Little Pink Starfish

The young man before him was tall, nearly eight feet in height*. If not for his lean and well-proportioned muscles, he might have seemed overly brawny.

_{*[T/N: ITS CANNON? I thought it was a mistake. How did he not shit himself at the sight of an 8ft man.]}

He was good-looking—not in the breathtaking, ethereal way that Ziche Shubai was, but in a way that was effortlessly pleasant. Every feature, every contour of his face felt just right, making him a man who was simply easy on the eyes.

But no matter how pleasing this young man’s appearance was, he was not what Gu Bai had imagined.

Inside his mind, a tiny Gu Bai squatted down in despair.

A cute little shota had transformed into a handsome young man in just one second…

However, having long since internalized his aloof noble persona, Gu Bai maintained his usual expressionless expression and slowly spoke:

“Xiaoshan?”

The young man smiled—a smile so radiant it was like a hundred flowers blooming at once.

“Yes,” he said, “I am Gu Shan. I am also your Xiaoshan.”

W-Wait…

That voice…

Deep, magnetic, gentle… ridiculously pleasant to the ears!

Gu Bai had been too stunned earlier to fully register it, but now that he did—his inner voice-connoisseur was instantly captivated!

With all his years of immersing himself in the world of anime and voice acting, Gu Bai had never heard a voice as mesmerizing as this one. His disappointment over losing his cute shota immediately shifted into delight at discovering the ultimate divine voice.

Gu Shan’s lips remained curved in a gentle smile as he extended his slender hand. In his palm lay an exquisitely carved jade pendant.

“This was the keepsake Xiao Gege gave me,” he said softly. “Now, I’m returning it to its rightful owner.” His voice lowered even further. “Xiao Gege… didn’t lie to me. That makes me happy.”

Gu Bai nodded emotionlessly, then waved his hand for Qin Xubo to leave. Only when the steward had disappeared from sight did he reach out and take the jade pendant.

Gu Shan was still smiling.

Gu Bai stepped closer and said, “Lower your head.”

Gu Shan looked slightly surprised but obediently lowered his head. As Gu Bai approached, his body tensed slightly.

Gu Bai didn’t pay it any mind. He simply reached out and placed the jade pendant back around Gu Shan’s neck.

“What I gave you is yours,” he said. “Xiaoshan.”

His voice was a little stiff—he wasn’t used to saying long sentences anymore. “I’m glad you’re here.”

Gu Shan slowly relaxed. His smile grew deeper as he suddenly took Gu Bai’s hand.

Gu Bai blinked.

Gu Shan led him aside with a natural ease. “When I was little, it was Xiao Gege who held my hand like this. Now, it’s my turn to hold Xiao Gege’s hand.”

Gu Bai tried to smile back—but his perpetual ice-block face wouldn’t cooperate. He could barely even lift the corners of his mouth. “You… still remember?”

He was somewhat touched.

After all, he remembered because Gu Shan had been the first person he met after transmigrating. Even though he had been an adult at the time, he had found warmth in their brief companionship. But back then, Gu Shan had only been a small child. For him to still remember after more than a decade…

Gu Shan’s smile softened. “Of course, I remember. Xiao Gege was the kindest person to me. The only one who never lied to me.”

Gu Bai suddenly felt a bit guilty.

Gu Shan continued, “But why did you call yourself Gu Shubai? Isn’t your name Ziche Shubai?”

Gu Bai’s guilt deepened.

“I was young back then. It was more convenient to use an alias, so I took my mother’s surname,” he said. It wasn’t the real reason, but his late mother had indeed been surnamed Gu. That made it a perfectly plausible excuse.

Gu Shan visibly relaxed. “I knew Xiao Gege wouldn’t deceive me.”

Gu Bai also relaxed.

Then—wait a minute. Something wasn’t right.

They had only just reunited after so many years, yet somehow they were conversing as if they had never been apart. And… when did Gu Shan start leading the conversation?!

This wouldn’t do. He absolutely could not lose his dignity as the elder brother!

Gu Bai cleared his throat. “…Xiaoshan.”

Gu Shan’s smile remained unchanged. “Hmm?”

Gu Bai composed himself and said, “You don’t have to call me ‘Xiao Gege.’”

Gu Shan’s eyes shimmered with amusement. “Then… how about just ‘Gege’?”

Then, he leaned in closer and whispered, “I never got the chance to say it before… Gege, long time no see.”

Gu Bai’s ears turned red.

This is foul play! Who calls someone ‘Gege’ like that, whispering right in their ear?! That’s a crime waiting to happen!

Good thing I’m a steadfast otaku who only loves 2D and not 3D—otherwise, I’d be completely seduced right now!

After a rapid internal monologue, Gu Bai deadpanned, “…Mm. Long time no see.”

They stared at each other for three seconds before Gu Shan suddenly chuckled. “Gege is so serious.”

From that point on, Gu Shan completely dictated the flow of conversation. And for the first time, Gu Bai didn’t spend his day training—he spent the entire afternoon talking with Gu Shan.

Although Gu Bai didn’t put up any defenses against him, Gu Shan was well aware of his own sensitive status. As they talked, he gradually revealed details about his life. In turn, Gu Bai also shared his own experiences over the years.

The more they spoke, the closer they became. Fifteen years of separation felt as if it had never existed.

Neither of them had particularly eventful lives. Gu Bai had spent his days either cultivating or running the city, while Gu Shan had been either cultivating or working odd jobs. Now, just as Gu Bai had predicted, Qingyang Town was experiencing unrest. People like Gu Shan, who worked for others, found it difficult to make a living. So, remembering the promise he had received years ago, Gu Shan decided to take a chance and seek out his Xiao Gege.

To his surprise, he was warmly received.

From this day forward, he vowed to follow his Gege loyally—becoming his best enforcer.

Gu Bai sized him up and immediately assessed his cultivation level.

Beginner Wu Shi—eight full ranks lower than Gu Bai. He was only slightly above an average martial artist.

Compared to ordinary people, martial artists were formidable. But in the eyes of high-level cultivators, they were nothing more than cannon fodder. The most grueling and dangerous tasks always fell on the lowest-ranked fighters. Even an entry-level Wu Shi like Gu Shan wasn’t particularly impressive. A person had to reach at least High Wu Shi or Wu Shi Master before they could expect any real status or respect.

Gu Bai took another look at Gu Shan’s clothing—plain, worn-out fabric, even worse than what commoners in Tian Du City wore.

His heart ached again.

This kid must have had such a miserable life.

And just like that, Gu Bai immediately decided to keep Gu Shan by his side as a personal guard.

As for his low strength?

That’s fine! His talent may not be exceptional, but with proper guidance, he’ll level up eventually!

Once the protagonist’s whole ordeal was over, Gu Bai could even take Gu Shan on a journey across the continent—maybe find some fortuitous encounters that the protagonist didn’t care about.

Having made up his mind, Gu Bai glanced outside—it was getting dark. He turned to Gu Shan. “Where do you want to stay?”

Gu Shan blinked. “I want to stay with Gege. Let’s sleep side by side.”

…Excuse me?!

Gu Bai remained expressionless. “…Fine.”

Gu Shan gazed at him, then chuckled softly.

For some reason, Gu Bai felt an odd chill. Why did he always shiver whenever Gu Shan laughed? That couldn’t be normal.

Determined to suppress his unnecessary thoughts, he stood up. “Follow me.”

—Wait. Something was pulling at him?

Looking down, Gu Bai realized—they were still holding hands.

…Seriously?!

Gu Shan also stood up, tilting his head slightly in confusion. “Gege, what’s wrong?”

Gu Bai kept his expression blank. “…Nothing.”

And so, hand in hand, they walked out of the room.

The moment they stepped outside, the first person they saw was the ever-dutiful chief steward, Qin Xubo.

Qin Xubo had always been a man of strict discipline. He first bowed respectfully, as was his habit—then, unintentionally, his gaze fell upon their intertwined hands.

And he froze.

This was the same Tian Du City lord who never let anyone get too close? The one who stood high above everyone else like an untouchable deity?

Gu Bai didn’t notice his steward’s petrified state. He simply said, “Xiaoshan will be staying with me,” before heading toward his residence.

Gu Shan, always polite, turned back to flash a warm smile. “Thank you for your hospitality, chief steward.”

And yet—not once did he let go of Gu Bai’s hand.

Qin Xubo remained standing there, his mind a whirlwind of confusion.

Something about this situation… felt off.

Their city lord, who had never even held a lady’s hand before, was now casually holding another man’s hand?!

—And acting like it was the most natural thing in the world?!

As Gu Bai and Gu Shan continued down the corridors, they inevitably passed by numerous servants and attendants.

Each time they walked past a group, the same scene would unfold: People would pause, glance at their hands, and instantly turn into stone statues.

Gu Bai’s mood was surprisingly good.

To be honest, while he was an otaku, he was also the type who loved watching drama unfold. But for the past several years, his life had been nothing but relentless cultivation and city management—no entertainment, no excitement, just pure exhaustion.

To make things worse, everyone in the city lord’s residence treated him like some kind of high-and-mighty deity, to the point where they didn’t even dare to speak loudly in his presence.

That’s ridiculous!

Do they think I’m some celestial being who can’t be disturbed?

For years, Gu Bai had felt horribly bored—but he had to maintain his cold and aloof persona, so he couldn’t even complain.

But now?

Oh, now he was having fun.

Even if everyone in the residence was still as uptight as ever, their completely stunned expressions were enough to entertain him.

Chaos is good. Chaos is healthy.

Maintaining his icy facade, Gu Bai secretly enjoyed every single dumbfounded look they passed.

Then, Gu Shan suddenly turned his head, leaning in to whisper near Gu Bai’s ear, “Gege seems very happy.”

At the same time, his fingers lightly brushed against Gu Bai’s throat.

His voice grew lower, more teasing. “Gege trusts me so much… Aren’t you afraid I might be dangerous?”

Gu Bai glanced up—their destination, his private quarters, was right ahead. Without hesitation, he stepped inside, pulling Gu Shan in with him.

Only then did he finally respond, voice as indifferent as ever. “Mm. I’m happy.”

Then, he grabbed Gu Shan’s wrist and peeled his hand away from his neck.

“Your martial strength is too weak,” he said flatly.

Even if I let you strangle me, you wouldn’t succeed, kid.