"Dad!"
Suddenly, the grey parrot perched on his shoulder squawked at Feng Shan.
Everyone present broke into smiles. They figured the parrot must have learned the word from a child who came to the rescue center with their father to volunteer.
He'd found himself a parrot for a son.
Feng Shan was absolutely delighted. He looked at Director Lawrence and said, "Sir, can I adopt him... no, Loki, first? The other parrots can be processed with the tiger's adoption paperwork."
"Yes, as long as the paperwork is completed, there shouldn't be a problem," Director Lawrence said with a smile.
"Thank you so much!" Feng Shan quickly reached out a finger to scratch the grey parrot's chin. "Loki, say 'Dad'!"
"Dad, Dad, yes!" the grey parrot obediently chirped, but that last "yes" was in a peculiar tone, mimicking a woman's voice.
An immediate and palpable awkwardness fell over the group.
