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?

"They're..." Ningyan hesitated. "What are they like?"


Rong Yue leaned back slightly. "The eldest is Su Mian. She is a phoenix beast."


"Mm," Rong Yue nodded. "Though she's inherited more of Jun Haoxuan's temperament than yours. She's refined, loves studying, and spends most of her time trying to keep her younger siblings out of trouble. She prefers staying in Wind City."


Ningyan's eyes softened. He wondered... would she like the Hidden Phoenix Clan?


No. He quickly dismissed the thought. He didn't want her anywhere near that place.


"And then there's Su Ruo." Rong Yue chuckled. "She's a menace. A greater menace than Yan Wuhen."


"I'd say they're evenly matched," Rong Yue smiled. "No one can tame her. But... she's our sunshine."


Chapter 261 - I Prefer Freedom