Chapter 27: A Stirring of the Heart?

“Are you sure it’s alright?” Kellya glanced at Haoyun with a hint of apprehension, dreading a refusal that would be utterly embarrassing.

Haoyun rubbed his nose. So, just after arriving on this alien planet, he was expected to become a police officer? Well, it felt... a bit awkward.

“Of course. From now on, I’ll be counting on you, Officer Kellya.”

.................

The next day, Kellya took a day off in advance to bring Haoyun back to her residence. She helped him buy a set of clothes to change into and equipped him with a sidearm suitable for auxiliary police...

By the time Haoyun stepped out of Kellya’s home the following morning, he looked every bit the native-born police officer of Sandar.

“This outfit suits you well.”

Kellya walked up to Haoyun, nodding with satisfaction and stroking her chin. Haoyun shyly covered his face, twisting his body with the bashfulness of a courtesan.

“My lord chose it; I like everything he chooses…”

“Uh… ‘my lord’ means husband, right?”

Kellya’s face was a picture of confusion. What did he mean? She didn’t understand.

Haoyun rolled his eyes in silence. The cultural gap was immense—truly hard to get used to.

Lu Xun was right—how could one talk about love when cultures clash so deeply?

Any romantic spark that had flickered was instantly doused.

“No, it’s just a term we use for close friends on our planet.”

Haoyun turned his head and muttered something vague, eager to move on. “Aren’t you supposed to be patrolling? Don’t waste time, or they’ll dock your full attendance bonus.”

“Oh, right! I’m almost late! Haoyun, keep up!” Kellya suddenly realized and sprinted toward the patrol point.

Haoyun shook his head. An alien girl like Kellya as a police officer? Wouldn’t she risk being sold out by criminals?

As they walked, Haoyun took in the surrounding architecture while accompanying Kellya on patrol.

Throughout the day, they caught three criminals who had snatched lollipops from little girls, one thief, and someone who had parked a flying car illegally.

One couldn’t help but admit—though Sandar was considered an advanced planet in the galaxy, crime was surprisingly rampant.

Perhaps the more advanced the technology, the more daring the criminals? As the saying goes, in a big forest, all kinds of birds exist.

After work, Kellya stretched widely, revealing her alluring curves. Apart from her skin tone differing greatly from Earthlings, her figure and facial features would surely classify her as a supermodel on Earth.

No, perhaps even now, many would pursue her—like Tony, for instance.

“Hmm… so tired. There were so many criminals today.”

Kellya patted Haoyun’s shoulder. “Let’s go. Shift’s over. I’ll take you to taste Sandar’s specialty cuisine.”

“Please allow me to decline.”

Haoyun shuddered at the thought of last night’s dinner. Forget the so-called food empire comparisons—alien cuisine couldn’t even hold a candle to British fare!

He even wondered if the dish ‘Stargazing’ was any more bizarre than Sandar’s offerings.

“Don’t you like it? I remember you ate quite a bit of the charcoal-grilled octopus last night.”

Kellya’s expression was puzzled. That meal was prepared by Sandar’s five-star chefs!

“Uh, that’s because it was the only dish I felt I could stomach.”

Haoyun smiled wryly. Could you imagine? Most dishes on the table were raw! Worse yet, the ingredients were from species as strange as the Kroov!

Raw tentacle monsters, raw alien fish slices, raw fruits resembling human infants—but looking more like horror dolls.

Haoyun swore he’d never again try alien food, even if starving.

“Really? You don’t like it? If I’d known, I wouldn’t have taken you to taste the specialties. That meal cost me half a month’s salary.”

Kellya pouted, glancing at Haoyun with a hint of resentment.

“Well, how about some home-style cooking? I remember a place where the flamingo egg fried rice tastes amazing!”

“Uh, are you sure it’s fried rice?”

Haoyun hesitated, rubbing his hollow stomach. He’d only had two tubes of nutrient paste all day. He truly wanted something normal.

Flamingo eggs should be similar to chicken eggs, right?

“Yes,” Kellya’s eyes sparkled at the mention of fried rice. “Hurry up! That place only serves a limited amount of fried rice. If we’re late, it’ll be gone!”

With that, she grabbed Haoyun’s hand, bouncing along like an ordinary Earth girl toward the distance.

Haoyun felt the softness and warmth in her palm, and for the first time, his heart pounded uncontrollably... So this was the feeling of butterflies in one’s stomach?

This first flutter in his second life—seemed quite nice.

.................

After finishing the indescribable fried rice, Haoyun walked home holding his head, while Kellya chattered incessantly.

For some reason, he enjoyed hearing her talk about her troubles and childhood anecdotes. After all his training, he rarely even listened to Angel.

“Hehe, luckily you run fast, Haoyun. Otherwise, we’d have missed out on the last two portions of flamingo egg fried rice…”

“Is that so? I thought it tasted quite ordinary. How about one day you bring the ingredients, and I’ll cook a dish for you to try?”

“Pfft, stop bragging. Being a chef is a very prestigious profession. I don’t believe you can cook!”

“I’ll let you in on a secret—on our planet, every man has some cooking skills, or he won’t find a girlfriend.”

“Wow... the girls on your planet are so lucky…”

They joked and made their way home, unaware that the prison holding Star-Lord, Gamora, and others was already in chaos! A massive riot had broken out—countless inmates escaped, and numerous guards were injured or killed.

Late at night, as Haoyun lay peacefully on the living room sofa, a sudden loud noise jolted him awake!

Opening his eyes, he saw Kellya in her police uniform, putting on her shoes by the door.

“Kellya? Why are you putting on your police uniform so late and going out?”

Rubbing his eyes, Haoyun asked curiously. Life on Sandar had been smooth and comfortable, with a beautiful companion by his side, making him forget all about the Guardians of the Galaxy.

Kellya dressed and prepared her gear as she replied, “Remember the criminals we caught yesterday? They’ve escaped!”

“What? They escaped?!”

Haoyun was instantly alert, memories of the Guardians of the Galaxy flashing through his mind.

“Isn’t that the military and prison guards’ business? You’re just a patrol officer. What are you planning to do?”

“No, they’re my prisoners!”

Kellya stood tall, fully dressed and equipped, looking at Haoyun with determination. “I was the one who caught them. It’s my fault the prison riot happened. I have to make amends—I must catch them myself!”

“Are you crazy? Do you know where they’ve gone? And do you even have a spaceship?”

Haoyun panicked, forgetting he was only wearing underwear. He jumped up and grabbed her. “The prison is outside in space. You want to chase criminals in a police uniform? Do you think you’re some kind of flying super cop?”

“No, I have a spaceship!”

Kellya straightened her neck stubbornly.

“You think I don’t know? That’s just a patrol ship that flies in orbit around the planet—not a long-range vessel!”

“That’s still a spaceship. It can jump and catch them!”

Haoyun groaned. He’d rarely met someone so stubborn... Even Tony and Angel usually listened to his advice after a few words.

But Kellya actually wanted to chase criminals with just a patrol ship? She was risking her life!