Little Pink Starfish

“Our little Pinky is so pretty. She’s gonna be a little beauty when she hatches.” Zhang Yushui held the little pink egg close and muttered sweetly, “Eggy, say ‘Daddy.’”

Xia Pi Huiwang glanced over, but didn’t say anything to break Zhang Yushui’s excitement. Ever since little Pink appeared, he was used to Zhang Yushui’s silly behavior. Funny, really—wasn’t it Zhang Qiu who used to say that two men couldn’t possibly have a daughter? Now it was his turn, and he’d forgotten all that nonsense. Huiwang didn’t bother reminding him. Besides, once the egg hatched, regardless of gender, Zhang Yushui would definitely be the first to squeal in joy.

He was more like a kid than ever.

Xia Pi Huiwang smiled gently. Zhang Yushui put the egg down and kissed him. “But my favorite is still our A-Yan.”

“So cheesy.” Huiwang said it flatly, but the smile in his eyes deepened. “Eat out or eat in?”

Zhang Yushui handed him the egg and dragged his suitcase. “Let’s eat out. Straight to the airport.”

Huiwang didn’t mind. A few days ago, Zhang Yushui had taken a job—some Hong Kong tycoon had spiritual troubles at home. Flights, meals, and accommodation all paid, and the fee was good too. Yushui figured this would go to little Pink’s formula fund. But then he video-called Zhang Qiu to talk about it, and the little Jiangshi in the background perked up when he heard “Hong Kong.” He started bouncing, saying he wanted to go to Disneyland.

Zhang Qiu thought, Why not? Let’s make a trip of it. Both families agreed to meet up in Hong Kong. Their flights were only an hour apart, with Zhang Qiu’s family arriving first to wait at the airport.

When they arrived, Zhang Yushui immediately spotted the little Jiangshi in the crowd. It had only been a few months, but the kid had grown taller again.

“Uncle! Auntie!” The little Jiangshi leapt off the seat, his tiny legs hopping like a drumbeat.

Zhang Yushui scooped him up and pinched his cheeks. “What’s your dad been feeding you? You’re getting heavy.”

“I’m not heavy, I’m growing!” The boy pouted, only to perk up when Huiwang chimed in with a smile: “He’s just getting big.”

With that validation, the little Jiangshi grinned wide, flashing his baby fangs. “Auntie’s right! I’m big now!”

Huiwang had long gotten used to being called auntie and just smiled. Soon, Zhang Qiu and Lishu joined them. After greetings, they pushed the luggage out. The tycoon’s driver was waiting, but there wasn’t enough space. Lishu carried their child and said, “You two finish the job first. Meet us later,” and gave them the hotel info.

“Got it.” Yushui nodded.

Lishu and family headed to the hotel. Zhang Yushui and Huiwang, carrying little Pink, went to the hotel arranged by the tycoon and then straight to his home.

The issue wasn’t serious: the tycoon’s son was a playboy who’d gotten a girl pregnant. She’d committed suicide at four months pregnant—two lives lost—and turned into a vengeful ghost. She kept haunting the playboy but never actually harmed him, unable to let go.

She was only 18 or 19, a naïve student who thought she’d found true love. Turned out, she was just a fling.

“That wicked ghost should be destroyed!” The tycoon said, horrified. The playboy muttered, “Dad, she didn’t hurt me…”

“You shut up! Always spending my money on women and now I have to clean up your mess!”

Zhang Yushui couldn’t be bothered arguing with this father-son duo. He decided to help the ghost pass on, asking Bai Shengsheng to handle reincarnation arrangements.

Once the check was signed, they left. Huiwang suggested, “Let’s change hotels.”

“Yeah, I was thinking the same.” They grabbed their things and went to join Lishu and Zhang Qiu’s hotel.

Zhang Qiu got the call—it was already past ten. “Lishu booked a suite. I’ll come down and get you guys. It’s peak travel season, rooms are tight. No idea how Lishu pulled it off.”

The hotel was a Disneyland-themed suite—little Jiangshi’s dreamland. Yellow cartoon characters everywhere. He had buried himself in plushies, giggling and chatting with Xiao Fei, completely lost in play. Only his wiggling butt poked out from the toy mountain.

When Yushui and Huiwang arrived, Lishu ordered food. Little Jiangshi took a few bites, declared himself full, then ran off with Pink and Xiao Fei again. The adults ate and drank beer, finally enjoying some rare leisure.

“My husband’s a total domestic king now,” Zhang Qiu boasted after a couple drinks. “Amazing cook.”

Lishu just smiled, loving the way his little rabbit bragged. Zhang Didi joined in, teasing: “Didn’t expect your household role to flip like this!”

“Of course! My man knows I love ribs, so he makes them in every style. Second Brother, don’t even try to bait me. I won’t fall for it. Do you even cook at home?”

Zhang Yushui nodded—though honestly, it was usually A-Yan who did the cooking. He just helped with spices and did the praise-and-plate part. A-Yan enjoyed it; he enjoyed watching.

After a few drinks, the mood mellowed. Faces flushed, eyes sparkled. Yushui couldn’t care less about boasting anymore. Smiling, he murmured, “Tired. A-Yan, your waist okay?”

“Mmm… I still wanna drink,” Huiwang said, voice soft and lazy from tipsiness.

Yushui knew he was really drunk. Usually calm and reserved, A-Yan wouldn’t act like this unless he was tipsy. His heart melted. He leaned in and whispered, “Okay. Let’s go back. I’ll drink with you.”

“Okay.” Drunk but not rowdy, Huiwang was unusually cute, like a soft, melting pastry.

Zhang Qiu was tipsy too, his face red but mind clear. He whispered to Lishu, “Uncle, look—Second Brother totally wants to abduct Second Sister-in-law. So fun to watch.”

Lishu smiled indulgently. Loud enough for the kids next door to hear, he said, “We’re heading to bed too.”

Yushui gave a knowing look and carried Huiwang to their room. As he left, he teased, “Big bad wolf Lishu, enjoy your bunny tonight.”

Everyone was especially happy that night. Little Jiangshi, king of the kids, played with Xiao Fei and little Pink until he passed out. Xiao Fei tucked him in, wrapped the blanket with a red mist, then glanced at the door. The adults’ voices were faintly audible.

She smiled.

It’s best if kids don’t know too much.

Bang.

The door closed softly.

The next morning, Little Jiangshi jumped up bright and early. “Brother, brother! Eggy, Eggy! We’re going out to play!”

Zhang Qiu’s back was sore and jabbed Lishu with an elbow, but couldn’t bear to spoil the kid’s excitement. Same for Huiwang. Zhang Yushui was about to suggest staying in, but Little Jiangshi pulled out Pink and pouted. “Eggy said it wants to go out.”

The egg blinked with light. Yushui hadn’t even replied before Huiwang clapped. “We’re going.”

Doting dads, clearly.

They were among the first in line, barely any crowds. Even the adults, who didn’t come to play, were infected by the park’s cheerful vibe. It was Huiwang’s first time—he hadn’t seen the related animations, but the staff’s friendly smiles softened even his cold features.

They tried every ride. At the final rafting ride, Little Jiangshi wasn’t tall enough.

“I’m strong! I really wanna ride,” he pleaded.

Zhang Qiu knew the kid could handle it, but height rules were rules. He frowned, unsure what to do.

Lishu said calmly, “Go in.”

He carried the boy in, and the staff didn’t say a word—like they hadn’t seen anything.

Zhang Qiu knew Lishu had cheated again. He always forgot his husband was literally divine.

Little Jiangshi was thrilled. Holding Pink, Xiao Fei riding his head, he beamed.

“Let Uncle carry Pink,” Yushui said. “You enjoy the ride.”

For adults, it was okay. For kids, maybe a little much. Zhang Qiu worried his son might not handle it well—but the kid was all giggles. Xiao Fei on his head looked calm as ever.

Then—plop!

“Eggy fell in!” Little Jiangshi froze.

Yushui panicked. The egg had jumped on its own?!

Huiwang instinctively went to jump after it—Lishu stopped him. “Look.”

The water surface rippled red mist. The egg had cracked. Xiao Fei only managed to catch half. From the broken shell peeked a tiny head—sharp tiger fangs, pale skin, cold eyebrows, faint black under the eyes.

“Daddy, was that fun?!”

Flap-flap—two shimmering golden wings fluttered out. The little guy smirked like a prank had succeeded.

Zhang Yushui had only one thought:

Our little Pink… might have some unexpected traits.