Chapter 266: Chapter 58 Desperate Merchant_4
Upon hearing Vatana’s story, Ah Dai sucked in a breath of cold air; even though he didn’t quite comprehend the concept of gambling, he was deeply shocked by the damage it caused. "Uncle, is gambling really that terrifying? It even drove you to a dead end. Wouldn’t it be better if you didn’t gamble at all?"
Vatana gave a bitter smile and said, "It’s easier said than done. Gambling is more addictive than a beautiful woman. It can make you overnight rich or make you penniless. Even though the winners are few, the majority of people can’t control themselves and are always enthusiastic about it. The moment they get some money in their hands, they feel an itch. Gambling in Dark City is highly developed; it begins from people in their 80s down to children in their teens, virtually everyone gambles. Like me, who lost everything, is not just one or two."
Yan Shi gave a disdainful hum. "All of this was brought upon by yourselves. You had comfortable lives, yet you willingly dived into the abyss of gambling. It was you who drove yourself to this dead end."
Vatana sighed, replying with pain, "Yes! I forced myself into this. But, little brother, you don’t know, when one has a lot of money they can’t even spend, they’ve enjoyed everything they could enjoy. Their soul becomes so empty, I journeyed down this path of no-return seeking spiritual comfort. I regret now, but what’s the use of it? I have lost everything, and that is irreversible. Perhaps for me now, death is the best release. If there is a next life, I will never gamble again. You guys just let me die, I already have no hope."
Ah Dai anxiously said, "It’s not necessary for the next life, you’re not that old yet! It’s still not too late to start fresh. Uncle, you need to cheer up, you can pick up the old trade, you might even be able to restore your former glory!" The kind-hearted he could by no means watch Vatana commit suicide and could only comfort him as much as possible.
Vatana heaved a sigh and said, "Impossible. I don’t have the vigor of my youth anymore. I also don’t have any children, currently, I can be said to be unencumbered. Thank you for listening to my grievances, I should leave now. I’ll find a place to end my life, rather than causing trouble for you guys, death is my best release. Maybe, the debt collectors from the casino have almost found this place."
Ah Dai grabbed onto Vatana who was trying to stand up, saying, "Uncle, don’t be like this. It’s just some money, right? We will help you pay it back!"
Vatana glanced at Ah Dai and said, "Even though you’re a mage, the amount I owe is not small, it’s up to tens of thousands of gold coins! That’s not an amount you can just pay back easily. Sigh —— in the past, tens of thousands of gold coins were nothing to me. But it’s different now, even if you were to sell me by the pound, I probably wouldn’t even be worth one percent of it."
Ah Dai was stunned for a moment and said, "Tens of thousands of gold coins?" This number made him involuntarily recall what Kary said to him in the City of Light. As an elder of the Mage Guild, in any subdivision, he could mobilize any amount of assets below ten thousand gold coins. So, he essentially owned tens of thousands of gold coins, right? Since it was for saving lives, it surely couldn’t be considered wasteful, right? Immediately determined, he said, "Just tens of thousands of gold coins? Uncle, don’t worry, let me help you to repay it. Then you can have a new lease of life and it’s never too late to restart!"
Vatana’s eyes lit up, he grabbed Ah Dai’s shoulder, his voice trembling, "Little brother, you, what did you say?"
"I said," Ah Dai firmly declared, "I’ll help you pay off your gambling debts. This way, you don’t have to die, right?"
Yan Shi, who was standing by the side, shook his head, thinking, Ah Dai doesn’t even know the ins and outs of this guy, only hears his side of the story, and is blindly willing to help him.
Vatana’s body went limp, collapsed on the ground, tears of excitement streaming down his face, murmuring, "Kid, you’re really a good person, you’re really a good person! I, I am saved. Saved. It seems, the Sky God really has been looking after me, allowing me to meet such benefactors as you."
Ah Dai helped Vatana up, comforting him, "Uncle, don’t be like this, we can’t just watch you walk into a dead-end! Rest with us here tonight, and tomorrow we will head to Dark City."
Vatana was breathing heavily, staring blankly at the red fire in front of him, murmuring unintelligibly.
Ah Dai took out some dry food and water and handed them to Vatana, "Uncle, eat something first and then rest early. When tomorrow comes, everything will get better."
Vatana took the dry food and water, choking on his words, "Little brother, how can I ever repay you!"
Ah Dai said, "You don’t need to repay me, you just need to live. Eat quickly." Vatana, who seemed to be extremely hungry, quickly stuffed the dry food into his mouth and only took a sip of water when he was almost choking. Ah Dai looked at Vatana’s way of eating and smiled contentedly. To him, helping others was the greatest happiness and brought him a sense of satisfaction.
Yan Shi pulled Ah Dai to his side and said in a low voice, "Ah Dai, this Empire of Sunset City is filled with no good people, how do you know this guy is not a swindler? It’s better to be careful. Moreover, ten thousand gold coins is not a small sum, do you really want to help him?"
Ah Dai nodded, "Brother, look at how pitiful Uncle Vatana is! He’s considering suicide, how can he be faking it? You shouldn’t worry so much, although ten thousand gold coins is a big amount, it’s still worth it for saving lives! I think, the Mage Guild won’t blame me."
