But before he could step away, Horangi leaned in closer, speaking in a conspiratorial tone.
"That child has such a unique coat color. And his face is quite adorable too. I'd like to take him in as my adopted son. What do you say?"
"Oh, is that so..." Finnick replied with a polite smile fixed firmly on his face, though inwardly he grew more cautious. He'd heard more than a few bad rumors about this merchant, who was much larger and more intimidating than himself. And while Horangi spoke of adoption, there was no telling how Bao Bei would truly be treated once in his care.
"I'm sorry, but that child is still far too young. It's really too early to send him out as an adopted son. We would prefer to continue raising him and educating him here with proper care. I'm afraid we'll have to decline your kind offer this time."
"I see. In that case, I'll just wait a little longer. But don't forget my offer—I'm sure you understand what I mean, yes?"
"Of course! Thank you very much," Finnick said, bowing his head respectfully.
As he walked away from the merchant, he couldn't help but worry. This wasn't someone he wanted keeping an eye on Bao Bei.
Meanwhile, somewhere else in the church, someone was shouting angrily: "You Idiot! You slowpoke! That's why people call you a patchwork freak!"
At night, during dinner cleanup, Judy's angry shouting suddenly echoed through the dining hall. When Father Finnick and the older boy, Timmy, rushed in, they saw several dirty wooden plates from the meal scattered across the floor. Sitting flat on the floor was Bao Bei, who had clearly tried to carry too many dishes at once and dropped them or fallen.
Bao Bei's body was smaller than average for his age, perhaps due to poor development, and his movements were often clumsy. This kind of mistake happened a lot. Usually, Judy would grumble a bit but still help him. But today, Judy had been irritable since morning and it seemed he had finally lost his temper.
"S-Sorry…"
Bao Bei's large green eyes filled with tears. The brave little boy who had stood up to the white rabbit-eared noble earlier that day was nowhere to be seen now.
When Judy saw his tearful face, guilt twisted his expression. He frowned and said nothing, he just walked out of the dining hall.
Finnick knelt beside Bao Bei and gently stroked his head. Timmy began picking up the spilled plates, and the other children quietly resumed cleaning up.
Father Finnick lifted Bao Bei into his arms and carried him into the small lounge next to the dining hall.
"Judy didn't really mean what he said," Finnick told him softly.
"Yeah… Bao Bei and Judy are still friends," the boy replied in a small voice.
They sat side by side on the worn-out sofa as Finnick gently wiped Bao Bei's tears with a handkerchief.
"You know Judy is a rabbit-eared type, right? Among the long-eared beastmen, the rabbit type is the smallest. That makes them kind of special."