Chapter Text
Gao Tu wiped the drool he felt pooling at his lips as he blinked himself awake to Shen Wenlang’s face mere inches away from his.
He yelped and jerked backwards, promptly falling off the small bed with a loud thud.
“Gao Tu! Are you alright?” His boss(?) immediately asked.
“F-Fine.”
Gao Tu was not fine.
His memory of the morning came rushing in. The Kabedon, the crying, the confession(???) and the cuddling(!!!).
He swallowed, feeling his heartbeat increase at the fond look Shen Wenlang was throwing him.
“Umm.. you're still here.”
“I said I'll be here when you wake, didn't I?”
Gao Tu felt his stomach flutter.
Still, he stood up and strategically placed himself in front of the shelf, blocking the displayed photoframe of the two of them.
“You did... Uh, you may leave now if you want.”
As much as he's glad that his entire life's crisis seems to have been resolved, he's still in a state of disbelief and needs some personal time to freak out in private, thank you very much.
The CEO's smile fell as he sat up in agitation.
“What! Why are you chasing me out so quickly?” He questioned with narrowed eyes, “Are you hiding anything else from me?”
Well, just a few more things..
“N-No! It's just..” Gao Tu looked around and his eyes fell on the window where the sky had fallen dark after their long nap together, “It's already night time now, there's not much else to do.”
“Who says you can't do anything? There's plenty of things that two people can do together at night!” Shen Wenlang retorted instinctively with a wave of his hand, wanting to spend more time with Gao Tu now that he has identified that he's his favourite person. He's happy just being around the other man, just even watching him sleep was enjoyable!
Said man blinked and then felt his face burn. It was only after a few beats in the ensuing silence that Shen Wenlang realised the implication of his words.
“I m-meant, like, like having dinner! I haven't eaten the whole day, I'm starving! Are you going to let me go home with an empty stomach?”
Gao Tu scratched his cheek in thought.
“I.. don't have much but I can cook some instant noodles, if you don't mind.”
“Of course not! I'll eat anything you make!” The CEO declared magnanimously.
Gao Tu couldn't help but chuckle at that.
“Right.. I'll prepare while you go wash up.”
The other man nodded absently and paused for a beat before asking, “Can I have some clothes to change into?”
Gao Tu stood rooted to his spot and pointed at his wardrobe nearby.
“Mn. You can choose anything from there.”
If Shen Wenlang found it odd that he didn't pick out the clothes himself, he didn't say anything. After grabbing the most loose-looking top and bottom, he went into the bathroom.
The moment the door shut with a click, Gao Tu immediately whipped around to grab the photo frame and juice bottle and stuffed it into a nearby drawer face-down.
He wasn't usually a messy person but his overworked secretary schedule and previous few busy nights have finally caught up to him.
He set a pot of water to boil while he sped around the room, gathering strewn laundry. Most importantly, he threw away the failed resignation letter and empty vodka bottle, but not before giving it a prayer of thanks.
Without it, he wouldn't have the CEO Shen Wenlang of HS Group sleeping in his bed and using his shower.
And it's a good thing that he's taking such a long time, too..
Inside the Bathroom...
Due to a lack of toothbrush, Shen Wenlang used his finger to rub toothpaste directly onto his teeth. Usually he would never be caught dead doing something so crude, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
One needs to be prepared if one is expecting an upcoming first kiss.
He'd already taken a bite of those soft cheeks, he's not leaving without a taste of the other’s lips today.
After a quick shower, he put on the borrowed shirt that was a little snug on him and casually brought the collar up to his nose for a whiff.
And another.
A big, deep breath to let that herby sage smell wash over him like a refreshing balm.
Aaahhh.. so good.
He must be insane for ever despising this smell.
His mind was already turning gears on how to turn Gao Tu's clothes into his own private face mask.
Perhaps.. he could buy Gao Tu new clothes every month and send the old ones to a mask factory?
He abruptly caught the sight of himself in the mirror with his nose buried under the shirt’s collar like a pervert.
Slapping himself on the cheek, he jabbed a finger at his reflection.
Don’t be a Hua Yong!
Okay, a quick final sniff, he swears to himself.
A deep inhalation.
Well, maybe one last one for the road..
***
Shen Wenlang emerged from the bathroom with a guilty look on his face.
Thankfully, Gao Tu was busy with pouring the cooked instant noodles into the serving bowls.
He then excused himself to go wash up and for the other man to start eating first.
The CEO nodded.
The moment the door closed, he went to the area Gao Tu had so adamantly stuck to and opened all the drawers.
There's a reason why Shen Wenlang had bugged his parent's room and ended up hearing all sorts of strange things. It's because deep down under – he's a complete snoop.
Most of the drawers were empty, except the one at the very bottom with a random bottled drink and face-down photo frame.
Bingo.
He flipped the frame over, expecting to see perhaps a photo of his family or some other hidden secret partner, but was met with a young Gao Tu and.. himself.
He vaguely remembered when this picture was being taken. The school magazine needed a photo for the valedictorian but the photographer was too polite to ask Gao Tu to get out of the frame. They cropped him out afterwards.
The thought of Gao Tu asking for the picture and even printing it to put it by his bedside made his stomach flutter.
And what about this drink, then? It's suspicious to not store it in the fridge, even more so hidden together with this photo frame.
Shen Wenlang inspected the bottle label more closely, and found that the manufactured date was almost ten years ago. Ten years ago.. that's probably their first year of school together.
Hold on, was this the bottle he had left for Gao Tu at the convenience store he was working at?
A gleeful giggle bubbled out of him.
Has this silly rabbit liked him this whole time?
But he had never once given Shen Wenlang an indication of his feelings, probably because of the CEO’s distaste for Omegas.
So, was he just planning to quietly stay by his side forever?
He felt a stab of pain at his chest when he thought of the other man catering to his every whim obediently, despite every vile thing he had said.
How terrible he must have felt to watch Shen Wenlang reciting those cheesy lines to Hua Yong.
No, from today on, he won't let Gao Tu suffer anymore!
***
Gao Tu opened the bathroom door to the view of Shen Wenlang holding on to a very familiar photo frame and bottled drink.
His heart stopped.
Their gazes met.
He swiftly stepped back inside and shut the door, cheeks ablaze.
He rushed over to the bathroom window.
As long as he could think of a way to squeeze through the 30cm opening, the Clown Tu plan was back on track.
He jumped when there was a knock on the door.
“Gao Tu?”
That was no longer his name.
He did not respond.
He wondered if he kept quiet long enough, would the other assume that he was dead and go home?
“Come out, the food is getting cold,” The voice outside called.
Gao Tu slumped with a resigned sigh.
Ah, forget it. What was dignity? He had lost all that the moment he opened that vodka bottle.
He took a deep breath and braced himself like a prisoner on a death row.
Keeping his head down, he opened the bathroom door and made a beeline for the dining table.
He then dug into his noodles.
From the peripheral of his downward vision, he could see that Shen Wenlang had also taken the seat opposite him and started on his share.
But it didn't matter.
No eye contact.
Only noodles.
They slurped in companionable silence for a few blissful minutes.
Then the other man broke it with a, “Gao Tu, move in with me.”
Gao Tu instantly choked.
After a coughing fit where Shen Wenlang had gotten a glass of water for him, he wiped his mouth and asked, “W-What?”
“Move in with me,” The CEO repeated.
“Uh.. w-why?”
Because I want to spend every waking second with you, Shen Wenlang thought.
But that was a little too much to admit.
Instead he retorted rather petulantly, “Why not? You don't want to?”
The other man hesitated.
“Well, the lease for this house isn't up yet…”
Shen Wenlang’s eyes narrowed.
“You're choosing this dump over my rent-free house?” He probed.
“T-That's not what I meant,” Gao Tu stuttered, “It's just-- a little sudden..”
Wasn't there usually some period of something before two people moved in together?
Shen Wenlang raised a challenging brow.
“So you want to wait another ten more years?”
Gao Tu bit the inside of his cheek.
The CEO snorted, gesturing to the photo frame and bottled drink that was back on the shelf at their original spot.
“You can even bring those things with you,” He added playfully.
Gao Tu felt his cheeks burn again as he hung his head lower to the ground.
He closed his eyes and wished for a meteorite to strike him from the sky through the roof.
Anytime now would be good..
After a beat where nothing happened, he opened his eyes and did the next best thing.
He goes back to eating his noodles in sullen silence.
Shen Wenlang watched him with a bemused smile.
How can his TuTu be so cute!
He cleared his throat.
“Your health is so bad,” he pointed out, “what are you going to do if one day you’d faint alone here with nobody to help you?”
Gao Tu stopped shoving noodles into his mouth like his life depended on it as he felt his heart give a squeeze.
So the other man was just worried about his health?
He swallowed before answering, “I'm fine, you don't have to worry about me.”
The CEO crossed his arms with a huff.
“Fine? You've been suppressing your heat for god knows how long!” He accused disapprovingly, “With your busy schedule and this broke colleague student diet, it's a miracle you're still standing! If I hadn’t found out, are you going to chug suppressants to an early grave?”
Gao Tu could sense the guilt in his voice.
The other man clicked his tongue and decided, “This won't do, you're going for a health check-up with me first thing tomorrow morning. Meanwhile, the movers will help you pack this place up.”
Gao Tu licked his lips.
He didn't want the other man to put everything onto his own shoulders.
“Wenlang, me eating suppressants to disguise as a Beta.. it's not entirely your fault. I have my reasons..” He sighed.
“What reasons?”
He paused.
“..Personal reasons.”
Shen Wenlang scowled.
“What kind of reasons can you not tell me?” He began to interrogate, “What kind of relationship do we have? Are you trying to shirk responsibility after sleeping with me?”
Gao Tu's eyes bulged.
What on earth was he talking about???
“W-We didn't–” He sputtered.
“Either way,” The CEO cut in, “you can just tell me anything, I won't get mad or blame you. I just.. don't want you to suffer alone like a fool.”
Gao Tu felt his chest clench at the other's earnest tone.
At the moment, he was really tempted to tell the truth.
Could he really do it?
He can only summarise all his miseries as, “My dad.. he's not a good man.”
Shen Wenlang inhaled sharply.
He suddenly grabbed Gao Tu's hands and held his gaze. Warm palms covered his with a sense of comfort and safety.
Gao Tu felt his heart stutter at the intense look.
“Gao Tu, I'm going to say something I've never told anyone else before,” He said in a soft tone.
The secretary swallowed and subconsciously held his breath.
“My Omega father killed someone,” Shen Wenlang proclaimed.
Gao Tu blinked.
“What?”
He was expecting something sentimental but not a straight out murder confession!
“Yeah, he shot my Alpha dad's mistress right in front of me,” he clarified.
Was he telling the truth? Gao Tu knew the CEO was from country P but damn, that's wild.
“That's.. terrible.”
Shen Wenlang shrugged his shoulders in forced nonchalance.
“He died in prison, so.”
Jesus Christ.
Despite his words, Gao Tu could tell the sadness in his eyes. Even if his own shitty father died, he'll definitely feel something.
He soothed a finger over the others’ knuckles.
“I'm sorry to hear that,” He murmured gently.
Shen Wenlang gave a tight nod and huffed, “And my Alpha dad's no better. All that crazy bastard does when he sees me is to beat me up.”
Gao Tu's heart ached in sympathy.
Was that Shen Wenlang's life before he came over to Jianghu?
Though, that really explained his entire personality.
Seeing the other's concerned look, the CEO couldn't even remember the pain from all his past beatings.
“My point is.. when my dad hits me, I’ll hit him back harder. But I know you, when you get bullied, you don't fight back,” He scoffed, “Hell, you didn't even lay a hand on me for being such a demanding boss for the past 5 years!”
Gao Tu glanced to the side.
Oh believe me, there were times...
He suddenly found himself in a warm embrace.
“So let me protect you, Gao Tu! It hurts me to watch you get hurt. Just say the word and I'll make sure your dad doesn't find trouble for you ever again!”
“D-Don't kill him,” Gao Tu instantly said.
He can forgive Omega discrimination but he draws the line at murder.
“I don't.. want to burden you with my problems,” He muttered hesitantly.
Shen Wenlang didn't deserve to clean up after his mess.
“Burden? How could you be a burden to me! Isn't it natural to want to protect the people you care about?” The CEO retorted.
Gao Tu's heart skipped a beat.
“I just.. don't want him to harass me and Gao Qing anymore,” He eventually admitted in a defeated voice.
“Alright, then I'll send your father far away and give him a good reason to stay there,” The other man promised.
Gao Tu shook his head. He knows his old man.
“He'll use your reputation to threaten you for money!” He protested.
“Are you worried about me?” Shen Wenlang smirked. “Don't worry, this isn't my first time making unwanted people disappear, I know what to do.”
Gao Tu eyed him warily.
“Not disappear permanently,” He clarified, “Just.. out of the way.”
“Really? Don't hurt him,” Gao Tu thought about it, then added, “..too much.”
“I won't,” The CEO agreed before murmuring to himself, “After all, he's still going to be my future father-in-law.”
“W-What?”
“What?” He deflected louder, “Aren't you going to finish your food? It's going to get cold.”
Gao Tu did as he was told with red ears and a still pounding heart.
***
“I guess I'll make a move first,” Shen Wenlang announced reluctantly after dinner. He has quite a few plans to make.
Thankfully it was the weekend the next day, so there wasn't any work.
Gao Tu nodded and walked him to the door.
The CEO felt a pang of disappointment.
How come Gao Tu didn't even ask him to stay longer? He thought sulkily. Is this how you are supposed to treat your crush of ten years!?!
“Wait,” Gao Tu started and Shen Wenlang visibly perked up.
The other man retrieved something to pass to him.
“Your pajamas.”
The CEO’s face fell as he held the pajamas limply in his hands.
“..That's all you have to say to me?” He asked with a pursed lips.
“Mn.”
They both stare at each other for a beat.
“Erm.. drive safe,” Gao Tu added, feeling like the other man was expecting something from him.
Drive safe???
That's what you would say to a taxi driver!!!
Shen Wenlang really wanted to get another bite of those cheeks but since he'd already initiated a kiss once, it's embarrassing to keep being the one to make a move.
Forget it, once he has Gao Tu moved in with him, there'll be plenty of chances for seduction!
“Then, I'll get going,” He repeated morosely as he trudged away.
After a few steps, he turned around to call belatedly, “See you tomorrow!”
But he was only met with the sound of the front door clicking shut.
The CEO harrumphed.
Gao Tu, you're really heartless!!!
Inside the house, Gao Tu laid back onto his bed with a rapid heartbeat as he let out a deep breath.
God, did the whole of today really happened???
Downstairs outside his car, the CEO was gripped with the sudden urge to look at Gao Tu’s window.
He caught a glimpse of a shadow abruptly moving behind the curtain.
Was Gao Tu secretly watching him?
Despite the lack of resistance, did his TuTu actually can't bear to see him go?
Aiya, such a cute and shy rabbit!
Shen Wenlang found himself breaking into a wide grin. Satisfied, he got into his car with a spring in his step.
Pulling out his phone, he dialed his secondary assistant.
“Look for more information on Gao Tu’s father,” He instructed, before belatedly adding, “Oh, and start renovation on all of my guest rooms right now!”