Chapter 373: Trust and Choices
"I’m not sure what the right way to explain it is, but I’m not trying to leave you behind because I dislike you. I don’t want your entire world to begin and end with just me. But if that’s truly what Mao wants, and if you cannot accept this no matter what, then I promise I’ll come back for you."
It was a hope for Mao to learn how to reach out and connect with people.
And it was a hope for the children to let go of their fear and prejudice toward beastmen.
"You saved me. Because you was there, both I and the baby are safe. Because you helped me, I’m able to sit here smiling today. That’s why I want you to be happy too. I want you to talk to many people, make lots of friends, eat lots of delicious food, and smile every day because he’s having fun."
Qiong Xing was happy that Mao had grown attached to him.
But if Mao continued to rely only on him while rejecting everyone else, nothing would ever change.
It was fine if things did not turn out exactly the way Qiong Xing hoped.
Even so, he wished this could become an opportunity for something to change.
"See many things. Talk to many people. Think about many different things. And if, after all that, you still decide you want to stay with me, then I’ll come back for you. I promise."
No matter how much Qiong Xing wished for something, there were things he could do and things he could not.
If Mao truly did not want it, he would never force him.
When Qiong Xing held out his arms, the small boy immediately threw himself forward.
Qiong Xing hugged him tightly.
"I care about you, Mao. That’s why I want you to be happy. I care about you, so I want to see you smile."
When he gently asked Mao to endure this separation for a little while, Mao finally gave a small nod.
"I think those children will be alright. They’re just confused right now."
As the elderly woman had said, the children had seen beastmen before, but none of them had ever owned one or lived alongside one.
It was only natural that they felt uncertain.
"If anyone other than you had brought him here, I don’t think things would have gone this smoothly. The children are confused because of Mao, but they’re not crying or angry. That’s because you’re the one who brought him."
According to her, that was how much trust the children placed in Qiong Xing.
The man who had brought joy and purpose into their lives, making every day difficult but meaningful in the best way, had earned their trust completely.
"Everyone loves you, Qiong Xing. Why, even that child has been asking almost every day when you’re coming back. It’s so adorable."
"That child?"
Qiong Xing asked who she meant.
The elderly woman simply smiled and gestured in a certain direction.
Following her gaze, Qiong Xing turned his head and looked over.
"Ars, you’ve grown quite a bit since the last time I saw you."
When Qiong Xing beckoned him over, Ars approached, though he still cast a wary glance toward Leander.
It had only been a short while, but he had grown taller and filled out noticeably.
"I’m sorry it took me so long to come visit. Have you been doing well?"
"...Yeah."
The reply was curt, but unlike before, there was no hostility in his eyes, nor any sign of the suspicion he had once directed toward Qiong Xing.
If anything, he looked somewhat sulky.
Qiong Xing realized he had probably made the boy wait far too long.
"I’m glad."
Perhaps Ars had been working in the fields earlier, because there was dirt smudged across his cheek.
Qiong Xing brushed it away and gently patted his head, pleased to see that he had been working hard.
Ars accepted the gesture without trying to push his hand away.
The sight brought a smile to Qiong Xing’s face.
"I feel bad asking this of you when you’re already working so hard, but would you mind looking after this child?"
"That guy’s a beastman, isn’t he?"
Naturally, Ars had witnessed Mao’s transformation earlier.
He had seen the animal ears and tail swaying behind him the entire time.
"Does he scare you?"
Ars studied Mao curiously before shaking his head.
He wasn’t afraid.
"He has ears and a tail. They may be a little different from yours, but that’s all. He has no intention of hurting anyone, and he won’t attack you."
"You’re the one who brought him here. I don’t think that. But if he’s useless, I’m kicking him out."
His wording was far from gentle, but Qiong Xing understood.
This was simply Ars’s way of saying yes.
"I thought you’d say that. Thank you."
People really did grow and change.
After receiving Ars’s agreement, Qiong Xing still felt it would be too cruel to leave Mao behind immediately.
As a result, he and the others decided to stay for several days as well.
The building Qiong Xing had created with magic still had plenty of empty rooms, so there was no issue with accommodations.
"For now, I think I’ll help with cleaning the rooms and doing laundry. Leander can go hunting for dinner. As for you two, what would you like to do?"
He looked down at the twins who were still glued to his lap and asked for their opinion.
"We’re going home."
"Hm."
Apparently, the attention from the other children had been more than they could handle.
Qiong Xing suggested that they accompany Leander on the hunt instead, but both twins immediately shook their heads.
In the end, Leander was forced to go alone.
"Then you two can help Mama. Mao, you can help Ars."
"Okay."
"..."
Unlike Mao who agreed without hesitation the twins clearly disliked the arrangement.
Their cheeks puffed out in protest.
Qiong Xing gently lifted them off his lap.
