Go To Your Death Chapter 15

Punishment

The sunset over Xiling Island turned the horizon into a dazzling orange-red, like molten gold. The waves rhythmically beat against the jagged reefs, shattering into countless crystalline bubbles before vanishing, a cycle repeating endlessly.

Mu Huacheng’s arm was firm and powerful, wrapped around Lin Jinyao’s waist like a silent shackle—warm yet suffocating.

Lin Jinyao tried to keep his breathing steady, but he felt as if that strength was trying to embed itself into his very bones and blood, pinning him to this isolated island and to this man’s side.

The Zhou family… accepted the invitation? Lin Jinyao tried to keep his voice as level as possible. The sea breeze blew his bangs into a mess, hiding the flicker of unease in his eyes. To anyone else, his words sounded light and casual.

Yes, Mu Huacheng replied nonchalantly.

He turned his head, his sharp gaze precisely capturing every subtle change on Lin Jinyao’s face, even his feigned composure. Zhou Hongbing replied personally. It seems he is also very curious about you.

Lin Jinyao thought to himself that Zhou Hongbing’s curiosity couldn’t possibly be just because he was Mu Huacheng’s companion.

That old fox had a very keen sense of smell.

Everyone knew exactly how his movements had been exposed yesterday!

Perhaps from the moment he stepped into Hai City, countless eyes had already been peering through the mist, spying on his every move.

The main house was brightly lit but terrifyingly quiet.

The glow from the massive crystal chandelier cast light onto the marble floor like a layer of thin ice.

The servants were orderly and well-trained, moving silently as their footsteps were swallowed by the thick carpets. It was as if a programmer had set their routines; every action and every distance traveled was calculated to the millimeter.

Lin Jinyao clenched his fists, his fingernails digging into his palms until the pain forced him to stop overthinking. He leaned closer to Mu Huacheng’s side, his voice soft and enchanting, sounding perfectly obedient. I won’t let Mr. Mu down.

This pleased Mu Huacheng.

He let out a low chuckle. Lin Jinyao felt a slight vibration in the man’s chest as the arm around his waist tightened, nearly pulling him into a full embrace as they entered the dining room.

Dinner was already prepared—a cuttlefish soup Mu Huacheng had specifically ordered the kitchen to stew. The milky white broth sent up a fresh, fragrant steam.

He personally ladled a small bowl and placed it before Lin Jinyao. Have some soup to warm up.

Lin Jinyao picked up the bowl, but the food was tasteless to him. No matter how delicious the soup was, he only tasted anxiety.

Mu Huacheng seemed peaceful, chatting about trivial matters on the island in a tone as ordinary as could be.

Lin Jinyao nodded along, occasionally adding a word or two.

He knew this was the damn calm before the storm.

The more Mu Huacheng remained unruffled, the more violent the subsequent settlement would likely be.

Lin Jinyao could almost foresee what awaited him that night.

But Mu Huacheng did not take him directly to the bedroom. Instead, he unexpectedly led him to the study facing the sea.

Outside the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, the moonlight paved a silver path across the ocean, shimmering and beautiful.

The air in the room was thick with the scent of cigars and the faint, cold lingering fragrance of incense.

Lin Jinyao was in no mood for the view; his only thought was how to survive the night.

You spent two days in Hai City. Any interesting sights? Mu Huacheng let go of him and leaned slowly against the large ebony desk, turning back to look at him.

Here it came.

The moment of judgment!

It was this relaxed posture that made the hair on the back of Lin Jinyao’s neck stand up.

In his eyes, this man was scarier when he wasn’t angry than when he was!

Lin Jinyao stood obediently before him, his gaze meeting Mu Huacheng’s bottomless dark eyes. He chose the safest answer, his voice dry. I saw an art exhibition and ate some local snacks. Nothing special.

He tried to make his tone sound as natural as possible, but a hint of tension still leaked through.

A playful smile curled at the corner of Mu Huacheng’s mouth, as if he had already seen through the clumsy performance. Is that so? But I heard… the eastern suburbs weren’t very peaceful last night. It seems someone broke into an old house that had been vacant for years and even alerted the caretakers.

His tone was flat, as if he were recounting an insignificant piece of social news.

Lin Jinyao was speechless and frustrated! His heart felt as if it were being squeezed by a cold hand, sinking abruptly.

What a nuisance! This man knew everything, so why the hell was he still asking?

Mu Huacheng walked slowly toward him, every step feeling like it was treading on Lin Jinyao’s heart. That thief was quite bold, wasn’t he?

He reached out, his fingertips forcibly tilting Lin Jinyao’s chin up, forcing him to meet his gaze.

The spot where those fingers touched felt as if it had been seared by a branding iron.

Lin Jinyao forced himself to meet Mu Huacheng’s eyes, his body unable to stop a slight tremor.

He could clearly see the dark undercurrents swirling in the depths of the other man’s eyes.

After a long moment, Lin Jinyao finally found his voice, attempting one last struggle: Chen Jin mentioned it to me! The security in Hai City is indeed getting worse.

Indeed. Mu Huacheng laughed. There was no joy or anger in that laugh, which made it even more unsettling.

This brat always tried to avoid the root of the problem with such a serious face.

As if those things weren’t done by him, as if it were all someone else’s fault and he was perfectly innocent!

He needed a lesson!

That is why I don’t feel safe letting you run around outside alone. Mu Huacheng’s thumb brushed against Lin Jinyao’s lips, gently stroking the soft skin. The movement was intimate, but his eyes were as sharp as knives. My A-Yao is so beautiful. If you were hurt anywhere, I would make many people… pay the price.

The words were light, but they carried the weight of a thousand pounds, hitting Lin Jinyao’s ears like a blood-scented warning.

Lin Jinyao had no doubt that if something really happened to him in Hai City, Mu Huacheng would absolutely stir up a bloodbath and use the suffering of countless people to appease his wrath.

This extreme possessiveness and protective urge were suffocatingly twisted.

I… I will be careful.

Being careful isn’t enough. Mu Huacheng’s fingers slid to the back of his neck, giving it a light squeeze. The action was like treating a beloved but disobedient cat, carrying both punishment and control. Be obedient. A-Yao, remember my words. Staying by my side forever is the only way to be safe.

I remember, Mr. Mu. Lin Jinyao lowered his eyes submissively. He knew exactly what to say and do at a time like this!

Unfortunately, Mu Huacheng still didn’t let him off easily that night.

It wasn’t a storm of rage, but another, more grueling method.

Mu Huacheng had incredible patience with Lin Jinyao. Ever since the first time he had accidentally hurt him, he had been very careful.

Mu Huacheng’s learning ability was astonishing, but Lin Jinyao’s endurance was not.

The feeling of desire covering his entire body forced Lin Jinyao to retreat step by step, his rationality crumbling. He could only drift in the tide of passion, begging for mercy. There won’t be a next time… I won’t dare… I promise.

A-Yao’s promises have no value at all. You admit your mistakes quickly, but you never change. Mu Huacheng’s voice was low and seductive, yet his movements slowed down even more, torturing his nerves.

I will, I will… ah! Please, Mr. Mu, I’ll change… I’ll change. Tears blurred his vision as Lin Jinyao pleaded incoherently.

Good boy, you can do it… just hold on a bit longer. In truth, Mu Huacheng quite liked Lin Jinyao’s occasional rebellion. After all, nothing was more satisfying than having a righteous reason to act.

However, Lin Jinyao was terribly slow when it came to emotions; his thick-skinned nerves never noticed Mu Huacheng’s twisted sense of humor.

The two of them were immersed until the middle of the night, until Lin Jinyao was exhausted, like a pool of stagnant water that could no longer bear any ripples. In his daze, he felt a warm kiss fall on his sweat-dampened forehead, followed by a very faint sigh. He couldn’t tell what that sigh meant before his consciousness blurred and he sank completely into darkness.

He woke up again at noon the next day.

Lin Jinyao looked at his hands, completely incredulous that he was still alive…

Beside the bed lay neatly ironed, soft loungewear, with a note pinned under a glass of warm water.

On the note was Mu Huacheng’s sharp and familiar Slender Gold Script, the strokes pressing through the paper: Eat well. Inspection tonight.

Lin Jinyao crumpled the note into a ball as if to vent his frustration, but eventually, he slowly smoothed it out, staring at those words. A bitter, self-deprecating smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

Inspection? Checking what? His physical recovery? Or checking if he really remembered and would change?

The next few days were eerily calm.

Lin Jinyao stayed quietly on the island like a cat with its claws clipped.

He read books, took walks, cooperated with the designer for the final fitting of his suit for the birthday banquet, and even occasionally spent half a day in the sun-drenched studio, staring blankly at a canvas.

He no longer tried to fish for information, nor did he show any sign of wanting to go out. He was so obedient and gentle that it drew sideways glances.

When Chen Jin reported his status in detail to Mu Huacheng, Mu Huacheng just stood by the floor-to-ceiling window of the study, looking at the rising waves outside with a meaningful smile. He’s conserving his strength, waiting for the birthday banquet.

In that smile, there was a faint hint of anticipation.