Little Pink Starfish

Everyone knows this common rule: when you stay at home, nothing ever happens, but the moment you step outside, countless unexpected events will occur.

This phenomenon is known as “protagonist privilege,” and as the unfortunate male lead who transmigrated into a book, Gu Bai had the honor of experiencing it firsthand.

Thus, after ten days of smooth travel, the carriage suddenly let out a “ka-ba” and came to a halt.

At this time, Gu Bai had already gotten used to lying on Qi Guan Rui’s lap → after all, with his current physique, lying down and reading wouldn’t cause nearsightedness.

The “ka-ba” naturally alerted the two of them.

Qi Guan Rui, who had been silently absorbing wu qi, opened his eyes, a flash of cold light quickly vanishing within them.

Gu Bai put down his book. “What is it?”

Qi Guan Rui softly asked, “Gege, do you want me to go ask?”

Gu Bai waved his hand. “No need for you to go.” Then he called out, “Lü Xiao.”

As the leader of the four great maids, the stunning beauty in a green dress gracefully appeared outside the innermost chamber.

(Note: The chambers are separated by gauze curtains and sliding doors.)

Lü Xiao bowed slightly, her voice as melodious as an oriole’s song. “City Lord.”

Gu Bai asked coolly, “What happened?”

Lü Xiao responded respectfully, “Reporting to the City Lord, someone is causing trouble ahead, and our carriage cannot pass easily.”

Gu Bai raised an elegant eyebrow. “Oh? Tell me the details.”

Lü Xiao, even more respectful, vividly recounted the events up ahead.

It turned out that they were currently traveling through a desolate wilderness.

—Wait a minute, why did this scene feel so familiar?

It was definitely a prelude to trouble!

Gu Bai really wanted to cut Lü Xiao off immediately, but in order to maintain his image as the City Lord, he could only continue listening while internally cringing.

Sure enough, as expected, what he encountered was a classic trope in every harem novel… The hero saves the beauty.

Yes, up ahead, a delicate and easily overwhelmed young maiden was being pursued by a group of burly men.

But for some reason, even though she clearly had no physical strength, she had still managed to flee for so long → which, of course, was one of the unscientific aspects of harem novels.

The maiden’s eyes lit up when she saw the luxurious carriage.

What would an ordinary person’s first reaction be upon seeing such an extravagant carriage?

That’s right! A rich person! If someone dared to flaunt their wealth so boldly, they must be capable! If they were capable, they could surely save her life!

Naturally, the maiden cried out for help.

But as personal guards handpicked by the City Lord of Tiandu City, these warriors had no intention of pitying the weak and cherishing the fairer sex.

So instead of immediately jumping off to rescue her, the mighty and imposing carriage actually blocked her escape route.

Maiden: Heavens, are you trying to kill me…

But just then, the master of the carriage, Gu Bai, heard the commotion—he asked about it.

As a young man with ideals, morals, martial skills, and refined taste, he could have easily turned a blind eye. However, although Lü Xiao didn’t say it outright, her eyes were practically sparkling with little pikapika stars—what the hell! She was making it so obvious; could he really pretend not to see this?!

Gu Bai felt utterly helpless.

He really wished he hadn’t gone out of his way to ask… Who knew if that maiden outside was actually a man-eating flower?

But he also couldn’t destroy the noble image he had in Lü Xiao’s eyes…

Gu Bai sat up, his expression indifferent. “Kill them all, leave only the one calling for help.”

Lü Xiao immediately replied, “Understood!”

Then, like a gust of wind, she flew out to deliver the order.

Qi Guan Rui rested his chin on Gu Bai’s shoulder. “Gege… do you like beauties?” His finger twirled a strand of Gu Bai’s hair, his voice gentle. “The entire Tiandu City belongs to gege. If you like her, why not take her as a concubine…”

Gu Bai’s mouth twitched.

…So in your eyes, Gu Xiaoshan, I’m the kind of guy who loses all sense at the sight of beauty?

Wrong! Completely wrong! You’ve got it totally wrong! You’re absolutely mistaken about your gege, okay?!

I’m just giving my loyal subordinates a small workplace perk within acceptable limits!

It’s definitely not because the journey was too boring and I wanted some entertainment!

Gu Bai’s heart was thundering with a million stampeding horses, but none of these emotions could be conveyed to the true man-eating flower behind him.

Qi Guan Rui, seeing no response from Gu Bai, gradually darkened his gaze.

He was feeling a little displeased.

If Ziche Shubai really let a woman distract him… His fingers tightened slightly.

Gu Bai: “…Mm.”

Gu Xiaoshan, you’re pulling my hair too hard, you brat!

Qi Guan Rui loosened his grip.

If Ziche Shubai was distracted by a woman, then he’d just kill the woman.

Or turn her into a puppet.

And if Ziche Shubai actually favored that woman…

Qi Guan Rui slightly parted his lips, forming the shape of a “boom.”

I’ll make the puppet self-destruct in bed.

By then, Ziche Shubai, covered in blood and flesh, would surely look stunning.

The death warriors of Tiandu City were highly efficient. The burly men outside were no match, and within minutes, a report came back.

“City Lord, the bandits have been eliminated, and the girl has been rescued. Where should she be brought for interrogation?”

Gu Bai sighed. Damn it, of course I have to go out to see her.

This carriage was his private domain—what, was it open to any random cat or dog? Was that a joke?

So he said, “Open the door.”

The death warriors: “…Yes.”

Thus, the maids lifted the curtains, slid open the doors—grand display, full spectacle.

Qi Guan Rui, seeing Gu Bai rise, stood up as well. “Gege, I’ll go with you.”

Gu Bai nodded. “Come.”

The two of them, one ahead and one behind, stepped out of the carriage.

Just as Gu Bai was about to exit, his footsteps suddenly paused.

It wasn’t that he had second thoughts—it was that he realized a serious problem.

He… hadn’t changed clothes!

Because he had spent every day in the carriage with only Qi Guan Rui for company, he had, of course, dressed for maximum comfort. In other words, he was wearing very casual homewear.

But now he was meeting outsiders. How could he show up in sleepwear?!

That would completely destroy his image!

But if he turned back just to change clothes… That would also ruin his image! TAT So now, he was stuck in an awkward dilemma.

Qi Guan Rui… was very perceptive.

The moment Gu Bai hesitated, he noticed his struggle. A quick glance over, and he immediately understood.

Normally, he might have found it amusing. But not only had Gu Bai saved a woman, now he was going to see that woman—and he even wanted to change clothes for it… His mood grew even darker, his gaze slightly twisted.

But Gu Bai remained oblivious.

He thought and thought, then suddenly had a brilliant idea. He turned sharply. “…Xiaoshan.”

This is your moment to shine, dear!

Qi Guan Rui instantly masked his expression. “Gege?”

Gu Bai sized him up. Before, he had always thought Qi Guan Rui’s height made him look bad as an older brother, but now—wow, this guy’s physique was just too good!

He immediately said, “Walk ahead of me and clear the way.”

Qi Guan Rui was slightly surprised.

Gu Bai lowered his voice. “…Block me a little.”

Qi Guan Rui was momentarily stunned before realization dawned.

He smiled slightly and nodded. “I’ll make sure she doesn’t see a single bit of you, gege.”

Gu Bai patted his shoulder in encouragement.

Good bro, true loyalty!

Qi Guan Rui’s mood lightened. He stepped forward and positioned himself right in front of Gu Bai—completely shielding him.

With this arrangement, Gu Bai could see outside if he turned his head slightly, but from the outside, no one could see him.

Perfect. Image preserved.

Gu Bai then took a look.

Aside from the mountain of burly corpses neatly stacked to the side, there was only a young girl sitting on the grass.

A beautiful, innocent young girl dressed in pitiful white, eyes brimming with tears—her expression a mix of grievance and gratitude.

Any man who saw her would want to hold her in his arms and protect her.

Because she was so delicate, so fragile, so heartachingly lovely.

But no matter how he looked… this girl was way too scrawny.

Though her features were pretty, she still looked very childish.

Yes, this was an eleven or twelve-year-old girl—or rather, a child, a little girl.

Which explained why even a fully trained, disciplined maid like Lü Xiao had felt sympathy for her.

…Well, great, another underage kid.

Even after transmigrating for so long, Gu Bai still had a soft spot for such helpless creatures.

He glanced at the girl and gestured to Lü Xiao. “Watch over her.”

Lü Xiao, understanding the City Lord’s intent, immediately helped the girl onto a soft stool that had just been brought out.

The girl, still frightened, sat obediently. With death warriors wielding massive blades on either side, she didn’t even dare to cry.

Lü Xiao then gently asked, “Little girl, what’s your name? Where are you from?”

The girl hesitated, then softly answered, “I… I’m Yun Menglian, from Qinze Hundred Herbs Village…”

She quickly added, as if afraid of disbelief, “Really! I went up the mountain to gather herbs, but then those men started chasing me. I don’t even know why they wanted to kill me! If you hadn’t saved me, I… I would have died…”

Rumble rumble rumble!

The moment Gu Bai heard her name, his mind thundered with shock.

Holy shit, it’s Yun Menglian!

Why the hell is it Yun. Meng. Lian?!

Gu Bai was so stunned he was momentarily speechless.

Among his protagonist’s three thousand-strong harem, the most famous members were the One Empress, Two Consorts, Four Fairies, and Eight Beauties.

And Yun Menglian—by sheer effort alone—had managed to climb up to become one of the three most important women to the protagonist.

The Hundred Herbs Honored Consort.

A mere village girl—who would later become one of his most cherished women.