Gold Cage - Chapter 45

A sharp crack echoed in the room as Mu Hanxiao violently snapped the restraints binding him. His wrists were covered in red marks from the struggle, and his hand bones dislocated as he tore free—yet he seemed impervious to pain. He ripped off the blindfold, then smashed the bedside lamp.

Mu Yu was really gone. Phil had chased after him, leaving Li Bing uncertain of what had happened. Cautiously, he spoke outside the bedroom door, "Mr. Mu Yu has left for the airport. May I ask—"

He waited for a long time before the door was suddenly yanked open. Mu Hanxiao stood there, already dressed in a shirt, though the collar remained undone. His skin still bore the flush of desire, his short hair damp and disheveled. An aura of barely restrained fury radiated from him—Li Bing hadn't seen his boss this out of control since he had stopped taking medication.

It was unsettling. His boss had once struggled with emotional regulation. In Mu Yu's third year studying abroad, Mu Hanxiao had begun medication, though it had little effect. Li Bing still remembered the night, not long after Mu Yu returned to the country, when he had come back to the apartment injured. He had been at Yunhai—Li Bing didn't even need to guess who was responsible.

He didn't know what Mu Yu had done that night to provoke his boss, but afterward, Mu Hanxiao had gone to Jinshan for an illegal mountain race. That night of reckless driving had ended with his car's bumper destroyed, though thankfully, he hadn't been hurt.

Li Bing had feared something similar had happened again, but when he saw Mu Yu leave earlier, everything had seemed normal. There was one more thing he needed to report: "Old Mr. Mu seems unwell and has requested medical treatment. The prison requires documentation from us."

Mu Hanxiao's expression was icy as he grabbed his coat and strode downstairs. "Arrange a private room for him at Yushan Hospital. Post guards around the clock. No one sees him except the doctors and nurses I designate."

"Old Mr. Mu has been asking to see you."

"I'll see them only when I want to."

His voice held no trace of emotion—only a chilling, suppressed intensity. "Prepare the jet. We're leaving for the U.S. now."

At six in the evening, New York time, Xia Ge stood at the university gates, clutching his phone as he anxiously scanned the distance.

This year, he was on exchange at an American art school. Tonight, there was an impromptu performance event for his club. He was dressed rather formally in a suit, his hair slicked with gel—unlike the rest of his casually dressed clubmates, some of whom had even shown up in slippers. His friends teased him about being so serious, but he couldn't bring himself to explain.

After waiting a while, a figure emerged from across the street. Pedestrians came and went, car lights casting blue streaks across the pavement. Mu Yu, wrapped in a dark blue coat with a scarf covering half his face, hurried toward him, a satchel slung over his shoulder.

Xia Ge watched quietly for a moment before stepping forward. Just as Mu Yu reached him with a smile, Xia Ge abruptly pulled him into a tight embrace.

It lasted only a second before Xia Ge quickly let go, his expression shifting back to normal, though slightly embarrassed. "Long time no see, Mu Yu—ah, no, I mean... Helkin!"

Mu Yu had frozen at the sudden hug, but hearing Xia Ge's familiar tone, he laughed and walked with him into the campus. "Long time no see. You can just call me what you used to. It's not like anyone here knows my Chinese name anyway."

Xia Ge also relaxed and said with a smile, "I was really startled when I got your call, but as long as you're okay, that's what matters. Later, President Mu also contacted me and told me not to tell anyone about this. Don't worry, I won't breathe a word to anyone."

Mu Yu apologized, "I'm sorry."

"No need! To be honest, knowing you even kept President Mu in the dark made me feel much better." Xia Ge chuckled.

Xia Ge didn't mention attending his funeral at all, nor did he say anything about how he had felt at the time. Between receiving Mu Yu's call and their meeting, he had already fully processed the reality of the situation.

"Our club has an event tonight, and I'll be performing on stage. Come on, I'll take you to watch."

Mu Yu teased him, "How's your grand concert plan coming along?"

Xia Ge replied seriously, "Actually, I've been writing lyrics and composing music all along, but my focus right now is on my studies. I plan to officially start my career as a singer after graduation. Tonight's club event is just a warm-up, and you're my special guest."

Mu Yu smiled, "Sounds good, I'm honored."

Xia Ge led Mu Yu to an activity room on the first floor of the teaching building. The lights inside were already off, and when the door opened, colorful strobe lights flickered across the room. Someone was already on stage passionately playing music and singing, while the audience sat or stood casually, clapping and singing along to the beat. When they noticed the newcomers, someone shouted, "Xia Ge, you're late!"

Xia Ge called back, "I was picking up a friend!"

Mu Yu greeted everyone, and the group of college students was incredibly welcoming, inviting him to join them for snacks. Mu Yu's striking looks made them think Xia Ge had brought along some celebrity for the event, and they nearly dragged him on stage to sing—only narrowly stopped by Xia Ge's intervention.

When it was Xia Ge's turn to perform, his act was a song he had written and composed himself. Standing on stage with a guitar slung over his back, the spotlight illuminated his tall, well-built frame, as if a radiant energy burst forth from within him. Mu Yu sat on a prop box, munching on snacks while someone handed him fruit wine and struck up a conversation. He accepted and took a sip.

Xia Ge's song seemed to be a love ballad, sung with a tender yet lively tone, his uniquely smooth and slightly lazy voice captivating the audience. His friends swayed and sang along to the rhythm. Mu Yu sat in the dimly lit corner on the prop box, his drink nearly finished.

It had been a long time since he'd had alcohol, and a single glass of whiskey had already left him feeling somewhat languid. These young people were so full of energy—they must really love this little performance, freely expressing what they cherished most, laughing and cheering without restraint.

Nothing in this world is purely one thing. Love can blind, and hatred can fade. Mu Yu got up to fetch another drink from the table, spearing a piece of apple from a plate and chewing the sweet-tart fruit before washing it down with another sip. Sometimes he wondered why he had to be so meticulous, drawing lines between yours, mine, and theirs—why he had to insist on something exclusively his own.

He had never forgotten the fragments of that day at ten years old when he fell into the lake. Reality or dream, the icy water had surged into his heart like an army, exploding from within, replacing his blood and scouring his bones, as if a merciless lake deity had wrung out his soul, shattered it, and pieced it back together. Was there anyone who could thaw his bone-chilling soul and return it to his body?

The icy mist over Lake Baihar seemed never to fade. As a child, Mu Yu often imagined himself as a little monster hiding in the forest and fog. If any reckless human dared step into his territory, he would devour them in one bite.

Once swallowed, they would belong to him.

His hand was suddenly pressed down by another. Mu Yu looked up to see Xia Ge watching him with concern, while four empty glasses already sat in front of him.

"Stop drinking," Xia Ge said.

Mu Yu set down his glass and gave him a thumbs-up. "Singer Xia, I can't wait for your concert!"

A smile flickered in Xia Ge's eyes. He no longer seemed like the impulsive, inexperienced boy from before—time had tempered him, leaving behind a steadier presence, with warmth now settled deep in his gaze.

"I won't let you down."

After the event ended, Xia Ge walked Mu Yu back to his hotel. Standing at the foot of the steps, he bid farewell, then asked almost casually, "Mu Yu, will I see you tomorrow?"

Mu Yu shook his head. "Probably not. I have work starting tomorrow."

Xia Ge couldn't help but show disappointment. For a moment, he resembled the cautious, hopeful version of himself from their first meeting. "My daily schedule is packed too. We might not... get to meet for a while. Can we keep in touch by phone?"

Guessing Xia Ge might still be wary of his past, Mu Yu answered easily, "Of course."

Xia Ge smiled, waved, and left. Mu Yu took the elevator up, counting the floors to make sure he didn't press the wrong button. Stepping out, he walked down the dimly lit hallway, checking room numbers one by one until he finally found his door.

He rummaged through his bag and pockets, searching for his keycard. The alcohol had left his face warm, but he didn't feel drunk—just pleasantly heated. The corridor was too dark to see clearly, and it took him a while to fish the card out from a compartment in his backpack. But as he pulled it free, the card caught on the zipper, flicked out of his grip, and flew toward the wall.

Just as he bent to pick it up, he turned and saw a tall figure behind him—a familiar, large hand hanging at its side.

Mu Yu flattened himself against the door, locking eyes with Mu Hanxiao. His heart pounded as he snapped, "You freak! Are you stalking me?!" Mu Hanxiao's expression darkened. "Had enough fun?"

"None of your damn business!"

"You were so drunk you had to count room numbers to find yours. Didn't even notice someone walking behind you."

"So you admit you were following me?"

Mu Hanxiao picked up the keycard. Mu Yu tried to dodge past him, but Mu Hanxiao grabbed his arm and yanked him back. Furious, Mu Yu's face flushed red as he prepared to curse—only to be shoved through the door the next second. The two stumbled into the room, the door slamming shut behind them with a click of the lock.

Pinned against the wall, Mu Yu winced as his shoulder throbbed from the impact. He shoved at Mu Hanxiao's face in outrage. "Don't touch me!"

Mu Hanxiao tore off his belt, throwing his outer garment to the floor. Mu Yu's shirt was pushed up to his waist, and he writhed like a cat caught in Mu Hanxiao's grasp, clawing desperately to scratch his face. The man's expression was terrifyingly cold as he lifted Mu Yu against the wall, pinning him there. His kiss fell like a furious beast devouring its prey, his dark embrace swallowing Mu Yu whole until he could barely be seen. Mu Yu struggled helplessly, unable to make a sound, kissed until he was dizzy and breathless. Their scorching bodies pressed tightly together, Mu Hanxiao allowing no resistance as his burning hands left indentations on Mu Yu's skin. His towering frame loomed over him like a black dome, collapsing inward, shattering delicate feathers with a crash.

In the dimly lit room, the nightscape of skyscrapers outside the floor-to-ceiling windows resembled scattered stars, flickering with deep blue electronic beams. The man's broad shoulders blocked the figure in front of him, leaving only a pair of trembling, pale legs on tiptoe. The desk rocked violently, objects clattering to the floor with each forceful thrust. Mu Yu was pressed against the table, fucked into incoherent moans, his asscheeks slapped raw from the relentless impact. He clutched the edge of the desk, trembling and convulsing as his brother pried open his hole, his climax spilling onto the floor.

Mu Hanxiao gripped his throat from behind, leaning down to seize his wrists. His voice was icy as he spoke into Mu Yu's ear, "I originally wanted to treat you differently. Mu Yu, I thought you liked it gentle."

"What do you want? Freedom?"

As he spoke, his powerful hips drove ruthlessly into Mu Yu's body, sending waves of shudders through him. Mu Yu's fingers curled weakly against the desk, his vision blurring as he choked back sobs, unable to scream. Saliva glistened on his parted lips. Mu Hanxiao came deep inside him, filling him with thick spurts of cum. Mu Yu's legs shook uncontrollably, unable to take any more, but Mu Hanxiao only pressed him down, fucking into him harder. His inner walls were distorted from the brutal intrusion, and Mu Yu collapsed weakly onto the desk, his arms pinned as he was ravaged. The overwhelming climax forced tears from his eyes, urine leaking from his trembling thighs, pooling on the floor.

"Ge... Ge..."

Mu Yu felt half-dead, calling out to Mu Hanxiao like a plea for mercy. Mu Hanxiao hauled his drenched body up, breathing in the heady scent of sex clinging to his skin. He kissed Mu Yu's delicate collarbone, licking up the sweat-slicked column of his throat, his fragile jaw that seemed ready to shatter under the slightest pressure.

Mu Hanxiao's voice was hoarse and low, laced with malice and a near-mad obsession: "I'd give you everything. But what you want—I have none of it."

"This is who I am."

He couldn't give freedom. He couldn't give love in the light. Beneath his cold mask lay nothing but filth and depravity—a hopeless bastard who wanted nothing more than to lock his little brother in a basement, who couldn't even pretend to be normal for a single moment, who went mad with jealousy just seeing him smile at someone else.

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