Little Pink Starfish

Qi Xi hugged his wrinkled windbreaker and hummed, “Xiao Qiuqiu, you’re really ruthless, crushing flowers with iron hands, not a shred of pity for me—”

“As soon as I think about your true form, sorry, no pity at all,” Zhang Qiu snorted coldly in return. This guy had the nerve to pretend to be fragile when he could lift an 1.8-meter tall strong man with one hand.

“Ouch, my heart, Xiao Qiuqiu.” Qi Xi rolled on the bed. He hated his true form the most—it wasn’t good-looking at all and totally ruined his pretty-boy image.

Zhang Qiu couldn’t be bothered to argue with Qi Xi and went straight back.

On the bed, Qi Xi saw Zhang Qiu really leave, immediately began wailing about Zhang Qiu being heartless, and grabbed his phone to complain to Xiao Zhang, “…I’m going to drink and not come back sober!”

“Come on bro, don’t you know your own tolerance? Half a glass and you’re drunk, one glass and you pass out. Better not,” Xiao Zhang said on the other end, scratching his head in worry.

Qi Xi, devastated, no longer wanted to talk, cut off Xiao Zhang’s nagging call, got up, dressed beautifully, and headed downstairs to the hotel bar. He couldn’t even drink half a glass, but at least he could take a sip.

Zhang Qiu went back to the room to change Little Jiang’s clothes. Seeing the time, it was lunchtime, so he took Little Jiang to the restaurant. Not long after they started eating, they heard a loud BANG. Everyone in the restaurant froze.

They all looked toward the source—it seemed to come from the hotel’s bar area.

Zhang Qiu’s ears twitched. “Sounds like Qi Xi…”

“Let’s check it out,” Zhang Yushui said decisively.

Zhang Qiu grabbed Little Jiang and hurried over. At the bar entrance, two big men in black suits and sunglasses stood outside, blocking the way. “Gentlemen, our sir has a matter to deal with. Please wait a moment.”

The words were polite, but the tone was firm—clearly no room for negotiation.

The Lord of Xiapi smiled, pushed the man’s arm away. The man had initially underestimated him due to his good looks, but when he felt that strength, his face changed. He used all his might, but the Lord of Xiapi sneered, flipped his wrist, and the man let out a muffled cry of pain. The other guard came to help but was quickly taken down by Zhang Yushui.

Almost at the same time, Zhang Qiu, carrying Little Jiang, had already pushed the door open. When he saw what was inside, he really wanted to just close the door again.

Qi Xi’s eyes were watery, face flushed, arms wrapped around a cold-faced man’s neck, his whole body clinging to the other like dead weight. He blew air flirtatiously into the man’s ear and giggled, “Aren’t I beautiful? Why did you push me away?”

A full-on drunk fool being flirty and taking advantage.

Zhang Qiu had a headache. The man’s back was slim and tall—just from his posture you could feel his anger, without even seeing his face. Qi Xi even had the audacity to stick out his tongue and gently lick the man’s earlobe.

Not everyone’s gay, and especially not in the rough and straightforward northern Shaanxi—people here are all real men. You tease someone like that, a straight man would beat you up at best.

“Uhh… my friend’s drunk—” Zhang Qiu stepped forward. When he saw the man’s face turn around, he was stunned. “Mr. Qi?”

It was actually Qi Zhirong.

The first time Zhang Qiu met him, what impressed him most was Qi Zhirong’s indifference. He looked at everything with cold, detached eyes, like objects, completely emotionless.

But now Qi Zhirong was frowning, his face slightly red—he looked very angry. One hand was holding Qi Xi, who was still trying to climb up.

Tables and chairs nearby were all overturned. Qi Xi, lovestruck like an idiot, clung to Qi Zhirong’s neck laughing, “Baby, you can’t escape from me, hahaha I’m—”

Zhang Qiu hurriedly covered Qi Xi’s mouth. Qi Xi mumbled and struggled hard. Luckily, the Lord of Xiapi and Zhang Yushui arrived to pull the drunken lunatic off. Zhang Qiu wiped his cold sweat and apologized repeatedly, “So sorry, my friend’s drunk. Mr. Qi, please don’t be angry. When he sobers up, feel free to beat him up, he’s thick-skinned and can take it.”

Qi Zhirong returned to his usual expressionless state. Except for the faint flush, he didn’t seem angry anymore. He didn’t even look at them, just walked straight out. The two bodyguards at the door quickly followed.

The whole bar was a mess. The staff finally came out, eyes sparkling with excitement, stuttering, “Is… is that Qi Xi?”

“I’m not Qi Xi, I’m the little fairy man, where are my glasses?! I wore glasses!” Qi Xi slumped on Zhang Yushui’s shoulder, dazed.

Zhang Qiu calmly lied, “My friend has a few screws loose. We don’t know any Qi Xi. He trashed the bar—once he’s awake, you can get him to pay for damages.” He reported Qi Xi’s room number.

The staff thought about it—yeah, how could the cold and mysterious Qi Xi be a lunatic like this? Only drank two sips and went crazy, hugging and kissing whoever he saw. Luckily, they ran fast.

They dragged the babbling little fairy back. Zhang Qiu nearly wanted to kill him to silence him, but finally they made it. Zhang Yushui threw him on the bed. The three of them exchanged looks and swiftly left—couldn’t handle this version of Qi Xi.

That night, Qi Xi wrapped himself up like a dumpling and went to pay for the bar damages. He now sat with his chin in his hand, dazed and lifeless.

Zhang Qiu held Little Jiang watching cartoons, didn’t even glance at him. “Once the drunkenness passes, go apologize to Qi Zhirong. One thing has nothing to do with the other. You flirting like that—if I hadn’t gotten there early, your face would be a mess.”

“Don’t bully me just because I don’t remember. Obviously Little Rongrong was shy! His face was red, so cute!”

…

What the hell is with this random love-struck maiden tone? Zhang Qiu stiffly turned his neck to look at him. “Is your brain really okay?”

“You don’t understand. This is love.” Qi Xi waved his hand. “Tell me, how can I make him notice my beauty and fall in love quickly?”

Zhang Qiu thought of Qi Zhirong’s indifferent look and really couldn’t picture him falling in love or being shy.

“You’d better keep dreaming,” Zhang Qiu couldn’t tell if Qi Xi was joking or serious. “You weren’t like this at the banquet last time.”

“I drank some mixed alcohol that day and almost transformed, had to leave early. Didn’t even see Little Rongrong. Such a pity. We could’ve had love at first sight…”

Zhang Qiu really couldn’t keep up with him, his brain full of black lines. Finally, he could only say, “Whatever makes you happy.”

“I knew you’d support me, Xiao Qiuqiu. Alright, I’m going to change into my battle outfit and look for Little Rongrong!” Qi Xi dashed out.

Leaving Zhang Qiu bewildered. When had he ever said he supported Qi Xi?! What the hell is in this guy’s head!!!

Qi Xi really did go looking for Qi Zhirong. He harassed him daily, thick-skinned with a big imagination. Even when Zhang Qiu could clearly see Qi Zhirong was annoyed, Qi Xi still smiled and said, “My Little Rongrong is just pouting.”

Honestly, this kind of chasing is really annoying.

“You don’t get it. Someone as cold as Little Rongrong, if I don’t cling to him, I’ll never win him over.” Qi Xi shared his “experience” with Zhang Qiu, patting his chest, “You should really follow my lead—stop being so nice to Li Shu. Stick to me more—”

“Stop right there. I’d rather cuddle my Little Jiang.” Zhang Qiu didn’t want to talk to Qi Xi anymore, preferring to watch cartoons with Little Jiang.

Maybe it was Qi Xi’s frequent trips to Qi Zhirong’s place, but on the fourth night, Qi Zhirong suddenly left the hotel at 10pm, splitting into two groups. One stayed at the hotel. By morning, Zhang Yushui realized something was wrong—but by then it was too late. No one knew where he went.

Qi Xi stretched and yawned, “Why do you all look so weird? What happened?”

“Qi Zhirong left last night. We don’t know where he went. Should we ask the people who stayed behind?” Zhang Qiu asked Zhang Yushui. “Second Brother, let’s use some spooky tricks to scare them and get them to talk.”

Qi Xi burst out laughing. Zhang Qiu kicked him. Qi Xi quickly waved his hands, still grinning, “No need, I know where my Little Rongrong went—”

“You do?” Zhang Qiu looked skeptical.

Qi Xi snorted, “We’re connected by love, you wouldn’t understand.”

They had no other choice, so they half-believed him. After checking out, the Lord of Xiapi rented a seven-seater van, quickly packed up, and hit the road. Qi Xi sat in the front with sunglasses, giving Pei Qing directions.

With confidence, like he actually knew.

Zhang Qiu asked curiously, “How exactly do you know?” It was like when Li Shu used bugs to find the way.

“Told you, it’s our heart-to-heart love link. You could do it with Li Shu too,” Qi Xi said easily.

Zhang Qiu froze for a second, then looked at Zhang Yushui. “Second Brother, is that real?” At this point, even his second brother’s mystic title was being overtaken by Qi Xi.

“I’ve never heard of that name, but spells like that do exist. It’s like telepathy. But there’s a downside—if the other person gets hurt, the one linked by the spell will get hurt too.” Zhang Yushui turned to the Lord of Xiapi. “Wanna try? Sounds fun.” He leaned in to whisper.

Zhang Qiu sat awkwardly at a distance. Having good hearing at times like this was suffering.

Sharing feelings and sensations during love… Zhang Qiu couldn’t bear to look directly at his second brother’s enlightened expression.

Qi Xi smiled, “If you guys want, I can share the spell. Xiao Qiuqiu, want to plant it with Li Shu? Then he’ll feel it every time you think of him at night…”

“You know you sound creepy, right?” Zhang Qiu asked seriously.

“Tsk. Such fake seriousness.” Qi Xi refused to give up. “Whenever you want, come to me. Free for friends.”

The van went north along the highway. Qi Xi napped in the passenger seat. At noon they stopped at a service area to eat quickly. Zhang Yushui swapped in to drive after refueling. By around 7pm, it was already dark.

“Can’t sleep well in the car. Let’s find a small town nearby and rest for the night?” Qi Xi, who had slept all day, yawned.

Zhang Qiu didn’t know what to say. Everyone agreed, so they exited the highway. Just as they did, lazy boneless Qi Xi suddenly changed expression and shouted, “Let me drive. Pull over.”

“What’s wrong?” Zhang Qiu, infected by Qi Xi’s tension, grew nervous.

Qi Xi clutched his chest, “It suddenly hurt—Qi Zhirong’s in danger.”

“You’re not driving. Let me.” Pei Qing said. Since Qi Xi was linked to Qi Zhirong, if something happened, everyone would be in danger.

No one objected. They pulled over and swapped drivers. Qi Xi sat up straight beside him giving directions. Before long, his face turned pale, forehead sweaty. Zhang Qiu saw Qi Xi’s bad state but didn’t know what to do, just hoped Qi Zhirong was okay.

After ten minutes, Qi Xi said, “Exit here.”

They drove off the highway, continued over an hour on a bumpy road. It rained, and the temperature dropped. Pei Qing turned on the heater. Qi Xi’s cold sweat lessened, but he was still pale.

“Turn there,” Qi Xi pointed.

They drove into dark countryside, scattered lights from a few homes—looked like a small village.

Following Qi Xi’s directions, they entered the village. At the entrance they saw three black Land Rovers. Zhang Qiu recognized them—Qi Zhirong’s cars. They’d caught up. Before Pei Qing could park, Qi Xi jumped out and ran to a farmhouse.

Dogs barked in the night. After one bark, Zhang Qiu heard a low growl—it was Qi Xi. The barking dog went quiet and whimpered submissively.

“You’re looking for someone?”

“Where are the people who came earlier?”

“Oh oh, you’re with them? Too many staying over—gonna cost extra.”

Zhang Qiu got out with his bag and the sleeping Little Jiang. “No problem, we’ll pay.”

The owner had been frightened by Qi Xi’s fierce look earlier. Now hearing Zhang Qiu, seeing he was polite and easy to talk to, he tried to raise the price, but when he saw Pei Qing, he muttered a local curse and pointed to the upstairs room. “It’s late, just make do. We don’t have enough bedding. Keep quiet, and get some sleep…”

Then he threw on a coat and went back.

Qi Xi had already gone upstairs. The house had two floors, one big shared room, no separate spaces. When Zhang Qiu and the others brought their things up, the door opened—atmosphere was tense. Six men in suits stood up and stared at them.

Zhang Qiu immediately saw Li Shu sitting on a chair, eyes closed. Maybe sensing the stare, he opened his eyes—sharp and cold. After recognizing Zhang Qiu, he looked away.

“This is fate! I just wanted to say hi to your boss—no need to be so serious!” Qi Xi smiled brightly, completely different from earlier panic.

The six didn’t move. Zhang Qiu noticed a narrow bed in the back corner—probably Qi Zhirong. Despite the noise, he slept soundly. Qi Xi had been right—he was injured but probably okay now.

The room was narrow and long. One man glanced at them and said sternly, “This half is ours. Don’t come over.” Especially aimed at Qi Xi.

Except for the narrow bed, the room had a makeshift bed made of chairs and boards, covered with a thin straw mat. The six men didn’t touch it, sleeping in their own sleeping bags.

Zhang Qiu pressed on the board bed—it creaked and was hard as a rock. He held Little Jiang in one arm, used his coat to wrap him tightly. They didn’t bring much warm clothing, let alone bedding or sleeping bags.

The Lord of Xiapi saw Zhang Qiu struggling. “You lie there with Little Jiang. We’ll make do on the chairs.”

“There’s no difference anyway.” Zhang Qiu said, but still laid Little Jiang on the bed. He padded it with a few clothes and lay sideways next to him.

After a while, Qi Xi tossed Zhang Qiu a bathrobe. Zhang Qiu thanked him and lay down, eyes still staring through the crowd straight at Li Shu on the chair.

He fell asleep unknowingly. In the middle of the night, he shivered from the cold. Suddenly, something heavy covered him. He woke with a start—and met a familiar pair of eyes.

“Li Shu?”

Li Shu had already turned away. Zhang Qiu grabbed the thing on him—it was a brand new, unopened sleeping bag. He looked toward Li Shu on the chair, grinning from ear to ear.

Even with amnesia, Li Shu still loved him to death.

Zhang Qiu thought smugly.