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"Lele, I want to break up." The Alpha paused and turned away. "It's not appropriate to talk about this here. There are people." Hua Sheng paused at Shen Lele's response. He said he wanted to break up. That he wanted to end the relationship. Was he aware of this?
"Is that all you're going to say?" Enigma frowned and clasped his hands together. "Actually, I'm just curious about the reason. If you give me a proper reason, we can end our relationship. Even though I love you and don't want this, I have no right to force you. If you want to end it, we can."
Hua Sheng paused and pulled him aside from the path they were walking on. "I've been thinking about this for a long time. I'm so sorry, but I like someone else. I don't want to upset you, and I think we should go our separate ways." Something inside Shen Lele snapped, but he didn't show it on his face. He bowed his head.
"I understand. I hope he loves you too and you'll be together."
"Thanks." Shen Lele did not raise his head. His lips trembled. He pushed back his sadness and pain. He raised his head. "Then..." he said and paused. He never thought they would have this conversation. "Thank you for everything. You made me feel so valued and happy. I hope you enjoyed the time we were together. Take care."
Shen Lele turned around and chose to continue, but Hua Sheng grabbed his arm before he could. "Lele, wait.." Shen Lele didn't turn around and just waited for him to continue. "We'll stay friends, right?"
"I love you, Hua Sheng. I can't treat someone I love as a friend. I'm sorry, but I have to refuse what you want," he said and pulled his arm free. Unlike his previous walking style, he put on his headphones and quickly disappeared from sight.
+++
The next day, Shen Lele continued as if everything was normal, because even if she were upset, nothing would change, and Hua Sheng wouldn't look at her like her Hua Sheng. To wake his brothers, he went to their room and knocked on their door and entered. "Little witches! Wake up, it's morning."
After a few murmurs, the twins opened their eyes. "Good morning, Ge." Lele smiled. "Good morning baby. I'll be waiting downstairs. Wash your face and brush your teeth." The girls nodded slowly. Lele left the twins' room and went downstairs. "Good morning, Dad." Shen Wenlang turned around. "Good morning, dear."
"Where's Dad? He'd normally be the first to wake up."
"He's already awake, in the shower. He'll be back in a minute." Lele nodded and walked over to her father. "Is there anything I can do?"
"Put the drinks on the table, dear. I have a little work left anyway." Lele filled the glasses with water and carried them onto the table while Shen Wenlang turned towards the stove. He made two juices for the twins, a coffee for himself, and tea for their father. As Shen Wenlang began carrying the breakfast items, Lele turned to him.
"Wow! We're going to have Daddy's special," he joked. Shen Wenlang looked at him with a playful frown. "You dare mock me, Shen Lele?"
"No way, Shen Wenlang?" They stared at each other for a moment, then broke into smiles. "I keep losing that staring thing." Shen Lele sat down in his own chair, frowning. "No one can beat him when it comes to looking." Gao Tu joined them with his damp hair. Shen Wenlang walked up to him without waiting and kissed him on the cheek. "Are you okay, darling?"
"I'm better," he smiled. Shen Lele averted his eyes. There was a tingling in his nose. He blinked a few times as he felt tears well up in his eyes. "Where are the twins?"
"I woke them up. They're coming," Shen Lele replied. "They'll be late for school." After Gao Tu's words, loud footsteps began to echo down the stairs. "Good morning!" The girls ran up, one hugging Gao Tu and the other hugging Shen Wenlang. Both adults picked up their daughters and kissed both their cheeks. "Good morning, little witches. I'm here too, in case you haven't noticed." In case you haven't noticed." Shen Lele crossed her arms and pretended to pout.
The girls laughed and spoke simultaneously. "Ge is jealous!" Shen Lele feigned betrayal. "You're so mean." The girls climbed down from their father's laps. They surrounded Shen Lele and kissed her cheeks. "Don't be jealous, Ge! We love you the most."
Shen Lele looked at them. He was right to call them "little witches." They were both mischievous and sweet. Their sweetness beautifully masked their mischievousness.
After breakfast, as the twins headed off to school, Shen Lele went to her room and stood in front of her closet. She reached for the blue suit her father had given her for her birthday. She quickly put it on and combed her hair. She exhaled nervously. Her eyes were slightly bloodshot from crying for a while last night. It was a great blessing that their father hadn't noticed. She thought, if their father hadn't noticed, then no one else would have cared.
He wore light makeup. It glossed his lips and closed his pores. Being an alpha didn't mean he wouldn't take care of himself. He didn't need to fit the mold. "Secretary Shen! You're running late," Shen Wenlang called from downstairs, trying to sound irritated. Gao Tu hit his arm. "Don't mess with my son."
"I have a son too, and I like messing with my son." Gao Tu rolled his eyes. He reached out to Shen Wenlang and straightened his collar. "Be careful on the road." Shen Wenlang nodded. A few seconds later, Shen Lele came over and hugged Gao Tu tightly. "See you tonight." Gao Tu also hugged him and kissed his hair. "See you later, baby. Take care." He sent them both off and closed the door. He clapped his hands together and muttered, "Time for housework."
+++
"Mr. Shen, the board meeting is this afternoon, and the files you need to review will arrive in the morning. There doesn't seem to be any progress on the projects at the moment. Everything is fine." Shen Wenlang glanced at his son. His respect, stance and way of speaking were quite sufficient. His internship at HS Group would end in five months. Shen Wenlang knew he had stumbled at first, but now he was more confident and could assert his authority as he pleased.
Shen Wenlang nodded and looked at his watch. "Secretary Shen."
"Yeah?"
"I want to ask you something."
"I'm listening," Shen Lele looked at him and waited for the question. It could be a critical situation with the company, or his father could be trying to test him.
"What would you give your wife for your anniversary?" Shen Lele was taken aback. "What?"
"Lele..." Shen Wenlang began to whine. "It's Gao Tu and I's on our anniversary in a week, and I still don't know what to get. Help me. What would you get Hua Sheng?"
Shen Lele paused. His heart pounded and ached as if it wanted to come out. He missed their heads. "I don't know," he whispered. "Lele?" Shen Wenlang approached his son. "Are you okay, dear?" His eyes and pheromones were giving him away now. He couldn't avoid this question. "Dad, we—"
A loud bang erupted. The windows exploded and the car was thrown several meters. Shen Wenlang reflexively tried to take his son under his arms before he realized what was happening, but the car had hit Lele's side. He skidded before he could reach him. The driver tried to brake to avoid skidding, but he was unable to stay conscious with blood flowing from his head.
The car crashed into a tree and stopped. The windows were shattered, and one of the mirrors had fallen out. There was a dent on one side, the result of the impact. People around immediately gathered and called for help. All three were unconscious. Ambulances arrived quickly and tried to get them to the hospital. The person who hit him was caught by the people around him and was held until the police arrived. His condition didn't seem to be very good either.
+++
Gao Tu sat up, holding his waist. Even though he was tired, everything was sparkling clean. He deserved to rest now, but before he could sit down, his phone started ringing. He was surprised because it was a foreign number, but he answered anyway.
"Hello?"
"Am I speaking with Mr. Tu?"
"Yes, please come in. Is there a problem?"
"Shen Wenlang and Shen Lele were in an accident. They're in surgery right now." Gao Tu began to tremble as he heard this. His husband and son... had they been in an accident?
"Sir!" His voice rose involuntarily. "Please say something! Where are they, how are they? How did it happen?" A gasp came from the phone. "Are they okay, sir? Please say something!"
"I'll send you the address. Come here." Gao Tu shook his head with tears in his eyes. His body moved quickly. He didn't even bother changing his clothes and just took his coat. He didn't have his car with him, so with trembling hands he quickly looked for someone who could drive him.
"Shaoyou!"
"Gao Tu? Are you okay? You sound awful."
"Shaoyou! Lele..."
"Lele?" More voices behind him stirred Shaoyou and went into another room. "Gao Tu, what happened to Lele? Calm down. I can't understand you."
"Wenlang... Wenlang and Lele had an accident. They're in surgery right now. I-I'm so scared. Nothing will happen to them, right? No way."
Sheng Shaoyou remained silent. Then he heard some clicking. "Tell me where you are. I'll come and pick you up, okay? Then we'll go to the hospital where they are." Gao Tu nodded quickly. Sheng Shaoyou hung up the phone and walked into the main hall. "Dad, what's going on?" Hua Sheng looked up from his phone and asked. His father looked quite tense.
"Lele and Wenlang had an accident. They're in the hospital right now." Hua Sheng jumped to his feet in fear. "What? What do you mean? What kind of accident? How are they doing? They're fine, aren't they?"
Sheng Shaoyou reached into his jacket and checked the key in his pocket. Hua Sheng approached his father and pulled his arm. "Dad, don't stay silent. Say something! Lele's fine, isn't Dad Wenlang okay? Speak up!"
Sheng Shaoyou frowned, but fear welled up inside him. "I don't know, Hua Sheng. Gao Tu said they were in surgery. Judging by his condition, he doesn't know much either. We'll find out when we get there."
They quickly left the house. They took Gao Tu with them and arrived at the hospital. Gao Tu ran. He reached the desk. "My son and my husband." He swallowed. "Shen Wenlang and Shen Lele were brought here. Do you know where they are?"
"Yes, they were both brought here half an hour ago. Shen Wenlang was transferred from surgery to intensive care, and Shen Lele is still undergoing surgery."
As soon as Gao Tu heard this, he continued running. "Sir, room number—"
"He's in bad shape. Please tell me."
"Shen Wenlang is in room 207. Get well soon." Hua Sheng also ran after Gao Tu. Sheng Shaoyou sped up to catch up with them. Gao Tu soon arrived at Shen Wenlang's room. He wasn't allowed in. He pressed his hands against the glass. "Wenlang..." The room, silent except for the steady whirring of the machine, was a stark contrast to Shen Wenlang's motionless body. The man who had been at the center of his life every day, noisily from morning till night, now lay silently with his eyes closed.
"Wenlang, please wake up .. I don't know if Lele is okay, I don't know where he is. I'm so scared, please wake up." He turned away as his pleas filled the hallway. A little further on was the operating room. He just stood there doing nothing while his family struggled with their lives. He leaned his back against the wall and fell down. Tears began to flow uncontrollably.
Sheng Shaoyou approached him and lifted him up with slow movements. He helped her sit on one of the chairs and patted his on the back. "Nothing will happen to either of them. Shen Wenlang is the most stubborn man I've ever seen. He'll get over this. And Lele, his son, is the one who beat him, do you think he's any better?"
"I don't know .." He covered his face with his hands and continued to cry. Sheng Shaoyou remained silent and patted his back. He was silently supportive. Hua Sheng paced back and forth in front of the operating room. His heart was pounding with fear, and he could not sit still because of the tension.
Don't you dare, Shen Lele...
You can't do this to me. Don't even think about it.
You can't leave me. You won't let go.
I don't want this. No, I don't want to. It won't happen.
He didn't cry, but collapsed into one of the chairs, his whole body almost refusing to stand. He focused on the ground. Memories came before his eyes. Laughing, kissing, maybe crying… beautiful, warm memories…
Just the other day, he'd broken up with her, and it wasn't because he didn't love his. How could he not love him? He practically worshipped his alpha. He was so in love with everything he was that he couldn't bear to look at his, but love wasn't omnipotent. Enigma status brought with it a host of enemies. He wouldn't allow Shen Lele to be subjected to this. The thought of a single hair on his head being harmed by him terrified him to death. That's why he told such a lie. So what changed now? He couldn't protect his again. What could he do as Enigma while Shen Lele was fighting for his life there? Even if he was born as the supreme being, what could he do to save the person he loved? Was all he had left was hope and waiting?
He shook his hands. No, he shouldn't have thought badly. Shen Lele would be saved. He would look at him again and speak. Hua Sheng will apologize for everything. He would beg for new chances again and again. From now on, he had no intention of letting her out of his sight for even a second.
The doors opened. They all stood up. "Shen Lele's family?" Gao Tu rushed to the doctor. "I am his father."
"My condolences." Gao Tu's eyes widened rapidly. "What?"
My condolences...
Lele...
"When he arrived here, most of his ribs were broken, which affected his blood vessels. He was bleeding profusely. We did our best. I am so sorry." The doctor left them to suffer. Gao Tu screamed. He began to sob loudly. His only son, for whom he had done so much, for whom he had endured so much...
He was dead.
Sheng Shaoyou bit his lips to keep from crying. "Gao Tu, stand up. Please."
"Lele!" Gao Tu was powerless to think of anything. Sheng Shaoyou didn't know what to do. Tears flowed from his eyes. A young child... just about to embark on life. It wasn't supposed to be like this...
Hua Sheng stared blankly, thinking.
My condolences. What did that mean?
Had he left? Just like that...
Without saying anything... silently.
Hua Sheng couldn't accept it. He didn't care about the rules. He entered the operating room. One of the nurses reached for the sheet. Were they going to cover his face? Hua Sheng ran over and quickly grabbed the sheet. "What do you think you're doing!?"
"Sir, he—"
"No, be quiet!"
Hua Sheng looked at Shen Lele's face that was starting to fade. There were cuts everywhere. He gently touched his face. It was cold. His alpha wasn't like this... his body was always warm. He smelled fragrant. Now, there were stains all over him. He smelled strongly of iron. He hugged him. That's when the last string inside him broke. "Lele!" He cried and screamed. He cried for the first time. The burden on his chest became unbearable.
"Wake up, please. I'm sorry. I'm truly sorry. I love you. I love you so much! Wake up, Lele, don't leave me!" The nurses approached him. "Sir, we're so sorry, but far—" Hua Sheng turned at the voice with a flat look, and the nurse backed away. Hua Sheng was involuntarily releasing pheromones. "Stay away from my husband." The nurses allowed. The Enigma before them was no joke. Hua Sheng turned back to Shen Lele. He straightened his hair. "Lele ..." His lips trembled. "Lele, wake up. Wake up, my alpha. Please. I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that. If you wanted to punish me, you really did succeed. Lele, I'm so sorry. I understand my mistake. Wake up, please." No sound came.
"Lele, answer me! Wake up, shout at me, get mad at me! Wake up, please." His sobs increased. He didn't want to accept it. He didn't want to accept that this could have happened. How could he accept it? The man he loved, whom he had avoided even in his own eyes, had slipped away from his hands.
He felt a pain in his neck. Slowly, his eyes darkened and the hand he was holding tightly slipped away. "No. I-Lele..."
+++
"How are you feeling, sir?" His question directed at Doctor Shen Wenlang plunged the room into silence. "I have a slight headache. Other than that, I'm fine."
"That's perfectly normal." Gao Tu stood blankly. He never once let go of Shen Wenlang's hand. Shen Wenlang was worried. Gao Tu looked unwell. He still had no information about his son. "Doctor, how is my son?"
The doctor remained silent, but as a father, he had the right to know. A sob escaped Gao Tu's mouth. "Wenlang..."
"Gao Tu... you're scaring me. What happened to our son... isn't he okay? He must be okay." Shen Wenlang's eyes flickered back and forth between the doctor and his husband. "Say something! What happened to my son!?"
"I'm so sorry, Mr. Shen," the doctor began. "Unfortunately, we lost your son." Gao Tu's tears, which had just stopped, started again. He clung to his husband for support. "Wenlang..."
Shen Wenlang didn't answer.
Shen Lele is dead.
His son died.
The son he had been with and laughing with a few hours ago. Now he's gone.
He died.
He couldn't protect his.
Shen Wenlang's pheromones were released. Pain and anger. "Mr. Shen, please calm down. Your body is too weak to handle this." Shen Wenlang heard nothing but his husband crying in his arms. He hugged his. “I’m sorry,” he whispered softly. He started crying. "I'm sorry, it's all my fault. I couldn't protect him. It's all my fault, I'm so sorry."
Gao Tu didn't answer. Shen Wenlang didn't continue; what he needed most right now was to take refuge in each other.