Chapter Text
And up until now, I had sworn to myself
That I'm content with loneliness
Because none of it was ever worth the risk
Shen Wenlang watched the doctor treat the wound on Gao Lele -- his and Gao Tu's child.
He wanted to sit beside Gao Tu who had the child in his arms but he hesitated to get closer since the omega showed fear ever since they met in the amusement park earlier.
He searched for Gao Tu for three years without stopping, hiring the best detectives in Country P.
It hurt him so much because he realized that Gao Tu didn't want to be found. But that didn't stop him from searching for him.
So, he hovered near instead -- not too close, not too far.
The faint scent of sage made Wenlang's heart ache. Gao Tu was comforting Gao Lele who was wincing from the medicine the doctor used in treating the wound.
The scent of sage pheromone made Wenlang's heart ache.
He spent years criticizing this smell in front of Gao Tu thinking that it belonged to Gao Tu's omega which was apparently nonexisitent.
But right now, Wenlang loved the scent so much knowing it belongs to Gao Tu.
Anything related to Gao Tu, he would love it.
He hates omegas but if the omega is Gao Tu he would love him like crazy. He doesn't like children at all but if it is with Gao Tu, he would treasure the child.
"He will be okay. Just clean the wound from time to time and make sure he doesn't run around to not strain his ankle," the doctor said.
"Thank you, doctor," Gao Tu nodded.
Then the doctor left them.
"I'm sorry again," Huasheng said. The little boy was standing with Wenlang, watching Gao Lele get treated earlier. "I'll give you my snacks so you feel better."
Gao Lele watched the pretty kid, who said his Mickey Mouse mask was beautiful, rummage his backpack and offered him a chocolate sticks box. He couldn't reject the other kid and accepted the offer. "Thank you."
Wenlang watched Huasheng befriending his shy kid who was clinging to Gao Tu's neck.
"Be careful," Wenlang said, crouching down on Huasheng's level since the kid spilled some of his other snacks while still rummaging more to give to Gao Lele.
"This is my favorite!" Huasheng exclaimed, holding a pack of cookies.
Wenlang looked at Gao Lele shyly accepting another snack from Huasheng. And the child looked once again at Wenlang.
He knew Lele was watching him a lot of times even while he was still wearing the Mickey Mouse mask during the car ride to the hospital.
Upon seeing that Lele was watching him again, Wenlang smiled. Asking him softly, "Hi there. Are you okay now?"
His child looked up at Gao Tu before looking at him again and nodding.
"That's good."
Lele stared at him. "...you look like me."
Wenlang blinked at what Lele said. He suddenly had a warm feeling spread in his heart, he felt immense pride and joy at hearing Lele's statement.
But then it was like someone pinched him when he saw Gao Tu hugging Lele, as if protecting the child from Wenlang.
Gao Tu stood up abruptly, not looking at him. "Thank you for your generosity in bringing Lele to the hospital, Mr. Shen. But I think we will be taking our leave."
"Gao Tu," he called, standing up and preventing Gao Tu from leaving.
Fear took over Wenlang again. The day of Gao Tu's resignation to meeting him with his gambling father to him suddenly vanishing without a trace played in his mind like a broken record.
"Gao Tu, please. Please let's talk," desperation in his voice.
He tried to capture Gao Tu's gaze but the other just looked at anywhere else but him.
Wenlang always wanted to have Gao Tu's eyes on him. He always wanted to have Gao Tu's attention.
But now the omega isn't even looking at him. And when he does, his eyes are filled with fear.
"I miss you," Wenlang said, deciding to just say everything at this point. "I looked for you but you didn't want to be found."
Gao Tu looked at Xiao Huasheng who was holding Wenlang's hand and looking worriedly at the alpha. "Let's talk when we get to our home, Mr. Shen."
Wenlang smiled, happy at being given the chance to spend more time with Gao Tu and their child.
At the car ride to Gao Tu's home, Huasheng was talking a lot and making Lele feel at ease.
"So you were able to ride the horses earlier!" Huasheng exclaimed, excited. "Papa Wenlang and I just got there when I bumped to you."
Lele nodded, eating a cookie from the cookie pack Huasheng gave earlier.
"I'll come back here so we can play in the amusement park. I want to see the mouse and buy a mask just like you," Huasheng said.
Lele nodded again, but this time there was a tiny smile as if he was amused with Huasheng.
"Ah!" Huasheng suddenly exclaimed. "I forgot I don't know your name. My name is Hua Sheng. And you?"
"Gao Lele."
Wenlang's heart ached at hearing his child's name.
If only he wasn't too stupid. He thought Gao Tu would be with him forever, following him always, having his eyes fixed on Wenlang.
Until he couldn't find him. Until the omega didn't want to be found.
His omega endured pregancy alone, unmarked. It must have been very painful without his alpha pheromones.
Lele must have also been a child who fought to be born in this world, clinging to an unmarked Gao Tu.
The apartment was small, but warm, clean, and cozy. It was bigger and better than Gao Tu's place in Jianghu before, but still small nonetheless. The place smelled of sage and sage alone.
No scent of whatever pheromone that thief alpha, Ma Heng, has. That information made Wenlang glad.
This means Gao Tu lives alone with Lele.
This means Gao Tu doesn't have an alpha.
"Please have a seat." Gao Tu gestured to the sofa. "I'll make tea."
Lele followed Gao Tu, leaving Wenlang alone with Huasheng in the living area.
Huasheng climbed his knees, faced him and held his face with his little hands. "Papa Wenlang, don't be sad. I talked to Gao Lele so they know we are not bad people."
Wenlang smiled. "I'm not sad. I'm happy. You found them for me, Xiao Huasheng."
Huasheng tilted his head in confusion. "You're looking for them?"
"I was. I was looking for them everywhere." He kissed Huasheng's forehead. "Thank you for helping me find them."
The little kid didn't understand the situation but he still smiled because he made his Papa Wenlang happy.
"Thank you for befriending Gao Lele."
"Oh, friend? He is my friend now!" Huasheng nodded, agreeing that him and Lele are friends. "He also likes the little mouse."
"I will talk with Gao Lele's papa so play with him while we talk," Wenlang said.
"Okay!" Huasheng was just happy to play with a friend since he was not able to play in the amusement park today.
A few minutes later, Gao Tu arrived holding a tray with two mugs. Lele was still following him from behind, hiding behind Gao Tu's legs.
"I have chocolate milk," Lele said, voice soft.
Huasheng lighted up. "I love chocolate milk!"
Upon seeing the pretty kid, who looked like a white dumpling, smile at the chocolate milk, Lele sat beside Huasheng.
"It's hot so be careful," Gao Tu said, placing the small rabbit shaped mugs in front of the children.
"Thank you, Gao Lele's papa," Huasheng said.
The moment Gao Tu entered the room, Wenlang's eyes never left him.
He can't believe Gao Tu is finally right in front of him --- his Gao Tu.
"Mr. Shen, your tea is in the kitchen."
That was Wenlang's cue to stand and follow Gao Tu.
They sat in the dining table for 4. Gao Tu sat in front of him instead, having the table between them as a barrier -- some kind of wall.
"I love you," Wenlang blurted out, straight to the point.
In the three years he desperately searched for Gao Tu and ranted to Hua Yong about his situation, he learned a thing or two from the lunatic.
It is to be shameless at every chance given.
Gao Tu looked at him wide-eyed, as if he was speaking nonsense.
"Gao Tu, I've loved you for so long. I just didn't know what it was."
Gao Tu bowed his head down, not looking at him. "Mr. Shen, what are you s-"
Wenlang got up from his chair and kneeled beside Gao Tu's chair. He twisted Gao Tu's chair so he was facing him.
"Gao Tu, please look at me." He tried to chase Gao Tu's gaze. "I'm sorry I was so harsh to you. I'm sorry for saying your sage scent was bad. I'm sorry that you felt you are not safe with me. I'm sorry I was not someone reliable enough for you to always hide your identity to me. I'm sorry I was so stupid."
He saw Gao Tu's eyes becoming glassy but the omega still refused to look at him.
"I was always angry at you for having someone who was not me. I always hated the sage scent on you, thinking it was from your omega. I was always angry that your nonexistent omega was leaving their scent on you to mark their claim and I am angry it is not my scent all over you. I was always angry because I wanted you to be with me, have your eyes on me, spend your time with me." Wenlang frowned, remembering how frustrated he was. "I could give you so much more than your apparently nonexistent omega. I was so angry seeing you are so tired, so pale, as if no one was taking care of you. I was angry because I can take care of you much better than your omega."
He tried holding Gao Tu's hand gently, hoping not to scare the omega away.
"I have always believed you had someone else," Wenlang continued. "I have always believed you had someone you cherished --- someone who was not me. I want to have your eyes on me all the time, Gao Tu. I love you so much I didn't care if you have an omega at home as long as I see you at work every day, as long as I get to keep you with me, as long as I get to spend time with you."
"You hate omegas, Wenlang."
He noticed the drop of formality.
"I do. I feel uncomfortable with them around." Wenlang carressed Gao Tu's knuckle with the hand he was holding. "But if it's you, I don't care if you are an omega. I've always liked you for you."
"You said if you'll have a child you will abort it. You looked for us for three years because you were angry," Gao Tu was somehow panicking.
Wenlang released soothing pheromones to calm him down, and his hold on Gao Tu's hand became firmer.
"If only I could take back what I said before." Wenlang said, frustrated. "I don't mind having a child if it's with you, Gao Tu. I've met Lele today and I want him. I want you."
"Wenlang, you already have Huasheng. How can you do this to Secretary Hua?" Gao Tu removed his hand from Wenlang's hold.
Wenlang frowned. Fuck that psycho bastard for letting Gao Tu misunderstand the situation.
He tried clarifying that Huasheng is Hua Yong's son earlier in the car but Gao Tu just continued to misunderstand and congratulated him instead.
"Huasheng is not my child. He is Hua Yong ang Sheng Shaoyu's child," Wenlang clarified. "Both Hua Yong and Huasheng are obsessed with Sheng Shaoyu. They look alike and they have the same personality. I'm hoping Huasheng doesn't get that psycho's lunatic behavior."
"Mr. Sheng?" Gao Tu was confused. "And Secretary Hua?"
"That psycho, Hua Yong, is obsessed with Sheng Shaoyu. He made me play the villain in his stupid pursuit to that stupid alpha," Wenlang ranted, whining to Gao Tu just like old times whenever he fought Sheng Shaoyu.
Wenlang always looked for Gao Tu whenever he had a fight with Sheng Shaoyu because he wanted Gao Tu treat his wounds instead of going to He Ci Hospital.
"So please don't misunderstand." He held Gao Tu's hand again. "Don't be fooled by that lunatic. Nothing happened between him and I. I'd rather die than have sex with someone insane."
At the word sex, Gao Tu turned red.
Wenlang was confused. "Are you okay?"
He brought his free hand up to Gao Tu's forehead to check for fever. He was still kneeling in front of Gao Tu at this point so it was easy for him to touch his forehead.
"I'm - I'm okay," Gao Tu dismissed, flustered.
Wenlang stared at Gao Tu, memorizing his face, looking at what changed and what stayed the same. His eyes traced every part of Gao Tu's face.
"I'm sorry," he said, voice low. "I'm sorry for hurting you, Gao Tu."
Wenlang's voice was desperate but he made sure his pheromones remained soothing. "Please give me another chance."
Right here right now, Wenlang --- an S-Class Alpha, CEO of HS Group, only son of the Shen Family --- kneeling and begging Gao Tu to give him a chance.
"...I'm not sure." Gao Tu looked at their intertwined hands. "Are you sure it is not the pheromones?"
"No," Wenlang said in a heartbeat. "This is not the pheromones talking. It was always you. I don't care if you are a beta or an omega. I just want you."
"..what if the omega you slept with at the hotel wasn't me? You both have high compatability."
"I don't care. I don't want anyone else if it was not you. I didn't care about who they were because my head was full of the thoughts of you resigning so suddenly. I don't care about finding out who they were because I was looking for you."
He remembered watching Gao Tu from a far in He Ci hospital after he resigned. He was hurt because Gao Tu left him for some omega. He was hurt because one word from Gao Tu and he was ready to give him what he wanted even if it was giving a share of HS Group to him. He was so hurt that he clung to his pride desperately.
And because of that pride, it took three years to see Gao Tu again.
"I don't care about meeting a fated omega if I was losing my fucking mind because you resigned and chose some omega over me," Wenlang choked out. "I had to be locked up because of mate-seeking syndrome because I was looking for you. They said I always had mate-seeking syndrome but it didn't manifest because you were always with me."
Wenlang brought their hands to his cheek, never breaking eye contact with Gao Tu.
"I was always looking for you even before you resigned. If I have an excuse for you to go to my apartment and do some mundane task even on your days-off, I would. I want to see you always, Gao Tu." He chuckled in disbelief. "I might be as insane that psycho, I just didn't want to admit it back then."
"I don't --- I'm not sure if this is all real," the omega whispered.
At this point, a tear escaped Gao Tu's eyes. Wenlang wiped it with his hand as he watched Gao Tu take a deep breath, calming himself.
It was evident that a lot was on Gao Tu's mind.
"I'll make you like me," Wenlang said, determined. "Just don't run away from me again."
There was something Wenlang can't describe in Gao Tu's eyes.
He held both of Gao Tu's hands in his this time. "Today is my last day in Country V with Huasheng. I'm afraid I won't find you again once I leave this apartment."
Gao Tu was contemplating, appearing in deep thought. He looked at Wenlang and said, "Lele is curious about you."
It made Wenlang smile.
"Except for Ma Heng, he is repulsive to other alphas and cannot get close to them," Gao Tu continued.
The mention of the other alpha made Wenlang jealous again, smile disappearing in an instant.
Gao Tu knows him well and probably saw the annoyed frown in his face at the mention of another alpha that he immediately added, "But Lele was looking at you the whole time. He was so curious."
Wenlang softened at the sight of Gao Tu having this soft smile when talking about Lele.
"Why is he repulsive of other alphas?"
"The doctor said because of the lack of soothing pheromones from his alpha father when he was still in fetal period, it made him insecure and repulsive of other alphas."
"Oh. I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault. It's mine."
"Gao Tu," Wenlang frowned. "Why are you always blaming yourself for everything? It's not your fault."
Anger boiled from within Wenlang again. "It's the fault of your useless father, forcing you to use inhibitors ever since you presented." The frown in his eyebrows disappeared when looking at Gao Tu again. "Are you okay now? You're not using inhibitors, are you?"
Gao Tu looked away. "Sometimes. When I need to go out."
Years hiding and rejecting his secondary gender, Gao Tu must have found it difficult to even be honest with himself.
Wenlang kicked himself mentally for not being the person who Gao Tu could be open to --- that after exposing the truth, Gao Tu would disappear than face him because of fear.
His release of his iris pheromone continued, hoping it will assure Gao Tu.
"It's going to be okay," he assured and pulled Gao Tu to him to hug him. "I don't want you to hide from me. I want to know every single thing about you."
From holding his hands, Wenlang wrapped Gao Tu around his arms, running his hand up and down his back after feeling him stiffen up.
Gao Tu didn't hug him back but he felt him relax, being near Wenlang's scent gland.
Which means Wenlang is also near Gao Tu's scent gland and was exposed at the heavenly sage scent.
Wenlang inhaled deeply. "You smell so good."
And then Gao Tu stiffened up again. "Um..." He cleared his throat. "Y-Your tea." He pushed Wenlang gently. "Your tea is getting cold."
Wenlang was reluctant but Gao Tu was pushing him away. He didn't want to be forceful.
Who cares if his tea is cold anyway?
Gao Tu was red when Wenlang put some distance between them.
The omega looked at him but then avoided eye contact. "Your tea is getting cold," he repeated.
"Are you okay? Do you have a fev-"
"Wenlang," Gao Tu cut off. "Please sit down."
Wenlang immediately shut up and reluctantly went back to sitting on the chair in front of Gao Tu.
He drank the tea. It was lukewarm and tasted bland, but it was Gao Tu who made it so he won't let his foul mouth get the best of him.
He put the mug down and looked at Gao Tu as if saying 'I've finished it.'
Gao Tu seems to be awkward under Wenlang's intense gaze.
"I'm happy to see you, Gao Tu."
The omega nodded, still kind of red in the face. "Should we go back to the kids?"
Wenlang stopped Gao Tu from leaving with his hand.
"Wait." He stood in front. "Are we okay? I didn't hear anything from you."
"I'm still gathering my thoughts. But we're okay."
"You won't run away again?"
"You can see Lele again."
"I want to see you, too."
"..okay."
"You'll be here tomorrow?"
"Aren't you leaving?"
"I don't care. I want to see you again tomorrow. And the day after tomorrow. And then the next."
"We will be here." It was soft, like a whisper. But Wenlang heard it loud and clear.
He smiled. "Then I'll be here."
They found the kids playing with a bunny stuff toy with their snacks opened and unfinished.
"Did you have fun?" Wenlang crouched down to the kids' eye level.
Lele was watching him again, curious and sizing him up.
Huasheng, the ever sunshine and sociable kid that he is, stood up and showed him the bunny stuff toy.
"Look at this! His name is Snowball. Lele said he is from a movie."
Gao Tu had Lele leaning on him but the kid's face was still looking at Wenlang.
"I watched a movie with Papa," Lele said.
Wenlang looked at the mini-version of himself. "Hmm? What was the title of the movie?"
"The Secret Life of Pets."
"I want to watch it too," Huasheng said. "I'll ask Daddy to let me watch it together with him."
"Tell them when they get back from Europe," Wenlang said.
Huasheng gave back the bunny stuff toy back to Lele. "Thank you for playing with me today. I don't know when I will be back here but I think sooner when my Daddy and Hua Yong are back."
Huasheng smiled and continued, "And by then, your ankle will all be better. I'll visit you here and we can play at the amusement park again so we can go to the little mouse!"
Lele smiled, nodding at Huasheng. "Okay." Then he glanced at Wenlang before asking, "Will you be visiting with your papa?"
Huasheng looked at Wenlang and put his hand on his chin as if thinking. "I don't know. If my Daddy and Hua Yong are not busy so I'll be here with Papa Wenlang again."
"I don't know when you will be back but I will be here to play with Lele," Wenlang said, glancing at Lele. "If that is okay with Lele?"
Lele looked up at Gao Tu, studying his Papa's expression and noticing it was better than when they first met Huasheng and the man who looked like Lele.
Gao Tu nodded at his son, subtly giving him the freedom to answer Wenlang.
"It's okay," Lele said, because he felt like he wanted to get closer to the other man for some reason. Probably because they look the same.
"I want to be here, too!" Huasheng pouted, little arms crossed.
"As much as I'd love to bring you everywhere if your parents are on their honeymoon for the nth time," Wenlang started, trying to explain patiently. "I need to have my alone time with just the two of them."
"Why?"
Wenlang was speechless at the question, not knowing how to answer it without dropping the bomb in front of the kids without Gao Tu's permission.
He looked at Gao Tu then glanced at Lele, as if asking for help from the omega.
"Because we were away for so long that there are a lot of stories Wenlang needs to hear," Gao Tu tried to think of something else but he came up blank.
"Story telling? I love story telling," Huasheng was still pouting. "Daddy always reads me a bed time story."
Wenlang tried one more time to explain to Huasheng. "I told you that I was looking for Lele and Gao Tu, right? And I said I was thankful because you found them for me. So, because I was looking for them for so long I have to spend time with them. Just like when Hua Yong and Sheng Shaoyu comes back from a trip, they spend time with you because they've been away from you."
"Okay," Huasheng nodded. "But I get to play with Lele?"
"You get to play with Lele but we have to tell your parents first."
"Where do you live?" Lele asked Huasheng.
"I live far from here," Huasheng answered. Stretching the word 'far' and stretching his hands to show it.
"They live in another country. And they will be leaving tomorrow so they need to go home already," Gao Tu told Lele.
"Oh." Lele looked at Gao Tu and then he pulled his father's hand to a room.
Wenlang and Huasheng watched them go inside a room.
"Peanut, I'm going to spend more time with Lele and Gao Tu so you can see Lele more often in the future," Wenlang said. "Wish me luck, okay?"
Huasheng climbed on Wenlang's knees and wrapped his little arms around his neck for a hug. "I'm giving you good luck."
How can a devil incarnate like Huayong and hot headed as Sheng Shaoyu have a child as sweet as Huasheng?
Gao Tu and Lele came back shortly, with the little one holding a sheet of paper.
"This is for you," Lele gave a sticker sheet of animals to Huasheng.
Huasheng untangled himself from his hug and faced Lele. "Thank you!"
Lele picked one sticker and pasted it on Huasheng's shirt. "Because you shared your snacks, I'll give you my stickers."
It was as if a hand just squeezed Wenlang's heart at how adorable his child is.
"He likes stickers?" Wenlang asked. "Your fridge was full of them."
Gao Tu nodded. "He loves pasting them everywhere." He gestured to some of the furnitures and walls.
Big round eyes stared at him again, holding a sticker.
"Are you giving me one?" Wenlang asked.
Lele nodded and pasted the sticker on the back of Wenlang's hand, where he was subtly emitting a soothing iris pheromone that will linger in Gao Tu's apartment.
The sticker was a dog.
Wenlang laughed, very endeared at Lele. "Thank you, baobao."
He smiled at the thought that his child isn't repulsive of him even though he is an alpha.
He showed the dog sticker on his hand to Gao Tu. "Didn't you say you wanted a pet dog before?"
"I did?" Gao Tu asked, confused.
"During highschool you mentioned it. When you started working for me, we had video call and you said you wanted to have a Siyan Tie Bao Jin."
Gao Tu nodded, surprised he remembered. "You still remember that."
"Of course I remember," Wenlang said immediately. "Why wouldn't I?"
"Gao Lele's papa!" Huasheng called, preventing Gao Tu to dwell on Wenlang's answer. "We finished our milk!" He turned his mug upside down to show it.
"That's great," Gao Tu smiled. "Lele, did you enjoy playing with Huasheng?"
"Un," Lele answered, nodding. "Let's play again next time."
Wenlang fished out his phone from his pocket. "Gao Tu, what's your new number?" He gave his phone. "Type it here."
There was a bit of hesitation but Gao Tu typed his number nonetheless. Wenlang called the number just to be sure and Gao Tu's phone rang.
"I want to stay here for dinner but if you need space to breathe, Huasheng and I can go." Wenlang reached out for Gao Tu's hand. "Just please don't run away again."
He could see Gao Tu being taken aback by him giving the liberty to decide. "It's up to you."
Seeing Gao Tu give him the choice to decide back made Wenlang look at him fondly.
Gao Tu had always put him first.
The only time Gao Tu made a decision on his own was when he ran away to have Lele.
Everyone was making decision for Gao Tu --- Wenlang included.
But Lele, the child was the only decision Gao Tu made and stood firm on it.
"We'll be going ahead then," Wenlang decided. "You and Lele needs to rest."
Gao Tu nodded. "Okay."
"Say goodbye to Lele," Wenlang told Huasheng.
"I'll see you again!" Huasheng smiled at Lele.
"Bye-bye," Lele said.
Wenlang zipped Huasheng's bag that contains his newly acquired sticker sheet from Lele.
"I'll be sending dinner," Wenlang said. He looked at Lele. "What food do you like?"
Lele blinked, looking at him with his round eyes. He looked at Gao Tu again before answering.
"You don't have to. We have food for dinner," Gao Tu waved his hand, clearly doesn't want to be an inconvenience.
Wenlang looked at Gao Tu, who just hours before was very defensive and uncomfortable and was full of fear seeing him.
Now, he was the Gao Tu who put Wenlang first, who gave him breakfast even if Wenlang doesn't eat breakfast, who was the secretary that worked harder than anyone else to support Wenlang, who stocked tea in his small and weary apartment in case Wenlang visits again.
Wenlang has received so much from Gao Tu and he is willing to give so much to the omega.
"I don't have to but I want to."
Gao Tu searched for his eyes before nodding and turning to Lele. "Lele, what food do you want?"
"Ice cream."
The omega smiled. "That's not food."
Lele smiled cheekily, happy to make his papa smile. "Chicken."
"Chicken and ice cream?"
"And gummy bears," Huasheng added.
Wenlang stood up and carried Huasheng in his right arm. "And gummy bears."
"I'll have the food delivered here, Gao Tu."
"Okay." Gao Tu also carried Lele in his arms. "Thank you."
Gao Tu and Lele walked them up until their door. "Thank you again."
"You don't have to thank me. It's me who have to thank you for giving me the chance again." He then looked at Lele, his own mini-version. "Take a rest and be careful with your ankle, baobao."
"With your papa blowing kisses to your ankle, it will be better tomorrow," Huasheng said. "My daddy always does that when I get hurt from playing."
Lele nodded. "Un."
"We'll go ahead now, Gao Tu."
"Take care on your way home."
Just as Wenlang walked away with Huasheng in his arms, he stopped. He looked back to see Gao Tu and Lele waving their hands at them.
That's his family -- his Gao Tu and his child.
"Wait for me, Peanut," Wenlang whispered as he set down the little kid in his arm.
He then ran back to Gao Tu and Lele and enveloped both of them in a hug.
"Wenlang," Gao Tu breathed in surprise.
"I'm so happy I found you," Wenlang said, breathing in the sage scent and imprinting in his being that his whole world --- Gao Tu and Lele --- are in his arms right here and right now.
He moved back, giving space for him to see both of them.
Ahh, he wants to kiss Gao Tu and Lele.
Instead, he said, "You'll be here tomorrow?"
Gao Tu still has his eyes wide in surprise, speechless at seeing fear in Wenlang's eyes --- fear of never seeing them again once he left.
"Yes," Lele answered, looking at Wenlang.
He smiled, his heart so full. "Then see you tomorrow, baobao."
Huasheng was on the phone with Sheng Shaoyu, telling the story about going to the amusement park and meeting a new friend who also likes the little mouse --- he still refuses to call him Mickey Mouse.
Wenlang, on the other hand, was on a video call with Hua Yong.
"Congratulations on finding your wife and child, Wenlang," Hua Yong said, attention at Sheng Shaoyu who was smiling as he listened to his little peanut's story on their own video call.
"I'll be living in Country V for awhile."
The enigma smirked at the screen. "Courting Secretary Gao? Good luck."
Wenlang rolled his eyes. "When are you coming back for Huasheng? I'll be going back tomorrow to Jianghu to let the staff know about my living arrangements."
"Can't you take the little peanut with you in Country V so Shaoyu and I can extend our honeymoon?"
"Aside from your rut and heat, you also spend time for honeymoon. You don't get tired, do you?" Wenlang scoffed.
"What can I do? I just can't get enough of my Mr. Sheng. When we are back in Jianghu, the little peanut has his attention."
"That's your karma. Both of you are obsessed with Sheng Shaoyu."
"You'll understand once you get laid again, Wenlang."
Wenlang frowned. "For starters, I adore my Lele. I'd never leave him to you just because I want to have sex."
"Let's see. Because this time you're getting laid SOBER."
He just rolled his eyes, and said in a low voice since Huasheng is near. "Fuck you and your filthy mouth."
"What's filthy are the things you're going to do to your bunny."
"I just met him today," Wenlang stated the obvious.
Hua Yong had an eyebrow raised. "So?"
The amount of times Wenlang had to roll his eyes when speaking to Hua Yong cannot be counted.
"So get out of my goddamn business and answer the question of when are you coming back for Xiao Huasheng."
Hua Yong didn't answer him for a moment, listening to his little peanut and Sheng Shaoyu.
"I think we'll be going home soon."
"How soon? I'll be going to Jianghu tomorrow and then back here the day after."
"Just soon."
"You have two days, Hua Yong. Be back in Jianghu in two days."
Wenlang and Huasheng were up early for their flight back to Jianghu.
Before going to the airport to board their private airplane, they stopped by a restaurant to order take out for Gao Tu and Lele.
They stopped by Gao Tu's apartment to deliver the food personally.
Going up the stairs to the apartment, Wenlang noted that the apartment building itself is clean and safe. Very much unlike where Gao Tu lived before.
They knocked on the door thrice. He already messaged Gao Tu that they were visiting them this morning.
Gao Tu opened the door with Lele standing beside him.
"Ah, good morning, Mr. Shen."
Wenlang subtly raised an eyebrow. "You're still calling me Mr. Shen?"
Gao Tu avoided eye contact, cleared his throat. "Wenlang."
Wenlang smiled. "What is it?"
"Good morning, Wenlang."
He made sure to catch Gao Tu's gaze, "Much better."
A flush of red spread across Gao Tu's cheeks. "Please come in."
"Good morning!" Huasheng greeted.
"Hello, good morning," Lele greeted in return.
Upon entering their home, it still smelled of iris mixed with sage.
The corners of Wenlang's lips lifted into a triumphant smile.
"We brought breakfast." He showed the boxes he had in his hands.
"I can transfer them to a bowl and we can eat together," Gao Tu said.
"I bought a small pudding for you," Huasheng told Lele. "It's small so I hope your papa is okay with you eating sweets in the morning."
Lele immediately looked at Gao Tu for confirmation.
Gao Tu smiled at his child. "As long as you eat sweets after breakfast, it's okay."
Wenlang pulled the chair in the dining table and helped Huasheng sit. He then looked at his own son and asked, "Would you like to sit next to Huasheng?"
Lele nodded.
He smiled and helped Lele sit next to Huasheng.
That means he gets to sit next to Gao Tu. He sat on his own chair and watched the omega transfering the food from the box to their bowls.
"I'm going home today but I told my Daddy about going back here again," Huasheng started. "He said he still has work when he comes back so we might not be here soon."
"It's okay," Lele nodded. "My papa also has work."
"Do you need help?" Wenlang asked Gao Tu.
"Ah, it's okay. I'm almost done."
Although it was the dumplings only left to tranfer from the box, Wenlang started putting rice onto the kids' plates.
"Thank you so much for the food," Gao Tu said as he sat next to Wenlang.
Wenlang nodded. "What do you like to eat?"
"I want to try the dumpling."
Just as Gao Tu was about to get it and put on his plate, Wenlang was fast and placed the dumpling on the other's plate.
"Thank you."
"Now, eat."
The kids were a bit messy when eating but both children were having so much fun having a friend to eat breakfast with.
"We'll be having a new neighbor," Lele told Huasheng.
"That's nice. We don't have a neighbor at home," Huasheng said. "We have the floor to ourselves."
"Ah, Gao Tu," Wenlang called upon hearing what the kids are talking.
"Hm?"
"I'm going to be your new neighbor."
Gao Tu almost choked. "What?"
Wenlang immediately had a glass of water in his hand. "Are you okay?"
The omega was still blinking at Wenlang. "You're what?"
"I'm going to be your new neighbor."