Judy immediately pulled Bao Bei into a hug and glared at Boris.
"Don't scare him like that! It's okay, Bao Bei. They won't come here."
"Haha, sorry, sorry. You're right," Boris chuckled and leaned over, gently patting Bao Bei's head. "Don't worry, if one ever shows up, this old man will jump in and beat it up—wham! Just like that."
Boris's black eyes crinkled with a warm smile as he looked at them.
...
"The payment for this job is half upfront, and the rest after it's done. Depending on how it goes, there might even be a bonus."
The sunlight poured in, making the gold and crystal in the room shine so brightly it almost hurt the eyes.
The business room wasn't small and it was filled with dazzling decorations, each piece more extravagant than the last. Yet, the conversation taking place inside did not match the cheerfulness of the bright, golden light.
"You need money, don't you? I think this is a good deal," said the man who owned the estate, his voice smooth like silk. "On top of that, I can help you open your own shop in the city where one of my branches is. That's always been your dream, hasn't it? If you agree, you can stay close and watch over him without worry. I won't treat him badly."
The man smiled warmly, pretending to be friendly as he tried to close the deal with a honeyed voice.
"You swear he won't be hurt? That you'll treat him with care?"
"I promise. The buyer is deeply interested in him. They're offering a huge sum of money. With that kind of value, he'll be treated very well. It's a much better life than living in dirt and eating scraps, don't you think?"
The man offering the deal laughed, his large belly shaking as he watched the other man silently wrestle with a painful decision.
...
The donkey's hooves plodded along steadily and by the time they finally reached the next village, the sun had already started to set.
The village was just a bit larger than the one where the church stood. There was only one inn, and Boris always stayed there when he passed through.
He parked the cart in the small carriage yard. Then he led the donkey to the stable behind the inn, tied it up, and covered the wagon with a tarp, securing it tightly with ropes.
A worker from the inn came by to watch over the cargo and handed Boris a numbered tag.
Boris entered the building through the back door and walked around to the front lobby to check in.
Bao Bei and Judy followed right behind him, their small steps echoing on the wooden floor. It was the first journey of their lives, and their very first night at an inn. Everything was new. Their eyes wandered constantly, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings with nervous curiosity.
"One room, one night. Twin beds," Boris told the innkeeper at the desk.
"And meals—dinner and breakfast," he added.