Gold Cage - Chapter 48
Fan En looked between Mu Yu and Mu Hanxiao in horror. Mu Hanxiao stared at Mu Yu. "And if you go back on your word?"
Mu Yu raised a hand in mock solemnity. "Whoever breaks their promise is a dog."
Mu Hanxiao turned to Fan En. "Did you bring a car?"
Fan En blinked. "Huh? I drove the 911 today..."
"Lend it to me later."
With that, Mu Hanxiao walked away. Alex watched him go, baffled, while the clueless onlookers buzzed with excitement, asking what the relationship between Mu Yu and Mu Hanxiao was—were they really getting married? Fan En felt a headache coming on and dragged Mu Yu aside.
"What the hell did you just say?!" Fan En roared.
Mu Yu covered his ears. "You heard me."
"Am I insane, or are you? You're brothers!"
Mu Yu blinked innocently. "Not anymore. I'm a Glinka now, not a Mu."
Fan En's face twisted. "I'm being serious here! Stop joking around!"
"Why so shocked? Didn't you once tell me your uncle was involved with your cousin?"
Fan En nearly lost it. "That's completely different!"
As Fan En's worldview crumbled, Mu Yu patted his friend on the shoulder and sauntered off.
The race was set along four blocks by the seaside, most of which belonged to Fan En's family. The course was long and wide—the rules were simple: start from the first block, circle all four, hit checkpoints at designated spots, and the first to reach the yellow signboard by the coastal highway would win.
What started as a casual game organized by Fan En and Alex had attracted quite a crowd of young enthusiasts, including seasoned racing veterans. Even Fan En's uncle showed up, slapping Mu Hanxiao's shoulder in jest probably teasing him about suddenly taking interest in playing with kids today. Mu Hanxiao paid no mind, his gaze instead finding Mu Yu in the crowd.
Alex stood by his car, calling out to Mu Yu: "Helkin! Wanna ride with me?"
Someone nearby laughed: "Alex, stop dreaming! Helkin's already said he's marrying that guy—who'd still want your junk car?"
Mu Yu chuckled, taking a sip of lime soda before hopping down the steps and weaving through the crowd and rows of cars. Then an arm grabbed him, pulling him around to face Mu Hanxiao.
"Where are you going?" Mu Hanxiao asked coolly, his expression unreadable.
Mu Yu didn't resist the grip. "Where do you want me to go?"
Mu Hanxiao straightened up and opened the car door behind him. Mu Yu was unceremoniously tossed inside, protesting: "I never said I'd ride with you."
"Seatbelt," Mu Hanxiao reminded as he slid into the driver's seat.
Seeing Mu Yu in Mu Hanxiao's car, Alex shrugged and casually invited another boy into his own vehicle. Fan En came over and knocked on the roof, pointing at Mu Yu: "You little—"
Mu Yu leaned out the window with his soda, grinning like a cat: "What? Shouldn't you be waiting at the finish line? Don't forget to take photos of me."
As he settled back and the window rolled up, Fan En could only stare in disbelief, one thought screaming through his mind: The world's gone mad.
The coastal sunset stretched endlessly as a sharp horn blast cut through the lively crowd. Engines roared to life, and in the next instant, cars shot forward like arrows, leaving only blurred streaks on the road!
Alex's car took the lead, hitting the first checkpoint ahead of the pack. The seaside town's wide, sparsely populated streets allowed pedestrians to easily step aside, watching as the sports cars thundered past. The second checkpoint was marked by a towering office building that stood silhouetted against the fiery sunset, its glass facade ablaze with molten gold. Alex's car sped past the building, only to nearly collide at an intersection with a scarlet 911 cutting across from the right—the two vehicles missing each other by mere inches!
"Cheating bastards!" Alex swore, white-knuckled. "Trying to kill me?!"
All he caught was Mu Yu's fleeting grin through the window before the 911 overtook them completely. Alex shifted gears, pushing the RPM to 7000 as his car flew after the red streak, his passenger screaming excitedly: "Watch for pedestrians!"
Soon only Mu Hanxiao and Alex remained in the lead, the others left far behind. The third checkpoint had denser foot traffic, with a light industrial zone occupying one corner. Mu Hanxiao slowed slightly, allowing Alex to catch up. As he passed, Alex rolled down his window and shouted: "Thought you were something special, but you're nothing!"
Without even glancing his way, Mu Hanxiao said: "Tell him to be careful."
Mu Yu cheerfully relayed: "He says watch the road!"
Alex shouted something again, but his car had already surged forward. Once past the factory, the road to the fourth district would be a wide-open coastal boulevard. Pedestrians scrambled to get out of the way as all racing cars were forced to downshift and slow down upon entering the third district due to the crowds. Alex yanked the steering wheel into a sharp turn, the heavy front end of the GTR lagging slightly as it rounded the corner, nearly throwing his companion into the window. "I told you not to drive this car!”
Alex snapped, "This car looks badass!"
A glance in the rearview mirror showed the red 911 had vanished from sight. Alex shrugged it off and prepared to gun it through the final intersection of the third district when, out of the corner of his eye, a red car ghosted out from the gray factory's side door! The car raced down the dusty slope, seemingly headed straight for his front bumper. Alex roared, but the car effortlessly swerved at the last moment, cutting in front of him and kicking up a cloud of dust before tauntingly speeding away.
"Damn it, are you driving a ghost car?!" Alex looked over—how had this guy cut straight through the factory? Wasn't that cheating?!
But no matter how hard he tried, he could never catch up to Mu Hanxiao again. The 911 blasted past the third district's checkpoint and onto the long coastal boulevard. To the right, crowds gathered on the slopes to watch, while to the left stretched the endless blue sea, its shimmering waves aflame under the setting sun.
Mu Yu glanced in the rearview mirror—Mu Hanxiao's car was already far ahead, leaving everyone else in the dust. The 911 streaked down the highway like a red bolt of lightning. Mu Yu cheered as the roof slowly retracted, wind rushing into the cabin. He raised his hand, letting the breeze slip through his fingers, carrying the glow of the crimson sunset.
The car whizzed past a yellow road sign with a thrilling hum. Judges waiting at the finish line erupted in cheers, scrambling to snap photos of the champion. Meanwhile, the car's owner stood by the sign, watching helplessly as his vehicle sped farther away with no intention of stopping. "The finish line's here! Where are you going?!"
Mu Yu flashed him a distant gesture before the 911 left them all behind, vanishing into the twilight.
"I won," Mu Hanxiao said, the night wind flowing around them.
Mu Yu, busy snapping photos of the sunset with his phone, replied, "Not so fast, Mr. Mu. You cheated—you scared the hell out of those people in the factory back there."
Mu Hanxiao didn't respond. The car gradually slowed, gliding smoothly along the road. Even during the race's most intense moments, Mu Yu's soda hadn't spilled a drop.
"You never said we had to follow the rules."
"Well, I'm saying it now."
The car turned off the highway and stopped on a flat stretch of land. The distant sea breeze carried the rhythmic sound of waves. Mu Hanxiao cut the engine, and Mu Yu eagerly unbuckled his seatbelt, ready to hop out—only to be yanked back by a firm grip. Caught off guard, he was pulled into a deep kiss, Mu Hanxiao's hand cradling the back of his head. He tried to push back, but the man didn't budge, only deepening the kiss.
On the cliff, the scent of the sea drifted through the empty night sky. The kiss was hot and wet, Mu Yu's lips tingling from the relentless exploration. Breathless, his cheeks flushed, he winced as his fingers were squeezed tight—then felt something cool slide onto his ring finger. He looked down to find a pure white band now resting there.
Mu Yu found it amusing: "Where did that ring come from?"
Mu Hanxiao replied, "I've always had it with me."
Mu Yu recalled the blue diamond ring Mu Hanxiao had given him before. At the time, he'd been so angry he'd tossed it aside without a second thought, and now it was probably lost forever.
An exorbitantly priced ring—he'd thrown it away, and Mu Hanxiao had never asked where it went. As if it were merely an unwanted gift, and since it wasn't liked, its disappearance didn't matter.
"I told you earlier—you broke the rules," Mu Yu said.
Mu Hanxiao murmured in response, "Forgive me."
The sea breeze seemed to still. The endless rush of waves filled their ears as Mu Yu gazed quietly at Mu Hanxiao. Mu Hanxiao tightened his grip on the hand wearing the ring, cupped Mu Yu's face, and kissed his ear, his cheek, his warm, damp lips.
His voice melted into the boundless starry night—after the frenzy of racing heartbeats and madness, only the endless, whispered repetitions remained in his heart.
Forgive me. Accept me.
Let me stay by your side from now on.
Mu Yu was close to Mu Hanxiao, their breaths mingling. He looked into Mu Hanxiao's eyes and said, "I'll consider it—based on your behavior from now on."
There would never be anyone else by his side. For many years, he had always been that little monster emerging from the icy mist of Lake Baihar, fixated on the one person he had ever loved—whether he could have him or not, whether he lost him or not.
Take off the mask, step down from the throne, follow the soul's guidance, and walk into the prison of your heart. That cage is your eternal, boundless sky.
***
T/N: The story is finally completed! ❤️❤️ What do you think of it overall? Your rating and review on novelupdates will be much appreciated :)
~I'm planning to translate another novel by the same author πplease wait for the update!
Thank you for translating!
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