Chapter 38

Chapter 38

Ruan Yunchu had been waiting in the hall for God knows how long, originally intending to have a proper talk with Yan Zhuo when he returned.

But as time passed, the door finally made a sound. He looked up, only to see that it wasn't Yan Zhuo.

It was a young woman in military uniform, with a serious, commanding presence that clearly marked her as no ordinary person.

She seemed not to expect anyone to be in the house either, pausing for a moment before giving him a quick nod of greeting.

"Hi, I'm here under orders to pick up an important document."

Ruan Yunchu guessed she was one of Yan Zhuo's subordinates. Though he held considerable grievances against Yan Zhuo, he couldn't bring himself to be rude to an officer who had never been involved in their personal matters.

He nodded politely. "Hello."

She didn't say another word and quickly went upstairs.

Ruan Yunchu watched her direction, maneuvered his wheelchair into the courtyard, but saw no means of transportation within view.

Before he could figure it out, the woman had already come out carrying a box.

"Farewell."

Ruan Yunchu said goodbye and watched her walk out of the courtyard and toward the vast lawn beyond.

The next moment, she suddenly bent down, and before him appeared a scepter-like object. She grasped it, and her body slowly lifted into the air; the flying device at her feet flared with cobalt-blue flames.

Ruan Yunchu: ?

Watching her disappear from sight, Ruan Yunchu's face fell completely. He stared in that direction for a long time before finally maneuvering his wheelchair outward.

The paths around the lawn were smooth enough; Yan Zhuo probably hadn't had time to set up any obstacles before leaving. But after driving for a long time in one direction, he still saw no road leading away.

The sun was blazing, and his face got sunburned. In the end, he had no choice but to return indoors.

Now he was sure: he was trapped on the mountain.

"..."

Time passed. Ruan Yunchu leaned back in his seat, motionless for a long while.

At lunchtime, someone delivered a meal, didn't say a word to him, and left in the same manner as the woman in the morning.

He hadn't done anything, so he wasn't hungry, so he simply didn't touch the food.

Sitting in the courtyard, he roughly estimated the size of the flying device that person had used. It didn't look military—it had limited space and couldn't store much fuel.

So, at least the place where he was might be only ten or twenty kilometers from the foot of the mountain.

It didn't sound far, but with just his wheelchair, it was impossible to cover that distance.

He shut his eyes, feeling only irritation.

Being trapped here alone was a disgrace.

"..."

At dinner time, Ruan Yunchu didn't wait downstairs. He spent the whole afternoon exploring every corner of the huge estate. The second floor was basically all guest rooms, with a wide-open space with a clear view—clearly Yan Zhuo's usual spot.

Most rooms on the fourth and fifth floors were locked. Besides that, he discovered a hidden door at the corner of the staircase on the first floor, which seemed to lead to a basement.

This mysterious place gave him a bad feeling, so as dusk fell, he went back to the room he had originally stayed in.

After who knows how long, he finally heard sounds outside again.

Ruan Yunchu had found a book in the study and was reading. Upon hearing the sound, he didn't look outside, just waited for footsteps in the hall and a knock that was clearly just for show.

He laughed to himself, making no sound at all. Soon the person opened the door, glanced around, and walked over to him.

"Why didn't you eat? Not to your liking?"

Yan Zhuo leaned down to speak to him, his tone full of concern.

Ruan Yunchu coldly closed the book and turned his head to look out the window. "In a place this disgusting, I can't eat a thing."

"..."

Yan Zhuo was taken aback, then said in a low voice, "You're only hurting yourself. Why throw a tantrum?"

"What's it to you?"

Sensing the anger in his voice, Yan Zhuo naturally dared not contradict him and could only explain.

"I planned to wait until you woke up to say goodbye, but something urgent came up in the Alliance, so I had to leave ahead of you. I didn't think it through. You must be very uncomfortable in this new place. Let me make you something to eat and give you a tour, okay?"

When he finished speaking, Ruan Yunchu snorted.

Then his smile faded, and he looked at Yan Zhuo with icy sarcasm.

"You really know how to flatter yourself. Don't tell me you seriously can't see why I'm angry."

He already had a cold temperament, and now with his pale red lips pressed tight and green eyes showing open hostility, he looked even more fierce and arresting—hard to look away.

Yan Zhuo's Adam's apple bobbed. Suppressing his inner agitation, he said patiently, "I know you don't want to stay here, but it's for your safety."

"For my safety, or yours?"

He sneered contemptuously, his eyes empty of emotion. "Commander Yan, I'm not stupid. Even if I didn't call you out, your identity in the Alliance would be exposed soon anyway."

Yan Zhuo's brow unconsciously furrowed, but his expression remained unchanged.

"So you brought me here under the pretense of protecting me, just to satisfy your own selfish desires."

"I—"

"Explaining yourself is pointless. I don't want to play this game. Just tell me straight: what do you really want? Sleep with me? How many times?"

"Ruan Yunchu!" Yan Zhuo was almost driven crazy by his words. "Is that the kind of person you think I am?"

"I thought you knew yourself a little."

A faint restlessness surged in Yan Zhuo's heart. He had no idea what to say to earn even an ounce of Ruan Yunchu's trust.

"I told you—I approached you at first because of official business, but after that, it wasn't. The Alliance wouldn't have let me stay by your side this long. Don't you get it? I wanted to stay!"

Ruan Yunchu's expression never changed. "Is that so? Then are you a beta, Yan Zhuo?"

Yan Zhuo was stunned.

“I said a long time ago that I wouldn’t keep any alpha around me. You’re not one, but you’re an Enigma.” Ruan Yunchu’s gaze was calm, almost devoid of emotion. “You and alphas both have glands and pheromones, and your power is even stronger than theirs. This kind of deception disgusts me.”

“I…”

“I’ve asked you many times, and I think I’ve told you what I’d do if I ever found out you were deceiving me.”

“…”

Yan Zhuo’s breath caught, his heart pierced as if by thousands of needles.

Even though he knew he shouldn’t think about it, the faintly smiling voice surfaced in the returning memories.

“In this life, what I hate most is being lied to.”

His breathing grew rapid, the young master’s gaze unfocused, yet he still curled his lips into a faint smile.

“If I ever find out… I’ll kill you.”

He clenched his fists, exuding an unexplained hostility. He wanted to say he had no choice, wanted to pour out all his suffering.

But he couldn’t.

He wasn’t one to follow the rules, but he also knew that before those matters were cleared up, telling the truth would only put the young master in danger.

After a few breaths, he lifted his head, still wanting to explain, but met those clear, cold eyes.

Ruan Yunchu looked at him, his eyes filled with undisguised disgust, as if the man’s mere existence filled him with disgust.

For a moment, Yan Zhuo’s breathing seemed to become difficult. He slowly crouched down and forced a bitter smile.

“If I said that I’d tell you the truth in a while, would you be willing to wait for me? I promise I won’t lie to you again.”

Knowing the other might say something harsh, he subconsciously interrupted and added hastily,

“The front lines are about to go to war. This time… it’s dangerous. The people those old bastards pushed forward have been captured by the rebels. I’ll have to leave A-Star for a while, with an uncertain return date. They’ve checked my movements and know I stayed with you for a long time, so you’re in danger. While I’m away, I’ll have Chen Quan keep in touch with you. This place is safe—treat it like your own home and stay here for now, okay?”

He had never spoken so much in one breath, dropping his usual casual and teasing tone, as if afraid of being interrupted, without even a pause.

Ruan Yunchu let out a light laugh. “Do I have a choice?”

He didn’t look at the man again, his attitude icy cold.

Yan Zhuo sighed heavily, knowing that no matter how much he explained, it was useless. He knew Ruan Yunchu well—though usually quiet, he holds a grudge like no other.

When they were together, the young master had repeated the consequences of deception to him so many times, yet he had never once considered telling the truth.

Now this… he had only himself to blame.

-

In the following days, Yan Zhuo took leave from work and stayed home, showing him every corner of the place.

But from that day on, Ruan Yunchu no longer spoke to him. Most of the time, he was like a delicate, silent porcelain figurine.

“I’ve adjusted all these settings. After I leave, someone will come to take care of you. Chen Quan still has official duties to handle, so I picked a few people you used to be familiar with…”

Yan Zhuo kept close to him, leading him around the house, but seeing the man still silent, he pursed his lips.

“I’ve also taken care of the flower garden beforehand. Do you want to take a look?”

He thought this time he wouldn’t get a reply either.

But in the next second, Ruan Yunchu’s gaze slowly landed on the hidden door at the corner of the staircase.

“The basement. Aren’t you going to show me around?”

Yan Zhuo paused, his voice low and hoarse: “There’s nothing to see. It’s just a storage room for junk.”

As he spoke, he tried to push the man away, but saw Ruan Yunchu’s mocking expression.

“Yan Zhuo, your words really can’t be counted on either.”

Yan Zhuo stopped in his tracks and let out a heavy sigh, said in a low voice, “Fine… It’s where I stay during my rut. I’m not thinking clearly then, so I just lock myself in. It’s an empty room, really.”

The young master in the wheelchair lowered his eyes, fingers on his knees curling unconsciously.