Gold Cage - Chapter 1

The gloomy February chill in Yu City inexplicably reminded Mu Yu of his distant childhood—the gray-blue slopes, grasslands, and endless icy waves rippling across the lake surface.

Stepping off the plane alone, he tightened his scarf against the cold wind. The bustling airport crowd parted as he spotted a man waiting outside the exit, tall and striking in a tailored trench coat.

Mu Yu quickened his pace. Mu Zeju embraced him briefly. "Little brother, long time no see."

After graduating high school, Mu Yu had left for studies in America. He completed his master's degree last June but only returned this February. As they walked out together, Mu Zeju said, "The family's preparing dinner. Mom and Dad are home, and Hanxiao and Zhiye will be back tonight."

Mu Yu scoffed. "Such a grand reception surely not for me?"

Mu Zeju smirked, his handsome features carrying an air of rebellious indifference. "Why not? You vanished after leaving. Seeing you is rarer than our eldest brother finding a girlfriend."

At the mention of his eldest brother, Mu Yu's expression cooled.

Mu Zeju was his second elder brother, six years his senior.

Their eldest brother was the Mu family's heir—Mu Hanxiao.

Mu Zeju had come alone to fetch him. Despite now being an entertainment group director, he maintained the Mu family's low-key lifestyle, arriving in an ordinary black sedan.

The Mu ancestral home stood at Bibotang—a sprawling Chinese-style mansion nestled in the mountains, its white tiles and emerald ponds resembling a chessboard from afar. Three stories above ground, three below, its labyrinthine layout had earned Mu Zeju's teasing nickname: "the children's puzzle board."

As their car approached Bibotang, the iron gates swung open automatically. Mu Zeju navigated effortlessly toward the main residence. The security and steward, having spotted their arrival via surveillance, hurried to greet them. The steward—a man in his fifties started upon seeing Mu Yu emerge from the car. "When did you return"

Mu Yu froze, then understood.

The steward had served the family since youth, efficient and meticulous. He promptly summoned staff for luggage and prepared a guest room.

Mu Yu had no permanent bedroom at Bibotang. When he stayed, it was always as a guest.

Watching attendants begin unloading his luggage, Mu Yu intervened. "No need to take them out."

Baffled, the steward looked to Mu Zeju, who stood casually with hands in pockets. With a tilt of his chin, Mu Zeju said, "Put them back."

The staff reluctantly returned the bags to the trunk. As the brothers proceeded inside, the estate unfolded—deep courtyards, evergreen shrubs lining white walls, murmuring water channels.

Suddenly Mu Zeju remarked, "Earlier, I misspoke. I shouldn't have said Hanxiao struggles to find girlfriends."

Mu Yu's chest tightened, though his face remained calm.

Mu Zeju continued, "Our eldest brother is getting engaged."

Mu Yu wasn't originally surnamed Mu, nor was Yu his given name. His mother had named him Helkin, with the surname Glinka—her ancestral family name.

He was born and raised by Lake Baihaer, living with his mother in a two-story cottage by the lakeside village. At ten, he accidentally fell into the lake and fell gravely ill. The village doctor couldn't cure him, so he was rushed overnight to the Mu family and never returned to Lake Baihaer again.

His mother couldn't step foot inside the Mu estate. She was Mu Yunting's mistress, nameless and unacknowledged, yet she bore his child. Mu Yunting's wife, Zhao Mengling, came from an official family, while Mu Yu's mother was just an ordinary woman who fled at the mere mention of the Zhao name, too afraid to see her own son even once in fourteen years.

Mu Yunting and Zhao Mengling had three sons: the eldest, Mu Hanxiao; the second, Mu Zeju; and the youngest, Mu Zhiye. All three names were chosen by Mu Yunting's father. As for Mu Yu, his name was given by Mu Yunting himself after bringing him home—just two characters, meaningless, a distinction from his three legitimate brothers. That the Mu family allowed him to stay and grow up in luxury was already an act of mercy.

Tonight, the main house at Bibo Hall was unusually lively. With the rare family gathering, dinner hadn't even been served yet, but Mu Yu had already retreated upstairs to the guest room.

After arriving home, he had greeted his father and mother in the living room and presented gifts he'd brought back from abroad. Of course, the elders barely spared them a glance, merely instructing the butler to take them away.

Mu Yunting had asked him a few perfunctory questions, while Zhao Mengling didn't speak to him at all, offering only a cold nod—which, by her standards, was already remarkably polite.

Something auspicious must have happened today. Otherwise, why was everyone in such high spirits that not a single person had given him a frosty look?

His presence downstairs only made the atmosphere awkward, so he stayed in his room watching TV and replying to messages. He had his own work to attend to and hadn't planned to return to Bibo Hall straight from the airport—but his second brother had called him. Since the family rarely reached out first, Mu Yu had agreed.

Before long, a maid came up to summon him. Mu Yu rose and headed downstairs. As he descended the staircase, he noticed someone entering from the main hall. Sensing his gaze, the man turned and glanced at him.

Mu Hanxiao.

The man's features were stern, his sharp brows casting a shadow over his eyes. A single glance from him carried an intangible pressure. Mu Hanxiao barely acknowledged him before indifferently looking away.

The youngest brother, Mu Zhiye, darted out from beside Mu Hanxiao, still in his school uniform. "Ze-ge! I missed you so much!"

Mu Zeju caught his little brother's bear hug with an exaggerated "Oof!" and said, "You've gotten heavier—putting on weight, huh?"

"It's called growing taller! You're the one who's fat."

"Did Hanxiao-ge personally pick you up?"

Mu Zhiye lifted his chin proudly. "Of course! Since he's finally home, I had to make him pick me up from school."

Zhao Mengling chided, "Your eldest brother is so busy with work, yet you cling to him and act spoiled all the time. It's ridiculous."

"How is that acting spoiled, Mom—?"

With the youngest son home, the entire house buzzed with energy. But as Mu Yu descended the stairs, the atmosphere cooled imperceptibly the moment everyone noticed him.

Mu Zhiye, still young, wore his disdain for Mu Yu openly on his face. He sulked and plopped down beside his second brother. Mu Zeju ruffled his hair but said nothing.

Mu Hanxiao hadn't spoken a word since entering. The maid took his overcoat, revealing his impeccably tailored shirt and trousers. After changing into gray slippers, he settled on the sofa and casually picked up a newspaper from the coffee table.

He didn't even greet Mu Yu.

Mu Yu was accustomed to this. Muttering "Big brother and little brother are back" without expecting any response, he shuffled toward the kitchen in his slippers. As he walked down the hallway, he overheard Mu Zhiye's displeased voice from the living room: "Why did we have to invite him to our family dinner?"

Then Mu Zeju replied, "I invited him."

"Brother! What are you trying to do?"

"Keep your voice down..."

The conversation faded, which Mu Yu pretended not to hear.

Why was he invited? He didn't know either. Mu Yu had never attended such family gatherings before. His nominal mother Zhao Mengling couldn't stand the sight of him, while his father had only brought him into the Mu family to let him survive under their vast influence this being his biological mother's dying wish.

In that sense, Mu Yunting had shown some decency by keeping an illegitimate child around despite family pressure.

Though "keeping around" was all it amounted to.

The dinner spread was lavish, featuring Mu Yu's favorite red wine braised beef. Unfortunately, the dish sat near Mu Hanxiao at the head of the table, while Mu Yu occupied the farthest seat. He could only gaze longingly at the distant delicacy while dutifully eating what was before him.

Mu Zhiye, currently in high school, had pestered his eldest brother with questions about his rumored engagement during their ride home. Now he eagerly asked, "Big brother, is it true you're getting engaged to Sister Liu?"

Zhao Mengling's eyes shone with maternal affection as she nodded. "The date's been set for next month."

"Big brother! How could you keep your relationship with Sister Liu secret from us?"

Though aloof with others, Mu Hanxiao showed patience toward his younger brother. "Must I report all my private matters to you?"

"This isn't just private—it's family business, major business, extremely important business!"

Laughter rippled across the table. Mu Zeju teased, "I think you're just excited about getting a beautiful sister-in-law."

"Sister Liu was already stunning ordinary women wouldn't suit our eldest brother anyway."

The conversation centered on Mu Hanxiao's engagement to Liu Shuyan, eldest daughter of the Liu family. The same age as Mu Hanxiao, she served as Hongfeng Group's top executive and vice-chairwoman of the board. Though her father remained chairman with other children in the family, everyone knew the position would eventually belong to Liu Shuyan alone.

Mu Yu had also seen Liu Shuyan before. When he was very young, the Liu family came to visit. At that time, he was frail and sickly, disliking social interactions, so he merely peeked from the window as they conversed by the garden lake. Even then, Liu Shuyan was like a celestial maiden every smile and gesture exuded noble elegance, the epitome of aristocratic grace.

In that sense, Liu Shuyan and his eldest brother could be considered childhood sweethearts.

The family discussed Mu Hanxiao's engagement over dinner. Once engaged, wedding arrangements could follow. Everyone was genuinely happy for him, especially the couple seated at the head of the table, who seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. After all, Mu Hanxiao was already thirty-six. The elders had been arranging potential matches for him since he took over the family business, and after more than a decade of fruitless efforts, they were nearly at their wits' end. Finally, at long last, there was good news from this stubborn man.

During the casual conversation, Mu Zeju glanced at Mu Yu now and then, intentionally or not. Mu Yu, knowing better than to intrude, kept to himself and focused on his meal.

After dinner, Mu Yu approached Mu Zeju. "Second Brother, I need to get my luggage from your car. I have to return to the company tonight."

Mu Zeju had just finished a call with his assistant. Smiling, he remarked, "Does your little company really require its boss to handle everything personally?"

Mu Yu pretended not to catch the sarcasm. "Small companies are like that the boss is just another employee."

Mu Zeju pocketed his phone. "I'll drive you."

"No need, I'll ask a friend—"

"I'll drive you."

Mu Zeju repeated firmly, already striding ahead. Mu Yu fell silent and followed. After bidding farewell to the others, the two left first.

Before leaving, Mu Yu caught sight of Mu Zhiye hugging a pillow and squeezing next to Mu Hanxiao, chattering excitedly about something. Mu Hanxiao let him lean against him, and at something his younger brother said, the corners of his lips curled into a faint smile.

Mu Yu left the main residence of Bibo Hall and got into his second brother's car. He glanced at the towering white walls of the estate, picturesque as a fairy tale.

He had almost forgotten Mu Hanxiao could smile.

The car descended the mountain. Mu Zeju focused on driving, the watch on his wrist glinting faintly. Mu Yu remained quiet, gazing at the nightscape outside.

"I apologize," Mu Zeju finally spoke. "Bringing you home this time was my own decision. I didn't inform the others in advance. I made you uncomfortable."

Mu Zeju had always been bold and unrestrained, remaining unmarried even at thirty. Their parents scolded him, but he paid no heed.

Yet with Mu Yu, he was courteous polite and measured, as if entertaining a guest. Keeping his distance.

Mu Yu knew this was how Mu Zeju showed his dislike for someone.

"It's fine," Mu Yu replied.

Mu Zeju said, "Eldest Brother is getting engaged. We're all happy for him. I thought you should know this good news too."

This was the second time tonight he had emphasized the fact that "Eldest Brother is getting engaged." Amused, Mu Yu realized this was why Mu Zeju had risked their parents' displeasure to drag him here—he wanted Mu Yu to witness the news firsthand.

He wanted him to give up. Mu Yu chuckled silently, a mocking smile playing on his lips as he looked out the window.

"I'm happy for him," he said softly.

Mu Zeju added, "You should come to Eldest Brother's engagement ceremony."

Mu Yu replied, "I will. Of course I'll come."

The car stopped at the foot of Century Tower. Mu Zeju dropped Mu Yu off at the company and left without further pleasantries, the vehicle quickly merging into the night traffic—hurried in arrival, hurried in departure.

No one cared about him as a person, nor how he had spent the past six years abroad. Despite the warm family dinner, no one had asked about his long absence.

Mu Zeju was simply reminding him: now that he was back, he should remember to keep his distance.

Mu Hanxiao was getting engaged. As the younger brother, he needed to know what was expected of him—and what wasn't.

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