Gold Cage - Chapter 13

On the day scheduled to meet with the brand representatives, Tom didn't show up. In his place was another CEO, a composed woman.

"Tom is still too young, too reckless in his methods. It's unacceptable to keep such outstanding partners waiting for so long. We've already reassigned him to another department."

The CEO was amiable, swiftly finalizing a series of agreements with Mu Yu. Before parting, she remarked casually, "Mr. Mu, you're remarkably accomplished for your age. Choosing to forge your own path rather than relying on the family business— that's no small feat."

The sudden shift in attitude, the CEO outright acknowledging his background, coupled with the fact that Mu Hanxiao was also in the U.S.—it wasn't hard for Mu Yu to piece things together. Still, he played along with the pleasantries. "You flatter me. At the end of the day, this surname follows me wherever I go. Whether I work within the family or strike out on my own, what difference does it make?"

The CEO smiled. "Having the ambition and courage to compete in the business world is already admirable, isn't it? Both you and your brother are exceptional. It's an honor to collaborate with you."

Mu Yu glanced subtly at Xie Ming beside him. Xie Ming stood to continue negotiations while Mu Yu, tired of the empty talk, excused himself and left.

Fan En, ever the optimist, cheerfully suggested they should've just dropped Mu Yu's name from the start—no deal would've been out of reach. Mu Yu shoved him aside and called Xie Ming over.

Then, he dialed Mu Hanxiao. The phone rang for a while before it was picked up.

"Mu Hanxiao," Mu Yu said, "Managing your own affairs while meddling in mine—aren't you exhausted?"

Silence on the other end. Mu Yu continued, "Relax, I'm a law-abiding citizen. No tax evasion, no money laundering. If you've got energy to spare, why not focus on my sister-in-law? Haven't the elders been pressing you two for a child? Her company's strapped for cash—why not send Xie Ming over to help with restructuring?"

Mu Hanxiao's voice was cold. "Her matters are none of your concern."

Suddenly, a woman's gentle voice came through the line. "Who are you talking to? Why so harsh?"

Mu Yu fell silent. He listened as Mu Hanxiao replied, "Mu Yu."

"Xiao Yu is also in the US? Why not arrange to meet him..."

"... My affairs don't concern him." Before the conversation could finish, Mu Yu icily completed his sentence, "Mu Hanxiao, stop bothering me."

He hung up and turned to Xie Ming, who stood at attention. Mu Yu's expression shifted back to polite courtesy as he asked gently, "Did my elder brother and sister-in-law come together?"

Xie Ming replied, "Yes."

"Traveling abroad together at this time—must be their honeymoon."

Mu Yu stepped closer, his gaze turning glacial. "Are they sharing accommodations?"

Xie Ming answered truthfully, "As newlyweds, Chairman Mu and Madam Liu naturally stay together."

Mu Yu let out a drawn-out, inscrutable hum, muttering to himself, "Seems they're planning for children. My warnings were wasted."

He casually reached into Xie Ming's pocket, startling the assistant who barely maintained composure. Mu Yu merely smiled, retrieving a cigarette from the pocket and placing it between his lips.

Xie Ming had no choice but to produce a lighter. His keen perception told him this wasn't the moment to question his employer's smoking habits.

The flame ignited the cigarette, leaving tiny black marks. Mu Yu smoked with downcast eyes, long lashes veiling his pupils, his expression as cold as snow.

He spoke calmly, "Uncle Xie, it's not that I'm petty. But having someone in the company who constantly reports the boss's movements that makes me uneasy. Here's the deal: if Mu Hanxiao ever tracks my schedule this precisely again, you'll resign voluntarily. Understood?"

Xie Ming replied quietly, "Understood. My deepest apologies, President Mu."

Mu Yu pocketed his phone and walked past Xie Ming without a glance.

Upon returning to China, Mu Yu's chef Phil requested leave to visit his European hometown—a rare occurrence after years of service. Mu Yu approved immediately and even purchased gifts for him to take home.

The following week, singer Xia Ge would hold a concert in Yushi. Learning this, Mu Yu had Lu Hao procure tickets.

Xia Ge was a rising talent who'd debuted two years prior with a self-composed album. Despite his musical gifts, limited promotion kept his popularity modest. Ironically, his agency belonged to Mu Zeju's expanding entertainment empire—though artists of Xia Ge's caliber rarely reached the chairman's attention.

Mu Yu, however, appreciated Xia Ge's music, having played the album countless times while wondering about the slow follow-up. The concert promised new material, sparking his anticipation.

The venue choice puzzled him—a rowdy Yushi nightclub owned by the Zhao family, whose underlings had caused past incidents that were quietly suppressed. With Zhao Mengling away at meetings in the capital, Mu Yu assumed the lackeys would behave. Dismissing such concerns, he drove to the bar on concert night.

Hearing they were going to a concert, Lan Mo also wanted to join in the fun. Since Lu Hao was closer, he went to pick her up first, while Mu Yu arrived ahead of them. The bar had been booked out, and by the time he entered, quite a few people were already inside—some standing, some sitting, chatting in small groups. Equipment had been set up on the stage, though Xia Ge hadn't appeared yet.

Mu Yu took a seat at the bar. He hadn't been allowed to drink for a long time, and today, no matter what, he was going to have some. Casually, he ordered a whiskey.

The bartender greeted him first. "Mr. Mu, long time no see."

Mu Yu didn't recognize him and showed a puzzled expression. The bartender explained, "I used to work at Wind. I've seen you and Mr. Lu before. You probably don't remember me."

Wind was the bar Mu Yu and Lu Hao frequented after returning to the country, but ever since they ran into Mu Zhiye and a bunch of rowdy kids throwing a party there, they considered it bad luck and never went back.

Mu Yu politely greeted him and took the glass. After a while, Lu Hao and Lan Mo arrived. Lu Hao teased him for sneaking a drink and forbade him from having a second one. Left with no choice, Mu Yu finished his glass and set it down. The bartender proactively mixed him a glass of juice and handed it over.

The three of them sat in a booth chatting. Lan Mo was excited—she had never seen a real celebrity before. Though Xia Ge wasn't particularly famous, he still had a decent fanbase. The bar was packed today, filled with people who had come specifically for his private concert.

Amid cheers and applause, Xia Ge appeared on stage. The spotlight focused on the young man, whose smile was sunny yet shy as he bowed to the audience, his ever-present guitar in hand.

Xia Ge's voice was unique—higher in range, clean, with a touch of casual languor. Far from being nervous, he seemed to revel in the stage. The moment he started playing his guitar, his shyness melted away, replaced by deep focus and emotion as he lost himself in his music.

Lu Hao joked with Mu Yu, "You like this kind of soft, puppy-like guy?"

Xia Ge was only nineteen, just starting college, definitely younger than them. Mu Yu shot back, "Can't you just enjoy the music without overthinking it?"

"If you like him, go for it. A guy like you is in high demand, yet you never seem to date anyone."

"Dating isn't as fun as making money."

"Cut the crap—"

"Brother Mu Yu believes in quality over quantity," Lan Mo chimed in with mock seriousness. "If you dated everyone you liked, wouldn't that make you a player? Right, Brother Mu Yu?"

Mu Yu grinned and ruffled Lu Hao's hair. "See? That's the kind of thing educated people say. Back when you had the chance to study, all you cared about was playing with cars."

Lu Hao couldn't win against the two of them and shut up. As Mu Yu listened to Xia Ge sing on stage, he inexplicably began feeling restless, his body growing uncomfortably warm.

He took off his jacket, leaving just a thin shirt as he leaned back on the sofa. The dim lighting in the bar hid the flush on his cheeks and the slight haze in his eyes.

It had been a while since he last drank, and his tolerance had weakened. Mu Yu felt dizzy, propping his chin on one hand as he quietly listened to the music. Halfway through his juice, the tipsiness didn't fade—if anything, the heat only intensified.

After sitting for half an hour with no relief, he got up to use the restroom. Inside a stall, he unbuttoned his pants, his limbs feeling weak. Standing there dizzily for a moment, he suddenly grew alert.

A single whiskey shouldn't have gotten him this drunk. Mu Yu frowned and instinctively reached for his pocket, clicking his tongue in annoyance.

His phone was in his jacket pocket—he hadn't brought it.

He pushed open the stall door. The restroom was empty. Mu Yu silently washed his hands at the sink, splashed cold water on his face, then hesitated at the doorway.

He had some inkling of danger, but ultimately didn't know how to handle such situations. Even if someone were truly following him or meant him harm, he couldn't run fast nor fight back. Besides, he was currently dizzy with throbbing pain at his temples, barely able to stand steady.

The music reverberated outside the restroom. Taking a deep breath, Mu Yu strode out quickly.

After a few steps, just as he was about to exit the corridor into the crowd, someone forcefully covered his mouth from behind. He struggled immediately but couldn't break free. Muffled and unable to scream, he was swiftly dragged into the dark depths of the hallway.

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