Little Pink Starfish

The next morning, a thin layer of snow had accumulated outside the floor-to-ceiling windows. The lake was frozen, and the drooping willows looked like shimmering crystal threads hanging from the trees. When the breeze blew, snowflakes scattered everywhere—it was a beautiful sight.

Zhang Qiu had been thoroughly “tormented” the previous night. As soon as he opened his eyes and saw the peacefully sleeping Li Shu beside him, he didn’t even think—he chomped down with a bite. Just as he was about to retreat, Li Shu’s arm wrapped around him, pulling him directly into his embrace.

“Want more? So passionate early in the morning,” Li Shu said with a husky voice, just waking up, low and sexy. Zhang Qiu’s ears tingled, but he glared back. “If you’ll lie down and let me be on top, I’ll have unlimited passion.”

“Better let me handle this kind of hard labor,” Li Shu said, kissing him.

Zhang Qiu immediately sensed things were going south. If this kept up, he’d spend yet another morning stuck in bed. And with a stranger in the house too—it was one thing to have the occasional crazy night, but all the time? His kidneys couldn’t take it. What, did Li Shu grow four kidneys or something?

He scrambled up and practically fled to the bathroom, locking the door behind him like he was guarding against a thief. Li Shu looked at the shut door and chuckled softly, murmuring, “You really think that door can stop me?” But then he remembered how pitiful Zhang Qiu had looked last night, hoarse from begging, and decided to give him a break. After all, proper rest would allow for more varied positions later.

Zhang Qiu, oblivious to these evil thoughts, finished washing up and left the room, sniffing the air.

“Something smells amazing!”

Wearing his big yellow duck pajamas and bunny slippers, Xiao Jiang toddled out from the princess-pink guest room, with Xiao Fei perched on his head. He was still sleepy-eyed, mumbling through half-open lips with little fangs showing: “So yummy…”

“My good boy, you’re sleep-talking!” Zhang Qiu pinched his chubby face, then touched Xiao Fei’s head. Xiao Fei smiled sweetly and said, “Good morning, Daddy.”

My baby is so obedient and pretty. Zhang Qiu was filled with joy.

“What’s that smell, Daddy? I’m so hungry!” Xiao Jiang perked up with shining eyes at the mention of food. Zhang Qiu followed his gaze down toward the kitchen—where a pair of dark sunglasses met his eyes.

He froze.

The man downstairs smiled. “Hope you don’t mind me using your kitchen?”

“N-not at all!” Zhang Qiu quickly waved his hands.

Meanwhile, Xiao Jiang was already pressing his head through the stair railing, big eyes peering down eagerly. “Tall Gege, what are you cooking?”

Zhang Qiu covered his face in secondhand embarrassment. His son was powerless against beautiful people and good food.

“Come down and try it yourself,” Hei Qian said with a grin. “Perfect timing—I made plenty. Consider it my lodging fee.”

When Li Shu came downstairs, he saw his wife and sons stuffing their cheeks, especially Xiao Jiang, whose sparkling eyes were fixed on Hei Qian like he was a hero. Li Shu narrowed his eyes slightly. Cooking lessons clearly need to be scheduled.

Zhang Qiu was surprised. Hei Qian looked like a gangster, from his imposing appearance to his clothing, but since yesterday he hadn’t shown a hint of temper—and he could really cook. The steamed buns alone had multiple fillings, with thin wrappers and juicy broth. One bite warmed the soul.

Even Li Shu, who normally ate with indifferent grace, was now moving his chopsticks faster than usual.

Xiao Jiang was practically circling Hei Qian like a loyal puppy, sweet-talking non-stop. Hei Qian, delighted, promised to cook again tomorrow. Xiao Jiang whooped with joy and took Xiao Fei outside to play.

Zhang Qiu reminded him, “Just at the door, don’t get cold.”

Hei Qian smiled and said, “Cooking is one of my hobbies.”

Then, with a meaningful glance, he added, “It’s the first time I’ve seen someone raise a little Jiangshi like a normal kid. It’s… refreshing.” That chubby kid, despite his sweet looks, could flatten a few adult men with ease—plus the divine-blooded child on his head…

“Xiao Jiang’s still young. Of course I’ll worry about him more,” Zhang Qiu said as he watched the boys playing in the yard. He really didn’t dare take his eyes off them these days—kidnappers and con artists were everywhere.

Hei Qian didn’t quite understand his concern but didn’t comment. He smiled again. “This time, I’m here on official duty. Boss sent me to assist you. Payment is the talisman.”

Talisman? Oh—he meant the imperial seal.

“You guys don’t have much use for the Seal,” Hei Qian continued, glancing at Li Shu. “Unless… you want to use it to command the Yin soldiers and gain power.”

Zhang Qiu shivered. Hei Qian’s smile never faded, but his words were chilling.

“I have no interest in power. But handing it over without truth is off the table,” Li Shu said coldly.

Hei Qian paused, then said, “It’s top secret, but I can guess some of it.” He sighed. “Fine, here’s the short version. Since the Qin dynasty, the dead from wars have been secretly refined into Yin soldiers. They don’t age, feel no pain, and fight fiercely. When their numbers became enormous, the underworld’s former leaders decided to use them as guards. They were controlled by the Seal. But one day, the Seal vanished—and so did the soldiers.”

He frowned. “There are other details I can’t share, but here’s the important part—if the Seal falls into the wrong hands, peace on the human side will be a joke. And I don’t want more paperwork—war casualties are mostly human, after all.”

Zhang Qiu turned pale. This wasn’t something a regular person could handle. If he lost the Seal and war broke out… he couldn’t take that kind of responsibility.

“Terms accepted,” Li Shu said.

Hei Qian grinned. “You don’t like taking losses, do you?”

“Want to try?” Li Shu raised an eyebrow.

Hei Qian laughed. “There’s only one person I’d take a loss for willingly.”

Li Shu’s eyes softened. “Same.”

Zhang Qiu: … Wait, how did this end up being about me again?

Just then, Zhang Qiu’s phone rang—it was Qi Xi. Li Shu leaned closer, and Zhang Qiu had no choice but to put it on speaker.

A cold voice answered, “I’ve found something you’ll want to know.”

Then Qi Xi’s signature flirtation began: “Xiao Rongrong, your jealous expression is so beautiful~”

The line went silent.

Zhang Qiu coughed. “What’s the lead?”

“Hey! Don’t hit my face—it’s the only thing I have left! Meow~”

Click. The call ended.

Zhang Qiu stared at the screen, unsure if he should call back. Then a message popped up from Qi Xi’s account—a file.

Zhang Qiu opened it, eyes widening. “They found the ‘father’ Christine mentioned. She was abandoned and adopted by a Chinese antique dealer named Du Qiao, who returned to China two months ago and is now missing…”

“Two months ago?” Zhang Qiu frowned. That lined up with Professor Fang’s disappearance.

Scrolling further, he found bank records—and saw Professor Fang’s name.

“Still no mention of where Du Qiao went,” he muttered.

Li Shu took the phone and turned to Hei Qian. “You can look up these names?”

“Clerical work falls under Bai Shengsheng. I’ll ask him.” Hei Qian dialed.

The line rang… and rang… until Hei Qian had to call again. And again. On the seventh try, the call was finally answered—and Bai Shengsheng was furious.

“Are you nuts, Hei Freak?! I’m on my one day off!”

“Come on, Shengsheng. I need your help,” Hei Qian said sweetly.

Zhang Qiu broke into goosebumps. When he turned to look at Li Shu, he saw the man smiling exactly like Hei Qian had been earlier.

“You better not try that on me,” Zhang Qiu warned.

Li Shu smiled. “You’re cute when you’re annoyed.”

Oh no. It’s spreading.

The call abruptly ended.

“Three, two, one…” Hei Qian counted, grinning.

And poof—Bai Shengsheng appeared in the room, seething with rage. He lunged straight for Hei Qian’s throat—but Hei Qian caught him in a hug instead.

“So quick, little Bai! Were you thinking of me?”

Zhang Qiu swore he saw a vein bulge on Bai Shengsheng’s forehead.

“Call me that again and I’ll end you!”

“You wouldn’t dare.”

Compared to Bai Shengsheng’s explosive rage, Hei Qian acted like he was being flirted with. Eventually, Bai Shengsheng calmed down slightly, especially after Hei Qian buttered him up with flattery.

“You’re the only one smart enough to handle this, Shengsheng. I’m just the muscle. I really admire your brains.”

Zhang Qiu: … This man is really easy to manipulate, huh?

After more teasing, Bai Shengsheng finally agreed to help.

About ten minutes later, he returned with the info. Hei Qian praised him like he was a god, which only made Bai Shengsheng glow harder despite his fake scowl.

Then Hei Qian mentioned pay.

“For disturbing your rest day.”

“I don’t care about money!” Bai Shengsheng snapped.

“Oh? But I heard you love it~”

“I do not! Don’t spread rumors!”

Zhang Qiu: Okay yeah, they’re totally a couple.

Eventually Bai Shengsheng vanished, flustered and furious. Hei Qian stared at the empty spot with a smirk. “He’s cute when he’s angry.”

Zhang Qiu wanted to cry. “Please. Don’t learn from him.”

Li Shu, who had watched it all, chuckled darkly. “I like you when you’re angry too.”

Zhang Qiu shuddered. *This man is learning *too* fast!*

Just then, his senior Hua Ting video-called with big news: the engraving under the Seal was part of a map. After comparing it to ancient charts, he pinpointed a location—crossing the Yellow Sea, through the Korea Strait, to a small unnamed island in the Sea of Japan.

Zhang Qiu immediately shared this with the group.

Responses came quickly: Yue Qincang on behalf of Kaiming, Qi Xi eager for another overseas “honeymoon” with Qi Zhirong, and Pei Qing chiming in with a meme and agreement.

Zhang Yushui and Xia Pi Huaiwang couldn’t go—too many family issues. But Hua Ting decided to come along.

Time was critical. The sooner they left, the better the chances of finding Professor Fang.

Zhang Yushui mailed protective talismans, along with a mirror and compass for Xiao Jiang, who was already admiring himself.

Their supplies were divided—essentials like clothes, food, and medicine went into Xiao Fei’s space.

Hei Qian showed up empty-handed in his usual black coat. “Boss lent us a boat. Ready?”

At the Qingdao pier, Zhang Qiu was stunned.

A luxury yacht.

“Your boss owns this?” he gaped.

“My uncle likes eating, drinking, and making money,” Hei Qian explained.

Uncle?! Oh right—he’d said he got the job through the back door. Turns out Hei Qian was an underworld princeling.

Everyone arrived. Hua Ting dropped off Hua Hua with Yang Bao’s family. Kaiming looked better, though Yue Qincang seemed grumpy—especially while mumbling about not warming any beds.

Once aboard, Zhang Qiu noticed something odd about the crew.

Xiao Jiang flashed his little fangs. The “sailors” flinched.

“Don’t eat them. They’re helpers,” Zhang Qiu reminded him.

Xiao Fei soothed his brother with a wisp of mist, and Zhang Qiu ruffled his head. “Did that hurt?”

“Nope! I know we don’t eat friends.” Xiao Jiang puffed up proudly.

“Good boy.” Zhang Qiu kissed him, then turned to kiss Xiao Fei—who promptly toppled over from the force.

“Daddy bad-bad,” Xiao Fei whispered, flustered.

“Daddy’s not bad. Daddy loves you.”

A wisp of red mist touched Zhang Qiu’s cheek like a marshmallow, sweet with Xiao Fei’s baby scent.

Zhang Qiu beamed. So easy to coax. No wonder Hei Qian enjoys teasing Bai Shengsheng…

Wait—what am I thinking?! This man is toxic!

Dinner on deck was delicious. There were chefs for both Western and Chinese cuisine. Zhang Qiu had seafood porridge, Xiao Jiang munched on strawberry cake, and of course, kissed Xiao Fei with a cream-covered mouth. Zhang Qiu was about to kiss them too—only to get kissed himself by Li Shu.

“Want more?”

What the hell! Which part of me looked like I wanted more?!