Little Pink Starfish

The Big Boss’s Bitterness

The big boss was tall and burly, clean-shaven unlike his second-in-command. Though a bandit, his features were quite proper—deep-set eyes, a prominent nose bridge. If it weren’t for the sleazy air about him, he might actually have been popular with the ladies. Hearing the second-in-command’s question, the big boss didn’t even lift his eyelids as he said, “Do you know who that child Gu Xingyan is risking his life to protect is?”

The second-in-command replied, “He said it’s his son.”

The big boss felt exasperated by the lack of intelligence among his subordinates. “His son? Then why not say that woman is his wife too? Can’t you use your brain a little?”

The second-in-command and the other men looked at each other. One of them muttered, “If he’s not his son, then why is Gu Xingyan guarding that kid like his life depends on it?”

The big boss picked up a clay bowl beside him and hurled it at the speaker.

Everyone rushed forward to catch the bowl mid-air.

“Boss, that’s money!” the second-in-command cried out, panicked.

Watching his brothers treasure a chipped clay bowl so dearly, the big boss suddenly felt a wave of bitterness. Back in the day, when he led his men riding the waves of the East Sea, high-spirited and full of ambition, who would’ve thought they’d end up like this—heartbroken over a broken bowl?

“So… are we killing the guy or not?” the second-in-command carefully placed the clay bowl back on the table and asked.

“The person backing us,” the big boss pointed upward, “what kind of grudge could they possibly have with Gu Xingyan? Kill him? What if that kid has some special identity? If anything goes wrong, will that person still protect us?”

The second-in-command asked, “Who could that kid be?”

Even hiding in these remote mountains, the big boss had heard about the Princess marrying Gu Sanlang. He might be surrounded by a group of dummies, but he wasn’t one himself. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have escaped the Li father-and-son’s pursuit, latched onto Zhao Qiuming as a patron, and even gotten connected with people inside the palace. What if the child Gu Xingyan was guarding with his life was actually the Seventh Prince, secretly brought by the Princess to be raised at the Gu family estate? Killing a prince? That was a crime he didn’t dare commit.

“Second-in-command!” Er Gouzi’s voice rang out from outside. “We still haven’t paid that girl for the pig head meat!” His sister had taken their ransom letter to the Gu family, and now they were talking about killing Second Young Master Gu. What if the Gu family took their anger out on her? She was a little slow, and now these big brothers of his were about to get her killed too. Er Gouzi couldn’t accept it!

“Shut up!” the second-in-command yelled back. Did he want to cheat that silly girl out of the money? He was broke! If he had the money, would he really stoop to that?

“Let’s wait and see,” the big boss said. “Let’s watch how the Gu family reacts. We don’t even know what Gu Xingyan looks like—how can we be sure just because he says he’s him?”

“What if we disobey orders and lose our support?” the second-in-command asked worriedly.

“The man’s locked up with us,” the big boss slapped the table, making the decision final. “Whether he lives or dies is up to me. Next time Cuiyu comes, just tell her the man’s already dead.”

Now that the boss had made the call, nobody dared speak further.

Er Gouzi waited at the door for the second-in-command to come out, then trailed behind him pitifully, asking, “Second-in-command, when do you think that girl will come looking for us?”

“Get lost.” The second-in-command was annoyed just seeing him. Did he think just because he liked that girl, she’d like him back?

---

Meanwhile, Yu Xiaoxiao was lying on the bed drawing a map for Gu Xinglang. “This is the map the second-in-command gave me. He said once we enter the mountains, just follow this route.”

Gu Xinglang studied the map carefully. Despite his wife’s awkward way of holding the brush (Her Highness was gripping the brush like a ballpoint pen ==), the map was surprisingly well-drawn—routes, terrain, and landmarks were all clearly marked.

“Did the second-in-command say what kind of people they are?” Gu Xinglang asked.

Yu Xiaoxiao replied, “He said he’s a farmer.”

“Pfft,” Gu Xinglang couldn’t help but laugh. Since when did farmers go by titles like ‘second-in-command’?

Yu Xiaoxiao said excitedly, “I wonder how many rabbits are in that mountain. Let’s bring more baskets tomorrow so I can load them up!”

Hearing his wife talk about rabbits again, Gu Xinglang thought seriously about it. Was Ruyun Mountain really full of fat rabbits? He hadn’t gone hunting there often, but from what he remembered, he’d never seen many rabbits—mostly wild beasts like black bears.

“You look at the map, I’ll check your legs,” Yu Xiaoxiao sat up and skillfully gave Gu Xinglang another penicillin shot. She removed the bandages around his ankles to inspect the wounds.

Gu Xinglang held the map without moving, letting his wife “mess around” with his injuries.

---

Back at the Gu residence, the old master was in his study yelling at Gu Xingnuo. “Send more people to find your second brother. If the Seventh Prince is lost, won’t the Princess be beside herself with worry?”

Usually, Gu Xingnuo would simply nod at his grandfather’s scoldings. But when he heard this line, he looked a bit awkward. Would the Princess really be that worried? He had a feeling his sister-in-law had already forgotten about the Seventh Prince…

“Could Zhao Qiuming be behind this again?” the old master snapped, then asked, “Was your second brother ambushed on the way by Zhao Qiuming?”

“If Xingyan and the Seventh Prince were in Zhao Qiuming’s hands, would he be this calm?” Gu Xingnuo replied. “Things haven’t been going well for the Zhao family lately.”

The old master thought for a long while before saying, “Send more people to search. And post someone to keep an eye on the Zhao residence too.”

“Understood.” Gu Xingnuo nodded. “Grandfather, don’t worry too much. Xingyan’s martial arts are exceptional—ordinary people couldn’t harm him.”

The old master grunted and waved him off. “And don’t tell the Princess for now—no need to make her anxious.”

“Yes,” Gu Xingnuo answered and left the study.

Once outside, he immediately summoned his personal guards to his own study.

The guards entered, and when Gu Xingnuo ordered them to shut the door, they knew something serious was happening again.

Gu Xingnuo waited until the door was closed, then motioned for them to come close and said in a low voice, “Find a way to kidnap someone close to Zhao Qiuming.”

The guards froze. Whoa—was Young Master finally going to go head-to-head with Zhao Qiuming?

“Young Master,” one of them asked cautiously, “the people around Zhao Qiuming aren’t easy targets.”

“They all have to be alone sometime,” Gu Xingnuo said coldly. “Since Zhao Qiuming refuses to let the Gu family live in peace, I’m not going to let him enjoy his days either.”