Transmigration:The Villain Wants A Happy End Without His BeastHusbands-Chapter 164: I’m Glad You’re Here

Jun Haoxuan hadn’t expected that question. Not the words, but the way Ningyan asked it.

There was curiosity there.

But beneath it, a faint edge of jealousy and something else.

Hope. It was subtle, yet unmistakable. And for a brief, unguarded moment, it made him... happy.

The feeling rose too quickly. Too easily.

Jun Haoxuan pushed it down almost immediately. Or tried to.

Instead, he found himself asking, quietly, "...do you want me to?"

Ningyan made a face instantly.

"I know this marriage started because of the crystal inside me," he said, frowning, "but you’re still my husband. Why would I want you going to someone else’s chamber?"

Jun Haoxuan’s composure cracked. A soft laugh slipped out.

He turned his head slightly, trying to suppress it but it lingered in his chest, warm and unrestrained.

Ningyan frowned deeper at him. Though there was a hint of confusion now and reluctant amusement.

"She..." Haoxuan began, his voice still touched with quiet laughter. He exhaled once, steadying himself. "She isn’t what you think."

Then, simply, "She’s my mother. Not by birth, but she is."

Silence.

Ningyan’s lips parted. Color rushed to his face instantly. "...oh."

A second later. "Oh!"

He dragged in a breath, his expression collapsing into pure embarrassment. "This is... incredibly uncomfortable."

He tried to pull his hand away. But Jun Haoxuan didn’t let go.

His grip tightened, firm, but not forceful.

Ningyan’s gaze dropped to their joined hands. Then lifted meeting Haoxuan’s eyes.

Jun Haoxuan smiled softly. "I’m glad," he said.

Ningyan stared at him.

"Glad?" he echoed. "Glad that I just mistook your mother for—"

He cut himself off abruptly, taking a sharp breath.

"...what is wrong with me?" he muttered, half under his breath, though not quietly enough.

Jun Haoxuan chuckled and slowly raised his hand again. It paused midway. His fingers trembled just slightly as if he were caught between instinct and restraint.

For a moment, it seemed like he might pull away again like before.

But this time, he didn’t. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

"I’m glad you’re here," he said instead.

Ningyan looked up at him, clearly caught off guard. His lips parted slightly, surprise written plainly across his face.

And that was enough.

Jun Haoxuan let go of the hesitation. His fingers moved. Gently brushing the damp strands of hair clinging to Ningyan’s forehead... then the side of his neck. Slow... Careful... Lingering.

Ningyan’s eyes slipped closed almost immediately, his body relaxing into the touch without resistance.

A quiet smile touched Haoxuan’s lips. ...he was getting attached. Far too quickly.

The awareness lingered at the back of his mind... sharp, cautioning but he ignored it.

Even when the urge to pull away surfaced again... he didn’t. Instead, his fingers drifted to Ningyan’s cheek, warm against his skin.

Ningyan’s breath hitched. His lashes trembled before he opened his eyes again, those gem-like violet irises glowing faintly, his face flushed.

"I... um..." Ningyan started, stumbling over himself. "About your mother, I—"

Jun Haoxuan laughed again. Because Ningyan looked like he was fighting for his life over it.

"It’s alright," he said, his voice softening, dropping lower.

Then, gently, "Come here. You’re shivering."

He didn’t wait for a reply. His arms wrapped around Ningyan, pulling him into a firm, warm embrace.

Ningyan melted into him instantly like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Jun Haoxuan exhaled quietly, his hold tightening just slightly. He found himself... unwilling to let go.

Ningyan was warm despite the rain. He was alive... Unpredictable. He could go from sharp and fearless, to flustered and soft in the span of a breath. Jun Haoxuan found that he liked it far more than he should.

He rested his chin lightly against Ningyan’s head.

For a moment, he allowed himself to simply stay like that.

"...you don’t have to go to her chamber just to clear your mind," Ningyan murmured against his chest, voice softer now.

"You have me. And Meishan. Though... Meishan probably won’t comfort you the way you expect. He’ll listen, maybe. But he won’t sugarcoat anything."

Jun Haoxuan huffed a quiet breath of laughter.

Ningyan continued, his voice muffled slightly where his cheek pressed against Haoxuan’s chest. "He’ll just tell you the brutal truth and leave you to deal with it."

His arms tightened a little around Haoxuan as he settled more comfortably against him. The warmth between them wasn’t enough to fight the storm completely but it was enough.

"I think you are the better listener," Jun Haoxuan said quietly.

Ningyan huffed a soft breath, throwing his head back to get a better look of Haoxuan’s face. "I might just end up telling you what I think you want to hear."

Haoxuan’s gaze lingered on him for a moment before he spoke again, softer this time. "Then stay tonight. You and Meishan... come to my chamber."

Ningyan blinked, surprised by the request but he didn’t hesitate. "Alright."

Haoxuan’s arms tightened around him at once, as if he had been waiting for that answer. He exhaled slowly, his chin brushing lightly against Ningyan’s damp hair.

"Very well."

His fingers moved absently through Ningyan’s hair. His eyes had already closed, breath steady as he allowed himself a rare moment of quiet.

Then his eyes opened and the world shifted.

Across the pavilion, standing beyond the veil of rain was him.

Jun Yongrui.

The divine beast king stood beneath a wide canopy, held aloft by four guards, unmoving as the storm gathered around him. His dark blue hair fell over his shoulders, deep azure robes heavy with status and power, the horns at his temples marking him unmistakably.

His cold silver, reptilian eyes were fixed directly on Jun Haoxuan. They were sharp, heavy, and judgmental.

Jun Haoxuan did not move. But his eyes hardened dangerously.

For a moment, nothing existed between them but that look.

Then Jun Yongrui’s gaze shifted past him to the figure held so easily in his son’s arms.

Ningyan stiffened instinctively. He could feel a prickle behind his neck. Someone was watching him.

He didn’t turn or pull away. But the feeling lingered.

Jun Haoxuan noticed, his hold around Ningyan tightening just enough. A silent claim and a silent warning.

Jun Yongrui watched for one breath longer and turned just like that as if nothing had happened and walked away.

The guards followed immediately, the umbrella shifting with him as he disappeared into the rain.

Jun Haoxuan didn’t look away. Not until his father was completely gone. Only then did he exhale.