Chapter Forty-Eight: Worth at Least Ten Dollars

“What? Damn! I have to take a good look!”

No sooner had Gavin spoken than Eugene hurriedly pulled out an eight-power scope, pressed it to his eye, and peered toward the lake.

Nearby, Madison approached Gavin with surprise, eagerly looking through the scope.

It wasn’t that Albert wasn’t important—he just wanted to take a glance himself. After all, Albert could still respond, and responding meant he was still alive.

As for Gavin, he focused the scope on the center of the lake some 2.6 kilometers away, eyes narrowing as he fixed on the naked figure lying on its back, occasionally moving its limbs on the water’s surface.

After glancing twice, Eugene finally spotted the woman’s location and instinctively said to Gavin,

“Whoa, found her. But are you sure that’s not a zombie? From what I see, that figure isn’t swimming; she’s just floating there, occasionally flailing a bit!”

“Let me see, let me see! Damn it, what can your eyes even see!”

Taking the opportunity, Madison snatched the scope and began to observe.

Meanwhile, Gavin lowered the scope and explained to Eugene,

“You better pray that’s not a zombie, buddy. Because if zombies can swim, then I’d better prepare for them digging tunnels and pole vaulting next!”

“Uh…”

Eugene was startled by Gavin’s words but then suddenly recalled something. With a mischievous grin, he replied,

“Wait a minute, quarterback. Zombies that can pole vault and dig tunnels—are you sure you’re not talking about Plants vs. Zombies?”

“Maybe we’ll even see Michael Jackson rising from the grave, leading a horde of dancing zombies sliding the moonwalk to open our brains.”

Eugene’s remarks made him laugh uncontrollably.

Michael Jackson passed away in 2009, and Plants vs. Zombies was also released that year; even thirteen years later, their influence remained vivid.

Hearing Eugene mention Michael Jackson, Gavin pursed his lips and said regretfully,

“Cut it out. Michael was my friend. Enough of that. Let’s go check on Albert first.”

“I know that, boss. You even sent Michael a voice message back then, but no one believed you, Madonna, or that arrogant blond real estate guy,” Madison replied, lowering the scope as he came closer to Gavin and whispered.

“But boss, are you sure that figure on the lake isn’t a zombie? I don’t have your sharp eyesight, but she doesn’t look alive—hardly moving at all!”

“Whether human or zombie, we’ll find out soon enough. Albert’s villa has a small dock extending outward. He should have two small boats. Let’s go take a look.”

Speaking thus, Gavin raised his hand and pushed open the villa door, striding inside.

“Albert, are you here?”

The moment he entered, Gavin called out.

He didn’t need a reply; he followed the sound of coughing to the second-floor corridor of Albert’s home.

There, Albert lay face down on the stairs leading to the first floor, bare-bottomed, his face flushed red as he looked at Gavin.

“Cough, cough… This is not exactly the right time to meet, little Gavin… I’ve messed up,” the old Albert said awkwardly.

Seeing Albert still sprawled on the stairs, Gavin hurried over across the carpet, awkwardly reaching out to pull him up.

As he stretched out his hand, he asked,

“What happened? How did you end up here? I thought I’d find you lying on the bed, disillusioned, or sitting on a recliner ready to pull the trigger!”

“Wait, don’t! Don’t pull me!!!” Albert was startled by Gavin’s sudden move and quickly stopped him, then rapidly explained,

“My lumbar disc slipped, damn it. Probably from coughing too hard at some point!”

“Don’t pull me! My whole lower back and butt hurt like hell! Cough, cough… Let me… adjust my position first!”

As he spoke, Albert’s face flushed as he desperately tried to cover his backside.

Usually at home, he wore only a bathrobe while sleeping naked, but now, head down and feet up on the staircase, his large rear was fully exposed.

Behind Gavin, Eugene and Madison glanced at Albert. Eugene chuckled awkwardly,

“Aha, what a white butt! Hello there, old pal, I’m Eugene!”

“I’m Madison. Quite a unique way to meet, haha~”

As they greeted Albert, his face gradually turned bluish-purple, and his coughing worsened.

Seeing the severity of his cough, the three quickly took a few steps back.

Albert grimaced and said to Gavin,

“Don’t back away so fast, kid. I know my situation. It’s just pneumonia after catching a chill—like a racehorse diving into water right after a race!”

“Go to the room on the left downstairs where the dog is, get me two boxes of azithromycin. That stuff works wonders, cough cough!”

“Azithromycin?”

Behind Gavin, Madison murmured, then took the initiative to go downstairs and head left.

Shortly after, he was chased back by a fierce Rottweiler, accompanied by barking.

Watching Madison being chased, Albert struggled to reposition himself on the stairs, rolled over, propped up the carpet, gripped the banister, and leaned there, a pained yet nostalgic expression on his face.

“Ha… cough cough haha, how long has it been since I saw a scene like this? When I was young, Bella’s grandfather used to chase after the black slaves on our farm like that.”

“Cut it out, old man, you didn’t even have black slaves when you were young. I’m here to save you, not to listen to your bragging!” Gavin snapped irritably.

Hearing this, Albert pouted mischievously.

“Ha, just a change of name—from slaves to hired workers—but in essence, nothing’s changed.”

Albert’s words rang true; after all, his youth spanned the 60s and 70s in America.

During that era, although the status of black people in the northern states slightly improved,

in the more conservative American South, especially among large plantation owners, blacks no longer held slave status but could still be killed at whim for even glancing at white women.

Nearby, hearing Albert’s words, Eugene couldn’t help but laugh heartily.

Between laughs, he called out to the returning Madison,

“Ha ha, come on, Old Mac! That fierce dog Bella might have chased your ancestors back then!”

“Fuck you, Eugene!” Madison retorted, easily shaking off the Rottweiler and returning behind Gavin.

“Boss, got the medicine!”

He handed the azithromycin to Gavin.

On the stairs, after seeing Madison’s impressive height and build, Albert finally swallowed hard and said,

“Shit, didn’t see clearly before. You black kid are ridiculously strong. If this was a hundred years ago, I’d bet you’d be worth at least ten bucks, maybe even twenty!”

“Ha ha, of course! My body… wait…”

Madison was about to respond proudly but suddenly sensed something amiss. Rolling his eyes, he asked Albert,

“That’s not a compliment, is it? Should’ve just left you without medicine, old man!”

“Alright, forgive this old guy, Gavin. Quick, give me the medicine.”

Albert gestured slyly to Madison, then reached out his hand toward Gavin.

Seeing this, Gavin examined the medicine packaging cautiously, swallowed nervously, and asked,

“Albert, are you sure this is the right medicine? This damn box clearly says it’s for dogs!”

He pointed emphatically at the dog head icon on the packaging.

To everyone’s surprise, Albert grabbed the azithromycin with a smile and opened the box cheerfully.

“I know. It’s veterinary medicine. After all, I’m not Joanna—I’m a veterinarian!”

“Trust me, sometimes vet medicine is more effective than human medicine. Although it has some side effects, it works faster, cough cough!”

Between coughs, Albert popped several pills directly into his mouth and swallowed dry.

After swallowing, he took a breath, leaned against the railing, and waved to Eugene.

“Redhead, can you get me some water? Anywhere will do.”

“Ha, you sure know how to boss people around. Alright~” Eugene laughed and nodded, then turned to find water.

Watching Eugene’s back, Albert continued smiling at Gavin.

“Little Gavin, where do you find such great guys? That redhead there is a born cowboy—with cowboy hair and face, and like most cowboys, he’s short!”

“Damn it, you really didn’t have to add that last part! Old Mac, go get that old guy some water; I’m heading to the lake to pick up that naked girl now!”

Eugene immediately turned, flipped Albert the middle finger, and dashed toward the villa’s back door, which led to the backyard and small dock.