Chapter 273 The Paranoid Painter 3 (2/2)

That was a portrait of her drawn yesterday, yet it wasn't her at all.

"Isn't it beautiful? This is how I see you."

Jin Ye said that his gaze moved back and forth between the painting and the real person, as if comparing and confirming.

Zi Xi took a few steps closer and carefully examined the painting. There was no surprise or fear, only a deep focus.

[Very realistic.]

Finally, she nodded and typed on the tablet.

A look of surprise flashed in Jin Ye's eyes.

Most people would be scared and confused, not feeling that the images in these paintings are related to themselves, but only feeling that they are eerie and sinister.

But this silent girl accepted it, and even agreed with it.

"Lie down today."

"Find a comfortable position. I want to see the lines of your bones in a relaxed state."

He suddenly commanded, pointing to the scarlet velvet sofa that hadn't been there yesterday.

Zi Xi obediently walked to the sofa, took off her coat, revealing a simple white cotton dress.

She lay on her side with her head resting on the armrest, one leg slightly bent, and her arm hanging naturally at her sides.

This pose is both relaxed and elegant, like a classical painting.

Jin Ye stared at her for a long time, then suddenly strode towards the glass enclosure for reptiles in the corner.

"They won't come out, but I'd better lock them up anyway."

He was almost talking to himself, yet it was clearly meant for her.

The metal latch clicked shut.

Inside the glass case, a rare blue venomous snake raised its head, its tongue trembling slightly.

Zi Xi's gaze followed his movements, filled with curiosity rather than fear.

She wasn't afraid of these exotic pets.

When Jin Ye turned around, she had already returned to her original posture, her eyes as calm as ever.

"that's all."

He quickly set up the canvas and began preparing the paints.

During the creative process, Jin Ye seemed like a different person; the restlessness and anxiety in his mind turned into focus.

He would occasionally stride forward, adjusting a strand of Zi Xi's hair or the direction of her clothes, his fingers occasionally brushing against her skin.

Jin Ye was so engrossed in painting that he didn't even notice Zi Xi's breathing gradually becoming deep and steady.

When he finally stopped writing and stepped back to examine the work, he realized she had fallen asleep.

This is simply unbelievable.

In his studio, under his gaze, and surrounded by those exotic pets, she actually fell asleep?

Jin Ye put down the palette and approached silently.

He stood beside the sofa, looking down at the sleeping Zi Xi.

As she slept, she looked even less like a real person; her skin was so pale it was almost transparent, her eyelashes cast subtle shadows under her eyes, and her lips were slightly parted.

That completely unguarded posture was almost a provocation to him in this dark environment.

His gaze became complicated.

She had faint dark circles under her eyes, a barely perceptible tightness at the corners of her mouth, and a small callus on her right index finger, probably from writing too many words.

She was very vulnerable at that moment.

A protective instinct, the exact opposite of his usual destructive impulses, rose within him.

This unfamiliar emotion was irresistible to him.

Jin Ye suddenly turned around, walked to the workbench, and picked up his phone.

He hesitated for a moment, which was unusual for him, before dialing the butler's number.

"Bring over some fruit."

"Also... send some desserts that girls would like."

He lowered his voice, as if afraid of waking the person on the sofa.

"If I knew, would I need you to prepare this? Just make something sweet and pretty, and hurry up."

The person on the other end of the phone seemed surprised and asked something, causing Jin Ye to frown.

He hung up the phone and turned to look at Zixi, who was still fast asleep.

The light outside the window gradually dimmed, and the rain started again, the fine sound of the rain like natural white noise.

Jin Ye neither continued painting nor woke Zi Xi.