Chapter Text
“Gao Tu, I found you… I missed you so much… I’m so sorry."
Shen Wenlang felt himself release the breath he had been holding for the past three years, his heart soaring and free. He couldn’t believe it. He finally found him. Gao Tu. His Gao Tu. He thanked every godly being in the universe because his search was finally over. And Wenlang had no intention to waste this opportunity.
So deep he was in his joy that he almost didn’t feel the desperate hands on his chest, trying to push him away.
Wenlang didn’t want to let go. But, the hands were insistent so, reluctantly, he released the other man. Gao Tu’s eyes were wide and fearful as he took several steps back, breathing erratically as he pulled the smaller figure beside him behind his back.
And that was when Wenlang gazed at his son for the first time. His son. The little boy poked his head from behind Gao Tu’s back to stare at him, curiously. Wenlang’s heart tightened, painfully. The boy looked just like Wenlang’s baby pictures but with Gao Tu’s nose. So small yet so big at the same time.
Wenlang missed so many years. He smiled in awe at the boy before turning back to Gao Tu.
“Gao Tu,” he said again, taking a step forward. “I’m so happy to see you. I’ve been searching-.”
He broke off when Gao Tu frowned and looked away from him. “I’m sorry, we have to go.”
Before Wenlang could stop him, Gao Tu turned and began to herd their son away. The boy appeared confused.
“But, Papa-,” he started to protest.
“Not now, Lele. Let’s go.”
As if the room was on fire, Gao Tu ran off, leaving Wenlang behind again.
Wenlang was frozen, his hand raised in front of him. Reaching out. Begging. Hoping they would come back. But just like three years ago, they were gone without a trace.
Lele. His child’s name was Lele.
His heart ached with longing. He knew it wasn’t going to be easy. He knew that when he found Gao Tu and their child, he had a lot of groveling and making up to do. He messed up after all and drove the man he loved away. And he also knew that this time, he would not repeat his mistakes. He was not the Alpha he was years ago.
“Papa Wenlang, what’s wrong?” Peanut’s voice broke him away from his thoughts.
He turned around to see his godson standing by the edge of the ball pit, looking worried about him.
Putting on a smile, Wenlang waded out of the pit. “Nothing’s wrong, Peanut,” he reassured the boy, patting his head, gently. “In fact, everything seems to be going right.”
“Huh?” Peanut tilted his head to the side, confused.
Wenlang simply chuckled and gave his back a little push. “Go on ahead and play. Papa Wenlang has to make a phone call.”
Peanut beamed. “Okay!” he piped before diving back into the ball pit, as if the earlier collision with the other child didn’t occur.
Wenlang instructed the nanny and the bodyguard to watch his godson before finding a quiet corner. He pulled out his phone and dialed.
It rang a few times before a, “Yes, sir?” answered.
Wenlang took a deep breath. “I’m in V Country. I need you to find someone for me and I want results by the end of the week.”
“Understood, sir.”
Wenlang relayed his instructions before hanging up. His heart was fluttering, filled with the hope of the future he dreamed of. The road won’t be smooth but every obstacle will be worth it in the end.
He had work to do.
Breathing deeply through his nose, Gao Tu tried to calm his beating heart as he quickly led his son out of that room.
Shen Wenlang was here. Here in Country V. And he saw Gao Tu and Lele. Wenlang had found them. Gao Tu had never been more terrified since he left Jianghu and his old life behind. What was Shen Wenlang even doing in Country V? HS Group had no business dealings or partnerships here, that was why Gao Tu chose to flee here.
What was he going to do? Should he pack up his and Lele’s entire life and run again? Where would they even go? He was glad Gao Qing no longer lived with them, having recovered fully from her illness and living on her own. At least she won't have to make any more sacrifices for them. His little sister deserved to have her own life, too.
“Papa.”
A tug at his pants broke Gao Tu’s thoughts and he looked down at a sad-looking Lele. The 3-year-old had been looking forward to jumping into the ball pit. It was on the list of activities he wanted to do the moment Gao Tu told him he had gotten them tickets to this indoor park.
Gao Tu crouched on the ground, gently taking his son’s hands in his.
“Baobao, I’m sorry,” he said, rubbing the little hands with his thumbs to soothe the child. “But… um… the ball pit… didn’t look safe. So Papa doesn’t want you to go back there, okay?”
Lele pursed his lips in that way he always did when he was about to cry but didn’t want to. “Okay,” he replied, always obedient. “But, what about that man? The one who hugged Papa?”
“He… I don’t know. He was a stranger,” he lied.
Lele’s mouth opened wide in shock. “And we’re not supposed to talk to strangers,” he said, nodding in understanding.
Gao Tu’s heart twinged with guilt. “I’m sorry, Lele. Why don’t we go back to the slides? Those were fun, right?”
Still looking disappointed, his son nodded. “Okay.”
“And, we can get ice cream after.” Gao Tu needed to make it up to him somehow.
Face brightening at the prospect of a treat, Lele nodded again and obediently followed Gao Tu as they both walked off.
Away from Shen Wenlang.