Dragon Raja: Lu Mingfei finds a Freylian

"Yes, I will," Chu Zihang said.

After a brief exchange, mainly concerning the handover of some college affairs, the call ended. Chu Zihang put down his phone, and the room returned to silence.

Chapter 248 Caesar X Nono X Percy

The Apennine Peninsula in late autumn still retains the gentleness of the Mediterranean. Sunlight, like molten gold, spills onto the pristine white walls of the private hospital. Caesar Gattuso stands by the window, gazing at the shimmering Tyrrhenian Sea in the distance. The wound on his right shoulder has healed, leaving only a pale pink scar.

"The doctor said you can only be discharged tomorrow," Nuonuo's voice came from behind.

Caesar didn't turn around, but simply curled the corners of his mouth slightly: "The doctor also said that I might never be able to raise my right hand again, but look now."

Nothing can stump Caesar, except Nono.

He slowly raised his right arm, drawing a perfect arc in the air, the muscle lines clearly visible in the sunlight. Nono walked to his side, her long red hair fluttering gently in the sea breeze.

“Percy is already waiting downstairs,” she said, her eyes sparkling with a light only Caesar could understand.

The Gattuso family's private beach was only a twenty-minute drive from the hospital. The black Maybach drove smoothly along the coastal highway, with Passy in the driver's seat, as silent as ever.

"What was the outcome of the family meeting?" Caesar suddenly asked.

Those old guys are single-mindedly trying to profit, but unfortunately, the Nibelungen in BJ has been sealed off.

Percy glanced at him in the rearview mirror: "The elders have agreed to postpone the search for Dragonbone Cross. They are more concerned about your recovery, Master Caesar."

Ah, concern.

Nono grasped Caesar's hand: "Did you hear that? Your most important task now is to fully recover."

Caesar gazed out the window at the fleeting olive groves, offering no reply. The battle with the clown who resembled the Dragon King still echoed in his mind; in his dreams, the dragon's bone cross frequently sank into the deep sea.

The beach is the private property of the Gattuso family, with white sand stretching for kilometers and clear water gently lapping against the shore. Passy parked his car in front of a villa by the beach and skillfully began preparing barbecue equipment and ingredients.

"Do you need my help?" Nono asked.

“No need, Miss,” Percy said with a slight bow. “You and Master Caesar can go swimming first. I will let you know when everything is ready.”

Caesar had taken off his shirt, revealing his muscular upper body and the prominent scar. After doing a few warm-up exercises to make sure his muscles were in good condition, he walked towards the sea.

"Caesar, wait for me!" Nono changed into her swimsuit and quickly caught up.

The Mediterranean water was cooler than he had imagined. Caesar took a deep breath, submerged, and felt the seawater caress his skin. He opened his eyes underwater, watching the shimmering pillars of sunlight filtering through the water's surface, as if he were back on the battlefield.

Nono swam to his side and circled him like a nimble dolphin: "How do you feel?"

“Excellent, I feel like I’ve been reborn,” Caesar said, surfacing and shaking off his wet blond hair.

They swam for about half an hour until Percy waved to them from the shore. Back on the beach, the aroma of barbecue filled the air.

Passi prepared a rich array of ingredients: top-quality Tuscan steak, Sardinian sausages, fresh seafood, and a variety of vegetables. The charcoal on the grill crackled, and dripping oil onto the coals released an enticing aroma.

“Your cooking is getting better and better, Percy,” Caesar said, taking a plate of freshly grilled steak, cutting off a piece and putting it in his mouth.

“It’s my pleasure to serve you,” Percy said with a slight bow, then continued turning the food on the grill.

Nono picked up a skewer of grilled shrimp and said thoughtfully, "Do you remember the last time we had barbecue together? At the freshman welcome party at Kassel College."

Caesar laughed: "Of course I remember. You were wearing a red dress and snatched the last piece of lamb chop from a freshman."

"That's because he hesitated for too long," Nono said, pursing her lips. "Good food waits for no one, that's the truth."

A gentle sea breeze carried the salty scent of the sea and the aroma of grilled meat. Caesar leaned back in his beach chair, closed his eyes, and felt the warmth of the sun on his face. In this moment, he temporarily forgot his family's mission, the threat of the dragons, and the heavy responsibilities on his shoulders.

“The elders have proposed that I take over as the Director of Family Affairs,” Caesar suddenly said, his eyes still closed.

Nono and Percy stopped what they were doing at the same time. After a brief silence, Percy cautiously asked, "How did you respond?"

“I said I need to think about it,” Caesar said, sitting up straight and looking at Nono. “What do you think?”

Nono took a bite of the sausage, chewed slowly, and swallowed before answering, "That means you'll have to stay in Italy for a long time and deal with all that boring family politics."

"It also means I can better protect the family and you," Caesar said.

Percy placed the freshly roasted vegetables on the table: "Please allow me to speak frankly, Master Caesar. You are not fully recovered yet, there is no need to rush into a decision."

Caesar stood up and walked towards the sea. Nono followed, and the two of them walked barefoot on the wet sand, leaving two winding lines of footprints.

“I’m dreaming about that battle more and more often,” Caesar said softly. “Every time I wake up, my right shoulder aches, even though the wound has healed.”

Nono held his hand: "That's pain that the body remembers; it takes time to forget."

“No, it was the soul that remembered,” Caesar shook his head. “When I faced the Joker, I felt fear for the first time. Not the fear of death, but the fear of defeat.”

The waves surged up, washing over their ankles, then slowly receded. In the distance, a flock of seagulls circled in the sky, emitting clear cries.

"Do you know why I love the sea?" Nono asked.

Caesar looked at her.

“Because the tide always carries away the bad things and brings new hope.” She kicked at the seawater, splashing up tiny waves. “Just like you now, your wounds have healed, it’s time to let the tide carry away those bad memories.”

Caesar was silent for a moment, then rushed out to sea and plunged into the waves. Nono hesitated for a moment, then smiled and followed. They chased and played in the water, carefree like two children.

Percy stood by the grill, watching this scene with a smile. He took out his phone, quietly snapped a photo, and then continued turning the food on the grill.

Tired from swimming, the two returned to the beach. Percy handed them towels and clean clothes.

"Thanks, Percy," Caesar said, taking the towel and drying his wet hair. "I've had a very difficult time without you."

"It's what I should do."

As the sun began to set, it painted the sea a golden hue. Percy relit the grill and began preparing dinner. This time, Nono volunteered to help, learning how to control the heat and how to season the food. Caesar sat nearby, occasionally offering advice.

“You know what,” Nono said as she flipped the grilled fish, “this kind of ordinary life is actually very rare.”

Caesar nodded: "Yes, that's rare."

As the last rays of sunlight disappeared below the horizon, Pasi lit the beach lamps he had prepared. The warm light illuminated a small patch of sand.

Chapter 249 Recovery

Dinner was more lavish than lunch. Percy even prepared a bottle of 1997 Brunello and poured a glass for everyone.

"For health," Parcy said, raising his glass.

“For freedom,” Nono continued.

Caesar gazed at the deep red liquid in the glass and pondered for a moment: "For those moments in life worth protecting."

Three wine glasses gently clinked together in mid-air.

After a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became relaxed and cheerful. Nono recounted various amusing anecdotes from her time at the academy, making Caesar laugh heartily. Even the usually serious Percy shared a few anecdotes about the Gattuso family.

“I remember when young Caesar was ten years old,” Percy took a sip of red wine, “he secretly rode off with the elder’s thoroughbred, saying he was going to find pirate treasure.”

Caesar smiled and shook his head: "I got lost in the forest, and you were the one who found me."

“That’s my duty,” Percy said softly.

As night deepened, a cool sea breeze brought a touch of chill. Percy lit a campfire on the beach, and the three of them sat around it, watching the leaping flames, each lost in thought.

“I have decided to decline the position,” Caesar broke the silence.

Nono and Percy both looked at him at the same time.

"Why?" Nono asked.

“Because you’re right, that would trap me in family politics for a long time,” Caesar added a piece of firewood to the fire. “Besides, I believe there are still many things in the world that need my attention. The threat from the dragons still exists, and I can’t step back now.”

Percy nodded: "Whatever decision you make, I will support you."

“I know,” Caesar smiled. “That’s why I trust you more than anyone else.”

Nono leaned on his shoulder: "Wherever you go, I will be with you."

The campfire crackled, sparks drifting into the night sky, mingling with the stars. Caesar looked at the two people beside him, savoring this rare peace and warmth. The scar on his shoulder no longer ached; instead, it served as a reminder of life's fragility, and of what was worth protecting.

“This time next year, we’ll come back here,” Caesar said. “No matter what the world becomes, no matter where we are, we’ll return to this place, eat barbecue together, and swim together.”

"It's a promise," Nono said, extending her little finger.

“It’s a promise,” Caesar said, hooking his little finger around hers.

Percy didn't speak, but silently made a promise in his heart to uphold this promise.

The sound of the ocean waves was like nature's oldest lullaby. The campfire gradually died down, and the three packed up their belongings to leave. Caesar glanced back at the sea shimmering in the moonlight, then turned and walked towards the car.

The wounds have healed, not only physically but also emotionally. A long road and unknown challenges lie ahead, but Caesar Gattuso feels ready.

“Let’s go,” he said to Percy as he got into the car. “We have a lot to do starting tomorrow.”

The Maybach started its engine and smoothly drove away from the beach. In the rearview mirror, the sea gradually receded into the distance.

Late at night, Lu Mingfei curled up in a chair at the hostel. His vacation wasn't quite over yet, having just returned from the film set. The game screen was paused. He hesitated for a long time, his fingers typing and deleting on the keyboard, then typing again. Finally, he abandoned all the fancy emojis and witty remarks, choosing the simplest and most sincere method.

He opened the chat window with Caesar; their last conversation was over a week ago.

Lu Mingfei: [Boss Caesar, I heard you're all healed? That's great! (⊙v⊙) Stay healthy!]

After sending the message, he let out a soft sigh of relief. This text message contained Lu Mingfei's simplest wishes.

Almost simultaneously, at Chu Zihang's home, he had just finished his evening routine training, wiping away sweat with a towel as he picked up his phone from the sidelines. His style of doing things was always direct and efficient.

He pulled up Caesar's contact information, and without any pleasantries, typed it in directly:

Chu Zihang: [Caesar, I have learned that you have recovered. Take care.]

His words were concise and to the point, consistent with his usual style. But behind those few words lay the Lionheart Society president's recognition and concern for another powerful figure, a former comrade-in-arms and fierce competitor. Between them, no further words were needed; a simple "Take care" carried enough weight.

On the Italian beach, the setting sun painted the sea a warm orange-red. Caesar and Nono had just finished a swim and were resting on a beach chair, wrapped in towels. Their phone vibrated twice on the low table beside them.

He picked up his phone and saw two messages that had arrived almost simultaneously. They were from Lu Mingfei and Chu Zihang. Looking at the two signatures, so different in style yet both conveying concern, Caesar's lips curled into a slight upward twitch.

Nono handed him a cold drink and glanced curiously at his phone screen: "Who is it?"

“Lu Mingfei and Chu Zihang,” Caesar replied, his fingers beginning to move across the screen.

Instead of replying to the messages separately, he did something rather unusual for him, and even something with a subtle sense of showing off—he opened the camera and pointed it at the scene.

The camera pans across the shimmering Mediterranean Sea, white sand beaches, and further on, Nono walks barefoot on the wet sand, looking back with a bright and relaxed smile on her face, the sea breeze ruffling her long, wet red hair.

Caesar adjusted his angle, including himself relaxed back in his chair in the frame, with the captivating sea and sky as the backdrop. He pressed the shutter.

Then, the photo was sent to Lu Mingfei and Chu Zihang respectively.