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?

Ningyan parted his lips, unsure how to respond to the desperate plea.


Meishan had opened his eyes as well, the emerald glow around him fading slightly as he met Ningyan's gaze. The surprise in his expression made it clear that he didn't know what to do either.


Ningyan sighed softly and cupped Hai Miao's small face, gently wiping the tears streaming down his cheeks. The boy's shoulders trembled as quiet sobs escaped him.


"Don't cry, Xiao-Miao," Ningyan said softly. "I promise we'll return to you."


More tears spilled from Hai Miao's eyes.


So Ningyan leaned closer and whispered gently, "I pinky promise that we'll return to you."


Hai Miao blinked, his crying slowing. "Pinky promise?"


He raised his hand and extended his pinky finger.


Hai Miao stared at it for a moment before looking back at Ningyan.


Chapter 113 - Pinky Promise