"I made rice porridge and stir-fried ribs," Peach's Mom said, smiling gently at Feng Ze. "Come on, get down and have something to eat."
Feng Ze pressed his lips together but still didn't move.
They remained at an impasse for several minutes before a small hand caught hold of his clothes.
Only then did Feng Ze shift his gaze.
"Big brother~ Mom's ribs are really yummy!"
Then Tao Zhiyan tugged harder, inviting him eagerly, "Let's go eat."
Feng Ze looked at Tao Zhiyan, then at Peach's Mom.
Seeing that Peach's Mom was still smiling at him, without any hint of disgust, he finally stirred and climbed out of bed.
Peach's Mom had made three dishes and a soup: stir-fried ribs, cabbage, and fish.
Then she set a bowl of rice porridge in front of each child.
Feng Ze licked his lips, his gaze fixed on the food.
He hadn't eaten a meal in all the days he'd spent in the sewer.
He had survived entirely on rainwater and dead bugs.
Now, looking at the table full of food, he felt his hunger grow more and more intense.
Once Peach's Mom said they could eat, Feng Ze threw caution to the wind, picked up his porridge, and began gulping it down.
Fresh off the stove, the porridge was steaming hot.
Peach's Mom was alarmed to see him do that and hurriedly reached out to stop him. "Oh, sweetheart! Don't-"
Before her outstretched hand even touched him, Feng Ze instinctively flinched away and put the bowl down almost reflexively.
He shot to his feet, thinking he had done something wrong, and looked at Peach's Mom helplessly, his eyes full of panic.
His reaction startled Mama Tao too.
After a long moment, Feng Ze finally forced out, "...Sorry."
Peach's Mom's brows instinctively knitted