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

mistreated here. But

“Keep my eyes

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,

hard and be self-reliant when you grow up. Otherwise, you’ll end up like

overthinking. He pouted and emphasized how much his mom loved him.

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

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,

glanced around and indeed saw no one

was not the kind of person that this man was describing.

mom was kind and treated him as her own. He was sure of

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