Page 2 of Punished
“He won't leave me on the streets.”
Chen smiled, because he knew just how far Da Han was willing to go to prove a point. “Very well. If you refuse to come to the basement, I'll have the men help you pack.” He walked back over to the door, opened it, and gestured to two of the guards that were standing at their posts. “Come in here,” he commanded.
The two men entered, their attention on Chen. “Yes, sir.”
“The young master wishes to forego his lavish lifestyle. Please pack only one bag with his necessities. He'll be leaving tonight,” Chen instructed.
“The hell I am,” Yìchén fussed. “I'm not going anywhere and don't you dare touch my shit.”
The men ignored Yìchén and did what their Vanguard told them. Both walked toward Yìchén’s closet and he ran in front of them, attempting to block their path.
“Stop!” Yìchén yelled, holding his arms out to create a barrier.
“Move out of their way, Yìchén. Unlike you, they follow orders,” Chen said.
Yìchén shoved at one of the men, while the other went around him and into his closet to gather his belongings. “Stop! Don't touch my shit,” he continued to protest, but to no avail. “I'll kill you,” he threatened.
Chen chuckled. “You don't have it in you.”
Yìchén whirled around on him. “You don't have any idea what I'm capable of.”
“I suppose we'll see if you'recapable enough to be able to survive on the street,” Chen said.
“Fuck this,” Yìchén snapped, then pulled out his cell phone, calling his father. He paced his bedroom as he waited for Da Han to answer and when he finally did, he blurted out his disapproval. “Dad, Mr. Yang is trying to force me out. Tell him to stop.”
“Did you refuse to come to the basement?” Da Han asked.
“Yes, because I'm not like you. Why won't you just let me be? Isn't having Li and Xiù enough?”
“You can live the life you want and on your own terms, but without my money and protection. You can do whatever you want, but not under the umbrella I provide. Did you think I was bluffing, Yìchén? You're no longer a child, it's time for you to grow up,” Da Han replied.
“You're really going to kick me out? Where am I supposed to go?” Yìchén asked, this time his voice shaking with the anxiety he felt. He thought his dad was bluffing when he'd made the threat. Now he understood. His father had reached the end of his patience.
“Yes, I'm kicking you out and where you go is entirely up to you. However, if you wish to continue to live the life you're accustomed to, it doesn't come without conditions. Nothing is free and that's a lesson you can learn the hard way if you so wish,” Da Han said. “Either fulfill your duty to this family or find yourself without one.”
The call ended and Yìchén pulled the device from his ear to look down at the screen that only had his background on it. His father wasn't just giving him an idle threat this time. Chen watched the realization of a reality Yìchén could never dream of finally spread across the boy's pretty features. For a brief second, it looked as if the boy would cry, his eyes filling with moisture brimming on the edge. But as he watched the two guards pack his suitcase, his delicate mouth twisted into a snarland he stormed over to them and threw himself on top of his suitcase that was lying open on the bed.
“Stop packing. I don't want to go!” Yìchén declared, then he looked at Chen. “Fine. I'll go to the basement.”
Chen put a finger up and the two guards nodded and stepped back from Yìchén. “This is more than just the basement, Yìchén. This is a new direction for your life.”
“Can we talk privately?” Yìchén requested and tossed glances at the guards.
Chen waved the men away and without a word, they obeyed. “What do you want to say?” he asked now that they were alone.
“Do I have to kill anyone?”
Chen nodded. “Probably not tonight. I believe your father wants that honor. But you will watch and you will learn. And one day, you will have to carry out the deed. I will make sure of it. However, I will train you first, so you don't make any mistakes.”
“I don't want to drop out of school. I want to be a photographer,” Yìchén pleaded.
“And you still can be. But if your family needs you to step up, then you must,” Chen stated.
“For how long?”
Chen sighed. “What do you mean, exactly?”
“How long will I be trained by you?” Yìchén clarified, then he climbed off his suitcase and sat on the bed. The flames of desire he had for Chen had simmered down, his libido currently pouting in the corner. He was more pissed off at Chen than horny for him.
