Little Pink Starfish

A Different Yan Sheng

Even though Hua Rongyue really wanted to pretend she hadn’t understood, the keyword was so obvious she couldn’t lie to herself.

So this Blood Gourd…

She looked down at it again, and suddenly felt a chill run up her spine.

Damn… no wonder this person looked so familiar—turns out they were one of Lin Qiya’s victims?

Lin Qiya usually targeted people with strong abilities, but occasionally, when bored or unable to find a “prey,” she’d go after ordinary people. This one must have been an unlucky commoner who caught her eye. Hua Rongyue had seen what Lin Qiya’s victims looked like in her memories before, but seeing it with her own eyes was far more shocking.

She couldn’t explain what she was feeling at that moment. Head down, she silently helped Doctor Qi with his work. Lin Qiya wasn’t infamous yet—only the “mad” ones knew about her. That’s why the people from Six Gates didn’t recognize her. Her real notoriety came later, after she drove Yi Linglong insane.

The people behind them were still chatting about things she had no mind to listen to. She kept her head down, helping Doctor Qi hold the man down, because he was about to start thrashing. Doctor Qi stuck a few needles into him, and he began convulsing. Hua Rongyue held him firmly, feeling sticky fluid on her hands and the metallic scent of blood filling her nose.

She had no intention of joining the conversation behind her, just quietly focused on her work—until she suddenly realized the room had gone silent.

Huh? Why did it get so quiet all of a sudden?

She looked up and found everyone staring at her. Confused, she glanced at Doctor Qi for help.

Doctor Qi was also stunned.

He hadn’t expected Yan Sheng to suddenly ask Hua Rongyue, “What do you think about this?”

Hua Rongyue had been quietly helping from the beginning, barely speaking a word. She was practically invisible. No one thought Yan Sheng would suddenly turn and question her like that.

Logically, this kind of question shouldn’t have been aimed at her. Then Doctor Qi suddenly remembered something he’d said to Yan Sheng a few days ago in casual conversation.

…

That day, chatting with Yan Sheng, he mentioned how Xiao Han had been making a ruckus in the shop lately. Doctor Qi had laughed and said, “Good thing Hua Rongyue is around. Xiao Han doesn’t dare get too loud when he’s there.”

“Xiao Han actually listens to him?” Yan Sheng asked.

“Yeah,” Doctor Qi replied with a laugh. “Even though Rongyue seems quiet all the time, he’s easy to get along with. Just doesn’t like talking much. That kind of person scares someone like Xiao Han.”

“He’s really that quiet?” Yan Sheng said. “Didn’t seem like it.”

“Yeah. Makes it hard to get more than a couple of words out of him. But weirdly, when he does speak, it’s always something useful.”

“The opposite of Young Master Xiao, huh?” Yan Sheng chuckled, catching the implied jab.

“Exactly. Xiao Han’s too noisy sometimes,” Doctor Qi sighed dramatically.

Then he remembered another funny tidbit. “When I chat with Xiao Lian about jianghu matters, he never says a word. But if we ask him something we don’t know, he always looks startled—but often knows the answer. If you ever come by the clinic, you should try it. He’s quiet, but he’s interesting.”

Doctor Qi thought—surely that offhand joke hadn’t been taken seriously?

…Couldn’t he pick a better time to test it?

He looked at Yan Sheng’s expressionless face, completely unable to guess what he was thinking.

The surrounding voices faded as more people turned to watch. Hua Rongyue looked around the room, her mind going blank.

He’s asking me?

All eyes were now on her, even those who hadn’t looked before.

Why… suddenly ask me?

No one else here knew Hua Rongyue. If Yan Sheng hadn’t spoken up, no one would have paid her any attention. Sure, she was strikingly good-looking, but that wasn’t the focus here. The Six Gates members were just as puzzled—why ask a medic such a question?

Doctor Qi stepped in to smooth things over. “No worries, Lord Yan was just asking casually. Maybe he thought you had some jianghu experience and might know something. If you do, say it. If not, it’s okay.”

He actually didn’t think Hua Rongyue knew anything.

The previous times she’d answered questions were about things only jianghu folks would know—things that ordinary people wouldn’t. But this, identifying the person who hurt someone based only on a “blood gourd”… even the constables might struggle. That’s a bit much, isn’t it?

Being stared at by so many made Hua Rongyue feel inexplicably awkward. And now they were waiting for her to speak. She wasn’t used to the spotlight, and she wasn’t even sure herself.

Yan Sheng’s question had come so suddenly—it put a lot of pressure on her. She felt awkward if she didn’t say something, like she’d be letting them down.

Everyone seemed to think she knew something shocking, just from how serious Yan Sheng looked. Even she thought he was being serious, and because she was naturally earnest, she decided to answer sincerely too.

But since she was unsure, her voice came out a bit weak and hesitant.

After a moment, she softly said, “This woman… I think I’ve actually seen her before…”

Her quiet voice rang out in the Hundred Herbs Clinic and reached everyone’s ears.

Doctor Qi froze mid-movement.

He whipped his head around to stare at her.

Yan Sheng also froze.

The room went completely silent. Then, people immediately began firing questions.

“Who? What’s her name?”

Hua Rongyue was swamped by the sudden crowd, pushed back several times. She grew annoyed. She hadn’t even gotten blood on her clothes while treating the injured, but now the jostling left stains. She didn’t want to reveal her martial skills in front of these Six Gates folks.

…

After a few seconds of chaos, one voice cut through.

“Quiet. Hua Rongyue, come with me.”

It was Yan Sheng. Thanks to him, Hua Rongyue finally got a chance to breathe. She looked up and saw his expressionless face.

He said, “Let’s talk in the back,” and walked out.

Doctor Qi blinked at Yan Sheng leaving, then turned to Hua Rongyue. “Go ahead. Don’t wander too far. Come back when you’re done.”

“Alright,” Hua Rongyue nodded and followed.

Doctor Qi looked down at the patient, then crooked a finger at Xiao Han, who’d been snacking on melon seeds and watching the drama. He had him hold the patient down while he cleaned the wounds.

As he worked, he replayed the earlier scene in his mind.

Hua Rongyue… really exceeded expectations.

It was like watching a magic trick.

Outside, Yan Sheng was waiting at the door. Hua Rongyue approached.

He asked, “Who was that woman?”

“I don’t know her well, just heard of her,” Hua Rongyue replied. “Lin Qiya.”

“Lin Qiya,” Yan Sheng repeated softly. “What kind of person is she?”

“Very strong. Strange personality. Enjoys tormenting people.”

Yan Sheng nodded, then fell into thought. Hua Rongyue stayed silent, not wanting to disturb him.

She leaned against the doorframe, quietly gazing at the stars—when suddenly, Yan Sheng spoke.

“Honestly, I just asked you on a whim. Didn’t expect an actual answer.”

…Then why ask?!

Hua Rongyue instantly felt tricked. She realized she had taken it way too seriously.

Yan Sheng suddenly laughed. It was the first time she’d heard him laugh.

He said, “Doctor Qi said you always sit quietly and rarely speak, but seem to know a lot. So I figured I’d ask. Sorry if I offended you.”

…Qi Xiaofang?!

Hua Rongyue stared in disbelief. They had teamed up to prank her? This wasn’t how she remembered him at all!

He looked so serious—but he was actually mischievous! That blank face had totally fooled her.

In Yi Linglong’s memories, Yan Sheng was always stoic and cold. The image burned deepest was of him standing before Yi Linglong with a drawn blade.

That was his default mode.

His coldest side had shown itself to Yi Linglong. In her past life, she never imagined he could act this childish.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to mess with you,” Yan Sheng added, as if he knew what she was thinking. “Didn’t think you’d be so serious. My fault. I won’t joke like that again.”

He looked up at the stars. “I just thought today’s events were interesting. Doctor Qi was right—you are a fascinating person.”

Hua Rongyue remained silent.

Interesting… That wasn’t a great word for a fugitive assassin.

She suddenly remembered something. “You can’t beat her right now. Neither can the people inside. She’s really dangerous.”

Yan Sheng didn’t react much. “Still, we can’t let her keep doing this. It’s our duty.”

His voice was steady. Though she couldn’t see his face, she could imagine his expression. He really was a responsible man.

“Tomorrow we’ll search street by street. Who knows where she’s hiding—it could take a while.”

“Oh, don’t bother with East and West Street,” Hua Rongyue said. “I’ve been watching those the past few days.”

Yan Sheng froze. He turned to her, confused.

Hua Rongyue suddenly had a bad feeling. She asked weakly, “Didn’t you say the other day you wanted me to keep an eye on things around here…”

“That day?” Yan Sheng thought for a moment, then remembered. “Wait, the message I had Doctor Qi pass along?”

Hua Rongyue slowly nodded.

In the darkness, Yan Sheng burst into laughter. His voice was low, rich, and warm.

But Hua Rongyue felt her heart sink.

So I misunderstood again. He hadn’t expected her to take it seriously. Yet she’d gone around investigating on her own like a fool.

She turned to leave and heard him say behind her, “Didn’t expect you to care more than the people at Six Gates, and you’re not even one of us yet…”

Hua Rongyue wished she could crawl into a hole.

“Mr. Rongyue, you really are a very serious and kind person,” Yan Sheng said as she faded from view.