Chapter 54

Chapter 54

After spending the morning in the room, Yan Zhuo walked out the door with two palm prints on his face and the scent of Bauhinia clinging to him.

He licked his lips, still tasting the faint fragrance, and the lingering resentment in his heart largely dissipated.

But when he went downstairs and logged into his work terminal, his expression turned serious.

Five minutes later, the online meeting began. Several high-ranking Alliance officials appeared on the screen, and a defense deployment map popped up.

"Based on our investigation, the group at the art exhibition on C Star are indeed rebels who fled from near the H281 space station. Although they refused to surrender, we still obtained some useful information."

An image appeared on the screen, showing the T021 experimental agent.

"This is the latest experimental agent developed by Feng'an Pharmaceutical Group, specifically for treating brain-dead and vegetative patients. It is still in the testing phase but has already been integrated into the Alliance's internal system. As you all know, last month, General Zhou, a meritorious star pioneer for the Alliance, regained consciousness. He suffered brain damage in a battle and had been in a coma for nearly ten years."

Someone interjected, "We all know this. The key point is that this agent has not yet been publicly announced. General Zhou's recovery is internal information. How did the rebels find out?"

"Should we start an internal investigation?"

"Now is not the time. The rebels defeated on the front lines are no longer a threat, but situations like the one on C Star may become more frequent. If casualties occur and word gets out, it could lead to them regrouping."

"Then what do you suggest? This agent will eventually be introduced into the medical system; it can't remain classified forever."

Listening to their arguments, Yan Zhuo felt a headache coming on.

He raised his head slightly, about to pull up the witness statements from the C Star art exhibition, when he heard slow footsteps on the stairs.

He instinctively muted the audio and looked up.

Sure enough, it was Ruan Yunchu coming down.

The young man didn't even glance at him, heading straight for the kitchen island. He poured himself a glass of water, then noticed something, paused, and started tinkering with the coffee machine.

He was wearing soft cotton pajamas, and the light shone through, making the fabric sheer, revealing the outline of his lean body.

Yan Zhuo couldn't take his eyes off him until someone called to him through the earpiece, snapping his attention back to the conversation.

"Hmm, what is it?"

He turned and saw that everyone on the screen had complicated looks on their faces.

"What are you doing?"

"Drinking coffee," Yan Zhuo said, picking up the glass of plain water in front of him and taking a sip.

"..."

The others hesitated but returned to business.

"What do you think is the best way to handle this?"

"Have you read the recorded testimony from the C Star art exhibition? That kidnapping was way too amateurish."

As Yan Zhuo spoke, he felt someone's gaze on him and instinctively glanced up, only to see Ruan Yunchu pouring milk into a cup.

He forced his attention back and continued, "In my opinion, there are only two possibilities. One, they're all idiots trying to make a last big splash to shake things up. Two, they urgently need to revive a brain-dead or vegetative-state patient, someone important to them, likely injured in combat."

His words finally eased the expressions of the others.

"What you've said exactly matches our analysis. So how do we confirm this? Based on their actions, the person they want to wake must be of great value to them. We must stop them."

"That's your problem. Do I have to do everything myself?" Yan Zhuo said with a faint smile.

"But..."

"Enough. I have other things to attend to. Discuss it and let me know the outcome."

With that, Yan Zhuo ended the call and walked toward the kitchen island.

As soon as he approached, Ruan Yunchu picked up the coffee he'd made and tried to leave, but Yan Zhuo blocked his path with an arm.

The foam in the cup wobbled, nearly spilling.

Ruan Yunchu shot him a cold glare. "Are you crazy?"

"Finally willing to talk to me, huh?" Yan Zhuo smiled, hugging him and planting a kiss on his cheek. "Hungry? I'll make something good."

"Get lost."

This time, Yan Zhuo didn't hold back. He lowered his head and sealed Ruan Yunchu's lips. Even as he was pushed away, he didn't let go, deepening the kiss and pressing him against the island, not letting go for an instant.

It ended with Ruan Yunchu slapping him across the face in exasperation, the carefully made coffee spilling over both of them.

Watching the young man's shoulders heave, his eyes reddening with rage, and his gaze almost murderous, Yan Zhuo felt a rare pang of guilt.

"I'm sorry. I'll make you another cup. Go rest on the sofa, okay? Be good."

Ruan Yunchu sat coldly on the sofa, and Yan Zhuo found him a cushion, turned on the TV to the news, and quickly made a new cup of coffee. Then he put on an apron and went into the kitchen to cook, spinning like a top.

Before long, Yan Zhuo brought the food to the table.

Simple braised asparagus and tomato beef soup, perfect for a vulnerable omega in heat.

Ruan Yunchu was clearly hungry, but still angry. He ate coldly, and once he'd had enough, he stood up to leave.

Yan Zhuo grabbed his arm without hesitation and pulled him onto his lap. Ruan Yunchu, like a cat whose fur had been ruffled, immediately struggled to get up, but Yan Zhuo held him tight around the waist.

"Easy, easy." Yan Zhuo coaxed him softly, adopting a serious tone. "Let's have a good talk, okay?"

At that, Ruan Yunchu finally tensed up and looked at him, but his eyes were full of doubt.

"Don't look at me like that. I said before, when we both calm down, we should talk properly. This can't go on like this."

Yan Zhuo put on a reasonable demeanor, but Ruan Yunchu stared at him for two seconds and let out a light snort.

"Continuing like this must be just fine with you, huh?"

He didn't think Yan Zhuo had been uncomfortable at all these past few days.

Yan Zhuo coughed lightly. "What do you take me for? If you're unhappy, what's the point of me pushing it?"

Ruan Yunchu stopped struggling to get up, looked down at him, and said calmly, "So you're ready to let me go?"

"..."

Seeing his silence, Ruan Yunchu understood the answer, snorted, and said nothing more.

Yan Zhuo took a deep breath and said evenly, "You know that's impossible. Ever since I returned from the front line to A Star, I've been searching for you. Now that I've finally found you, I'm not letting you go."

"Then we've got nothing to talk about."

"What if I insist? I can give you anything you want, except... breaking up with me."

Ruan Yunchu showed no mercy: "Sorry, but being with you is non-negotiable for me."

Yan Zhuo gritted his teeth, narrowing his eyes. "You've got a sharp tongue."

The situation reached a prolonged stalemate, but Yan Zhuo wasn't the only one with a headache. Facing this unfamiliar predicament, Ruan Yunchu also felt a deep helplessness.

He regretted ever coming to C-star, but there was no going back, and no amount of rehashing would change it.

"What's the date today?" he suddenly asked.

His watch and other electronics had all been taken away by Yan Zhuo. He hadn't contacted the outside world since arriving here.

After Yan Zhuo reluctantly answered, Ruan Yunchu's expression turned serious.

"I need to leave."

Yan Zhuo's eyes narrowed. "I won't let you go. I'm heading back to A-star the day after tomorrow, and you're coming with me."

Ruan Yunchu gave him a cold look. "What makes you think I'll obediently follow you? I have my own life now. I don't want any connection with you anymore."

"It doesn't matter where you go to school," Yan Zhuo made an effort to be patient. "You can transfer to A-star. I'll handle everything for you. Your grades are good, and A-star will offer you better opportunities."

"Yan Zhuo, why are you playing dumb? Do you seriously not know why I don't want to go back?"

Yan Zhuo: "I don't care. I won't allow it. Or... are you in such a hurry to go back because you have some other fling there?"

Before he could finish, Ruan Yunchu scoffed lightly and nodded.

"Your guess is spot on."

Though he knew Ruan Yunchu was deliberately provoking him, Yan Zhuo still felt a surge of intense anger.

He forced himself to remain calm, a cold smile curling at the corners of his lips.

"Young master, getting angry at me won't help. I won't let you go. Drop that thought."

His hand rested on the young man's slender waist. Too angry to meet his eyes, his gaze drifted down, landing on the long legs covered by soft pants, and his eyes softened for a moment.

He wondered how the usually delicate young master had managed to go through rehab at home alone, until he could stand and walk independently.

During all those rehab sessions when Yan Zhuo had been there, even someone as strong as Ruan Yunchu couldn't help but cry.

But... the goal that drove Ruan Yunchu through all this was to leave him.

Yan Zhuo found the irony bitter.

Yet just as a hint of tenderness stirred in his heart, he heard the person in his arms speak again.

"In that case, let's talk about what happens after returning to A-star." Ruan Yunchu noticed his stunned look but didn't stop. "The rebels want the T021 serum, most likely to awaken Ruan Jing."

Yan Zhuo was taken aback, taking a couple of seconds to remember who that was.

Ruan Jing, after the fall of the Ruan family, was the only surviving Ruan family member besides Ruan Yunchu. He had been kept in a vegetative state in the hospital before being mysteriously kidnapped and disappearing for nearly two years.

"Him?"

"Yes. Now that they can't get the serum from you, they might send Ruan Jing back to Jiaxie after I return to A-star. They should know that you're also very interested in what the Ruan family has hidden, so they'll do everything to awaken Ruan Jing. That way, they'll get what they want."

Yan Zhuo looked at his serious face and couldn't resist rubbing the soft cheek with his thumb.

"You mean they still dare to snatch people under the Alliance's tight security."

"They've done it before." Ruan Yunchu turned his head to avoid his hand, but failed, and Yan Zhuo pinched his cheek again, gently.

Yan Zhuo found this look rather cute and chuckled. "If they dare to send him back, I'll watch over him."

Ruan Yunchu glanced at him and didn't respond.

That brief look made Yan Zhuo's heart flutter, and he instinctively said, "So, have you decided to come back with me?"

"I'm not coming back with you." Ruan Yunchu's tone was flat. "I haven't been back to A-star for a year. I need to take care of my own affairs."

Even if he hadn't run into Yan Zhuo by chance, he had planned to return sometime within the next two years.

"Fine." Yan Zhuo assumed he was just being contrary.

Just as he breathed a sigh of relief, Ruan Yunchu spoke again. "But regarding Ruan Jing, if my plan works—using myself as bait—once this matter is resolved, I'll have done my part for the Alliance. After that, you owe me a favor."

Yan Zhuo's heart sank.

"What do you want?"

"I haven't decided yet." Ruan Yunchu glanced at him coolly, a complicated look in his otherwise calm eyes. "I need you to issue an order as the Alliance Commander, clearly recorded in the Alliance's system. Otherwise, I won't cooperate."

Yan Zhuo's eyes suddenly turned cold.

It was all too clear why Ruan Yunchu was asking for a promise at a time like this.

He was still determined to leave.