Chapter 345 - 148: Getting Dressed
The night had deepened, and the area around the cave was silent.
The large gate on the wall had already been shut tight, oil lamps beneath the watchtower were all lit, swaying with the wind.
In the dry season on the island, only at night did it carry a hint of coolness.
The wheat fields swayed with the wind, dense clusters of rice forming a continuous expanse, like a green lake.
Chen Zhou leaned against the railing of the watchtower, holding a telescope in one hand, with a glass of rum at his feet, gazing into the distance, lost in thought.
...
The two indigenous people had been sent by him to the wooden cabin ahead, with a pottery jar of water, a few pieces of jerky and flatbread provided by Chen Zhou.
At this moment, they stood nervously inside the cabin, staring at the clean wooden walls, the leak-proof roof, the wooden furniture, and the large glass windows, dazed.
...
"Duo Duo Lu, are we really not dead?
Is this the Celestial Kingdom?"
The skinny captive cradled a square wooden box filled with a stack of wheat pancakes, several pieces of fried fish, and mutton jerky, His face full of disbelief, he softly asked his nearby companion.
Duo Duo Lu still held the pot of water, standing there in a daze, seemingly not hearing the skinny captive’s question. After a while, he murmured, "I don’t know."
In a single day, from Hell to Heaven.
The two never imagined that they, who were supposed to be at the mercy of others and killed, not only survived this sacrificial ceremony by sheer luck but also could live in a house that even the Tribe Leader couldn’t afford and received such abundant, seemingly delicious food.
"Ah Tun, I feel like I’m dreaming..."
Having gone several days without food, carrying the jar from the beach up the hill to the cabin, Duo Duo Lu’s arm was very sore.
But even at this moment, he did not set the jar down, as if this aching pain could make him truly know this wasn’t a dream.
"Duo Duo Lu, can we eat these?"
Already very hungry, the skinny Ah Tun stared at the food in the box, uncertain, and asked Duo Duo Lu again.
The fried fish and mutton jerky emitted an enticing aroma, Duo Duo Lu swallowed a mouthful of saliva, gazing through the large glass window toward the cave’s direction.
The warm light from the oil lamp beneath the roof of the watchtower swayed from afar, obscuring Chen Zhou behind the railing.
He only saw the neatly arranged fields beside the cabin, the sharp and imposing barbed barriers not far off, the stone-paved slopes and walls.
Effortfully recalling the scene when the Celestial God gave them the food, and the incomprehensible words from the Celestial God’s mouth, he very much wanted to show more respect and patience towards the Celestial God.
But his stomach was too empty, they hadn’t eaten a full meal in a long time, and faced with the allure of food, their bodies were filled with longing.
"We can eat this, Ah Tun, it’s a gift from the Celestial God."
Duo Duo Lu’s voice held a slight lack of confidence, not knowing where this trepidation stemmed from—
Aside from his biological parents in the tribe, he had never received such profound kindness, nor enjoyed such precious gifts. These foods, like "windfall from Heaven," were so exquisite that they filled him with fear.
Surveying the small room, he saw the low bed in front of him, then carefully placed the jar on it, gesturing Ah Tun to do likewise.
Once the jar of water and the box of food were placed on the wooden bed, he voluntarily laid down on the floor, pressing his forehead to the wooden board, closing his eyes.
Ah Tun, slightly older than Duo Duo Lu, was yet a bit slow-witted, always a beat behind in reacting.
Not until Duo Duo Lu completely laid down did he follow suit, prostrating on the ground, facing the direction of the cave, expressing submission to the Celestial God’s gift, showing his sincere reverence and respect.
With closed eyes, an all-encompassing darkness enveloped the world, yet Duo Duo Lu felt an invisible foot stepping on his head.
This foot wasn’t like the Tribe Leader’s which stomped down harshly, as if wanting to grind his face into the earth, nor like the old Priest’s, emanating a rotten and foul smell.
It was light and soft, carrying the fresh scent of the forest, accompanied by the warmth of thunder and fire, seemingly warm and gentle, imbued with a compassion he had never felt before.
...
A large glass of rum had already gone half down his stomach, Chen Zhou’s gaze slightly blurred.
The round moon in the sky grew ever more indistinct, blending with the stars into a vast expanse, resembling silver-white waves in the ocean.
He slowly slid down the railing, sitting within the watchtower, placing the telescope by his leg.
Images of the daytime slaughter flashed in his mind; bodies being burned in sandpits; Indigenous Warriors in the forest with daggers in their eyes;
Then moments of indigenous youths showing respect beneath him; the joyful expressions on the faces of the two rescued indigenous captives while enjoying the food; and their cautious demeanor waiting under the tree for his return...
These scenes gave him a little solace, making him feel slightly better.
Closing his eyes, wind seeped through the gaps in the railing, gently swaying his hair, Lai Fu stretched lazily at the cave entrance, its fur reflecting the warm yellow light, resembling a forest floor covered with autumn leaves.
Quiet footsteps lightly climbed the courtyard wall, carrying a mouse in its mouth, jumping into the courtyard, placing it on the ground, purring coquettishly as it seemed to see him, only then did it begin to enjoy its prey.
A small upward curve appeared at the corner of his mouth, sitting there just like that, before long, Chen Zhou finished the remaining half glass of rum and slipped into sleep.
...
That night, without chaotic nightmares, yet he slept sitting through the entire night, and when he awoke, Chen Zhou experienced a slight discomfort in his waist.
His head ached slightly, he supported himself with the railing, standing up from the watchtower, kneading his sore waist, stretching his limbs, picking up the telescope and the large wooden cup, slowly descending the watchtower.