Little Pink Starfish

The sight was so shocking that Gu Bai’s head tilted incrementally, 5° at a time, toward Qiguan Rui.

Somehow, Qiguan Rui understood perfectly.

He smiled faintly. “Gege, what I saw yesterday was exactly the same.”

Gu Bai shifted his gaze back with another series of mechanical 5° tilts. Mum, this isn’t something I wrote!

Back when he designed this storyline, it was supposed to be about the twisted revelations of a protagonist dismantling Sang Jun’s schemes layer by layer, forcing him to confess before ultimately disposing of him. But this? This was not how it was supposed to play out! Why?! Why is the world adding details like this?

The situation felt uncomfortably like a messed-up scenario involving forbidden desires and obsession. Sang Jun’s deranged expression reeked of someone consumed by unattainable longing.

Gu Bai took three seconds to calm himself. No, just because I’m surrounded by all this weirdness doesn’t mean everyone in the world is. This is a straightforward harem universe, not some universal “bent” conspiracy. Get a grip…

Having convinced himself, Gu Bai resumed watching Sang Jun.

Sang Jun’s face grew increasingly flushed, his breathing heavy and erratic. He seemed lost in euphoric pleasure, his throat letting out low, guttural moans. Wait… why am I describing a man’s noises as “euphoric”?Gu Bai mentally rewound.

When he looked again, it was still unbearable. I… can’t… do this… Shuddering, Gu Bai decided he was getting metaphorical eye infections from watching this.

Just then, a warm, damp sensation brushed his neck. Hot breath sprayed over his skin, carrying a familiar scent as a possessive arm wrapped around his waist. A certain sinful hand began roaming, sending slow, deliberate shivers through his body.

Gu Bai inhaled sharply. Pervert! Pervert, pervert, pervert! How could Qiguan Rui be turned on in this disgusting scene? And worse—how could he start messing with Gu Bai here?!

Gu Bai might not have been paralysed, but the situation rendered him utterly helpless. His body grew increasingly warm, his skin tingling with heat as the hand on him grew bolder. The traitorous flush on his ears and tailbone made him want to yell at the universe. Why, oh why, did it have to feel… good?!

Behind him, Qiguan Rui seemed… overly excited. His movements grew more aggressive, and a certain hardness pressed insistently against Gu Bai.

It was all too clear what Qiguan Rui’s twisted mind was up to. The eerie setting, chains, and dim lighting—all paired with Sang Jun’s freakish display—only fuelled his sick fantasies.

Gu Bai clenched his fists tightly, knuckles white with suppressed rage. Just as he was about to snap, another pair of hands covered his own.

Qiguan Rui’s tongue flicked over Gu Bai’s ear, and he whispered, “Gege, don’t be angry…”

Gu Bai: Oh, I’m angry. Don’t think I’ve forgotten!

Qiguan Rui’s tone softened further, almost pleading. “Gege, please don’t stay mad. I didn’t mean to upset you. I won’t do it again… Can’t you feel it? I’ve already stopped. Please forgive me…” As he spoke, he pressed closer, rubbing his hips suggestively but with less persistence.

Gu Bai: What the…?! He really did stop?! Is he… retractable or something?!

Qiguan Rui finally let go of his groping, turning his hands to soothing caresses instead. For once, he restrained himself, remaining utterly docile.

Still, Gu Bai’s anger lingered. No man would take such teasing lying down.

Qiguan Rui leaned closer. “Gege, don’t you find Sang Jun’s actions strange?”

Gu Bai: Of course, I do! It’s so weird it’s painful to watch! This is a harem world, yet he’s acting like he’s… you know…

Qiguan Rui chuckled softly. “Gege, doesn’t it seem familiar?”

Gu Bai hesitated. …Familiar? Like a discount version of you?

Qiguan Rui sighed. “Gege, you know I carry the Heaven-Devouring Python bloodline, right? It’s fully awakened now, allowing me to transform into a serpent. But naturally, I prefer to maintain human form—it’s more convenient.” He then launched into an explanation of his lineage and its infamous abilities.

Gu Bai: Alright, points for honesty.

Qiguan Rui continued, “To avoid upsetting you, Gege, I haven’t consumed anyone directly in a long time.”

Gu Bai: Are you saying you’d like to go devour someone now? Just keep your dragon breath away from me!

“Instead,” Qiguan Rui explained, “I use my hands to drain wu qi from others by piercing their dantian.” He gestured at Sang Jun. “Look. Doesn’t this resemble what I do? Only slower and clumsier.”

Gu Bai froze. He hadn’t realised Qiguan Rui was essentially doing the same thing—just more efficiently. Wait… so does that mean Qiguan Rui also turns red-faced and ecstatic while doing it?

“No, Gege,” Qiguan Rui interrupted, somehow reading his thoughts. “I’m much faster and far more composed.”

…Alright, that’s… mildly comforting.

Qiguan Rui’s expression turned cold. “That’s why I suspect Sang Jun has some connection to the Heaven-Devouring Python lineage.”

Gu Bai: Not exactly wrong, but definitely a one-sided connection.

Qiguan Rui’s tone grew sharper. “One Heaven-Devouring Python is enough. Don’t you agree, Gege?”

Gu Bai nodded. Yes, yes, yes. One of you is plenty. No need for duplicates.

The pair continued observing.

They deduced Sang Jun’s nightly routine involved absorbing the wu qi of captured warriors, leaving them as corpses. Meanwhile, the prisoners in his dungeon—women, men, and children—formed part of his grand scheme to build a loyal army of brainwashed assassins.

Sang Jun’s plans were meticulous and far-reaching, but his methods were undeniably vile.

After finishing his grotesque ritual, Sang Jun composed himself, his deranged satisfaction fading into a cold, calculating demeanour. Without once noticing the shadows tailing him, Sang Jun made his way back to his quarters, his steps steadier and more confident than before.

As soon as Sang Jun fell into a deep sleep, Qiguan Rui led Gu Bai out of the dungeon and back to their room.

The moment they returned, Gu Bai regained his freedom.

His first action was to punch Qiguan Rui squarely in the gut.

Qiguan Rui doubled over, clutching his stomach with a bitter smile. “Gege, you said you weren’t mad…”

Gu Bai: “I never said that.”

Qiguan Rui: …

Realising he couldn’t deflect, Qiguan Rui grabbed Gu Bai’s hand, pressing it against his stomach. “It’s all my fault, Gege. If you’re still upset, hit me again. I can take it…”

Gu Bai: “Not angry anymore.” No way I’m giving you the satisfaction of being my punching bag!

But Qiguan Rui wasn’t done. With a sly smirk, he shifted his hips subtly, guiding Gu Bai’s hand downward until—

Gu Bai: … Retracting his hand immediately, Gu Bai wordlessly retreated to the bath. The dungeon was so gross. I need a good scrub.

Qiguan Rui, unabashed, followed him into the bathroom.

Naturally, another night of passion ensued.