Chapter Text
7:00pm
"Mr Sheng, the car is ready for you." Chen Pinming announced as he entered the office.
"God is it 7pm already?" The exhausted alpha exclaimed, lifting his head from his reports. "I wish I had never agreed to this specticle, I swear Yushan owes me one." He began to rise out of his seat, slipping his blazer over his crumpled shirt and waist coat.
"Sir?"
"Mmh?" Shaoyao hummed.
"What is it that you are attending to this evening? As in, pardon if I speak out of turn but, why does Mr Zheng wish for you to go to the club on a Wednesday evening?" Chen Pinming questioned.
Shaoyao sighed as if he thought this himself. "Because Chen Pinming, Yushan has found himself in love and infatuated with a much younger, pretty little toy. An delicate omega that Yushan is certain is 'the one'", Sheng Shaoyao scoffed, even his own words made him laugh. "Honestly, people who believe in true love and 'the one' are just in denial and feel the need to fuel themselves with this idea of 'love', in my mind they need to get a grip."
Chen Pinming doesn't give a response to Sheng Shaoyao, he only nods his head in quiet agreement. Pinming knew Sheng Shaoyao didn't believe in love, or mates or bonds. He believed that life was for work and pleasure, deep emotional connections were a waste of his time. Pinming however, felt sorry for Sheng Shaoyao, as he knew deep down there was just a man who had never allowed himself to experience true, honest love.
"Right" Sheng Shaoyao stated, snapping Chen Pinming out of his thoughts. "I have to go now and entertain Yushan and his new 'love', I will be in at 8am tomorrow Chen Pinming, I expect to see you here too."
Chen Pinming nodded as Sheng Shaoyao waltzed out of his office, he would indeed be in tomorrow, eagerly waiting to hear all about the events of this evening.
8:00pm
"We've arrived Sir"
Shaoyao glanced at the driver, then out the window at Yushan’s newest club, freshly opened this week. The neon lights and pulsing music throbbed at his temples, forcing him to squeeze the bridge of his nose. Hesitating, he hooked his hand into the door handle and pushed it open.
No sooner had he shut the door behind him than a large, drunken weight slumped onto his shoulder. Shaoyao was about to snap, ready to shove this unknown force into the bush conveniently nearby, when the sharp, intoxicating scent of sandalwood hit him.
"Sighs... Li Boqiao, get off me"
"Shaooooyaoooo, my bestest pal, I didn't expect you to attend the launch of Yushan's new budding romance!"
"Trust me, this wasn't by choice", Shaoyao mumbled begrudgingly, as he slid Li Boqiao's palm off of his brand new Brunello Cuccinelli jacket.
"Oh come onnnnnn, it wont be that bad. Hey what if this new little omega of Yushan brings some friends? Might turn out to not be such a bore for us?" Li Baoqiao chuckled, knowing into Shaoyao.
"Stop hitting into me like that, get some grace and decorum will you." Shaoyao snaps, brushing Li Boqiao off him, " besides, I get the feeling that this omega, along with it's friends wont be.. very clean"
"Oh come on Shaoyao, you can't possibly stillllll have this cleanliness issue"
"Hush now, lets go in before Yushan gets angry", Shaoyao, gripping onto the slightly drunk, gullible Li Boqiao stumble into the club, ready to see what awaits them.
After being greeted by the carefully selected security Yushan had arranged, Shaoyao and Li Boqiao were led to the newly refurbished private rooms. Sleek velvet sofas were set against charcoal walls, giving the space an elegant, high-end feel. As Shaoyao took it all in, they were eventually directed to the VIP room—the largest and most impressive of them all. Li Boqiao started to step inside but paused when he noticed Shaoyao’s hesitation.
"Come on Shaoyao, let your hair down for once." he giggled as he slipped into the room, Shaoyao, shaking his head, followed suit.
"Guys!! You made it!" Yushan exclaimed, rising from his seat and running straight to the two men who had just entered.
Li Baoqiao practically tackled Yushan to the ground, sweeping him off his feet. Sheng Shaoyao chuckled, slipping his hands into his pockets. But from the corner of his eye, his gaze fixed onto the picture of beauty sat on the velvet sofa.
This man looked like a porcelain doll, sculpted from marble, every feature flawless. His glossy, onyx hair fell softly across his forehead, and his hands were neatly folded in front of him, posture immaculate. He wore a silk shirt, nearly translucent, that clung to every curve of his body, paired with sleek white trousers that accentuated his long, slender legs - an image of pure grace.
But the illusion shattered the moment Shaoyao met his gaze. Those eyes were polite, yet razor-sharp, silently judging Shaoyao for daring to occupy the same room. They held his stare for what felt like an eternity, a silent duel of dominance playing out in the space between them.
Shaoyao’s first thought was sharp and immediate: Who does this guy think he is? He caught the subtle flutter of the man’s eyelashes, the way his fox-like eyes curved into a smirk that was equal parts seductive and condescending. It infuriated Shaoyao far more than he cared to admit.
Once Shaoyao had managed to peel Li Boqiao off him and get to his feet, Yushan noticed him staring intently at the man on the sofa.
“Ah, Shaoyao, Shaoyao! I see you’ve already noticed our special guest!” Zheng Yushan exclaimed, completely oblivious to the tension crackling in the air. He strutted over and offered his hand to the young man, who rose gracefully and glided toward Shaoyao and Li Boqiao.
“This is Hua Yong, my new partner,” Yushan announced with enthusiasm. “He’s an omega, so be nice - and try to reign in your pheromones. Hua Yong, this is Sheng Shaoyao and Li Boqiao.”
The polite omega raised his head which was previously bowed, it was almost like a magnet brought Shaoyao's eyes straight back to Hua Yong's. The contact was intense, but with an air of hesitation.
“It's a pleasure to finally meet you both, Mr Zheng has spoken a lot about you,” Hua Yong said, voice smooth and measured. Too measured. It grated on Shaoyao instantly.
Shaoyao felt something was off. This little omega was too rehearsed, too perfect. All he could offer in response to the introduction was a short, deliberately curt nod. For a long moment, they simply stared at each other, Shaoyao feeling irritation ripple just beneath his skin, Hua Yong maintaining a calm, unreadable mask. It was clear neither of them intended to make the first move. And somehow, Shaoyao couldn’t shake the suspicion that this polite, poised omega was just like the rest of them - completely fake.
"AIYA Yushan! You've got yourself a little beauty!" Li Boqiao cut into the tension like a butter knife, messily and rough. He proceeded to walk around Hua Yong, inspecting him from every angle. "He's literally perfect Yushan, where did you find this angel?"
“We met through friends. Hua Yong here has been childhood friends with Shen Wenlang, so after a get-together one evening, Wenlang showed me a picture of Xiao Yong… and it was love at first sight.” Yushan draped his arm around Hua Yong’s waist, pulling him close so no one could mistake the intimacy between them. Hua Yong remained composed, showing little sign of emotion, offering only a faint, almost imperceptible smile.
Shaoyao could only scoff at this performance, he thought this was all ridiculous. But, he cared for Yushan so put on his best smile, "I am happy for your Yushan".
"Thank you Shaoyao, I really appreciate it" Yushan smiled, proud of his new partner and the approval from his friends.
"So.." Li Boqiao started, "Shall we get some drinks flowing and get to know Xiao Hua Yong a little better?"
The four men sat, sprawled across the expensive velvet. Li Boqiao had positioned himself right next to the liquor, shock, with Yushan, Hua Yong and Sheng Shaoyao all sat next to each other.
"Hua Yong" Li Boqiao spat.
"Yes Li Boqiao?"
"Tell us about yourself! Where are your from? How old are you? What do you like to do for fun? Tell us the lot!"
Hua Yong sat up, his posture assuming perfection, he coughed a little as he cleared his throat. Shaoyao didn't care much to listen, he merely swirled around the whiskey in his cup.
“Well, I’m originally from P Country, but I moved here with Shen Wenlang three years ago. I’m 23 and currently work with the HS Group.”
Hua Yong paused, carefully choosing his next words. “As for fun… I suppose spending time with Mr. Zhen is what I enjoy most.”
Yushan blushed hard at this admission, whereas Sheng Shaoyao felt like he wanted to vomit. He rolled his eyes in such a way that everyone noticed, and Hua Yong gazed at Shaoyao in a disapproving stare.
"Hes not your usual type Yushan", Shaoyao remarked, with Yushan and Hua Yong's heads snapping towards his direction.
"What do you mean by that Shaoyao?" Yushan questioned, slightly irritated by his friends remark.
"Well, usually the omega's you are with aren't this much of a kiss ass", those words left Shaoyao's lips before he thought of the consequences.
"Shaoyao! Don't speak like that in front of Hua Yong." Yushan turned to Hua Yong, "I'm sorry Xiao Yong, Shaoyao is usually a bit uptight".
“It’s fine, Mr. Zheng,” Hua Yong said, placing a hand lightly on Yushan’s in an attempt to ease any tension. Then his gaze slid directly to Shaoyao, sharp and piercing.
“I apologize, Mr. Sheng, if I made a poor impression. My only intention was to impress Mr. Zheng’s closest friends. I hope that, in the future, we might see more eye to eye.”
He offered a polite smile—but Shaoyao wasn’t fooled. Beneath that calm exterior, he could feel the subtle undercurrent of insincerity.
"Okay okay, lets drink to this evening?" Yushan attempted to distract. "Thank you both for coming, I do really appreciate it" he smiled at Li Boqiao and Sheng Shaoyao, lifting a glass.
Although irritated, Shaoyao reminded himself why he was here. For Yushan, so he lifted his glass with Yushan, albeit shooting a glare at Hua Yong, who remained calm and smiled in response.
The four continued talking late into the evening. Drinks flowed, conversation meandered, yet Shaoyao couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling gnawing at him. Every time his gaze fell on Hua Yong, a bad taste settled in his mouth and from the look on Hua Yong’s face, the sentiment was clearly mutual. Still, they both kept up cheerful facades, skillfully entertaining Yushan and Li Boqiao with effortless conversation.
00:34am
"Right, its getting late I must return home. I have a meeting early in the morning I can't miss" Shaoyao stated, as he rose to his feet.
"Ahhhh Shaoyao come onnnn stay stay" Li Boqiao attempted
"Shaoyao, do you really have to go?" A drunk, sad Yushan pleaded.
"Yes Yushan, as much as I have enjoyed my time here" - he shot a look at Hua Yong, "I have to get back"
"Ugh fine fine, erm -" Yushan's eyes shot around, "Ah Hua Yong!"
"Mmh Mr Zheng?"
"Walk Shaoyao out will you?"
"What?" Shaoyao and Hua Yong said in unison.
"Please Xiao Yong, for me?" Yushan begged, making obvious, cringy puppy dog eyes at Hua Yong.
Hua Yong, although in hesitation agreed, "Oh course Mr Zheng" he turned, "This way Mr Sheng, let me walk you out. It is only polite".
Shaoyao scoffed and strutted out of the VIP room, with Hua Yong following suit.
"See, they will get along I'm telling you Li Boqiao" Yushan said excitedly, "Li Boqiao?" "Oh for god sake how are you asleep! No no don't drool on the velvet!"
As Sheng Shaoyao walking through the hallways of Yushan's club, he felt the presence of Hua Yong behind him. Now, without the monitoring of Yushan, he could really give him a piece of his mind.
"You really will just do whatever he says wont you."
"What?" Hua Yong stops, surprised by such obvious discontent.
“Zheng Yushan… he could tell you to eat dirt, and you still would, wouldn’t you? Omegas like you have no shame.. you’ll do anything for a comfortable life.”
Shaoyao stopped and turned toward Hua Yong. His hands were folded neatly in front of him, calm and composed, and in moments like this, Shaoyao could see the appeal. Yushan really did know how to pick them.
"Mr Sheng, everything I feel for Yushan is genui-"
"Bullshit" Shaoyao snapped.
"Excuse me"
“That is bullshit, and you know it.” Shaoyao strode toward Hua Yong, his presence imposing, yet the omega stood his ground, surprisingly unshaken against this S-tier alpha.
“We both know you’re using Yushan,” Shaoyao continued, his eyes scanning Hua Yong from head to toe. Still, the omega didn’t falter. “Maybe it’s for his money, his gifts, or even… his body. Who knows? But what I do know is that I care for Yushan, and I won’t stand by and let him get hurt.”
"You and me both" Hua Yong retorted.
Shaoyao laughed, "Good, because if you hurt him. There will be consequences"
“Mr. Sheng,” Hua Yong began as he stepped toward Shaoyao, a move that caught him slightly off guard. “With all honesty—and I say this in the politest way possible—you know nothing about me. Yushan is a grown man; he can make his own decisions.”
Hua Yong stepped back, adjusting his shirt and smoothing his hair in the mirror. “I have no intention of hurting him in any way, and I hope…” He turned to face Shaoyao fully. “…that, in your own way, you might learn to like and respect me.. or, at the very least, pretend to.”
"Respect is earnt" Shaoyao shot back. Completely taken aback by this Omega.
"Likewise" Hua Yong replied "Have a nice evening Mr Sheng" he then turned on his heeled and walked back into the club, not looking back at Shaoyao once.
Shaoyao stood there in disbelief. He thought that the intimidation would have worked, it normally did for these fragile omegas. But Hua Yong was different, he was hiding something, and it made Shaoyao feel uneasy.
As Shaoyao’s driver pulled up to the front of the club and he climbed inside, he suddenly realized just how exhausted he truly was, his eyelids felt impossibly heavy, as if weighed down by lead. On the drive home, his mind replayed every interaction with Hua Yong: the fake politeness, the meticulously perfect posture, the way he fawned over Yushan at every opportunity. It all grated on Shaoyao, a man who valued honesty above all. In the end, of course, only Yushan’s opinion mattered but Shaoyao had little respect for Hua Yong and found himself dreading their next meeting, whenever that might be.