Luo Muchen couldn’t think properly for a second. He was just staring at that cell phone while rubbing his temple. When he finally snapped out off it Qie Xieling had already entered the house for more than five minutes.

He cleared his throat as he exited the car. He tossed the cell phone to the nearest bodyguard and issued instructions before striding into the house with his long legs.

"Where is he?" he asked his butler and the older man pointed at the basement.

Luo Muchen, "..."

He didn’t think Qie Xieling would honestly go in the basement like he said. It was astounding. Luo Muchen approached the basement expecting to find him pretending to act miserable in there seeking sympathy.

Each step he took resonated with authority, echoing through the grand halls. He reached the door and flung it open with an unyielding force. He walked down the stairs. As he reached the bottom of the staircase he clicked his tongue a little surprised.

Qie Xieling, the insolent troublemaker, was bound to the bed with an ankle chain. He half lay on the bed with a bottle of one of his most expensive wines clutched in his hand sipping on it. Qie Xieling’s eyes widened in both shock and defiance as Luo Muchen’s stern gaze fell upon him. "What?" he asked and in a swift, commanding motion, Luo Muchen held the bottle preventing Qie Xieling from drinking it. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

His eyes lingered on the open wine, a testament to Qie Xieling’s disregard for his authority. "Do you know how much a bottle is?"

Qie Xieling, "..."

How the heck would he know? He had already drunk half of it anyway so what was the point in asking him?

"Ugh... just put, put it on my tab," he said with a sly smile. He looked like he was at home in the basement. He was like a caged hamster that hadn’t realised the cage door was open.

With a flick of his wrist, he took the bottle from Qie Xieing’s hand and tilted his head slightly as he downed half the bottle in one go. Qie Xieling watched his eyes wide. This man was so vile. After making him feel bad for opening it he drank it.

Without a word, Luo Muchen motioned for one of his men to unlock the chain that bound Qie Xieling’s ankle. The sound of the key turning in the lock reverberated in the sombre atmosphere. Yet, as the chains loosened, Qie Xieling’s drunken refusal hung in the air like a defiant challenge.

It was as though he was accustomed to a life of captivity and was stubbornly accustomed to staying where he was, no matter the consequences.

"No, you can... not kick me out. I am staying," he said staging a protest.

He stared back at Luo Muchen, his bleary eyes filled with defiance that matched his unsteady voice. "I won’t leave. This is where I belong. You want to kick me out so you can have a fun time with Bager. Nope, not happening. You would have to kill me to make me leave."

Luo Muchen, "..."

Luo Muchen’s steely resolve hardened, his patience waning. He towered over Qie Xieling and said, "Why would you think I am going to kick you out?"

Qie Xieling was quick to point fingers. "You told Secretary Chan to kick me out the last time I left the basement so logically, if I leave the basement you are going to kick me out. There for, I am not leaving."

"I meant for you to go sleep upstairs. I won’t kick you out I promise," replied Luo Muchen and Qie Xieling was elated. It was so hard living apart from Luo Muchen especially when he knew someone else was trying to steal his spot. He was very very unhappy that he wanted to get back at him. Childish? Most probably but he couldn’t help it.

Qie Xieling was convinced. He got out of bed and put on his slippers before climbing up the stairs. Luo Muchen bit his lower lip as he watched him stagger up the stairs. Afraid he would fall he rushed over and walked behind him just in case.

Qie Xieling turned his gaze sharply and said, "Do you like the view back there?"

Luo Muchen was a little confused, well, that is until he turned his gaze downwards and was met with the round perky butt. Qie Xieling laughed louder before asking, "Have you seen enough?"

Luo Muchen, "..."

A few minutes later Luo Muchen opened a door to the guest room Qie Xieling was meant to sleep in and Qie Xieling rushed towards the bed but he was suddenly caught by the waist and pulled back.

Qie Xieling was a little vexed. He couldn’t sleep in the basement and now he couldn’t sleep in the guest bedroom so where was he supposed to sleep?

"Mu Mu, where do you want me to sleep then? I really can’t stay awake for long," he said feeling wronged. Was this a new form of torture?

"Go take a shower," he said his voice authoritative like there was no room for negotiation. Qie Xieling raised his arms and smelt himself but he didn’t think he smelt bad.

"I took a shower four hours ago. What’s wrong with me? I don’t smell," he said before wiggling his way out of Luo Muchen’s grasp.

He found his way underneath the covers and Luo Muchen let him. Just when he was comfortably sleeping, Luo Muchen hooked his leg and dragged him out of the bed.

Qie Xieling yelped as he grasped the bed sheets but his strength was still not comparable to Luo Muchen’s.

He was dragged out of bed while Luo Muchen complained, "You smell like her and I don’t like it. Go wash up."

Qie Xieling got up and docilely went to the bathroom to take a shower. He was really listening to Jolie when he dance with Lee Ya. Who would have thought though that Jolie would throw him under the bus? She did it all on purpose.

"I am too drunk for this," he said and Luo Muchen retorted,

"Who told you to drink so much?"

Qie Xieling sighed as he closed the bathroom door. Soon the sound of rushing water filled the room and Luo Muchen turned to leave.