Chapter 51

Chapter 51

The person in the back seat soon passed out. Yan Zhuo maintained this rigid posture for a long time, staring into his peaceful sleeping face, his heart nearly shattered into a thousand pieces.

If Ruan Yunchu had the strength to open his eyes at that moment, he would have seen the man who had shown him such cold hostility, his eyes now bloodshot and wild.

Why?

Why did he have to leave, even staging his own death?

Was being with him really worse than death?

Yan Zhuo clenched his teeth tightly, staring at that beautiful yet indifferent face. The hatred buried in his heart surged uncontrollably, but...

He tightened his arms, pulling his slender body forcefully against him, the force so intense that he himself couldn't control it.

What should he do? What the hell should he do with Ruan Yunchu?

-

Ruan Yunchu didn't know how long he had been asleep.

Everything was hazy, the pitch-black surroundings like a swamp, an invisible weight dragging his thoughts down. Every time he tried to open his eyes and wake up, a chill would wash over him, forcing him back to sleep.

This state persisted for a long time. When he finally regained consciousness, it felt like a lifetime had passed.

His eyelashes fluttered. Before he could even struggle to open his eyes, his body tensed abruptly. His lips parted instinctively, as if to call out, but a scorching breath drew near, then a heavy, fierce kiss landed, shoving the words back down his throat.

Ruan Yunchu let out a muffled groan, instinctively raising a hand to push the person away, but his entire body was too weak to even lift his hand.

The familiar scent enveloped him, like a lurking beast that had dropped its disguise, its sharp edges bared.

By instinct, he sensed danger, but he couldn't escape.

But fortunately, he knew this person was Yan Zhuo, no one else.

Yet Yan Zhuo's kiss didn't even feel like a kiss—more like a brutal, gnawing bite. He bit into Ruan Yunchu's lip, and the intense, breath-stealing kiss was filled with the rich, metallic taste of blood.

He tried to turn his head away, but his jaw was forcefully gripped.

Yan Zhuo remained completely silent, merely holding him down, toying with him like a mere plaything.

When the kiss finally ended, Ruan Yunchu took a deep breath, as if he'd just clawed his way back from the brink of death.

But before he could catch his breath to speak, his body flinched violently again.

Yan Zhuo hadn't left. The hot, fierce kisses trailed down his sensitive neck, fingers pressing hard. His waist arched taut, like a drawn bow.

"Get lost—"

He forced the word out from between clenched teeth.

From start to finish, Yan Zhuo made no sound, as if determined to drown him in this unfamiliar fear.

A chill ran over his body. Ruan Yunchu's pupils contracted sharply. An overwhelming current shot through his spine. His hands trembled slightly, as if some strength had finally come back, but just resting them on the back of Yan Zhuo's head drained all his strength.

He tugged hard at the other's hair, but it didn't stop him in the slightest.

Two years.

He had accepted the new life he wanted, hadn't felt anything this intense in so long. For a moment, everything before his eyes went nearly black, his thoughts scattered.

When Yan Zhuo actually tightened his arms to hold him, his body had already gone soft and pliant.

The frequent sedative injections over the past few days hadn't worn off, giving Yan Zhuo the upper hand.

That cold, heavy gaze bore down like sharp needles. Ruan Yunchu bit his lip, turning his head to bury his face in the pillow, trying to escape the unbearable heat.

He didn't know when he had passed out, but over a long stretch, every time he opened his eyes, he could feel that distinct, intrusive sensation of being watched.

One moment, he was lying on the bed with his wrist tightly grasped; the next, he found himself in the bathtub, submerged in rippling water. He instinctively lifted his head, and the white fluorescent light blurred his tear-filled vision into a hazy halo.

His body gradually regained some strength, but the rising fever became more pronounced. He knew his body well—this was the onset of sickness.

He couldn't help trembling, but someone cupped his face, wiping away the tears sliding from the corner of his eye with his thumb.

"What right do you have to cry? You owe me all of this."

"You owe me so much... I hate you so much!"

"..."

Ruan Yunchu was already completely exhausted, but somehow, just on the verge of passing out again, he heard those words clearly.

He felt an absurd urge to laugh.

Hate?

Unfortunately, in this life, he was least afraid of others' hatred.

If this was the kind of emotion, it actually put him at ease.

-

In the grip of mad, irrational emotions, Yan Zhuo didn't even know what he was doing at that moment. He just wanted to lock this omega, who had left him, by his side forever.

Until a pre-set chime exploded in the space, the sound wave jolting him, abruptly dispelling the hazy consciousness clouded by his loss of control over pheromones.

His body stiffened abruptly. He came to his senses belatedly, finally seeing clearly the person who had long since fainted on the bed.

That naturally beautiful, exquisite face was now tinged with a faint flush. His just-washed hair was still damp, strands sticking to his cheeks, looking both seductive and pitiful.

Yan Zhuo's mind went blank. He forced himself to loosen the body he had been clinging to so tightly, gently laying the person back on the bed.

A mess.

The entire room was in chaos. He stood by the bed, finally taking a moment to turn off the chime.

The smart system fell silent. He glanced at the pre-set time.

"Four hours."

He had been at it for this long.

Yan Zhuo let out a heavy breath, closed his eyes tightly to compose himself, then went to the prepared cold storage to fetch a vial of medicine. Without blinking, he stabbed it into the side of his neck.

As the suppressant flowed and integrated into his bloodstream, the barely controllable agitation slightly subsided.

Returning to the room, he gently lifted the person on the bed, dried the damp hair, and settled him into the cleaned, large bed before turning to handle other matters.

He knew he couldn't stay by Ruan Yunchu's side any longer.

Just the room filled with the scent of Bauhinia was enough to rob him of all reason.

But... why would he go easy on Ruan Yunchu?

This person knew exactly who he was, yet still kept him close for use. During his time at the Ruan estate, he was almost as obedient and submissive as a dog.

But even so, he didn't get any recognition or status at all.

He had never liked him.

Recalling the cold rejection that boy had once uttered to him, Yan Zhuo felt like knives were twisting in his heart.

Over this past year, he had been thinking constantly: what had he done wrong? Did he really have to let Ruan Yunchu leave to stop all this?

But when he uncovered all the disturbing irregularities at that theater, he realized—his young master did want something after all.

His young master simply didn't want to be with him. That was all.

After finishing everything, he gave himself two more suppressant shots, then returned to the bed to put medicine on the sleeping omega and change him into the silk pajamas he had prepared long ago.

Throughout it all, Ruan Yunchu showed no reaction, as if completely drained.

Yan Zhuo supported his body, holding that slender, frail wrist, a wave of inexplicable irritation rising in his chest.

Clearly, he hadn't been living well on his own outside, either.

He put the man back in bed, lowering his gaze to that pale little face. He held back for a long time, suppressing the habitual urge to drop a goodnight kiss on his forehead.

No one cared anyway, so why should he still keep chasing after him like before?

Ruan Yunchu never fell for that kind of thing.

-

Ruan Yunchu didn't know how long he had slept. He had jolted awake several times, feeling his body's pain and discomfort, only to close his eyes again in exhaustion.

This happened several times. In his dreams, he felt as if he had turned into dangerous lava, almost consuming him. Amidst that agonizing fever, he finally mustered the strength to open his eyes.

Sore. Aching.

That was the first sensation he felt as consciousness returned.

Every limb felt as if it had been dislocated; he didn't even have the strength to move a finger. He lay there, barely breathing, recovering for a long time. The maddening images from last night flooded his mind, stabbing him so sharply that he had to squeeze his eyes shut.

Yan Zhuo had gone completely insane.

After a long while, Ruan Yunchu finally regained the strength to think. His whole body was radiating an unusual heat; clearly, he had a fever.

He struggled to open his eyes and scan his surroundings. Only a small nightlight was on in the room; there wasn't even a window. The entire space was dim, and he could barely tell if it was day or night.

No wonder he had slept so long in a place like this.

But... where was Yan Zhuo?

He knew that given Yan Zhuo's temperament, there was no way he would leave him alone here. If Yan Zhuo himself wasn't present, then there must be something allowing him to observe the room directly.

Ruan Yunchu looked up dazedly at the four corners of the ceiling, his gaze eventually settling on the spot directly above him.

"I—"

He instinctively tried to speak, but almost no sound came out.

His throat was completely raw.

He frowned, took a deep breath, and tried to sit up. He felt a strange, dull ache, and his face twisted momentarily.

It was rare for him to feel the urge to curse.

But before he could speak in that direction again, the locked door suddenly swung open.

He instinctively looked over, only to see a cute, cylindrical robot slowly entering. It approached the bed, and its top cover opened, revealing nutrient fluid and water inside.

The robot said stiffly, "Based on your current physical condition, the doctor recommends taking a day's worth of nutritional supplements to restore your energy."

Ruan Yunchu was speechless.

Knowing Yan Zhuo was definitely watching from behind, he showed no restraint.

"I want to leave this place."

The robot immediately replied, "Not possible right now. You cannot leave this room."

"What? Are you going to try to stop me?"

Ruan Yunchu's voice was hoarse, and every word sent a faint, stinging pain along his vocal cords.

He had regained some strength by now and instinctively tried to get out of bed.

But the next second, a pulling sensation came from his wrist and ankle, and he instantly understood why the robot had said he couldn't leave.

He threw off the blanket in disbelief and saw a pale gold ring around his left forearm and another ring around his right ankle. Chains extended from beneath the bed, allowing only a very limited range of movement.

Had Yan Zhuo locked him up?

A surge of disbelief rushed through his mind, and Ruan Yunchu's face instantly darkened.

The robot stood quietly by the side. After a moment, it spoke again: "I suggest you replenish your nutrients and then get a good rest. I detect your body temperature is elevated, with clear signs of fever. I will prepare medicine for you half an hour after you eat."

Ruan Yunchu had run out of patience.

"Where is Yan Zhuo? Have him come see me."

"I'm sorry, but the master had urgent business and already left. He will return in about five hours."

The robot, seemingly pre-programmed, answered his question mechanically. Then it used its mechanical arm to open the nutrient packet and handed it to Ruan Yunchu.

"This is melon-flavored nutrient fluid. If you don't like it, there's also chocolate flavor."

All that questioning and agitation drained Ruan Yunchu's energy. He tried to lift his hand and tug, but the other end wouldn't budge.

He simply leaned back against the headboard. The movement pulled at his nearly numb and sore lower back, so he slowly lay back down, taking shallow breaths to calm himself.

He knew he couldn't leave for now. At least until Yan Zhuo returned, in his current state, he would find no chance.

So, even though he felt frustrated, he grabbed the nutrient fluid from the robot's hand.

After drinking half the bag, he lay back down on the large bed and closed his eyes in exhaustion.

So tired.

"Please get some rest. I will bring you a fever reducer in half an hour."

With that, the robot's wheels slowly turned, and it left the room once more.

After the door closed, there were a few clicking sounds, as if several different locks had clicked shut.

Ruan Yunchu couldn't help finding it ironic. The security level of this room was likely far higher than that of the heavy criminals locked up in the Alliance prison.

After all this hassle, he was exhausted both physically and mentally.

But when he slowly closed his eyes, he didn't fall asleep immediately. On the contrary, his mind was filled with disjointed memories from the time he was brought here.

Having not seen him for over a year, Yan Zhuo now had more edge and composure than before. Whereas he used to exude dangerous ferocity, now he was like a sharp dagger honed to the extreme, unreadable, yet instinctively chilling.

Ruan Yunchu actually didn't quite understand why Yan Zhuo still couldn't let go of him after so long.

He had initially thought that even if Yan Zhuo returned to Star A and discovered the truth about his fake death, he wouldn't overreact.

After all, no matter what, they had only truly known each other for a year.

Was it worth it?

But remembering how Yan Zhuo had crazily and coldly tormented him, saying he hated him, seemed to make him understand a bit.

He hadn't known much about Enigmas before, but at least he understood the nature of most alphas. Because of the advantages conferred by their secondary gender, they were born privileged from the moment they presented, confident in succeeding at anything.

Dignity was their non-negotiable.

And as an Enigma, even more advantaged than alphas, it was no longer a matter of one in ten thousand. Perhaps the total number of Enigmas in the entire galaxy wouldn't exceed ten.

Having thought this through, Ruan Yunchu roughly understood why.

But he did not feel regret.

His chaotic thoughts kept his mind racing. His body and mind were exhausted to the extreme, but he couldn't stop thinking.

It wasn't until the robot brought him fever medicine that he finally lost consciousness under the effect of the drug.

Perhaps because he had been thinking of Yan Zhuo's name until he fell asleep, he actually dreamed of the distant past.

In the dream, he was back in his wheelchair, quietly enjoying the sea breeze. As he gazed at the sea not far away, he suddenly heard someone behind him exclaim.

"Young master, it seems there's someone over there."

He looked up towards the beach and indeed saw a person lying there.

"Go check."

Before long, the man was brought before him.

It was a man in a simple T-shirt and casual pants, tall and sturdy. The wet T-shirt clung tightly to his body, outlining the clear contours of muscles that were still tense even in unconsciousness, indicating he was a trained fighter, and... quite attractive.

Someone stepped forward to confirm the man was still breathing, then exclaimed, "There's no residential area nearby. How could someone drift here?"

Ruan Yunchu lowered his eyes to study that handsome and sharp face, and showed a rare kindness.

"Send him to the hospital."

"Yes."

His subordinates, though surprised by his decision, obediently followed the order.

But Ruan Yunchu had come here for a vacation in the first place. After going out that afternoon, he put the man out of his mind. It wasn't until he returned to the hotel in the evening that he heard from his subordinates that the man had woken up and was causing a ruckus, demanding to leave.

"He injured more than a dozen of our men. The doctor had to sedate him to settle him down. He seemed genuinely unhinged."

Ruan Yunchu originally didn't plan to get involved anymore, but after hearing what they said, he became somewhat interested and took the initiative to go to the hospital.

Arriving outside the ward, before the door was even opened, a dark, threatening voice came from inside.

"Anyone who doesn't want to die, get the hell out."

The ward door swung open in response. Ruan Yunchu's wheelchair was parked outside, and the man strode out, almost colliding with the wheelchair.

His footsteps abruptly stopped. The young man slowly looked up and clearly saw the man's gloomy and cold eyes.

Meeting those eyes, a flicker of emotion stirred within him.

So his eyes were black, like ink.

He was dazed for less than a second, and then he saw the man looking at him with a complex and deep gaze.

"Who are you?"

Ruan Yunchu's attitude was indifferent. "The one who saved you."

"Thank..."

"No need to say thank you. I don't need it." Ruan Yunchu spoke bluntly, his tone cold. "I saved you, so you owe me a favor—that's only fair."

Yan Zhuo's eyes narrowed, obvious danger radiating from his deep black eyes.

"I'll remember."

"Either be my bodyguard for a year, or I'll have someone knock you out and dump you back in the sea." The young man slowly lifted his gaze. Although sitting in a wheelchair, he showed no sign of weakness.

He held the man's gaze. A slight smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"Take your pick."

His whole demeanor shifted drastically in an instant. Even the subordinates and doctors around the ward went on alert. They had no doubt that this dangerous man would grab the young man's slender neck and kill him the next second.

One hand had already moved to a waist holster, ready to protect him in an instant.

But as the seconds ticked by, in the end, the man slowly unclenched his fist, and a sly smile spread across his face.

"Alright."

Ruan Yunchu showed no surprise and gave a calm nod. "Very well. Start counting from today. Remember it yourself."

With that, he turned his wheelchair and left, not offering the man another glance.

But even without turning, he could feel a burning gaze fixed on him from behind—like a lion lurking and crouching behind a hill, waiting for the moment the prey lets down its guard to strike with a fatal blow.

"..."

This dream felt endless, so when Ruan Yunchu opened his eyes again in bed, he still had a dazed feeling, unable to distinguish reality from dreams.

The memories of Yan Zhuo arriving at the Ruan family merged with the dream, leaving him with deeply conflicted feelings.

He stared blankly at the ceiling for a long time, then slowly lowered his gaze, wanting to get up for a glass of water.

As he sat up, a tall dark figure standing at the foot of the bed suddenly came into view. Ruan Yunchu's movements froze abruptly.

He didn't know how long that person had been standing there, but his body instinctively shuddered.