CHAPTER 12

Gaotu sat stiffly in the living room, his eyes glued to the glass door as he watched father and son speak out on the balcony. His chest was tight, anxiety gnawing at him. The look Shen Wenlang’s father had given him earlier still lingered in his mind. Sharp, cold, a gaze that had left him trembling like a cornered rabbit.

What rattled him even more was Wenlang’s instinctive reaction, how he had immediately stepped in front of him, shielding him from his father’s eyes. The gesture made Gaotu’s heart ache with warmth, but it also confirmed what he already suspected: he wasn’t supposed to be here.

Every bone in his body screamed at him to leave, but when Wenlang quietly begged him to stay, he couldn’t refuse. So here he was, perched on the couch like a student awaiting an interview, back straight, hands clenched together, trying not to fidget. The food was forgotten, his appetite had long since vanished.

_____

“I believe you remember what we agreed on,” his father said at last, his tone calm but heavy with authority as he leaned back and crossed one leg over the other.

“When are you going to take up your responsibilities? I’ve already had your post cleared, so the sooner you make that decision, the better.”

He continued without pause, his voice steady, almost rehearsed. He spoke of the deals he had secured during his recent business trip, the new allies he had made, and the expectations waiting for Shen Wenlang. He even mentioned how often people had asked him when his son would finally step into the business world.

Wenlang leaned back in his chair, outwardly composed, but his thoughts were far from there. His mind was on the one sitting quietly in the living room, probably shaken by all this. Gaotu had wanted to leave, but Wenlang had begged him to stay. He’d seen the unease in his eyes when his father looked at him.

“I think we should just get straight to the point,” Wenlang finally said, his voice calm but firm. “Why did you suddenly show up? All this could have waited.”

His father’s lips curved into a grin, cool and deliberate.

“Why? Am I not allowed to surprise my own son?” he replied smoothly. Then, leaning forward slightly, his grin sharpened. “But it turns out I’m the one who’s surprised.”

He folded his arms across his chest and fixed Wenlang with a piercing stare.

“Go ahead. Speak.”

Wenlang didn’t hesitate. “I’ll only agree to take on the company if I’m allowed to keep Gaotu by my side.” His tone was steady, almost like he was striking a business deal.

“If not…” he leaned back, eyes unwavering, “then we can sever our family ties here and now.”

His father let out a low chuckle, though the edge in it betrayed his surprise. Clearly, the boy had grown some spine in the two months he’d been away.

“So,” his father drawled, “you’d choose an omega over your own family. You really are something.”

Silence fell between them, heavy and sharp. Father and son locked eyes, neither backing down.

Finally, his father’s lips curved, though his gaze stayed unreadable. “...Very well.”

He paused, then added, almost too casually,“But, marriage.”

Wenlang blinked. “What…?”

“That’s the only condition. If you want him at your side, then marry him.” His father’s tone was firm, leaving no room for debate.

He rose from his seat, circling his son as if to emphasize the weight of his words, and moved toward the balcony door.

“I’ll give you one month,” he said, pulling the door open.

As he stepped back inside and passed through the living room, his eyes flicked briefly toward Gaotu before striding away.

---

Shen Wenlang stood still on the balcony for a moment, his fists tightening at his sides. Marriage. One month.

His chest tightened. He hadn’t even gotten Gaotu’s answer yet. Forcing him into something like marriage too soon, went against everything Shen Wenlang wanted. The last thing he’d do was pressure Gaotu.

But a part of him, the selfish part he couldn’t suppress, whispered that marriage would keep Gaotu safe. Permanently. That no one could ever touch him, threaten him, or make him hide again.

He turned his gaze back into the living room. Through the glass door, Gaotu had relaxed a bit, though his face was still pale and tense. He looked so small against the wide cushions, so uneasy it made Wenlang’s heart ache.

Shen Wenlang drew a slow breath, steadying himself. He couldn’t let his father’s condition ruin things. Gaotu’s feelings mattered most. His answer mattered most.

With that, he slid the door open and stepped back inside.

The sound of the sliding door made Gaotu jolt slightly. His head snapped up, his gaze flickered to Wenlang, searching, wary.

Shen Wenlang softened immediately. He crossed the room slowly, he didn’t sit right away he crouched in front of Gaotu instead, lowering himself until they were eye level.

“You’re trembling,” he said quietly. His voice carried no sharpness, just calm steadiness.

Gaotu pressed his lips together, trying to look composed, but his knuckles betrayed him, pale from how tightly he held his hands. “Your… your father doesn’t want me here.” His tone was so faint it almost sounded like he was speaking to himself.

Shen Wenlang shook his head. “He doesn’t matter.”

Gaotu blinked, startled. “Doesn’t matter? He’s your father..”

“And you’re mine,” Wenlang cut him off, voice firm. He didn’t waver. “I told you before, I won’t let anyone hurt you. Not even him.”

Gaotu froze at the words, his breath catching in his throat.

Wenlang studied his face for a long moment, then reached out, carefully prying Gaotu’s clenched fists open one by one. His hands were cold. Wenlang enclosed them in his palms, steady and warm.

“Gaotu,” he murmured, softer now, “don’t let him scare you. Don’t let him make you think you don’t belong here. With me, you do.”

Gaotu’s lashes lowered, his throat tightening. He wanted to say something, but the words tangled up before they could form. Instead, he found himself gripping Wenlang’s hands back, just a little, as though that was the only anchor keeping him steady.

Wenlang smiled faintly at that, though his heart ached. He wanted to tell him everything about the marriage, about the one month, but he stopped himself. Not tonight. Tonight, Gaotu needed reassurance, not pressure.

So instead, he just said, “I’ll take you home.”

****

The door clicked shut behind him, muffling the sound of the idling car outside. Gaotu leaned against it for a moment, his hand still on the knob, his chest rising and falling with uneven breaths.

His bag slid off his shoulder and landed on the floor with a dull thud. He pressed his palms to his face.

What am I doing?

Gaotu’s fingers brushed against his own palm, remembering the weight of Wenlang’s hand wrapped around his. His cheeks heated instantly, and he buried his face deeper in his palms.

He should be terrified. He was terrified. But beneath all that fear was a fluttering excitement he couldn’t smother.

“Idiot…” he whispered into his hands, voice muffled. He didn’t even know if he meant Wenlang or himself. Maybe both.

Dragging himself into the bedroom, Gaotu collapsed onto the bed without even turning on the lights. He lay there staring at the ceiling, the words echoing in his head:

“I’ll give you one month.”

He rolled onto his side, clutching the blanket tightly to his chest. A dull ache pressed against his ribs.

What did Shen Wenlang’s father mean by that? What was supposed to happen in a month?

The question gnawed at him, refusing to let go. No matter how he turned it over in his mind, every road led back to the same conclusion; whatever it was, it had to do with him.

What if he wants Wenlang to cut ties with me?Or worse…

His chest tightened, and he sat up abruptly, clutching his forehead. Just remembering the way Shen Wenlang’s father had looked at him sharp, assessing, as if he were some nuisance or liability made his stomach twist.

Gaotu’s eyes stung. He hated this. Hated not knowing, hated feeling like his life was a piece on someone else’s chessboard. For once, he wished Shen Wenlang had told him the truth instead of shielding him like a child.

But then… another thought slipped in, softer, more dangerous:

What if Wenlang has to choose between me and his family?

The idea alone made his throat close. He wanted to believe Wenlang wouldn’t abandon him but could he really ask him to risk everything for someone like him?