Little Pink Starfish

Early the next morning, Zhang Yushui received a call from the Lin family. After a quick tidy-up, a private car came to pick them up.

When Xiao Lin learned they were going to the Lin family, he was especially happy—maybe he could see Lin Shaoye again. There were many of them, and the Lin family only sent one car, so Zhang Qiu, Li Shu, and Xiao Jiang had to call another car to follow. In the front car were Zhang Yushui, the King of Xiapi, Pei Qing, and Lingdang. Xiao Lin stayed in the spirit orb.

The ride was uneventful. Once they reached the mountain villa area, Zhang Qiu had just stepped out of the car when he felt a wave of cold air, more gloomy than when they came yesterday. But ordinary people would definitely think the mountain had good greenery and was just cooler than the city—totally normal.

Zhang Qiu’s constitution leaned yin and he was relatively sensitive to these things. Even if he couldn’t see any evil spirits with the naked eye, he could feel the difference between coolness and eerie coldness.

In front, Second Brother and the others were already waiting. The person guarding the door seemed to be a housekeeper-type, middle-aged, wearing formal attire, hair neatly combed, very well-mannered. Saying things like “Madam and sir are waiting” and “sorry for neglecting the honored guests”—Zhang Qiu felt like he was in a drama, and one of those Republican-era family dramas too.

The Lin family clearly valued rules and decorum.

From the entrance to the courtyard’s trees and grass, everything was trimmed and orderly. Zhang Qiu noticed the building style was Chinese. Among the rows of European white-roofed villas, it looked out of place but also very distinctive—like stepping through that gate led to another era.

Especially when Zhang Qiu saw the Lin family’s old madam and Lin Shaoye’s mother, he truly felt like he’d stepped into the wrong film set.

Lin Shaoye’s mother had her hair in a bun, wore plain-colored retro long dress and shawl, light makeup, a gentle and virtuous look. She supported the old madam out. The old madam had gray hair, neatly combed, walked unsteadily, but her gaze was sharp—clearly she had been formidable in her younger days.

The housekeeper briefly explained recent events in the Lin family. The old madam waved her hand and said, “Business and such are handled by the men outside. I only care about my grandson. His health hasn’t been good lately. He’s had minor illnesses before, but this time it’s different. His engagement with Miss Su is also coming up—we can’t delay that.”

Zhang Qiu heard Lin Shaoye was getting married and couldn’t help glancing at Lingdang, who was carrying the spirit orb.

“Is young master around? I’d like to see him,” Zhang Yushui said with a smile.

“Young master is still resting,” the housekeeper replied.

Lin Madam quickly said, “I’ll go call Jiahe out.”

“No need, he’s not well,” the old madam said, looking at Zhang Yushui. “Better trouble Mr. Zhang to come inside.”

Zhang Qiu thought, This old lady really dotes on her grandson. Zhang Yushui didn’t mind, nodded and smiled, “Sure. I’ll take a look at the feng shui of the house too. Sometimes bad feng shui placements can affect business, cause misfortunes—” Noticing the old madam wasn’t paying attention, he smiled again and added, “When the household isn’t prosperous, descendants won’t thrive either.”

The old madam immediately looked more concerned. “Then please, Mr. Zhang, take a good look. I’ve heard the Zhang family is the most accurate.”

“I’ll do my best.”

Lin Shaoye’s room was on the second floor, facing south, with good lighting and location. It was spacious, with a living room and study outside, and a bedroom and bathroom inside. There were many of them. The old madam wasn’t pleased and said, “Jiahe is resting. Please wait outside. Mr. Zhang can go in alone.”

Though her words didn’t sound too polite, she wasn’t wrong. So Zhang Qiu, Li Shu, Pei Qing, and the King of Xiapi waited outside. Lingdang followed Zhang Yushui in.

Zhang Qiu couldn’t see what was going on inside. He only heard Second Brother say: “Evil influence has entered the body. The glabella is dark. It’s dangerous.”

“What should we do? Jiahe’s engagement with Miss Su is at the end of the month,” Lin Madam said.

“Don’t panic. Jiahe will be fine. Miss Su will also marry in,” the old madam said confidently.

“You two wait outside. If you trust me, do as I say. Otherwise, go find someone else.”

After Zhang Yushui spoke, soon the old madam and Lin Madam came out. The rest of them sat awkwardly in the lounge. No one spoke.

Inside was quiet, but with their sharp hearing, they could still hear talking. Lin Jiahe’s voice was weak, calling intermittently for “Lin Qing.”

That was Xiao Lin’s name.

Not long after, Second Brother came out. They walked around the Lin family courtyard. He set up a formation. Maybe it was psychological, but Zhang Qiu really felt the gloominess lessen.

After finishing, Lin Jiahe came out wearing traditional cotton-linen Chinese clothes. He was thin, face pale, lips without color.

“Jiahe, why did you come out? Be careful not to catch cold—”

“Grandma, I’m feeling much better. I want to thank Mr. Zhang.”

The old madam looked at her grandson closely—he did seem more energetic than before. She felt Zhang Yushui was really capable. She nodded and said nothing more. “Then talk, but don’t exhaust yourself.” She also instructed the housekeeper to properly send them down the mountain later.

After they left, Lin Jiahe saw the housekeeper still standing by and casually sent him off.

“Mr. Zhang, I think I saw Lin Qing just now. Was it Lin Qing?” Lin Jiahe’s previous composure vanished. His face was anxious. “I even dreamed of Lin Qing two days ago. Ever since he joined the army, I lost contact with him. I don’t know how he’s doing now.”

Zhang Yushui looked at Lin Jiahe, then suddenly smiled. “Young Master Lin must know that Lin Qing liked you.”

Zhang Qiu saw Lin Jiahe panic, waving his hands. “Don’t talk nonsense. Lin Qing and I are brothers—we grew up together.”

“Oh?” Zhang Yushui said coldly. “In that case, you’d better focus on recovering and preparing for your wedding.”

Lin Jiahe froze, face filled with pain, and muttered, “How can two men be together? I’m the only heir in the family—I must marry and have children. He went to the army. Later, when he’s back and safe, we’ll just be brothers—isn’t that fine?”

Zhang Qiu could tell Lin Jiahe had feelings for Xiao Lin too, but not enough to give everything up. As an outsider, he couldn’t say Lin Jiahe was selfish—perhaps Lin Jiahe had also taken good care of Xiao Lin in other ways.

“Is it just brotherhood?” Zhang Yushui asked coldly.

Lin Jiahe went even paler, looking tortured, muttering, “Why are you forcing me?”

Zhang Qiu now really felt Lin Jiahe was weak. Xiao Lin’s voice in his ear asked them not to press him anymore, so they didn’t want to stay. Zhang Yushui finished the job, took the money, and declined a Lin family escort.

Back at the hotel, Zhang Qiu was still angry over how Xiao Lin had protected Lin Jiahe. Li Shu beside him remained calm. Zhang Qiu, feeling anxious, asked:

“Aren’t you mad?”

Li Shu looked at the flustered Zhang Qiu, eyes that could freeze someone in place.

“You’re not Xiao Lin,” Li Shu said calmly.

Zhang Qiu thought, That’s true. He was angry for Xiao Lin, but he wasn’t Xiao Lin. Xiao Lin and Lin Jiahe had grown up together—he didn’t know their dynamic. Maybe Lin Jiahe really took good care of him.

After all that reasoning, he was still angry.

“I’m not Lin Jiahe either.”

Zhang Qiu froze. What did Li Shu just say?

You’re not Xiao Lin. I’m not Lin Jiahe.

So their relationship…

Hehehe, Zhang Qiu grinned, “Li Shu, did you remember something?”

“No,” Li Shu said calmly.

Zhang Qiu looked suspicious but Li Shu didn’t seem to be lying. In the end, he could only think he was handsome and charming—of course Li Shu was drawn to him!

Li Shu saw Zhang Qiu go from angry to beaming because of one sentence and smiled. He hadn’t regained his memories, but he increasingly enjoyed being with Zhang Qiu. Loved seeing his silly grins. Also wanted to—

He restrained the heat in his eyes, afraid of scaring the man in front of him—not knowing that Zhang Qiu had been through much worse before. How could he not handle this?

After getting ready, they headed out to eat. Xiao Jiang bounced ahead. Zhang Qiu and Li Shu followed. After a while, Xiao Jiang bounced back.

“What’s wrong?”

Xiao Jiang pointed at the stairwell. It was dark and the light was broken. This hotel really was kinda eerie!

Zhang Qiu whispered, “A ghost?”

Xiao Jiang thought, then nodded. Zhang Qiu panicked and grabbed Li Shu’s hand. “What do we do? Call Second Brother?”

“It’s Xiao Lin,” Li Shu said calmly. His eyes glanced at their joined hands. Zhang Qiu pretended not to notice and thick-skinnedly said, “It’s dark. I’m a little scared.”

“Daddy’s scared of Brother Xiao Lin?” Xiao Jiang pouted. “Daddy is so cowardly! Let me protect you.”

Zhang Qiu: …..

I just wanted to quietly hold your dad’s hand—why is it so hard?!

Though Xiao Jiang was ruining things, Zhang Qiu still managed to hold Li Shu’s hand and head toward the stairs. Even before they got close, they heard soft crying echoing up. If Xiao Jiang hadn’t said it was Xiao Lin, it really would’ve been terrifying.

Clearly Lin Jiahe’s words had hurt Xiao Lin. On the way back, he’d acted calm—just “brotherly love.” But back at the hotel, he found a quiet place to cry. Pei Qing was off sweet-talking with Lingdang. Xiao Lin stayed hidden in the orb and was likely even sadder.

Zhang Qiu was thinking of how to console him discreetly when his son called out cheerily:

“Brother Xiao Lin, why are you hiding to cry?”

Zhang Qiu: ……..

Son, who gave you your EQ?!

The crying stopped. Zhang Qiu could feel the sudden silence. He quickly patted Xiao Jiang’s head, afraid his son would add salt to the wound.

“Xiao Lin, we’re going to eat. Wanna come?”

Li Shu’s amused gaze swept over. Zhang Qiu immediately regretted asking—a ghost eating dinner? Maybe candle offerings…

“I’m not hungry. I won’t go.” Xiao Lin’s voice was low.

Thank goodness he played along. Zhang Qiu leaned on the stairway, didn’t go in, and said, “Don’t be sad.” He wanted to say nice things about Lin Jiahe but didn’t know him well and was also angry at his cowardice. That would’ve been pouring oil on fire. He thought a while and finally said: “Actually, maybe this is for the best. You resolved your regret, Second Brother helped clear the Lin house of evil. You should reincarnate soon—it’ll be good for you. In your next life, find someone who—”

“Young master was actually very good to me.”

Xiao Lin appeared in front of Zhang Qiu. Clearly a 1.8m+ muscular guy, he now looked like a little white bunny, eyes red, pitifully said:

“The young master brought me from the orphanage. The Lin family didn’t even plan to adopt me. I used to be hungry all the time, thin and bullied. He always gave me food. Later in school, he was smart and helped me with homework. One time I broke Master Lin’s favorite inkstone—he took the blame for me…”

He recited incident after incident. Zhang Qiu quietly listened.

“The young master really treated me well. He’s getting married—I’m happy.”

Zhang Qiu looked at Xiao Lin’s sad face and couldn’t see a trace of happiness. Didn’t know what to say. Xiao Lin even smiled in the end. Zhang Qiu felt heartache—he wanted to go steal Lin Jiahe back for him.

After hearing all that, Zhang Qiu had no appetite. He felt miserable.

If they like each other, why can’t they be together?

Li Shu touched Zhang Qiu’s head. Zhang Qiu looked up, “I’m not Xiao Jiang—don’t baby me.”

“Who says only children need comfort?” Li Shu asked back.

Zhang Qiu thought that actually made sense. A moment later, he got gutsy and started touching Li Shu’s waist. Hmm, Li Shu was really tall, couldn’t snuggle into his arms… but the muscles, wow—

“We’re in public. You sure you want to do this?” Li Shu asked gently.

“What… what do you mean?” Zhang Qiu snapped out of it. He’d been hugging Li Shu but now he was leaning against him, hand on his chest, looking thirsty.

This is not me!

“Daddy, is big daddy’s chest nice to touch?” Xiao Jiang asked from the sofa, pointing at Zhang Qiu’s dimple, “Daddy, you’ve got drool there.”

I want to sell this child. One coin. Who wants him?!

Zhang Qiu pretended to stay calm. “No way I drooled.” Reached up—yup, he did. He looked over. Li Shu was smiling at him.

“Uh, lunch was too good today, hahaha…” Zhang Qiu laughed awkwardly. Xiao Jiang and Li Shu stared at him expressionlessly. He gave up. “Check, please!”

“Wait.” Li Shu pulled out a card and handed it to Zhang Qiu. “Here, you take this.”

Credit card?!

Holy crap—was Li Shu trying to sugar-daddy him?!

Things were moving too fast. Zhang Qiu blushed. “This isn’t right, is it?”

“I don’t really use it. Keeping it on me, I’ll lose it. You take care of meals with it. Password is six ones.” Li Shu saw Zhang Qiu’s stunned face and pinched his cheek, then held Xiao Jiang and calmly said, “Now we can pay.”

Zhang Qiu held the card—was this a joke?! Where was the pampering and the papapa?!

Okay, sugar-daddying wasn’t the point—papapa was. But when Zhang Qiu saw the ATM balance, he wanted to keep the card close to his heart. Afraid someone would rob him on the street. Forget mystics—rich thighs were the best!