Chapter 594 - 3: Don’t Let Fear of Loss Stop You from Having
Over the years, after Kilian’s rise, he frequently set traps for Monidez.
Monidez had always acted recklessly, straightforward in his thinking. When he was powerful, he could still hold an advantage over Kilian, but after their forces evened out, he no longer gained any benefits.
As Kilian’s dominance grew, Monidez faced even greater suppression, unable to lift his head for years.
He had a fiery temperament. Listening to the rumors outside and watching those who once relied on him turn to Kilian one by one, his anger almost consumed him.
Only when he heard that Kilian’s rise in these years was all thanks to "Paradise Island," and that the island was the mysterious one where Kilian’s rumors had caused him the loss of three entire armed merchant ships and hundreds of loyal subordinates, did Monidez’s resentment and anger finally burst.
But by then, Monidez was already full of white hair. His anger did not affect Kilian but instead put him in bed, and shortly after, he passed away.
...
In mid-April 1669, as the dry season was approaching and the rains were diminishing.
Chen Zhou’s villa was built nestled in the mountain forest. During the rainy season, it was always damp, and mushrooms even grew under the wooden corridor floors.
In the early morning when the sun rose, a thin layer of white mist often drifted over the lawn outside, like a delicate ribbon.
The parrot, being too noisy, was kept in a birdcage hanging on the corridor.
The newly grown kitten often squatted under the cage, looking up at the bird inside, surely drooling in desire.
Upon waking, as he pulled the curtains from the large bed in the bedroom, Chen Zhou would always rub Lai Fu’s head.
Having persisted for another year, Lai Fu seemed even older now.
It wobbled as it walked, its eyes half-open, with eye discharge always at the corners, and almost all its teeth had fallen out.
Fortunately, Lai Fu’s internal organs weren’t diseased. Though it was very old, it hadn’t endured much pain. Occasionally, when it was spirited, a few glimpses of its youthful spirit shone in its eyes.
When Chen Zhou built the villa, he brought Lai Fu to stay with him, allowing it to rest with him in the bedroom.
For the past year, he felt that this loyal old fellow might leave him soon, so he dared not let Lai Fu out of his sight easily, sending someone to find it after a few minutes of absence.
Back home, Chen Zhou heard that when dogs are about to die of old age, they quietly leave their owners, finding a secluded corner to silently greet death. It’s said that dogs do this because they don’t want their owners to be sad.
Over the years, Chen Zhou kept preparing himself mentally. Sometimes he thought he could accept Lai Fu’s departure, and sometimes he felt he might be creating an illusion to numb himself.
...
As the next dry season approached, the island’s sky was finally free of cloudy days, and Chen Zhou’s mood improved accordingly.
Getting up from the hardwood bed covered with a royal velvet rug, pulling open the thick, gold-patterned purple curtains of the French window, Chen Zhou got dressed while wearing slippers and walked to Lai Fu’s side.
Usually, at this time, Lai Fu would lie lethargically beside the bed asleep, but today it sat up early, trying to open its eyes wide, appearing more spirited than usual.
"What’s up? In a good mood today, want to go out and play with me?"
Chen Zhou teased with a smile, rubbing Lai Fu’s head—
With age, Lai Fu’s fur was no longer as dense as before. Touching its head was now the hard skull rather than the once thick, fluffy fur.
It seemed to catch the key phrase "go out and play," Lai Fu wagged its tail excitedly, then stood up quickly, nudged next to Chen Zhou’s body, licked Chen Zhou’s hand, eager to go out.
Seeing Lai Fu’s unusual behavior, Chen Zhou had an ominous premonition. He dressed faster than usual, not letting Lai Fu wait long before taking the staggering old dog out of the bedroom.
At the end of the rainy season, in the morning, the sky displayed a few patches of gray clouds, with bright sunlight pouring over the lawn beside the corridor, illuminating the water droplets on the grass tips.
Lai Fu eagerly stepped forward, half-jogging, half-running out of the room, straightening its body, leading Chen Zhou by a few steps, standing alertly in front to scout the way for its owner, like in its youth.
The sunlight illuminated its thinning fur. A breeze blew, raising the lion’s mane-like fur around its neck, making it appear brilliant and crystalline.
"Woof~"
Raising its head, Lai Fu barked, then cautiously and slowly ran down the steps, darting across the lawn a few steps, picked up a bone stick, and wagged its tail as it approached Chen Zhou.
It gently placed the bone stick on the ground, sat upright with its head tilted slightly, and gazed quietly at Chen Zhou, eyes filled with anticipation for play.
The retrieve game was Lai Fu’s favorite when it was young. Every time it played it seemed never to tire, spending most of the day at it.
Back then, Chen Zhou felt exhausted just tossing and picking up sticks, often resting after playing along with Lai Fu for a while.
Now, looking at the aged Lai Fu, Chen Zhou started to miss the endlessly energetic Lai Fu from the past.
He crouched down, hugged Lai Fu, gently patted its chest, picked up the bone stick, and carefully threw it not far away.
Lai Fu tried to act dexterously, got up to trot, chased the bone stick, picked it up with its toothless mouth, and returned to Chen Zhou’s side, proudly holding its head up, wagging its tail.
"Good fellow, well done!"
Chen Zhou praised it.
Lai Fu’s eyes showed pride, it mustered its strength and barked softly, as if urging its owner to start the next round of games quickly.
Chen Zhou threw the bone stick again, this time throwing it further away than before.
Lai Fu seemed to react faster. Its almost entirely shed tail stood tall, like an eye-catching signal flag, marking its position on the lush green lawn.
The morning mist hadn’t completely dissipated, shrouding Lai Fu’s figure in a thin veil, and Chen Zhou dimly saw that young, strong golden dog.
...
The game continued, Lai Fu’s elderly body could no longer support intense exercise for long, but each time it retrieved the bone stick to Chen Zhou, its eyes burned with intensity and determination, as if it knew this might be its last game in life.
At some point, Xiao Huihui, Tizi, Kuangdang, Tiger Head, and Hui Hui all came out of the villa.
Cats have much longer lifespans than large dogs. They stood on the corridor’s railing, ignoring the noisy parrot on the eaves, watching from afar the owner whose pants had been soaked by dew on the lawn and the old companion nearing his end.
Despite its best efforts, Lai Fu was no longer that young dog.
Its speed grew slower, responses more sluggish, until in the end, even when Chen Zhou only threw the bone stick a little over a meter away, it took several breaths to walk over to it.
"Rest now."
After another retrieve, Chen Zhou hugged Lai Fu.
This time, Lai Fu showed no resistance. It panted with its tongue out, eyes wide open, and leaned into Chen Zhou’s embrace.
Feeling Lai Fu’s chest, Chen Zhou sensed the heart inside pounding intensely.
He lowered his head and saw Lai Fu staring unblinkingly at him, tears welling up in those long-clouded eyes.
Then, the forever loyal and fervent heart inside Lai Fu’s body beat slower and slower, gradually approaching stillness.
Sitting on the lawn, Chen Zhou held Lai Fu’s body, watching Lai Fu’s eyes gradually lose their luster, his heart felt as if a chunk had been cruelly carved out.
He didn’t cry; he only felt helpless—a stifling, exceedingly oppressive helplessness.
At some point, Lai Fu’s rapid breathing faded away.
The villa was silent, and the cats lowered their heads.
In a daze, only the wind howling through distant mountains and the swaying leaves could be heard.
...
On April 17, 1669, on the lawn of the estate, Chen Zhou bid farewell to his best friend, his most loyal and courageous companion since the start of his challenge.