Chapter 41

Chapter 41

He didn’t sleep long. When Ruan Yunchu opened his eyes, his throat was dry and scratchy, as if the injuries from the dream had carried over into reality.

But soon, he shook off the intense hatred, slowly turning to look beside him.

The man hadn’t woken up yet, now clinging to him tightly like an octopus, with coarse, stiff hair brushing against his cheek, tickling him slightly.

Perhaps still troubled by the memories, he felt inexplicably restless. Staring at the dark window for a long time, he then remembered that at dawn, Yan Zhuo would be reporting to the Alliance.

He turned his head slightly, looking at the sleepy face beside him, quiet yet still retaining its wild nature, his emotions were complex. Last night, he had clearly heard Yan Zhuo muttering to himself, without any emotional reaction at the time. Yet now, facing the impending separation, a strange melancholy slowly crept over him.

He hesitated for what felt like an eternity, then slowly exhaled, moving the arm off him, and struggling to sit up.

"Mmm..."

Ruan Yunchu expressionlessly stuffed a pillow into his arms, watching the man hug the pillow and continue sleeping drowsily. Finally, he closed his eyes.

A breath as light as a feather brushed the corner of his mouth. In the dream, Yan Zhuo’s lips were kissed—a familiar pressure and scent.

Just as in the memories, it touched and withdrew in an instant.

When Peng Zhongying arrived at the estate, the sky wasn’t fully light yet.

-

He walked slowly to the door, preparing to enter when he suddenly noticed a figure sitting quietly under the eaves outside the courtyard.

He tensed instinctively, but then realized whose home this was and relaxed.

Never mind. If there was any danger, that man would have sensed it before him.

Thinking so, he strode forward and finally saw clearly who it was. He paused slightly, noticing that Ruan Yunchu’s gaze had been fixed on him since his arrival, making him feel oddly uneasy.

"Mr. Ruan."

Ruan Yunchu nodded slightly. "Lieutenant General Peng."

Peng Zhongying glanced toward the corridor and the house behind him, looking a bit puzzled. "Where’s the Commander?"

"Resting."

Peng Zhongying was surprised but still nodded.

"I came to pick him up early. The Alliance is ready for him."

"Mm."

They didn’t have much to talk about. Peng Zhongying was only here to receive Yan Zhuo, and since it wasn’t the time yet, he naturally couldn’t go in and wake him. So he stood beside Ruan Yunchu, looking out at the misty lawn.

The morning dew was moist, and the air was filled with the fresh scent of grass and trees.

"Living in a place like this must be pretty nice," he couldn’t help but remark.

Ruan Yunchu remained indifferent. "I’m sure they treat you well in the Alliance too."

"Yes. I bought a house for my dad. It’s also in a remote location, but not as nice as this." Peng Zhongying said this, then turned to him. "Mr. Ruan, I never thanked you for last time. My dad got excellent care in Jiaxie."

"It was the least I could do."

Peng Zhongying chuckled and said no more.

But then Ruan Yunchu spoke up. "Lieutenant General Peng, after your father gets out of the hospital, could you give me your contact information? I’d like to come over for a chess game sometime."

"Sure."

Peng Zhongying immediately agreed.

So when Yan Zhuo woke up and came downstairs, he saw the two of them talking closely, huddled together.

He relaxed a little, but his face stayed dark. He strode over, slung an arm around Peng Zhongying’s shoulder and pulled him upright.

Peng Zhongying’s body instinctively tensed, but when he turned and saw it was him, he suddenly relaxed.

"Commander."

"What were you chatting about, so happily?" Yan Zhuo squinted, looking from him to Ruan Yunchu beside him.

Ruan Yunchu sat in his wheelchair, not glancing at him, his demeanor icy.

"Mr. Ruan was asking for my dad’s contact information."

Hearing this explanation, Yan Zhuo’s expression softened slightly. "Why not ask me? I’m pretty close with Old Master Peng too."

Ruan Yunchu let out a light laugh.

"Well, I guess that’s what you get when you team up to con people."

"..."

Yan Zhuo coughed and shut up.

"You go wait. I’ll have breakfast."

Peng Zhongying nodded knowingly and turned to walk outside.

Someone gently pushed the wheelchair back inside. Ruan Yunchu didn’t react, listening to the soft murmuring behind him.

"I was worried you’d feel awkward. I originally planned to introduce you to everyone yesterday, but I figured it’d be better to have Uncle Chen set it up. They’ll come after I’m gone. So you need to eat on time, don’t be picky, and go to bed early. I’ll try to send you as many messages as I can before I get to the front."

Ruan Yunchu clearly didn’t want to hear any of this. He just lowered his eyes and remained silent.

But Yan Zhuo didn’t see anything wrong with how they were interacting. He went to the kitchen to make breakfast himself, brought it to him, and watched him eat every bite.

"Good boy."

"..."

Ruan Yunchu shot him a cold glare, clearly displeased.

There was still a bit of time left. Yan Zhuo sighed and leaned down to hug him in his usual posture.

The person in his arms struggled visibly, but this time Yan Zhuo didn’t let go easily. He just couldn’t help sighing.

"Alright, I’m about to leave. I don’t even know if I’ll make it back alive. If something happens to me... this might be our last hug. You won’t even let me have that?"

Where Yan Zhuo couldn’t see, Ruan Yunchu’s face darkened. His hands, which had been pushing, slowly lowered, but his body remained stiff.

"All of this happened so suddenly. This time, if all goes well, it’ll take at least six months. If it drags on... it could be longer." For the first time, Yan Zhuo felt this unwillingness to leave.

"There are some things I want to tell you when I get back. Although I'm not a beta, I truly like you. I don't expect you to accept it now, because I did lie. If you want to punish me, you can. When I get back, you can do whatever you want, okay?"

"..."

After a long while, Ruan Yunchu sighed softly.

"Yan Zhuo, what's the point of this?"

It was rare for him not to mock Yan Zhuo, instead facing him with his usual calm. But this demeanor only made Yan Zhuo more uneasy.

It was as if something was slipping through his fingers, impossible to hold on to.

He instinctively knelt on one knee in front of the wheelchair, tightly holding that slightly cool hand.

"What do you mean, 'no point'? I've done so much just to stay by your side—that's all."

"You're not stupid, you don't have to pretend." Ruan Yunchu looked at him calmly. "I can't afford a relationship built on lies. As a commander, if our positions were reversed, how much would you tolerate?"

If he had approached with a plan, he would probably have been executed by now.

A commander has a clear bottom line. Although he is just an ordinary civilian, he also has his dignity.

He can't keep thinking about someone who's crossed his boundaries—that would only make him feel ridiculous.

"I..."

Yan Zhuo looked at him incredulously, wanting to say something more.

"I've said everything that needs to be said. I really never liked you; you don't have to feel bad about it."

Ruan Yunchu lowered his eyes, tracing his features with a focus he'd never shown before, so seriously it felt like he was trying to memorize something in this brief moment.

This premonition made Yan Zhuo's heart sink.

"When you get back, we can talk, but the outcome probably won't be what you want. This is where I stand; don't bother worrying about me."

Yan Zhuo took a deep breath, trying to fill the emptiness in his chest.

"I don't believe a single word you've said."

If he really hadn't had feelings for him, why would he have kept him close when he knew his identity was shady?

If he really hated him, why would he accept his love and be with him?

Ruan Yunchu didn't care and just said: "I never said I liked you."

"But clearly—"

Yan Zhuo wanted to say, "But you clearly did!" but his mind flashed back and all he could remember was the young master's cold attitude.

The few times it happened were only when he was cornered and forced to say it while his weakness was exploited.

Words said in bed—could they be real?

His heart sank suddenly. Although he didn't want to believe a single word, he couldn't help feeling despair.

"Like I said, it was always about getting what each of us needed. Now the relationship is over; I don't need you anymore."

As Ruan Yunchu finished speaking, Peng Zhongying, who was outside, started reminding him of the time.

"Time to go."

"..."

Yan Zhuo stared fixedly at the indifferent face before him. That detached attitude turned into sharp needles, stabbing him all over.

He forced himself to believe the young master was a master at pretending, and this was just an act.

"I don't believe a single word."

Ruan Yunchu seemed unwilling to argue further, just turning his head slightly away.

But before he could move to leave, the man suddenly leaned down and grasped the back of his neck.

This was hardly a kiss. Unlike the ambiguous, forceful, or gentle kisses before, Yan Zhuo practically bullied him, crashing into him fiercely.

His lip was cut by teeth, and the strong taste of blood filled his mouth. Long fingers pinched his cheeks, forcing his mouth open.

Saliva spilled from the corner of his mouth, wetting his chin. He could barely resist; he tried to push him away, but it was useless.

Yan Zhuo sucked his tongue until it was numb and sore, as if deliberately making him hurt. Hearing another call from outside, he bit Ruan Yunchu's lower lip hard.

"Hiss—"

Ruan Yunchu gasped, his eyes instantly welling with tears. He glared at him fiercely.

But meeting those dark, stubborn eyes, he stiffened.

"No breakup. Even if you don't like me, we won't break up. I'm the type who loves to force people. What I want, I've never failed to get."

He coldly left these words, then tightened his arms around him fiercely, with such force that Ruan Yunchu could hardly breathe.

But Ruan Yunchu showed no reaction until the warmth beside him was gone. The man abruptly stood up and walked outside.

When the footsteps completely disappeared, Ruan Yunchu took heavy breaths to calm down. After a while, he raised a hand to wipe the wet corner of his mouth, then slowly looked toward the doorway—it was empty.

He didn't know how long he stared in that direction. He pressed his lips together, feeling a sharp pain. Raising his hand to touch, his fingertips came away with faint traces of blood.

What a mad dog.