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

Chapter 402: Let’s Go Home Together

The Mao from before might have demanded all of Qiong Xing’s attention while he was busy caring for Hui.

He might even have done something toward Hui herself.

But Qiong Xing wanted to believe that spending time with the other children had changed something inside him.

"And if he ever tries to do anything to Hui, I won’t stay silent either. If that happens, I’ll let him go. So... okay?"

Qiong Xing reached out his hand, asking Leander to come with him.

After letting out a long sigh, Leander smiled wryly and took it.

"When it’s you asking, I guess I don’t have a choice. But if you’re going to ask for a favor, I’d at least appreciate a kiss to improve my mood."

"...You’re impossible."

"Aren’t I your beloved mate? The one you love more than anyone?"

No matter what Qiong Xing said, Leander always had an answer ready.

He had become far more eloquent than he used to be.

Still, Qiong Xing always ended up giving in.

Maybe he was simply too soft on him.

As requested, Qiong Xing leaned over and kissed Leander’s cheek.

The next instant, Leander grabbed the back of his head and stole a deep kiss before he could react.

Are you trying to drain all my energy before we even leave?

After somehow finishing their preparations, they finally headed to the house where Mao was waiting.

The moment their eyes met, Mao barely managed a greeting before throwing himself forward and wrapping Qiong Xing in a fierce hug.

"I’m glad to see you’re doing well. It’s been a long time, Mao."

"Yeah!"

Seeing the bright smile that had once been so rare on Mao’s face, Qiong Xing felt once again that bringing him here had been the right decision.

"Have you grown a little taller?"

"I did!"

Qiong Xing still could not confidently say whether Mao was a beastman, but the rapid growth over just a few weeks certainly resembled one.

Mao’s entire body seemed to be expressing how happy he was to see them again.

Qiong Xing crouched down and wrapped him in a hug, silently conveying that he was happy too.

"My, my. It’s been a while. You look healthy. I’m relieved."

After entering the house with Leander and Mao, they were greeted by the elderly woman with a warm smile.

Qiong Xing smiled and greeted her in return.

"Thank you for taking care of him for so long. The baby was born safely, so we wanted to come and visit. This is our daughter, Hui."

"My goodness! What an adorable little girl. She seems to take after her father."

The old woman laughed and congratulated them.

She knew that Qiong Xing had hoped the child would resemble Leander.

Qiong Xing proudly nodded.

Behind him, Leander quietly muttered, "I wanted her to take after you."

Qiong Xing pretended not to hear.

"So then, what would you like to do, Mao?"

"..."

After everyone had tea and settled down, Qiong Xing asked Mao what he wanted.

Instead of answering, Mao lowered his head and fell silent.

Qiong Xing was surprised.

He had expected Mao to immediately shout, "I’m going home!"

"What are you struggling with? Can you tell me?"

Mao’s silence meant he was conflicted.

If he truly did not want to return, he could simply say so.

The fact that he could not answer meant he was uncertain.

"...Everyone was nice."

"I see. It sounds like you got along well with everyone."

Mao nodded.

Qiong Xing smiled and nodded back.

"They taught me words."

The fact that Mao spoke much more fluently now was apparently thanks to spending time with the other children.

"They also slept with me."

Qiong Xing looked puzzled and glanced toward the elderly woman.

She explained that when Mao felt lonely and could not sleep, the children would hold his hands and sleep beside him.

"I made food and It was good."

As Mao continued listing one memory after another, Qiong Xing could clearly see how happy he had been living here.

That realization made him happy too.

"I’m glad you enjoyed your time here. In that case, would you like to stay here?"

"..."

Yet once again, Mao fell silent.

Qiong Xing tilted his head.

"...Won’t?"

"Hm?"

"Am I... not in the way?"

The unexpected question caught Qiong Xing off guard.

He glanced at Leander with a smile.

Leander simply shrugged as if to say, See?

Qiong Xing had been right.

Mao really had changed.

"No. I told you before, didn’t I? I like you, and I want you to be happy. That hasn’t changed."

"...I want to go home. I want... to stay by your side."

The words sounded almost like a plea.

Qiong Xing smiled and nodded.

"Then let’s go home together."

...

"..."

"..."

Both sides continued glaring at each other without giving an inch.

Now then, what would happen next.

"Or you could actually say something."

Qiong Xing had been secretly narrating the scene in his head because it was so amusing, but Leander’s immediate interruption forced him to abandon the idea.

They had successfully brought Mao home.

The children had rushed out to greet them with cheerful welcomes, only for time itself to seem to stop the moment they came face to face with Mao.

Qiong Xing had been waiting to see what would happen while commentating internally, but since Leander had put an end to that, he simply carried Lian on his back, took the twins by the hand, and headed inside.

"What’s wrong? Come on, Mao."

When he glanced back, he found Mao still standing at the entrance with his head lowered, unable to move.

Qiong Xing gently called him over.

"...I..."

"Let’s all sit down and talk for a bit. And there are some apologies that need to be made too."

"...Okay."

Mao answered, but even then he hesitated to take a step forward.

Just as Qiong Xing was wondering what to do...

"If you’re standing there, you’re just in the way. Get inside already."