Little Pink Starfish

After spending thousands of years across so many worlds together, even though Gu Bai’s face remained expressionless, Qi Guanrui could still accurately detect the subtle fluctuations in his spirit.

For instance, right now—Gu Bai’s faintly mocking “whew, dodged a bullet” vibe?
Qi Guanrui caught it immediately.
And in his heart, he felt an odd kind of tenderness rise up.

The curve of his lips deepened.
Gege’s thoughts are always so adorable.
He couldn’t wait to see the expression gege would make when the truth came out…

He was looking forward to it so, so much.

As for the adjutant—after bringing the candidates in, of course he couldn’t let them just stand there awkwardly.
The most important thing was to let them introduce themselves, get their faces known, and leave an impression, right?

So, after a simple signal, the beta candidates eagerly began stepping forward one by one.
Everyone wanted to be first! Everyone wanted to speak beautifully! Everyone wanted to stand out in front of the general!

Except for one—
Qi Guanrui.

He silently stepped back a little, not fighting for attention, letting himself be the last.
Because he’d already seen it—this time, gege hadn’t lost his memory.

That vivid spiritual presence, that posture that stirred both pity and affection… it made his heart impatient.

And the people in front of him right now?
They were all what gege once called “third wheels.”

If they’d been in his world, he’d have crushed those light bulbs one by one so they’d never shine again.
But in this world, when he still didn’t know what gege was planning, he had no choice but to endure.

The most delicious desserts are always saved for last.

Gu Bai’s mind wasn’t even on the self-introductions at all.
He was thinking about how to talk to that pervert later.

Because right now…
That pervert—still the same as ever—clearly hadn’t lost his mind this time.
And now that he thought about it, wasn’t this the first time in several worlds that they were both totally sane?

Thinking about it that way…
There was a tiny… tiny spark of nostalgic delight—
cough.

Gu Bai mentally covered his face.
Nope. Shut it down.
He absolutely didn’t think anything like that, nope nope nope.

Finally, one by one, the admiring… no, respectful beta candidates finished their introductions.
And at long last—it was the final person’s turn.

Qi Guanrui stepped forward.
He performed the most graceful courtesy he could recall from the memories of this body, and then, with an intense gaze that practically burned, he said:

“Fang family’s eldest son, Fang Yuan, greets the general. I hope to follow you to the end of my days, and pledge my life in your service!”

Gu Bai:
Do you have to act like it’s this serious…?
But at least now he knew this damn pervert’s identity.
So the pervert was “Fang Yuan,” eldest son of the Fang family duke. Pretty decent background—
Wait!

Duke Fang’s beta son!
Why does that sound so familiar?!
Wasn’t that one of the original novel’s… suitors for the protagonist shou?!?

After three seconds of blank staring:

Gu Bai: (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻
Fuck! Hidden alpha is still an alpha!
Goddammit I got happy way too early!!

If he’d known that bastard was still an alpha, he never would’ve entertained those little “absence makes the heart grow fonder” thoughts—

Thinking about what would happen if an alpha and omega actually did the do in this world, Gu Bai’s face instantly turned green.

The heat-triggered pheromones…
The neck-biting gland linking…
The whole body chemistry and… insert sounds of internal screaming
The… the mating marks…

The worst part—what if they actually made a kid?!

Make a fucking kid—HELL NO!

—No no no, I’m overthinking this.

Gu Bai took a deep breath.

Given how perverted that bastard was, “making a kid” probably wasn’t actually on the table.
But omega biology wasn’t something he could control completely.
In order not to make a kid—he’d just have to not do the deed!

Exactly.
No doing the deed.

Gu Bai mentally gave himself a thumbs-up.
He really was too clever. Just brilliant.
No need to do anything risky.
That freak had already held back through several worlds—holding back one more time wouldn’t kill him.
They were practically an old married couple now. No need to get carried away. Cultivating inner peace was better, right?

Ahaha.
…Ha…

---

Gu Bai’s brain had gone a mile a minute, but in reality, only a moment had passed.
He quickly reminded himself this was not the time to space out.

At the very least, now that the freak had made such a formal pledge, he couldn’t just pretend he didn’t hear it.

So, time to respond.

Expressionless, Gu Bai said,
“You, stay for now.”

The rest: “!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

What?! That guy’s supposed to be a coward, General!
I want to pledge my loyalty too, General!
If I’d known that kind of speech would make me stand out, I wouldn’t have played it safe just now, General!
I want private time with the general too!! 【insert screaming】

Qi Guanrui’s face filled with rapturous joy.
His eagerness nearly overflowed.
His tongue moved slightly, and he actually whispered:

“…Your grace.”

Even the normally composed adjutant got annoyed:
Who the hell is this idiot?! How dare he speak to the general like that?!

But since Gu Bai didn’t say anything, nobody dared to act.

Qi Guanrui faced all the death glares, jealousy, and hatred with utter calm.

He enjoyed it.

He loved seeing those expressions of envy and resentment every time gege treated him a little differently.
Because all of it proved—gege was his.

Only his.
The others could stare all they wanted.
But they would always remain in the shadows, watching as gege was cradled in his arms.
His and only his—private treasure.

Let those idiots dare try and steal what belongs to a god.

Afterward, Gu Bai casually waved a hand, signaling the adjutant to escort the other beta candidates out.
The adjutant was clearly sulking, but there was nothing he could do.
He left with the others—just as frustrated.

Now, only the two of them remained.

Qi Guanrui smiled gently and… somehow drifted closer, ending up at Gu Bai’s side.

In a soft voice, he said:
“Gege, it’s wonderful that you didn’t lose your memory this time.”

Gu Bai’s expression softened—just barely.

Honestly, he did feel a bit guilty toward the pervert.
They came out here to honeymoon, and besides that first world where the pervert had forgotten him, in every world since, it was he who’d forgotten the pervert.

Technically, he still owed the guy one.

Qi Guanrui noticed the shift—and instantly his gaze became even more tender.

Voice low and affectionate, he leaned in closer:
“Gege… it’s such a peaceful reunion this time. Shouldn’t we… celebrate it properly?”

Gu Bai’s inner alarm bells exploded.
“How do you mean… celebrate?”

Qi Guanrui’s tongue flicked across his lips, expression dark with suggestion:
“Gege, this time our new bodies have such interesting dynamics. We are on a honeymoon, after all. Isn’t that the perfect time to… explore the nuances of novelty with familiar souls? New sensations… old love… doesn’t it sound—delicious?”

Gu Bai:
WTF! Can you please pick up your damn morals?!

Obviously—
Absolutely not!

Gu Bai had firmly decided there would be no baby-making.
Even if he was slightly curious about the new body’s… mechanics.

Still, compared to the risk of knocking himself up…
He’d rather not indulge in those “nuances.”

Worst case, he’d level up and buy a lifelike inflatable [BLEEP] someday.
But right now—
Too dangerous!

Instant decision.

He reached out—
And smacked his hand onto Qi Guanrui’s face.
Pushed it right back.

Qi Guanrui: “…Gege, what are you doing?”

Gu Bai: “Not doing.”

Yes.
He was this decisive.
When he said no, it was no.

Qi Guanrui sighed.

Gu Bai: “Harmonious society.”

Qi Guanrui’s face showed a hint of grief.

Gu Bai felt a little guilty.
Honestly, they’d been together for so long, old-married-couple style.
If it weren’t for the circumstances, he probably would’ve gone along.

But the great will of the universe (not really) said NO.
He had no choice but to painfully—
Well, not painfully.
But still—refuse.

He paused, added softly,
“Other people’s world. Other people’s body. Need harmony.”

Silence.

But if the pervert could be convinced that easily…
He wouldn’t be a pervert.

Qi Guanrui wrapped his arms around Gu Bai’s neck and whispered against his ear:
“Gege… did you forget…”

Gu Bai’s ears turned red.

Qi Guanrui’s tongue flicked out and licked:
“Did you forget that ABO is… technically a smut trope?”

Gu Bai held his breath.

Shit. He really had forgotten this was a damn smut setting!!

Well—
Even if he hadn’t, he would’ve pretended to forget, okay!?

There was no way he’d hand that pervert the script!!

Qi Guanrui sounded regretful.
“A smut trope world… and gege still thought the grand cosmic will…”
He chuckled lowly.
“…was that innocent? You misunderstood the universe, gege.”

Gu Bai’s face tightened.

Qi Guanrui’s tongue slowly slid down his ear, across his cheek, tracing a wet path toward his neck.

Finally—
A forked, red snake-tongue licked at the base of Gu Bai’s nearly nonexistent Adam’s apple (damn this omega body)…

Qi Guanrui’s arms tightened—
And he bit.

Like a beast catching its prey—sinking his fangs into the softest, most vulnerable flesh.

Gu Bai: “……”