Little Pink Starfish

By the time they emerged from Moon Bay, the sky had begun to lighten. All the bodyguards in the formation were safe. When they saw Xiao Lin behind them, their eyes widened—especially the two who’d gone down to dig the tunnel—their faces turned pale again, nearly fainting a second time.

“Mr. Qi, it’s good you’re alright. We were so worried! But, um, why is Xiao… Xiao Lin here too?”

Qi Zhirong turned and glanced behind him. His expression remained cold as he said, “Seal the tunnel.”

The bodyguards saw his low mood and assumed they’d come up empty—nothing valuable found below. And really, in such a ghostly, eerie place, what treasures could possibly exist?

Everyone got to work—sealing the tunnel, packing up the camp—each had their own job. It wasn’t long before they were ready to leave.

Some guards were still muttering, “What happened to that strangely good-looking guy? Did something happen to him down there?”

“Enough, don’t talk about it.” A-Gui cut in, glancing subtly at the boss. Back in the tomb, Qi Xi’s look toward the boss had been far from friendly. He’d genuinely feared a fight might break out—thankfully, Qi Xi had just left.

Zhang Qiu walked ahead, holding Little Jiang’s chubby hand. He asked Li Shu, worried, “Where do you think Qixi ran off to? Just now I thought he was going to kill Qi Zhirong.”

“That look didn’t seem like he wanted to kill Qi Zhirong,” Li Shu replied calmly. Seeing Zhang Qiu about to press further, he asked instead, “What’s fun in Xi’an?”

Zhang Qiu was momentarily startled by the subject change but quickly lit up. “So much! Are you going?”

“Depends.” Li Shu was quite satisfied to see himself reflected entirely in Zhang Qiu’s eyes.

Zhang Qiu’s whole face seemed to glow as he started listing all the fun and tasty things in Xi’an.

Over the hill, on the return trip, they had one less Qi Xi and one more Xiao Lin. He clearly couldn’t stay with Qi Zhirong’s group anymore. Even A-Gui looked uneasy around him. Besides, Xiao Lin still had unfinished business.

Back at the hotel in the county town, Zhang Qiu first headed to Qi Xi’s room—only to run into Qi Zhirong, who was standing at the door, not knocking. Zhang Qiu wasn’t sure what to say.

“I’ve got his key—always losing things, he made me hold it,” Zhang Qiu said, opening the door. Inside, designer clothes were strewn everywhere—clearly abandoned in a rush. Zhang Qiu turned to see Qi Zhirong still standing in the doorway, unreadable. When he saw Zhang Qiu looking, he nodded slightly and turned to leave.

For a moment, Qi Zhirong’s back looked almost pitiful. Zhang Qiu sighed. Maybe he was being too soft-hearted, but he still couldn’t help saying, “With his personality, he’ll be fine. Don’t worry.”

“Thank you,” Qi Zhirong said without turning.

After he left, Zhang Qiu packed up Qi Xi’s things like a housekeeper. A single sweater here was worth more than his entire year’s tuition and living expenses—yet Qi Xi just threw it on the floor. He really wanted to beat him up.

By 9 a.m., Qi Zhirong had already checked out and left with his guards, settling all expenses before departure.

Zhang Yushui looked at the payment receipt and smiled. “That’ll be plenty of milk money for our little egg.”

“Second brother, is your egg drinking gold dust?!” Zhang Qiu glanced at the amount and clicked his tongue. Qi Zhirong was really loaded.

“No need to be jealous—your Li Shu earned two more zeroes than I did.”

Zhang Qiu: !!!!

He didn’t want to seem shallow and money-hungry, but he couldn’t help it—the thought of all those extra zeroes had his mouth grinning from ear to ear. It almost felt like Li Shu’s money was his.

Li Shu glanced at him, eyes twinkling. He thought Zhang Qiu looked cute when his eyes sparkled like that.

“Sir, can we stop by Chengdu first?” Lingdang asked softly, eyes red.

Zhang Qiu thought maybe Pei Qing had been a bit too “rough” again and Lingdang wanted to run away. If so, he’d be all for it. But then he heard Lingdang’s soft words: “Xiao Lin is so pitiful! Can we help him finish his last wish first?”

Xiao Lin stood off to the side, like a transparent shadow. Seeing their eyes turn to him, he looked embarrassed, but his resolve made him speak up, “Master Zhang, I really want to go to Chengdu. I—I can give you the compensation my boss left me.”

“That’s not necessary. I said I’d help for free, and I meant it,” Zhang Yushui replied cheerfully. He’d just gotten the green light for a little phoenix egg—he was in a great mood.

If the Xiapi Prince knew his silence had been taken as agreement to have a baby, he’d definitely be mad. And if they were going to have one, why not a little jiangshi? He thought Little Jiang was adorable.

They drove to Yulin, then flew directly to Chengdu.

At the airport, Zhang Qiu sent Qi Xi’s luggage to Beijing. Originally, he planned to have his senior pick it up, but accidentally dialed Qi Xi instead—and it actually connected.

“Xiao Qiuqiu, what’s up?”

Same familiar tone. Zhang Qiu replied naturally, “You didn’t take your stuff. I packed it and sent it to Beijing. Figure out how to pick it up.”

“Mwah~ Xiao Qiuqiu, you’re so sweet. I suspect you’ve fallen for my beauty—”

“Scram.” Zhang Qiu rolled his eyes. “Good to know you’re okay.”

Qi Xi laughed over the phone, chatted a bit more, then sincerely said “thank you” before hanging up.

The familiar tone made Zhang Qiu feel like Qi Xi hadn’t changed at all. But of course—how could that be? Still, he was alive. That was enough.

He turned and met Li Shu’s gaze. Zhang Qiu assumed he was worried about Qi Xi too and smiled. “It’s probably nothing serious. We can relax and have fun now.”

“Mm.”

Zhang Qiu stared at Li Shu’s back, confused. Why does it feel like he’s angry all of a sudden?

Little Jiang sighed beside him, propping his chubby cheeks on his hands.

“What’s wrong, my sweet son? Hungry?” Zhang Qiu offered quickly. “Daddy will get you ice cream!”

Ice cream? That sounded good. Little Jiang licked his tiny tiger fangs, happily forgetting his earlier worries. Ice cream mattered more.

After dessert, father and son returned to their silly, sweet selves.

Nearby, Lingdang was licking his cone delicately with a pink tongue—so much that Pei Qing’s eyes glazed over. Moments later, he dragged Lingdang to the bathroom.

Zhang Qiu lay sprawled across the airport lounge chairs. He’d eaten too much and his belly was poking out. Rubbing it comfortably, he muttered, “Pei Qing’s such a beast!” Then glanced at the time, chuckling, “Boarding in 20 minutes. Haha, Pei Qing’s gonna die of frustration.”

Li Shu’s gaze fell to Zhang Qiu’s slightly rounded stomach. He couldn’t resist—reached out and rubbed it.

Zhang Qiu stiffened like he’d been electrocuted. He hadn’t had sex in nearly three months. Just that light touch had him buzzing—and his lower half… showed signs of life.

“Uncomfortable?” Li Shu asked, pausing.

Zhang Qiu’s face reddened. Embarrassed, he changed his sitting position discreetly to hide his… reaction. “No, just spacing out from being full.”

“Don’t eat too much in the future.” Li Shu’s hand softened, slowly rubbing. “How’s that?”

“H-huh?” Zhang Qiu mumbled, face growing redder. It felt nice. Too nice. But this was torture. If he didn’t stop soon, Zhang Qiu might lose it—right here in public.

He jumped to his feet. “Gotta pee!” Then fled.

Outside the bathroom, familiar sounds drifted out.

“…Shh, not too loud. I’ll get jealous if someone hears. Lingdang’s lovely voice is mine alone.”

“Why isn’t it growing yet? Lingdang, have you been slacking off? Didn’t use the toy I gave you…”

“But I really tried, gege! I studied hard, but I just can’t get it right. Is Lingdang dumb? Ah! Not there—”

“Shhh, don’t cry. It’s not your fault. It’s gege’s fault for not teaching you deeply enough. Now touch here and feel—”

Zhang Qiu stood frozen. My poor ears! Can’t these two be quieter?!

But they were quiet—he just had excellent hearing now. Lingdang’s suppressed moans echoed in his ears, making the fire Li Shu had ignited burn even hotter. He splashed his face with cold water, finally cooling off.

Back outside, he avoided looking at Li Shu and nervously squeezed Little Jiang’s chubby cheeks. Desperate for a topic, he turned to Xiao Lin.

“You from Chengdu?”

“No.” Despite being a tall, muscular man, Xiao Lin sat primly—straighter than Little Jiang.

Zhang Qiu said “ohh” in a gossipy tone. “So… someone you like lives there?”

To his surprise, Xiao Lin lowered his head and nodded slowly, face pale but clearly shy.

Zhang Qiu hadn’t expected to guess right. Smiling, he pressed, “What kind of person? Must’ve made a strong impression if you still care this much—even after death.”

Was that good or bad?

“He’s very kind, always treated me well. He used his connections to get me into the army—said real men should protect their country… he really admired soldiers.” Xiao Lin looked down. “But I let him down. I didn’t live up to his hopes.”

Zhang Qiu used to think Xiao Lin was a retired soldier, but maybe not…

He was about to ask more when the boarding call sounded.

Pei Qing walked over, looking extremely satisfied.

“Lingdang?”

Pei Qing smiled. “Resting in the ghost bead.”

Zhang Qiu remembered the bathroom sounds and glanced at Pei Qing’s sincere, straight-laced expression. He didn’t know what to say. Both were ex-soldiers, but Pei Qing was a wolf in sheep’s clothing, while Xiao Lin looked sharp but was a total softie.

They boarded the plane. By the time they landed in Chengdu, it was already night.

After such a long day, they all wanted rest—especially Pei Qing, who had no intention of going out or even eating. He was in a hurry to “rest”—Zhang Qiu didn’t even need to guess why.

Real-world “practice,” of course.

“Master Zhang, I—I’d like to—” Xiao Lin’s eyes were shining.

Zhang Yushui smiled. “Hold onto this spirit-calming talisman. If anything happens, burn this paper crane.” He handed over a folded yellow talisman.

Xiao Lin clutched it gratefully and rushed out.

Zhang Yushui, having made a fortune, booked rooms at the front desk. Zhang Qiu, holding tight to Little Jiang, waited in the lobby.

Soon, Yushui waved him over. Zhang Qiu carried the bags while Little Jiang skipped ahead.

“Room 904. Rest early,” Zhang Yushui said, patting his little brother’s shoulder. “By the way, expenses have been high this trip. To save formula money for your nephew, Li Shu graciously agreed to share his room with you.”

Zhang Qiu blinked. “Wait, what?”

“It means Li Shu booked the suite—and you’re staying with him. I’ve done all I can, little brother. Good luck.”

So… he and Li Shu would be sharing a room?

This was a serious test of willpower. What if he lost control in the middle of the night?!

Still, he kept a calm face and thanked Li Shu politely.

Their suite had one large room, one small one, and a shared lounge.

“I’ll take the smaller room with Little Jiang,” Zhang Qiu said brightly. Please invite me to share the big bed!

“Okay,” Li Shu replied indifferently, entering the main bedroom.

Zhang Qiu: ………

Little Jiang yawned and rubbed his eyes. “Daddy?”

“Alright, sleep time,” Zhang Qiu said. I’ll tuck you in, then sneak attack later tonight. Let’s see if I can keep pretending this is a chaste bromance!

But while bathing Little Jiang, Zhang Qiu almost passed out from exhaustion. He barely got them into bed before dozing off.

In the middle of the night, Little Jiang rolled into Zhang Qiu’s arms, bare bottom half tucked into the blankets. Just then, the door opened. He froze, pretending to be asleep.

Li Shu glanced at the still-trembling lashes of Little Jiang and smiled.

Hearing footsteps, Little Jiang peeked—startled to see “big daddy” so close.

Li Shu was freshly showered, still damp. He glanced at Little Jiang. “Move over.”

The frozen Little Jiang happily snuggled deeper into Zhang Qiu’s arms, beaming. “Big daddy!” he chirped—then remembered he wasn’t supposed to say that. Nervously, he watched Li Shu.

Li Shu stroked his curly hair—it felt like Zhang Qiu’s. “Sleep.”

Little Jiang was overjoyed. Big daddy finally accepted me!

But the next morning, he was furious.

He’d fallen asleep in daddy’s arms—but woke up on the floor! Daddy was now in big daddy’s arms!

Outrageous.

Zhang Qiu woke up feeling refreshed. He stretched, thinking this hotel had great temperature control.

Outside, Little Jiang sat silently in the lounge, not even playing the bell. Face stern, like someone owed him money.

Zhang Qiu squeezed his cheeks. “Why so grumpy this morning, sweetie?”

Little Jiang glanced from big daddy to smiling daddy—and didn’t know how to express his sorrow.

“Alright, once I wash up, I’ll take you out for something delicious,” Zhang Qiu said cheerfully. Then spotted Li Shu already dressed and smiled innocently. “To thank you properly, lunch and dinner today are on me, handsome! Let me treat you~”

His night raid had failed—but a daytime date would do!

Li Shu’s lips curled slightly. “Okay.”