Chapter 32

As a member of the royal family yet secretly the leader of the Rebel Army, commanding the rebels to invade the Imperial Star and overthrow his own family's rule and regime—Wen Run could not think of a more fitting word than 'madman' to describe that Alpha.

Thinking of how, in his previous life, Auston would want to skin Ruan Tang and dig out his gland at first sight, and his words that only blood and slaughter could make the world more beautiful...

Wen Run couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine.

It was now lunch break. Several researchers and Wen Run's assistant saw him sitting alone in a corner lost in thought and immediately asked, 'Chief, are you worried about Researcher Ruan Xi's matter? Are you planning to visit Researcher Ruan later? He didn't come to work today.'

Everyone knew that Ruan Xi and Wen Run were close. Moreover, Ruan Xi always played the innocent, so although his abilities were not outstanding, he was quite popular in the institute.

Hearing someone mention Ruan Xi's matter, those who knew some inside stories started chattering: 'Researcher Ruan is really pitiful. No matter how you look at him, he wouldn't be the type to do such a thing... yet he's been framed again and again. He's really unlucky.'

'That Ruan Tang is really something. Why won't he let Researcher Ruan go?'

...

Wen Run hadn't wanted to speak, but seeing these people once again speculating about Ruan Tang with the worst malice while sympathizing with Ruan Xi, his heart suddenly felt as if stabbed, like a knife cut.

He immediately coldly looked at the person who had named Ruan Tang, almost saying that Ruan Tang bullied Ruan Xi, and reprimanded: 'Researcher Ye, hearsay is false, and seeing may not be believing, let alone your own speculations? The truth of the matter between Ruan Xi and Ruan Tang is not for you to decide. This is the First Research Institute, not a place for you to gossip and spread rumors. Please do your job properly.'

'Don't jump to conclusions about things you don't understand.'

This young chief had always been mild-tempered and rarely reprimanded others.

Researcher Ye, suddenly called out, looked at his stern expression and was startled: 'Chief, I...'

'I don't want to hear even a hint of such gossip in the institute again.' Wen Run's gaze coldly swept over everyone who had been gossiping, and he said each word deliberately.

He could no longer tolerate anyone saying a single bad word about Ruan Tang in front of him.

The few people felt a chill under his gaze. Although they didn't know why Wen Run had suddenly changed his expression, they exchanged glances and quickly said, '...Sorry, Chief, I shouldn't have gossiped.'

They dared not gossip another word.

Seeing them fall silent, Wen Run immediately walked away, his face not showing it, but he was extremely irritated inside.

Auston Camille was a madman, but a madman born with a silver spoon, of noble status, powerful bloodline, strong Spirit Power, and high authority.

Whether now or in the future, it would be difficult for him to contend with this madman.

He did not know why the trajectory of this life had changed, nor why Ruan Tang had married Auston, but he knew he had to rescue Ruan Tang from that madman's side.

Even if it meant braving a mountain of swords and a sea of flames, or paying with his life, he would not hesitate.

This was what he owed Ruan Tang...

And before that, he had to see Ruan Tang, to meet this blood relative who never abandoned him but whom he had never treasured in the previous life.

...

'Wen Run? That Chief Wen Run from the First Research Institute?' Auston asked in a deep voice.

Because Ruan Tang had long blocked Wen Run's communication account, Wen Run had no choice but to resort to the oldest form of social interaction among nobles—sending a visiting card to the Auston Ducal Palace, requesting to meet the Duchess.

However, before the card could reach Ruan Tang, it was intercepted by Auston.

The butler immediately replied respectfully about the visitor's identity: 'Yes, it is that Chief Wen.'

'What is he here for? I don't recall being responsible for anything in military industry that requires work coordination with him,' Auston sneered lazily, not even glancing at Wen Run's card before tossing it aside.

He knew this man: an orphan born in a poor star, mother unknown, father dead early, adopted by a small noble family from a remote galaxy, who relied on his extremely high IQ and excellent grades to bring his adoptive parents out of the remote galaxy to the Imperial Star, received key cultivation from the Caland Family, attended top schools, excelled, and after graduation became the youngest chief at the First Research Institute—a genius in technology and military industry.

Auston's subordinates unanimously deemed him a useful person and urged Auston to find a way to recruit him, but Auston had never been motivated to act.

And now...

The butler said respectfully, 'Chief Wen is looking for the Madam. He is her childhood friend, and he says there are some misunderstandings between them. He wants to meet the Madam and talk with her properly. You...'

'No. There's nothing to see.' Auston directly interrupted the butler, not giving him a chance to finish, and said without hesitation, 'Just tell him to get lost.'

He had ordered an investigation yesterday and only then learned a little about what had happened between Wen Run and Ruan Tang.

This Wen Run and Ruan Tang were childhood friends and good friends, but that was only when they were young. After growing up, this guy must have been possessed or something, because he became good friends with Ruan Tang's white-lotus brother Ruan Xi, often taking Ruan Xi's side to bully Ruan Tang and blame Ruan Tang. He really doesn't know whose childhood friend he is.

Auston absolutely did not want to give him any chance to see Ruan Tang.

The butler, understanding his master's self-willed and unreasonable nature, and knowing that Wen Run, the research genius and military industry star whom everyone in the Imperial Star curried favor with, probably wouldn't be able to enter the ducal palace today, responded good-naturedly, 'Yes, my lord, I understand.'

'By the way, my lord, regarding the matter of Chief Wen's visit, should I inform the Madam?' At the door, the butler suddenly thought of something and asked Auston again.

Auston immediately, without a second thought, arbitrarily made a decision for Ruan Tang: 'No need. There's nothing to say. Don't mention it.'

A friend like this, he decided for Ruan Tang that they didn't need to keep, and there was no need for Ruan Tang to know he had come.

The butler obediently answered, 'Yes, my lord.'

But in his heart, he sympathized with Ruan Tang, who had married Auston and lost even the freedom to choose his friends.

...

Ruan Tang had no opportunity to know that Wen Run had come to find him. At this moment, he was accompanying his mother, elder brother, and elder sister as they were examined by the top doctors in the entire Imperial Star, whom Auston had summoned.

Although Auston was mad, he was meticulous in his actions. After saying he wanted Ruan Tang to bring his mother, brother, and sister to live together, the very next day not only did he move Ruan Tang's family of three over completely, but he also invited the most authoritative doctors in the entire Imperial Star in psychiatric and special consultation departments to treat them.

Several doctors whom everyone in the Imperial Star would be polite to, and who were so sought-after one couldn't get an appointment even in a queue, treated Ruan Tang very well, and were quite patient and meticulous with his simple-minded mother and his unclear-minded Ruan Yue. Before leaving, they brought Ruan Tang a very good piece of news: 'Although the situation is indeed serious, with gradual treatment and careful care... there is not no possibility of recovery...'

This short sentence was the only one among countless doctors Ruan Tang had heard that said his brother, sister, and mother still had a chance of recovery.

'Really, doctor?' Ruan Tang was overjoyed, as if he had seen hope once again.

The doctor nodded affirmatively: 'Really. I recommend trying Spirit Power therapy, using the Spirit Power of close relatives to try to awaken the deep consciousness of patients who are unconscious... I will tell you how to proceed then. After that, I will come every week to conduct follow-up examinations for the old madam, Young Master Ruan, and Young Miss Ruan.'

Ruan Yang lay unconscious in bed.

Ruan Yue and Tang Yun were babbling incoherently about something: 'Candy, where is my candy!'

'Baby, my baby...'

None of them recognized Ruan Tang, but when he looked at them, there was always a warmth and faith in his heart, feeling that their existence supported him in moving forward.

Because with them, Ruan Tang still felt he had a family.

It saved him from being lonely and destitute.

After seeing off the doctors, Ruan Tang took it upon himself to choose three adjacent but quiet rooms far from Auston's residence in the mansion and arranged for his family to move in.

Although Auston had agreed to let his family move in, Ruan Tang still worried that his simple-minded mother and insane sister might disturb Auston with their noise, causing displeasure or conflict.

After settling his mother, brother, and sister, Ruan Tang played for a while with his mother and sister, who didn't recognize him at all, and only returned to his room after coaxing them to sleep.

By then it was already late at night. Auston, who would usually come to scent him every day, for some reason, as usual, hadn't come to scent him tonight.

Ruan Tang was a bit tired. He had intended to wash up and go straight to sleep, but after thinking it over, he asked the butler where Auston's room was, then found it alone and knocked on his door.

'Who is it?' Auston's voice was as low and husky as ever.

Ruan Tang immediately answered in a low voice, 'It's me, my lord.'

'...Come in.' Auston's voice seemed somewhat surprised, but he said to Ruan Tang nevertheless.

The room's lighting was somewhat dim. Although the entire mansion had returned to a normal schedule because of Ruan Tang's words, Auston's bedroom still maintained the same gloom and solitude as before.

On the comfortable, luxurious bed, Auston was lying half-covered by bedding, still wearing his mask. But from his eyes, Ruan Tang could still see his tiredness and slight lethargy...

'Why are you here? Weren't you accompanying your mother and brother and sister?' Auston looked at him for a while, then asked with a frown, as if surprised that Ruan Tang would come to him voluntarily.

In all this time since their marriage, this was the first time Ruan Tang had stepped into Auston's room.

For him, it was like stepping into an entirely new territory.

Ruan Tang couldn't help but feel a little nervous, but he still tried to maintain his composure and said, 'I've accompanied them. My mother and sister are already resting...'

Auston's eyes gazed at him dimly through the mask, as if waiting for him to finish speaking.

'So, I came to see you, my lord.' Ruan Tang bit his lip, unsure how much effort it took to squeeze out those words.

Auston nodded slightly, quite surprised, and asked as if he couldn't quite understand: 'See me? See me for what?'

He was feeling a bit unwell today, his nose was stuffy, and he couldn't smell the Pheromone scent on Ruan Tang that could calm him down. So much so that he had even lost the desire to scent Ruan Tang...

He hadn't expected Ruan Tang to willingly come to him.

The two of them had known each other for quite a while, but every time it was Auston who went to find Ruan Tang when he wanted to. Ruan Tang actively coming to him was a first for Auston.

How novel.

'My lord, you usually come to smell my Pheromones, don't you? You didn't come today, so I came over...' Ruan Tang didn't know why he had come to find Auston; he simply wanted to come, so he chose to come directly.

Since Auston didn't come to scent him, he was willing to deliver himself to his door.

Hearing this, Auston found it somewhat amusing: 'What's this? You've become addicted to me scenting you? If I don't come one day, you can't get used to it?'

Ruan Tang smelled good; even just being placed like an aromatherapy, he was exceptionally nice to smell. It was only natural that Auston was addicted to scenting him...

But as for being scented, Auston knew his own usual behavior well. He thought there was no way Ruan Tang would find it particularly pleasant, right? If he didn't go to scent him, why would Ruan Tang come running over?

Auston suddenly found this Omega a bit strange.

'...I guess so.' Ruan Tang thought for a moment and answered very honestly. Although it was a bit strange to enjoy being scented, Auston's daily scenting had become a habit. If one day he suddenly didn't come, Ruan Tang felt he really wouldn't be used to it.

Auston had never heard of anyone becoming addicted to being scented. He found it funny and laughed, 'Pfft, hahaha.'

He thought this Omega was interesting, really interesting.

Ruan Tang looked at him, a little at a loss.

'You go back first. I'm sick today, my nose is plugged, I can't scent you...' After laughing, Auston looked at Ruan Tang with some regret, but still waved his hand, signaling him to leave.

He was sick and couldn't sleep now. Normally, smelling Ruan Tang's scent and scenting him could calm his nerves and make the night more comfortable.

But now, he couldn't smell anything, feeling miserable and unable to sleep. Looking at Ruan Tang only made him more irritable; he just wanted to be alone.

He wanted to drive Ruan Tang away...

'You're sick, my lord? Where are you feeling unwell? Do you have a fever?' Hearing he was sick, Ruan Tang suddenly became anxious and stepped forward, reaching out to remove Auston's mask and feel his forehead.

But the moment his hand touched Auston's mask, Auston had already grabbed his hand, preventing Ruan Tang from removing his mask.

Only then did Ruan Tang realize that his action was overstepping. He immediately stopped, feeling the slight heat from Auston's palm, and pulled back his hand as if burned, stuttering: '...Have you seen a doctor?'

'It's nothing serious. No need to see a doctor. I'll be fine after a night's sleep...' Auston was well aware that his current condition was the aftereffect of his medication for his episodes. He always got like this after taking medicine, so he was quite used to it.

It's just a pity that he couldn't smell anymore.

Hearing this, Ruan Tang immediately tucked the quilt around him and asked with concern, 'Would you like some water now, my lord?'

'...What exactly are you here for?' Auston was extremely unaccustomed to such sudden concern from others about his eating, drinking, and sleeping. It made him inexplicably feel embarrassed and annoyed.

Ruan Tang looked at him nervously, but unconsciously straightened his posture: 'Actually, I came to thank you, my lord.'

'Thank me?' Auston raised an eyebrow.

Ruan Tang immediately answered: 'For my mother and brother and sister. I am very grateful that you are willing to let them live in the ducal palace and that you invited doctors for them.'

Although it might have been a small matter for Auston, his thoughtfulness and meticulousness made Ruan Tang unable to not feel grateful...

When he was forced to agree to marry Auston, Ruan Tang had thought he was jumping from one fire pit into another, his entire life was hopeless. But unexpectedly, he had found a way out of desperation. After marrying Auston, everything seemed to slowly improve, returning on track, and he saw hope.

This Alpha, although insane, moody, feared by everyone, and didn't like him, merely treating him like a pet, was truly the best person Ruan Tang had ever met in his life.

Ruan Tang thought it over and decided to thank him.

Auston heard him repeatedly thanking him for such trivial and worthless matters and immediately scoffed, asking, 'And how do you plan to thank me?'

'My lord, how do you want me to thank you?' Ruan Tang looked at him with clear eyes, his gaze full of sincerity.

As if as long as Auston said it at that moment, no matter what it was, he would do his utmost to accomplish it for Auston.

Auston had intended to crack a joke and tease Ruan Tang, but when he caught the sincerity at the bottom of Ruan Tang's eyes, he couldn't bring himself to joke. Tiredly holding his aching forehead, he suddenly remembered how, when he disguised himself as a male servant, he often saw Ruan Tang holding books and reading. So he gave an instruction: 'Since you like reading so much, pick a book you often read and read it to me. I want to hear a bedtime story...'

Ruan Tang looked at Auston, whose face showed exhaustion and whose eyes had faint red veins, and didn't expect that the mad duke's request would be so childish.

But perhaps people who seem crazy and hysterical actually have very simple and pure inner worlds.

Ruan Tang thought for a moment and immediately selected a fairy tale book from his personal terminal. In the dim light, facing the eye-protective screen of his terminal, he began to read aloud in a slow, clear, and pleasant voice: 'Once upon a time, there was a kingdom where a king and queen lived, along with their newborn little princess...'

Auston leaned against the pillow, eyes closed, listening to the standard fairy tale opening. He was about to mock Ruan Tang for treating him like a naive child, thinking he was three years old?

But Ruan Tang's voice was really too pleasant to listen to. As he listened, Auston unconsciously became engrossed.

Leaning on the pillow, before he knew it, he had fallen asleep.

So it turned out that this Omega not only had Pheromones that were useful in calming him, but his voice was also so hypnotic that it could bring peace of mind to him, who had been suffering from insomnia for years.

This was the last thought that surfaced in Auston's mind before he fell asleep.

Ruan Tang saw that he had his eyes closed and his breathing was steady, so he must be asleep. He let out a sigh, turned off the personal terminal, and said softly to the Alpha on the bed, 'Good night.'

Seeing that Auston didn't wake up, he tiptoed to turn off the light and then closed the door for him.

'Your voice is very nice.' This was the first thing Ruan Tang heard from Auston when he woke up the next morning.