Chapter 42

Zhou Yao looked at him coldly, but only felt nauseated. He couldn't help but mock: “You should know very well what kind of person you are, Dr. Ruan.”

The fact that Ruan Xi had been expelled from the First Research Institute was well known throughout the Imperial Star.

Zhou Yao's address of “Dr. Ruan” was nothing short of the utmost sarcasm.

Ruan Xi didn't know why Zhou Yao had suddenly become like this, but he had no choice but to keep up his act.

He knew that Zhou Yao must have been bewitched by Ruan Tang to become like this, so he had to save Zhou Yao and pull him back...

Facing the hot-tempered, fiery-hearted Zhou Yao, he had to be extremely patient.

“Brother Zhou, I don't know why you're acting this way, but I won't blame you. I'm not that kind of person. Even if everyone misunderstands me, I won't blame you.” Ruan Xi put on a wronged, white-lotus act.

He looked at Zhou Yao pitifully, just like he had countless times before: “I don't know if it's because of something Gege said to you that made you like this, but I won't blame you, and I won't blame Gege. I believe Gege is just confused for a moment…”

This was his usual trick.

For some reason, whenever Zhou Yao was reminded of Ruan Tang, his emotions would inexplicably spiral out of control, his intelligence plummeting to serve his purposes. No matter what, as long as he dragged Ruan Tang into it, Zhou Yao would side with him unconditionally.

Ruan Xi had found it unfailingly effective every time.

Seeing that he was once again dragging Ruan Tang into things as he always did, Zhou Yao's face turned livid, the veins on his forehead bulging. He directly pushed over the drinks table nearby, smashing it toward where Ruan Xi stood. “Shut up! You bitch, what right do you have to mention him? You're not worthy to call him Gege!”

Just thinking about how Ruan Xi would affectionately call Ruan Tang "gege", acting so innocent and kind, while secretly like a malevolent spirit possessing someone, constantly stealing everything from behind Ruan Tang's back, while Ruan Tang could only be continuously trampled underfoot...

And the fact that he and everyone else had all failed to see Ruan Xi's true face, instead continuously helping him act as an accomplice in harming Ruan Tang, made Zhou Yao feel an overwhelming disgust.

At this moment, his negative emotions reached an extreme. He couldn't even care that this was the Ruan Family banquet, and that striking Ruan Xi would bring trouble.

Ruan Xi was terrified by him. He looked at Zhou Yao in disbelief, never expecting him to be like this.

He had never seen Zhou Yao like this — such a perverse, violent, ferocious-faced Zhou Yao...

Even when he had countless fights with Ruan Tang before, no matter how furious he was, Zhou Yao had never been like this, let alone ever laid a hand on an Omega.

But now, looking at the Zhou Yao before him, Ruan Xi felt that Zhou Yao really would hit him...

“B-Brother Zhou…” Ruan Xi was scared out of his wits by him, backing away in panic. “Why… why are you doing this? You've misunderstood me, really, you've misunderstood me…”

Before he transmigrated into the book, he was the only child of a well-off family, still in high school with mediocre grades, at the peak of his most self-absorbed and rebellious phase.

His family wasn't particularly wealthy, but he grew up adored and never experienced hardship. After coming to this world and becoming the most favored Omega child of a large, powerful aristocratic family like the Ruan Family, that was even more the case.

Although he had been ruining Ruan Tang all along, he had always been protected by the System and its golden finger, never failing and never tasting defeat. How could he have ever experienced a situation like this?

“You have no right to mention him!” Zhou Yao was enraged to the extreme. He strode forward in one big step and delivered a vicious kick straight at Ruan Xi.

Ruan Xi was just a fragile Omega. How could he withstand such a kick from Zhou Yao? Immediately, he curled up in pain, his face pale, cold sweat beading on his forehead.

He stared in disbelief at the demon-like Zhou Yao, trembling and clutching his stomach, his eyes full of tears: “B-Brother Zhou…”

This shouldn't be happening. This shouldn't be how it goes.

Zhou Yao was clearly very gentlemanly. Before, even when he fought with Ruan Tang so severely, and Ruan Tang had laid hands on him more than once, making him lose face, he had never lifted a finger against Ruan Tang.

He himself had done nothing wrong, so why was he treating him like this?

The sudden turn of events startled everyone present. None of them had expected Zhou Yao to suddenly strike an Omega so heavily.

He wasn't a madman like Auston...

This was far too unbecoming of a gentleman.

Especially since this Omega was the very person he had been pursuing all along. The whole scene felt far too much like hatred born from love, a possessive, deranged lunatic frustrated in his pursuit.

Immediately, some people stepped forward, pulling Zhou Yao away from Ruan Xi and holding him back from hitting Ruan Xi again, urging repeatedly: “Young Master Zhou, Young Master Zhou, let's calm down. You can't hit people.”

“That's right, that's right. Why can't we talk things out properly? Why must we resort to violence?”

“As the saying goes, a gentleman uses his words, not his fists.”

Someone grabbed Zhou Yao's wrist and pulled him away. Zhou Yao didn't insist on going forward to continue beating Ruan Xi. Instead, he stared at Ruan Xi with bloodshot eyes, as if looking at something filthy. His tone was ferocious, each word squeezed out through gritted teeth: “Ruan Xi, you bitch who only knows how to snatch others' things and do harm in the shadows! You have no right to mention him! Do you think seducing his fiancé and stealing everything from him is fun, huh?”

The moment Zhou Yao thought about what Ruan Xi had done to Ruan Tang, he wished he could tear him apart into a thousand pieces.

“I… I don't know what you're talking about.” Ruan Xi couldn't stop trembling, staring blankly at Zhou Yao with an innocent look as if he had no idea what was going on.

Zhou Yao only sneered, looking at him with a somewhat unhinged expression: “It doesn't matter if you don't understand. But I'm warning you: if you ever dare to mention him again, call him Gege, or drag your dirty affairs onto him for no reason, from now on, no matter who protects you, I, Zhou Yao, will beat you every time I see you!”

“I mean it!” His tone was full of menace.

Ruan Xi hadn't managed to ruin Ruan Tang in this life, so he wouldn't take his life. But if he dared to drag Ruan Tang into anything again, to sicken Ruan Tang, he would make his life a living hell.

He wasn't worthy of calling Ruan Tang "Gege", nor was he worthy of mentioning Ruan Tang. Unworthy.

The entire scene fell silent.

Although Zhou Yao had never mentioned Ruan Tang's name from start to finish, everyone could guess from Ruan Xi and his dialogue, from the stolen fiancé and those cries of "gege," that they were talking about Ruan Tang.

No one had expected that Zhou Yao's sudden madness and assault on Ruan Xi was actually for Ruan Tang's sake.

It seemed he had finally woken up, seen through Ruan Xi's true face, and realized that Ruan Tang was the one he truly loved.

But all of this was already too late...

Everyone looked at each other, trying to spot Ruan Tang, but for some reason, Ruan Tang, who had been here just a moment ago, had already disappeared.

The crowd could only turn their attention back to Zhou Yao and Ruan Xi.

Ruan Xi appeared pitiful, pale-faced from the kick, drenched in cold sweat, looking quite pathetic.

But as long as everyone remembered what Zhou Yao had said—that Ruan Xi had deliberately seduced Ruan Tang's fiancé and stolen everything from Ruan Tang—no one sympathized with him.

It was his own doing. He already had Shen Mozhi, but he still couldn't bear to see Ruan Tang happy, and went on to seduce Ruan Tang's second fiancé, carrying on ambiguously with Zhou Yao. Such a fickle, flirtatious Omega.

If he didn't get beaten, who would?

“B-Brother Zhou…” Ruan Xi was flustered, his throat bobbing. He wanted to say something more to throw all the blame on Ruan Tang, but when he remembered Zhou Yao's threat just now, he didn't dare.

He was afraid of death; he was afraid that Zhou Yao would hit him again for this.

He had finally understood that Zhou Yao really would use violence.

“Young Master Zhou! Xiao Xi!” Just then, Shen Mozhi arrived upon hearing the commotion. He took one look at Ruan Xi collapsed on the floor, pale-faced, and immediately strode over, scooping Ruan Xi up in his arms.

Ruan Xi immediately threw himself into Shen Mozhi's arms, resting his head on Shen Mozhi's shoulder, crying mournfully: “Mo Zhi, Brother Zhou misunderstood me, he misunderstood me! I really am not that kind of person. I regarded him as my best friend. How could he treat me like this? How could he treat me like this?”

He was too cold, too scared.

Only when Shen Mozhi arrived, nestled in his arms, could he feel some warmth.

“Young Master Zhou, I don't know what happened between you and Xiao Xi, but aren't you best friends? How could you treat an Omega like this?” Shen Mozhi held Ruan Xi tightly, immediately standing up for him as he always had.

In this world, it seemed he was the only one who would always be on Ruan Xi's side.

Ruan Xi curled up in his arms and cried out in gratitude: “Mo Zhi…”

Zhou Yao watched them cling to each other sweetly, their affection deep and unrepentant, and couldn't help but snicker derisively: “Friends? Councilor Shen is truly naive, still believing that there's such a thing as friendship between an Alpha and an Omega? Especially when it's the type of Omega your fiancé is.”

He would not forget that in the past life, Shen Mozhi, Ruan Xi's fiancé, was the chief culprit who had hurt Ruan Tang the most.

Even though he clearly knew Ruan Xi was wrong, that Ruan Xi was harming others, this man still stood by Ruan Xi's side without limits, helping him and handing him knives.

He found Shen Mozhi more disgusting than he found himself...

“I really don't know, Councilor Shen, whether this is trusting your fiancé or a peculiar fetish for being cuckolded?” Zhou Yao looked at Ruan Xi curled up in Shen Mozhi's arms like he was looking at a contemptible pest.

As soon as he said this, everyone involuntarily recalled the incident last time when Ruan Xi tried to seduce Auston but failed, and the surveillance video was exposed...

Looking at each other, everyone silently wondered whether Shen Mozhi had such a fetish, but seeing Shen Mozhi's dark expression, no one dared to say it out loud.

Feeling the strange looks around him, Shen Mozhi immediately flushed red with anger, his eyes bloodshot. He set Ruan Xi down from his arms and stood up, glaring at Zhou Yao: “Zhou Yao, what nonsense are you talking?!”

“Whether Councilor Shen has special fetishes, I don't know. But as for you, you like wearing the Hulunbuir Grassland on your head—I still can't stand such a disgusting bitch!” Zhou Yao was not at all intimidated. He looked at Shen Mozhi and sneered coldly: “So I advise Councilor Shen to keep your fiancé on a tight leash. If he wants to seduce, let him seduce someone else. Don't let him appear before me again, sickeningly calling me 'Brother'…”

Now, he practically wanted to vomit at the mere sight of Ruan Xi.

Shen Mozhi's body stiffened, and he became furiously angry, his face turning from pallid to livid. No Alpha could endure such an insult.

He directly swung a punch, aiming straight for Zhou Yao's face—

Zhou Yao had long found Shen Mozhi displeasing and wanted to get back at him. Seeing Shen Mozhi throw a punch, he immediately fought back.

Both were top-tier Alphas in physical ability. Once they started fighting, they were locked in combat, and no one dared to intervene. Countless bars laden with drinks, cakes, and pastries throughout the banquet hall were shattered by the Spirit Power fluctuations from their fight. Things broke and were destroyed, scattered all over the floor...

The entire banquet scene was in shambles.

“What do you think you're doing?” In the end, it was the banquet host Ruan Ming and Zhou Yao's father, Old Marshal Zhou, who arrived together and forcibly used Spirit Power to suppress and separate the two Alphas brawling without restraint.

Ruan Ming valued face above all else and had attached great importance to this birthday banquet. Seeing his birthday banquet turned into a mess because of two juniors fighting over Ruan Xi, his face immediately became ashen.

Old Marshal Zhou saw that his son had turned his old friend's birthday party into such a mess, so he immediately scolded coldly: “Zhou Yao, what are you making a scene about? You can't distinguish what's important and what's not at such a significant occasion, and now it's come to this! Apologize to Uncle Ruan immediately!”

Zhou Yao also disliked Ruan Ming very much, thinking that this father had been far too cold and unfeeling toward Ruan Tang in the past life. But considering his own father's position, he suppressed his words and obeyed Old Marshal Zhou, actively offering an out. He gave a somewhat perfunctory apology to Ruan Ming: “Marshal Ruan, I'm sorry. I had too much to drink and caused trouble. I've disrupted your birthday banquet and made a spectacle of myself.”

“Eh, it's nothing, it's nothing. Young people, getting drunk and confused for a moment is common.” Ruan Ming was displeased inside, but he still laughed dryly and waved his hand to smooth things over: “The banquet is a mess; I'll have the robots clean it up now.”

Since Old Marshal Zhou held a higher position in the military than he did, he wouldn't go against Zhou Yao over such a trivial matter.

“Brother Ruan Ming, I'm truly sorry. This boy had too much to drink and lost his head. I'll send him home right away and ground him for a few months, so he won't come out to disgrace himself anymore.” Old Marshal Zhou immediately apologized profusely to Ruan Ming.

After finishing his apologies, he scolded Zhou Yao: “Have you made enough of a scene? If you have, then get the hell home and stop embarrassing yourself here.”

Zhou Yao listened to his father's words and immediately turned around and left without looking back. Only before leaving, he cast a fierce glare at Ruan Xi, who had just barely managed to stand up, his eyes filled with warning.

Ruan Xi saw Zhou Yao's glare and then looked at Ruan Ming. Terror filled his heart, and he whispered timidly: “F-Father…”

Ruan Ming had over twenty children; he was not a beloved only child like Zhou Yao. Having made such a mess of Ruan Ming's birthday banquet, he really didn't know what punishment he would face.

“Guards, the Sixth Young Master is also drunk. Take him away to rest properly.” Ruan Ming shot Ruan Xi an extremely cold glance.

This man was extremely fickle; he had no real affection to speak of. Even his wife who had shared hardships with him and his once most beloved pearl could be used as pawns. When he favored someone, he could disregard everything; when he loathed someone, he could trample them into the dirt. He was utterly ruthless and vicious...

Since Ruan Xi had caused him to lose so much face, how could he let Ruan Xi off lightly?

As soon as Ruan Ming said this, the Ruan Family security personnel immediately stepped forward and forcibly dragged Ruan Xi out of the banquet scene.

Shen Mozhi watched coldly as Ruan Xi was dragged away, his face battered and swollen in utter disarray, but he felt no sympathy whatsoever and had no intention of stepping forward to rescue Ruan Xi.

He hastily left the banquet scene.

To prevent Ruan Xi from causing further trouble at the banquet, the Ruan Family security directly threw him into a dark room. This was the same place where, in the past, Ruan Tang had been locked up countless times after being framed by Ruan Xi.

“Father, I was wrong. I promise I won't do it again. Please let me out…” Ruan Xi had never been in a place like this before. The room was pitch-dark, without a speck of light, almost triggering his claustrophobia. He was terrified and began to weep miserably.

But the soundproofing in the room was excellent. Just like with Ruan Tang in the past, no matter how much he shouted, even if he screamed himself hoarse, no one would pay him any attention.

Ruan Xi had finally tasted what it was like when Ruan Tang, after being falsely accused by him for no reason, with Ruan Ming not bothering to investigate the truth, simply judged him guilty and punished him directly.

The Ruan Family's robots were extremely fast. In no time at all, the messy banquet scene was cleaned spotlessly, and the joyful banquet continued as if the farce just now had never happened at all.

Ruan Tang had long since heard them dragging him into the fray when Zhou Yao and Ruan Xi were entangled. Feeling annoyed, he took the opportunity to slip away under the pretense of going to the restroom.

Now, upon returning, he watched Ruan Ming's ruthlessness and indifference, and felt only deep sorrow in his heart...

Seeing how Ruan Xi, once surrounded by admirers like stars around the moon, had now come to this, it was clear that it was not enough for an Omega to rely solely on others' affection to stand in this world. Relying on a father or on an Alpha was also unreliable; only relying on oneself was the right path.

...

Unexpectedly, upon returning home, Ruan Tang found that the psychiatrist who regularly came to examine his mother and sister was waiting for him. As soon as he saw Ruan Tang, he spoke urgently and gravely.

Ruan Tang's heart skipped half a beat. “What's wrong?”

His intuition told him that whatever the doctor was about to say was related to his mother and sister.

“I've discovered that Ms. Tang's dementia is not caused by shock, but by some kind of toxin…” The doctor's voice was stiff and extremely grave.

Ruan Tang was stunned. “What? How is that possible? My mother's illness—many doctors have examined her before, and they all said…”

It wasn't that he had never suspected that the string of misfortunes hitting his mother and siblings was not an accident. Over the years, he had secretly sought out many doctors, but had found no trace at all.

“Yes, everyone diagnosed it as being caused by shock.” The doctor took a deep breath and said gravely: “Because this toxin is extracted from a special poisonous substance. After poisoning, the patient's reaction is indistinguishable from going dumb from shock. Only those who have seen that poisonous substance and understand it can tell the difference… That poisonous substance exists only on one planet, and coincidentally, I come from that planet.”