Chapter 89: Lost Inspiration

Ever since returning from the club that day, Yu Chuci had become even more silent.

Lu Yanchen appeared at the apartment punctually every day, accompanying him to eat and sleep. Apart from his work hours at the art studio, Yu Chuci was almost under Lu Yanchen’s surveillance twenty-four hours a day.

As for Shen Qingcheng, after being released, he had been forcibly sent abroad by Lu Yanchen’s methods and warned never to set foot in the country again.

Yu Chuci did not go to see him off.

He knew that only this way would Lu Yanchen let Shen Qingcheng go.

Life seemed as calm as stagnant water, yet beneath this calmness, a despair deep enough to drown a person was hidden.

Yu Chuci discovered that he could no longer paint.

Before, whenever he picked up a brush, countless inspirations would flood his mind. But now, his brain was a complete blank.

Whenever he closed his eyes, what appeared in his mind was either Lu Yanchen’s face twisted with obsession and madness, or the image of Shen Qingcheng, bruised and beaten, kneeling on the ground in humiliation.

His hand was trembling.

The once nimble paintbrush now felt as heavy as a thousand pounds.

“Teacher Yu, what’s wrong?”

In the art studio, a little girl tilted her head, looking curiously at Yu Chuci who was staring blankly at his canvas.

Yu Chuci snapped back to reality, forcing a stiff smile. “It’s nothing. Teacher was just thinking.”

He put down his brush and walked to the window.

The sunlight outside was brilliant, yet he felt chilled to the bone.

His inspiration, his talent, seemed to have vanished completely along with his shattered dignity that day.

That evening, when Lu Yanchen returned, he brought a bouquet of vibrantly blooming red roses.

“Do you like them?”

Lu Yanchen held the flowers out to him, a hint of placation in his eyes.

Yu Chuci took the flowers with an indifferent expression and casually placed them on the dining table nearby. “Thank you.”

Seeing his lukewarm reaction, Lu Yanchen felt a surge of irritation, but he suppressed his anger and walked over, embracing him from behind.

“Chuci, stop giving me the cold shoulder, okay?”

He nuzzled affectionately against Yu Chuci’s neck. “As long as you behave, I promise I’ll never touch him again.”

Yu Chuci didn’t speak, just stood there quietly.

After dinner, Yu Chuci went back to the bedroom early.

When Lu Yanchen finished his work and entered, he saw Yu Chuci sitting on the balcony, lost in thought.

Moonlight spilled over him, making him look so ethereal and cold, as if he might ascend and vanish at any moment.

Lu Yanchen’s heart clenched violently. He strode over and pulled the man tightly into his arms.

“Chuci, what are you looking at?”

Yu Chuci turned his head, his gaze empty as he looked at him. “Lu Yanchen, I can’t paint anymore.”

Lu Yanchen was taken aback for a moment, then smiled dismissively. “If you can’t paint, then don’t. It’s not important. I can afford to take care of you anyway.”

“You don’t understand…”

Yu Chuci gave a self-deprecating smile and fell silent.

How could he possibly understand?

Painting had once been his only salvation, the anchor for his soul.

But now, Lu Yanchen had personally destroyed that salvation and was telling him it didn’t matter.

In the following days, Yu Chuci still went to the art studio every day, but he spent most of his time just sitting there, staring into space.

The studio owner noticed his unusual state and spoke with him several times.

“Teacher Yu, your condition has been very unstable lately. I know you might have some family issues, but if you continue like this, it’s not fair to the children at the studio either.”

The owner sighed and continued, “Maybe you should take a break for a while?”

Yu Chuci remained silent for a long time before finally nodding.

“Alright.”

He packed up his things and walked out of the art studio.

Just as he reached the street corner, he saw Lu Yanchen’s conspicuous black Maybach.

“Why are you off so early today?”

Lu Yanchen got out of the car and took the bag from his hand.

“I resigned,” Yu Chuci said flatly.

A light flickered in Lu Yanchen’s eyes, and the corners of his mouth couldn’t help but curl upwards. “It’s good that you resigned. Saves you from being so tired every day. Perfect timing, actually. I have a business trip abroad in a couple of days. Come with me. Consider it a change of scenery.”

Yu Chuci didn’t refuse, but he didn’t agree either.

To him, it was all the same wherever he was.

Back at the apartment, Lu Yanchen was in high spirits. He personally cooked several dishes that Yu Chuci liked.

But Yu Chuci had little appetite, only picking at his food a few times before putting down his chopsticks.

“What’s wrong? Not to your taste?”

Lu Yanchen frowned slightly.

“I don’t want to eat.”

Yu Chuci stood up and walked towards the bedroom.

“Yu Chuci!”

Lu Yanchen slammed his chopsticks down, stood up, and strode after him.

He grabbed Yu Chuci’s wrist, pinning him against the wall.

“What more do you want from me?”

Lu Yanchen growled. “I’ve already let Shen Qingcheng go. You’ve quit your job. I turn down so many social engagements every day to come back and be with you. What else aren’t you satisfied with?”

Yu Chuci looked at him, his eyes devoid of any emotion, as if looking at a stranger.

“Lu Yanchen, you’ve already gotten everything you wanted.”

He spoke softly, his tone laced with a deep exhaustion.

“But what about me? What do I have left?”

His family, his parents, his lover, his career, even his soul.

All of it had been stripped away, bit by bit, by the man before him.

Looking into those eyes, still as stagnant water, Lu Yanchen felt as if his heart were being sliced by knives.

He abruptly kissed him, wanting to confirm this person’s existence, to confirm he still belonged to him.

Yu Chuci didn’t struggle, allowing him to take what he wanted from his body.

But Lu Yanchen felt as if he were embracing nothing but a cold, lifeless shell.