Little Pink Starfish

It must have been that my method of breaking through the void was wrong.
Recently, a rumor had been spreading in the base, somewhat lightening the gloom brought by the mutant beasts’ siege not long ago.
——Word was, the Frost Mercenary Corps’ leader, that Zhang Youqing who was praised by mutant beasts as a great beauty, now had a strikingly handsome young man constantly by his side.

It was said this young man possessed unrivaled beauty, making even the most beautiful women in the base pale in comparison…
It was said this young man was extremely cunning, and after entering Zhang Youqing’s “harem,” he somehow drove away all the other beauties, leaving only himself at the leader’s side…
It was said this young man had formidable power, wielding a level-four corrosive ability, and once nearly injured the Fire Mercenary Corps’ leader with it for disrespecting Zhang Youqing…
It was said this young man was utterly devoted to Zhang Youqing, so loyal that despite being courted by higher-ups and other mercenary groups, he refused them all…

Most importantly, from then on, wherever Zhang Youqing went, this young man followed—inseparably close.
Truly, it was moving.

These rumors spread quickly, and naturally many ears caught them.
Though Meng Qiao was still only a level-three ability user, his rapid progress and mutated healing ability had already earned him high status.
After a bout of busyness, hearing gossip about his lifesaving “gaoshou” piqued his curiosity, and he set aside work to head toward the Frost Mercenary Corps building.

Just after walking a short distance, someone called out to him from behind.
He turned around: “Qingyan?”
Su Qingyan smiled warmly: “Ah Qiao, can I come with you? I’ve heard so much about your savior… and I’ve received a lot of help from your people too. I’ve been wanting to visit and thank him, but I didn’t have the means until now. I’ve prepared a little gift…”

Meng Qiao understood. He pouted: “It’s not really necessary, gaoshou is very nice…” But after thinking, he nodded, “Alright, Qingyan, come with me. I’ll introduce you.”

He figured gaoshou was a good person, and Qingyan was also good. Surely they’d get along, and it would help Qingyan too. Qingyan would certainly treat gaoshou well.

The protagonist shou was, at times, a simple creature. His intentions were good.
Too bad he hadn’t noticed the flicker of gloom in Su Qingyan’s eyes.

Su Qingyan was furious: Meng Qiao, with neither virtue nor capability, had actually won Zhang Youqing’s special attention!

As a reborn person, Su Qingyan remembered clearly—Zhang Youqing was a psychopath. In the previous life, he had no relationship with Meng Qiao at all, and had often clashed with Yin Jiu. Though later Zhang Youqing was somewhat suppressed, he had remained the second-ranked high-level ability user.
He hadn’t expected that in this life, not only had Yin Jiu met Meng Qiao early and developed feelings for him, but even Zhang Youqing, who had nothing to do with them, ended up sharing a life-saving bond with Meng Qiao!

If this was all the result of his rebirth’s butterfly effect, then fate had been terribly unjust to him! He was furious!

↑
Poor man dies fast—he had no idea Zhang Youqing was actually a zombie.

But Su Qingyan was deeply calculating. Upon realizing Yin Jiu seemed unimpressed by him, he decided to try attaching himself to the other two high-level ability users.
He firmly believed that although those two had ended up suppressed by Yin Jiu in the previous life, with his help—and with his space ability—they could absolutely reverse their fates and surpass Yin Jiu!

So now, Yin Jiu wasn’t so important anymore.

Thus, Su Qingyan aimed to use Meng Qiao to see if he could hook Zhang Youqing.
——When a human’s poor decisions lead to a wrong path, under pressure from the wrong ideas, they continue stepping wrong.

Back to the main story: Meng Qiao brought Su Qingyan to the Frost Mercenary Corps building.
As a regular visitor, he could move about freely except for a few restricted areas. Other mercs greeted him with smiles as they passed.

Watching Meng Qiao navigate the place with such ease, Su Qingyan grew even more jealous.
He clearly had more going for him than Meng Qiao in every way except background, so why did Meng Qiao always have it easy? Why was he always surrounded by top ability users while Su Qingyan was stuck recruiting brainless low-level ones?
Unfair! Life was unfair!
But if life was unfair, then Su Qingyan would make it fair himself!

…In the heat of his internal indignation, they arrived at the top floor.
Su Qingyan quickly snapped out of his thoughts, straightened his clothes, and prepared to present his most flawless self to leave a good impression on Zhang Youqing.

Then Meng Qiao pushed open the door: “Gaoshou! I came to see y—”

The last word stuck in his throat.
What the hell!

Su Qingyan, on the other hand, saw an opportunity. He quickly whispered: “Ah Qiao, say something.”
Yes, Meng Qiao could take the fall. Su Qingyan would remain pristine and innocent.

Meng Qiao, unaware, stepped aside in a daze.
And Su Qingyan got a clear look into the room.

There were two people.

A stunning young man in a loose light gray top and pants was half-kneeling before the sofa, head slightly lowered, exposing a perfect collarbone.
Above him, leaning against the sofa, was a cold and ascetic-looking youth with a beauty mark beneath his eye. Despite his soft looks, he radiated icy indifference.
The handsome youth looked up with admiration as he massaged the other’s legs—the whole scene was… sexually charged. Enough to make one’s body flush.

What the hell was going on?!
Meng Qiao blushed: Damn, in broad daylight…
Su Qingyan’s face turned dark: What now, what now? Clearly there’s something between them! Does this ruin my chances with Zhang Youqing? No—maybe it’s just an act. If I don’t try, I’ll definitely regret it later.

He quickly composed himself and said: “Th-this… Ah Qiao, should you say something?”

Hmph. He wasn’t close to Zhang Youqing yet—had to use Meng Qiao. If Meng Qiao upset Zhang Youqing, even better. Let their relationship crack.
Surely a favor like saving his life wouldn’t be revoked so easily, right?

Meng Qiao really didn’t think much of it. He was used to being casual with gaoshou, so he awkwardly said: “Gaoshou, this is… um, aren’t you going to introduce?”

Should’ve knocked first, dammit!

Unexpectedly, the kneeling young man spoke first.
Still gently massaging, he said, “Commander, this must be Mister Meng Qiao, whom you’re close with? As for the other gentleman, I don’t recall seeing him before.”
Then he turned to Meng Qiao: “Mr. Meng, I’m Gu Shan, the one most loyal to the Commander…” He smiled, “Nice to meet you.”

Meng Qiao, looking at that warm smile, inexplicably felt a little creeped out: “Uh, Mr. Gu, nice to meet you too.”
Gu Shan’s smile grew even more radiant: “Why isn’t the Commander saying anything?”

The other youth: “……What’s left to say?”
You already said it all, what am I supposed to add?!

Closing his eyes briefly, Gu Bai waved his hand: “Sit.”
Meng Qiao looked at the still-kneeling youth and quickly pulled Su Qingyan to sit on the other side.
Honestly… awkward as hell!

At that moment, Gu Bai had no time for the leg-massaging guy.
His gaze fell on the person who came with Meng Qiao—that white lotus.
Huh, he really looked kind, didn’t seem like a bad guy at all. Weren’t looks supposed to reflect the heart? Why was his “fake white lotus” aura so strong…? Drunk on irony.

Meng Qiao remembered the reason for their visit and quickly said: “Gaoshou, this is my childhood friend, Su Qingyan…”
Su Qingyan respectfully offered his basket with both hands: “Commander Zhang, you’ve taken such good care of Ah Qiao. I’ve also received kindness after arriving here. Please accept this small token of appreciation.”

Look at that! It sounded so sincere, like all for Meng Qiao’s sake. If not for knowing the original story, it’d be hard to spot the manipulation underneath.
No wonder Yin Jiu saw him as a love rival…

But Gu Bai knew exactly why this guy was here.
He felt a bit awkward.

Holy crap—am I being seduced too now? Is this black-hearted lotus that desperate?! Even trying to flirt with the freak from the original story?!
Even if I’m not that psycho, the original was!

He glanced at Meng Qiao, thinking: this protagonist shou is truly naive.
Still, better to be blindly loyal than petty and scheming.

Gu Bai, completely unimpressed, said blankly: “I don’t take tribute.”
That was not subtle at all—he was rejecting him outright!
Even though he knew the basket contained rare, delicious fruits from the lotus’s spatial ability—he still rejected it! Hmph!
His gaze skimmed the bracelet on Su Qingyan’s wrist.

Meng Qiao laughed nervously: “Haha, gaoshou’s just really straightforward…”
Su Qingyan gritted his teeth: “Of course.”

Zhang Youqing—clearly beneath me!

The atmosphere went downhill.
Meng Qiao hurriedly found random topics to chat about, then dragged Su Qingyan out, closing the door properly.
He figured gaoshou must be upset they barged in uninvited…

After they left, the beautiful young man who had been quietly smiling finally raised his head and offered an item: “The Commander seemed to like this? Then it’s the Commander’s.”

Gu Bai: Oh, crap…
Isn’t this that black lotus’s spatial bracelet?!