“Are you really letting me go?”
Yu Chuci’s voice was terribly hoarse, like a broken bellows being pulled.
But in those stagnant, lifeless eyes of his, an extremely faint light flickered to life at this moment.
Lu Yanchen felt as if his heart was being pierced by a knife, but he could only grit his teeth and nod. “Yes. As long as you live well, I’ll let you go.”
Yu Chuci closed his eyes, two clear streams of tears silently sliding down his face.
He had finally, finally waited for these words.
Even if the price was this body covered in scars, even if he had almost truly died.
Lu Yanchen was a man of his word.
Yu Chuci stayed in the hospital for a full two months. During these two months, although Lu Yanchen came every day, he was no longer as domineering and forceful as before.
He would silently sit by the bed peeling fruit, or tell Yu Chuci some amusing stories from the company.
Yu Chuci would occasionally respond with a sound, but most of the time he just listened quietly.
The way the two of them interacted was unexpectedly harmonious.
Until the day of discharge.
Lu Yanchen personally drove Yu Chuci back to that single apartment.
“I had someone replace everything inside with new items. The painting supplies you usually use have all been moved over too.”
Lu Yanchen placed the key on the cabinet in the entryway, his tone somewhat hesitant. “If you feel it’s inconvenient living alone, I can hire a housekeeper to take care of you.”
“That’s not necessary.” Yu Chuci shook his head. “I want to be alone.”
Lu Yanchen was silent for a moment, then nodded. “Alright. Then I’ll be right next door. Call me anytime if you need anything.”
Yes, Lu Yanchen hadn’t completely disappeared.
He still lived next door, but he gave Yu Chuci absolute freedom and space.
Yu Chuci began trying to pick up the paintbrush again.
At first, his hand would still tremble, and the lines he drew were messy and chaotic.
But he didn’t give up.
He sat on the balcony every day, watching the traffic flow outside the window, searching little by little for the inspiration he had lost.
Lu Yanchen would deliver fresh groceries and fruit every day, but he never knocked on the door lightly.
He would just leave the things at the door, then send a text message to inform Yu Chuci.
This kind of almost humble guardianship made Yu Chuci feel a bit uneasy too.
Six months later.
Yu Chuci finally completed a painting.
It was a painting about rebirth.
On the canvas was a white butterfly breaking free from ruins, flying towards the distant horizon under the rising sun.
He hung this painting in the most prominent spot in the living room.
That day, Lu Yanchen came to deliver things as usual, but unexpectedly found the door wasn’t closed tightly.
He hesitated for a moment, then gently pushed the door open.
When he saw the painting on the wall, his entire body froze.
“Chuci…”
He called out softly, a tremor in his voice.
Yu Chuci walked out from the art studio, looked at him, and a long-lost, heartfelt smile appeared on his face.
“Lu Yanchen, look. I painted it.”
Lu Yanchen’s eyes suddenly grew hot.
He strode over and pulled Yu Chuci tightly into his embrace.
This time, Yu Chuci didn’t struggle. Instead, he gently hugged him back.
“Thank you. For letting me go, and for letting yourself go too.”
Lu Yanchen buried his face in Yu Chuci’s neck, sobbing uncontrollably.
He knew that in this lifetime, he might never receive Yu Chuci’s wholehearted love.
But being able to stay by his side like this, watching him find himself again… perhaps this was his best destination.