Ningyan's body reacted before his mind did and suddenly he was falling, his body plunging toward the lake below.
I'm dead.
He couldn't swim.
A firm grip caught his arm just in time.
The jolt sent his heart slamming painfully against his ribs as he sucked in a sharp breath, genuinely believing he had been a second away from death.
"Are you okay?" the voice asked again.
Slowly, Ningyan lifted his head.
And froze.
Before him stood an ethereal sight.
Lan Meishan.
Glowing green serpent eyes gleamed behind a pair of silver spectacles that sat perfectly upon his face, sharpening rather than hiding his beauty.
He wore a white inner robe beneath a black outer robe as dark as midnight, the fabric flowing smoothly against his tall frame. His long black hair fell neatly down his back, pristine and elegant.
He looked like a pure, devastatingly handsome scholar. The kind that could ruin lives without ever raising his voice.
A sexy nerd.
And he acted like one too.
Ningyan didn't answer.
He was far too busy staring.
Another male lead had dropped into his life and this time, Ningyan had absolutely no complaints.
Lan Meishan released a soft grunt, his beautiful brows drawing together as he tightened his grip and yanked Ningyan upward.
Ningyan scrambled instinctively, helping himself until he was safely standing atop the stone railing.
From above, he looked down at Lan Meishan with open curiosity.
"You seem fine," Lan Meishan muttered, studying him closely.
"I am," Ningyan replied, finally tearing his gaze away and forcing himself to stop ogling like a fool.
He jumped down from the railing to stand in front of him.
Lan Meishan immediately took a step back, pulling his hand into his sleeve as if afraid of overstepping.
"I apologize for startling you," he said at once. "I truly didn't mean to."
Ningyan stared at him. Why couldn't I have met you first?
If it had been Lan Meishan instead of Yan Wuhen, Ningyan wouldn't have complained. Not even a little.
He would have happily married only Lan Meishan.
After all, this man was no ordinary beastman either.
He was the divine beast prince of the Abyss Serpent Clan.
He was at least three inches taller than Ningyan. Slender, yet broader in build. Ningyan found himself calculating heights without meaning to.
Canonically, I'm six-one. Yan Wuhen is six-four… and Lan Meishan is at least six-three.
In his serpent form, he was far larger.
Ningyan hated snakes.
…But honestly, Lan Meishan was an exception.
"Apology accepted," Ningyan said, crossing his arms over his chest, the flute rolling idly between his fingers. "But I really don't appreciate your words."
He was relieved the flute hadn't fallen.
Lan Meishan's gaze never left him. His eyes lingered on Ningyan's face. Occasionally dipping to his throat, before he bit down on his lower lip and asked quietly,
"I heard you speaking about taking the path of demon qi in front of the teacher. What do you know about demon qi?"
The curiosity in his eyes, paired with that low, whispered voice, sent a chill straight down Ningyan's spine.
"I was joking," Ningyan said, forcing a laugh. "I would never do something like that."
Lan Meishan's lips twitched.
"You would never joke about such a thing unless you had thought about it many times, Su Ningyan."
Ningyan's eyes widened. "How do you—"
"I heard your class," Lan Meishan cut in smoothly, looking distinctly pleased with himself. "I was merely passing by. I didn't expect to discover something so… interesting today."
Ningyan swallowed.
"Well then," he said lightly, turning to leave, "it was very nice meeting you..."
He stopped.
Something compelled him to turn back.
Lan Meishan hadn't moved an inch.
"I was joking," Ningyan added firmly. "Demon qi would only worsen my damaged core. I know that. I've thought about it but I also know the consequences."
Lan Meishan's lips curved slightly, the emerald glow in his eyes flaring for just a breath before dimming.
"I could help you find a way to repair your core," he said casually. "I might know a trick or two."
Ningyan froze.
That hadn't happened in the book.
A trap.
Why would Lan Meishan of all people claim to know how to repair a shattered beast core?
Su Ningyan chuckled deeply, shaking his head.
"I'm not desperate to fix my core, Your Highness. But thank you for your concern. It's truly an honor."
Lan Meishan looked pleased that Ningyan knew who he was. Still, he didn't press.
He merely shrugged and turned away.
"If you change your mind," he said over his shoulder, "you know where to find me."
Then he walked off in the opposite direction of the bridge.
Ningyan remained where he was, breathing hard.
He turned back to the lake, staring at his reflection.
…He really did have an attractive face.
Too attractive.
Pink lips. Sharp cheekbones. Violet eyes. Long, glossy hair that shimmered in the light.
He lifted a hand, running his fingers through it.
Smooth.
He looked dangerously good. So good it was honestly terrifying.
He drew in a slow, steady breath and turned his gaze away from his reflection.
A faint, malicious smile curved his lips. "Mhmm."
From within his robe, he pulled out a small knife. The one he had taken from a servant a few days ago. It was meant for cutting bread, nothing more, yet the edge was sharp enough for what he intended.
Without hesitation, he loosened his hair completely, letting it spill down his back in a glossy cascade. He stared at his reflection in the water, then clenched a fistful of hair and cut it in one clean, decisive motion.
He gathered the remaining length and sliced again, stopping at the nape of his neck.
When he ruffled it with his fingers, strands falling loose and untamed, he watched himself closely in the water.
He was still beautiful.
But no longer the Ningyan of the plot.
This was significant.
He let the severed hair fall into the lake, not caring who might be watching, then shoved the knife back into his robe.
Lifting his flute, he placed it to his lips and began to play a light, cheerful melody drifting across the water.
He was completely unaware that Yan Wuhen sat atop a distant roof, close enough to see everything.
His nine tails were spread lazily behind him, swaying in slow, deliberate arcs, amusement gleaming in eyes that burned with interest.
Standing behind him was Tu Lanyin, her head tilted slightly as she watched Ningyan below, shock flickering across her delicate features.