Chapter 61: It’s Not Just Princes Who Can Wake Up Princesses; The Meaning of Fairy Tales Is That Girls Create Their Own Endings

With his bangs and chest soaked, Bai Jingchuan looked pitiful, like a lost animal. Jiang Huan stared at the well-defined muscles beneath his white shirt, swallowing hard to suppress her nervousness. “What do you want me to do?”

“Cold.”

She pointed at the open faucet without stepping forward to turn it off. “You turned on the hot water; it’ll heat up soon.”

“How cruel. But I guess I’m not built for water—I’ll probably pass out soon.”

As he spoke, Bai Jingchuan chuckled weakly, leaning against the wall. His gaze became vacant, and he closed his eyes. Jiang Huan had originally planned for him to pull her close for a kiss under the warm spray of the showerhead, like a gentle rain. Now flustered, she slapped his face lightly, but her hand slid down from his body to the tiles, leaving him lying there in the water like a soaked doll.

All she wanted was to complete the ultimate challenge—how did things spiral out of control like this?

Not entirely familiar with Bai Jingchuan’s physical limits, Jiang Huan dragged him out of the bathroom in a panic. She dried him off with a towel as much as possible, though both were drenched. After opening the ventilation, she laid him on the floor and attempted CPR—but wait, he hadn’t drowned, so artificial respiration wasn’t necessary either. She patted his face again: “Do you have an on/off switch? Doesn’t look like it… Were you lying to me? Look, I didn’t mean for this to happen! Wake up, please. You weren’t drunk back on Renwu Road, right? You must be in the same state now… Hospitals are out of the question too, since I covered for you last time… What should I do? Could it really be that you can’t handle water? Forget it…”

Racking her brain for every sci-fi possibility, Jiang Huan took a deep breath and decided to attempt mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. As she bent down, she thought, This is exactly what the prophecy about the Snow Prince foretold: the princess waking the prince with a kiss. But when their lips touched, Bai Jingchuan remained unresponsive. Her efforts to breathe into his mouth failed, and she couldn’t even pry his lips apart. Strange—he shouldn’t stiffen after losing consciousness, should he? If this continued, she’d lose him—and she couldn’t let that happen!

She was genuinely starting to panic. Earlier, she had said, “I wish you would disappear,” and returned utterly exhausted. What kind of rules governed Bai Jingchuan’s existence in that world? Was it really so harsh that exposure to water caused him to faint?

No more kisses, no more embraces, no more romance—just let him live. At least don’t let him die here and now…

As she prepared for a third round of artificial respiration, her tongue finally managed to part his lips. But before she could react, she felt his hand press against the back of her head, pulling her into his arms. Startled, she opened her eyes to find the Snow Prince already awake, kissing her passionately.

Had she woken him with the kiss, or had he been pretending all along?

“Bai Jingchuan, let go of me first—I need to check on you…”

“No time.”

“You tricked me!”

“You taught me to interpret fairy tales from a new perspective. I’m already the unconscious prince—why can’t I try harder to keep the person I love by my side?”

It must’ve been because of the recent discussion on the “Unspoken Crush Study Group”—he’s always been such a quick learner.

Before Jiang Huan could say anything else, her tongue was skillfully entwined with his, drawing her into unfamiliar territory. Instinctively, she clung to his neck for balance—it was uncomfortable being held mid-air—but Bai Jingchuan tightened his embrace and carried her to the bed, wrapping them both in the covers.

Was it to avoid surveillance? He had always been restrained—was he troubled by being watched?

But now, all they could hear were each other’s breaths.

The soft rustling of the sheets felt like a tender embrace. Every small sound seemed to echo their touches, intensifying the moment. Unable to write beyond the middle of the main storyline or add more dates, she had only imagined Li Junzhu as a kissing fiend, but never expected him to leave her breathless. Finally released, his lips moved to her neck, nibbling and licking at her collarbone until her entire body went limp. Her skin burned, unsure whether from the mischievous showerhead or his restless hands. He seemed to be holding back, whispering, “Are you willing?”

Isn’t it precisely because it hasn’t been written that it feels more exciting? Yet hearing such a sincere question made her heart flutter. Without answering, Jiang Huan gazed into his eyes, slowly lowering her gaze to gently kiss the corner of his lips.

What followed was a series of fierce kisses and dominant exploration. Breathing heavily, her fingertips ignited sensations across her body. Drenched in sweat, she tried to wrap her arms around his neck, but he retreated downward, trailing kisses until his fingers grazed the pulsing vein on her neck. Shyness was inevitable, but because it was Bai Jingchuan, she trusted him completely. His tongue teased her navel and tickled her waist, making her squirm. He lifted her hips slightly, guiding her movements like a stretching cat. Not wanting her moans muffled under the blankets, Jiang Huan emerged for air, only to be overwhelmed by pleasure rippling through her skin. Sweat soaked the sheets. Before she could catch her breath, she was pulled back under the covers, where Bai Jingchuan bit onto her bra clasp: “You’re disobedient.”

“What…”

“Sneaking away—is it because you didn’t want me to hear your voice?”

“Don’t say that—” A fleeting thought of Sweet Punishment crossed her mind. Being dragged back by the ankles would be mortifying. Would he call 3077 next?

“You can’t leave me.” His wet lips brushed against her cheek, and the next moment, her body tensed, her breathing erratic.

“Don’t be afraid.” In the darkness, he seemed to be studying her expression. “I want to see you bloom.”

Her mind raced between emotion and distraction, failing to mask her nervousness with sarcasm. Fine. Clasping his hands tightly, their intertwined embrace confirmed one thing: she was loved.

She tightened her grip around his waist, clinging to his arm amidst her hazy consciousness. Gradually relaxing, she heard him whisper in her ear: “Say my name.”

“Which one?”

“The one you want to call.”

“…Bai Jingchuan.”

A surge of sensation coursed through her, as if reshaping her voice. Apparently unsatisfied, he urged, “Again.”

“You…”

“I love hearing you say my name. Can you call me a few more times?”

His lean, toned muscles glistened with sweat, every trace of her fingers leaving trails of heat. Too hot—far too hot. Jiang Huan threw off the blanket and straddled him: “This is my house. I don’t want to stay hidden under the covers. Let’s move on to the next chapter of foreplay.”

Bai Jingchuan grew serious: “Since you know my origins, aren’t you worried about being monitored?”

“Does it matter to me? Do I even care?”

“…”

“Why should I worry about any of that? Would the cyber world be interested in turning me into adult content? My hair’s dull, my figure’s not hot—they wouldn’t be interested in someone like me.”

He chuckled helplessly: “Reckless.”

“No, resourceful. ‘Reckless’ implies someone has my back, but you’ll eventually leave. I won’t rely on you—I’m sorry.”

He leaned closer, cupping the back of her head firmly, leaving her immobile. Blood rushed through her veins, and she melted like butter under his touch, releasing a sweet fragrance. Closing her eyes, she envisioned rich cream and condensed milk blending together in her thoughts. Bai Jingchuan remained silent, nibbling on her lips and earlobes. Did he feel he lacked the standing to offer comfort and promises? Or was this punishment for refusing to depend on him?

Such a childish man.

Every light-related appliance in the room went dark, and furniture equipped with monitoring functions fell silent. Complete stillness enveloped them. Dazed, Jiang Huan wondered if the system had stopped surveillance, or if it was Li Junzhu’s special ability—or perhaps Bai Jingchuan’s accumulated “karma” from the real world?

There was so much she didn’t know.

“Are you spacing out?”

Snapping back to reality, she realized she was sitting on Bai Jingchuan’s lap, fully exposed to his collarbones, chest, and abs—a feast for the eyes. His Adam’s apple, a classic marker of desire; his trapezius muscle, an overlooked source of sensuality. His fingers left indentations on her thighs, strong yet elegant. Catching her staring, the sly fox lifted his hand to tilt her chin, denying her the chance to look away. Whether actively pursuing or passively yielding, he eagerly anticipated her reactions.

Deadly, absolutely deadly… But why shy away? She pressed closer, planting a kiss on his forehead, then sat down unexpectedly, eliciting a low groan.

His grip on her waist tightened.

The air grew thin, and her surroundings heated up. Jiang Huan desperately wanted to push him away, but his face was inches from hers, exuding a commanding presence that sent shivers down her spine. Watching her blush and excitement, her rationality teetered on the edge. Fuzzy-headed, she wanted to surrender, but Bai Jingchuan wasn’t letting her off the hook: “Isn’t it too late to say that now? You were so bold just moments ago—what else are you hiding?”

Fireworks exploded in her mind. Unable to suppress the moans and screams rising in her throat, Jiang Huan felt mortified and instinctively covered her face. Bai Jingchuan calmed down, gently laying her on the bed and brushing her hair aside: “Don’t hide. You’re beautiful.”

“…”

“I mean it. Not just now, but every moment before—you shine with your own light. You gave me meaning. You woke me up and granted me the right to experience the world. You can create your own ending, and I’ll only ever be captivated by you.”

Touched, albeit absurdly, she realized the night was serene, and Bai Jingchuan’s eyes brimmed with desire and admiration. Coming to her senses, she understood that this wasn’t Bai Jingchuan rewriting the fairy tale—it began when she typed the first word at her computer, agonizing over countless names before settling on “Li Junzhu.” This was always meant to be a pure, heartfelt love story, free of schemes or worldly concerns. Their hands intertwined across dimensions, grounding her heart in a safe haven.

[Jiang Huan’s affection for you +1000. Current level: Lv 70. Gold coins earned: 200,000. Permission granted to enter Mowu City. Jiang Huan may access Mowu City via dream pathways and soul chambers.]

Drenching the entire bed, Jiang Huan blushed while rummaging for a new set of sheets in the closet. Finding it amusing, Bai Jingchuan offered to help. Wrapping his arms around her from behind, he kissed her ear and trailed kisses down her spine. Jiang Huan felt like she was being fried piece by piece, her body going limp. Struggling to find the edge of the sheet, she ended up tangled inside. Bai Jingchuan tapped her: “Are you okay? Can you find your way out?”

“Stay out! I’m serious!”

“…Is this some kind of playful behavior?”

“No!”

Her muffled voice came from within: “I just don’t want to get stuck again. Okay, I’m coming out… Weird, which direction am I facing? How do you zip this thing!”

After half a minute of swimming in the fabric, she finally found the exit. Bai Jingchuan unzipped the cover and pulled her out. Gasping for air, her disheveled hair framing her face, she crawled onto his lap, only to be swept into his arms and kissed again. Clinging to his shoulders, she felt like a boat adrift in a magical sea, surrounded by pastel pink and blue landscapes—dreamlike islands unreachable in everyday life. Beads of sweat trickled down her body, as if excited to witness something extraordinary. Though inexperienced, Bai Jingchuan seemed to have rehearsed in his mind, quickly learning which angles elicited gasps from her. She playfully hit his shoulder: “How can you…be so bad…”

“It’s the persona you added—why blame me?”

“Then let me go…”

“Really? Weren’t you the one moving earlier?”

Giving up, Jiang Huan reflected on the Unspoken Crush Study Group. Bai Jingchuan had never been a poor student—in fact, he was a natural top performer. The downside? He excelled at seduction and arousal. Once they were honest with each other, everything that followed revealed her conservative side.

Turning her attention back to the bed, she noticed the sheets were neatly arranged. Li Junzhu, capable of manipulating air, possessed talents he didn’t use—Jiang Huan had forgotten entirely.

No amount of exploration felt sufficient, yet part of her regretted wasting the night on this single act. Lying together under the covers, Bai Jingchuan smelled the same as her, having used the same body wash. Grazed by stubble, then soothed by his lips, Jiang Huan couldn’t shake the feeling that this moment wasn’t real. The Snow Prince simply lay there, waiting for the knight-princess to awaken him. The scene replayed in both their minds…

Struggling to break free from Bai Jingchuan’s embrace, Jiang Huan protested: “Something feels off. Didn’t we agree it wasn’t the Snow Prince waiting for the princess to rescue him? Why do I feel like I’ve been tricked and taken advantage of?”

The Snow Prince blinked lazily, offering no defense, clearly pleased with his deception. Reaching out, he wrapped the blanket tighter around her and kissed her forehead: “If I hadn’t deceived you, you’d still be hung up on Akira’s definition of ‘best timing’ and needing answers from others.”

“How did you know?” Jiang Huan sprang up, realization dawning: “How could I forget you can read minds?”

The Snow Prince made no excuses, content to pull her back into his arms. Feeling repeatedly duped, Jiang Huan lamented: “How much have you secretly learned with that talent? Let me think—if mind-reading doesn’t work on me, then colleagues… Right, I knew I shouldn’t have told Akira anything!”

Amused, Bai Jingchuan watched her chew her finger, replaying events in her head. To his surprise, she refused to return to his embrace, her expression changing: “Why not? Don’t you like me anymore?”

…No need to sound so coy…

[Jiang Huan’s affection for you +500.]

But the clingy streak kicked in, and he grew reluctant to release her. Finally breaking free, Jiang Huan sat up, crossing her arms: “You’re too fond of hugging… Stop it. You don’t think my body is your ‘Ah Bei Bei,’ do you?”

“What’s an ‘Ah Bei Bei’?”

“A comforting toy people rely on during infancy. Some cling to it for years, even into adulthood. It’s usually old and worn, looking out of place in an otherwise tidy home, but the owner treasures it deeply.”

“Do you have an ‘Ah Bei Bei’?”

“Yes. My mother’s arm. As a child, I loved slipping my hand under her clothes, feeling the warmth of my palm against her cool skin—it helped me fall asleep.” She smiled: “Now I clutch the blanket.”

“The person who coined the term ‘Ah Bei Bei’ must be very gentle. Your quirks are adorable.”

Jiang Huan wrinkled her nose: “Bai Jingchuan, stop being so cheesy.”

“I’ve encountered many soft things here. Your mother must love you dearly to instill such habits.”

“And what else?” Unwilling to dwell on her mother, Jiang Huan changed the subject.

“For now, nothing comes to mind… I’m getting sleepy.”

“Hmph, so the insomniac finally feels tired? Clearly, your stamina isn’t great.”

“Shall we continue?”

Jiang Huan waved her hands frantically: “No, no, no, please no.”

Realizing she’d fallen for his joke, she saw the mischievous glint in his eyes, buried in the soft pillow. He reached out, intertwining his fingers with hers, and closed his eyes gently. His steady breathing filled the room. Jiang Huan left the bedside lamp on, gazing at him for a while longer. She began to wonder—was it unseen technology or magic that brought data to life, allowing her to see straight baby lashes, clean jawlines, and perfectly sculpted arms even in repose? Perhaps there were excellent creators in “that world.”

Once, she believed she’d only meet her lover in dreams. Now, the roles reversed, giving her an experience far beyond imagination.

She once thought of him as virtual data, crafted by her words, drawn by her pen, and connected via code to her phone—a mere image capable of smiling and performing simple actions. When he launched online, beloved by players, she occasionally remembered he was a product dictated by schedules and collaborations. After his abandonment, recalling fragments of their shared history, she realized he was alive—with blood, flesh, cruelty she hadn’t imagined, and gentleness she hadn’t inspired. When labeled a “failed product,” he gained life, and she mourned, hoping he’d survive in another world. Amidst arguments, insults, and doubts, she felt relieved—not swayed by negativity—to realize she never blamed him. Countless times, she fantasized about him being cherished as a true lover, appearing on celebratory screens, cakes, and songs that triggered memories.

Initially, her “I love you” meant wanting him to be her one and only lover. Now, her “I love you” means wishing for him to be loved by many—not belonging solely to her.

These are thoughts he’ll never understand, but selfishly, she wants him to focus only on her. No matter how long he stays in this world, the countdown makes every moment precious. Only upon touching him does she grasp the allure of “regret” and “final acts” that linger in audiences’ hearts. Those within the story never crave dramatic endings—they yearn for eternal happiness, choosing simplicity over tumultuous highs.

She gently grasped Bai Jingchuan’s arm. Li Junzhu rarely slept in his initial design, yet now his breathing was steady, lost in dreams.

The skin beneath her fingers felt magically soothing, awakening her own “Ah Bei Bei.” Drifting off, she didn’t notice Bai Jingchuan softly opening his eyes, watching her tenderly.

[Migration plan for the Planet of Ten Thousand Gods initiated. Progress based on magnetic storms: 5%.]

[Serial Number 347560, are you ready to enter the real world?]

Outside, the moon glowed red—more accurately, a crimson cloak obscured its light. Its wearer hadn’t found his destination yet. His impression of the city was poor: bleak scenery, excessive buildings, nature relegated to the periphery. Frustrated, he darted between structures, questioning the purpose of emotions. Before vanquishing evil, could someone at least give him better clothes?

His starting gear was terrible.