Chapter Text
There were only a couple of numbers that Wenlang answered during meetings. Gao Tu, for obvious reasons, Gao Qing, because she never called him directly without something important, and the day care center. The day care center usually didn’t have to call him, since they always tried Gao Tu’s phone first - which was why when his phone buzzed in the middle of his meeting with LELE DAYCARE flashing on the screen, he was surprised and a little worried. ”Excuse me”, he said, interrupting the meeting and standing up to the side to answer the call. ”Yes?”
”I’m sorry to bother you Mr. Shen, but… It’s time for Lele’s pickup and your partner hasn’t arrived. We also haven’t been able to reach him.”
The day care assistant’s voice was uncertain and apologetic, but Wenlang only cared about one thing. His mate didn’t arrive to pick up and they couldn’t reach him by phone? All of that was uncharacteristic, and immediately he heard alarms in his head. ”I apologize”, he said curtly, ”I’ll be there soon to pick Lele up. Please wait for me.”
He ended the call after receiving confirmation that the day care center would wait, turning back to the meeting attendees. ”Something urgent has come up”, he said, unapologetically. ”My secretaries will reschedule the matter with all of you, as I must be excused. Any questions regarding our topic can be sent to me via email, and I’ll get to them when possible.”
None of the attendees dared to object to the decision, instead muttering quiet approvals as he strolled out of the room. As soon as he was out he picked up his pace, tried several times to call his mate during the elevator ride to the garage, only getting sent to voicemail each time. Gao Tu never had his phone off, never missed pickup, and most certainly never let him worry like that. Something was wrong.
His first step was to rush to the day care center, meeting his upset son in the entryway. ”Baobao”, he said softly, lifting his son in his arms. ”I’m sorry I took a while. Are you okay?”
Lele sniffled quietly. ”Why didn’t baba come pick me up?” He asked, large eyes filled with tears. ”He always picks me up…”
”I know, baobao”, Wenlang said, gently nuzzling his son’s hair. ”I’ll find out what happened, don’t you worry.”
It was easy to ask his son not to worry, far easier than concealing his own worry. His heart was clenched in a vise, stomach dropped to his knees and his whole brain full of terrible, worried images.
He drove as fast as he could to their home while still abiding by the limits, gently holding his son when leaving the car. ”Let’s see if baba is still home”, he murmured, afraid of seeing his mate on the floor in their apartment, passed out or collapsed for any reason. Or worse - images of road accidents pushed into his mind.
He didn’t want to instill his fear in his son, so he did everything he could to keep his emotions in check.
He wasn’t greeted by the unconscious body of his mate, when they almost burst into their home. No, the apartment was quiet - nothing out of place, no Gao Tu to be seen. ”Baba is not home”, Lele said curiously, ”did he forget to get me?”
”Surely not, my love”, Wenlang mused, heart trying to burst with anxiety and fear. ”Listen, while I look for baba, how about you stay with Peanut and the uncles for a while?”
His son looked sad, reluctant even, lips pursed and eyes searching. ”I want to see baba”, he sniffled, breaking his heart. ”I know, baobao”, the alpha replied, petting his son’s head soothingly. ”I’ll find him, I promise.”
Lele bit his lower lip, and after a few beats he nodded. ”Can I bring a game to play with Peanut?”
”Of course you can. Go get it, I’ll pack your things.”
He packed an overnight bag for his son on pure automation, mind trying to go on overdrive with worry. He had his suspicions, but he couldn’t concentrate on them yet - not when he was still with his son, fragile and missing his other father. No, he kept on a facade of lightheartedness, of reassurance and calm stability. Only for his son.
He carried his son gently from the car to the door of Hua Yong and Sheng Shaoyou’s apartment, knocking a little too furiously to claim he wasn’t spiraling. ”I need you to babysit Lele for a while”, he blurted out as soon as Sheng Shaoyou came to the door. The other alpha looked at him first with irritation, but one look at his wild, haunted eyes told enough of a story for the other man to just nod. ”Lele, come on in, Peanut is drawing in his room”, Sheng Shaoyou said to his son, grabbing him and nodding for Wenlang to step in after them.
”Wenlang”, Hua Yong scoffed as soon as he saw him in the entry way, ”I believe I’ve told you to not drop by unannounced. It’s bad manners.”
”Shut it”, he mumbled, checking to make sure the door to the kids’ room was closed. ”Gao Tu is missing. I need your help”, he then admitted, both hands clenched into fists. ”I don’t know where he is, he didn’t show up for pickup and his phone keeps going to voicemail.”
Hua Yong studied his face for a while, then nodded quietly. ”I doubt he would leave voluntarily, with the pregnancy and your current happy family life”, the enigma pondered. ”Any reason to believe someone would’ve..?”
Wenlang clenched his jaw, mind turning to the only possible option, and simultaneously the worst. ”My father”, he choked out, ”he visited about a month ago. Gao Tu was furious and told him to leave, and… Well, my darling father wasn’t happy about me being a family man in the first place. I wouldn’t put it past him to want my omega gone.”
The enigma’s gaze sharpened at the mention of his father. Hua Yong also knew of his past and the actions of his father, and even if their friendship was… Unusual, he wasn’t fond of his father either. Even if the enigma had his quirks and unconventional methods, he still didn’t approve of such conduct. ”Do you believe he would have taken Gao Tu?” Hua Yong questioned, and all Wenlang could do was nod. ”I don’t see anyone else who would”, he sighed, grabbing his chest out of the pain he felt. ”You have to help me find him.”
He was desperate, more desperate than he had ever been. He remembered their previous appointment to the doctor, the way their baby’s heart beat softly, the knowledge of their baby being a girl - and it all felt like it was being ripped away from him. Gao Tu was so pregnant, the curve of his stomach apparent and so visible, and the thought of him being in danger nearly drove him into going feral. He needed to find him.
”He’ll help”, Sheng Shaoyou said, closing the door to the nursery behind him. ”I’ll help too. I can ask for the CCTV footage around your apartment, it shouldn’t take more than minutes to get them.”
Silently Wenland nodded, vowing to thank the couple properly later.
Hua Yong and his alpha moved with terrifying influence and precision, pulling up footage from all around the town to look for discrepancies. They had people everywhere - as expected of the presidents of X Holdings and Shengfang biotech. If they weren’t their friends, Wenlang surely would have had to worry about the two and their empire.
”There”, Hua Yong said after what felt like an eternity. ”Gao Tu.”
”Show me”, Wenlang demanded, marching to his side and fixing his eyes on the video feed. There was his mate, bundled up in a sweater he had bought for him, walking towards the day care center as an ominous black sedan drove up to him. His mate did put up a valiant effort against the men grabbing him in the car, but to no avail - he was shoved in, and the car sped away as if nothing had happened. It angered him, the thought of anyone touching his gentle omega like that. His skin was crawling, there was a fire burning in all of his limbs, an uncomfortable ache in every part of his body. He was almost vibrating with anger, his jaw and fists clenched tightly. ”Where”, he managed to choke out, voice tight and restrained.
There were a few clicks as the couple went through the footage, Wenlang pacing around like a caged animal. Every moment away from his mate was torture, every moment instilling a new fear in his head of Gao Tu’s fate. He was hopeful his father wouldn’t resort to anything rash, at least not immediately - and his mate was careful, deliberating, smart. He would know to keep his cool and not provoke the alpha. He just needed to wait for him.
”I’ve got the location”, Hua Yong finally said. ”A warehouse at the edge of the city.”
”I’m going”, Wenlang grunted, turning on his heel to leave immediately. He didn’t get far, however, when a perfectly manicured hand grabbed his arm. ”Wait”, the enigma said, looking at him with a steely expression. ”If I let you go alone to unknown dangers, we’ll lose both of you. I’m coming with you.”
”You don’t need to do that”, Wenlang tried to object, only receiving a pointedly raised eyebrow. ”By all means, go ahead and get yourself killed. But know that there is no room in my house for the child of an irresponsible alpha, who put himself in harm’s way without thinking of the consequences.”
The enigma did receive a scolding look from his partner for the choice of harsh words, but in the end the lunatic was right. If he marched in alone to an unknown danger, he would most likely end up not returning. Not even if he was an S-class alpha.
”Besides”, Hua Yong added, ”I like Gao Tu too. He’s a good influence on you and my Mr. Sheng.”
Wenlang preferred to not dwell on what that meant, instead just agreeing on the participation of his friend. ”We’re leaving now”, he declared, turning to the other alpha. ”Will you tell Lele we’ll return for him as soon as possible?”
Sheng Shaoyou nodded, not dragging their interaction along any longer, the two of them swiftly leaving for his car. He could only hope his father hadn’t done anything rash, that his mate and unborn child were okay.
“Hua Yong”, Wenlang breathed out, hands gripping the steering wheel tightly. He stared at the road in front, same haunted look in his eyes as earlier. “You owe me a favor, and I need you to pay it back.”
The enigma merely lifted an eyebrow, nodding at him. “Just ask.”
He was quiet for a few select moments, lip worried between his teeth.
“I need you to kill my father.”
Gao Tu felt like he was boiling with the anger he felt. He could get over the manhandling, the being grabbed from the street and shoved in an unknown car, even being shoved on the floor of a cold warehouse - what he couldn’t get over was the man staring at him, sitting in front of him in a steel chair.
The omega rested his hand on his stomach, scent spiking with anger and protectiveness, with the smallest hidden piece of fear. Not for him, but for his unborn child.
”We haven’t been formally introduced yet”, the old man said, cigarette hanging from his lips and piercing eyes pinning him to place.
”I know who you are”, Gao Tu sneered, ”no need for introductions.”
”As insolent as ever”, the alpha scoffed, raising from his seat and taking slow, deliberate steps closer to him. ”My name is Shen Yu. Wenlang is my only son. And I know everything about you, Gao Tu.”
The omega glared, both hands wrapping around his bump as the older man got closer. Not close enough to touch, but close enough to intimidate. The smell of oak was strong, imposing, and he hated it. It wasn’t at all like the iris he was used to, gentle and soothing - instead permeating the air with its stench and making his skin crawl. “Your defiant eyes remind me of my omega, may he rest”, Shen Yu drawled, eyes measuring him from head to toe. “He was described as a strong omega as well, being an esteemed general and all. But in the end”, the man sighed, voice colored with ridicule, “even he was only a needy, desperate little thing like you.”
Anger spiked inside Gao Tu, and he had to clench his teeth to not blurt out anything in a flurry of hormone-riddled anger and fear. If the situation was anything else, if he wasn’t so desperately pregnant with their little girl, he would’ve fought back. But now he was too afraid to risk it, even if he had bit one of the men grabbing him from the street. He had received a swift smack on the cheek for that, which still stung.
“I am a reasonable man”, his father-in-law stated, crouching in front of him. “I have allowed my son to play house for long enough, to make sure he raises a capable heir. However”, the man stopped, eyes flicking to his stomach. “To have him continue this facade of weakness and avert his focus from business is unacceptable.”
“I always thought big, powerful businessmen like you were hell bent on their heirs having offspring, grandchildren”, Gao Tu scoffed, receiving a sharp look from the older man. His hair had slight streaks of grey, facial features hard and emotionless. He didn’t see the resemblance to his mate, a fact he was glad for. He didn’t want to connect this monster to his partner, his Wenlang who had come so far from the abuse and darkness of his family.
“I have no need for grandchildren”, Shen Yu said coldly. “I have a need for an heir to this family line. And that I have already got.”
The omega couldn’t help gulping quietly, the look the dangerous man gave him was… Well, cold and absolutely rigid. He knew he was in deep shit, and all his instincts could tell him to calm him down was that Wenlang was coming. He trusted it blindly, not even giving his brain a chance to try to tell him anything else - Wenlang would come for them, no questions asked.
“Like I said, I am a reasonable man”, Shen Yu repeated, standing up from his crouched position, eyeing him from above. “I am willing to give you a chance to make the choice yourself. And surely in your… State, that would be the option you prefer.”
His arms instinctually tightened their hold on his stomach. “And what choices would I have?” he questioned, the insidious smile he received making him shudder. “Leave”, the alpha said, deadpan, “take your unborn child and leave him. Do whatever you wish, as long as you leave him and the heir.”
Gao Tu couldn’t help but chuckle incredulously. “You think Wenlang wouldn’t just follow us where ever we went?” he pointed out, the mere thought of doing what the man asked twisting his stomach uncomfortably.
“Of course he would, the emotional fool he is”, Shen Yu scoffed. “Which is why you need to make sure he doesn’t think there is anything to follow.”
“I don’t follow”, the omega said, furrowing his brows and staring at the man. He was all expensive clothes and intimidating stature, but somehow Gao Tu suspected it was just… A facade. He didn’t exactly know what made him think so, but he did.
“You will make it clear to him that you have nothing for him”, the old alpha said, almost snarling. “You will let him know following you will not matter. You do not love him, and will not be in touch with him, no matter what he does. Leave him hopeless, without anything to follow.”
He was shocked with the coldness with which the man spoke of his own son. He knew Shen Yu was a monster, and still he could surprise him with his cruelty. He would never do such a thing to Wenlang, he couldn’t - he’d rather die himself than leave the man thinking he didn’t love him. It was impossible.
“Or”, the man drawled out with a false kindness, “you can stay, and I’ll make the choice for you. Although, I do think you wouldn’t enjoy it.”
He watched in horror as the man nudged his belly with the point of his shoe, not enough to hurt, but enough to send a message. “Why”, the omega choked out, “why do you hate him this much? Why can’t you let him live his own life, without you interfering?”
Shen Yu looked at him for a moment, blinked and tilted his head. “My boy, this is not about hate”, he then told him, smiling in a terrifying way. “It’s about control. I have no use for a son who is out of control.”
He could only stare in horror, all the anger and fight in him replaced by fear for his mate.
“I’ll give you some time to think about your choice”, the alpha then said, turning to walk away from him. “Make yourself comfortable.”
The last comment was a cruel joke, echoing in the empty warehouse, the door banging close after the man. Gao Tu could only curl into himself in the dusty space, leaning against the wall and trying his best to stay calm for the baby. “Don’t worry, baobao”, he murmured to himself, “daddy will come. Until then I will keep you safe.”
He tried to believe his own words, but the longer he sat on the floor with his back and ass aching, the more he started to think. If Shen Yu did something to their child, Wenlang wouldn’t survive it. But then again, he wouldn’t survive them leaving either… He hated the thought of his mate searching for them, thinking they didn’t love him - his sweet, protective alpha plunged into the darkness of his own mind. He hated it.
“What are we going to do, my love”, he whispered, leaning his head against the cold concrete wall and sighing deeply.
Then there it was.
A soft movement against his hand, a tiny kick or push, the first of its kind. It startled him, then made a soft, warm feeling spread to his body - his child was safe, cocooned inside him, and waiting for her father. She hadn’t been very active yet, no sign of kicks or tumbles inside him, but now she had chosen her moment.
It was the sign he needed to snap out of it, to reject the thought of ever leaving his mate. It wasn’t a choice, no matter what was on the other side. Wenlang would never let them get hurt, and he could already picture his partner barreling through streets in his car, mowing down anything and anyone in his way to his family. He would come, he would make sure they were okay. Anything else couldn’t happen.
He wasn’t sure how much time had passed, when the steel door clunked open again, Shen Yu stepping in with the same disdain on his face as earlier. “Hopefully you’ve thought long and hard”, he mused, walking towards him and sitting on the steel chair. “Though I do believe there’s hardly anything to think about.”
Gao Tu resisted the urge to roll his eyes, only staring at the man silently. His glasses had broken while he was hauled into the car, now sporting a crack in the side of the other lens.
They stared at each other, Shen Yu looking for weakness and fear, finding only stubborn defenses. He sighed, standing up and once again walking towards him, crouching too close. “I’ve given you enough grace to let you choose”, he growled lowly, “don’t tell me you’re stupid enough to not appreciate it?”
The omega chuckled dryly. “I won’t leave him”, he said, no room for hesitation in his voice. “I won’t let him feel that way ever again. I won’t let him be succumbed to the darkness he ran away from. To you.”
His defiance angered the man, oak pheromones spiking with rage and making him choke against his will. “You foolish little omega”, the old alpha rumbled, “all of you are the same. Too stupid to follow orders, not obedient enough to accept your role. You should’ve been taken care of the minute Wenlang fell for you.”
It was hard to breathe, pushed down by the oppressive pheromones. This was it, he thought, he would die, if Wenlang didn’t come now. Shen Yu would kill both of them.
The fear rushed back, thoughts going to his firstborn, to his unborn daughter, to Wenlang - who wouldn’t make it back, if he lost any of them. So he prayed, to heavens or to anyone listening, for it to stop. For his mate to save them.
He almost didn’t sense the ripple of orchid, before it thrust forward aggressively, followed by the angry iris. The two new pheromones filled the space, threatening and punishing, and out of instinct Gao Tu closed his eyes and covered his ears. The oak disappeared, only faint thumps and crashes making their way to his ears, until the scent of iris enveloped him like a warm hug. It forced a choked sob out of him, fear replaced by relief that filled his whole body, breathing in desperately when familiar, protective arms surrounded him. “Gao Tu”, a rough, restrained voice in his ear, prompting him to open his eyes and meet the soft, worried gaze of his mate. “Wenlang”, he whispered, gazing into the dark brown pools of familiar softness, hands grabbing tightly at the alpha’s shirt. “You came.”
“Always”, his mate whispered back, embracing him tightly and covering him in his scent, almost like he was trying to erase every trace of his father from him. Gao Tu didn’t object.
He also didn’t object to his mate lifting him in his arms and carrying him outside, only kept his gaze in him instead of the aftermath of their arrival. “Wait here, I’ll be back soon”, Wenlang promised after sitting him inside his car, locking the doors after him. The omega only nodded, choosing to turn his eyes to the empty lot in front. What ever happened now was none of his business.
Wenlang was burning with rage as he returned to the warehouse, suit jacket left on the shoulders of his mate in the car. He only saw red, staring forward and at the enigma standing next to the crumpled body of his father. Entering the warehouse had been a flurry of movement and pheromones, Hua Yong’s… Abilities forcing anyone he wanted to their knees. His father had resisted, of course, the old prideful fool he was, but in the end he had also succumbed. He didn’t say anything to his father, just stared at him - in the end turning to his friend. “I don’t care how you do it”, he muttered, “as long as he never bothers us again. As long as he suffers for what he has done.”
The enigma looked at him quietly, then just nodded.
“Will you get out of here on your own, if I take Gao Tu home?” Wenlang had the decency to ask, receiving a chuckle. “Of course. Please let Mr. Sheng know I might be late”, the man said, smiling to him in a way that unsettled Wenlang. “It has been an awfully long time since I last had time to have fun.”
There was nothing he had to say that, instead just turning on his heel and leaving. No goodbye to his father, no regard to his wellbeing - just walking, closing behind him the door of having a father. It wasn’t even a decision, only something that had needed to be done for a while now. At least now they could be free.