Chapter 383: Ars Falls Ill
It was not that they were cold.
It was not that they did not care, but when it came to their own children versus children from another bond, some difference in treatment naturally appeared.
They would respond if called and help if needed, but they would not go out of their way to get involved.
"Even you will hold the children if I ask him to, but you would not do it on your own, would you?"
Leander nodded as if remembering that was true, but Qiong Xing did not think it was a bad thing.
They, in their own way, loved the other children as well.
That alone was enough.
"But Lian is different. That child grew up knowing nothing about beastmen, humans, or demons, and simply lived thinking of everyone as precious family. She has never questioned this unusual form of family. That is because I raised her that way."
Lian probably had some awareness of it, to a certain extent.
But Qiong Xing had no intention of explaining anything unless she asked.
"If she sees her precious younger brother crying, there is no way she would ignore it. Lian’s loneliness will be filled by Elias and the others, and Lingxiao’s loneliness will surely be filled by Lian."
"I see."
That was precisely why Lian had been entrusted with staying behind.
She had said she wanted to come along, but when told to stay with everyone in place of Mama, she had looked unconvinced yet still said she understood.
"It is said that girls grow faster, after all. I can already picture Lian soothing Lingxiao while saying something like ’there, there, it’s okay.’"
"Hahaha! Then the father really has no place in it."
It is said that boys remain childish even when they grow up, but girls mature faster emotionally.
Lian often clung to Qiong Xing, but sometimes she would scold Rui or Yue, saying "No!" and it always made him laugh.
"If this child were a girl, I wonder how long you would keep smiling?"
"If that happened, I would just accept being scolded. Our child would surely be cute even when angry."
"Is that really the issue? She might say ’I don’t need Papa anymore!’ and hate you or something..."
"That is not allowed!"
Leander shook his head as if he could not live with that idea and Qiong Xing laughed out loud.
In the end, everyone was weak against their beloved children.
As Qiong Xing and Leander continued talking about whether the child in his belly would be a boy or a girl, the twins came running over, saying they were hungry, and he caught them in his arms.
"What shall we have today?"
"Apples!"
"Fish!"
Unfortunately, there were no apples in stock, and serving fish as a snack was also questionable.
He recalled that there should still be some sweet potatoes, so Qiong Xing decided on baked sweet potatoes, ignoring the children’s opinions as he unilaterally made the decision.
Hoping their wishes would be granted was not always possible.
"Is there any good child who will help me?"
"Yes!"
At the sight of two hands shooting up straight, Qiong Xing smiled and took their hands, heading toward the kitchen.
"For the two of you... and I guess we will need some for the others as well."
"Mine too!"
Leander shamelessly demanded his share as well, and when Qiong Xing told him to help if he wanted some, he obediently gave a good answer and joined in.
"How much are you planning to grow, Leander?"
"To my limit?"
Qiong Xing was dumbfounded by the appetite that rivaled the children’s and tilted his head at the incomprehensible answer.
What even is a limit?
...
Qiong Xing quietly apologized inwardly to the sound of children crying echoing in his ear as he promised them he would be back soon before ending the call.
"...Why aren’t you coming back?"
Ars muttered sulkily, his lips pouting, though his voice lacked its usual energy.
Ars had collapsed from fever the evening before.
Qiong Xing had thought he had been coughing since morning, but since he had not said anything, he assumed it was just a slightly sore throat.
However, after dinner, when the children ran off saying they were going to take a bath, Ars slowly stood up as well and tried to follow them.
But in the next moment, he collapsed.
Leander, who had been nearby, reflexively caught him, preventing him from hitting his head.
When Qiong Xing rushed over in panic and checked him, he immediately noticed the fever in his forehead and carried him to bed.
"This is just my selfish worry about Ars. You do not need to concern yourself with it."
After he said this, Qiong Xing placed a wet towel on Ars’s forehead.
Originally, he had planned to return home that very day, but after asking his waiting family, he decided to stay a little longer until Ars recovered.
He felt bad toward the children who had been waiting for him to come home, but he asked them to be patient a little longer.
"This is nothing."
Since coming here, Ars had been the one who actively helped take care of the other children, but it seemed he was not good at relying on others.
Considering his upbringing, it was not surprising.
Thinking that, Qiong Xing gently wiped the sweat from his forehead and said it was his selfish request.
"You remember the promise I made, right? That you would not push yourself. Since when have you been holding it in?"
"...."
Even so, he did not scold Ars for hiding his poor condition.
It was fine if Ars disliked being cared for, but enduring illness and overexerting himself was not something to be praised.
"Even a mild cold can become life-threatening if it worsens. A smart person like you should understand how foolish it would be to lose your life over something like that."
"....I know."
He must have understood on some level that he had not done the right thing, as he turned his face away awkwardly.
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