Page 24 of Punished
“You walk away, then it better be to go pack your bags and that's if your father will allow that much. Everything you own was purchased with the money your family shed blood, time, and energy to earn. You're expected to do your part, or you won't be a part of it. Or did you forget?” Chen kept his gaze on the man and when Yìchén turnedto face him again, he cocked an eyebrow.
“I didn't forget,” Yìchén snapped.
“Master.”
“What?” Yìchén asked, his face contorted in a mixture of annoyance and confusion.
“From this moment on, you will address me as 'Master',” Chen instructed.
Yìchén smirked. “Maybe you're confused, but you work for my family. Meaning, you work for me.”
“I'm training you, therefore you will give me the respect of your master,” Chen said. He lifted his chin and put his hands behind his back. “Now, if you're done throwing your tantrum, how about you practicing throwing a punch that will land.”
Yìchén's pretty face twisted in a grimace and he charged Chen again, giving it his all, and time and time again, he took a blow, a throw, a slam, and a kick, until he was left on his back, looking at the sun setting as his aching body simmered in the pain of his failure to land even one hit.
Chen's shadow covered him first before the man appeared over him. “This was disappointing, Yìchén. You're a Mujin and this was the best you could do? No wonder your father is now demanding more of you.”
“Shut up,” Yìchén snapped as he struggled to his knees.
Chen smirked, then gave Yìchén a snap kick to the face, knocking the man out completely. He then walked away to shower. He knew he had his work cut out for him turning an ill-tempered, irrational, and selfish boy into a man who was worthy of the tattoo on his flesh. The real training would begin tomorrow.
***
He looked at Yìchén as the boy stood before him, several bruises on his face. He noted that he didn't have to send for him, Yìchén came to the yard on his own. “You look like you're ready to take this seriously now,” Chen said.
“I owe you for that kick you gave me, Master,” Yìchén said.
Chen smirked. “Is that so?”
Yìchén nodded. “You kicked me in the fucking face, then just left me here like I was some chump.”
“You are a chump.”
“Fu—grrmm,” Yìchén growled as he held back his anger. “Please, teach me how to kick your ass, Master.”
Chen studied the boy, and he could tell he was ready to step up to the plate. Either it was because he didn't want to lose his livelihood or he wanted his payback. He could work with the motivation. “Good. Now, we train.”
For the next two hours, Chen had Yìchén doing physical training, running around the yard and sit-ups. At one point, Yìchén ended up puking as he jogged around the vast area of the backyard's walkway. Still, Chen didn't cut him any slack. After his endurance training, he focused on his martial arts for another two hours.
“Oh my god, I can't take it... please... please... master,” Yìchén begged as he collapsed to the ground in a sweaty, heaving mess.
Chen was also sweating, but this type of exertion was what his body was conditioned for. His breathing was steady, but hard as he kept his heart rate up. “Fine... let's do some cool-down stretches,” he said.
Slowly, Yìchén climbed to his feet on weak legs. The only thing keeping him from falling over was the fact that it was over. At least for the day, and he couldn't wait to take a shower, eat, and then sleep in that order. After their cool-down, he felt much better and proud ofhimself that he'd lasted as long as he did.
Chen patted his back. “You did better than I had expected.”
Yìchén looked at him and stepped up a little closer. “I'm just wondering how long you can last in bed with all of this stamina.” He gave Chen a flirty smile.
Chen's expression remained stoic. “You will never know.”
“Ahhh, come on. We're both grown adults.”
“That's debatable,” Chen said with a snort.
“My ass is nice and tight. I like it rough, too. You can tie me up and all that,” Yìchén said imploringly.
“You are my boss' son and this conversation is inappropriate,” Chen said, then walked away before Yìchén could go any further. But more importantly, he didn't want Yìchén to see the bulge growing in his pants. His libido was something he'd trained hard to keep in check, but hearing such sexual advances from someone so fucking beautiful put a strain on Chen's reserve.
