Hua Shen was so immersed in his painting that He didn't even hear DiuShi Knocking at his door or leaving the food he made on the floor outside his door. He doesn't usually eat and he wasn't used to people cooking for him so he forgot about the food matter.
By the time DiuShi finished eating his food, which was simply porridge, some sliced apples and some water, it was already late at night. He was getting sleepy but wanted to check on Hua Shen once before he went to bed. He was still only wearing the one robe and black shorts, it was a warm night so he wasn't cold at all. He walked to Hua Shen's studio door but surprisingly he saw the meal he cooked still sitting in front of the door, untouched.
That means that mister Hua Shen De Ren hasn't eaten anything at all today besides an apple. Doesn't he get hungry when he paints? Maybe I should talk to him tomorrow about this matter and try to come up with a solution. He'll get sick if he doesn't eat anything all day, won't he?
DiuShi was worried about Hua Shen but He remembered that Hua Shen was a professional painter so he should know his limits. He'll still bring this matter up tomorrow but he was sleepy and he was told to not disturb Hua Shen at all when he was painting. So DiuShi went to bed with slight peace of mind, He returned to the same room as this morning since Hua Shen didn't tell him to stay in a different room. He didn't know that this was Hua Shen's room and fell asleep on the soft bed.
In the morning, DiuShi woke up from a nightmare quite early into the morning. The sun had barely come out yet, but DiuShi couldn't fall back asleep anymore. He got up and put on his robe before he left the room and headed to the kitchen to make breakfast for him and Hua Shen. He made some chicken soup, rice with plums, and some green tea.
Since DiuShi didn't know where Hua Shen's room is, He simply wandered around the siheyuan and started exploring the rooms. He was hoping that he would chance upon Hua Shen's room but No matter which room he went in, It was filled with many assorted goods and weren't suitable rooms for sleeping. It got DiuShi thinking about where Hua Shen slept.
Finally, He came to the corridor where Hua Shen's studio was. He saw the tray in front of the door was still there and was the same as yesterday, It was full and nothing had been eaten at all. DiuShi felt like if Hua Shen had left his studio, He probably would have cleaned up his dishes if he left the room. Which means that Hua Shen has been in his studio since yesterday afternoon and probably hasn't come out yet.
DiuShi felt worried about him, so he walked up to the door and lightly knocked on the bamboo doors. He waited for a few seconds and when he didn't hear a response, He knocked on the door again but a bit louder this time yet he still didn't get a response.
He was getting anxious but he knew that he couldn't just barge into Hua Shen's studio, So he switched the food with warm food for breakfast. He hoped that Hua Shen would eat this time. He didn't want his benefactor to starve to death a few days after they started living together.
DiuShi glanced one more time at the door before he started trying to find something to do. He found some needle and thread in one room, He was fairly good at knitting, so he grabbed a basket and put some yarn, a needle and thread in it. He brought the basket back to his room and started knitting random clothing items.
DiuShi spent the rest of the day doing random things around the house yet by time he was ready for bed, Hua Shen was still in his studio. DiuShi was tired and his body was aching from moving around all day so he decided to deal with it tomorrow.
However, Everyday DiuShi woke up, Hua Shen was always in his studio. DiuShi was worried but he didn't want to disturb Hua Shen. He might end up getting kicked out but his one week trial was up and Hua Shen hadn't seen him do any households chores.
Finally on the 7th day, DiuShi woke up with a determined look in his eyes. He got out of bed, put on his robe, had breakfast then made Hua Shen some breakfast too. He steeled his resolve and headed towards Hua Shen's studio, He breathed in, then exhaled loudly. He held the food tray with one hand and knocked on the door loudly with the other hand.
Of course, No one answered. DiuShi repeated in his mind that he was doing this for Hua Shen's own good. He slightly pushed open Hua Shen's door and looked inside. He saw Hua Shen fiercely running the paint brush across the long papyrus scrolls. Hua Shen's hair was a mess, it had fallen out of its once tidy bun and was half in a bun and half flowing down his back. His robes were slipping off his shoulders and the room was a mess with paintings.
DiuShi knew that he was in the middle of painting but Hua Shen really needed to take a break and collect himself.
So he slowly approached Hua Shen with the food tray in his hand, Hua Shen didn't even notice him standing next to him. DiuShi could see bags under Hua Shen's eyes as he watched Hua Shen paint.
DiuShi didn't know what to do now, He tried to clear his throat to get Hua Shen's attention but that didn't work. Hua Shen just ignored him and continued to paint furiously. DiuShi tried tapping Hua Shen's shoulder but that also didn't do anything, DiuShi tried numerous things that wouldn't give Hua Shen a big shock but it seemed like nothing but being loud would work to snap Hua Shen out his daze.
So Hua Shen cleared his throat and set down the food tray on an empty table. He apologized to Hua Shen inside his head before he took a deep breath in and yelled:
" MISTER HUA SHEN!!!! "
DiuShi yelled at the top of his lungs, which was very successful in getting Hua Shen's attention. Hua Shen paused his hand that was holding his paintbrush and looked over at DiuShi with a confused and disoriented expression.
He looked around the room and seemed very confused on what was going on.
" Mister Hua Shen, You've been in here for a week already. I thought that it wasn't very healthy for you to keep starving like this. Please forgive me for suddenly barging in on you but you should really take a break " DiuShi told Hua Shen, Who was still having trouble understanding what was going on.
" DiuShi? Ho . . . How long di-did you sa . . . say I've be-been in here f-for? " Hua Shen stuttered as he held onto his brown oak table to stand up. He stumbled forward but luckily DiuShi rushed forward and grabbed Hua Shen's waist to steady him.
" Are you alright?" DiuShi questioned Hua Shen as he held onto Hua Shen's waist to keep him steady. Hua Shen could only shake his head, he had a really bad headache, he felt hot and sweaty, he was also very dizzy. His stomach felt like it was being twisted and crushed. It hurts really bad, Hua Shen clenched his hand into a fist on the table as he steadied his breathing.
He placed his other hand on DiuShi's shoulder to keep himself steady as he sat back down on the chair. He placed his arms over his eyes and let out a heavy sigh. He did it again, This bad habit of his was starting to get annoying.
" Mister Hua Shen, Should I go find a doctor for you? Or do you have some medicine you can take? " DiuShi asked, There was concern and panic in his voice. Hua Shen looked up at DiuShi and smiled unconsciously at him. DiuShi was astonished and felt his face grow hot. He turned his face and tried to calm himself down when he noticed the painting that was on the table. It was of a lotus flower sitting in a light blue pond with lily pads surrounding it.
Although it was just a simple painting of a lotus, the way Hua Shen drew it made it almost look alive and like it was right in front of his face.
" It's beautiful " DiuShi muttered under his breath.
" Hm? What's beautiful? " Hua Shen inquired as he held his head in his hand, He had a nauseating headache right now and was holding onto DiuShi's sleeve to make sure he didn't fall off his chair or anything like that. He tried to look up at DiuShi but it only made him dizzier so he didn't try that again.
" Oh! Um. . . . Your painting, Its very beautiful. Is this what you were working on this entire time? " DiuShi asked, He has always been interested in Paintings since he was young but he could never find the right ones. He was looking for paintings that resembled the art style of a certain one he saw when he was younger, This painting style was very similar to the one he saw when he was little.
" Huh? Oh, Not just that one. That whole pile of scrolls are the paintings that I painted, This is the one that I just finished making, " Hua Shen told him as he pointed to a big pile to the side, It amazed Diushi to see that Hua Shen managed to make that many paintings over a week.
" That's amazing, Mister Hua Shen but Do you usually stay in your room for a long period of time when you paint?" DiuShi inquired a bit worried, Hua Shen was very pale and looked very sleep deprived.
" Actually, I tend to stay in my studio for months at a time. All my previous Muse's were just in it for the benefits so they didn't care about my health. You're the first one to actually dare to barge into my studio and yell at me " Hua Shen chuckled with self-deprecation as he turned his aching body over and hugged DiuShi's waist.
DiuShi was beyond surprised because he didn't expect Hua Shen to hug him willingly, He was very flustered by this and didn't know where to put his hands. Hua Shen remained silent and squeezed DiuShi tightly, He was gritting his teeth and trying very hard to endure the pain he was feeling. He didn't want to seem foolish in front of DiuShi so he hid his face and bit his lip to make sure he didn't let any sound out.
DiuShi seemed to sense something was wrong with Hua Shen, He touched Hua Shen's forehead but thankfully he didn't have a fever. As DiuShi was trying to guess what was wrong, He gaze landed on the food tray on the table when he remembered Hua Shen hadn't eaten anything in 7 days. He was probably starving.
" Um . . . Mister Hua Shen, Would you like something to eat? I made you some food before I came here, Would you like to try it? " DiuShi asked, He waited for a few seconds before Hua Shen slowly lifted his head up from DiuShi's waist and looked up at him with stars in his eyes.
" Alright, I'll take that as a yes. Why don't you sit back in the seat and serve you the food " DiuShi smiled at Hua Shen, who just realized the position he was in. He blushed furiously and quickly sat back in his seat correctly with his hands neatly laying on his knees.
" Mister Hua Shen, Not eating is bad for you. You should at least have some snacks or something in here for when you lose track of time. You could end up falling sick like this, you know. Please take better care of yourself " DiuShi gently warned Hua Shen, who felt a bit ashamed about being taken care of by a child. Hua Shen nodded his head furiously and began eating the food. It was probably the most delicious meal that he has had since his family died.
As he was eating, He let slip a small sad smile which quickly went away before DiuShi noticed it.