“She” lies in the crystal coffin filled with fresh flowers, her snowy white cheeks pressed against the vibrant and dewy blossoms. The corners of “her” eyes seem stained with flower juice, faintly tinged with peach blossom hues.
A small patch of moist mist covers the crystal coffin. As the prince concludes the kiss, a clear lip print appears in the white mist, along with the slightly fluttering eyelashes—
The pitch-black lashes flutter like black butterflies, revealing a green as elusive as a forest and overlapping peaks. In that profound green, the handsome face of the prince is reflected.
“Snow White awakens, as if from a long slumber. Her cheeks and lips remain rosy.”
＊
Bai Tang lies in the crystal coffin, surrounded by a rich floral fragrance wafting around his nose. He closes his eyes, feigning sleep, while in his mind, he contemplates the kiss from the script.
Su Siyuan… is going to kiss him?
It’s a strange feeling in his heart, but not unpleasant. The small green sprout hidden under the intricately carved crown shivers and timidly presses against the silver metal.
In the tranquil darkness, during the prolonged wait, Bai Tang suddenly recalls his first quick transmigration world and the encounter with the Pope of the Church of Light.
It was a Western magical world with divine creatures and real gods, such as the immensely powerful God of Light.
In that world, three out of ten humans were followers of the God of Light, and the strength of the Church of Light extended throughout the entire continent. As for that person, Aydenis… it seemed to be the name. Pope Aydenis was the earthly representative of the God of Light, the man closest to the existence of the divine.
The first place Bai Tang landed wasn’t ideal; he fell into the statue of the God of Light. Who would have thought that the seemingly solid and radiant golden statue was actually hollow.
The most fitting quality for a divine statue is an impenetrable shell that leaves one in despair. Bai Tang couldn’t find a way out from the inside. At that time, neither Bai Tang nor the system realized they had fallen into the statue; Bai Tang thought he was trapped in a secret room.
Bai Tang, now in human form, reluctantly knocks on the shell. The knocking sound attracts someone outside, and a deep, melodious male voice inquires, “Who’s there?”
Nervously hugging himself, Bai Tang hesitates for a moment and whispers, “Help, help me. I can’t get out.”
“Who are you?” The voice is extremely pleasant, speaking in tones akin to singing hymns, reciting everything magnificent and bright.
Bai Tang didn’t know what to say. After some contemplation, he cautiously introduced himself, “I am Bai Tang, Bai as snow, and ‘tang’ from haitang. When I bloom, I resemble a white haitang flower.”
“…White Haitang Flower?”
At that time, Bai Tang was still unaware that the Wight Haitang Flower was the sacred flower of the Church of Light, just as he didn’t know that the man was Pope Aydenis of the Church of Light.
He didn’t know the internal struggles that man had gone through, breaking the statue of the God of Light with his own hands.
Just like he didn’t know that the Pope wearing a dark golden mask stood in a magnificent bedroom, quietly gazing at the youthful haitang flower-like boy, and what the lengthy, song-like verses he recited meant.
It was an extended, hymn-like verse as if swarms of swallowtail butterflies were gracefully flying across the sky, haitang flowers were blooming everywhere, and the radiant sunlight warmly illuminated the earth, bringing forth all things beautiful and sacred.
Bai Tang could only sense that the man’s mask gleamed with golden light, his robe woven with threads of gold and silver, adorned with dazzling jewels, giving him a particularly wealthy appearance.
Aydenis built a tall tower for Bai Tang, stating that it was closest to thunder and lightning, so he wanted Bai Tang to live there. The observing system couldn’t help but comment that it had witnessed a “gilded cage.”
Bai Tang enjoyed his time in the tower, lazily basking in the sun, and drinking raindrops. The Pope would sometimes come to visit, softly asking, “What is a haitang like? Is it more beautiful than the White Haitang Flower?”
“I would really like to see.”
Holding a bunch of White Haitang Flowers, the Pope’s delicate fingers traced the petals, still adorned with dewdrops. His movements were focused and affectionate as if handling an invaluable treasure.
Yet, the Pope himself was synonymous with “precious,” exuding a delicate yet luxurious aura from his strands of golden hair to the tips of his toenails.
Silk-like golden hair cascaded down his shoulders, interweaving with the radiance of gold and brocade. Sunlight streamed in from behind him, casting shadows on the ground.
Only by accumulating enough energy could Bai Tang bloom. After pondering for a moment, he replied, “Then you’ll have to wait a very long time.”
The Pope stood still for a long time, eventually saying softly, “Alright.”
But the Pope did not live to see that day. After eleven rainy nights, he was sentenced to death.
Considered a blasphemer, he was tied to a cross and burned to death.
God’s servants in the Pope’s palace discovered the shattered fragments of the deity statue. Through the spell of time regression, they found that the Pope had personally shattered the deity statue.
This was disrespect to the God of Light.
The god servants used the god mirror to examine the Pope and discovered that the Pope, who should have severed all worldly desires and maintained absolute purity in serving the God of Light, now harbored emotions and desires.
This was utterly absurd.
Empowered by the light of God, they suppressed the Pope’s magical abilities, removed his crown, discarded his scepter, stripped him of his robes, and bound the blasphemer to the cross.
The holy fire roared as if intending to consume all darkness, radiant gold, and surging flames that no one could extinguish. The flames licked the edges of the blasphemer’s clothes, and someone noticed that the dark golden mask had not been removed. So, before the flames intensified, they reached out and took off the mask.
At the moment when the mask was taken off, the previously indignant faithful fell into a deathly silence.
Once, there was a child of a prostitute named Yadenis. Due to his near-perfect facial features, he was chosen as the Holy Son of the Church of Light.
His beauty was so radiant that no one dared to look directly at him.
The blasphemer, with golden eyes wide open, gazed in the direction of the tall tower, softly reciting an unknown hymn.
He said, “My Light Holy Flower, God cast you upon this sacred land. I am willing to prostrate myself, kissing every inch of the land where you fall.”
＊
“He’s done kissing.” The system’s notification sounded in his mind. Bai Tang, opening his eyes, saw the lip print left on the crystal coffin and the deep gaze of Su Siyuan.
Bai Tang stared at the lip print in a daze. As the mist gradually disappeared, the lip print also faded. Bai Tang slowly reached out, fingertips lightly touching the cold crystal lid, as if touching thin ice about to melt under the sunlight.
Bai Tang suddenly had a strange illusion, as if waiting for that kiss had taken a very long time.
In the memory, the Pope held a bouquet of White Haitang Flowers, lowered his gaze, and gently kissed the snow-white petals.
Su Siyuan opened the crystal coffin, helped Bai Tang up, and noticed the somewhat bewildered look in the young man’s eyes. Su Siyuan’s heart panicked, quickly reached out, and shook in front of Bai Tang’s eyes, furrowing his brows and asking, “What’s wrong? Are you feeling uncomfortable? Is it too stuffy inside the crystal coffin?”
Bai Tang grabbed the hand shaking in front of his eyes, looking somewhat puzzled at Su Siyuan. The young man’s voice was soft, and as he spoke, his lips, painted in bright red, resembled peony flowers. “Have you seen the magnolia flowers?”
The man in front of him was somewhat surprised by this question but still answered seriously, “Magnolia flowers are very beautiful.”
Only then did Bai Tang remember that the first time they met, this man had said that magnolia flowers were beautiful.
At that time, Su Siyuan had answered like this, his tone solemn and his voice gentle, as if singing a poem.
The intertwining sense of memories left Bai Tang momentarily confused. Not inclined towards melancholy, he pondered for a moment, finding the process of contemplating questions too tiring. He decided not to bother and took off the crown on his head, letting the little green sprout breathe.
Then, Bai Tang had no time to think further, as the snail babies surrounded him. They reached out with small hands, delicately touching the bubble sleeves, the hem of the dress, and even considerately helping Bai Tang remove the petals from his hair.
Chi Jin wore the clothes of a dwarf, stuck a circle of foam on his cheeks, and hung a small foam axe on his chest. Originally, the axe was supposed to be hung on his back, but the snail babies had smooth shells on their backs, making it difficult to hang things.
Although the foam beard didn’t look good, Chi Jin was very dedicated. To play the role of a dwarf well, he didn’t care about his own glamorous image.
At this moment, Chi Jin held a petal and couldn’t help but stick it behind his own ear, looking at Bai Tang with a desire for praise that was about to burst forth.
However, Chi Jin forgot that he still had the foam beard on his cheeks. So… Chi Jin, the little friend, became the target of merciless teasing from the other snail babies.
Chi Lin used his little bottom to push away Chi Jin and squeezed into Bai Tang’s side. He nervously sniffed, causing the two little beard strands attached to him to tremble, “Tang Tang, can I take a photo with you?”
Hearing this, the other snail babies raised their antennas eagerly and enthusiastically raised their hands to show agreement. In the end, everyone crowded around Bai Tang to take the photo together.
In the photo, Snow White held the crown, and her black hair flowed gently over her shoulders. “She” had crimson lips with a smile, gently gazing at the seven dwarfs beside her, unaware that the prince next to her was looking at “her” affectionately.
Chi Cainan put away the camera, and with Bai Tang and Su Siyuan, they went to have a meal. The food was prepared by Bai Yinhao, who added a bit of Lingquan water to the dishes. He also prepared a cup of diluted Lingquan water separately for Bai Tang.
For Bai Tang, Lingquan water was like alcohol. Even though it was diluted, Bai Tang had poor resistance to it. Taking a sip, from the throat to the stomach, warmth spread, and his limbs became soft, losing strength.
Bai Tang held the water cup, sipping it slowly. With every small sip, he would squint his eyes in satisfaction, his pair of emerald green eyes shimmering with something even more spirited than Lingquan water.
Seeing Bai Tang’s intoxicated look, a gentle smile appeared in Su Siyuan’s eyes and brows. He walked to the corner to discuss with Bai Yinhao about the price of Lingquan water.
Bai Yinhao discovered the Lingquan on the mountain and had spent many years there in pursuit of it. This time coming down the mountain, he brought some Lingquan using a special method, so he didn’t have too much on him.
The value of Lingquan water was considerable, and even for good friends, it couldn’t be given away for free. Su Siyuan proposed a substantial price, and Bai Yinhao agreed to the transaction, mentioning that he would need some time to go back up the mountain for more Lingquan water.
Everyone finished their meal, but Bai Tang hadn’t finished the Lingquan water yet. Due to the painful experience with a previous cup, Bai Tang took small sips this time, maintaining a state between wakefulness and drowsiness.
Su Siyuan supported Bai Tang’s waist, preparing to drive them back home.
From Chi’s house to Su’s house, there was no need for the magical transportation method. Human vehicles were sufficient.
Bai Tang clung to Su Siyuan like a little sticky rice cake. The temperature inside the car was relatively high, and a faint redness appeared at the corners of Bai Tang’s eyes. Holding the water cup, he sat dizzily in the car seat.
Su Siyuan said he would fasten his seatbelt, and Bai Tang raised the water cup with both hands, leaning softly against the seatback. He tried to open his big watery eyes wide, looking at Su Siyuan, indicating that he was very well-behaved. Even the little green sprout on his head was emitting signals of a well-behaved baby.
Su Siyuan smiled gently, fastened Bai Tang’s seatbelt, and said to the sleepy Bai Tang, “Finish the rest of the Lingquan water. We’ll be driving shortly, and it might spill.”
Bai Tang pondered slowly, thinking that what Su Siyuan said made a lot of sense. So, he raised the water cup and took a gulp. As expected, drowsiness instantly overwhelmed him. With the last trace of clarity, Bai Tang handed the water cup to Su Siyuan, then tilted his little head and fell into a deep sleep.
Under the car’s interior lights, Bai Tang’s small face had a layer of porcelain-like radiance, resembling peeled lychee—white, tender, and sweet. His slightly parted red lips revealed a glimpse of a small tongue.
Su Siyuan didn’t start the car immediately. He took the water cup, gazing at Bai Tang for a long while. Then, his gaze fell on the water cup, which bore a bright red lip print.
The surroundings fell into complete silence, with only the faint sound of Bai Tang’s breathing.
Su Siyuan raised the water cup as if enchanted, closing his eyes and pressing his lips against the lip print.
Just like the emotions he expressed today, kissing the crystal coffin. He knelt halfway in front of the crystal coffin, hands covering the cool glass. To allow ventilation, there were two tiny round holes in the glass. Thus, the fragrance from inside the coffin seeped through the small holes and entered his nostrils.
It was a rich and sweet fragrance, smelling the scent while looking at the person sleeping inside the crystal coffin. It felt like something in his heart had burst, a sweetness comparable to mountains collapsing.
His lips touched the cold glass, and his palms also touched the cold glass. Yet, his heart was beating so fast. For a moment, he felt like standing on the edge of a deep abyss, but the person lying below was Bai Tang.
Therefore, even if it were a deep abyss, he would willingly jump in.
