The Kiss that Sparked it All

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.”

concern. I’m doing fine here, and my mom treats

being mistreated here.

head. “Keep my eyes open for

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,

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

He pouted and emphasized how much his mom loved him.

not because he feared his mom would cast him aside, but

mom hasn’t sent anyone to check on you. It shows she doesn’t really care about you, at least not as much as

saw no one

the kind of person that this man was

him as her own. He

up to refute the man, he realized that he had already left, leaving behind only the sight of a bunch of balloons fading into