Alcohol is Never the Answer (But It's Worth a Shot)
Gao Tu X Shen Wenlang (3321 Words)
Gao Tu stared at the letter of resignation in his hands. He had reread it so many times that he was probably able to recite it backwards in his sleep.
He was supposed to submit it last month, and yet.. it was still here.
The paper’s edges crinkled from his grip, the words on it seemingly mocking him for his cowardice.
Unwittingly, a memory from that afternoon’s altercation of Shen Wenlang with Sheng Shaoyou appeared in his mind.
“He was screaming your name last night.”
That was the last straw.
Gao Tu grabbed the vodka off his table and twisted it open in determination.
He'll just need some liquid courage to press the “Send” button for the resignation email on his computer.
Fine, even though he had it in paper, he had ultimately decided to hide behind the computer for its actual submission.
Everything is online these days, right?
That's what he told himself as he drank a mouthful from the bottle straight, feeling it burn down his throat.
Bleugh, this was utterly disgusting! Hold on, why would rich people pay so much for this stuff???
He had been avoiding alcohol his whole life citing an alcohol allergy, not wanting to risk any control of his pheromones and hence his Omega identity.
Thankfully, whenever he was pressured to drink at events, Shen Wenlang would swiftly step in, down his glass in one shot and redirect the topic back to business.
Gao Tu felt his heart itch at the thought of his boss and immediately shook his head.
No! No more! Shen Wenlang was never his to begin with..
His finger hovered above the mouse and he let out a harsh sigh.
This better work! He thought as he chugged down another gulp of alcohol with a grimace.
*** 1 hour later ***
Shen Wenlang’s phone rang from his bedside table. He groaned from his disrupted sleep and glared at its screen.
Why on earth was Gao Tu calling him at 3a.m. in the morning?
He frowned and quickly answered the phone.
“What's wrong?”
“Shen Wenlang, you.. you SCUMBAG!” The voice blasted into his ear.
The man jerked from his bed and stared at his phone with his jaws opened for a beat. He then placed it back a distance away from his ear.
“Gao Tu?”
“Do you still.. remember me, your secretary.. or is your mind just.. just filled with SECRETARY HUA?” He hears the other man slurred bitterly.
“You.. are you drunk?” He questioned incredulously.
“I’mmm not drunk, YOU are drunk!”
Shen Wenlang scoffed in amusement. If this was anyone else, he would have definitely been pissed off, but this was a very unexpected side he's yet to see of his usually meek friend.
Hold on.
He sat up on his bed, definitely more awake now.
“Where are you now? Are you outside alone?” He interrogated with a tinge of unease.
“‘s nonne of your business! Who are you to me anyway? You're just my boss who.. who hates Omegas..” His voice fell quiet for awhile before gaining traction again, “Well, guess what? I'm.. an OMEGA! Those Omegas that you hate! It's ME!”
Shen Wenlang’s smile dropped into a scowl.
“What on earth are you talking about?”
“I said.. what I said! That sage smell that always disgusted you.. it's mine, there's no other Omegas, it has always been me!” The voice turned choked. “I tried.. SOOO HARD.. bathed and scrubbed a thousand times, took years and years of suppressants.. and FOR WHAT?! For you to bring in another OMEGA SECRETARY! It's not fair.. it's not fair..”
The other man broke into tears.
Shen Wenlang was still reeling from what he had just heard.
“Gao Tu, you–”
“No, you SHUT UP and.. and listen to me!” Gao Tu interrupted him for the first time in his life, taking a deep breath before ranting, “I ssn’d have.. shouldn't have picked up your STUPID paper airplane allllllll those years ago! It was.. was.. folded TERRIBLY anyway! I was.. such a FOOL, thought I was someone special when you talked to me..” A sad laugh. “But then you said you HATED Omegas.. so I knew.. I already knew I never had a chance..
“But life was SHIT, SOOOOO SHITTY, and you are.. the only good thing.. so I thought.. I'll be happy just staying by your side..” The drunk man confessed with a broken voice, “But I really can’t.. CAN'T watch you fall in love with someone else..”
There was a tense pause where only soft sobs were heard.
Finally, Shen Wenlang swallowed the lump in his throat and asked emotionlessly, “Is that what you called me to say?”
Gao Tu took some time to sniffle before he wailed defiantly, “NO! I wanted.. wanted to say I.. I QUIT! I QUITTTT THIS JOB, BITCH!”
The line cut.
Shen Wenlang blinked at his phone in disbelief.
***
Gao Tu woke up with the biggest headache of his life.
God, let this be the time the suppressants knock him out for good.
Unfortunately after a good minute, that didn't happen, so he's subjected to peeling his eyes open to face the world.
His face was buried in his arms on the table so all he was met with was darkness.
He thought about last night hazily but only had a vague recollection. He gave a weak chuckle – at least he had a satisfying dream expressing all his true thoughts.
Gao Tu finally managed to raise his head up with effort. After a moment of vertigo, his vision cleared and his gaze landed on a pile of tissues. It then flickered to the empty vodka bottle and 37 missed calls on his phone screen from Shen Wenlang.
He closed his eyes again with a wince.
That.. that wasn't a dream.
He groaned like a dying whale into his palms.
Fuuuuuuuucckkk!!!!
Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck!
He allowed himself to have a moment of hysteria before he took a deep breath.
It's fine, it's fine. Shit happens all the time in his life, right? He's literally in a constant state of anxiety so what's one more crisis to the shit show?
The important thing is, what should he do now? He's surprised that Shen Wenlang hasn't come banging at his front door demanding an explanation already. Maybe now that he knows that he's an Omega, he didn't want anything to do with him anymore.
Gao Tu's stomach clenched at that thought.
Or maybe.. Shen Wenlang believed that he's just rambling drunk nonsense and decided not to pursue the matter?
Hope ignited in his chest.
Ah, who was he kidding! The things he said yesterday seemed to be too specific to be lies.
Either way, he needs to leave, he thinks to himself as he starts throwing together a small bag with a few sets of clothes.
He just needs to get away for a few days, doesn't matter where, be it a 24-hours sauna or even better, permanently in a deep hole in the ground.
Will Shen Wenlang go bother his sister in the hospital instead? What if Gao Tu changed his name and cut all family ties? How long will the administration take?
Caught up in his whirlwind of thoughts while opening the door, he didn't have the time to react when a sudden force pushed him back inside the house.
Before he knew it, he was Kabedoned by a red-eyed Shen Wenlang.
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The two wolves inside every writer: "this is genuinely the best thing i have ever written. i am gifted. i am changed. this paragraph alone justifies my entire existence on this planet." and then five minutes later, same paragraph: "who wrote this. who allowed this. this reads like a golden retriever trying to describe grief. i need to lie down and reconsider everything." both wolves are always wrong. the paragraph is fine. you need a snack.
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Ok so what about that time Gao Tu witnesses someone show an interest in his alpha?
Or not really his because at this point, they’re together but not together? They’re not mated. They’re not married. They sleep with each other, yes. Intimate, yes. They share a bed. A house. A son. But there is no label to all of this and no, they’ve never talked about it or set rules to it. They’re together. It’s as simple as that.
Everyone in HS Group knows they’re together. But to what extent, they could only silently guess. But everyone outside HS Group thinks the omega that’s seen by Shen Wenlang’s side accompanying him to business events is his secretary. Which is true, since Gao Tu manages Shen Wenlang’s affairs.
In one particular instance, Shen Wenlang is working on a new research project with another company. Gao Tu is the middleman since this project was sort of a priority and Shen Wenlang doesn’t trust anyone to handle this cleanly and quickly other than Gao Tu.
So Gao Tu is the one meeting with the other president of said partner. An omega. Beautiful. Young. Like Shen Wenlang, she built her company from the ground up. She was headstrong and made realistic decisions which all aligned with HS Group’s goals for the project. Her ideals with Shen Wenlang were a match as well.
So when the project comes to a close and the contracts are already signed, the omega president requests a final meeting with Shen Wenlang. Just a formality before their joint project finally ends. A private celebration for the successful launch of everything. Gao Tu arranges this in Shen Wenlang’s office at the request of the omega president, making sure there’s champagne and a light spread of canapés and other assorted finger food.
“You’ve been really helpful, Secretary Gao,” She says to him as they both walk down the halls to Shen Wenlang’s office.
“It’s been a pleasure working with you.” Gao Tu lowers his head and smiles.
“There’s one last thing I’d like to ask, Secretary Gao. I do hope you’ll be able to help me with it?”
“I’ll try my best.”
“Would you possibly know if Shen Wenlang has a mate?”
This almost stops Gao Tu in his tracks but he does manage to compose himself so as not to miss a single step.
“Or if he’s seeing anybody?” She gives a small shy laugh. “I’m afraid President Shen has curried my favor so to speak. I’d like to open up avenues to which this chance could develop into something more.”
She looks at him and smiles and she’s so beautiful and elegant and in Gao Tu’s head, would look really nice next to Shen Wenlang in those huge old family portraits.
“I apologize if this sounds a bit personal.” She adds. “But you’re so close to him and so I wondered if you knew anything about him seeing someone? I don’t want to step out of line.”
Gao Tu can’t form a proper response to this but thankfully, they’ve reached the end of the hall to where Shen Wenlang’s office is located. Gao Tu just dips his head in apology, tells her politely that she can ask Shen Wenlang and then closes the door as she enters.
And Gao Tu’s head is spinning as he walks back to his desk, clearly taken aback by the conversation. Sure, he and Shen Wenlang never talked about what they are to each other. Or okay, fine. Gao Tu never talked about it. Shen Wenlang on the other hand has expressed his love and devotion to him time and time again. But Gao Tu thinks it’s just a phase and the alpha will get over it.
There’s also Shen Wenlang calling him baobei but that was just a playful petname, right? Like how he calls Lele baobao and it’s all just a silly thing. Nothing serious.
And okay. Okay. They do get intimately close with one another behind closed doors and in the privacy of their own homes. But Gao Tu would never hold Shen Wenlang back. If he wanted to spend his ruts with someone else, then he’ll let him, although he never does and always asks for him anyway.
As much as he doesn’t like to dwell on things, that whole conversation with the omega president just opened up a lot. It reminded Gao Tu how he had a long way to go to catch up to Shen Wenlang. He didn’t deem himself ugly. But he does think he’s only quite average. If that omega president wanted to pursue Shen Wenlang, who is he to say no to that? How could he ever compare himself to her?
His thoughts are cut short when the phone rings. He realizes it has been quite some time now and that the meeting ran for almost an hour.
He picks it up and hears Shen Wenlang’s voice on the other end of the line.
“Gao Tu, can you come in here for a minute?”
The walk towards Shen Wenlang’s office is short but Gao Tu makes sure to drag every step so he doesn’t arrive and see- see what exactly? Shen Wenlang holding hands with another omega and telling him oh look i’ve found a mate?
Gao Tu knocks and enters when he’s told to do so. He sees the omega president across from Shen Wenlang’s desk sitting poised and formal. Shen Wenlang stands as Gao Tu enters and extends a hand, urging him to step closer.
“I apologize if I haven’t introduced Gao Tu properly to you.” Shen Wenlang says as he faces her. “He’s the reason why I cannot accept your proposal.”
So they’ve been talking about me? Gao Tu wonders and then jogs his memory back. Wait, what proposal?
Shen Wenlang then steps out of his desk to get to him. He then takes his hand and laces his fingers in his.
“This is my mate.”
Gao Tu has been trained so long to be formal in settings like these that he was able to keep his mouth from hanging open. Instead, he lowers his head in shock, unable to look at anybody in that room because what?
“He’s not just a secretary.” Shen Wenlang continues and from the corner of Gao Tu’s eyes, he can tell the alpha is looking at him. “He runs HS Group beside me.”
Gao Tu knew Shen Wenlang was lying. He could barely call running errands as running HS Group.
“He owns 15% percent of this company as well.”
This finally has Gao Tu snap his head up look at the alpha in shock.
Surely Shen Wenlang was joking.
The omega president stands and steps toward Gao Tu. And she’s so dazzlingly beautiful in her business suit and what is Shen Wenlang doing because she’s right there! She likes him! She’s rich and owns millions and Gao Tu is just… He’s not…
He can’t be her.
The omega president smiles and bows her head at him. “I apologize for stepping out of line earlier. Had I known, I wouldn't have asked. Do know that I did not have any intention of pursuing your alpha if he’s already claimed.”
She then turns to Shen Wenlang. “I’m quite embarrassed. I hope I did not destroy the project that both of our companies built due to my actions.”
Shen Wenlang shakes his head. “Not at all. Thank you for being honest and respectful about this.”
She leaves with a shake of both their hands and Gao Tu is left standing there, speechless at the whole ordeal.
Shen Wenlang nudges him out of his stupor. Gao Tu focuses on a spot on the ground as a wave of embarrassment fills him.
“What exactly did she ask you?” The alpha asks, voice soft and coaxing.
Gao Tu takes a deep breath. “If you were mated. Or you were seeing anyone. Because she wanted to pursue you.”
“And what did you say?”
Gao Tu swallows nervously. “That she ask you herself.”
He feels a finger settle under his chin. Shen Wenlang isn’t forcing him to look up at him but Gao Tu does lift his head up. And what he sees on the alpha’s face surprised him.
Shen Wenlang looks hurt.
“Am I not yours?” He asks.
You are! Gao Tu wants to scream out. He has always wanted Shen Wenlang. For years he has not looked at any other alpha except him. Shen Wenlang is the sun to him and Gao Tu is always willing to burn just to do everything for him to shine brighter.
But how can he say that? It sounded so selfish of him to keep the sun all to himself.
It pained Gao Tu to hear the doubt in Shen Wenlang’s voice. Like he didn’t believe Gao Tu could ever want him back.
A knock on the door sounds, interrupting them. Yet Shen Wenlang hasn’t dropped his finger, hasn’t stepped away. His eyes are still on his.
“What is it?” He calls out.
“The conference room is ready for your meeting.”
On one hand, Gao Tu thinks he’s saved by the bell again. He doesn’t have to deal with answering Shen Wenlang’s question. They can leave it at that and not put a label to things as usual.
Or.
Something like this happens again. And the jealousy will eat up at him. So what if Gao Tu actually says something. And maybe, maybe, the sun just actually wants to shine only for him.
It’s feels so so selfish. But it also feels so so right.
Shen Wenlang drops his finger. “We can talk about this later. Or not.”
And without another word, he leaves to get to his meeting.
But not before Gao Tu reaches to tug at the back of his pristine suit. It’s a small tug. Not enough to hold Shen Wenlang back but enough for the alpha to know that someone, this simple omega, who is not rich or pretty or owns a multi-million dollar company, wants him to stop. To turn around. To look at him.
Shen Wenlang does so slowly, eyes searching his but Gao Tu only lowers his gaze.
“I…” Gao Tu trains his eyes on the buttons on Shen Wenlang’s suit. “I like you.”
No. That’s not enough. He swallows hard.
“I want you.” Gao Tu furrows his brow in concentration. “I didn’t like… When she said she wanted…” He takes a deep breath. “She can’t have you.”
Because you’re mine.
Warm large hands cup his face, bringing him up to meet Shen Wenlang’s own and a burst of iris fills the room with life. Gao Tu’s knees almost give way at the intensity of the alpha’s scent that’s wrapping around his being, holding him close as if to stake his claim as well.
“Nobody can have me.” Shen Wenlang breathes. “Because I only belong to you.”
And thank whoever built Shen Wenlang’s office for having the doors sealed with pheromone blockers as that entire room smelled of iris and sage. That meeting was pushed back to another date because HS Group’s president was currently in a deep deep meeting and is absolutely not to be disturbed.
Later, much later, when they’re at home and Lele is riding on Shen Wenlang’s shoulders as they play around the room and Gao Tu is picking an outfit for Lele to wear to school tomorrow, the omega remembers what Shen Wenlang said.
“That was a good joke about having me own 15% of HS Group.” Gao Tu says.
Shen Wenlang puts Lele down to join him in picking out a pair of socks.
“That wasn’t a joke.”
Gao Tu looks at him in shock.
“What?” Shen Wenlang chuckles. “It’s true. You own 15%.”
Gao Tu just continues to stare at him.
“But… I don’t want it.”
“Well, that’s what the clause states. As president, my mate is entitled to 15%. Both mine and your shares will be handed down to the next of kin in any unforeseen event.” Shen Wenlang says. “I had that clause legally changed and written 3 years ago.”
The alpha hugs Lele from behind. “But there will be no unforeseen event. You and Lele will always be under my care.”
“But…” Gao Tu is trying his best to wrap his head around this. “I’m not…”
Shen Wenlang raises an eye at him. “Not what? Not my mate?”
Well, yes.
The alpha lets Lele go as he leans towards Gao Tu and plants a kiss to his forehead.
“Not yet. But I want you to be. Someday. When you’re ready.”
Shen Wenlang smiles at him and Gao Tu truly does not care if the sun burns him to the ground.
So now, there is a label. Gao Tu is Shen Wenlang’s mate and vice versa.
All they need is a mark.
And we all know that Gao Tu will say yes to it happening someday.
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did not realize in ep 11 that shen wenlang's demeanor towards gao tu DEF changes after his conversation with hua yong where he's like 'you like him, right?' and shen wenlang is like 'no, shut up'
literally that's all it took im sooooooo
LIKE LOOK AT THIS SOFT MOTHERFUCKER?! SIR YOU'RE SOOOOO DUMB. BUT BETTER LATE THAN NEVER I GUESS (too little too late though)
Poor Gao Tu, sick as a dog, standing there, listening to his boss/crush/(alleged) friend of 10 years say he’s in love with Hua Yong, an Omega, and even say he’s the only Omega he can tolerate. Poor thing 😭
Boi had to go through stuff this ep. Also someone seriously needs to make a compilation of Shen Wenlang's eye rolls.
Bro has suffered too much 😔 ngl, I don't blame him that much for being so pathetic and repressed
(Novel spoiler ahead)
Cuz I'd be too if I had a family as fucked up as his. With one parent coming back from the dead and the other being crazy as fuck and constantly torturing the former and a lot more absolutely unhinged shit.
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