Little Pink Starfish

Chen Yuanhao nodded. “Ziche Shubai is indeed deeply hidden. No matter how I tried to probe, he remained completely unfazed, blocking every attempt at conversation…”

Qiu Tu replied, “I wasn’t talking about him.”

Chen Yuanhao paused. “You mean… his personal bodyguard?”

Qiu Tu said, “He is dangerous.”

Though Chen Yuanhao and Qiu Tu hadn’t known each other long, their relationship was built on mutual benefit. They bickered often, but he trusted Qiu Tu’s judgment.

After a moment of thought, he asked, “So, what are you saying?”

Qiu Tu raised two fingers. “Either take the risk and use him as a way to get closer to Ziche Shubai, or completely abandon the idea of pulling him into our network.” He continued, “You may choose one.”

Chen Yuanhao frowned. “I need connections. I need to expand my power quickly.”

Qiu Tu nodded. “I have a feeling that getting involved with that man will bring us something… different. But it may also…”

Chen Yuanhao closed his eyes for a brief moment. “There is no gain without loss.”

Meanwhile, Gu Bai had no idea that his simple decision to have Gu Xiaoshan escort them out had unknowingly linked the protagonist’s future number one lackeys together.

Right now, his biggest concern was… dormitory arrangements.

There was no doubt that, with his high-level wu jun strength, he would enter the inner courtyard. However, the dormitory rules were annoying.

Bringing servants was allowed, but there was a limit—one male servant and up to eight female servants.

Back when Gu Bai originally wrote this rule, his reasoning was simple: no other men around to be third wheels, but having a single male servant for errands made sense. Meanwhile, the limit for female attendants was high because… well, it was a harem novel. The more women around, the spicier the drama.

Within Qingtian Academy, the protagonist had entanglements with nearly all the top beauties. And because snakes are inherently lustful (→ no doubt this was one of the core reasons for choosing the “Heaven-Swallowing Serpent Bloodline”), one woman was never enough to satisfy the protagonist’s desires.

Thus, this rule existed purely to facilitate writing steamy scenes where multiple beauties spent nights entwined with the protagonist…

And because of that month when Gu Bai had filled the academy arc with explicit group scenes, he had received a flood of rewards from readers—so much that he literally got tired of counting money.

That moment cemented his glorious but irreversible path as a harem novel writer.

But for Gu Bai, who only liked 2D women, having so many real ones around was more of a burden than a benefit.

He thought about it and decided that he would rather not fill the servant quota than bring in unfamiliar women. → Though, at this point, he barely even needed the four maids he already had.

That was all fine.

The real problem was that there were too many female servant slots and not enough male ones.

—He couldn’t possibly make his four death warriors crossdress, right?!

Gu Bai sighed.

Gu Xiaoshan had already taken over every duty of a maid and was doing it exceptionally well, but he was still officially a bodyguard. Having someone of his high-level wu shi rank serve as his personal protection was embarrassing.

Even though the death warriors were technically weaker than him, at least they were mid-level wu shi—strong enough to handle minor fights on his behalf.

Right now, he was faced with the choice of either keeping the mostly unnecessary maids or cutting down on actual protection.

Ugh… whatever. Too much trouble.

Gu Bai thought about Gu Xiaoshan’s constant, overwhelming sense of insecurity and decided to compromise.

Even if he wouldn’t be useful in combat, he could still run errands.

If there was ever a situation where death warriors were needed, he could always send Gu Xiaoshan to fetch them.

And if that didn’t work out… the maids were still stronger than him.

Actually… this might be a good way to boost my prestige.

With that settled, Gu Bai stopped overthinking it.

As Gu Xiaoshan entered from outside, Gu Bai looked over and asked, “Xiaoshan, how did it go?”

Gu Xiaoshan smiled gently. “They didn’t say much. They seem intelligent.”

Gu Bai kept a neutral face. “Since they’re intelligent, be careful around them.”

If they trick you into meeting the protagonist, I’ll be in danger too. Just stay away from them, alright?! Now that I’ve warned you, my obedient Xiaoshan will definitely listen and ignore them, right?!

Gu Xiaoshan obediently nodded. “Yes, gege.” His expression was innocent, like untouched snow, or the first blossom of spring. “I understand.”

Ziche Shubai already rejected them, yet he still went out of his way to bring them up again?

The only other time he acted this way was when he talked about “Qi Guan Rui.”

Why…?

It seemed like a simple reminder to be cautious, but the seriousness of his tone made it feel… odd.

It made me want to find out more.

The academy registration day arrived quickly.

It was mostly a formality—the tests included age verification, a background check, and a strength assessment. As long as a candidate met the standards, they were guaranteed admission.

Gu Bai still wore his white silk robe with a silver gauze overlay, his high jade crown, and his pristine gloves. He exuded an air of authority and indifference—a noble young master among noble young masters.

But unlike usual, he wasn’t riding in style. This time, he walked.

Gu Bai knew that maintaining a majestic image was important, but doing it constantly could be risky.

Take the registration day, for example. It seemed simple, but occasionally, a few old monsters would secretly observe.

Supposedly, they were looking for potential disciples, which, of course, worked in the protagonist’s favor.

But to Gu Bai? Those old geezers weren’t golden opportunities—they were massive liabilities.

Gu Xiaoshan walked one step behind him, with the four maids further back.

The death warriors had already been given a pile of money and were stationed outside the academy to establish influence.

It didn’t matter if they started small or got exploited early on. As long as they gained a foothold here, it would all be worth it in the long run.

—This was, after all, a borrowed tactic from a minor boss in the original novel.

As they walked, the crowd parted like the Red Sea.

Under countless gazes, Gu Bai arrived at the entrance of Qingtian Academy.

A massive stone gate blocked the way, towering over the road. It looked ridiculously sturdy.

It was made from top-grade martial stone, exuding wealth and extravagance.

Gu Bai remained completely calm.

He wasn’t some clueless country bumpkin.

So you need to push it open with raw strength? And only a wu jun can turn it blue to pass?

Easy.

Soon, groups of young nobles swarmed in from every direction, each bringing their own lackeys.

The tension between them was palpable, as if they were about to start biting each other.

One glance told Gu Bai that most of these rich boys weren’t worth his time.

Time to flex on them a little.

The next moment, an icy chill spread from him, instantly freezing a ten-meter radius in frost.

The nobles, now covered in ice crystals from head to toe, turned to see Gu Bai standing there—hands clasped behind his back.

Holy shit. A top-tier rich, handsome powerhouse!

Jealousy! Hatred! The urge to punch his face!

But then they saw his aura and calmed the hell down.

Maybe they should go home and ask their dads first…

Gu Xiaoshan, watching from the side, admired him deeply.

No matter where Ziche Shubai goes, he always carries himself with such absolute confidence.

…It makes me want to gouge out the eyes of everyone who dares look at him.

Gu Bai stepped forward and placed his gloved hand on the gate.

In an instant, the entire stone blazed bright blue—so brilliant it spread across the entire gate like a pure gemstone.

The crowd gasped in awe.

This guy is insane!

Gu Bai, expressionless, turned to Gu Xiaoshan. “Let’s go.”

Gu Xiaoshan smiled gently. “Yes… gege.”

The maids followed with perfect synchronization, their veiled faces hinting at overwhelming beauty.

The noble sons watching clenched their fists.

Damn it! I want to punch that bastard even more now!

Just as Gu Bai stepped through the academy gate, a hand suddenly shot out like lightning!

He instinctively dodged, his mind roaring in fury.

What the hell?! Why am I getting groped like a girl?!