Transmigration:The Villain Wants A Happy End Without His BeastHusbands-Chapter 43: Someone’s Watching Me

The festival continued without incident.

Male and female dancers filled the center of the hall, their movements fluid and mesmerizing, drawing cheers and laughter from every corner of the room.

Conversations overlapped, cups clinked, and music pulsed steadily beneath it all.

Ningyan felt none of it.

Wuyin had returned to the table and was whispering urgently into Wuhen’s ear. Ningyan didn’t bother pretending to listen. His attention was scattered. Especially when he could feel the weight of curious gazes settling on him from all directions.

He almost felt... special.

It was an honor, really, to stand among powerful beasts, most of whom couldn’t stop looking at him.

Some were clearly wondering why he was seated beside Yan Wuhen.

Others, those strong enough to see the spirit-mate chain, asked no questions at all.

Ningyan wanted to leave. To slip away and watch the fireworks instead, somewhere he wouldn’t feel dissected by invisible eyes.

A servant approached, placing a fresh jar of liquor in front of Wuhen before bowing and retreating.

Ningyan’s gaze lingered on it.

He had already finished his own jar, and cleared his dishes clean. What could one more do?

Wuyin finally pulled away from Wuhen.

Wuhen’s expression darkened immediately.

"I have to go there," Wuhen said, rubbing his forehead, tension evident in his posture. "How could someone knock Qinghe unconscious?"

Ningyan’s eyes widened.

"My thoughts exactly," Wuyin replied grimly. "There were no signs of struggle, no witnesses. She was simply found collapsed in the mountains."

Wuhen exhaled slowly. "Then my talisman won’t be enough. We leave before sunrise."

Wuyin bowed. "Yes, Your Highness."

Ningyan bit down on his lower lip.

He wasn’t curious enough to ask about Qinghe but Tu Lanyin crossed his mind all the same.

He reached for the jar only for Wuyin to snatch it away sharply.

"I think that’s enough," Wuyin said coldly.

Ningyan rolled his eyes and let go.

Wuhen glanced at him, amused despite everything. "Are you trying to get intoxicated, beloved?"

Ningyan sighed and leaned in, lowering his voice. "I don’t see the phoenix anywhere."

"Neither do I," Wuhen replied quietly. "But I’m meant to speak with Haoxuan privately after the event."

Ningyan leaned back and nodded.

That was when his eyes met Lan Meishan’s.

The serpent prince sat upright, elegant and composed, black-and-white robes immaculate. His expression remained impassive but just for a heartbeat, he offered Ningyan an almost imperceptible smile before adjusting his slightly crooked glasses and turning his attention back to the dancers.

Lan Yunlai remained beside him.

One of the serpent guards leaned close, whispering into the king’s ear.

And for reasons Ningyan couldn’t name, the air suddenly felt heavier.

He swallowed hard.

Before he could say anything else, his view was blocked as Rong Chao suddenly stepped in front of him, smiling politely.

He bowed to Yan Wuhen, who acknowledged him with a nod, and then to Yan Wuyin, who returned the gesture stiffly.

"I would like to have a word with Ningyan," Rong Chao said. "In private."

Wuhen, already pouring himself a cup of wine, glanced between them.

"Is it so important it can’t be said here?"

"Yes," Ningyan said flatly.

Before anyone could react, he snatched the jar and cup from Wuhen, drained the cup in one go, and turned on his heel, already moving away with Rong Chao.

"Wait—!" Wuyin half-shouted, stopping himself mid-word as his expression darkened.

Wuhen cast him a dull glance. "What’s wrong with you?"

Wuyin frowned deeply. "Do you want him embarrassing us with drunken behavior?"

"I don’t mind," Yan Wuhen said easily, popping another piece of meat into his mouth.

Wuyin said nothing, his gaze following Ningyan as he weaved through the dancers with Rong Chao until they disappeared from sight.

They stood together in the courtyard of the dragon manor, staring up at the grim sky as fireworks burst overhead, briefly painting the clouds in gold and crimson.

Their eyes reflected the light.

It was beautiful. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Ningyan inhaled deeply. He liked the sharp, charged scent of the air.

"Is it going to rain?" he asked quietly, breaking the silence.

"No," Rong Chao replied, his voice tense. "It looks more like a storm coming."

Ningyan tore his gaze from the sky and looked at him. "Are you okay?"

Rong Chao hesitated before speaking.

"This event... Senior Brother once told me the Dance of Dragons happens in three ways. First, between the Great Divine Beast Kings. Second, each dragon clan celebrates privately within their own domains. And third, between the clan leaders of the dragons and the Divine Beast Princes."

He exhaled slowly. "But Lan Yunlai has never attended. Not even with the Beast Kings."

Ningyan stiffened. "But he’s here."

"Exactly." Rong Chao’s expression tightened. "That’s what’s making everyone uneasy."

Ningyan rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Maybe he wants to speak with Jun Haoxuan privately."

"That’s what makes it worse," Rong Chao said. "Jun Haoxuan’s father and Lan Yunlai are on terrible terms. A year ago, Jun Haoxuan killed one of Yunlai’s main healers. Someone sent to treat a sick sibling."

Something prickled at the back of Ningyan’s neck.

He turned sharply toward the flower bushes, his instincts screaming that someone was there but the space was empty.

He looked back at Rong Chao. "You’re thinking too hard about this."

"Yeah." Rong Chao laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. "I just... I don’t want a war, you know? The dragons already hate each other enough. I don’t want the serpent beasts dragged into it too."

He hesitated before adding quietly, "Lan Meishan... I don’t want him getting hurt. Or dying."

Ningyan’s heart skipped at the word dying.

"Nothing will happen to him," he said firmly, almost too fast.

Rong Chao studied his face for a moment before speaking again.

"I’m trying to convince my father to have us engaged immediately. Right after I finish my first year."

Ningyan’s eyes widened. Engaged... to Lan Meishan?

That would keep him away. He won’t be in my life.

At least, that’s what Ningyan told himself.

"You really fancy him, huh?" Ningyan said lightly.

Rong Chao flushed and laughed. "He’s... he’s perfection."

Ningyan smiled. "That’s cute. He is nice."

"I’m going to ask him tonight," Rong Chao added, excitement bleeding into his voice. "About becoming his disciple."

"I wish you—" Ningyan stopped.

That sensation again.

His smile vanished as he turned slowly toward the flower bushes.

Nothing.

No movement. No presence.

Still uneasy, he narrowed his eyes and walked toward them.

"Ningyan?" Rong Chao called, following after him. "Is something wrong?"

Ningyan checked behind the bushes.

Empty.

He straightened and turned back toward Rong Chao, who looked genuinely confused.

"What’s going on?"

Ningyan blinked. "I... I think someone’s watching me."

Rong Chao smiled faintly. "But there’s no one here except us."

Ningyan walked past him, tapping his shoulder lightly. "That’s exactly what I’m worried about."

He lifted the jar and drained the rest of the wine in one go, then continued walking.

Rong Chao hesitated, glancing back at the bushes one last time before hurrying after him.