The Movie Emperor, but a Caged Canary

My next modern-day romance will start right after this one: Tie Me Up, Bind Me.

Seven years ago, Shen Zhuo was a powerful figure in the entertainment industry.

His favorite thing was watching Lu Mingyuan, who was dirt poor, had a gravely ill grandfather, and yet held onto every shred of pride, bow his head inch by inch before him.

"Beg me." He pinched Lu Mingyuan's chin and smiled. "Beg me, and your grandfather's medical bills will be taken care of."

Lu Mingyuan's eyes reddened, but he clenched his teeth and said nothing. Shen Zhuo found it amusing, like teasing a wildcat with its fur standing on end.

Later, he grew bored and tossed over a bank card. "Take it, and don't come bother me again."

Seven years later, public opinion had dragged Shen Zhuo through the mud. His endorsements were canceled, his company went bankrupt, and he was blacklisted across the internet. He hid in a corner of an underground parking garage, as wretched as a stray dog.

A pair of leather shoes stopped in front of him.

Shen Zhuo looked up and met Lu Mingyuan's cold, almost cruel gaze.

"Mr. Shen," Lu Mingyuan said with a cold smile. "Long time no see."

A contract was thrown down in front of him.

Clause Three: You arrive whenever I tell you to. If you're late once, your scandals will stay on the trending list for a day.

Clause Five: You do whatever I tell you. That includes pouring me drinks at banquets and smiling at me in front of the cameras.

Clause Seven: During the contract, you belong to me. Not just your time, but your whole self.

Clause Nine: You are not allowed to refuse me, no matter what.

Shen Zhuo knew Lu Mingyuan had become a powerful new player in the industry, capable of helping him make a comeback, so he gritted his teeth and signed.

By day, Lu Mingyuan took him to banquets, where old acquaintances humiliated Shen Zhuo until his eyes reddened.

"Don't cry." Lu Mingyuan gripped the back of his neck, his voice as cold as a blade. "When we're out, you're not allowed to shed a single tear."

At night, Lu Mingyuan pinned him to the bed, kissing and biting his collarbone with such force it seemed he wanted to tear him apart. Shen Zhuo could barely breathe under his weight, and at last, tears fell.

Lu Mingyuan stopped and wiped his tear-soaked face with his thumb, his voice low and hoarse. "The only place you're allowed to cry..."

He paused, turned Shen Zhuo over, and pressed his whole body against him from behind, biting the back of his neck. "...is when I'm on top of you."

Shen Zhuo couldn't stop crying. He didn't understand this man.

"What do you want from me?" he asked hoarsely. "Revenge? To humiliate me?"

Lu Mingyuan pulled him even closer and bit his earlobe. "Can't you feel it?"

Reader's Guide:

1. Niche kinks.

2. A scene-within-a-scene borrows a clip from a film by Lars von Trier.

3. Neither the top nor the bottom is perfect.

Theme: Face the storms bravely and keep moving forward, never abandoning your original resolve.