Chapter 87: Beauty 07

Ten minutes later, amid the long, soothing blare of the horn, the cruise ship slowly pulled into port.

The moment they truly set foot on the Arctic Island, the people bundled in thick furry coats instinctively lightened their steps and held their breaths, afraid of disturbing the pristine vista before them—so far removed from the clamor of the world.

Everywhere stretched the purest shades of blue and white: ice, snow, sea, and sky in serene, tranquil harmony, a beauty beyond the reach of words.

And so, after a stunned pause, the tourists all raised their phones—warming pads stuck to the backs—and snapped away with click after click.

…After all, it was their first time at the North Pole. Of course they had to take some commemorative photos.

Even if the pictures couldn’t quite capture the breathtaking awe visible to the naked eye.

Yu Bai stared at his phone screen, frozen on the camera viewfinder, lost in the thought.

Yan Jing, who was spinning in place to record a video with his phone held high, felt much the same.

“The North Pole is so beautiful,” he said with a sigh. “Way more stunning than anything I’ve seen in the news or photos.”

He kept marveling aloud, then made a bold vow. “This year, I’m definitely not blowing my money. Once I’ve saved up enough, I’m bringing my mom and dad here—on a big cruise ship like this!”

Yu Bai, turning in a slow circle of his own, replied with earnest sincerity. “Later, when we sail back to the mainland, I’m going to pick up some souvenirs. Something to give people back home.”

Unlike Yan Jing, he didn’t have family or friends to share this Arctic adventure with. But at least he could bring gifts for Tian Ge, Uncle Li, Doctor Chen, and the others.

Outings like this were rare for him in the real world, which only made the moment feel all the more precious.

A little girl, bundled up like a plump sheep, wandered about with the adults, taking it all in. She had no phone, no pocket money—but she did have a pair of bright, innocent eyes, now opened wide as she tried to burn the heart-stopping scenery into her memory.

Amused, Yu Bai called out to her. “He Xi, want me to take your picture?”

They were here, after all. No point shooting just the scenery—a proper tourist snapshot was in order.

“Yes! Thanks, Brother Little Bai!” He Xi whipped her head around, her voice bubbling with excitement. “I can take one of you too!”

“Sure. Where do you want it?”

The girl immediately scanned left and right for her favorite patch of ice, while Yu Bai glanced around as well.

He was pondering where to stash the Doom Orb for now.

The bun gave off steady heat, making it an excellent hand warmer. Ever since Yu Bai had picked it up, he hadn’t let go.

But with photos to take for others—and probably a few group shots later—keeping it clutched in his hand would be a hassle.

The tour guides and crew were outsiders who knew nothing about the Doom Orb. Yan Jing and He Xi were absorbed in their own snapping, Xie Wufang was busy too, and he had a particular aversion to the thing anyway.

Yu Bai mulled it over. For now, the backpack would have to do.

Just setting it down on the icy ground—a lone bun amid the snow and frost—would look too bizarre.

“Yan Jing, hold still. Mind if I use your bag?”

The backpack-toting photo fiend froze in place at once.

“Oh, yeah—go ahead and unzip it.”

Yu Bai pocketed his phone for a moment, tugged open the zipper, and fished out the black small square box, ready to tuck the Doom Orb inside.

But right as his fingers loosened, a surge of emotion pulsed against the skin of his palm—warm from being cradled so closely.

—Obedient. Be obedient, obedient, obedient.

The young man, bent slightly forward, froze.

At the same time, against the backdrop of the dark backpack and box, the faint wisps of steam curling from the bun’s top visibly thinned.

…It hadn’t budged, yet it somehow conveyed a vivid image of dejection and frailty.

As if it truly hated the idea of returning to that pitch-black bag.

As if it were trying to assure him: I’m good. I won’t cause any trouble.

Yu Bai paused, then murmured on instinct, “I’m just putting you away for a bit.”

Only after the words left his mouth did a question occur to him.

Xie Wufang had said the Doom Orb could understand speech—but to what degree? Did it grasp every nuance, surface and subtext alike? Or was it more like the non-human, catching only the literal words? Or perhaps like a young child, literate but limited?

Did the Doom Orb even have a personality? A temper of its own?

Or did it take after Xie Wufang, the one who’d made it?

Truth be told, Yu Bai knew precious little about this life born from the small ball. He was still very much in the dark.

But at least it had understood him this time.

A few more threads of steam rose up, feeble though they were.

The overall wilt remained.

A smile kindled in Yu Bai’s pale, clear eyes.

He decided to test further. “I didn’t bring the toolbox with the shovel down from the ship.”

He’d made up his mind: no burying the Doom Orb here in the Arctic. He was taking it home.

The instant the words were out, the soft bun in his palm stayed put.

But it went instantly steaming, perking up like it had just emerged from the oven.

…

Yu Bai blinked in astonishment, then laughed until his eyes crinkled.

Evidently, the Doom Orb’s comprehension was on par with an average person’s, at minimum.

He treated it like a person from then on, speaking with gravity. “I’ve got stuff to do soon. Can’t keep holding you, so into the bag you go for now.”

The steam faded just a touch.

The bun’s pretty folds seemed to quiver in the breeze—or perhaps they brushed his skin outright.

A timid protest. Profound attachment.

Yu Bai hesitated. Then inspiration struck. “You don’t want to leave me, do you?”

The folds nudged softly against his palm.

Agreement, most likely.

Unable to stifle a chuckle, Yu Bai said, “How about the coat pocket instead?”

Steam billowed anew, hot and fresh as from the oven.

…Surprisingly cute.

It was a legless bun, after all. Unable to walk. Its owner would have to carry it.

With a smile and a shake of his head, Yu Bai rezipped the backpack, slipped the Doom Orb into his coat pocket, and gave Yan Jing’s back a casual pat. “All good now.”

Yan Jing—who’d been standing stock-still ever since the request, ears perked and glancing backward—finally let out a heartfelt sigh. “If I didn’t know that was the Doom Orb, what you just did would’ve been straight-up creepy. Gave me the chills.”

Muttering seriously to a bun all by himself, for ages.

Total weirdo!

“…” Yu Bai was at a loss for words, no comeback handy. He settled for a punch. “Shut it and scram.”

“You got it!” Yan Jing grinned. “Grab a few shots of me and He Xi together!”

“Yeah, yeah.”

As he snapped photos for the pair, Yu Bai—replaying the scene in his mind and finding it a touch unsettling himself—spared a moment to ask Xie Wufang, who was nearby and occupied. “Little Xie, can the Doom Orb talk?”

It’d make communication a lot smoother if it could.

The faint crunching in the frigid air cut off.

The blue-eyed man, dressed in a pure black turtleneck sweater, stood amid the planet’s most immaculate ice and snow, quietly munching potato chips.

Tomato-flavored ones, yes.

The ones he’d promised to get.

No time that morning for the supermarket near Beautiful Breakfast Shop. But while buying the mink coat and black sweater at the mall, Yu Bai hadn’t forgotten to send A Qiang and the others on a quick errand. They’d stocked up on tomato-flavored potato chips and packed them with the luggage for the flight.

Good call buying them.

Otherwise, how was Yu Bai supposed to… coax a god?

He’d ultimately chosen to keep this little being— one Xie Wufang actively disliked.

The moment Yu Bai had pulled out the chips and offered them, the man’s mood had visibly lifted.

Those eyes, more singular than the Arctic blue, had lost their chill.

Tomato flavor lived up to its reputation, after all. Irresistible.

Yu Bai had only just finished asking—phone still in hand for photos—when Xie Wufang replied.

“It can’t talk.” The magnetic baritone paused, then added, “…It’s pretty dumb.”

Crunch.

Yu Bai hit the shutter and glanced back in mild surprise.

The man’s face was utterly earnest.

Earnest enough that the childish jab didn’t fit.

Somehow, it endeared him all over again.

Yu Bai grinned. “Got it.”

A newborn god wouldn’t match a mature one’s intellect or power. Lacking language skills made perfect sense.

He turned back to the photos.

Xie Wufang’s gaze, however, fixed on the slight bulge of Yu Bai’s coat pocket. Icy displeasure seeped through.

“But it can move. No need to carry it everywhere.”

“…Huh?” Yu Bai blinked and looked over. “The Doom Orb can move by itself?”

The black-haired man with blue eyes gave a slight nod.

That familiar whiff of honesty.

Surprised, Yu Bai fished the Doom Orb from his pocket. He’d just wrapped up a stack of shots for Yan Jing and He Xi.

Curious, he studied the bun cradled once more in his palm.

“Can you move? Show me.”

Hard to picture how a bun might manage that.

Yu Bai watched intently after asking. The soft, full bun lay motionless in his hand.

Only the steam grew feebler.

A faint dejection seeped into his skin where they touched.

It couldn’t move? That must be it.

Yu Bai felt a fleeting moment of confusion.

Xie Wufang wasn’t the type to lie by nature, so the Doom Orb probably wouldn’t either, right?

He didn’t have time to dwell on it. Nearby, He Xi finished striking her peace-sign pose for the photos and leaned in with wide-eyed wonder. “The Doom Orb’s steam changes shape!”

What a marvelous sight.

Seeing the eager look on the little girl’s face as she longed to touch the Doom Orb, Yu Bai smiled and asked the bun in his hand, “Would it be okay if He Xi holds you and plays with you for a bit?”

—Be good, be good, be good.

When Yu Bai handed the bun to the little girl, she let out a delighted “wow” and cradled the fairy-tale-like creature with utmost care.

The Doom Orb was playing along perfectly.

Fresh from the “oven,” its hot, fragrant steam wafted temptingly.

It was truly obedient.

The only downside was that it made one feel like they might be hallucinating, trapped in some dream.

Smiling, Yu Bai turned his gaze away and immersed himself in admiring the grand, breathtaking polar scenery around them.

Even though he no longer needed to bury the Doom Orb, the trip hadn’t been in vain.

Yan Jing had ventured a bit closer to the edge of the island. Borrowing the signal from the cruise ship, he excitedly video-called his parents.

“Mom, Dad, I’ve reached the North Pole! Heh heh, isn’t it super pretty here?” He held up his phone, chattering away. “Little Bai? He’s right here next to me. Hang on, I’ll call him over—”

Yu Bai walked over as instructed and greeted Yan Papa and Yan Mama on the video call.

Amid the icy snowscape, the lively chatter of human voices gradually spread.

Mingled with the faint yet crisp crunch of potato chips.

He Xi played nearby with the Doom Orb, which resembled a bun. She poked and prodded it curiously for a good while. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a particularly pretty chunk of ice. Childlike curiosity took over, and she couldn’t resist setting the Doom Orb down for a moment to go fetch the ice.

When she hurried back excitedly with the ice in hand, eager to show the big brothers, she witnessed an unexpected scene.

At some point, God Big Brother had appeared where she had left the Doom Orb.

His black sweater accentuated the man’s increasingly stern expression, gray-blue eyes gleaming with icy disdain.

The white bun, which had been resting on a flat expanse of ice, suddenly rose, lifted by some invisible mystical force.

With a splash—

It was tossed cleanly into the deep blue sea, blooming into a tiny splash of water.

He Xi: ……!!

Before she could cry out in shock, ripples spread across the sea’s surface once more.

The bun was returned to the shore by seawater that seemed almost alive, utterly intact. It wasn’t even damp, and its neat pleats remained perfectly in place.

Once back on land, a shard of deep blue ice was flung from the center of its pretty pleated flower—like an act of retaliation—toward the cold-faced man standing at the water’s edge.

But it missed.

The starlit shards scattered like fireworks, twinkling as they dissolved into the tomato-scented air.

He Xi, who had unwittingly witnessed the entire exchange: ……(⊙o⊙)!