But Jin Ye clearly did not accept this answer, nor did he answer the question of whether he was jealous.
Yes, he was jealous.
How could he remain unmoved when fireflies were drawn to his only light?
"From today onwards, you are not allowed to go out except for work and classes."
"Tell the housekeeper if you need anything."
He declared, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Is this imprisonment? You have this kind of fetish?
Zi Xi stared at him in shock, typing on her tablet and adding several shocked emojis.
"I don't have that fetish!! I'm just protecting myself!"
"You have no idea how dangerous this world is, how many people want to hurt you, or... take you away from me."
Jin Ye suddenly raised her voice in embarrassment and annoyance.
Is he being a little too concerned?
Zi Xi thought to herself, while feeling a sense of unease and confusion.
"You're too naive; you don't understand the complexities of human nature."
Jin Ye heard her thoughts and his expression softened slightly, but he remained steadfast.
After that day, Jin Ye's control over Zi Xi became increasingly obvious.
He no longer allowed her to take leave at will, and she had to arrive at the studio on time every day. He even began to inquire about her daily life.
Zi Xi didn't feel any discomfort; on the contrary, she adapted quite well.
It seems she had been treated like this before.
One day, Zi Xi, who had nothing to do, found a forgotten photo album in the corner of the art studio.
She curiously opened it, and inside was a picture of Jin Ye in his youth, intimately embracing a middle-aged woman with a bright smile.
On the back of the photo is a line of small print: "Forever with Xiaoye."
When Jin Ye entered the art studio and saw the photo album in Zi Xi's hand, his face instantly turned pale.
"lay down."
His voice was hoarse, and his eyes held a pain she had never seen before.
I'm sorry, I didn't mean to.
Zi Xi hurriedly put down the photo album and quickly typed on the tablet.
Jin Ye grabbed the photo album and hugged it tightly to his chest, as if protecting a lost treasure that had been found again.
He had his back to Zi Xi, his shoulders trembling slightly, and it took him a long time to calm down.
That day, Jin Ye didn't paint; he just sat by the window and quietly told the story of the woman in the photograph.
Zi Xi listened quietly, occasionally patting his arm gently, silently conveying her attentiveness.
"She passed away because of depression... It's all my fault for being careless for a moment."
His voice was hollow and distant.
Zi Xi held her breath and continued to listen to his brief but somber narration.
The woman in the photo is Jin Ye's aunt, and the person who has always been the one who loves him the most in the family.
She developed depression after marriage and ultimately chose to end her life.
My aunt was such a good person; she shouldn't have had such an ending.
"Will you leave? Like my aunt, who was driven to despair by a simple 'I'm tired of you,' leading her to take her own life."
Jin Ye suddenly asked.
Zi Xi stared at him for a long time, then slowly shook her head.
A glimmer of hope flashed in Jin Ye's eyes, but then he heard Zi Xi's inner thoughts.
I signed the contract, and there are still several months left... but since he's so upset, I'd better keep quiet.
Looking at Zi Xi's calm profile, Jin Ye felt speechless for the first time.
That night, after Zixi returned to her room, Jin Ye stood in the art studio, looking at the paintings that were inspired by her.
Each one is stunningly beautiful, yet they are also filled with a desire for possession and control.
"This is a cage..."
"If I open the door for her, will she fly away?"
He murmured to himself, his fingers tracing the face of Zi Xi in the painting.
*
Su Qingyan sat on the bed in the cheap hotel, scrolling through the latest updates on Jin Ye's social media account on her phone.
That breathtaking painting of a back view, and the thousands of comments praising and wanting to buy it below.
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