11: Hua Yong Will Definitely Reject Him
Hua Yong had very little luggage. The moving company Sheng Shaoyou hired turned out to be largely unnecessary, four strong men carried just two suitcases, and the whole move was done in ten minutes.
The landlord, a middle-aged Omega woman, opened the door with an impatient jangle of keys. She glanced up and down at Sheng Shaoyou, who stood beside Hua Yong, with a look that was equal parts disdain and envy.
Good looks really made a difference. In just three months, this Omega had switched Alphas helping him move, both S-class, and both looking filthy rich!
If she hadn’t already taken hush money, she would’ve loved to expose this disreputable little thing right in front of the new Alpha. This Omega was shameless, practically cursed! Rented her place but never stayed a single night, and the last time he moved in, wasn’t it a completely different tall, handsome Alpha who carried his luggage?
The “small apartment” Sheng Shaoyou mentioned wasn’t small at all. From a glance, it had to be over 300 square meters, bright, spacious, and leagues better than Hua Yong’s old rental.
Once inside and seeing the full scope of this so-called “small apartment,” Hua Yong grew more hesitant. Several times he looked like he wanted to say something but held back, as if he were dreaming a luxury far too extravagant to even imagine.
Sheng Shaoyou directed the movers to place Hua Yong’s things in the storage room, then leaned against the doorframe and said goodbye to the hesitant little orchid.
“It’s getting late. I’ll head out first.”
“Mr. Sheng,” Hua Yong immediately called out, hesitating before saying, “Isn’t this place… too big?”
Sheng Shaoyou gave him a small smirk, his expression a little cocky. “Most people complain about places being too small, not too big. Why are you the exception?”
Hua Yong lowered his head, visibly burdened with thought. “I don’t think this place only costs thirty thousand.”
“Even if it doesn’t, it’s still sitting empty. Better to let you stay and bring a little life into it.”
Hua Yong looked up at him, his eyes clear, trusting, and grateful. He seemed to accept that explanation and gave Sheng Shaoyou a light smile, his youthful innocence showing through even more. “Thank you, Mr. Sheng.”
“Alright, enough with the thank-yous. My ears are going numb.” Sheng Shaoyou chuckled and ruffled Hua Yong’s hair. Hua Yong flinched slightly at first, but when he couldn’t dodge in time, he simply stood there obediently, letting himself be patted like a small animal.
That night, Sheng Shaoyou slept especially well, like someone who had acquired a one-of-a-kind treasure and hidden it away in a private vault only he had the code to. He was genuinely delighted.
He saw Hua Yong again a few days later at a business banquet.
The Jianghu Chamber of Commerce was preparing to appoint a new chairman. The former chairman had recently died of sudden illness, and the incoming one hosted a gathering for the key decision-makers of member enterprises. Though framed as a private dinner, it was really a public display of support, people choosing sides openly.
The late chairman had long been at odds with the new one, and few had attended his events. But with the power shift, the new chair’s influence was clearly growing. Almost all the prominent business elites of Jianghu showed up, Sheng Shaoyou and Shen Wenlang among them.
Sheng Shaoyou entered with Shu Xin on his arm, only to spot Hua Yong seated beside Shen Wenlang. His expression darkened for a moment before he quickly donned a polished social smile to greet other guests.
He and Shen Wenlang were in similar industries and close in age, so they were seated near each other. Once seated, Hua Yong noticed him and brightly greeted, “Mr. Sheng.”
Sheng Shaoyou nodded and smiled. “You’re here too.”
Tonight, Hua Yong was dressed formally in a silver-gray suit, paired with a jeweled brooch that seemed to be an unusual orchid design, probably from some designer. Just sitting there quietly, he drew frequent glances from nearby guests.
In contrast, Shen Wenlang, dressed all in black and wearing his usual cold expression, looked more like he was attending a funeral.
This was Shu Xin’s first time accompanying Sheng Shaoyou to a formal event. Seeing the gorgeous Omega across from her, her heart gave a hard thump.
Hua Yong was even more beautiful in person than in photos. From a short social distance, his pale, near-translucent skin and flawless complexion stood out. His beauty wasn’t masked by makeup, he was stunning in a pure, unaware way, like a natural-born ethereal beauty.
Shu Xin couldn’t help sighing internally, calculating how little chance she stood next to someone like that.
When the toasts began, Shen Wenlang claimed he was on cold medicine and couldn’t drink, so he had Hua Yong do the honors. Hua Yong obediently stood, holding a wine glass and offering a shy, polite smile to each guest. Clearly unused to socializing, he spoke in a soft voice and usually finished his full glass before he could even finish his toasts.
His awkwardness was as eye-catching as his looks. More guests came to toast him than anyone else that night. By the end of the banquet, Sheng Shaoyou’s expression was darker than Shen Wenlang’s black suit.
Noticing Shu Xin watching him nervously, Sheng Shaoyou kept his gaze locked on Hua Yong and coldly said, “I have something to take care of later. Go home on your own.”
Hua Yong’s face was flushed from drinking, his dewy eyes unfocused, making him look impossibly alluring. The Alphas present cast envious glances at Shen Wenlang. Many of them were tipsy, and their gaze toward Hua Yong grew increasingly bold and unruly.
It made Sheng Shaoyou feel like he’d swallowed a fly, disgusted and angry.
When the event ended, Shen Wenlang led Hua Yong around to bid farewell. Sheng Shaoyou followed closely behind. He didn’t trust Shen Wenlang one bit and planned to find some excuse to personally take Hua Yong home.
But just as he reached the exit, he was stopped by the drunk new chairman, who introduced him to a tall young Alpha.
“Secretary Chang, this is Sheng Shaoyou from Shengfang Biotech.” The chairman, an old friend of Sheng’s, noticed his distraction and emphasized the introduction. “Shaoyou, this is Chang Yu, Secretary of X Holdings.”
X Holdings? Chang Yu? That was the right-hand man of X Holdings’ current head.
Sheng Shaoyou snapped out of his daze, withdrawing his gaze from Hua Yong’s staggering figure. He offered a polite handshake. “Pleasure to meet you, Secretary Chang.”
Chang Yu had a mature, stern look, sharp features and an aloof expression. He coolly looked Sheng Shaoyou up and down, shook hands lightly, and said, “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
The exchange of business cards and pleasantries took some time. By the time Sheng Shaoyou left the banquet hall, Hua Yong and Shen Wenlang were already gone.
Inside the car, Sheng Shaoyou looked visibly agitated. The driver didn’t dare ask questions, only inquired, “Mr. Sheng, where to?”
Sheng Shaoyou paused, then gave Hua Yong’s apartment address.
As the car slowly made its way through traffic, Sheng Shaoyou impatiently dialed Hua Yong’s number. It rang for a long time with no answer. The waiting music only made his heart tighten further. A strange panic filled him, though he couldn’t quite name why.
Hua Yong was Shen Wenlang’s secretary. Accompanying him to events was part of the job. Sheng Shaoyou himself often brought Chen Pinming to social occasions.
That little orchid always had his own backbone. He was good at rejecting other Alphas. He worked for Shen Wenlang out of gratitude, but even then, he rarely smiled at him. That unguarded, genuine smile—he only showed that to Sheng Shaoyou.
Yes, there was no need to worry.
But Shen Wenlang was a bastard who sexually harassed his subordinates at the office. The first time they met, he’d had his hands all over Hua Yong.
Hua Yong might be clear-headed enough to say no when sober, but tonight, he was drunk. His eyes had been dazed, confused, and they had kept seeking out Sheng Shaoyou.
Yes, throughout the latter half of the banquet, the intoxicated Hua Yong had kept glancing at him. Even Shen Wenlang noticed and had snidely asked, “Secretary Hua, do you have something to say to Mr. Sheng? You’ve been staring. Why don’t you go toast him?”
Hua Yong had blushed and immediately stood with his glass.
Sheng Shaoyou noticed his glass was full and said, “Use juice. I’m not drinking anymore.”
Hua Yong had looked grateful, his face even redder.
Shen Wenlang had sneered, “President Sheng sure knows how to pamper. Must be lucky to be your Omega. Pity Secretary Hua’s never had good luck, right, Hua Yong?”
Orphaned parents. A gravely ill sister. Yes, luck had never favored him.
Hua Yong’s eyes dulled at that. “Yes, President Shen. My luck’s always been bad.” Then, with glistening eyes, he looked at Sheng Shaoyou and softly added, “But lately, things seem to be getting better. I guess the tide has turned.”
That orchid was truly stunning. Everyone looked at him, but he only looked at Sheng Shaoyou, as if no one else existed in his world.
Sheng Shaoyou had been stared at by those eyes all night. With some alcohol in his system, he couldn’t help but wonder if Hua Yong really was falling for him.
And maybe it wasn’t just his imagination. This little orchid had signed a long-term contract with HS just to repay Shen Wenlang’s help. Falling in love with someone who saved his sister’s life and gave him a place to stay, like Sheng Shaoyou, seemed only natural.
So even if Shen Wenlang drove him home, nothing would happen.
Hua Yong would definitely reject him.
That orchid would say no to every Alpha and Beta, except Sheng Shaoyou.
But which Alpha, once his desire was sparked, would listen when an Omega said no? Worse, they might even think Hua Yong was being coy, saying no but meaning yes…
That thought sparked a sudden, urgent panic in Sheng Shaoyou. He snapped upright and urged the driver, “Are we there yet?”
The driver glanced at his anxious face. “Mr. Sheng, there’s some traffic. About three more minutes.”
Sheng Shaoyou looked at the GPS. His fingers anxiously rubbed the armrest. Three minutes passed—but the car still hadn’t moved.
“Are we there yet?”
“Sorry, sir. There’s been an accident up ahead, we—wait, Mr. Sheng! Mr. Sheng!”
Sheng Shaoyou threw open the door, abandoning the car and driver. He vaulted the sidewalk railing and sprinted down the pedestrian path.
The apartment was still 300 meters away.
The driver stared in shock as Jianghu’s most successful young CEO suddenly transformed into the hero of a sports manga, rolling up his tailored suit sleeves and doing a full-on 100-meter dash in public.
Was he rushing off to… save the world?
Impossible.
From everything the driver knew, Sheng Shaoyou was the kind of man who stayed calm even if the sky collapsed.
So what, exactly, had panicked him like this? What disaster was big enough to make Sheng Shaoyou forget his coat, get out of the car, and run through the winter streets like this?