"What? someone actually planned to display his piece" Dai Zu lying on the treatment table frowned deeply looking at his phone.
This stupid Kui was making it too difficult for him. He only borrowed one work of his and he was making such a big deal out of it.
He smiled coldly. 'He should have been like the rest; I'll show him what happens when he messes with me.' He swiftly typed something and placed his phone down with a content smile. "Doctor… is there any chance?"
The cosmologist sighed loudly. "Even derma can't help your scalp, sir. The roots have been completely damaged. The only option right now is wigs."
"Wigs! I can't wear wigs!!!" Dai Zu shot up. his whole handsome persona would be broken. He did not want that one bit. 'it's all fucking bad luck...' he picked up his phone and sent a message to his assistant. 'Find me an exorcist.'
He coldly got off the treatment table. "If you can't help me, I'll find someone else who can. Incompetent," scowling he walked out of the clinic.
The doctor just shook his head in resignation. "Even god can't help your scalp..."
A few days passed by and Kui finally packed up all of his work and happily loaded it in Tan's car.
"Is that all?" Tan carefully tied the pieces to the seats.
"Yeah, that is the last piece," Kui patted his back. "Thanks for giving me a ride,"
"Tsk, shut it. when you're famous I need an autographed piece.," Tan showed a proud smile.
Kui nodded. "Definitely," they both hopped on and drove to the gallery cheerfully.
Tan parked the car in the corner with a frown. "didn't you say Saturday?"
"Hmm what is it?" he leaned over to look at Harries. To his surprise, there was a closed sign on it. He frowned deeply. "Maybe he is sick… or something,"
He picked up his phone and called him.
Clauidois attended the call in just two rings.
"Mister Clauidois how are you? Is your health good? I just saw your gallery is closed. I..."
"Kui…" a dull voice whispered.
"Is everything okay sir?" he worriedly glanced at Tan.
"I... I can't display your pieces Kui."
Kui's breath hitched. He took a deep breath to calm himself. "I... I don't understand sir. You agreed. Are there any issues?"
"it's just... some powerful people are involved. I... I can't do this. my gallery is my livelihood. I can't afford for it to be closed."
Kui bit his trembling lips and nodded. "I see… I'm sorry for involving you in this trouble sir."
"Its… be careful Kui... these people have too much influence."
Kui leaned back on the seat, biting his lips hard.
Tan silently peered at him. "What happened?"
"it's done…. Dai Zu... that bastard he made it impossible for me." With tears in his eyes, he peered at his friend. "I can never be an artist as long as he is alive…"
Tan wordlessly pulled him into a hug. "I'll kill that bastard."
Kui laughed while sobbing. "And what? go to jail? Stupid… it's okay... I can try something else. Maybe I should start a café or something."
Tan nodded. "I'll fund you. You can draw all your work and hang it all up. People who come in will get to know your work. Who cares about Dai,"
He pulled away from the hug with a small smile. "I have the funds... have I told you I won the lottery," he wiped his face. "let's go back home. I really need some fried chicken," he chuckled dryly.
Tan did not say much and drove back home. His worried gaze fell on his friend now and then. Kui was pretended that everything was okay. But he knew... Kui was feeling crushed. 'That fucker…' he clenched the steering wheel.
He desperately wanted to punch that mother fuckers face. but doing so will do nothing.
That bastard had so much connection in the art field. There were even politicians involved. Art fraud and lobbying.
That man was a dirty rat.
He once again gazed at Kui. "How about some beer?"
Kui shook his head softly with his eyes closed.
They both reached home and carried all the work inside. Tan peered at him with a small sigh.
"Tan... can I have some time alone? Please…" Kui gazed at him with a sad smile.
"You… you take some rest. Don't do anything impulsive okay? I'll come see you tomorrow." Tan hesitantly waited by the door.
Kui closed the door softly.
Tan finally sighed. "Fuck…"
Kui stood with his back to the door waiting for his footsteps to retreat. Only after that did he collapse to the ground. "I guess I'll never work again...." his artworks laid there by his bed, sadly.
Tears he had been holding back poured down. He sobbed softly. "Why can't I be an artist? I was born to be one... why…"
Along with sadness came rage. He was growing vengeful.
"Dai Zu… kill yourself... fucker…" he tossed his phone to the corner and ran to the bed side table. His fanatic hands picked up the small wooden paintbrush box. Trembling, he opened it and started to write on his palm. Dai Zu must…. But he couldn't finish it.
He did not wish to be the cause of someone's death.
Even Dai Zu.
Sobbing, he plopped on the bed. "I just want my life back… back to the way I was before I met that bastard. I want to draw…."
Taking his brush, he soaked it with his tears and wrote only one sentence. "I want my life back."
Holding his breath, he looked around.
Nothing changed.
Even a magic brush couldn't help his situation.
He finally gave in.
Hugging his painting, he laid dully on the bed.
Unknown to him, the words he had written on his wrist started to glow a slight sheen of gold and disappeared.