Kui blankly stood in front of his kitchen table. His heart rate still wouldn't go down. His fear filled eyes gazed back at the bedside table. 'it's too dangerous… I never should have messed with it...'
He hurried pulled out the paintbrush box and rushed to the window. 'it should not exist... it…'
His heart hesitated to throw it out. this brush is the reason he was finally able to regain his confidence. But at the same time, he feared this might cause a great danger to his life.
Biting his lips, he plopped back on the bed with the brush box in hand. 'I can't use it… maybe... maybe this thing can bring inanimate things to life. maybe it has some kind of rules that I'm not aware of."
As his mind was filled with these thoughts, his front door banged open. Tan came running. "d-did you check the news." He crouched down holding his knees, panting loudly. "Fuck I really need to start working out."
"Sit down before you faint," he pulled his best friend on the bed. "Wait I'll get you some water."
As he was about to get up Tan grabbed his hand tightly. "That can wait. Did you check the news!"
"No…." Kui frowned. 'Is there some news about the scandal again… fuck Dai Zu must have done something.' He sighed. "it's okay. Whatever happens, I'm not going to care. let Dai Zu go to hell."
"No!" Tan shot up. "That bastard was caught!"
"Huh?" Kui dazedly gazed at him "What?"
"He was caught! Turns out this is not the first time he had stolen a painting from someone. he stole three underclassmen's paintings and won national competitions. To hide this, he had spread rumors them and his family secretly sent them hush money! But now they are all coming out. They have all filed defamation cases on him and they have concrete proof!!" Tan hurriedly pulled out his phone and showed it to his face. "Look! He was arrested immediately!!"
Right in front of his face was a zoomed-in photo of a bald man being escorted into a cop car.
Frowning Kui backed away slightly to take a good look. "Are you for real?" he pulled the phone out of his sweaty hands.
The report read that in fact mister Dai Zu was proven to be guilty of stealing art. This was the worst kind of news to spread for an artist. His whole career was over.
"They believe you," Tan laughed out like a maniac. "They all believe you now."
Kui tremblingly searched for news about him. In fact, there were so many reports seeking justice for his cause. Many were protesting in front of the national art committee for being so ignorant.
"I… I can paint again?"
"Yes!!! Not just paint! You can win the national award!!!" Tan grabbed his shoulders and shook him. "Congratulations Kui! Congratulations."
His best friend started to sob. "That bastard deserves that... fuck I want to kiss god's cheeks for seeking justice for you."
Kui froze momentarily. 'it was not god…. It was the brush... I wrote I want my life back. my wish came true. Maybe that dream was just a lucid dream. Maybe my feet got hurt while I was in a dazed state... it doesn't mean anything. This brush can only fulfill wishes."
Tan let go of him and started to dance around like a lunatic. "Fuck." he ran to the window. "Reporters are here already! You're famous Kui!" he smirked widely.
Kui ran to the window and looked down. To his surprise, his building manager was stopping them.
But as soon as the press noticed him, they started to shout questions.
Kui was too stunned to reply to this. "This is all too sudden."
"This is the recognition you deserve buddy. Go shine in your lime light," Tan hurriedly adjusted his unruly hair and helped him choose a clean shirt and pants.
They both went down and met the press at the door.
they all started to shout question after question.
Kui was still stunned. The press who would ask him derogatory questions were all congratulating him and asking him how he painted the masterpiece.
He blankly blinked. "I… I painted what my heart wants."
The next day the whole media was in a frenzy. Everyone was talking about it.
****
Dai Zu anxiously bit his nails. 'I paid them off! why the fuck did they do this! these fuckers! I'll show them how powerful my family is.'
In fact, his parents were not that rich, but it was his maternal grandpa who was a rich and influential man. his mum was stupid enough to elope with a poor salary worker pulling his own status down. Ever since then Dai only had contact with his grandpa only a few times.
Every time it was just a cold greeting.
Even so, he knew that his grandpa had his back. even when he did all the dirty things, he would clean up the mess for him.
'He will rescue me this time as well… after that ill fucking kill them all...
"so, the work belonged to the victim. poor guy, he was attacked so brutally by others. At least now he will get the awards he deserves."
The cops were chatting softly.
Dai Zu sharpened his ears and listened in. 'Kui... that fucker… he got his recognition?! I made that piece famous. I'll… kill him. That bastard he is the one who started this wave. Ill strangle him and tear him to shreds.' His legs started to shake as he anticipated ways to kill him.