Chapter Text
The soft hum of the car's engine mixed with the quiet melody drifting from the speakers. It was early morning, and the world was just starting to wake up. The streets of Jianghu were still calm, free from the usual chaotic rush-hour traffic. Hua Yong sat back in the plush leather seat, his head resting against the headrest, eyes half-lidded, per-usually tearfully soaking in the tranquility. He was dressed casually, but even in the simplest attire, he managed to look effortlessly mesmerising. A fitted black shirt clung to his lean frame, sleeves rolled up just enough to reveal a hint of his forearms, and those formal black pants were tailored to perfection. His fingers tapped against his knee to the steady rhythm of the song playing, his lips curling into a soft smile as he hummed along, lost in the moment.
The calm was short-lived, though. His manager’s voice came through the car, loud and urgent, completely shattering the peaceful bubble.
“Hua Yong! Hua Yong!” The voice practically shouted, jolting him from his light haze.
Startled, Hua Yong fixed his position and answered: "Yes, manager?”
His manager didn’t waste any time. “You’ve got a meeting with Mr. Sheng in an hour. You need to get your act together.”
Hua Yong raised his eyebrows, glancing at the phone in his hand as if trying to process the seriousness of the situation. He shifted in his seat, tugging at the collar of his shirt as though the pressure on him suddenly increased. “ What do you mean by ‘act together’?”
“I mean,” his manager’s voice tightened with frustration, “you’ve got to be on your best behavior. Shaoyou’s a serious man. This isn’t some casual thing. Sheng Group needs you to look like you have your life together.”
Hua Yong’s smile reappeared, his posture slumping slightly as he glanced out the window at the peaceful street. The light from the early sun created soft shadows on the sidewalk, and a few stray figures passed by, starting their day. “Oh, I’ll behave.”
The manager let out an exasperated sigh. “Hua Yong, I trust you.”
Hua Yong leaned back in the seat, adjusting the cuffs of his shirt as he relaxed, clearly enjoying the back-and-forth. His fingers drummed lightly on the window frame.
His manager said, the tension still hanging in her voice. “Try to be somewhat professional. You really need this.”
The car slowed to a stop at a red light, and Hua Yong glanced down at his phone, where his manager had sent him an email. The screen was filled with a lengthy list of ‘do’s and don’ts’ for the meeting, each one more detailed than the last. Hua Yong couldn’t help but sigh deeply, the weight of the expectations hung heavy on him, even in the relaxed atmosphere of the car.
The car pulled up in front of a towering building that seemed to rise like an iceberg against the clear sky. The entrance was grand, bordered by sleek marble floors and a polished steel frame. As Hua Yong stepped out, the cool morning air brushed against his skin, refreshing yet unyielding, much like the aura surrounding the Sheng Group headquarters. The building was an architectural marvel. Its sleek, angular design was a striking combination of beige and black, the muted tones giving it an air of understated elegance. The glass windows reflected the city’s skyline, giving the building an almost intimidating, clinical quality.
The beta manager walked ahead of Hua Yong, purposefully striding up the steps toward the entrance. Hua Yong, however, couldn’t help but linger, taking in the modern, minimalist décor of the lobby. Everything was impeccably designed. The floors were a smooth, polished stone, the walls painted in warm shades of beige, with touches of black marble that added a sense of gravitas. It was all so perfectly curated, every element harmonizing into a refined yet austere atmosphere. The space felt... distant, somehow, like it belonged to another world.
“Wow, it’s like walking into a luxury hotel... in a sci-fi movie,” Hua Yong commented, letting his voice carry slightly as he followed his manager through the entrance. “Everything seems controlled. It’s like they thought of everything before they even built the place.”
The manager didn’t respond immediately, focused on leading Hua Yong past the reception area toward a row of elevators. But Hua Yong continued, unable to hold back his curiosity. “I mean, look at these chairs. I can practically hear them whispering ‘don’t touch me’.”
The manager shot him a quick glance but didn't bother to reply. It was the kind of silence Hua Yong had grown used to from people who didn’t quite get his sense of humor.
As they arrived at the elevator, the doors slid open, and they stepped inside, ascending to the top floor. The entire ride up, Hua Yong couldn’t stop scanning the interior, noting how each floor was designed with the same monochrome palette. It felt like something out of a corporate dream, a perfect facade, but devoid of warmth.
When the elevator doors opened, they were greeted by a sharply dressed secretary, his appearance was very polished yet approachable. He gave Hua Yong a polite nod, leading them down a corridor lined with doors, each as sleek and perfectly designed as the last.
Finally, he stopped at a large set of double doors. With a professional smile, he opened them to reveal the inner sanctum of Shaoyou’s domain. The office was vast, its open-plan layout featuring floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the sprawling city below. The beige-and-black color scheme continued, with dark wood accents and sleek, modern furniture filling the space. A large desk sat at the far end of the room, flanked by comfortable yet understated chairs, with a large, imposing chair in the center. No doubt for the man himself.
Shaoyou stood behind his desk as they entered, his posture straight and composed, like a man who was both always in control and perpetually aware of his surroundings. The secretary introduced them, his voice crisp and clear. “Mr. Sheng, Mr. Hua Yong and his manager are here for the meeting.”
Shaoyou’s gaze met Hua Yong’s, his eyes were sharp and strangely anticipating. His greeting was polite and brief, with his tone neutral. “Mr. Hua Yong, it’s a pleasure. Please, take a seat.”
Hua Yong’s lips twitched into a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes, but he gave a nod and followed the manager to the table. As he lowered himself into a chair, he couldn’t help but assess the man across from him. Shaoyou was everything the rumors said he would be: cold, distant, and strangely alluring. His sharp features were almost sculptural, his skin flawless and striking against the dark backdrop of the room. He was tall, his physique lean but undeniably well-built. There was no doubt that this man worked hard to maintain that level of discipline, something Hua Yong could respect.
For a moment, their gazes locked, and Hua Yong felt a flicker of something, maybe curiosity, or something else. Either way, it was gone in an instant as Shaoyou shifted his focus back to the papers in front of him.
The manager and the secretary began discussing the details of the official statement they would both sign, their voices blending into the background as Hua Yong and Shaoyou exchanged looks again. Hua Yong’s expression was calm, but under the surface, he couldn’t shake the feeling that Shaoyou was studying him far too intently. It was as though Shaoyou had already calculated every possible outcome of their interaction before it even started. Hua Yong could sense Sheng Shaoyou's phermones pressing on the air, but needless to worry, even as an Omega, he rarely gets affected by any phermones.
For a brief moment, Hua Yong let himself wonder what it would take to crack that icy exterior of Sheng Shaoyou. But then, the manager’s voice cut through his thoughts, bringing him back to reality.
“We’ll have the official statement ready for signing in just a few minutes,” the manager said, turning to Hua Yong, before looking back at Shaoyou. “Shall we begin?”
Hua Yong’s fingers drummed lightly on the table, his gaze still flickering back to Shaoyou. The tension between them was palpable, and for all his attempts to keep things light, Hua Yong found himself wondering what would happen if the man sitting across from him let down his guard just for a moment.
For now, though, they would play their roles: business, as usual, with an edge of tension hanging in the air.
The hum of the secretary’s voice faded as he continued discussing logistics with the manager. Shaoyou’s sharp eyes never left Hua Yong. With a subtle shift in posture, he held up a hand, signaling for the secretary to pause. He did so, taking a step back and waiting for his next words.
“Before we proceed,” Shaoyou said, his tone as smooth as it was precise, “I want to ask about something else, something a little less official. Mr. Hua Yong, if you don’t mind.”
Hua Yong straightened in his seat, his eyes narrowing slightly, already sensing the underlying challenge. Shaoyou’s gaze remained calm, and he continued without hesitation.
“Your public image,” Shaoyou began, his voice even, almost like a businessman reviewing an asset. “You’ve got the looks, the physique, the charm. Artistically speaking, you are well-suited to represent the image of our Omega suppressants brand, at least from an aesthetic and genetic standpoint.”
Shaoyou paused for a moment, letting the silence grow heavy between them, before his gaze flickered back to Hua Yong’s face. “But is that enough for the public? Can your image still carry weight after the incident?”
The question hung in the air. Hua Yong’s expression froze. The flicker of discomfort was brief but unmistakable, his body tensing ever so slightly, betraying the calm front he was trying to maintain.
For a moment, Hua Yong didn’t say anything. He focused on containing his stress phermones. He could feel the weight of Shaoyou’s gaze on him. He had been asked about the scandal so many times before, but there was something about the way Shaoyou phrased it, like a quiet challenge, that made him pause.
In a smooth, controlled motion, Hua Yong took a deep breath, suppressing the instinct to defend himself with more force. Instead, he chose to answer with practiced calm. "The scandal did damage my public image, yes," Hua Yong said, his voice steady, though his hands subtly tightened around the edge of the table. "But after taking a break, a hiatus of sorts, the public’s reaction has softened. They’ve calmed down, and I think... I think I’m ready to step back into the spotlight."
The silence that followed felt almost like a test. Hua Yong kept his gaze fixed on Shaoyou, waiting for the response.
Shaoyou didn’t speak for a moment. He studied Hua Yong, his hazel eyes were unreadable, as though weighing the words carefully. Hua Yong had said what was necessary, but it wasn’t the perfect answer. It was honest, though. Honest enough.
“Well,” Shaoyou finally said, his voice measured, but with a hint of subtle approval, “That’s a reasonable response. The public's memory is short-lived, after all. And you've done well to calm the storm on your own.”
Hua Yong’s eyes flickered, not quite trusting the tone. He didn’t know if it was a compliment or just a polite dismissal. But then, Shaoyou leaned forward slightly, his steely gaze now fixed directly on Hua Yong.
"You're different from the others in your industry, I have to admit." Shaoyou continued, his tone now more assertive, even commanding. "Most would be a liability, too volatile, too demanding. But you, Mr. Hua Yong, you're manageable. That’s the key difference. That’s what makes you workable."
Hua Yong’s lips twitched, a soft smile trying to form, but he kept it in check. He wasn’t sure whether to feel insulted or appreciative. Either way, he knew this was not just a simple business deal—it was a game. And Shaoyou was playing it with supreme confidence.
He took a second to let the words sink in, then nodded. "I’m not one to make things difficult, Mr. Sheng. I just want to move forward."
Shaoyou didn’t flinch. "Good. That makes two of us."
The exchange hung in the air for a moment, each man assessing the other. Hua Yong couldn’t shake the feeling that Shaoyou was a few steps ahead, but he also couldn’t deny that this cold, calculated side of Shaoyou intrigued him. The power dynamics were clear, but that didn’t mean Hua Yong would just follow without his own influence.
The manager and secretary continued their discussions in the background, now moving into finalizing the details of the agreement. The tension between Hua Yong and Shaoyou had shifted slightly; what started as a simple power play had revealed something more beneath the surface. It was clear who held the upper hand, but at least now, Hua Yong understood his place in the equation.
Finally, after a brief exchange of glances and a few more final touches to the contract, Shaoyou gestured to the document on the table.
“Let’s finalize this, then,” Shaoyou said, voice calm but with a distinct finality. “We have an agreement.”
Hua Yong reached for the pen, his fingers briefly brushing against the paper before signing his name. There was a certain weight to the gesture, something that felt both like a fresh start and a binding commitment.
As he signed the last line, he couldn't help but feel the undercurrent of power that Shaoyou had so effortlessly maintained. Yes, Hua Yong needed him, but in this moment, it felt as though Shaoyou had placed a marker down—he didn’t need Hua Yong. Not yet, anyway.
But why does it feel the other way around?