A Former Police Officer Who Died And Get A Second Life!

Chapter 401: Picking Up Mao

Perhaps because he did not want to startle her, Mayo did not pick Hui up in his mouth the way he had with Lingxiao.

Instead, he gently licked her cheek with the tip of his tongue.

"Doesn’t Mayo seem a little low on energy today?"

Normally, Mayo would immediately come over to rub against Qiong Xing whenever he arrived.

Today, however, he stayed where he was and seemed strangely lethargic.

"It’s been really hot lately. This weather’s probably rough on him."

They had built a simple shelter for Mayo, but compared to the cave and forest where he used to live, it was much harder to keep the heat down.

For Mayo who struggled with regulating his body temperature the summer heat was likely exhausting.

"I see... You’re right. I’m sorry for not noticing sooner. Please wait a moment."

Leander wondered what he was planning.

Qiong Xing called over Albe, Cari, and Lian, then began giving them various instructions.

Since Albe and the others were involved, Leander assumed magic was part of the plan.

For some reason, though, Qiong Xing specifically asked him to bring a deep dish and some syrup.

Leander had no idea why, but if Qiong Xing said it was necessary, there was no way he could refuse.

He went back to the house to fetch the items.

When he returned, however, the sight before him left him speechless.

"...Why is there an ice statue standing here?"

"It’s cool, isn’t it? And it’s very beautiful."

"..."

That was not what Leander wanted to ask at all.

Towering before them was a massive ice sculpture shaped like a giant serpent.

It clearly resembled Mayo.

Leander could not begin to understand how anyone could decide to make something like this.

Mayo, however, seemed delighted.

He lounged beside it to enjoy the coolness while repeatedly circling around it to admire it from every angle.

"Cari and Lian made the ice, and Albe carved it into Mayo’s shape."

"Was there any reason it had to be shaped like Mayo?"

Leander pointed out that if the goal was simply to help Mayo cool down, the shape should not have mattered.

Qiong Xing immediately replied,

"Wouldn’t that be boring otherwise?"

Which meant that, in the end, it turned out there was not much practical reason behind it at all.

"Then, Cari, could I ask one more favor? I’d like you to shave this ice into tiny pieces."

"Shave it?"

Leander watched with exasperation as Qiong Xing once again said something that made absolutely no sense.

Still, he stayed and observed.

Using magic, Cari somehow began shaving the ice and piling it into a deep bowl, the one Leander had been told to bring.

Before long, a mountain of finely shaved ice had formed.

"Lian too! Lian wants to help too!"

"Thank you. Then Lian can help by pouring the syrup on top."

Wanting to participate as well, Lian was given the task of pouring syrup over the mound of ice.

When Qiong Xing handed the finished bowl to Leander and encouraged him to try it, he hesitantly took a bite.

The moment it touched his tongue, he froze.

The coldness.

The softness.

Both surprised him.

"What is this?"

"It’s called Bingsoo. It’s perfect for hot days, don’t you think? It’s also fun because you can change the flavor."

Like ice cream, it was cold.

But because it was simply shaved ice, the taste was much lighter.

The different syrups poured on top allowed for all kinds of flavors.

That was part of its appeal.

"It’s delicious!"

"It’s delicious!"

The twins who were eating theirs with raspberry syrup were happily stuffing their cheeks as they ate.

Qiong Xing presented things like this as though they were completely normal.

Leander could not help wondering how he constantly managed to come up with things that no one else would ever think of.

"Mama, say ahh."

"Mm. It’s very delicious. Thank you, Lian."

"Hehehe. Brother Cari too. Ahh."

Many questions still lingered in Leander’s mind.

But more than anything, the happiness filling this moment existed because of Qiong Xing.

Everything began with one of his ideas.

Not once had Leander ever found those ideas unpleasant.

Instead, they always brought joy.

And the fact that Qiong Xing shared those ideas with all of them so naturally and without hesitation made Leander keenly aware of just how much love Qiong Xing held for his family.

For several weeks, Qiong Xing had been busy raising the children and handling household chores with help from Leander and the others.

During that time, he realized something.

"I think this child might take more after humans."

"Yeah. It’s nice that she’s quiet, but it also makes me worry."

Judging by her growth rate, she was undoubtedly a beastman.

However, unlike the twins, she rarely cried.

The memories of raising the twins were still fresh, making the difference feel especially striking.

"At this rate, we can finally go pick up Mao."

"...Are we really going?"

There was hesitation in Leander’s voice.

Qiong Xing wondered if perhaps he truly disliked the idea.

"We won’t know until we talk to him. If you really don’t want this, I’ll try to persuade him."

They had promised to come for Mao, so they had to go.

What happened afterward was another matter.

If Mao wanted to return, Qiong Xing could try convincing him otherwise.

After all, wanting to welcome Mao into the family was ultimately Qiong Xing’s selfish wish.

Unlike Lian, Rui, Yue, Lingxiao, and Hui, Mao was not related by blood.

And unlike Cari and Albe who had already been accepted by everyone, Mao’s circumstances were entirely different.

"When Lian and the others were born, you saw how things were. If anything happened to Hui, I..."

"I know. I know you’re worried because you care. But before deciding anything, why don’t we go see him and find out how he’s changed? I think spending time with the children there must have affected him somehow. I don’t know whether those changes are what either of us hopes for, but let’s go see who he is now together."