Little Pink Starfish

According to Huating, at the time in Qi Zhirong’s private room, he had greeted Li Shu, but Li Shu was cold and indifferent, completely like he was looking at a stranger. Afterwards, Qi Zhirong politely had Qi Xiu escort him out.

“Uncle Qi arrived very late that day. He bid on the item and left immediately,” Lu Feng handed the auction catalog to everyone. “This is what Uncle Qi bid on. He acted decisively and raised the price a lot. The whole process took less than ten minutes. If Xiaoting hadn’t said he saw Li Shu, I wouldn’t have known he was even there.”

The catalog was custom-made for the auction. Lu Feng flipped to the last page — a piece of warm white jade bi-disc. Below was a brief description: from the Warring States period or possibly earlier, it was said to have belonged to Duke Huan, one of the greatest monarchs of the State of Zhongshan.

“The State of Zhongshan went through the Rongdi and Xianyu periods before it was finally called Zhongshan. It was a small minority kingdom that rose and fell, best known for defeating the strong as the weak, and for this Duke Huan,” Huating gave some background on Zhongshan, then added, “I still have the research material on the stolen map. I recently realized I had taken a wrong turn — that map actually had two locations: one in present-day northern Shaanxi, and the other near present-day Shijiazhuang, Hebei. Both were once capitals of the State of Zhongshan. The northern Shaanxi one dates back even further.”

Zhang Qiu wasn’t interested in any of that. He just wanted to find Li Shu as soon as possible.

Seeing Zhang Qiu’s anxiety, Huating said, “You probably know too — someone invited Li Shu into the tomb, and that person was Uncle Qi. Now it looks like the places Uncle Qi might be heading to are these two, and the map might have been stolen by his people as well.”

“Where does this Uncle Qi live?” Zhang Qiu asked.

Lu Feng gave the address, “It’s no use. The place is heavily guarded. Without an invitation from the owner, no one can get in.” He paused, “Before, with the friendship between our families, it might’ve been possible to visit, but ever since Uncle Qi returned from overseas, he’s changed a lot. Now connections are useless.”

Zhang Qiu’s heart sank. Facing everyone’s concerned gaze, he calmly said, “I won’t do anything reckless. Since Li Shu’s not dead, I don’t believe I won’t run into him again.”

Just wait till I do. You’re in for it! Zhang Qiu ground his teeth in his heart.

That night, Lu Feng and Huating hosted a hot pot dinner. After Zhang Qiu found out that Li Shu was safe, he relaxed. As for Li Shu losing his memory and not remembering him — Zhang Qiu just snorted inwardly. With that ice block personality of Li Shu’s, anyone who tried to get close would freeze their limbs off. He wasn’t worried at all.

So he hugged little Jiang and gave him two big kisses with a smile. “Good son, today we’re eating on someone else’s dime!”

“Eat big!” Little Jiang mimicked him, showing two sharp little tiger teeth.

That evening they met up with Pei Qing and Lingdang. It had been a month, and Lingdang had gotten fairer, with a healthy glow — not ghostly at all. No one knew how Pei Qing managed it. Lingdang wore a pink shirt with a frilly collar and fitted jeans. Already delicate and cute, dressed like that, he looked like a seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl — very adorable.

Noticing everyone looking at him, Lingdang blushed and smiled shyly. “My brother bought this for me. Is it not nice?”

Pei Qing immediately wrapped his arm around Lingdang and showered him with praise. “Nice! My Lingdang looks the best.”

Little Lingdang was overjoyed.

Zhang Qiu: ……

What else can I say? As long as you’re happy. Pei Qing might be bent, but his taste was still very straight-guy-like.

They reserved a private room. If they’d sat outside, with Xia Pi Huiwang’s appearance and how delicious Lingdang looked, they wouldn’t have been able to eat in peace. Pei Qing and Zhang Yushui would’ve had to roll up their sleeves and stand guard, glaring at people.

Beijing’s copper pot lamb hot pot was indeed authentic. Zhang Qiu sweated buckets — it was the most satisfying meal he’d had in over a month.

Little Jiang tugged on his dad’s sleeve and said cutely, “Daddy, I want to go play on the slide with Huahua.”

“Later, Daddy will go with you,” Zhang Qiu mumbled with a mouthful of lamb.

Lingdang kindly offered, “I’ll take them to play. No need to rush.” He wasn’t particular about human food. Before coming out, his brother had prepared a bunch of flavored incense sticks for him — his tummy was full.

Pei Qing wanted to go too. Last time, he just stepped out to the restroom and Lingdang was kidnapped. Nearly scared him to death.

“No need, brother. It’s just in the restaurant.”

Little Jiang puffed up his chest seriously. “I’m here too!”

Pei Qing was immediately amused. “Alright.” He glanced at Lingdang’s bright eyes and figured he wanted to play too. Maybe tomorrow he’d take Lingdang to an amusement park. There was still a bunny outfit at home — maybe he could coax Lingdang into wearing it.

Amusement park, huh? That means the Ferris wheel… Pei Qing warned sternly, “If anything happens, run.”

Lingdang didn’t yet know about the sweet suffering that awaited him tomorrow. He happily nodded and took little Jiang and Huahua out to play.

“Slow down, eat as much as you want!” Huating saw Zhang Qiu eating happily and ordered two more plates of lamb.

Zhang Qiu swallowed his food, took a sip of cold yogurt, and said with a grin, “Mwah, senior brother!”

Thin slices of lamb swished in the clear soup, dipped in rich sesame sauce, and delivered into the mouth in one bite — Zhang Qiu felt like he was floating.

Even Xia Pi Huiwang, who usually only ate until 70% full and had never shared a pot with others, found himself reaching for more under the influence of the warm atmosphere.

Everyone at the table came from different backgrounds. Their conversation meandered freely. Since his rebirth, Zhang Yushui had learned a lot. He already knew feng shui and talismanic arts. Now, he also had an ancient inheritance beyond ordinary people. When he talked about ghost stories, Zhang Qiu was utterly captivated.

“…Ghosts formed from obsession are divided into vengeful ghosts and ordinary ghosts. Ordinary ghosts repeat the same routine daily. When one day they forget their obsession, they go report to the underworld. But vengeful ghosts get worse — their resentment deepens.” Zhang Yushui changed the tone, “There’s another case — deep obsession but not a vengeful ghost. Very rare.”

“What kind is that?” Zhang Qiu was engrossed, even putting down his chopsticks.

Zhang Yushui smiled, “I learned this from the inherited knowledge. A person who dies unjustly, gathers the resentment of heaven and earth, goes through countless reincarnations, and accidentally reincarnates as obsession itself. This kind of obsession — even the person themselves might not know what it is, but instinctively they’ll go searching for it.”

Lu Feng’s expression suddenly changed. “Do you know something?”

“Mm.” Zhang Yushui shared his speculation. “I haven’t met this Uncle Qi you speak of, but from your descriptions, he does sound like what I just described. Such a person carries the deepest obsession from a past life. It can’t be said for sure if they’re good or bad — we’ll have to play it by ear.”

Just then, little Jiang came rushing in, hugged Zhang Qiu’s leg, eyes red, holding back tears.

Zhang Qiu had never seen little Jiang look so wronged. He immediately picked him up and stroked his face. “What happened, little Jiang? Tell Daddy.”

Little Jiang held back his tears, lowered his head, and said nothing.

Lingdang came in carrying Huahua. Seeing little Jiang’s pitiful state, he whispered to Zhang Qiu, “We were playing when we saw Lord Li Shu. Little Jiang got really excited and ran over, hugged Lord Li Shu’s leg, and called him Daddy… Lord Li Shu coldly pushed him away…”

Lingdang didn’t mention that Li Shu also said, “I’m not your father.”

Little Jiang was stunned, pitifully ran back and hugged Zhang Qiu, afraid that both his dads would abandon him.

Zhang Qiu exploded after hearing that. Seeing Lingdang’s hesitant expression and little Jiang’s wronged look, he could guess what had happened. He immediately stormed out with little Jiang in his arms, furious. Li Shu, you bastard!

You think I can’t deal with you?!

Zhang Qiu stormed outside with little Jiang and ran right into Li Shu.

He stopped. A month apart, the “stay away” aura around Li Shu was even colder than when they first met. His hair was cut short — neat and sharp. Just a glance from him could freeze a person.

Ha! Zhang Qiu sneered inside. I’ve seen you naked — what do I have to be afraid of?

So he walked up calmly, pretending not to know him, and coldly said, “Sir, you made my son cry just now.”

Li Shu shifted his gaze to Zhang Qiu, then to the child in his arms. He said expressionlessly, “He mistook me for someone else.” Then turned to leave.

Zhang Qiu stepped in front of him. Li Shu stared at him — still expressionless, but Zhang Qiu could see the irritation in his eyes. He didn’t move aside. Instead, he smiled, “Sir, you made my son cry. Don’t you plan to make up for it? Turning around and leaving is exactly like my ex-husband.”

“What kind of compensation?” His voice was icy.

Zhang Qiu pretended to think, then asked little Jiang what he wanted. Little Jiang lay dejectedly on his shoulder, not saying anything. Zhang Qiu patted his back, then looked at Li Shu.

“You see, my son is still sad. How about this — spend one day with him, make him happy, and that’s enough.”

Li Shu, who had just been cold and calm, furrowed his brows. He met Zhang Qiu’s gaze, then nodded. “Tomorrow.”

Zhang Qiu hadn’t expected him to actually agree. He laughed inwardly for ages but kept a businesslike face and asked for his phone number.

“I don’t have that kind of thing,” Li Shu said icily. “Tomorrow, 8 a.m., in front of this store.”

A suited man walked over and asked politely, “Sir, is there a problem?” His eyes swept over Zhang Qiu with hostility.

Li Shu looked at the man. “No.”

“Mr. Qi wants to ask you something. Please come with me,” the man said respectfully.

Zhang Qiu had gotten what he wanted. He carried his son back to the private room — he hadn’t finished his lamb!

Halfway there, Li Shu suddenly looked back at Zhang Qiu’s figure, frowning. Why did I agree to that just now? And this man’s scent… was so familiar.

That night, back at the villa, Zhang Qiu bathed little Jiang and played with him in the tub, using the old yellow duck to tease him. “You were this small when you were a baby. You loved riding the yellow duck in the tub.”

Little Jiang pouted, “It was because big daddy wanted to kiss daddy and wouldn’t let me watch, so he put me in the tub! Hmph.”

Zhang Qiu was embarrassed. He didn’t expect little Jiang to know what kissing meant at such a young age. Looks like we really need to get a two-bedroom apartment. He pretended not to understand, touched his son’s curls, and said seriously, “Don’t be upset. Big daddy didn’t forget you on purpose. He’ll remember.”

“Daddy, are you mad at big daddy?” Little Jiang played with the water, then looked up. “What if he never remembers us?”

Zhang Qiu smiled, “He will.” Trust your dad. No matter what it takes, I’ll make Li Shu remember. I called him my sweetie once. Now he wants to forget? Not a chance.

Little Jiang was encouraged by Zhang Qiu’s confidence and cheered up quickly. He stood in the tub with hands on his hips.

“Daddy, let’s sleep early! Tomorrow we can go sooner.”

“Roar!!!”

Zhang Qiu wrapped him in a towel and threw him onto the bed amid giggles.

The next morning, little Jiang woke up early, brushed his teeth on his own, packed his little backpack, and sat obediently waiting. Zhang Qiu yawned, threw on a T-shirt, and ran his hand through his hair while washing up.

Last night I dreamed all kinds of crazy stuff, like a soap opera.

Carrying his son downstairs, Zhang Qiu told his senior brother, “Don’t worry about us today — we’re off to roam free.”

Huating knew they were meeting with Li Shu and was genuinely happy for Zhang Qiu. “Have fun. I’ll have the driver take you. It’s hard to get a taxi here.”

At the hot pot place, they were three minutes late. From afar, they saw Li Shu at the door, exuding a freezing aura. Passersby gave him a wide berth.

Little Jiang was a little shy, holding a soft bun in his hand. After hesitating, he finally walked over and held the bun up high. “Big dad — eat!”

Zhang Qiu tensed up, afraid Li Shu would hurt little Jiang’s feelings again. He hurried over, ready to joke it off — and then he saw Li Shu pick up the misshapen bun with two fingers.

“Thank you.” His voice was still icy.

Hahahahaha, Li Shu — you too have your day!

Little Jiang was delighted. He rummaged in his bag and pulled out a little yellow duck. “Big daddy, this is a gift!”

Zhang Qiu laughed so hard his back almost broke. He kept nodding, “Big daddy, ducky gift!”

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Pinky says: So like, is this a fan fiction of the thriller music video?