I'm not sure specifically as I haven't read that exact fanfic. But generally, it could be about a character who is in some sort of difficult or entrapping situation related to a 'whirlpool', perhaps in a metaphorical or literal sense.
Arthur Conan Doyle could also be considered. Sherlock Holmes stories are filled with a chain of clues. There are often missing links that Holmes has to uncover through his astute observations and logical reasoning. In 'The Hound of the Baskervilles', the mystery of the hound and its connection to the Baskerville family has many missing pieces that Holmes gradually uncovers, all linked together in a complex plot.
In " Celebrating Years," the one chained was Xiao En.
Xiao En was an important figure in Northern Qi. He was the previous head of the Fourth Bureau of the Overwatch Council. On the way to Northern Qi, he had been tortured by Chen Pingping, causing his memory to become chaotic and revealing the secret of the Temple.
Definitely not. 'Chained' is a work of fiction. The plot and characters were made up for the purpose of entertainment and not inspired by actual happenings.