"Why does this keep happening?" Su Ningyan muttered between heavy breaths as he hurried through the streets, glancing back repeatedly to make sure Yan Wuhen wasn't following him.
In the book, Yan Wuhen had always been the most troublesome of the male leads. He was shamelessly flirty, dangerously direct, and frighteningly strong. He always took what he wanted.
And now that Ningyan was experiencing that intensity firsthand, when he very much did not want it, it was terrifying.
His stomach suddenly growled.
"Bad timing. Ugh!" He grimaced.
He hadn't eaten properly since... well. Ever. And he still wasn't even sure that soup counted as food. He'd drunk it and passed out immediately. Meaning it had definitely been drugged.
That maid had probably been working for Yan Wuhen.
Ningyan pressed a hand to his stomach. This world didn't use money the way his old one did. There was no cash. No cards. Instead, they used spirit crystals and he was completely broke.
"I really have no hope of surviving. Not even a little," he muttered bleakly. "If I don't get killed by the princes within ten years like in the original plot, I'll probably die of starvation first."
It felt like a bad idea, but he needed energy if he wanted to keep running.
With no better options, he slipped into a small inn tucked between two taller buildings immediately drawing attention. Heads turned. Eyes lingered.
Su Ningyan was painfully aware of how beautiful he was. The novel had never failed to emphasize it. How he entranced everyone the moment he stepped into a room.
Feeling both shameless and nervous, he chose a table tucked far in the back, deliberately avoiding the loud lower beastmen drinking and laughing nearby.
A server soon approached. A beautiful woman with brown bear ears and a warm smile.
"What would you like to have, young master? We have spirit rice, dumplings..."
"Dumplings will do," Ningyan cut in quickly.
He couldn't believe he was about to eat without paying. How had his life come to this? Then again… he had already died once.
He suddenly missed his mother's cooking terribly.
The server looked at him with surprise, as if she hadn't expected him to actually choose dumplings. Still, she gave a polite bow and walked away.
Only then did Ningyan glance down at himself.
These clothes…
He grimaced. They were far too expensive looking for someone trying not to be noticed. Nervously, he checked the hidden pockets of the robe and froze.
Two spirit crystals.
His lips curved into a grin. "Jackpot."
"The princes of the great divine beast clans?" one beastman said loudly from a nearby table. "They've always studied at the Celestial Beast Academy."
"I know," another replied, sounding smug. "But this year is different. They're all about to ascend to the divine beast cultivation stage. Once they do, they'll become beast kings."
The way she spoke, you'd think she was the one ascending.
Ningyan barely listened. His eyes flicked toward the kitchen, impatience creeping in. Where are my dumplings?
There was no way he planned to stay long. His fingers tapped restlessly against the table, his leg bouncing beneath it.
"I really hope Lan Meishan chooses me as his mate once he becomes beast king," someone else chimed in dreamily.
Ningyan snorted.
The male leads were absurdly popular, idolized to the point of madness. And for some reason, a faint sense of possessiveness stirred in his chest.
'You can all dream but they're mine,' a thought whispered.
That thought made him stiffen.
Why was he thinking like that? He was supposed to be running away, not claiming them in his head.
Just then, the server returned, carrying a large tray piled high with steaming dishes. Meat glazed in rich sauce, fragrant grains, foods he'd never seen before but which made his stomach clench painfully.
She set everything down in front of him.
Ningyan stared. "I think you've made a mistake. I didn't order any of this."
The server smiled calmly. "His Highness instructed me to bring these to you."
Cold flooded his veins.
"Oh no." Ningyan pushed to his feet. "Where is he?"
The server simply lifted her hand and pointed.
Across the room, on the balcony above, Yan Wuhen lounged comfortably. His nine fox tails fanned out behind him, swaying with lazy elegance.
Gold-red eyes met Ningyan's wide violet ones.
And Yan Wuhen smiled.
"No!" Su Ningyan turned to bolt but Yan Wuhen vanished.
A faint red-gold glow lingered for a second before the fox prince appeared directly in front of him.
Ningyan slammed straight into his chest.
He yelped and stumbled back in panic. "Leave me alone! Why do you keep following me?!"
His outburst and the sudden appearance of a divine beast prince drew every eye in the inn. Conversations died instantly.
Ningyan's face burned as he realized how many people were staring. He wished the floor would split open and swallow him whole.
Yan Wuhen, meanwhile, didn't look away for even a breath. His gaze stayed locked on Ningyan, that infuriating smile still curved on his lips.
"Let's eat together."
Ningyan glared at him. "Why would I do that? Especially after you had a maid drug me."
Yan Wuhen's eyes lit up. He was clearly pleased. "I didn't want you to run away."
He lifted a hand toward Ningyan's hair. "Besides..."
Ningyan slapped it away and jumped back only to hit a chair. His footing slipped, and he tipped backward with a startled gasp.
Before he could fall, Yan Wuhen stepped forward and caught him by the arm, yanking him into his chest.
Their bodies collided.
Ningyan froze.
He was at least four inches shorter, completely trapped as Yan Wuhen's nine tails swayed and curled around them, blocking him in. His eyes went wide, his face draining of color.
No way.
This was ridiculous.
The most cliché scenario imaginable—rescued mid-fall, pulled into a male lead's arms. And of course that male lead was sniffing him.
Yan Wuhen leaned down slightly, inhaling near Ningyan's neck with an appreciative hum. One fox ear twitched. His tails swayed.
"Don't run from me again, Yan'er." he murmured, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. "Let's eat together."
That did it.
Ningyan tore himself free, stumbling back with a flushed face and ragged breaths. He pointed a trembling finger straight at Yan Wuhen's face.
"Stay away from me!"
He turned to leave and Wuhen's smile vanished.
"Stay," he said coldly, his voice slicing through the air, "or I'll tear out your liver and eat it right in front of you, Yan'er. Deal?"
Su Ningyan froze.
The color drained from his face as ice crawled down his spine. He knew.... he absolutely knew that Yan Wuhen wasn't joking.
This fox beast prince was twisted. He was completely mad.
And every single person in the inn was watching in horrified silence.
All Ningyan could manage was a shaky breath and one quiet, defeated word.
"…Fuck."