bird in a cage

The guests appeared in glamorous outfits, from other powerful students at school to a few well-known party figures. Everyone was chatting excitedly, discussing the grandeur of the party and Huynh Son's influence. His birthday was not only a celebration of his own status and power, but also of those who attended.

Anh Khoa arrived on time and was immediately pulled into the group with his dance crew. Everyone was thrilled to be invited to perform at the prince's birthday, but only he knew Huynh Son's true face. Forcing a stiff smile, he looked around the party to spot Huynh Son holding a glass of wine, chatting with guests — effortlessly standing out. As if sensing his gaze, Huynh Son turned his head, looked at his wrist to see the watch he had gifted, and smiled.

Shuddering, Anh Khoa swallowed hard and looked away.

Duy Thuan had just arrived, casually slinging an arm around Huynh Son. Huynh Son excused himself from the crowd and walked to a private corner with him.

"Happy sparkling birthday," Duy Thuan said, giving Huynh Son a slight shake. He smiled and nodded.

"Thanks. Where are the other two? Not coming together?"

"No idea. Thought they'd get here before I did." Duy Thuan raised an eyebrow and pulled his phone from his pocket. "Let me give them a call."

"Call Son. Thach probably won’t even bother picking up." Huynh Son sighed. Son Thach was a lost cause, but usually Truong Son was punctual.

Just as expected, since getting into the car, Truong Son had already been pounced on by the wolf, even before the door could close.

Lying on the long bench in the limo, he kissed while cursing Son Thach for wrinkling his clothes. The guy on top just grunted and ignored him, his cold hand slipping inside his shirt.

"You’ve licked off all my cologne!" Truong Son slapped Son Thach's shoulder in frustration and grabbed him by the neck to lift him off. He didn’t spend an hour getting ready just for his expensive cosmetics and cologne to end up in that guy’s mouth.

Son Thach sat up slightly, unbuttoning a few buttons and pulling his shirt off one shoulder.

"Here, lick it back."

He got another slap for that.

"Can’t you wait until the party's over? Why the rush?" Truong Son rolled his eyes. "Looking like this, people will get suspicious."

"You’re already pretty, why even bother getting made up?" Son Thach frowned in confusion.

Truong Son paused.

"Did you just call me pretty?"

"Well… isn’t that obvious?" Son Thach cleared his throat.

Before the mood could shift further, a ringtone blared. Truong Son pulled his phone out of his pocket and sighed.

"It’s Thuan." He didn’t answer, since they had just arrived anyway. The two sat up and adjusted their clothes. Truong Son tucked his shirt back in and smoothed out his jacket, relieved that his eyeliner was still intact. Son Thach just buttoned up and got out first, holding the door open for Truong Son. He raised an eyebrow at this sudden display of chivalry.

When they reached the rooftop, the party was in full swing, so it was easy to blend into the crowd to avoid suspicion about arriving together. Truthfully, Son Thach didn’t think it was necessary — the only person he needed to avoid was Duy Thuan.

So he stood at the bar and had a few drinks, letting Truong Son rejoin Duy Thuan and Huynh Son first, then strolled over afterward.

"Had a few things to take care of, sorry I’m late." Truong Son nudged Huynh Son, who just waved it off.

"As long as you're here."

Son Thach waited five minutes before joining his friends, casually throwing an arm around Huynh Son.

"Happy birthday, birthday boy! One more year till you're old enough to go to jail."

"What kind of greeting is that?" Duy Thuan frowned, then spotted Anh Khoa sitting at a table with the dance crew. "Wait, did you invite him?"

"I didn’t invite, I made him come," Huynh Son replied. "He’s performing later."

The other three exchanged confused glances.

"Since when are you two so close?" Truong Son asked. Huynh Son just shrugged.

"We’re not. I made him come so I could keep an eye on him."

Silence fell again.

Not long into his new age, Huynh Son had already stunned his friends with how his cruelty only seemed to grow.

Anh Khoa didn’t drink even a drop. He didn’t want to consume anything related to Huynh Son. The silver watch felt like it weighed a thousand pounds on his wrist; he’d been trying to hide it under his sleeve all night. He was quietly grateful that his close friends were here — otherwise, he’d have had to trail behind Huynh Son like a lost puppy all evening.

But he didn’t get to relax for long before Huynh Son beckoned him over. Anh Khoa took a deep breath before standing up and limping toward him.

"After my speech, your group is up. Wait by the stage."

A speech? What are you, the president? Anh Khoa frowned but nodded and went back to inform his team.

Huynh Son stepped onto the stage, his voice echoing through the mic and drawing everyone's attention. No need for dramatic lighting — his presence alone exuded a special glow.

"Thank you all for coming to my birthday party. I hope this year won’t disappoint." He smiled, met with roaring cheers. He raised his hand to signal silence, then pointed to his group of friends. "Thanks again to everyone who's been by my side, especially my three closest friends."

Son Thach gave a thumbs-up and smiled proudly. Duy Thuan and Truong Son raised their glasses in reply.

"The night is still young, so I hope you’ll all stay and celebrate with me. Let’s enjoy the night to the fullest!" His words ended in a wave of cheers and applause. It felt like the real party was just beginning, kicking off a string of non-stop entertainment.

Soft music began to play. Anh Khoa clenched his fists and stepped onto the stage, starting the performances. It was odd that Huynh Son had scheduled his team to go first instead of the famous artists, but better this way — the sooner he finished, the sooner he could return to his seat.

He had to take off his jacket to keep it from wrinkling and rolled up his sleeves to dance more easily. His eyes fell on Huynh Son, lounging in a luxury leather chair among his friends, champagne in hand, watching his every move. The stage lights lit up his agile figure, each precise and professional move drawing gasps from the crowd below. But to Huynh Son, this performance was more than a party segment — it was proof that Anh Khoa was entirely in his grasp, unable to escape control.

A smug smile crept across Huynh Son’s face as he watched sweat drip down Anh Khoa’s forehead, saw the tension in his eyes despite his professional composure. A wave of satisfaction rose knowing he was enduring physical pain just to obey him.

Huynh Son sipped his champagne, pleased to see Anh Khoa’s endurance tested — forced to dance with an unhealed leg, to pretend joy amid the crowd, when in truth he was just a puppet. He knew he had found his weakness — his diligence and hunger for freedom.

Anh Khoa finished his performance to thunderous applause. People laughed, patted backs, praised him. He bowed in thanks, casting a wary glance toward Huynh Son, who returned a slow clap.

Next up were the famous artists. Huynh Son left the group and moved to a quieter area near the bar, where the lights were softer and fewer people passed by. He ordered a cocktail for a change of flavor.

"Son, it’s been a while, hasn’t it?" a female voice called behind him. He turned to see a familiar face.

The daughter of a famous jewelry conglomerate, both a refined heiress and one of the most prominent names among the elite. Though Huynh Son didn’t quite recall her name, he knew who she was. She wore a glossy silk dress, exuding elegance and charm, and had kept her eyes on Huynh Son from the moment she arrived.

"Quynh Anh? Thuc Anh? No, Lan Anh?" Huynh Son tilted his head.

"It’s Ngoc Anh," she laughed. "We met during last year’s family golf trip."

"Oh yeah, I remember that now."

"I remember a lot about you. How about we go over there and revisit some memories?" Ngoc Anh pointed toward a balcony tucked away from the party, clearly implying something more.

Huynh Son didn’t care. The only thing he was concerned with was the relationship between her family and his. Even though real estate and jewelry were two unrelated industries, forming another partnership wasn’t a bad idea.

Thinking that, he nodded, picked up his cocktail, and followed Ngoc Anh.

As Huynh Son stepped out of the noisy atmosphere of the party, in another corner of the rooftop, Anh Khoa was facing a completely opposite situation.

After an impressive but exhausting dance performance, he tried to find a quiet spot to rest, but before he could leave the dance floor, a group of students from school came out and blocked his way.

"Hey, you’re Tran Anh Khoa, right? I had a feeling, and turns out I was right." One unfamiliar guy in the group spoke up with a clearly mocking tone. "Can’t believe this rude brat is now trailing behind and serving the prince. Guess anything can happen in this world."

"Acted like he was better than everyone the moment he got into school, and now he’s a porter opening doors and carrying Huynh Son’s bag. Isn’t that shameful?" A girl in the group, also a well-known student, sneered. The group laughed, eyes full of disdain aimed at Anh Khoa.

Anh Khoa stood still, face trying to remain calm, but his hand clenched tightly into a fist. He knew they were mocking him, but also knew he couldn’t fight back—not here. And what they said reflected a truth he didn’t want to admit: ever since messing up with Huynh Son, he no longer had freedom.

One of the group members, tall and somewhat aggressive, walked closer, the mockery in his eyes impossible to hide.

"Hey Khoa, nice watch. Did Huynh Son buy it for you?" He smirked, then suddenly grabbed Anh Khoa’s wrist and yanked the watch off.

Startled, Anh Khoa pulled back but was too late. The expensive watch that Huynh Son had given him now rested in the other guy’s hand.

"Let’s see how much your watch is worth." He said, turning it over in his hand like a prized trophy.

The group burst out laughing, amused that Anh Khoa couldn’t fight back. A girl glanced at the watch and mocked, "Looks like someone’s being spoiled by Huynh Son, huh? A fancy new model like this—he must’ve served really well to earn it."

"Give it back," Anh Khoa growled, face burning with humiliation, staring straight at the guy.

The guy laughed louder, enjoying seeing someone who used to throw punches now rendered powerless.

"Don’t look at me like that," he said with exaggerated gentleness. "I’m just putting you back where you belong. You want it back that badly? Then take it."

Then, in front of everyone, he turned, raised the watch high, and before Anh Khoa could react, he threw it into the pool at the center of the rooftop. The watch hit the water with a soft splash that cut through the noisy party like a knife.

Laughter erupted again as the expensive accessory sank slowly under the dark blue water. One of them even clapped, applauding the cruel joke, while Anh Khoa stood frozen, body tense.

His eyes widened as he watched the watch sink deeper. His heart pounded in his chest. In that moment, he knew it wasn’t just a watch. It symbolized everything he had endured under Huynh Son’s control—and was worth more than both his kidneys.

Without hesitation, Anh Khoa dove into the pool, water splashing onto the deck and startling everyone. The cold stunned him momentarily, but his eyes locked on the watch sinking to the bottom. He swam toward it, but the moment he kicked his injured leg, a sharp pain surged, stopping him mid-way.

The pain worsened—like thousands of needles stabbing his leg—causing him to lose balance and begin sinking. He struggled, but his leg wouldn’t move right, and water quickly filled his lungs. The more he fought, the deeper he sank. His breath became ragged, panic rising as he couldn’t swim to the surface.

From the rooftop, Huynh Son’s three friends noticed the commotion. The noise from the group died down as people realized Anh Khoa was genuinely struggling in the pool. Someone gasped, “Hey, I think... he's drowning.”

Son Thach was the first to react. He jumped up, shoved through the crowd, and rushed to the pool. Even Truong Son, usually calm and indifferent, couldn’t ignore it anymore. He stepped to the edge, brows furrowed at the escalating situation. Duy Thuan joined them, casting a harsh glare at the people who caused it.

Underwater, Anh Khoa felt his strength fading. He couldn’t struggle anymore, and everything began to blur. The watch was only a few meters away, but it no longer mattered. All he wanted was to escape the searing pain in his leg and the suffocating pressure in his chest.

Finally, Huynh Son noticed the shift in the atmosphere. The chatter and laughter had gone silent. Ngoc Anh stopped speaking, her eyes turning toward the pool where a tense crowd had gathered.

He frowned, sensing the change in the air. He moved toward the crowd, pushing through the ring of people gathered near the pool, stopping behind his friends.

"What’s going on?" Huynh Son asked, annoyed that his party was being disrupted. He looked toward the now still surface of the water.

"Uh..." Son Thach muttered, pointing. "The ferret’s drowning."

The ferret? Anh Khoa?

Huynh Son’s brows furrowed. He froze for a second, then his mind spun. Khoa? Drowning?

He looked into the pool, where Anh Khoa’s figure was sinking. His limbs flailed weakly, bubbles rising each time he failed to breathe.

Panic surged from deep within him.

"Shit!" Huynh Son cursed and jumped straight into the pool. The icy water engulfed him as he dove fast toward the bottom, eyes wide open, searching.

He swam toward the figure, using all his strength. When his hand grabbed Anh Khoa’s shoulder, he realized the boy was completely drained, his leg barely moving. Huynh Son pulled him up, holding him tight with one arm and kicking hard to rise.

The two of them surfaced to a chorus of concerned gasps. Son Thach, Truong Son, and Duy Thuan reached out to pull Anh Khoa from the water.

Huynh Son struggled to climb out, breathing heavily, still holding tightly onto Anh Khoa as they were both dragged to safety.

Anh Khoa coughed violently, vomiting water, his whole body trembling from exhaustion and pain. Huynh Son bent over to catch his breath, his soaked clothes dripping onto the floor. Then, to everyone’s shock, he said nothing, just bent down, slid his arm under Anh Khoa’s shoulders and legs, and effortlessly lifted him up.

"You guys handle things here," he said coldly to the others before walking toward the elevator.

Anh Khoa was still coughing and shivering from the cold, too weak to protest. He let himself be carried, his mind hazy with pain and shame.

The elevator stopped at the parking garage. Huynh Son opened his car, laid Anh Khoa in the back seat, then went to the trunk, grabbed a clean jacket, and placed it over him. The chill from the pool and the night air made Anh Khoa curl up, clutching the jacket helplessly.

The car door closed. Huynh Son sat beside him, exhaling heavily, his eyes filled with fatigue.

"Put it on," he said hoarsely. Anh Khoa silently removed his soaked shirt and put on Huynh Son’s jacket.

The silence in the car was suffocating, broken only by the rustle of fabric. Huynh Son glanced over, catching sight of Anh Khoa’s bare back before it disappeared under the jacket.

"This..." Anh Khoa suddenly remembered something, reached into his pocket, and sighed in relief. He pulled out the watch and placed it in Huynh Son’s hand, nervously murmuring, "They threw it in the pool so I jumped in, but my leg..."

Huynh Son looked at the watch in his hand, eyes widening.

He looked back at Anh Khoa, who was swallowed in his oversized jacket. His short hair was messy, and he still trembled—like a soaked little ferret.

Huynh Son suddenly sat up straight, grabbed Anh Khoa’s injured ankle and yanked it toward him. Anh Khoa clenched his teeth in pain, too stunned to resist, his body dragged down onto the car seat.

From this angle, the size difference between their bodies became obvious. Anh Khoa froze, staring wide-eyed at the person looming over him.

Huynh Son held his ankle, inspecting it through his lashes. Then, he pressed the cold metal of the watch against the bruised skin.

Slowly, he strapped the watch around Anh Khoa’s ankle.

When finished, he smiled—a dark, chilling smile that made Anh Khoa shudder. The boy’s eyes darkened as his fingers grazed the finely carved watch.

Poor kid. Huynh Son couldn’t stop smiling.

Anh Khoa had no idea that jumping into the pool had been almost pointless—the watch was waterproof and wouldn’t have been damaged.

Another thing he didn’t know—and probably never would—was that Huynh Son had installed a GPS tracker in the watch.

"Good boy," Huynh Son praised, looking up at Anh Khoa’s pale face. He tilted his head slightly, the green EXIT sign casting a glow across half his beautiful face. "Don’t ever take it off, okay?"

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