A Former Police Officer Who Died And Get A Second Life!-Chapter 161: The Baby’s First Kick

He had never thought to do something for his own parents.

Yet, somehow, with Qiong Xing, he felt he would do anything to help if he could.

That was because Qiong Xing genuinely cared for him like true family and he didn’t hide it.

He made sure to show it openly.

Not only did he raise his important little brother, Cariright, but he also treated him as family.

Although the sibling bond wasn’t completely back to what it had been, Albe could now interact normally with him and that progress was thanks to Qiong Xing.

For Albe, Qiong Xing was a friend, a brother, a mother, and family all in one.

They teased each other like siblings over heights, shared delicious meals like friends, and worried about him like a mother whenever something was hard.

Even though Albe received far more than he gave, Qiong Xing would always say he felt sorry and wanted to give something back to him.

Albe was grateful that it was Qiong Xing who had bought Cariright and grateful to have met him.

Thanks to Qiong Xing, he could be himself and live each day happily and joyfully.

Compared to that cold and blood-related family he had lost, Albe wanted to stay close to Qiong Xing whose warmth made him feel truly at home, even if they weren’t related by blood.

"I-I don’t really need anything, but... the fact that you think that about me... that’s... really... nice."

"I’m also really happy that you think of me and do so much for me, Albe. Thank you."

Ah! Ahhh! Ahhhh!! How can he say that so easily!?

Albe had never openly expressed his feelings before.

Even though Qiong Xing who had become his family cared so deeply for him, Albe found it incredibly difficult to convey his own feelings.

His face immediately turned bright red with embarrassment, but when he managed to say "thank you," Qiong Xing smiled warmly in return and that made Albe happy.

"I’ll make another cake next time. Of course, I’ll put some of your alcohol in it again."

"...Yeah, I’m looking forward to it."

Albe nearly grinned out of sheer happiness, but as he looking down to hide it, Qiong Xing gently patted his head.

Being treated so tenderly, like a child, was something Albe would normally resist with a playful twist of the wrist if anyone else tried it, thinking they were teasing him.

But not with Qiong Xing, he knew it wasn’t meant that way.

He understood that Qiong Xing was expressing genuine affection for someone important to him.

"By the way... is it really okay for you to drink this?"

"There’s no demon weak to alcohol. Well, I only started drinking freely after coming here myself. Eventually, Caribert will probably start drinking too."

"...No! That’s not okay!"

"...Absolutely not." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Albe pictured Caribert holding a bottle and drinking, immediately realizing how wrong that would be and quickly rejected the thought himself.

"I won’t let Cari drink until he’s an adult. Besides, I don’t want to see him like that at all."

"Yeah, that’s right."

"...And I can’t drink myself, so it’s both frustrating and sad that Cari could."

"That’s very mature of you!"

"Again, you betrayed me. Being strong with alcohol is just cheating. I want half of that talent for myself."

"No way!"

Even so, playing around like this was fun.

When Albe grabbed Qiong Xing’s clothes and shook him while laughing, it was impossible to stay mad.

"That’s so unfair! I should have more things too!"

"You do. You definitely do."

"The way you say that! I’m thinking about this seriously!"

"Seriously... what you’re saying is kind of childish."

"Height is important for a guy! ...Fine, I’ll give up on height, so help me figure out how to build muscle instead."

That was quick to switch gears! And muscle as a replacement, really?

Height is inherited and fixed, but muscle can be worked for... sure, maybe that makes sense, but still...

"What are you even saying with that belly? That’s something you can think about after giving birth."

"Really!?"

Qiong Xing grabbed Albe by the collar again, this time he shaking him far harder than before over the height argument.

Talking about muscle with Qiong Xing was definitely forbidden.

That day, Qiong Xing was helping Cari in the kitchen prepare lunch.

Of course, he couldn’t do any heavy work, so he only handled simple tasks like cutting vegetables for salad.

Since Cari had started learning to use water magic, Qiong Xing asked him to make juice.

"Cari has become very good at using magic," Qiong Xing said.

"Cari amazing?"

"You’re very amazing."

Cari didn’t just produce water anymore.

Following Qiong Xing’s advice, he had started making the drinking water cool when he created it with magic.

Since there were no refrigerators in this world and most drinks were usually at room temperature, everyone was very happy about it.

"If you keep practicing, you might even be able to make ice someday," Qiong Xing added.

"Ice?"

Cari had probably never seen it before.

Qiong Xing tried explaining that it was water that had been frozen into a solid, but Cari only tilted his head, unable to imagine it.

"Maybe we can try it together this afternoon. If it’s you, Cari, it will probably be easy... Ah?"

Suddenly, Qiong Xing felt a small thump from inside his stomach and the vibration surprised him.

"Mama?"

Cari looked at him with concern, but Qiong Xing quickly said he was fine and asked Cari to continue the work. Then he hurried out of the kitchen.

"—Elias! Elias!"

"Hm? Qiong Xing, what’s w—hey! Don’t run like that, idiot!"

Qiong Xing wasn’t really running, he just moving quickly.

But Elias rushed toward him at incredible speed the moment he saw him.

"I told you not to run like th—"

"My stomach! The baby kicked my stomach!"

"Kicked—who did that? Who dared to do something like that?"

Ah, that sounded wrong or rather, the explanation wasn’t complete.