Pet King

Most people would develop feelings of shock, appreciation, greed, or even nervousness at the sight of so many gold accessories. Even if they didn’t like gold, they were bound to have these feelings. But Fina seemed to be completely accustomed to it and even seemed to be judging them for their expressions…

Gao Ke and his team wanted to take photos to upload to social media so they could show off to their friends. But with what happened earlier, they were worried that they might accidentally violate some other cultural no-no, and they kept their phones firmly to themselves.

If they offended the Lazart family, they really would end up right smack in the middle of the Egyptians’ war.

Zhang Zian and the others looked at all the gold accessories without blinking, but the Lazrt family had their eyes constantly on Fina, unable to help but feel that Fina was extremely similar to the cat in the carpet art.

Lazart coughed. “Friends, if you don’t have any other questions, could you tell us why you have come to Egypt? You don’t seem like our usual tourists. Normal tourists wouldn’t bring their cats and dogs on their trip.”

Zhang Zian finally snapped out of it, remembering that they had awkwardly not introduced themselves even after the other party had. They were too nervous and then shocked to introduce themselves, and they’d presented themselves as rude people. They had just disgraced the reputation of the Chinese and their politeness.

That was why Gao Ke had spoken on behalf of the expedition team, expressing without reservation who they were and why they were here to the Lazart family. He mentioned that they were the expedition team from China’s Binhai University, here to conduct investigations and biology research, specifically regarding the lost ancient Egyptian cats, so they could break the mysterious gap between wild and domesticated felines.

Jack introduced himself as a Biology major at the University of Cairo, sent here to guide the expedition team due to his proficiency in Chinese. The others introduced themselves too.

“Oh, so this cat belongs to Binhai University?” Lazart nodded, pointing at Fina.

“Not actually.” Gao Ke looked over at Zhang Zian, inviting him to speak.

Seeing that he couldn’t avoid it, he could only introduce himself. He mentioned that he ran a pet shop in Binhai City and was joining the team as a special consultant. He’d picked up Fina by chance one day.

Lazart was a little taken aback at how a cat as beautiful as Fina had been picked up off the street. He was confused as to why Binhai University hadn’t wanted to just purchase Fina instead of spending even more money to let Fina’s owner come along with it… But he was old and wise, and he knew better than to stick his nose into things that didn’t concern him. Maybe this was just how the Chinese did things.

Kate loved Fina, squatting by its side so that she could keep looking at it. But Chris looked contemplatingly at Famous, suddenly cutting in, “Sorry—I heard you say this dog is called Famous. Could it be the dog that won the Best Male Lead award at Berlin’s Film Festival?”

Receiving Zhang Zian’s nod of affirmation, he burst out in surprise, running back into his room to bring out a set of CDs. “I had just borrowed ‘Dog Warrior’ from my friend, and I hadn’t had the chance to watch it yet! Can I take a photo with Famous?”

The set of CDs was the overseas version of “Dog Warrior,” the Arabian version. It looked like the film company’s marketing strategies had been sucessful.

Famous was, of course, more than willing to fulfill his fan’s wishes.

While Chris was taking photos with Famous, Lazart got Kate to chit-chat with the guests. He returned to his own room, carefully taking out the prized family heirloom, the carpet art, that he had delicately stored in a hidden compartment.

The carpet had been made a long, long time ago, and he had always been very cautious with how he handled it, seeing that it was a family heirloom. He had never brought it to the relevant authorities to get it authenticated. The goat’s hair and rattan had been oxidized over the years, the fibers losing their elasticity and turning fragile, easily broken at the slightest bend. That’s why they had put it in a gigantic frame. Because they couldn’t bend it and it was too big to be put into a safe, he could only hide it in the hidden compartment in his bedroom.

Lazart tried to wipe away the dust that had settled on the glass, looking at the carpet through it.

He had always thought this carpet was purely a family heirloom, one that had been stitched together based on someone’s imagination, as the cat in the building wasn’t one that could be found in reality. However, he’d found out today that his ancestor’s skills were way better than he imagined, and the carpet was a complete reflection of reality.

After thinking for a while, he placed the frame back on the floor, using his phone to take a photo of it. He retook the photo several times at different angles, from the full picture to its details, before placing the carpet back in the hidden compartment carefully.

It’s not that he didn’t trust these Chinese tourists. Lazart was just worried that if word got out, it would attract the Egyptian government’s attention, and he would end up between a rock and a hard place. He couldn’t possibly give a family heirloom to the country. Besides, as a Copt, he didn’t approve of this country.

Lazart left his bedroom, returning to the shop downstairs. Kate and Chris had a conversation going on with the expedition team, asking them questions left and right.

The Chinese lass and lads were all extremely interested in Egypt and Copts as well. Copts didn’t have as many cultural restrictions as normal Egyptians did, so the atmosphere of their conversation was easygoing and relaxed.

Both sides used English, coupled with a few hand signs. If they really couldn’t express themselves, they would ask Jack to translate for them, and bursts of laughter came occasionally.

Lazart watched them with a comforted smile. It looked like his kids had made new friends.

The siblings asked Zhang Zian many questions after hearing that he ran a pet shop and had even been in a movie before. Zhang Zian understood that in the Khan el-Khalili market, there were pet shops as well, and they even sold a unique product of the Nile river—young alligators. Who knew what they did with the grown alligators. Did they put them back in the Nile River?

“Hey! Kids, I have to borrow Jeff. I have some things I want to discuss with him. Jeff, I have a photo here that you might be interested in.” Lazart waved a hand to beckon Zhang Zian over.

The siblings were clearly unhappy about the fact that their conversation had been interrupted. Chris shrugged his shoulders while Kate made a face, and they resumed their conversation with the other youngsters.

The serious, mysterious expression on Lazart’s face concerned Zhang Zian, and he immediately walked over. “What photo?”

What kind of photo could catch his interest? Bikini-clad ladies from the Red Sea’s beach? He didn’t know that Lazart had such a hobby even at his age…

“Look. Does this cat look similar to your Fina?” Lazart showed him the photo on his phone.

After seeing the photo, Zhang Zian was shocked. The cat in the photo did look similar to Fina, from its fur color to its fur pattern. Even if it wasn’t Fina, it was definitely the same breed.