Chapter 1003: Chapter 58: Down-and-Out Merchant_4
After listening to Vatana’s story, Ah Dai sharply inhaled a breath of cold air. Though he didn’t quite understand what gambling was, he was still deeply shocked by the harm it had caused, "Uncle, is gambling really that horrifying? It forced you to a dead end. Wouldn’t it be better if you just didn’t gamble?"
Vatana gave a bitter smile and said, "You make it sound so easy. Gambling is more addictive than a beautiful woman. It can make you rich overnight, or it can reduce you to poverty. While the victors are few, most people can’t stop themselves; the moment they have money in their hands, they itch to gamble. The gambling industry in Dark City is highly developed, attracting everyone from eighty-year-old elderly to teenagers. People like me, who have squandered their fortunes, are not few."
Yan Shi snorted disdainfully and said, "All of you brought this on yourselves. You had comfortable lives yet chose to dive into the abyss of gambling. You pushed yourself onto this dead end."
Vatana sighed painfully and said, "Yes! I forced myself. But, young man, you don’t know. When a person has more money than they can spend, after having enjoyed all that life has to offer, their soul feels so empty. In search of solace for my heart, I walked this path of no return. I regret it now, but what’s the use of regret? I’ve lost everything, which is irretrievable. At this point, perhaps death is the best escape for me. If there is an afterlife, I definitely will not gamble again. Just let me die; I’ve lost all hope."
Ah Dai urgently said, "No need for an afterlife, you’re not that old! It’s not too late to start over, uncle. You need to pull yourself together. You can go back to your old trade; maybe you can even regain your former glory!" His kind nature wouldn’t allow him to just watch Vatana commit suicide; he could only try his best to console him.
Vatana sighed again and said, "It’s not possible anymore. I no longer have the vigor of my youth, and I also have no children. Now I can say I have nothing to hold on to. Thank you for listening to me, but I should leave. I’ll find a place to end my life, rather than be a burden to you. Death is truly my best escape. Maybe, the debt collectors from the gambling houses are already close to finding me."
Ah Dai grabbed Vatana, who was trying to stand up, and said, "Uncle, don’t be like this. Is it just about some money? We can help you pay it back!"
Vatana glanced at Ah Dai and said, "Although you’re a mage, the sum I owe isn’t small; it’s tens of thousands of Gold Coins! It’s not something that can be easily repaid. Ah—, in the past, tens of thousands of Gold Coins meant nothing to me, but now it’s different. Even if I were sold by weight, I probably wouldn’t fetch even a hundredth of that amount."
Ah Dai was stunned for a moment and said, "Tens of thousands of Gold Coins?" This number made him recall what Kary had told him back in the City of Light. As an elder of the Mage Guild, he could mobilize assets less than ten thousand Gold Coins from any branch. Wasn’t he essentially in possession of tens of thousands of Gold Coins? Since it was for saving someone, it wouldn’t count as squandering it. Thinking this, he firmly said, "Is it just tens of thousands of Gold Coins? Uncle, don’t worry, I’ll help you pay it. Then you can have a fresh start; it’s not too late!"
Vatana’s eyes brightened as he grasped Ah Dai’s shoulders, his voice trembling, "Young man, you, what did you say?"
Ah Dai firmly said, "I said, I will help you pay off your gambling debt, so that you won’t have to die."
Yan Shi silently shook his head, thinking that Ah Dai didn’t know anything about this man’s background and had agreed to help him so unreservedly just based on his one-sided story.
Vatana’s body went limp, and he collapsed to the ground, his tears of excitement flowing non-stop as he murmured, "Child, you are a good person, truly a good person! I, I am saved again. It seems the Sky God really is watching over me, allowing me to meet benefactors like you."
Ah Dai helped Vatana up and consoled him, "Uncle, don’t be like this. We can’t just watch you walk into despair! Rest here with us for the night, and tomorrow we will head to Dark City."
Vatana kept panting, his gaze blank as he stared at the fiery red flames before him, words failing him.
Ah Dai took out some dry food and water, handing them to Vatana, "Uncle, you should eat something first, then get some rest early. Tomorrow, everything will get better."
Vatana accepted the dry food and water, choking up as he said, "Young man, how can I ever repay you?"
Ah Dai said, "You don’t have to repay me. Just keep living well. Now, eat."Vatana, seemingly starved, desperately stuffed the dry food into his mouth, almost choking before taking a sip of water. Ah Dai watched Vatana’s way of eating, smiling contentedly. Helping others brought him the greatest joy and a sense of fulfillment.
Yan Shi pulled Ah Dai aside and whispered, "Ah Dai, not everyone in the Empire of Sunset City is good. How do you know this guy isn’t a fraud? It’s better to be careful. Besides, ten thousand Gold Coins isn’t a small amount; are you really going to help him?"
Ah Dai nodded and said, "Brother, look how pitiful Uncle Vatana is! He’s about to commit suicide; how could that be an act? Don’t worry so much. Although ten thousand Gold Coins is a lot, it’s worth it to save a life! I think, the Mage Guild won’t blame me."
