After finishing a tragic novel where the villain is betrayed and killed by his own beast husbands, Li Wei does what any reasonable reader would do. He rants about the ending.

Then he gets hit by a car.

When he opens his eyes again, Li Wei finds himself inside that very novel, reborn as Su Ningyan, the future villain destined to walk a path of madness, war, and blood.

Ten years before his fall.

Ten years before his death.

In the original story, Su Ningyan’s unstable phoenix beast core drives him toward forbidden power, turning him into a feared villain who ultimately dies at the hands of the men he loved most.

This time, Li Wei refuses that fate.

He will avoid the villian arc.

He will heal his beast core.

And he will stay far away from the four terrifying beast princes who will one day become his husbands.

Unfortunately, fate has other plans.

The academy meant to heal him becomes a battlefield of tension, rivalry, and instinctual bonds. The beast princes notice him far too early, and the more Su Ningyan tries to escape the plot, the tighter destiny coils around him.

Because in a world ruled by beast bloodlines and ancient bonds, some connections cannot be severed only delayed.

And the husbands who once killed him… may not be willing to let him go again.

****

Excerpt

Su Ningyan didn’t know where he was.

At first, he thought he was dreaming. His body felt warm... too warm... and the scent in the air was unfamiliar, sharp and clean, like lightning after rain.

He turned onto his side.

And froze.

A pair of golden dragon eyes stared back at him from inches away.

The man was breathtaking. Long black hair spread across silk pillows, sharp features sculpted as if carved from jade. His presence alone pressed down on Su Ningyan’s chest, heavy and suffocating.

His face went pale. “What the—”

“You’re awake.” The man smiled faintly.

Jun Haoxuan. Azure Dragon Clan. Future Beast King.

And, according to the book, one of the men who would eventually become his husband.

“Did you sleep well?” Jun Haoxuan asked calmly.

Su Ningyan’s eye twitched. He was supposed to be avoiding them.

So why was he waking up in the dragon prince’s bed?

Watching each Divine Beast clan present their gifts to Jun Haoxuan made Ningyan increasingly uneasy.


A strange nausea curled in his stomach. Not strong enough to make him vomit, but persistent. Like something building slowly, patiently, waiting for the right moment.


The serpent clan presented their gifts right after Rong Yue.


Lan Yunlai remained seated, watching everything with cold attentiveness.


Servants and guards bowed deeply as Lan Meishan stepped forward, presenting the gifts with practiced elegance. Jun Haoxuan observed him carefully.


Ningyan couldn't help wondering whether Jun Haoxuan had been close to the sibling who died. Whether he resented Lan Meishan for it.


But Jun Haoxuan simply rose, accepted the gift boxes, and handed them to his guards.


The two beast princes bowed to one another with flawless courtesy before Lan Meishan returned to his seat.


Chapter 44 - Not A Slave