Snow-Kissed Rose (GL) Chapter 30

The screen went dark, and the video abruptly ended.

Jing Xuan stared at the darkened screen for a few seconds, taking a moment to savor what she had just witnessed. Then, she began shrieking like a startled chicken.

Subsequently, Jing Xuan saved the video and shared it to a certain group chat with the following comment:

"Latest teaser of a GL film. You'll regret not watching it."

She separated each word with colorful hearts, making her comment look like a quirky, frivolous advertisement.

This group had thousands of members, and many people were chatting away when she submitted her comment. However, not even a minute later, dozens of replies to her comment came flooding in.

Bottom Widow: "Ahhh! I'm dying from cuteness overload!"

Pillow Princess: "What's this? The two female leads are absolutely stunning."

Author A: "I've already imagined the scenario for a new book: A wealthy-heiress-type younger sister is locked in a mansion and tries to run away while her tyrant-president-type older sister is busy working. She gets caught in the act and is taken back to her room, which leads to a passionate and romantic love scene between sisters."

Author B: "Tsk, can you be any more cliché? Clearly, it's a spoiled canary who's grown arrogant under doting care, throwing a tantrum and running away from home. The president just wants to tease her, using this chance to 'punish' the canary."

Bottom Widow: "When are you two submitting your works? I'll shower you with gifts."

Self-Proclaimed #1 Top: "I eagerly await your creations, Lord Authors."

…

After a series of calls for fanfiction, everyone returned to the main topic.

The video had a Weibo watermark and the "Star of Spring" at the end. Since the group chat had many fangirls of Spring Star, it didn't take long for someone to uncover the identities of the video's protagonists.

Upon learning that the video's two protagonists were only trainees of an idol survival show, everyone quickly voiced their disappointment.

"I knew it was too good to be true."

"Why couldn't this dream be real?"

Jing Xuan: "I don't care. I'm staying on this ship to the bitter end."

"Ugh, me too. It's not every day you get a ship with such beauties. Even if it's all just staged material, I'll board it nonetheless."

"I'm already a fan! When does Spring Star start airing? (Rubs-Hands-Eagerly.jpg)"

"Does the ship have a name yet? I can't find anything on it. Should we come up with one ourselves?"

"Yes, yes! Let's think of one together!"

…

Neither Song Yingshi and Huai Xu nor Star of Spring's production crew could have predicted that just one joint "hand video" clip would attract so many GL fans. These fans even came up with various ship names, eventually settling with "Snow-Kissed Rose."[1]

However, Star of Spring's Weibo account operators noticed that netizens' interests weren't limited to just the trainees' appearances and talents; they were also interested in odd and quirky content. Many netizens cackled at these unusual videos and quickly pushed Star of Spring onto the tail end of the trending searches.

Seizing the opportunity, the show's Weibo operators asked the production crew for the short solo interview of Song Yingshi, which had been taken after the filming of the hand videos, to release as behind-the-scenes footage.

From this behind-the-scenes footage, netizens learned that the idea for all three of the most baffling pieces of content actually came from the same person. The person in question was also one of the leads in the dual-person footage featuring the most stunning visuals.

Moreover, after this person suggested filming a two-person segment, other trainees also copied her idea, filming their hand videos with a partner to further enhance the dramatic effect of their videos. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that this person's ideas were always one step ahead of others.

"What kind of mind is in this beauty's head for her to come up with such genius ideas?"

"You're so clever, wifey."

However, aside from praise, some netizens also left sarcastic remarks such as:

"What a schemer. She made others act silly while she alone stands out as beautiful."

Of course, such irrational nitpicking didn't gain much support as other netizens quickly rebuked it:

"Song Yingshi's ideas fit their personas and help them leave a lasting impression. Can't you see that everyone remembers them now? Also, are you blind? Do you not see Huai Xu being in the same video as Song Yingshi? Why would Song Yingshi put herself in the same shot as Huai Xu if she's trying to stand out with her looks? Do you look at everyone and think of them as manipulative? Take a good look at the concept behind their video before making such a shallow comment."

…

The online disputes never ceased, but thanks to the isolated filming environment, none of them affected the trainees at the White Tower.

After returning to their dormitory, Song Yingshi and Huai Xu quickly showered, turned off the lights, and got ready for bed.

The high-intensity training left them exhausted. As soon as Song Yingshi hit the bed, she didn't want to move again. Yet, right before sleep, the system started acting up again, saying, "Daily Mission: Sing Huai Xu to sleep with a lullaby."

Do you have eyes? It's 3:30 AM. Even if I were a Disney princess, I'd be creating noise pollution if I sang at this hour. Also, Huai Xu's already 18 years old; she doesn't need help falling asleep at this hour, Song Yingshi responded mentally, exasperated by the system's timing.

"Sorry, Host. I have no eyes, only Life Points that serve as your reward," the system replied politely.[2]

Song Yingshi: "…"

Fine, you win!

Caving into the system's temptation, Song Yingshi sat up and turned on the bedside ambient light.

Resting in the bed beside Song Yingshi, Huai Xu raised her arm to cover her eyes. Then, in a thick and drowsy voice, she asked, "What is it?"

"I'm worried you might have trouble sleeping, so I'll sing you a lullaby," Song Yingshi said, yawning as she turned to face Huai Xu. She was so tired that she couldn't even be bothered to come up with a good excuse.

Huai Xu: "…"

Without giving Huai Xu any time to refuse, Song Yingshi leaned against the headboard, eyes half-closed as she started singing Orange Jasmine by Jay Chou.[3]

"The sparrow outside is chirping on the wire; You say that these words give you the feeling of summer…"

Song Yingshi initially sang the lyrics correctly. However, she started forgetting the lyrics as she sang. Furthermore, she made incredibly bold improvisations:

"The cat and fish want to know the taste of donkey… What's the next line again? Oh… The taste of our first love is found again, just like that—"

Huai Xu: ?

Orange Jasmine had a hypnotic melody that could usually put someone to sleep. However, when Song Yingshi's improvisation turned "the taste of saury" into "the taste of donkey," Huai Xu's fatigue disappeared.

The taste of donkey?

The lyrics were so off-the-mark that Jay Chou fans who heard them would probably stuff Song Yingshi into a sack and have her swimming with the fishes.

Looking at Song Yingshi's bobbing head, Huai Xu raised the white flag and sighed helplessly, "Spare me, spare yourself, and go to sleep, okay?"

However, Song Yingshi obstinately smacked her lips and mumbled, "I have to sing you to sleep first… It's raining all day—"

Before Song Yingshi could shock her with more improvisations, Huai Xu mercilessly stated, "I can't fall asleep with you singing."

Huai Xu doubted anybody could sleep from "the taste of donkey." They'd either wake up from laughter or sheer annoyance.

"Windowsill, blessings, butterflies… What do you mean?"

In the midst of mixing and mashing lyrics, Song Yingshi looked up and stared at Huai Xu in confusion. Her mind, turned to mush from sleepiness, finally began to churn, and Huai Xu's works gradually sank in.

About 10 seconds later, Song Yingshi also became fully awake. Her eyes snapping wide open, she stared at Huai Xu angrily, accusing, "You're picking on my singing again!" (ref. to Chapter 13)

"I'm not," Huai Xu denied. She honestly wasn't trying to say Song Yingshi was a lousy singer. In fact, if she had a choice, she wouldn't have even made any comments. It was just that Song Yingshi's lyrics this time were too absurd.

However, caught up by old and new grudges, Song Yingshi no longer cared what Huai Xu was saying, muttering, "How can my Orange Jasmine sound bad? It's my signature song, okay? If Jay Chou is the best at singing it, then I'm the second best!"

Whenever Song Yingshi went out for karaoke, she would always sing Orange Jasmine. Even professional singers have praised her Orange Jasmine. Yet, Huai Xu disliked it!

"Have you sung about the taste of donkey before?" Huai Xu asked patiently.

"…" Refusing to admit defeat, Song Yingshi stubbornly retorted, "I've also sung about the taste of carp and mandarin fish. It's your fault for having a narrow palate!"

The more Song Yingshi spoke, the more confident she became, "This is my derivative work. You don't understand me."

"You're right. I don't understand you," Huai Xu said, nodding. She wouldn't have batted an eye had Song Yingshi replaced saury with another fish. However, no matter how she thought about it, she couldn't see any relationship between a saury and a donkey.

"…"

Song Yingshi glared at Huai Xu silently, waiting for Huai Xu to explain herself.

Seeing that Song Yingshi wasn't backing off, Huai Xu decided to take a step back and give both Song Yingshi and herself another chance. She took out her phone, searched for the lyrics of Orange Jasmine, and handed her phone to Song Yingshi, saying, "Sing it again. I'll listen carefully this time."

Song Yingshi gave Huai Xu the stink eye again before reluctantly accepting the phone.

At this point, Song Yingshi had already forgotten about the system's mission. All she could think about was getting Huai Xu to acknowledge her singing ability.

With a childish determination, Song Yingshi hopped over to Huai Xu's bed and lay close to Huai Xu. Then, she leaned into Huai Xu's ear and said in a cutesy Taiwanese accent, "Big Sis Huai Xu, I worry you might not hear me clearly, so I've come closer to sing for you."

"…Mhm," Huai Xu responded perfunctorily.

Song Yingshi narrowed her eyes at this response and began singing from the beginning. This time, however, she sang according to the lyrics on the phone, never ad-libbing or mispronouncing.

Huai Xu had to admit Song Yingshi's gentle and sweet voice was very well-suited to this song. As she listened to Song Yingshi's singing, her brows relaxed, and the corners of her lips curled into a smile. Her fingers even began silently tapping along to the beat.

As Song Yingshi continued singing, she noticed the look of enjoyment on Huai Xu.

Now you see how good I am, huh? Song Yingshi thought smugly. However, just as her nerves were about to relax, she suddenly realized something. Wait, no. Why am I giving you such good treatment after you dared to dislike my singing?

This thought gradually took over Song Yingshi's mind, and she couldn't help but grow mischievous. While Huai Xu was letting her guard down, she deliberately started to sing in a more coquettish voice. Upon reaching the second half, she even started changing her pitch randomly.

Huai Xu's fingers paused, unable to stay with the rhythm anymore. She knitted her brows as if trying to endure. She also had the urge to laugh, which caused her expression to turn complicated.

Eventually, Huai Xu turned to look at Song Yingshi with dissatisfaction.

When Song Yingshi noticed this, her enthusiasm grew, and she made her voice sound even more artificial.

Huai Xu could feel the veins in her forehead bulging. Unable to endure this intangible mental torment, she reached out to cover Song Yingshi's mouth, saying, "Don't—"

Before Huai Xu could tell Song Yingshi not to get carried away, Song Yingshi suddenly kissed Huai Xu's palm.

Immediately, Huai Xu fell silent.

"Don't…what?" Song Yingshi asked through Huai Xu's hand, her lips curled into a smug and wicked grin. Then, as if unsatisfied with her little mischief, she blew a puff of warm air at Huai Xu's arm.

Huai Xu remained motionless for a long while, as if the space around her hand had been frozen by magic.

Song Yingshi blinked and pushed Huai Xu's hand aside. Then, she leaned into Huai Xu and asked, "Did you not like my singing?"

Huai Xu didn't answer. She simply looked down at her own palm.

Song Yingshi didn't notice this action, her mind occupied with the thought of her triumphant attempt at rendering Huai Xu speechless. She felt that she had gotten the upper hand over Huai Xu, her brows raising in celebration.

See, you can't say anything now, can you?

Song Yingshi was in a great mood, having finally conquered Huai Xu with her ability and gained recognition. However, following her celebration, she finally remembered she still had a mission to complete.

"Alright, I'll stop messing around. I'll sing properly this time and lull our dear Huai Xu to sleep," Song Yingshi said, waving her hand dismissively. The sooner she completed her mission, the sooner she could sleep.

Again, Huai Xu remained silent. A long while later, she turned her head away and said, "Who needs your lulling?"

"Mhm, mhm," Song Yingshi hummed and nodded. Then, she said coaxingly, "I want to lull you to sleep, so give me a chance. Please?"

"…"

Huai Xu didn't answer and simply closed her eyes, seemingly getting ready to sleep. Song Yingshi took this as silent agreement and began softly singing the song she had sung earlier.

This time, Song Yingshi properly sang about "the taste of saury" as per the original lyrics. When she sang the line "You appear on every page of my poems," she inadvertently lowered her gaze and saw Huai Xu's right earlobe.

The usually cool and pale earlobe now carried a faint tint of rose. This tinge had even spread across Huai Xu's delicate ear.

Song Yingshi was momentarily stunned by this discovery. Tilting her head, she pondered for a moment before quickly chuckling in realization. Then, she reached out to tuck the covers around Huai Xu.

Eighteen-year-olds are so easily embarrassed, Song Yingshi thought. While Huai Xu might seem cold and distant usually, the girl was, in reality, rather adorable.

…

TL Notes:

[1]Snow-Kissed Rose: This isn't actually what the author wrote. There were three ship names suggested, but none of them translates well to English.

Lit. Throw yourself into someone's arms.

Fig. Huai Xu throws herself into Song Yingshi's embrace.

Lit. March is the time for spring, April is the time for summer.

In the raws, the ship name chosen is a) 投怀送抱. I don't know how to translate this into a name that's concise and properly conveys the link between Song Yingshi and Huai Xu. Hence, I decided to brute force it and use "Snow-Kissed Rose" for the ship name. I have also considered options like "Summer Rose," with summer representing Song Yingshi's warm personality and rose representing Huai Xu's thorny personality, but that doesn't seem to fit the character Huai Xu is putting on in the debut video.

[2]Life Points: I will be using the term Life Points sometimes to refer to the life assigned by the system. (It's so that I can word sentences more easily)

[3]Orange Jasmine by Jay Chou:

Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/Bbp9ZaJD_eA