Chapter 53

Chapter 53

Long-standing mental stress, combined with the crazy intimacy of the past two days, had directly pushed the pheromone concentration in Ruan Yunchu's gland to its peak, triggering an early onset of his heat cycle.

Yet he himself was completely unaware of this. His consciousness drifted, and feeling someone moving him around, he instinctively resisted—though with little effect.

Amidst the intense fever, distant memories suddenly surged forth.

He felt as if he had become that newly differentiated youth again, like a laboratory mouse trapped in a glass house.

Every day, doctors would extract fluid from his gland and report his maturation progress to the man outside.

Each time he sat in the chair and looked up, he could see Ruan Mingyi waiting. But when the doctor stepped out to politely inform him that the maturity level was still insufficient, the man’s face would darken instantly.

“There’s no time. Find another way.”

Within a week, following the doctor’s advice, Ruan Mingyi identified several alphas with extremely high compatibility with Ruan Yunchu and decided to select one to artificially accelerate the gland’s maturation.

In his blurred consciousness, his mind was empty save for instinctive resistance.

He didn’t want this. He loathed it. He nearly wanted to destroy everything.

An unfamiliar aura pressed down upon him, almost making him feel nauseous.

He struggled violently, only to be completely restrained by a heavy embrace that neutralized all his strength.

“Don’t be scared. It’s me.” Yan Zhuo’s voice was deep but urgent.

He grabbed both of the slender wrists and pulled the man firmly into his arms, feeling a rare moment of panic.

Yan Zhuo was acutely aware that Ruan Yunchu’s state was wrong. He wanted to hold him gently and soothe him as he had before, but thinking of the cold indifference this person showed him, sorrow welled up inside him.

Even if he did everything for Ruan Yunchu, it meant nothing in Ruan Yunchu's heart, did it?

“Don’t touch me…”

The omega’s voice trembled faintly, his breaths quick and shallow, as if he had not yet fully awakened from his dream. He desperately wanted to escape the embrace.

Such behavior, at any time, was a dangerous signal for an alpha—

Let alone an enigma, who was even more dominant than an alpha.

“You’re always telling me to go.”

Yan Zhuo’s voice was extremely low, a fierce look crossed his brow.

“Am I really that detestable to you?”

“I’ve never told you this before: every time I stay by your side to ease your heat cycles, I have to struggle to control myself. I don’t want to hurt you, and I’m afraid you’ll hate me, so I take several doses of suppressants to hold back.”

“I thought that by taking it slow, things would work out—that you would eventually understand my feelings. But I was wrong. You’re not someone who can be tamed. No matter how good I am to you, you’ll only run away.”

His little master, the omega he treasured, was always so sensitive and cold. No matter how hard he tried, it was all in vain.

“If that’s the case, why should I still be so good to you?”

Ruan Yunchu’s lips parted slightly, and with effort, he finally opened his eyes. Squinting, he looked upward, still not clearly seeing who was before him.

“Get out—” His voice was breathy and resistant.

But instead of letting go, Yan Zhuo leaned down, gripped the nape of his neck, and pressed him fully into the soft bedding, fiercely biting down on those lips that could never speak pleasant words.

The overwhelming enigma pheromones instantly flooded through the sealed room, wrapping around Ruan Yunchu’s body like a real presence, causing him to tremble uncontrollably.

Too much, too much...

The blazing sun-like aura, akin to midday heat scorching the earth, carried a heart-stopping aggression that instantly triggered the omega’s sensitive nerves.

His body immediately went limp. In his heat cycle, the omega lost most of his rationality, passively enduring everything.

His skin was damp with sweat. The cold Bauhinia scent became damp, but under the excessive baking, it wilted.

Dream and reality intertwined, painting a grim and chaotic sea of consciousness.

Ruan Yunchu could hardly tell where he was. The blazing sun-like aura filled his lungs with every breath. He felt drained of all strength, but just as his body began to slacken, someone grabbed his neck.

A scorching kiss landed on the back of his neck, causing a series of sensitive shivers. He instinctively tried to crawl forward, only to be caught by the neck and dragged back.

“Darling, don’t be scared, okay?”

His familiar hoarse voice whispered in his ear. Before he could fully grasp the meaning, a sharp pain stabbed the back of his neck.

“Ah—”

He cried out instinctively, but his voice was already hoarse from all the screaming.

Sharp teeth pierced the soft skin at the back of his neck, finding the exact location of the gland. Dense pheromones enveloped and injected into it, forming a ferocious mark.

Ruan Yunchu’s body tensed slightly. For nearly half a minute, everything went black.

He didn’t know how long it took to recover. The man behind him kept holding him, lowering his head to gently lick and kiss the bite mark.

“Sleep now.”

“…”

The next day, Assistant Xiao arrived at Yan Zhuo’s residence. As soon as she entered, she was surprised to find that the Commander was actually assembling a cabinet.

She was rarely stunned; she walked in and asked, “What are you doing?”

“Making a low cabinet to put by the bed, convenient for him to place things.” Yan Zhuo didn’t look up. After finishing the last decorative piece, he promptly carried it upstairs.

Assistant Xiao thought for a moment and followed him up. She discovered that the third-floor room had been emptied out. The floor-to-ceiling windows were bright and warm, and the room was decorated cozily.

Her eyes went wide in disbelief. “Are you… planning to let Mr. Ruan out?”

“ ‘Let out’?” Yan Zhuo frowned, slightly displeased. “That makes it sound like prison.” But he let it go. “Anything else we should add?”

“Hmm…” Assistant Xiao thought to herself that being locked in that sunless room was worse than prison, but she didn't dare say it out loud. Instead, she gestured vaguely at a few places. “Should we remove these things from the bedside? I feel Mr. Ruan doesn't like fussy decorations. He'll probably throw them later.”

Yan Zhuo looked at the things for a moment, recalling what he did last night.

“Good point.”

Once the little master woke up, he'd throw another huge tantrum.

After tidying up the room again, Yan Zhuo went to the kitchen to make brunch himself. Assistant Xiao followed behind, filling him in on Alliance business. When she got to the last item, she hesitated before reminding him.

“They want you back on A-Star ASAP. You need to leave within two days.”

Yan Zhuo didn't look back, gently stirring the thick congee with a small spatula. "We'll see."

"..."

Assistant Xiao knew she couldn't persuade him, so she had to let it go. After a moment's thought, she asked, "Why are you suddenly willing to let Mr. Ruan out?"

She still remembered that day at the hospital, when Yan Zhuo sensed something and wore that dark, dangerous expression.

That predatory expression was something she had only seen on Yan Zhuo when he was hunting enemies.

Yan Zhuo paused and said, "I can't keep him locked up forever."

Although they hadn't seen each other for over a year, he still remembered that the young master had had some psychological issues. Though the doctor said the main cause had been eliminated, it didn't mean he would just get better.

So even though he was very angry now, he wouldn't keep him shut in a pitch-black room forever.

Regardless, they needed to have a real talk.

After Assistant Xiao left, he took breakfast upstairs.

-

When Ruan Yunchu woke up, he had the illusion of having survived the theater explosion all over again.

There wasn't a single spot on his body that didn't hurt, and even breathing brought a dry, sore sensation in his throat. But as he steadied his breathing and memories flooded back, he suddenly realized something even more extreme.

Raising his aching arm to touch the back of his neck, his trembling fingers touched the scabbed-over bite mark.

His pupils constricted sharply. Ruan Yunchu froze in disbelief for a long moment before finally registering the strong scent of an Enigma's pheromones all over him.

It was more terrifying than anything he had ever experienced, almost making every breath feel like a deadly allure.

Yan Zhuo had actually… marked him.

In his disbelief, the door to the room slowly opened.

The rich aroma of food mixed with the thick pheromones in the air. Yan Zhuo felt a surge of satisfaction at the scent of redbud and blazing sun intertwined. But when he saw the man on the bed struggle to sit up and glare coldly at him, he paused.

"You're awake."

He said flatly, then walked over with a stony face and set down the breakfast.

"Eat something. After you finish… go rest upstairs."

Ruan Yunchu didn't even glance at him. He picked up the glass of water by the bed and took a few sips. As he raised his hand, his sleeve fell back, revealing the patchwork of kiss marks and bruising on his wrist, stark and horrifying against his pale skin.

Yan Zhuo furrowed his brows slightly, forcing his gaze away, and brought out the breakfast, preparing to feed him.

But Ruan Yunchu finished his water and stared at him coldly, making no effort to cooperate.

Yan Zhuo stared back, holding his gaze for a long moment. Finally, he sighed, giving in, and set the bowl back on the table.

Only once Yan Zhuo pulled his hand back did Ruan Yunchu slowly pick up the bowl and eat in small bites.

His lips were chapped, still a vibrant red from the night before, making him look particularly fragile and beautiful. He couldn't open his mouth much to eat.

Once full, he set down the utensils, avoiding Yan Zhuo's reach, and took a tissue to wipe the corner of his mouth.

Yan Zhuo: "..."

Then, without a word, Ruan Yunchu threw off the thin blanket and slowly got out of bed.

Yan Zhuo stood by the bed, clearly seeing the distinct bruising on his ankle and a few intimate bite marks. His cheeks grew hot.

Watching the man stand up unsteadily, he couldn't help but bend down and lift him into his arms.

"Let go of me!" the Omega struggled violently, glaring at him coldly.

But Yan Zhuo remained unfazed. "Why are you trying to be tough? Whether you like it or not, I'm going to carry you."

With that, he held him tighter. As he left the room, he slowed his steps and softly reminded, "Close your eyes. It's too bright outside."

The tense body showed clear resistance, but Ruan Yunchu knew he couldn't match Yan Zhuo's strength, so he closed his eyes and turned his head away.

Finally, he left the dark room. Bright sunlight fell on him, piercing his thin eyelids with a faint sting.

He didn't know how long it took before he adjusted.

Ruan Yunchu opened his eyes slightly and saw Yan Zhuo carrying him up the last step. Lifting his head, he met the man's deep, complex gaze.

Their eyes locked, and he froze instinctively, his heart brimming with irony.

Once inside the room, Yan Zhuo pursed his lips and gently set him on the bed. "This is my residence. No one else will come here. You'll stay here for now."

Ruan Yunchu pulled away from his embrace, forcing himself to sit up despite the discomfort. With a cold laugh, he said, "One mark for a room. Aren't I losing out big time?"

Yan Zhuo stiffened and said, "This isn't a trade. I just want you to be more comfortable."

"If you let me go, I'd be a lot more comfortable," Ruan Yunchu said, his eyes icy. "Don't give me that hypocritical talk. You're just—"

Before he could finish, Yan Zhuo stepped forward, firmly grabbed the back of his head, and pressed a heavy kiss onto his soft, moist lips, sucking and biting without mercy until the slaps on his shoulder gradually weakened.

When Yan Zhuo let him go, the young man involuntarily took a deep breath, his cheeks flushed with an unnatural crimson, clearly the lingering heat of his heat.

"You—"

Yan Zhuo didn't give him a chance to speak. Leaning down, he touched his nose against Ruan Yunchu's and said in a low voice, "From now on, if you deliberately say such nasty things, I'll kiss you. The more you say, the longer I'll kiss. If you curse at me, consider it an open invitation."

Emerald-green eyes blazed with fury. Ruan Yunchu's gaze could have sliced him to pieces, but the curses on his lips died before they could be spoken.

Seeing that his threat had worked, Yan Zhuo felt a mix of regret and satisfaction.

He leaned down and kissed that small, pretty nose.

"Good boy, sweetheart."