Chapter 1704
Baber felt a strange discomfort when an unfamiliar face suddenly spoke of his adopted status. He blinked, questioning, “How do you… how do you know I’m adopted?”
The balloon salesman, with an unassuming look, replied, “I’ve been selling balloons around here lately, and I’ve heard some chatter among the neighbors. They were talking about an adopted child, and I guess that must be you. The last time you all bought balloons, you didn’t seem to be the favored one in this family.”
Baber frowned, saying emphatically, “I’m doing just fine here. My mom and the rest of the family treat me well, sir. Don’t make assumptions.”
Seeing that Baber was getting a bit worked up, the good-natured balloon salesman tried to placate him. “Easy there, kiddo. I just wanted to check on you because I was a bit worried. If you think this family truly treats you well, then just forget what I said.”
Baber was confused. “Worried… worried about what?”
The balloon salesman looked around to make sure no one was approaching before he explained. “Of course, I’m worried about you being taken advantage of in this family. I heard you were adopted, and I bet your birth family was in a tough spot to give you up. I’m afraid you might be looked down upon or even abused here You see, some wealthy families like to show off by adopting poor orphans. I fear you might be one of those exploited kids.”
Baber shook his head. “Sir, thanks for your concern. I’m doing fine here, and my mom treats me well.”
The salesman smiled and added, “Good. As long as you’re not being mistreated here. But I still advise you to keep your eyes open, kid.”
Baber cocked his head. “Keep my eyes open for what?”
“Silly boy, these rich families always know who’s kin and who’s not. Last time, besides you, your mom also brought along a boy and a girl. Those two must be her biological children, right?
In the future, your mom will definitely leave her fortune to her own children. You, as an adopted child, will get nothing. So, you must study hard and be self-reliant when you grow up. Otherwise, you’ll end up like me, uneducated and selling balloons for a living. It’s tough and not much of a moneymaker.”
Baber felt like the man was overthinking. He pouted and emphasized how much his mom loved him. “My mom will never throw me out!”
He promised himself he would study hard, but not because he feared his mom would cast him aside, but because he was genuinely curious and loved learning.
The balloon salesman asked, “Do you truly believe your mom won’t throw you out? Look around; you’ve been here picking your kite for a while, and your mom hasn’t sent anyone to check on you. It shows she doesn’t really care about you, at least not as much as her own children. Otherwise, why wouldn’t she send her own children to pick up the kite? Silly boy, always be on your guard; it never hurts.”
Baber glanced around and indeed saw no one coming for him.
But he still believed that his mom was not the kind of person that this man was describing.
His mom was kind and treated him as her own. He was sure of that.
When Baber looked up to refute the man, he realized that he had already left, leaving behind only the sight of a bunch of balloons fading into the distance. Standing alone, Baber was lost in thought for a moment before he picked up his kite and headed back home.
All the way home, no one came looking for him, which made him wonder. He had been talking to the balloon salesman for quite a while, and his mom… didn’t she worry about him?
Only when Baber had walked through the front door with a sullen look on his face did the two maids who were supposed to look for him rush to the front yard from the back.
“Where did young master Baber go to pick up his kite? We can’t find him anywhere!”
“Do you think he might have gone inside? Let’s go check!”
The two maids hurried into the house, and upon finding Baber with his kite going upstairs, they breathed a sigh of relief and decided not to disturb him
further.
