TFSRITA Chapter 121

Yan Qing finally realized that Chu Zhao must have created all the paintings in this house.

He’s an artist!

He expresses his emotions through his art.

But everything seemed fine before, so why did his mental state take a turn for the worse?

Zhou Huaiya listened to her son and Yan Qing having a normal conversation, silently crying to the point of trembling. Chu Heng, his eyes red, supported his wife while helping her clean up their son’s room.

At first, Chu Zhao simply didn’t communicate with them. He was willing to talk to others initially, but inevitably, someone would accidentally or intentionally mention his leg. When that happened, he would lose control again. Over time, he stopped wanting to talk to strangers, even to children.

Gradually, the family stopped letting Chu Zhao go out to meet people, afraid someone might bring up his leg. They didn’t dare risk it anymore.

Now, though, it seemed like he could communicate normally again.

Zhou Huaiya and Chu Heng were overwhelmed with emotion but didn’t dare make too much of a fuss, worried they might upset their son.

Before they could finish cleaning, Chu Zhao had already fallen asleep in his wheelchair.

His handsome, delicate, and pale face looked as innocent and pure as a child’s—clean and harmless.

Qin Zhen came over and gently carried him to bed, moving with silent precision.

Afterward, they left the room. By then, Dr. Jiang Cheng had arrived.

“Do you believe me when I say that, most of the time, he’s normal?” The gentle, scholarly-looking doctor, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, looked at Yan Qing and asked softly.

Yan Qing was puzzled but nodded. “You’re the doctor. I’ll trust what you say.”

Jiang Cheng paused for a moment, adjusted his glasses, and said, “His room is his safe space. There, he feels like a normal person. Especially when he’s painting—it gives him a strong sense of security. But he can’t paint all the time, and when he can’t, he becomes irritable. Based on my analysis and various case studies, it seems like he might be using physical discomfort as a way to alleviate inner restlessness or to prove to himself that he’s still alive.”

True experts do sound like they’re speaking a foreign language.

Still, Yan Qing listened intently. She was smart, and even if she didn’t fully understand at the moment, she made an effort to remember what Jiang Cheng said. She would figure it out eventually.

Jiang Cheng continued, summarizing his analysis: When Chu Zhao remembers the issue with his leg, he can’t cope, and he either wants to lash out or harm himself. During moments of extreme anxiety, he may also behave erratically.

But most of the time, he acts like a normal young man—just a little quieter, with a mental and emotional maturity slightly behind his physical age.

“Why is it that… with them, he’s not normal?” Yan Qing couldn’t help but ask.

As soon as the words were out, she felt the somber mood in the Chu family. Embarrassed, she quickly added, “I’m sorry. I just want to understand the whole picture.”

Zhou Huaiya shook her head. “It’s not your fault—it’s ours.”

Jiang Cheng explained, “The car accident that injured Chu Zhao was related to family issues. Their presence reminds him of what happened and of his lost leg, so he resists interacting with them. Chu Yang is slightly better in this regard, but only a little—mainly because he looks so much like their father.”

Yan Qing fell silent.

Chu Yang asked, “Then why does my brother… see her in a different light?”

As he spoke the last four words, his face twisted in frustration.

I pour my heart out to Chu Zhao, and yet I can’t compare to a woman? What kind of flimsy brotherhood is this?

He felt utterly defeated.

Jiang Cheng also looked puzzled and uncertain. “Maybe it’s her voice?”

According to Zhou Huaiya’s account, Chu Zhao calmed down after hearing Yan Qing’s voice, though Jiang Cheng hadn’t witnessed it himself and could only speculate.

No sooner had he said this than Chu Yang immediately objected, “Impossible!”

The Chu family didn’t believe it either. The first time Yan Qing appeared at the Chu house, Chu Zhao had overheard her speaking, ran out in the rain for hours, and refused to let anyone follow him. They were so worried they all broke out in canker sores from the stress.

Jiang Cheng spread his hands. “Then I don’t know. Maybe I’ll figure it out after more observation—or you could install a camera in the living room?”

“No way,” Zhou Huaiya was the first to object. “That’s far too invasive.”

Chu Heng nodded in agreement.

For now, they could only wait and see.

Yan Qing wasn’t sure either, but her intuition told her it had something to do with her voice. After all, the first person Chu Zhao encountered wasn’t her, but the original owner of her body. Some people are extraordinarily sensitive, especially those with mental health struggles.

She suddenly remembered something. “Chu Zhao’s paintings usually feel cheerful, right? They make people smile.”

Everyone nodded. Zhou Huaiya, feeling proud, said, “Yes, Zhao Zhao’s paintings are especially beautiful, and his portraits are stunning. I should ask him to paint one for me!”

Chu Heng agreed. “Yes, when he gets better, we should have him paint a portrait for each of us—and a family portrait too!”

Chu Yang didn’t say anything, but his eyes reflected his longing.

Good, it seemed none of them had noticed. Yan Qing spoke softly, “I saw a painting in his room—it looked like he had just finished it. That painting felt heavy, almost oppressive.”

Zhou Huaiya and Chu Heng’s expressions changed instantly. Jiang Cheng and Chu Yang stood up. “Let’s go take a look.”

They went upstairs immediately.

A few minutes later, they returned with the painting Yan Qing had mentioned. Jiang Cheng, wiping sweat from his forehead, said, “Good thing you noticed it. The painting was flipped over and weighted down. I almost missed it.”

Yan Qing pursed her lips, scratched her head, and admitted quietly, “I was the one who weighted it down.”

Chu Yang praised her. “Good call.”