Little Pink Starfish

A few days later —

First Star District of the Earth Alliance
The Snake Pit

“I understand, I’ll be careful. I don’t think there will be any major issues with the treatment, not with Master Snake himself.”

“Thank you for your concern.”

“Pheromone therapy… yes, I’ll do it…”

“Yes, today… I’m doing this willingly. I don’t feel resistant at all. In fact, I really hope I can differentiate successfully soon. That way, Mr. Si’s pheromone dependency might improve too…”

…

“Alright, see you at the next session.”

Su Liang sat on the soft, plush sofa in the tranquil garden room. But his body, still tense, was sore all over. After finally ending the video call with the medical officer, he let out a breath of relief—his forehead already dotted with cold sweat.

The Alliance’s border anti-piracy combat exercise, codenamed “Spring Outing,” had been successfully concluded a few days ago.

The victims who had escaped from Farm N had, thanks to Su Liang’s sleepless efforts, regained some emotional stability. Once they were deemed physically capable of long-distance travel, the Snake Pit’s ship left some combat units behind while the main force quickly returned to the First Star District for further treatment and investigation.

That chaotic “Spring Outing” had finally come to an end. After handing the victims over to the Snake Pit’s central care division, Su Liang—who had only planned to visit—could finally relax.

This should have been a moment of relief. But for Su Liang, things were… complicated.

With his responsibilities out of the way, the personal matters he had pushed to the background now surfaced.

Like… the Snake Pit’s leader, Lu Taipan, and his rare case of pheromone dependency.

Back in Zone 48, since both of them were technically on mission duty, aside from their first encounter, they hadn’t undergone any intense therapy sessions afterward. Certainly no deeper pheromone-release treatments.

But now that they were back in the Snake Pit, that matter was back on the agenda.

The senior medical officer had even insisted on conducting multiple remote video consultations with Su Liang to “guide” him.

Of course, this wasn’t normal protocol.

That elder Beta medical officer had once held great trust in Lu Taipan.

Back when Su Liang was still aboard the ship, he frequently visited for routine checkups. During one of those, concerned, Su Liang asked about Lu Taipan’s condition.

After learning how the man had described his symptoms and pain to the oblivious young Omega, the medical officer’s trust in his commander shattered in an instant.

Since then, the talkative and overly concerned doctor made it his mission to constantly remind Su Liang to be very careful around Lu Taipan.

One might even say he was consumed by guilt.

“Your situation is indeed complicated. If you truly need a high-compatibility Alpha’s pheromones to help your development, then I strongly advise you to stay separate from Master Snake.”

During one joint visit to the medical center, the doctor had said that with a straight face—right in front of Lu Taipan.

Su Liang hadn’t known how to respond. He genuinely believed Mr. Si was different from other Alphas.

Having experienced Lu Taipan’s moments of near-loss of control, Su Liang understood just how terrifyingly strong the man’s self-restraint was.

Still, pheromone dependency was real. And so was the need for mutual treatment.

Even if it was awkward, Su Liang still signed the treatment agreement—his cheeks flushed bright red.

And the first step of that treatment?

Moving in.

Yes. From today on, Su Liang would be living with Lu Taipan.

It sounded absurd, but it was one of the officially recommended treatments from the medical department.

Shared living provided a sense of emotional stability and comfort. The gentle mingling of pheromones in such a setting could significantly alleviate the psychological strain caused by Lu Taipan’s dependency.

At the same time, Su Liang could absorb those ambient pheromones through skin contact and breathing, helping promote his body’s differentiation in a natural and gradual way.

Today was the day Su Liang was to move into Lu Taipan’s residence.

“Living together… huh?”

Su Liang muttered, slightly dazed.

He returned to his room and placed his carefully packed items into a suitcase. But as he bent over, a sudden wave of aching weakness from deep inside made his movements pause.

“Master Su Liang, the time has arrived. Are you ready?”

The gentle voice of the AI butler came through his earpiece. Su Liang straightened up quickly, voice turning calm and composed.

“I’m ready. Let’s go.”

As if that earlier discomfort had never happened, Su Liang descended the stairs and pushed open the door, prepared to follow his schedule.

“Sorry for the wait, Mr. Steward…”

He spoke absently—then looked up and froze.

“Mr. Si?”

The one waiting outside wasn’t the AI steward.

It was Lu Taipan himself.

Today, he wasn’t in combat gear, but a formal military uniform—pure black fabric, cinched belt, polished boots. The clean lines of the outfit hugged his tall, powerful frame, emphasizing his strength and agility like a sleek, wild predator.

His long black hair was loosely tied back with a silver clasp.

Even with the black alloy bite inhibitor covering the lower half of his face, the man still looked devastatingly handsome in the amber glow of sunset.

He looked like a demon—one who knocks on your door at dusk to steal your soul.

Lu Taipan calmly observed the stunned awe on Su Liang’s face.

It was precisely this look he had dressed up for. The AI butler had been denied its chance—for good reason.

“I came to pick you up,” he said simply.

Then, without waiting, he took the suitcase from Su Liang’s hand.

It was surprisingly light. Lu Taipan frowned slightly but said nothing—Su Liang would be staying with him for a long while, after all.

Everything he did next was smooth and natural.

Before Su Liang could react, he was already being led toward the aircraft—as if he were a husband bringing his newlywed spouse home.

“T-Thank you… for coming to pick me up.”

Su Liang, flustered for no reason, followed beside him, speaking quietly.

Lu Taipan glanced sideways, the corners of his mouth twitching slightly in amusement.

“Of course,” he replied calmly.

As if he hadn’t spent ten times the usual effort choosing this uniform just for this moment.

After a pause, however, the master of the Snake Pit let a rare touch of cheer slip into his voice.

“After all… you’re my cohabitant now.”

…

Though Lu Taipan usually resided at the medical center, he did have a true private residence in the Snake Pit.

A secret base nicknamed “Throne”—hidden deep within the Snake Pit, and perhaps the most heavily guarded location in the entire First Star District.

The aircraft flew smoothly toward “Throne,” piloted by the AI.

During the ride, Lu Taipan retrieved a small, black metal box from his coat.

It shimmered faintly with a blue sheen, clearly not of Earth origin.

After inputting a string of complex commands, the sealed box opened like a blooming flower, revealing a micro-suspension field.

Floating inside the glowing sphere was a translucent object—like a miniature snake.

“What’s that?” Su Liang asked curiously.

Lu Taipan carefully took it out.

“This is a Serpent Scale,” he said. “You can think of it as a key to ‘Throne’—though it has other uses. You’ll find out later.”

His voice was especially gentle, his gaze soft.

“All your information and access levels are already input. From now on, you can move freely through the Snake Pit, access any mech, and the weapon and defense systems will grant you top-tier protection during emergencies.”

He smiled faintly.

“I had Engineering prepare it a long time ago. The only thing left is one final step—it needs to be bound to your body. The Serpent Scale uses nanotech and embeds itself into your skin. Look—”

He tapped his earlobe, and a faint red mark appeared where the implant was.

“Normally we insert them here. Or on the fingertip, if you prefer. It’s only a tiny sting, very mild.”

“Then… I’ll pick my finger,” Su Liang said quickly.

Having Lu Taipan personally pierce his earlobe felt way too intimate.

As he reached for the Serpent Scale, his movement paused.

Lu Taipan had already reached out, gently holding Su Liang’s middle finger.

Then—kneeling on one knee like a knight—he raised Su Liang’s hand in both of his.

He looked up, solemn.

So close, Su Liang could see his own reflection in those dark eyes.

Alpha pheromones filled the air—warm and rich, like moss after rain and faint incense smoke. Cold yet intoxicating, coiling around him like a giant serpent.

Lu Taipan’s fingers were cool—but Su Liang felt his whole body heat up.

“May I?” the man asked, his voice low and hoarse.

Su Liang’s lashes trembled. After a brief pause, he replied:

“Please… go ahead.”

The moment he spoke, he felt the faintest sting on his fingertip—like a cold needle, gone in an instant beneath the thundering of his heart.

The Serpent Scale was now embedded in his body.

Just like Lu Taipan said, it didn’t hurt much. Just a small droplet of blood welled up—but against Su Liang’s pale skin, it looked vivid and stark.

Before he could react—

Lu Taipan suddenly lowered his head.

Alpha pheromones spilled across Su Liang’s skin.

The bite inhibitor was cold and metallic.

But a wet, warm sensation slid out from between the metal plates—licking away the droplet of blood.

…

“Disinfection,” Lu Taipan said, lifting his head.

His Adam’s apple bobbed.

In the dim light, his eyes were piercing.

Even though Su Liang knew the man couldn’t actually do anything through the bite inhibitor…

Being looked at like that made him shiver.

His nape began to burn.

The aching heat in his body stirred again.

And he suddenly recalled the doctor’s warning—

“Master Snake has amazing self-control, but… if the Omega is you, that might not be enough.”

“You must be careful!”

Just as Su Liang’s nerves peaked—

Lu Taipan abruptly sat back and created distance.

“Sorry. It’s the dependency—I lost control for a second.”

His voice was calm. Apologetic.

The strong, invasive aura vanished, replaced by the usual reserved gentlemanliness.

Su Liang exhaled—only now realizing he had been holding his breath the whole time.

He curled his fingers. That wet, burning touch still lingered on his skin.

Face flushed, he glared at Lu Taipan.

No matter how sincere or composed the man looked—some things couldn’t be hidden.

…

“…Next time, be more careful.”

After a long while, Su Liang’s soft voice finally broke the silence in the aircraft.