#langtu

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.