Gold Cage - Chapter 39

The clock's minute hand ticked forward with a soft click.

Long Chuan, who had been bent over his books, glanced up at the sound.

The day for reporting to the capital was approaching, and Long Chuan had been buried in work for days, feeling somewhat exhausted.

A gentle knock sounded on the study door, and his wife pushed it open halfway, peeking in. "I just went to get the mail, and there's a package for you."

Long Chuan was puzzled. "What package would be sent to our home?"

His wife brought in a small parcel and placed it before him.

"It's from Xiao Yan."

Not wanting to disturb his work, she left the study. Long Chuan unwrapped the package and the layers of bubble wrap, revealing a tiny USB drive.

He examined the drive for a moment, then retrieved a seldom-used laptop from the study and inserted the USB. It contained numerous files—photos, videos, and audio recordings.

Long Chuan went through them one by one.

He had been in the study for so long that when dinnertime arrived, his wife called to ask why he hadn't come downstairs. He said he'd be down shortly, hung up the landline, and dialed Liu Shuyan's number on his mobile.

Liu Shuyan answered promptly. "Uncle Long."

Long Chuan asked, "Shuyan, where did all this come from?"

She seemed to have been waiting for his call. "These things are useless in my hands. After much thought, I could only give them to you."

Long Chuan cautioned, "If this gets exposed, it could deal a heavy blow to your husband's family."

Her voice was soft and measured. "Hanxiao was the one who gave them to me."

"Oh?"

"Uncle Long, Hanxiao asked me to convey a request to you," Liu Shuyan said. "For my sake, he hopes you won't be too harsh."

Half a month later, on the eve of Zhao Mengling's departure for the capital.

The Mu household was in turmoil. After Mu Yu's death, all his assets had passed to Mu Hanxiao. Lan Mo's demise had also thrown the Lan family into chaos. The Lans were furious that they hadn't even been notified to attend Lan Mo's funeral, seeing it as a deliberate slight and disrespect.

With both Mu Yu and Lan Mo gone, the connection between the Lan and Mu families abruptly severed. Seeing Mu Hanxiao's indifference, Lan Mo's parents grew increasingly anxious, but Xie Ming, the messenger, always had the same reply: "President Mu is busy. Today isn't convenient."

Mu Zeju abandoned his work, spending his days either at bars or asleep, ignoring calls and avoiding home. Surprisingly, Mu Yu's death had hit him hard. Though he had openly disliked Mu Yu before, now that Mu Yu was gone, he sank into depression.

Mu Yunting summoned Mu Hanxiao back to Bibo Hall and asked about Fan En's whereabouts.

"I heard he attended Xiao Yu's funeral," Mu Yinting said. "Where is he now?"

Mu Hanxiao replied, "I've been busy lately. I haven't kept track."

Accustomed to his eldest son's aloofness and reticence, Mu Yinting pressed patiently, "You organized the funeral, and that boy was Xiao Yu's closest friend. Shouldn't you have properly hosted him?"

"After the funeral, I had everyone escorted back. Fan En stayed at a hotel. Do you need him for something?"

Mu Yinting seemed lost in thought before waving his hand dismissively. "Never mind."

"Talk some sense into A’ju. How can a thirty-year-old still throw tantrums like a child?" the old man said. "Death extinguishes life like a lamp. Having witnessed it, one must learn to cherish those still here. You practically raised him—he'll listen to you."

Mu Hanxiao agreed.

The next day, Zhao Mengling set off for the capital. She told Mu Zhiye she would return within two weeks at most and urged him to focus on his studies and not wander off.

However, half a month later, Mu Zhiye didn't wait for his mother's return. He was left in the dark as his mother's orderly seemed constantly busy, always coming and going in a hurry, each time only telling him not to wander off or visit bars and banquets.

Confined with nowhere to go and no friends to meet, Mu Zhiye stewed in frustration, ready to confront his mother when she returned. But before that could happen, her orderly suddenly appeared, informing him that his school had been notified of his leave and he was to be sent back to Yushi.

The orderly explained that his mother still had important matters to attend to in the capital and couldn't take care of him properly, so he was to stay with his father for the time being.

Mu Zhiye was happy to return to his two older brothers, but upon arriving home, he found his eldest brother constantly occupied with work, his second brother completely unreachable by phone, and even his father—who usually secluded himself in the leisure retreat behind their estate—nowhere to be found.

After Mu Yu's death, the Mu household had grown even quieter. This change had begun long ago—perhaps when Mu Hanxiao announced his marriage, or when Mu Yu stormed out of Yunhai six years prior, or even further back, when Zhao Mengling, pregnant at the time, learned that her husband had been unfaithful and already had a child with another woman.

Mu Zeju was fast asleep when Mu Hanxiao's call came through. He answered impatiently, but the news from his eldest brother jolted him awake.

"Mom might be under investigation?" Mu Zeju was baffled. "Why?"

Mu Hanxiao, seemingly swamped, didn't elaborate over the phone, only instructing him to keep a low profile from then on and minimize all promotional activities for his entertainment company. Rumors from the capital suggested Zhao Mengling was being investigated, but no one knew the full story.

A day after that call, three companies under Mu Yunting's name abruptly ceased operations, their offices emptied overnight. The Mu Group, Mu Zeju's entertainment company, and Qingfei—founded by the late Mu Yu—were simultaneously subjected to investigations by both public security and tax authorities. Following his brother's instructions, Mu Zeju cooperated with the investigation. Qingfei, being smaller, had its finances closely monitored by Huo Shiyin, leaving no major issues—except for Xie Ming, who had taken an extended leave and vanished without a trace.

But then Mu Hanxiao was taken away. Reportedly, he was escorted out of a high-level company meeting by public security officers in full view of everyone, sparking an immediate uproar. No longer able to ignore the situation, Mu Zeju scrambled for answers, only to receive shocking news: the Mu family might be involved in large-scale illegal dealings, smuggling, and massive tax evasion. As the group's primary figurehead, Mu Hanxiao bore the brunt of responsibility, and if evidence was confirmed, he could face criminal charges and staggering fines.

Panic spread through the Mu Group overnight. But worse news followed: on overseas social media, prominent Chinese diaspora websites, and numerous domestic forums, the name "Zhao Zuo" surfaced. Reports claimed Zhao Zuo was a relative of Zhao Mengling, a high-ranking official, and had long engaged in illegal smuggling under her protection—with goods allegedly including military arms from multiple countries. After his dealings were exposed, Zhao Zuo fled to the U.S., where his whereabouts remained unknown.

The reports had been widely covered and reposted, spreading like wildfire. Upon hearing the news, Mu Zeju immediately rushed to Bibo Hall to see his father, Mu Yunting. At that time, Mu Yunting was on a phone call, his brows furrowed as if facing a thorny issue. But the moment Mu Zeju arrived, he ended the call.

Mu Zeju urgently asked, "Dad, is what's being reported in the overseas news true?"

Mu Yunting tossed his phone onto the table and wearily sank into the sofa. "I don't know. The most critical issue right now is that we can't reach your mother."

"I'm certain Eldest Brother has been framed! He would never break the law for money—he understands the importance of preserving the family's interests better than anyone!"

The old man leaned back in the sofa and lit a cigar, his voice hoarse. "As the largest shareholder and chairman of Mu Corporation, who could possibly frame him? The matter isn't settled yet—don't act recklessly."

"But Eldest Brother is being detained right now!"

"Ah’Ju, there's an even more serious problem now. Your mother will most likely lose her position. If I'm not mistaken, someone is targeting her precisely because she's in the capital for her debriefing and the election campaign two years from now. If those pieces of evidence reach the higher-ups, no one will be able to protect her."

"What evidence?"

The old man lifted his eyelids to glance at him and uttered two words: "Murder."

Mu Zeju's face instantly paled. He gripped the armrest of the sofa, his breathing turning ragged. Mu Yunting continued, "I didn't want to tell you this, and don't mention it to Xiao Ye either. In the end, this all started because of him..."

Mu Yunting exhaled deeply. "We spoiled him too much. Failing to raise a child properly has led to this retribution."

Mu Yunting recounted Fang Wanjuan's death to Mu Zeju, who listened as if in a dream. After that, whatever else his father said barely registered in his ears.

It was as though his closest family—his parents, even his eldest brother who had raised him since childhood—had all suddenly revealed different faces before him. Everyone had secrets, but in Mu Zeju's heart, they had always been one family. It was only natural for family members to make sacrifices to protect their shared home—or so he had always believed.

But when he left Bibo Hall that night, pausing to look back at the white building shrouded in the darkness of the trees, an unfamiliar feeling arose in his heart for the very first time.

The evidence of Zhao Mengling's series of criminal activities, submitted through Long Chuan's hands, caused a massive uproar. Long Chuan was kept behind for discussions with multiple parties, while Zhao Mengling was temporarily detained in the capital for investigation.

Even after being taken into custody, she remained upright and composed. Investigators tried to coax information from her, but from start to finish, she only had one icy response: her lawyer would arrive soon, and they should discuss the matter with him.

Zhao Mengling hadn't slept well for several nights, her face still expressionless: "I've always conducted affairs impartially."

"Your son Mu Hanxiao has also been investigated and is currently detained, just like you."

"Is that so."

The investigator delivered another piece of information: "We've already found Zhao Zuo, who has confessed to all the crimes. Secretary Zhao, I think you understand how important Zhao Zuo's confession is to us."

Zhao Mengling fell silent, and her breathing became heavier. And then no matter what the investigator said, she just closed her eyes and didn't say a word.

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