Gold Cage - Chapter 36

The news was quickly delivered to Mu Hanxiao. Xie Ming briefly informed him about the matter, and Mu Hanxiao sat silently in front of his computer, where a USB drive was inserted. The screen displayed footage of what had happened by the bar's pool that night.

A group of people surrounded a frail girl, shouting excitedly as they pushed her into the pool, dragged her out, and pushed her back in again. Meanwhile, Mu Zhiye stood by arrogantly, watching as if it had nothing to do with him. The entire recording appeared to have been filmed from a phone capturing the surveillance footage, cutting off just before Mu Yu appeared.

"Where did they get this recording?" Mu Hanxiao asked.

Xie Ming replied, "Some of it was recorded by the kids themselves. The bar's surveillance footage seems to have been secretly filmed by them using their phones."

"Find a way to confiscate their phones and ground them," Mu Hanxiao said. "Especially keep an eye on Fang Wanjuan."

"Madam Zhao acted swiftly. The other girls and their parents have already accepted mediation, but Fang Wanjuan is a special case. Her father was a police officer who died in the line of duty. After her mother remarried and had another child, her relationship with the new family soured. They're the only ones who haven't reached an agreement with her."

Mu Hanxiao finished watching all the contents of the USB drive, his expression cold. "She's willing to throw her life away."

He leaned back in his chair, seemingly deep in thought about how to handle the situation, while Xie Ming waited quietly nearby.

Finally, Mu Hanxiao spoke. "Send Li Bing to monitor Fang Wanjuan."

Xie Ming had just nodded when his assistant called, informing him that his younger brother, Mu Zhiye, had come to the company looking for him. Mu Hanxiao wasn't at the office, and upon hearing this, he frowned slightly. "Have someone send him back."

The assistant sounded hesitant on the phone, explaining that Mu Zhiye insisted on seeing him no matter what. No one dared to provoke the young master, so in the end, Mu Hanxiao had them bring him to his apartment instead.

Xie Ming left the apartment, and soon Mu Zhiye arrived. The moment he stepped inside, he put on a pitiful expression, recounting how their mother had scolded him early that morning. Since then, she had suddenly become extremely strict with him—questioning the friends he kept at school and demanding he return home immediately after classes, forbidding him from lingering outside.

Back in Yushi, Mu Zhiye had never been subjected to such control. Both his parents were busy with their careers and lenient about his studies, fulfilling all his requests and wishes. Though his eldest brother was rarely home, he was always patient and generous with him, never scolding him.

But for some reason, his mother had not only hired private tutors for him but also started checking his report cards. His grades were naturally abysmal, which only made her angrier. Mu Zhiye couldn't comprehend this sudden change in attitude and had been arguing with her nonstop these past few days.

"You were the one who told me before—just do what I love! I said I didn't like studying, and you even said there'd always be a place for me in the family business, that you only wanted me to be happy. Now you suddenly expect me to be like my eldest and second brothers—how is that even possible?"

"Mom isn't asking you to be exactly like your brothers, just to learn from them. Don't you admire your eldest brother the most? Shouldn't he be your role model? Your brothers can't forever be the sheltering trees you rely on, Xiao Ye. It's time for you to grow up!"

Why couldn't they always be his sheltering trees? His eldest and second brothers were his closest family. They would always be together—no one could sever the blood ties between them. He had his own aspirations too—why must he emulate either brother? He was just Mu Zhiye, different from anyone else.

In a fit of anger, Mu Zhiye ran away from home. The first person he wanted to see upon returning to Yu City was Mu Hanxiao. Since childhood, he had depended on his eldest brother, behaving far more obediently around him than with anyone else.

This was precisely why he particularly despised Mu Yu. He had always resented his father for bringing Mu Yu home and believed his eldest brother should never have visited that detestable Yunhai even once. This hatred wasn't just inherited from his mother Zhao Mengling—it also stemmed from the subtle, lingering connection between his eldest brother and that illegitimate child over the years.

"You should stay with Mom during this period," Mu Hanxiao said.

Mu Zhiye sulked: "No, she's tired of me anyway. Out of sight, out of mind."

He wheedled Mu Hanxiao: "Brother, can you talk to Mom about letting me come back to Yu City for school? I want to live with you."

"No."

"Why not!"

"I'm married now. I live with your sister-in-law."

Mu Zhiye sat bored, then asked curiously: "Aren't you and sister-in-law planning to have kids yet?"

"Children shouldn't pry into adult matters."

"I told you I'm not a child!"

Mu Zhiye lay on the sofa sulking when Mu Hanxiao's phone rang. Glancing at the caller ID, he stood and left the living room to answer.

It was Phil calling. Twenty minutes earlier, Mu Yunting had summoned Mu Yu back to Bibotang—apparently for no urgent reason, just to see him.

Compared to his relationship with Zhao Mengling, at least Mu Yu maintained superficial civility with his biological father Mu Yunting. Mu Yunting didn't interfere in affairs, and Mu Yu didn't provoke him. More often than not, father and son existed in mutual indifference. Perhaps Mu Yunting knew Mu Yu still hated him for taking him away from his birth mother, and recognized his prickly temperament— hence avoiding unnecessary friction.

After hanging up, Mu Hanxiao prepared to leave. Seeing this, Mu Zhiye immediately asked where he was going, clearly determined to follow. Without further discussion, Mu Hanxiao let the boy trail him into the car as they headed to Bibotang.

Bibotang remained the same serene, elegant landscape of muted colors. Whether due to idle loneliness in old age or not, Mu Yunting had suddenly called Mu Yu over just to chat about daily life and work. Now the sole resident of this vast white palace, he dwelled amidst echoing emptiness even the fish in the ponds swam languidly in circles with no one to feed or admire them.

Mu Yu sat by the window cradling a cup of hot tea, gazing at the pale gray sky beneath the eaves. He answered Mu Yunting's questions tersely, his untouched tea cooling as he stared at the endless green meadows outside.

"The mountain scenery is beautiful," Mu Yunting remarked, "but living here alone grows dull over time."

Mu Yu thought sarcastically: No kidding. If you hadn't lost all decency by having an affair, your wife and children might actually want to live with you.

Then again, he wouldn't exist otherwise. The realization amused Mu Yu despite himself.

Mu Yunting suddenly asked him, "I heard you've been investigating someone recently?"

Mu Yu snapped out of his thoughts, realizing the old man hadn't called him here for some father-son bonding. He maintained an indifferent expression. "Who? I've been busy with work and haven't had time to care about others."

Mu Yunting reminded him, "Zhao Zuo."

Mu Yu frowned and looked at him. Mu Yunting continued, "I know you're upset about what happened in his territory. But now that the He family has fallen, Zhao Zuo's little business is gone too. He's slunk off abroad in disgrace. You should let it go—after all, he was your mother's man."

"You know how petty I can be," Mu Yu said coldly. "If someone crosses me, I won't rest until I've uprooted them completely. What is Zhao Zuo to me? I'd even take on Mu Zhiye if he provoked me."

Mu Yunting frowned. "Xiao Yu! This temper of yours... sigh."

Mu Yu had deliberately said those words to test Mu Yunting's reaction. He quickly analyzed the situation—if Mu Yunting knew he'd found Zhao Zuo, did that mean he'd been keeping tabs on Zhao Zuo as well? But why?

Mu Yunting seemed about to say something else, but as he looked at Mu Yu's profile, his thoughts suddenly diverged. A faint smile appeared. "Xiao Yu, your looks are truly exceptional. Those beautiful eyes you're the only one in our family who has them."

Hearing this, Mu Yu felt a surge of disgust. Mu Yunting added, "Since you're free, why not stay home for a few more days and keep this old man company. For some reason, talking to you always lifts my spirits."

"I'm busy."

"That little company of yours has been running for quite a while now. Surely it doesn't still require the boss's personal involvement?" Mu Yunting said casually. "I'll send a few more hands your way to lighten your load."

Mu Yu turned away. "I don't need them. It's my company."

"Stubborn as ever," Mu Yunting wasn't the least bit angry, as if he'd long grown accustomed to Mu Yu's temperament. He chuckled. "Just like your birth mother."

Just then, the butler arrived to announce that Mu Hanxiao and Mu Zhiye had arrived. Mu Yu glanced back and saw Mu Hanxiao ascending the stairs with Mu Zhiye following behind.

Mu Hanxiao's gaze settled on them. Mu Yu ignored his look, while Mu Zhiye called out, "Dad." Mu Yunting smiled and beckoned them over, asking why they'd come back. Mu Zhiye shot Mu Yu a displeased glance, clearly unhappy to see him there.

Mu Yu, who had no desire to stay, stood up to leave.

"Xiao Yu, stay for dinner tonight," Mu Yunting called after him.

Mu Yu responded with a cold acknowledgment and brushed past Mu Hanxiao as he left. He couldn't stand the sight of any of those three, so he retreated to a guest room to be alone, wanting nothing more to do with them.

The guest room window offered a view of the endless grasslands and forests behind the Green Wave Hall. Mu Yu stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, lighting a cigarette as he dialed Fan En's number.

He spoke in a low voice, and Fan En readily agreed to everything on the other end, finally laughing over the phone: "After helping you with such a big favor, are you prepared to repay me?"

Mu Yu chuckled: "Of course, I'd even be willing to offer myself to you."

"Don't! Your brother here is strictly straight."

Two knocks suddenly sounded at the guest room door. Mu Yu hung up the phone just as Hanxiao pushed the door open and stepped inside, locking it behind him. Mu Yu frowned at him: "I didn't say you could come in."

"What did you talk about with Dad?"

"None of your business."

Hanxiao approached him, and Mu Yu fearlessly met his gaze. As Yun Ting had remarked, these eyes were truly extraordinary—breathtakingly beautiful, blending the soft ink-wash hues of Jiangnan's waterways with the crystalline green of vast snowfields, captivating and impossible to look away from once seen.

Hanxiao stared into Mu Yu's eyes and took another half-step closer. Mu Yu retreated until his back pressed against the window. He tensed, pushing against the man's shoulders: "Mu Hanxiao!"

Hanxiao gripped his wrist: "You actually listen to Dad. In this family, you disdain everyone except him. What has he ever done to deserve your obedience?"

Mu Yu nearly laughed in disbelief: "Have you lost your mind? When did you ever see me obey him? I just can't be bothered with that rotten man—!"

Before he could finish, Hanxiao seized his jaw and kissed him, pressing him against the glass. The kiss was domineering and possessive, their ragged breaths and muffled moans quickly filling every corner of the room. The man's scorching presence enveloped Mu Yu like an inescapable net, leaving him no room to struggle.

Outside, Zhiye's faint voice called: "Where did big brother go?"

Mu Yu's face flushed red. Hanxiao cupped the back of his head, deepening the kiss as one arm wrapped around his waist, pulling him close. A large hand slipped beneath his clothes, tracing erotic circles along his waist. Breathless from the kiss, Mu Yu clutched Hanxiao's collar and shoved him away with all his strength.

"Brother? Are you in there?" Zhiye knocked again.

Panting, Mu Yu leaned against the window and glared at Hanxiao before turning away to silently straighten his clothes. Hanxiao calmly wiped his lips and adjusted his collar before walking over to open the door.

"Brother? Why was the door locked?"

Zhiye stood outside, puzzled. Hanxiao's tall frame blocked his view, hiding the scene inside. "Dad called Mom and agreed to let me stay home for a couple of days. Brother, do you want to stay too?"

From behind Hanxiao, Mu Yu's mocking voice suddenly cut in: "Your brother is a busy man. He doesn't have time to play house with you every day."

Zhiye froze. Hanxiao shifted slightly, allowing him to see Mu Yu standing by the window. Zhiye hesitated, eyeing the two of them uncertainly, wondering what they had been discussing behind locked doors.

Jealousy flared in him instantly. He looked at Hanxiao, hoping he would speak up for him. But Hanxiao remained silent. As Mu Yu walked toward them, Zhiye snapped: "I'm talking to my brother. Keep your opinions to yourself."

Mu Yu grinned: "Fine, fine. You two brothers should bond more. I won't disturb you."

He walked away on his own, leaving Mu Zhiye filled with displeasure. He neither liked nor understood why his father and eldest brother showed even a moment of kindness toward Mu Yu. Only in this matter did he remain steadfast in unconditionally siding with his mother, viewing Mu Yu as an outsider and a hidden destructive element in their family.

Just as he was about to continue speaking with Mu Hanxiao, he looked up and saw his eldest brother's gaze following Mu Yu's retreating figure. The expression lasted only a fleeting moment—too brief and ambiguous for Mu Zhiye to decipher.

A sudden unease gripped him. Watching his eldest brother walk away, the house stood eerily quiet, its white walls gleaming coldly under the scattered greenery in the hall. Not a soul in sight, not a sound to be heard.

Dinner was unnervingly tense. Mu Zhiye was in low spirits, Mu Hanxiao was as taciturn as ever, and Mu Yu just wanted to finish the meal and leave as quickly as possible. Only Mu Yunting seemed oblivious to the strange atmosphere among the three brothers, chatting away on his own.

Mu Yu detested Bibotang and couldn't wait to get out. As soon as dinner ended, he stood up to leave. Mu Yunting didn't try to stop him this time but spoke just before he departed.

"I'll make sure Zhao Zuo pays for what he did to you," Mu Yunting said to Mu Yu. "Let it go now. Live your life in peace. Go on."

The man's tone was as gentle as usual, yet it carried an undercurrent of authority that was hard to ignore. Mu Yu responded indifferently, saying he understood. As he got into the car and drove away from Bibotang, he turned back thoughtfully, watching the white building gradually recede into the twilight-shrouded woods.

Too bad he'd never been one to follow orders.

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