Chapter Text
Gao Tu, dressing himself, knew that Wenlang probably wasn’t just bringing him, Lele, and Gao Qing to a luxurious resort for fun. He could sense that Wenlang was planning something big tonight since Wenlang had been busy and kept disappearing all day.
Wenlang had even prepared special outfits for Gao Tu and Lele. To be honest, Gao Tu felt nervous and… scared.
He was afraid Wenlang wanted to propose to him again.
It had been six months since they reunited after three years apart. Wenlang kept apologising and had come back into his life, and Gao Tu… he who didn’t know how to avoid end up letting Wenlang in.
After three months of reunion, their relationship had slowly improved. Gao Tu had accepted Wenlang’s apologies. After all the things Wenlang had done to earn forgiveness, and because he had become a very good father to Lele, Gao Tu had softened.
But of course, it was still difficult for Gao Tu to return to his old self or to trust Wenlang completely, despite always being by his side.
They even had spend their heat and rut together; Wenlang had even temporarily marked him, yet their relationship had no official status. It felt more like a convenient arrangement than a real couple.
During these three months, Gao Tu had agreed to come back as Wenlang’s secretary. He hid his relationship with Wenlang and let the staff continue to believe he was a beta who now had a son.
In those same three months, Wenlang had proposed to Gao Tu six times in different places and situations but all had been rejected.
To be honest, Gao Tu wasn’t sure. Even though he forgave Wenlang and was touched by everything Wenlang did to atone for his past, it was hard for Gao Tu to forget what had happened.
How much Wenlang had despised omegas.
How much Wenlang had hated his omega scent, saying it stink.
How Wenlang used to speak harshly to him, even calling him ugly.
How Wenlang had raped him as if he had no name.
How Wenlang had said he hated children and would abort them.
And how betrayed and angry Wenlang had looked that night in the restaurant three years ago when he learned the truth.
Gao Tu didn’t know why, but it was so hard to let go.
Whenever he thought of those things, he couldn’t open up to Wenlang. He had accepted Wenlang into his life, but that was it.
He was still unsure about marrying Wenlang.
He was still afraid of being hurt again.
“Papa,” Lele called. Gao Tu who lost in thought in front of the mirror and already wearing the white outfit Wenlang had prepared, finally returned to reality and looked at Lele. He forced a plain smile.
“Yes, Lele?”
“Papa, you look so beautiful… Father really knows what suits you the most!” Lele praised. Gao Tu smiled and pinched his son’s cheek softly. “Our Lele is also very handsome tonight in his new outfit~”
Lele giggled. “Really??”
Gao Tu nodded. “Look at yourself — how handsome!” He pointed at Lele’s reflection in the mirror. Lele looked and smiled proudly. Gao Tu smiled, Lele really looked like a small version of Shen Wenlang.
++
Wenlang who waiting for Gao Tu at the venue, was extremely nervous. This was the most beautiful, elaborate, and expensive proposal he’d ever prepared compared to the six before. He had arranged everything perfectly; he wished this time Gao Tu would truly feel his sincerity and accept his seventh proposal.
“So nervous? People who didn’t know might think you’re waiting for a groom at a wedding instead of an unsure accepted proposal,” someone teased.
Wenlang turned to look at the speaker and rolled his eyes. Who else had such a sharp tongue if not Hua Yong? He had come with Shaoyou and their son, Hua Sheng or his nickname, Peanut.
“Wenlang papa! You look extra handsome today,” praised Peanut. Wenlang smiled at Peanut. “Thanks, Peanut,” he said, then turned serious when he looked at the enigma and alpha couple. “Go take a seat. Don’t stand here — you two might be a jinx.”
“Hey, hey! Watch your mouth… If you get rejected again, what does that have to do with us? Tsk—” Shaoyou offended.
“Don’t mind him, Mr. Sheng… He must be nervous to death, haha,” laughed Hua Yong. “Anyway, fighting!” he added before heading to the table with Shaoyou and Peanut.
Wenlang took a few deep breaths. He looked at the bouquets of flowers and the ring box in his hands and prayed silently. Please let Gao Tu accept me today. He promised he would be the best husband for Gao Tu and the best father for Lele.
++
Meanwhile, Gao Tu was walking with Lele and Gao Qing toward the hotel venue.
“Shen Wenlang must be planning something again,” Qing said suddenly. Gao Tu looked at his younger sister with a curious expression. “Why do you think that?” he asked.
“Look at the special outfits he gave you and Lele. He even wants us to eat at the venue. Isn’t that suspicious?” Qing said. Gao Tu had thought the same.
“He can’t be planning to propose to you again, right?!” Qing exclaimed. “He—” Gao Tu didn’t know how to respond. Qing made a disgusted, annoyed face. “Tsk—he’s really shameless and pushy,” she said. “Ge, you must be too soft-hearted with him. Don’t you remember how he treated you before? If I were you, I wouldn’t even let him back into my life!”
“Stop it — Lele is here,” Gao Tu said. Not only he didn’t want Lele to hear that but he also didn’t want to heard his younger sister speaking ill of Wenlang.
Whether they married or not that wasn’t something to rush. Even if he might reject Wenlang’s proposal, it wasn’t because he hated him — it was because he wasn’t sure and wasn’t ready yet.
As soon as they arrived, the hotel doors opened and a red carpet was rolled out. The staff asked Gao Qing and Lele to step aside as Gao Tu was led to walk down the carpet.
Gao Tu’s heart raced. He had anticipated this, but still found it hard to believe Wenlang would propose again when he was not ready. Confused, Gao Tu walked the red carpet and noticed Hua Yong, Shaoyou, and Peanut standing at a table, clapping.
Wenlang gulped as Gao Tu finally stood in front of him. Wenlang had even prepared a VCR on a big projector — a video of their photos from high school to the office, and present photos with Lele. To be honest, Gao Tu was touched by the video.
“Gao Tu… I know I hurt and disappointed you a lot…but I will keep apologising. I will keep reflecting on what I did. Gao Tu, I truly love you…” Wenlang said sincerely before he knelt and showed Gao Tu the same ring he wanted to propose with.
“Gao Tu, will you marry me?”
You know that I hate omega!
Clean off the strong omega scent on your body before you return to the company!
You are so thin, so ugly!
You aren’t even attractive enough to be decoration in my office!
Why do you keep making mistakes?! You’re so useless!
You scheming omega, you did this on purpose, didn’t you?
What a slut! You want this so much, didn't you?!
If I found that night’s omega, I would kill him!
What if an omega got pregnant with my child? Of course I would abort them — what else?
Gao Tu, you’re so scheming!
All those words rang in Gao Tu’s mind again. He seemed to be shaking..
“I can’t… I’m sorry.”
Hearing that, Wenlang nodded, he understanding and show a plain smile.. “I understand. It’s okay…”
For the seventh time, Shen Wenlang marriage proposal was rejected again.