Feng Ze knew he had to go back. He just hadn't expected the day to come so soon.
He had thought he could stay at Tao Zhiyan's house a few more days.
He felt a little sad.
But more than anything, he hated to leave.
Feng Ze lowered his eyes, their rims bright red with sadness.
The boy stared blankly at the suitcases Peach's Dad and Peach's Mom had packed, standing quietly for a long time.
Finally, he worked up the courage to ask, "Then... will you come back?"
Peach's Dad froze for a moment. He opened his mouth, unsure how to answer.
"We will!" the little boy answered first. "This is my home."
Peach's Dad cleared his throat and rubbed his nose guiltily.
As though something had occurred to him, Tao Zhiyan immediately asked, "Daddy, can we take him with us?"
Peach's Dad couldn't take Feng Ze along.
Ultimately, Feng Ze was still a child from the Orphanage. There was no way they could take him out of the province for an extended stay.
Not unless they adopted him.
But the adoption process was complicated, too, and required a lot of paperwork.
Besides, the Tao family could barely manage their own problems right now. How could they adopt another child?
"No, Peach." Peach's Dad bent down. "He can't come with us."
"Oh!" The little boy had no idea how serious things were. He happily reached out to take Feng Ze's hand. "Then I won't go. I'll stay home with him and wait for you!"
Feng Ze frowned slightly and silently tightened his grip on the little boy's hand.
"No. Peach has to go with Mommy and Daddy."
Peach's Dad crouched down. "We'll take him back together tomorrow, okay?"
"No." Tao Zhiyan's little face scrunched up.
*Didn't they say he