66: He really missed Gao Tu
For someone like Enigma, who stood at the pinnacle of human genetic evolution, learning to cry was hard — but watching his beloved Alpha remain just out of reach was even harder.
So Hua Yong worked hard to learn how to cry, to learn how to lower himself and coax gently.
Sheng Shaoyou’s appearance was like a second life to him, filling his once-cold existence with warmth.
Tears were no longer a symbol of weakness, but proof of love.
“I didn’t mean to make you cry,” Sheng Shaoyou said.
“An Enigma crying all the time — people would laugh their heads off if they heard.”
“Then don’t tell anyone, okay?”
Hua Yong leaned closer, caressing his abdomen ambiguously and whispering against his ear:
“If people find out I’m an Enigma, then our little peanut will have to call you ‘Mommy.'”
“Wh-what Mommy…”
“Oh?”
Sheng Shaoyou froze. The heavy orchid-scented pheromones made his knees weak. That little bastard deliberately released his scent, leaving him soaking wet in an instant.
Affection wrapped around them like warm water, their bodies engaged in a slick, wordless dialogue.
“Mr. Sheng, don’t be mad anymore. I won’t speak out of turn again. I promise to live a long life…”
Hua Yong kissed behind his lover’s ear, gentle yet firm:
“Even if I die, in the next life I’ll still chase after Mr. Sheng.”
“You’re talking nonsense… and you even snuck off to see my dad behind my back.”
“Ah… that was indeed very wrong of me. I deserve a punishment…”
Hua Yong pressed Sheng Shaoyou’s hand to his lips and kissed it lightly:
“Let me make it up to you, okay?”
“Make it up to me?” Sheng Shaoyou asked.
“How?”
To attend the event, Hua Yong had already changed into a formal suit. The dark shirt made his fair skin look even more luminous. He reached up to unbutton his shirt, exposing a blindingly white chest, and licked his lips.
“I’ll let Mr. Sheng touch me however he wants. Okay?”
Sheng Shaoyou froze for a beat, nearly blinded by that expanse of white, his cheeks flushing uncontrollably. He laughed and scolded:
“Is this a punishment or a reward?”
Hua Yong smiled back, answering seriously:
“I’m always optimistic. Even if it’s a punishment, I think it’s beautiful.”
More beautiful than Hua Yong’s own imaginings was the newly appointed president of the Jianghu Chamber of Commerce.
He had sent tea party invitations to the highest decision-makers of both X Holdings and Shengfang Biotech.
The news that these two leaders were about to marry was already no secret in Jianghu City.
Gossiping bystanders had mixed their business dealings with love stories, spreading the tales with relish.
Months ago, X Holdings had invited Shengfang’s chairman to an international industry forum, then extended another invitation to a private salon. Both events had once caused a stir in Jianghu’s business circle.
But just when everyone thought the two companies were about to deeply collaborate, X Holdings abruptly announced it would share its long-held monopoly on pheromone suppressants with HS.
That announcement sent Shengfang’s stock plummeting. As its external situation worsened, X Holdings even twisted the knife by pressuring banks to pull loans from Shengfang.
At the time, these actions seemed like normal “business warfare.” But now, gossipy crowds reinterpreted them as evidence of a lover’s quarrel — proof that the two company heads were a pair in love and war.
This was Sheng Shaoyou’s first appearance at a small-scale business event since being publicly proposed to. Even reporters from P country had stationed themselves outside.
The chamber president was very pleased. Having Sheng Shaoyou attend had already brought “international attention” to his tea party — and if the elusive you know who from X Holdings deigned to show up too, his party would become legendary.
But his wishful thinking was for nothing.
The X Holdings owner, as always, did not appear — instead sending his right-hand man, Chang Yu.
Still, just having Secretary Chang attend was already an honor.
As the confidant of X Holdings’ owner, Chang Yu himself was very popular, and people crowded around him to curry favor.
Sitting across from Chang Yu was HS’s Shen Wenlang, who scowled at the noisy social climbers around them.
“Damn it, what a racket. If I’d known it’d be like this I wouldn’t have come,” Shen muttered, setting his tea down.
“It’s so loud you’d think a duck boat capsized.”
He didn’t look well — his handsome face sullen and more forbidding than ever.
Sheng Shaoyou was seated to Chang Yu’s right. As his “staff,” Hua Yong naturally sat next to Sheng Shaoyou.
When Shen Wenlang saw Hua Yong, his lips parted slightly, as if he wanted to say something but didn’t.
These days, he’d called Hua Yong privately more than once, seeking advice on how to win back his former subordinate.
On the phone, Hua Yong had asked bluntly:
“Has Secretary Gao completely abandoned you?”
“Abandoned me? Him? Hua Yong, are you insane?!” Shen had exploded.
“You’re screwed,” Hua Yong replied.
“Someone like Secretary Gao — stubborn, thoughtful — makes his decisions carefully. The moment he handed you his resignation, you should’ve refused outright.”
He paused.
“But knowing your pride, you probably signed it at lightning speed and even found excuses to move him out of your office to avoid seeing him, right?”
Damn it — all correct!
Hua Yong continued:
“Wenlang, if I were you, I’d call and confess my feelings before he blocks your number.”
“Me? Confess? Are you crazy?!”
“I’m not,” Hua Yong chuckled.
“And I have a wife. But you — if you keep being proud like this, you’ll never get your wife back. Enjoy being single for life.”
It was as if Hua Yong’s words had cursed him.
Three days ago, Shen Wenlang had finally built up the nerve, steeled himself, and called Gao Tu.
But…
“Sorry, the number you dialed is no longer in service.”
Shen froze, hung up, and dialed again — same result.
Gao Tu’s number had been canceled.
It left Shen’s chest hollow and aching, as if something had been ripped out.
He realized he’d been wrong all along.
That loyal, dependable, once-devoted Gao Tu hadn’t planned to stay by his side forever.
He wasn’t some unshakable, loyal dog — but a foolish rabbit who could be lured away by another Omega.
Damn it! That stupid Beta probably couldn’t even tell whose child that Omega was carrying!
The thought made Shen burn with bitter jealousy.
Why was he jealous?
Jealous of that filthy Omega who could openly embrace Gao Tu, who so easily stole him away!
Shen thought he was going crazy.
But he really missed Gao Tu.
Not being able to reach him left him sleepless, restless, imagining horrible scenarios — that Gao Tu was in trouble, unable to ask for help.
Convinced something must have happened, Shen used his connections to track him down — only to learn that three days after resigning, Gao Tu had given up his downtown apartment and moved back to his rural hometown with his sister.
No Omega in sight.
Like a madman, Shen ordered an investigation into Gao Tu’s marital status.
When he saw the word unmarried, he finally smiled for the first time in days.
That stupid Beta hadn’t married that cursed Omega!
Good.
There was still time.
At the tea party, X Holdings’ owner never appeared.
Instead, everyone crowded around Sheng Shaoyou and Chang Yu.
It was clearly not the right place to talk.
Shen’s questions rose to his lips several times, only to be swallowed back down.
He’d already sent people to Gao Tu’s hometown several times but never found him.
The old house was too dilapidated to live in, and after his sister’s surgery and discharge, the pair had seemingly vanished, leaving no trace.
Only now did Shen realize how little he actually knew about Gao Tu after ten whole years.
All they had was a now-defunct phone number — nothing else.
On the drive back to Jianghu from Gao Tu’s hometown, Shen felt drained and defeated.
Hua Yong sent him a text: “That photo from that night.” [image]
Shen didn’t even look, just closed it.
He closed his eyes, head throbbing, thinking of Gao Tu’s awkward, shabby student days, his plain face behind black-rimmed glasses, his bright, clean eyes, his soft lips…
He really missed Gao Tu.
He wanted him to come back to work — or even not work, just stay nearby, somewhere Shen could see him.
Shen had plenty of money. He could support him. If Gao Tu wanted, he’d even help raise that damned Omega’s child with him.
Though Shen hated kids, if the child looked like Gao Tu, maybe it would be bearable.
Being unable to see Gao Tu was unbearable.
He remembered that the reason he’d told Gao Tu to move offices was because he’d overheard him in the bathroom talking to a colleague.
“Huh? Secretary Gao is resigning?”
“Yeah.”
“But doesn’t President Shen value you? Why leave?”
“I’m too busy,” Gao Tu had said softly, his neck and broad back exposed.
Hearing that, Shen’s chest had ached as he imagined some Omega hugging Gao Tu from behind.
“Not because I’m too busy,” Gao Tu added with a faint laugh.
“It’s just that I have some personal matters I can’t juggle, and I’m afraid it’ll affect work.”
“Oh? But our company’s benefits are great, and President Shen isn’t that bad… isn’t it a pity?”
“Not a pity.”
That quick, firm reply had enraged Shen.
Shouldn’t he have hesitated? Been more reluctant?!
“I actually… I’ve thought about resigning for a long time,” Gao Tu admitted quietly.
When he’d first been diagnosed with pheromone disorder, Gao Tu had spent a sleepless night and brought his resignation the next morning.
But seeing Shen’s face and hearing him say “I want white tea — brew it yourself”, he hadn’t been able to hand it over.
Gnashing his teeth through cold sweats from painkillers and suppressants, he’d told himself: Not yet. Not until the very end.
But now it was different.
It was time to stop dreaming.
“If President Shen begged you to stay?”
Beg? Impossible.
That was Shen Wenlang — a proud S-rank Alpha.
Beg? Just not throwing the resignation in his face was already merciful.
Thinking that, Gao Tu forced a bitter smile.
“Unless…”
“Unless what?”
“Unless President Shen gave me 15% of HS shares. Then I’d consider staying.”
The colleague laughed:
“Didn’t know you could joke, Secretary Gao!”
Gao Tu just smiled faintly.
“Not ‘Secretary’ anymore.”
Behind the column by the sink, Shen Wenlang fumed.
Not worth begging? Already decided long ago? Damn it. Go, then. Go to hell. Who cares about a stupid, ugly Beta?
Seething, he stormed out, ordering Gao Tu to pack up and leave immediately.
He swore to himself: I never want to see that infuriating Beta again for the rest of my life!