Transmigration:The Villain Wants A Happy End Without His BeastHusbands-Chapter 143: It’s My Flute, Not His

"Where is it?"

Ningyan’s voice carried a sharp edge of frustration as he pulled open a drawer. Empty. Again.

He checked it twice, as if what he was searching for might appear out of sheer stubbornness.

Nothing.

He moved quickly across the chamber, scanning every surface. Shelves. Table. Corners. Even the floor beneath the furniture wasn’t spared. By the time he dropped to his knees beside the bed and tried to lift it, his patience had already worn thin.

A quiet sound came from the doorway. "A-Yan?"

Ningyan froze. He turned and the moment his eyes landed on Lan Meishan, the frustration on his face cracked instantly.

His hair was disheveled, strands falling loose from all the times he had run his fingers through it, but his violet eyes lit up so brightly it softened everything.

"Where have you been?" he asked, already moving.

He reached Meishan in seconds, grabbing his arm and pulling him fully into the room as if afraid he might disappear again.

"I was starting to get worried."

Meishan let himself be pulled without resistance. His gaze stayed on Ningyan, quietly observing the uneven breathing, the tension still lingering in his shoulders, the way his grip tightened just a little too much.

"I went to get herbs," he said calmly, lifting the pouch in his hand. "For medicine."

Ningyan blinked up at him, still holding onto his arm. "...Medicine?"

Meishan nodded. "To ease the pain the crystal causes you."

His voice remained even, matter-of-fact but his fingers adjusted around the pouch. "The herbs are rare. Preparing them will take time. I should have left a letter."

Ningyan rose onto his toes without thinking, cupping Meishan’s face between his hands, pressing his cheeks together as he looked at him. He really looked at him.

"I’m sorry for worrying you." he murmured.

Meishan didn’t move. His eyes stayed on Ningyan’s face, focused, intent, like he was memorizing every detail. The warmth in his gaze, the closeness, the way his breath brushed against his skin.

His fingers twitched faintly at his side. He wanted to lean in. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

But instead, he shook his head. "I want to take care of you. There’s nothing to apologize for."

Ningyan’s lips curved into a bright grin. "You always say that."

Meishan lifted his hand, brushing aside the loose strands of hair falling into Ningyan’s face. His touch was gentle lingering just a second longer than necessary.

"...What has you so frustrated?"

That was enough to break the moment.

Ningyan groaned, dropping back onto his heels and dragging a hand through his hair again.

"My flute," he said, exasperation flooding right back in. "I can’t find it."

He gestured helplessly at the room. "I’ve searched everywhere."

Meishan’s gaze drifted across the room, taking in the scattered mess. His attention paused on the table. There were stacked books and scrolls there.

"It isn’t with me," he said calmly. "But we can ask Wuhen."

He walked toward the table, placing the medicine pouch down with care before picking up one of the books.

Behind him, Ningyan was still searching. He was completely restless and spiraling.

"Ugh! I didn’t think of that," he groaned, crouched halfway under the bed, voice muffled. "But why would he take it? It’s my flute, not his."

Meishan’s lips twitched faintly. "...It won’t hurt to ask."

His eyes lowered to the book in his hands. Ten Ways to Strengthen Phoenix Beast Qi.

"Hmm?" he turned his head.

Ningyan was on the verge of flipping the entire bed. His hair was disheveled, his breathing uneven, his eyes glowing faintly with that ominous purple.

Meishan closed the book, set it down and walked toward him. "A-Yan." His voice was soft.

Ningyan stopped.

"Let me help you, Yan’er."

That did it.

The glow in Ningyan’s eyes flickered. His grip loosened on the bed frame.

He stepped back, dragging a breath into his lungs before rubbing his palms against his robes like he needed to get rid of the tension crawling under his skin.

"We... we need to talk."

Meishan nodded. "Does it have to do with the books and scrolls?"

Ningyan blinked and followed his gaze.

Right. Those.

"...Yes. But..."

He looked almost shy now. Like a young mistress approaching her husband with something delicate.

Meishan sat on the edge of the bed and opened his arms.

Ningyan didn’t hesitate. He climbed into his lap eagerly and wrapped his arms around him.

Meishan’s hand moved instinctively to his back rubbing slowly.

"I.. um..." Ningyan buried his face into his shoulder, trying to gather his thoughts. Trying to decide how to say it.

Before he could, Meishan spoke. "Is it about Jun Haoxuan’s presence in the inn?"

Ningyan leaned back slightly, his lips pressing together. "...Of course you know that."

Meishan said nothing. He just looked at him. Waiting patiently.

Ningyan swallowed. His fingers tightened on Meishan’s shoulder. "Jun Haoxuan killed Madam Qin... and her children."

"...Oh." That was all Meishan said. But his eyes widened a bit.

"Yes and well... the crystal..." Ningyan stumbled over his own words, speaking too fast.

"He’s here for it. But not like Rong Yue. It turns out the crystal is an heirloom... passed down through the Azure Dragon lineage. His father gave it to his other half, and before that, his grandfather did the same... and then it was given to his mother.. and possibly his other partners... before it was finally passed down to Jun Haoxuan."

Meishan stared at him silently.

"...I don’t think I understand," he said at last.

Ningyan groaned in frustration, grabbing Meishan’s shoulders and shaking him lightly. "It’s a courtship artifact!"

His voice rose, desperate now. "It’s part of a divine core, yes, but it also carries Jun Haoxuan’s qi. His essence. It’s meant to be given to his other half. And it’s inside me."

Meishan. "..."

"...Which means," Ningyan said, his voice dropping, "we are... sort of married now."

"Oh." Meishan blinked. "I didn’t expect that."

He cocked his head. "...is that all?"

"There’s more," Ningyan added quickly, almost tripping over the words again. "The crystal has fused with my soul. It can’t be removed. And he’s the only one who can regulate it... stop it from consuming me... and things it shouldn’t consume."

This time, Meishan’s expression changed. But it was not jealousy. It was concern.

"So..." he said slowly, his eyes sharpening with focus, "he can ease the pain it causes you?"

Ningyan nodded. "...Yes."

"I see..." Meishan’s lips curled into a soft, relieved smile.