Gold Cage - Chapter 10

 After the plane landed, Mu Hanxiao went straight back to the company.

He frequently flew around the world—meetings in various languages, negotiations, endless social engagements. One morning in China, evening in the Americas, then off to Europe the next day. His jet lag was so chaotic even his secretary couldn't tell when he slept.

No one had ever seen Mu Hanxiao show fatigue. He was like an unyielding block of ice, showing no signs of melting, his composure unshakable. Beneath that calm exterior lay a terrifying, almost inhuman level of energy. To keep up with their boss's pace, Mu Hanxiao's subordinates had no choice but to push themselves to superhuman limits—especially after Xie Ming left the company, leaving his department under immense pressure.

No one understood why Xie Ming had resigned, and even less why Mu Hanxiao had actually let him go. When they heard Xie Ming had joined a fledgling startup with fewer than fifty employees, their confusion turned into sheer disbelief at the absurdity of the world.

Over the years, the company had expanded its international operations, investing in numerous industries across Eastern Europe and North Africa. The focus had gradually shifted away from its original core business, and many of the original directors and executives had been replaced. Mu Yunting had already stepped back from the central leadership, and the old guard from his era was slowly fading out. Now, Mu Hanxiao held all the real power.

It was late at night when Mu Hanxiao arrived at the company. After entering his office, he took off his overcoat and casually put on his headphones to answer the call.

On the other end of the line was his father, Mu Yunting. The old man's voice was low, yet he sounded quite energetic despite being awake so late.

Mu Yunting said over the phone, "I heard you sent Xie Ming to Mu Yu."

Mu Hanxiao replied, "Xie Ming wanted to leave himself. He found his old position too dull after staying so long."

The old man chuckled on the other end, his laughter devoid of any discernible emotion. Mu Yunting didn't care whether Mu Hanxiao was telling the truth or not. Xie Ming's importance to the group and the entire Mu family was incomparable to anyone else. He had been with Mu Yunting and Mu Hanxiao for too long, privy to too many of the Mu family's secrets—there was no way he could ever leave now.

"Your mother has been in quite a temper lately," the old man remarked.

Mu Hanxiao's expression remained calm. "Who upset her?"

"Feng Qi went out and came back missing a hand and an eye," Mu Yunting's voice was heavy. "He's no longer usable. He's been by your mother's side the longest. She's taking it hard."

Mu Hanxiao stood by the window, looking down at the brightly lit city grid below. The cold night reflected on his indifferent face.

"A shame," Mu Hanxiao said evenly. "She holds a critical position now, facing greater risks. The old security system is outdated. I'll arrange for new bodyguards."

Feng Qi was one of Zhao Mengling's bodyguards, having followed her since she married into the Mu family, obeying her every word without question. He was Zhao Mengling's most loyal dog. That night when Zhao Mengling was infuriated by Mu Yu, Feng Qi had lashed out on her behalf, not holding back a single strike of the whip.

It was said that Feng Qi had met with misfortune while out handling some business for Zhao Mengling. Having been in politics for years, she had many enemies, some of whom had connections in both legal and underworld circles. There were always reckless fools who overestimated themselves and tried to challenge her position. She had faced multiple threats and attempted kidnappings, and after so many incidents, she grew weary of it, sending Feng Qi and his men to deal with them.

But this time, Feng Qi hadn't returned unscathed. The other party was a gang, numerous and armed. Though Feng Qi was highly vigilant and tried to flee when he sensed danger, in the chaos, he lost a hand and had an eye slashed.

Mu Yunting was silent for a long moment. The father and son shared a quiet tension over the phone, a delicate, unspoken balance.

After a while, Mu Yunting spoke again, "Make the arrangements soon. There's too much going on, and the household is anything but peaceful. You should hurry up and have a child with Shuyan. You're not getting any younger—how much longer do you plan to wait? Ah’ju is the same, picking up your bad habits instead of the good ones."

"As you say."

Mu Yunting, tired, hung up. Mu Hanxiao removed his headphones and turned away from the window.

By the time he returned to Yunhai, it was already two in the morning. As he drove into the courtyard, a flashy sports car blocked the garage entrance, parked haphazardly instead of pulling in properly.

Blocked, Mu Hanxiao parked to the side and got out to enter the house. He keyed in the passcode to open the front door, only to find a pair of brown-red loafers carelessly discarded in the entryway, a bag tossed against the wall. For someone as fastidious about cleanliness as Mu Hanxiao, such a scene was unheard of in his usual living spaces.

He walked down the hallway to the living room—clearly ransacked, with drawers left open, the edges of the rug kicked up, likely on purpose. The pack of cigarettes he had left on the table had been reduced to a single stick. Mu Hanxiao picked it up and tossed it into the trash.

A faint, elusive fragrance lingered in the air, tracing a path toward the second floor. At the stairway's turn stood a rotating liquor cabinet taller than a man, its glass doors wide open—two bottles of whiskey and sweet orange berry liqueur missing.

Mu Hanxiao's study was usually locked. Yet deep in the hallway, one door stood slightly ajar, its interior bathed in a hazy glow, where indistinct shadows swayed.

Mu Hanxiao turned and walked toward the half-open door. His steps were measured and steady, the diamond ring on his hand occasionally catching the light. Since marrying Liu Shuyan, this wedding band had faithfully accompanied him in all public settings.

He pushed the door open. A breeze carrying that same delicate fragrance swept through. The window was open, sheer curtains fluttering soundlessly. The scent—sweet like fruit-infused liquor, mingled with the bitter freshness of grass and the cool dew outside—filled the room, along with the faintest trace of smoke.

Mu Yu lay asleep in the center of the large bed. The curtains were partially drawn, tassels dangling, as he curled around a pillow, nearly buried under the blankets with only the top of his head visible. An open suitcase sat on the floor, half-packed with belongings—upon closer inspection, all old items Mu Yu had left behind in Yunhai and never taken with him.

The carpet thick and soft, Mu Hanxiao moved silently to the bedside. Asleep, Mu Yu looked quite different from when awake ―he slept curled up, his already slender frame taking up even less space. Eyes shut peacefully, face pressed into the pillow, he looked like a delicate white doll, utterly still.

On the table sat a half-empty bottle of whiskey; on the floor, an empty bottle of berry liqueur. Mu Yu's cheeks were flushed, his lips vividly red under the deep night's glow. Clearly, he had indulged in smoking to his heart's content—let alone the drinking.

Mu Hanxiao gazed down at him. That lingering fragrance originated here, merging with the chill of night air and moonlight, drifting and spreading like an illusion seeping into the senses.

Inhale, exhale. The scent traveled through his nostrils and tongue, stimulating his mind in intermittent waves. Mu Hanxiao's eyes darkened, his hand hanging motionless at his side. His breathing rose and fell slowly, like an endless black sea swallowing all sound.

***

Sunlight and birdsong filtered in as Mu Yu was roused by polite knocking—the chef inquiring if he was awake, breakfast ready.

Having thoroughly enjoyed himself alone in Mu Hanxiao's home the night before, Mu Yu sat up lazily. Sunlight flooded the room as he glanced at the open suitcase on the floor—most of his things already packed.

He had returned to Yunhai last night to gather the last of his belongings left in this house. Midway through, he'd spotted cigarettes under the living room table and promptly emptied the cabinet, stuffing them into his pockets. Then he'd raided the liquor cabinet for two bottles, sipping and humming along to music, tossing items haphazardly into the suitcase while swaying to the rhythm.

Dressed now, Mu Yu patted his pockets—the hidden cigarettes were gone. He sighed, deciding not to fuss over such trivialities with the older man. Packing the last few items, he closed the suitcase and headed downstairs via the elevator.

The morning light was gentle and pleasant. In the dining room, an elegant breakfast was laid out. Mu Hanxiao sat on the living room sofa, dressed impeccably in a suit, reviewing something on his tablet with a cup of hot coffee before him.

He glanced at Mu Yu, who greeted him with a smile: "Good morning."

Mu Hanxiao averted his gaze. "Go have breakfast."

As if not hearing him, Mu Yu dragged his suitcase over. He pulled out a certificate and examined it with exaggerated seriousness.

"Hmm, a marriage license." Mu Yu rested his chin on his hand as he read the names of Mu Hanxiao and Liu Shuyan on the document, their official photo clearly displayed with the government seal stamped over both names.

Mu Yu held the certificate up to Mu Hanxiao. "So you really got married?"

Mu Hanxiao frowned, setting his tablet aside. "What nonsense are you up to now?"

In the vast, silent living room, sunlight drifted slowly. Mu Yu looked down at Mu Hanxiao, the bright emerald in his eyes fading.

Mu Yu asked gently, "Do you really not want me anymore?"

Mu Hanxiao didn't answer. Mu Yu seemed to remember something. "Ah...I was being presumptuous. You stopped wanting me long ago. What was it you called it?—your 'rules.' According to your rules, I don't even qualify as your brother."

He patted the handle of his suitcase. "In that case, I'll obediently get out of your way and never bother you again."

A barely perceptible edge of danger crept into Mu Hanxiao's voice. "Where do you think you're running off to now?"

But Mu Yu only maintained his fake smile. "What's it to you?"

He casually tossed the marriage license into Mu Hanxiao's lap and turned toward the door.

"Goodbye."

With those words, Mu Yu opened the door and left the house.

Six years ago, he had left Yunhai in much the same way, dragging a suitcase behind him. But unlike today's feigned calm, their parting back then had been explosive—Mu Yu wanted to study abroad, and Mu Hanxiao objected. It was the first time Mu Hanxiao had ever lost his temper so visibly, his rage frightening the butler and maids.

But it didn't scare Mu Yu. The eighteen-year-old had found it laughable, casually picking up his suitcase and walking out the door.

He found it ridiculous that Mu Hanxiao would be angry.

After all, it was Mu Hanxiao who had rejected him first—he was only leaving as asked.

The engine hummed softly as Mu Yu drove away from Yunhai. Mu Hanxiao sat alone in the living room, the breakfast on the table gone cold.

He lit a cigarette, finished it quickly, then lit another. When the second cigarette was done, he picked up his phone and made a call.

"... Keep an eye on him. Update me on his movements in real time."

"And one more thing."

Mu Hanxiao's voice was icy. "Don't let me see him in the hospital again."

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