Gold Cage - Chapter 32

When Mu Yu and Huo Shiyin arrived at the hospital room door, they heard someone speaking inside.

"... Couldn't even keep a child safe! I told you not to go out alone, but you insisted! What else can you do besides ruining everything? You've shamed our family..."

Mu Yu pushed the door open, and the scolding voice abruptly stopped. Director Lan turned and, upon seeing Mu Yu, immediately put on a smile. "Mu Yu, you're here."

Mu Yu smiled politely in return. "Uncle Lan, if you have nothing else to do, could you leave? Lan Mo is still badly injured and needs rest."

He emphasized the words "needs rest." Beside him, Huo Shiyin glared at the man. Lan Mo's father turned pale, then flushed with embarrassment before awkwardly leaving.

Lan Mo had grown so thin she seemed like a wisp of wind, sitting silently on the bed the entire time. Her face was still bandaged, her arm fractured. During the car accident, shattered glass had pierced her back and thigh—she had nearly died.

Most concerning was the damage to her brain, which had left her comatose for days. Even after waking, her reactions were slower than before, and she barely spoke. At first, she could hardly stay awake for more than a few moments a day, but thankfully, she was slowly recovering—at least she could still recognize people.

Huo Shiyin had brought some books Lan Mo liked to read, along with a game console, and sat by the bed, speaking softly to her. Mu Yu had already consulted with Lan Mo's doctor and reviewed her medical reports, remaining silent for a long time.

"Mo Mo?" Huo Shiyin gently touched Lan Mo's hand, comforting her. "Don't take your father's words to heart."

Lan Mo gave a faint hum. Unwilling to speak, she left the two of them unsure of what to do. Huo Shiyin turned to Mu Yu. "You go ahead. I'll be visiting Mo Mo every day for a while."

Only then did Lan Mo lift her head to look at Mu Yu. Her gaze was calm and gentle, seemingly devoid of much sorrow. "Goodbye, Brother." Mu Yu had no choice but to bid her farewell and leave the room. Yet before he could get far, he ran into Liu Shuyan at the corner.

Liu Shuyan had suffered the lightest injuries but was still confined to a wheelchair for now. She was being pushed toward Lan Mo's room when Mu Yu blocked her path.

Liu Shuyan frowned. Mu Yu looked down at her, the corner of his lips curling into a smile. "Sister-in-law, you're recovering well."

Liu Shuyan forced a reply. "Thank you for your concern."

But his next words caught her off guard. "Sister-in-law can't even walk yet, and you're still thinking of provoking my wife? Seems you really can't forget about her—you must like her a lot."

Liu Shuyan took a deep breath. "I just want to see Lan Mo."

"You're so smart, sister-in-law. Have you ever considered whether Lan Mo even wants to see you?"

Liu Shuyan whirled to face Mu Yu, who returned her gaze with equal frostiness: "If you had any self-awareness left, or any genuine concern for her wellbeing, you'd keep your distance. Stop ruining her life!"

Mu Yu returned home still scowling. With Mu Hanxiao away on business, he'd gone back to his own apartment today. Phil followed him inside and wordlessly began cooking in the kitchen.

Mu Yu shut himself in his room to work until Phil knocked to announce dinner. Fortunately, Mu Yu didn't sulk alone this time, emerging to eat.

Phil's cooking remained excellent as always. The good food improved Mu Yu's mood slightly, and he suddenly looked up at Phil: "... Why are you cooking in my place again?"

The supposedly dismissed Phil stood stiffly with hands behind his back: "President Mu instructed me to monitor your daily nutritional intake."

"Tell him his mere presence destroys my appetite. If he wants me healthy, he should stay out of my sight."

Phil stood woodenly, resuming his mute act. The doorbell rang, and Phil checked before announcing: "It's Li Bing."

Mu Yu paused, then told Phil to open the door. With a soft click, Li Bing entered in black shirt and trousers. He'd grown thinner, as if returning from some distant place coming straight to Mu Yu without even stopping to rest, travel—worn but smiling at the sight of him.

"Mr. Mu, it's been a while."

His voice remained gentle. Mu Yu said: "What brings you here so suddenly? Have you eaten? Join us if you haven't."

"Thank you, I've eaten." Li Bing changed shoes, removed his coat, washed up, and entered with his bag: "I heard you've been slightly unwell recently. I was concerned and wanted to check on you."

"Just a minor cold. No need for such fuss."

"During your studies abroad, a minor cold once developed into high fever when unattended. That time, the boss even—“

Li Bing nearly slipped up and hastily stopped. Fortunately, Mu Yu was focused on eating and didn't catch it.

"Mr. Mu, may I review your recent medical reports and medication records?"

Mu Yu couldn't be bothered: "Do what you want."

Li Bing set his bag down and began reviewing data on his laptop. After finishing his meal, Mu Yu sipped the fruit tea Phil made while calling a client. The company was growing rapidly—Mu Yu, Xie Ming and Lu Hao had secured several key channels and partnerships. After major expansion and restructuring, Qingfei was maturing steadily, finally relieving Mu Yu from micromanagement.

While on the phone, Mu Yu passed Li Bing's table and accidentally knocked over the open bag with his cup, spilling documents across the floor. Apologizing, he set the cup down and knelt to gather the papers.

"Don't worry, I'll handle it." Li Bing rose to help. Most documents were medical data and research papers, but Mu Yu's gaze froze on one sheet.

Li Bing saw it too. His expression changed abruptly as he reached for it, but Mu Yu had already snatched it up. The call forgotten, Mu Yu scanned the document thoroughly before looking at Li Bing.

Li Bing's palms were slightly sweaty. Mu Yu placed the paper in front of him, his voice trembling slightly: "Yujing Glinka's medical report?"

"Mr. Mu..."

"This is my mother?!" Mu Yu snatched the report back, scrutinizing every word as if afraid he'd misread something. His emotions shifted from initial confusion to shock, then to dreamlike disbelief, his voice nearly uncontrollable: "You've seen Mom? What happened to her legs? Muscle atrophy... why? Li Bing?!"

"No, no, Mr. Mu, perhaps it's just someone with the same name—"

"The same name, same age? And same residence too?!" Mu Yu's agitation grew: "No, the address is different—she moved. No wonder when I went back before, the house was empty... But she's still in the Baiha Lake District. Li Bing, don't you dare lie to me. This is my mother— you've met her, haven't you? Tell me!"

Nearby, Phil took a few steps closer, his usually calm face now showing clear disapproval as he looked at Li Bing. Li Bing hadn't anticipated this situation either. He'd come in such a hurry that he'd forgotten to remove this report from his bag! There was no turning back now. Composing himself instantly, he ignored Phil's gaze and focused solely on Mu Yu.

Mu Yu's hands were trembling uncontrollably. He was now absolutely certain this report belonged to his mother, Yujing Glinka. Staring blankly at the words on the paper, he murmured: "...Is she alright?"

Li Bing studied Mu Yu's expression before finally answering quietly: "Her legs were injured in an accident years ago. She has limited mobility now, but otherwise... she's been relatively stable."

"Li Bing." Phil's voice carried a warning tone, but Li Bing met his gaze calmly.

"I'll take full responsibility for any consequences," he said firmly to Phil.

Phil fell silent. Mu Yu paced back and forth by the floor-to-ceiling windows before demanding: "Why did you go see her?"

Li Bing replied: "Ms. Glinka's condition recently worsened. I went to provide care until her situation stabilized."

Mu Yu stared at him: "Mu Hanxiao sent you, didn't he."

It was barely a question. The moment Li Bing confirmed, Mu Yu grabbed him by the collar, eyes red with fury: "Why keep this from me all these years? Was it fun hiding this? How many times have I said I wanted to see her? How many times have I gone back looking for her! Did he ever care?!"

Li Bing stood tall and straight in the shadows of the daylight: "I'm sorry."

Mu Yu's breathing was heavy as he gradually calmed down. Releasing his grip, he wiped his eyes and turned to pack his belongings in his room while calling Huo Shiyin and Lu Hao to ask them to look after Lan Mo and contact him if anything came up.

As he packed, the other two waited uneasily by the door. Li Bing ventured: "Where are you going, Mr. Mu?"

Mu Yu answered without looking up: "To find my mother. You're taking me there."

When he stood to get clothes from the wardrobe, Li Bing said: "This is a serious matter. Shouldn't we inform President Mu first?"

Mu Yu turned sharply with an armful of clothes: "Li Bing, though you're no longer my family doctor—or maybe you never really were—I still need to ask: Between me and Mu Hanxiao, whose side are you really on?"

"If you're going to mention Mu Hanxiao, then you and Phil can turn around and leave right now. Don't see me again, don't speak another word to me. I'll go find my mother alone just consider that I sneaked a look at your files on my own, with no connection to you whatsoever."

His words sounded like a child's threat—if they didn't play along with him, he'd do this or that. Yet his expression was deadly serious, those faintly green eyes unblinking, leaving the two grown men speechless.

Li Bing, however, suddenly cracked a slight smile. Like an indulgent older brother, he replied, "Of course I'm on your side."

Mu Yu's face showed clear satisfaction that's more like it—as he continued packing. His movements were swift. After instructing Li Bing to purchase two plane tickets and changing clothes, he was ready to leave.

Phil trailed behind them when Mu Yu turned and said, "Phil, you stay here and deal with Mu Hanxiao."

Phil: "......"

"You can truthfully report our whereabouts to him, but you must also relay his next moves to me in real time." Mu Yu assigned his mission: "Promise me?"

For the first time in his life, Phil found himself playing a double agent—right under his own boss's nose. His usually stoic stone face nearly cracked under the strain. Mu Yu even pressed him: "Promise me!"

Phil: "I... I promise."

Only then did Mu Yu seem satisfied, swiftly leaving with Li Bing like a gust of wind.

Mu Yu had cleverly timed his departure. By the time Mu Hanxiao learned of it, a full day had passed. The elder Mu had just disembarked from a flight and was bidding farewell to his travel companions when Phil pulled up to the airport entrance in the waiting car.

Mu Hanxiao settled into the vehicle. As it pulled away from the airport, he sat quietly for a while before lighting a cigarette.

When he finally spoke, his voice betrayed no particular emotion: "After spending so much time with him, even you've started joining in his recklessness."

"My apologies, sir."

Mu Hanxiao smoked while gazing out the window. After a long while, he stubbed out the cigarette and sat in silence. Phil understood better than anyone how his boss had been juggling multiple delicate situations all these years. Even Mu Yunting didn't know the whereabouts of Mu Yu's birth mother—her identity was simply too sensitive. A single pebble could start a landslide, and with Mu Yu effectively held as a hostage within the Mu family's gilded cage, every step Mu Hanxiao took required meticulous calculation.

Surprisingly, Mu Hanxiao didn't erupt in anger. He seemed lost in thought as the passing streetlights cast shifting shadows across his handsome features, lending them an aloof, indistinct quality.

"He's grown up," Mu Hanxiao murmured, almost to himself.

"Let him be."

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