Transmigration:The Villain Wants A Happy End Without His BeastHusbands-Chapter 59: I Thought We Were Friends

Back at the Celestial Beast Academy, Lan Meishan lay awake in the darkness of his sleeping chamber.

Emerald serpent eyes glowed faintly as he stared at nothing, his hands clutching the sides of the duvet pulled tight around his body. There was a haunted look on his face. His lips parted as he slowly pushed himself into a sitting position, fingers running through his midnight-dark hair. Then, he reached for his glasses at the side of the bed, slid them on, then stood.

Pulling a large black robe over his night clothes and boots, he left the chamber and walked toward his cultivation quarters.

With a gentle push, the doors opened beneath his palm, emerald light responding to his presence. He stepped inside. The soft sound of a small waterfall filled the space.

By the shore of the heated pool sat a figure with ruffled white hair. Black boots rested beside him, a red flute lying in the grass. His white robes, embroidered with purple, clung lightly to his frame. The color only enhancing his ethereal appearance.

Lan Meishan stood still, watching his back, uncertain whether to approach, to speak, or to sit beside him.

Ningyan didn’t turn. He idly kicked his bare feet in the warm water. Then he stopped.

"Do you know how I got in here?"

Lan Meishan didn’t answer.

He liked the sound of Ningyan’s voice. It was measured and soft, capable of deepening in a way that didn’t quite match his beautiful face.

"The doors respond to me." Ningyan continued. "Did you make it like that?"

"Yes," Meishan replied quietly.

Ningyan turned slowly, curiosity lighting his expression. "Why?"

"So you could come in," Meishan said, his calm voice barely above a whisper. "If you wanted to."

Ningyan nodded and walked toward him, stopping at a respectful distance.

"We arrived tonight from the Beast Realm. The journey was fast. Is there a shortcut between the Heavenly Realm and the Beast Realm that makes it less than a day’s ride? I always fall asleep during travel."

"There—"

"You know why I’m here," Ningyan interrupted, his expression turning serious.

Lan Meishan had been waiting for him to say that.

He let out a breath he hadn’t even realized he’d been holding since the moment he’d sighted Ningyan.

"I was waiting for you," he said quietly. "I didn’t expect... you.... I didn’t expect us to meet again like that. You weren’t supposed to see me."

"But I did," Ningyan replied, frowning. "And you’re joking if you think I’ll leave without knowing what’s going on."

Lan Meishan’s eyes widened. "I can’t. But he—"

"I don’t want to talk to him," Ningyan cut in, stepping closer and closing the distance between them. "I want to talk to you. Tell me what’s happening."

He searched Meishan’s face. "I know you’re wondering how I know about your other personality. It was obvious. That wasn’t you. You would never do something like that."

Lan Meishan exhaled slowly. "My father doesn’t know that you saw me. I mean... him. But I really can’t tell you."

Ningyan stared at him in disbelief. "Why not?"

"It would endanger you."

"I don’t need your protection," Ningyan said, his frown deepening.

"You may not need it," Meishan replied softly, "but I—"

Ningyan scoffed and walked past him. "I thought we were friends."

Lan Meishan gasped and turned, panic flashing across his usually composed features. "We are!"

Ningyan stopped. Slowly, he turned back. "I already told Wuhen that you took Yu Feixue’s head. We’re one minute away from triggering a war if you don’t tell me what’s going on, Meishan."

Lan Meishan sighed and adjusted his glasses even though they weren’t crooked.

"I can’t tell you," he said. "But I can save Yan Qinghe’s life."

Those gem-like violet eyes widened in surprise, sparkling with something dangerously close to hope. The sight made Meishan breathe properly for the first time since Ningyan arrived.

"I can do that much," he continued. "The other me... he’s more untamed. He’s a weapon to my father. He listens to him. I have no control over him."

Ningyan smiled and stepped back toward him. "I know you wouldn’t commit such acts. Yu Feixue, that monster... those weren’t your doing, right?"

Lan Meishan shook his head. "Neither was his."

Ningyan’s smile softened. That’s all he needed to hear.

"Then please heal Qinghe," he said quietly. "Or Wuhen will—"

"Yes, yes," Meishan interrupted, a trace of impatience slipping through. "But I’m doing this for you. Not for him."

Ningyan laughed, tilting his head as he studied Meishan with playful curiosity, as though trying to read his thoughts.

"You were planning to heal her the moment we returned from Sunland, weren’t you?"

"I know that regardless of the fact that you do not desire Yan Wuhen the way he desires you," Lan Meishan said calmly, "you still belong to him. You still care. And it would hurt you if he were hurt... especially if he lost his sister. Am I wrong?"

Ningyan’s eyes widened. He truly hadn’t expected Lan Meishan to be... right.

"...I suppose so," he admitted.

Lan Meishan smiled, quietly satisfied that his understanding of Ningyan had been accurate.

Ningyan turned away, pulling on his boots and picking up his flute. Once he was ready, he walked back toward Lan Meishan. Meishan raised a hand, emerald light gathering at his fingertips. A green, glowing portal bloomed beneath their feet, swallowing them whole.

In the next breath, they were standing before the entrance of the Fox Manor.

Ningyan glanced at him, curious. "You can’t portal inside?"

"Unfortunately not," Lan Meishan replied. "Yan Wuhen has talismans in place that forbid it."

Ningyan snorted. "Smart."

They walked in, Ningyan casually waving at the alert guards as they passed.

Lan Meishan watched him quietly before speaking again. "Does Wuhen know you came to see me tonight?"

Ningyan idly rolled the flute between his fingers. "Yes. Actually."

Lan Meishan nodded slowly.

As they approached the main building, they found Yan Wuyin standing at the entrance, two guards stationed behind him, his expression hard.

"And what exactly are you doing," Wuyin said coldly, "bringing a serpent into our territory?"

"Wuhen knows he’s here," Ningyan replied flatly, displeasure evident in his tone.

Wuyin shot Lan Meishan a glare, then nodded stiffly and stepped aside, walking away without another word.

"Don’t mind him," Ningyan muttered as they entered.

"Hm," Lan Meishan hummed.

Soon, they arrived at Yan Qinghe’s chamber. She lay unconscious on the bed, Lanyin seated anxiously at her side.

"Your Highness!" The rabbit immediately stood and bowed deeply to Lan Meishan.

Lan Meishan returned the bow before stepping forward.

Yan Qinghe was pale. Black veins crept along her neck like spreading ink.

Lan Meishan’s gaze shifted slowly to Ningyan, who was watching him closely, waiting.

"She’s dying," he said.

"Then heal her." Yan Wuhen’s voice cut through the room as he entered. He stopped in front of Lan Meishan, eyes sharp, displeased.

"That’s why you’re here, isn’t it?" he asked coldly. "So heal. Her."