Little Pink Starfish

BraisedSpicySnack and Claude

He Xiu had always been “someone else’s outstanding child.” He had exceptional grades and a good-looking appearance—no matter how you looked at it, he was far beyond his peers.

Then he graduated from a prestigious university abroad, joined the best hospital, and was even placed on the most promising surgical team.
Whenever his name was mentioned, his parents and relatives wore expressions of pride.

Until that summer, when he suddenly resigned and unexpectedly became a veterinarian, shocking everyone.

His parents, knowing he had fallen out with the senior professor who led the team—a top department director—tiptoed around the topic, thinking he was just disheartened. With his résumé, if this hospital didn’t work out, there were plenty of others.

As for running off to become a vet… they thought he was joking, maybe trying to mock that department head.
Look, I’d rather operate on animals than do surgeries under your name.

That’s right. The department head was getting on in age and could no longer perform surgeries as effortlessly as before. Surgical operations required stamina, focus, and physical strength. He Xiu had long grown resentful of his methods. After several high-risk, complex surgeries that He Xiu completed on his own, he hadn’t even gotten the chance to celebrate before the credit was taken by that man’s name and flaunted around.

So, He Xiu would rather perform surgery on animals than be that man’s scalpel.

Knowing their son was feeling wronged, his well-educated parents didn’t even dare persuade him. They let him be a vet, thinking, He’s young, no rush.

Who would’ve thought he’d stick with it for a year?

He took it seriously—studying veterinary medicine and earning a reputation in domestic circles thanks to his exceptional surgical skills.

“Even if you’re being stubborn, there’s a limit!” His father brought out his sternest tone.

His mother added from the side, “Your dad even swallowed his pride and reached out to some old friends. Xiu, tell us, which hospital do you want to join?”

He Xiu glanced at the time. If he didn’t log on soon, others might start worrying.
He couldn’t help but laugh at himself. At this age, I’m acting like a kid addicted to a game. Is this a late-onset chuunibyou phase?

He said seriously to his parents, “No, I’ve realized I actually really like being a vet. This is the career for me.”

That was the second time. His parents left with helpless expressions, but He Xiu knew they’d probably come a third time—maybe with an ultimatum.

But he hadn’t lied. Only after doing it did he realize—he truly liked being a vet.

Compared to the complexities of hospital politics, this field was much simpler. It was still saving lives—no life was worth more or less than another.

After logging into the game, he looked at his swordsman character, which he’d been playing for nearly a year.
If he returned to a hospital, that hectic environment meant he wouldn’t be able to log in like this anymore.

Honestly? He didn’t want to give it up.

“Spicy Snack Bro!” Claude ran up first with excitement.

In the game, He Xiu’s name was “BraisedSpicySnack.” He hadn’t picked it himself—back when he was studying abroad, a friend joked that he missed Chinese snacks so much, even a braised spicy stick sounded better than the horror-show cafeteria food.

“Where’s everyone else?” Today, they were supposed to bring that brave guy over to meet Lady Yang. After all, sending someone into the palace couldn’t be done blindly. They had to vet him at least a little.

Truthfully, if not for the trust they’d built with Lady Yang recently, she never would’ve agreed to send a stranger into the palace.

Claude hurried to explain, “Nai Nai and Zhan Tian are still rehearsing lines with him. Since we told the lady he’s an old friend from our hometown, it’d be weird if they didn’t act familiar.”

He Xiu nodded. Their current team—him, Claude, Lost Deer, Nai Nai, and Zhan Tian—had stuck together for a while. They had gone through others, but those early players had gradually drifted away.

“Let’s go meet them then,” He Xiu said, about to move when he noticed Claude’s hesitant expression. “What’s up?”

The young man in front of him finally mustered the courage. “Spicy Snack Bro, I need to tell you something!”

He Xiu was a little surprised. Another one with something going on in real life and needing to quit the game? But this guy was a rich second-gen—probably not. Maybe he has to go inherit the family business?

Well, if that’s the case, he won’t last long anyway.

He had considered whether it was a team issue. But after spending so much time together, they’d all come to accept Claude. He’d always worked hard without complaint, and his group contributions weren’t bad.

Claude looked like he had something important to say. He Xiu couldn’t help but worry. Is he leaving the team too?

“Spicy Snack Bro,” Claude said finally, “I’ve decided not to hold it back anymore. I want to pursue you.”

He Xiu didn’t quite catch it at first.
“What? Wait—did you say that wrong?”

Claude shook his head. “No. I want to pursue you.”

He Xiu: “……”

Having spent nearly eight years abroad, He Xiu considered himself worldly. This wasn’t the first time he’d been pursued by a man—he seemed to attract that type. Back then, he’d coldly rejected a very persistent admirer.

But Claude… After this past year, he knew this rich boy might be a little dumb, but he was genuine and pure-hearted. He wasn’t manipulative. Being around him was easy.

So, for once, He Xiu found himself unable to say no outright.

He’d grown soft toward these guys without realizing it. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have let Claude join the team in the first place, knowing he didn’t quite meet their standards.

He had to admit—Claude was a little different to him.

“This is just in the game,” He Xiu tried to choose his words carefully. “Maybe you admire me because I’m good at playing. It could be just a misunderstanding?”

“No,” Claude said firmly. “I’m 26, not 16. I can tell the difference between admiration and affection.”

He Xiu: “……”
Honestly, I wouldn’t have guessed you were 26. Sixteen feels more accurate.

“I’ve been thinking about this for months,” Claude added. “I didn’t say anything until I was sure.”

“But this is like falling for someone online—it’s not reliable. You don’t even know me.”

“This is a full-immersion game. We’ve played together so long—how could I not know you?” Claude countered.

He Xiu sighed. “We’ve never even met in real life—we’re strangers.”

“I didn’t adjust my avatar. I look just like this in real life!” Claude said defensively.

So He Xiu took a good look at him.
This pampered, soft-skinned rich boy… was honestly quite good-looking.

Wait. Why am I checking out his looks right now?

“Families like yours usually arrange marriages, right? Your parents wouldn’t accept you liking a man.”

He Xiu knew which family Claude came from—it wasn’t just any rich background. His was well-known.

Claude replied seriously, “Don’t worry, Spicy Snack Bro. Before telling you this, I already got my family’s approval. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have come to bother you. If I like you, I won’t let my family cause you any harm.”

He Xiu: “……”

What could he say? The kid was too sincere.
He suddenly couldn’t get the words out.

“Spicy Snack Bro, I’m not expecting an answer right now. I’ll pursue you seriously. If you reject me in the end, I’ll be heartbroken and disappointed—but I won’t blame you. I know love can’t be forced.”

He Xiu: “……”
This isn’t just love—this is about orientation!

Later, they met up with the rest of the team.
Claude didn’t say a word to anyone else, which relieved He Xiu. If others found out, he’d feel even more awkward.

At least on the surface, Claude was still just a reliable teammate.

After successfully sneaking their brave guy into the palace as a eunuch, they all breathed a sigh of relief. Hopefully the guy would behave himself—everyone had vouched for him.

But the guy was fine.
It was Lost Deer who was struggling.

“We need to change factions—I really can’t take this anymore!” she yelled. “I’m a woman, and even I’m falling for her! I swear I like men, but if I stay near her any longer, I can’t guarantee I won’t bend!”

Lost Deer’s words were full of bitterness—especially since this NPC was so good at flirting.
Liking an NPC? Ugh, the pain…

He Xiu: “……”
He really couldn’t hear the word “bend” anymore.
Because he felt a pair of hungry eyes beside him, silently hoping he’d just bend already.

So, he made a decision.
“Alright. I’ll start scouting other factions. Now that Lady Yang’s married, it’s harder to earn her husband’s trust. It’s time we moved on.”

Lost Deer froze.
She had wanted to leave—but now that they were, she couldn’t help feeling a little wistful.

Claude stayed silent.
He didn’t want to make Spicy Snack Bro uncomfortable, so he’d been restraining himself.

But that meant he was getting nowhere.

“Spicy Snack Bro.”
“Yeah?”
“Are you still working at that pet hospital?”
“Yeah, for now.” He Xiu answered casually. He was still contacting some acquaintances, seeing if he could switch clinics.

“Oh.” Claude went quiet again.

A few days later, they smoothly joined another faction.
With the background from Lady Yang’s group, their development here was going even better. Plus, this group had a grudge with the princess, which made it easier for them to help Lost Deer get revenge.

He Xiu logged off, stretched, showered, and went to sleep.
He had a surgery booked for the next day, and he needed a good night’s rest.

The operation went well.
Watching the pet dog’s owner cry with joy, He Xiu smiled as he walked out.

In this respect, pet hospitals really were simpler.
Almost no medical disputes.

“Spicy Snack Bro!”
A familiar voice rang out.
He Xiu didn’t immediately register it—it sounded a little different from the game.

He turned around instinctively—
And saw a young man in a brown sweater coat smiling at him from not far away.

He was dragging a flamboyant suitcase and holding a massive teddy bear.
People on the street couldn’t help but glance his way.

But that smile—too dazzling.
That face—too striking.

People looked at the bear first… but quickly shifted their gaze to the young man.

He Xiu had to admit—
Standing there in the sunlight, the youth dazzled his eyes.

For a moment, it felt like the whole world had gotten brighter.

“I came to see you!”
The young man ran up to He Xiu.
“You see? I’m really serious about chasing you. Now that we’ve met in real life, what do you think of me? Is there a chance—a tiny chance—you might like me too?”

He fired off words like a machine gun.
He Xiu was still in a daze, barely processing what he said.

Looking at the oversized bear in his arms, then at the slightly nervous young man before him—He Xiu couldn’t help but laugh.

He reached out naturally, ruffling Claude’s slightly messy hair.

“Come on, let me buy you a meal!”

Truly, Bix Magic Cube was a magical game.
An online romance?
No. This had nothing to do with that.

It was practically… another real world.

Because he realized—
Seeing “Claude” in reality… he was exactly the same as in the game.

Exactly the same.
Familiar—

And impossible to resist.