. I need to take him back to the Alliance for interrogation. It's dangerous for this person to continue roaming around Planet A."

Hearing this, Ruan Yunchu finally reacted. He looked up and asked, "On what grounds?"

"Collaboration with the enemy, espionage—anything will do. His identity is his biggest weakness." Lin Zheng furrowed his brow. "Yunchu, you're not still soft-hearted, are you?"

When Ruan Yunchu didn't respond, he became more determined and urged, "Yunchu, his identity is questionable. His motives might not be limited to you. With the front lines about to go to war and rebels stirring on various planets, Yan Zhuo could very well be a rebel spy infiltrating the military."

Without even a pause, Ruan Yunchu instinctively said, "He's not."

"How can you be so sure?" Lin Zheng looked at him with a mix of frustration and disappointment, as if he were a fool blinded by love. "Yunchu, you're not someone who lets emotions cloud your judgment."

"I..."

Ruan Yunchu furrowed his brow slightly, struggling to find the right words, when suddenly there was a light tap on the window.

Lin Zheng turned abruptly. Outside the vast floor-to-ceiling window, Yan Zhuo stood on the narrow ledge, with nothing beyond but empty space.

His hair was slightly tousled by the wind, yet he showed no panic. Meeting their gazes, he smiled with amusement and mouthed something silently.

"Young master."

Ruan Yunchu read his lips and couldn't help but laugh internally.

The guy is absolutely fearless.