Transmigration:The Villain Wants A Happy End Without His BeastHusbands-Chapter 74: I Want To Be Close To You

"What are we doing out here, Senior?" Rong Chao asked as they crossed the academy grounds, moving away from the clustered buildings and toward the vast Celestial Lake. Its surface glittered under the sun, reflecting the blurred sky in shifting shards of light.

Lan Meishan walked ahead of them. Behind him were Linyao, the girl Ningyan had just learned the name of, and Rong Chao. Ningyan and Shenzhen trailed at the back, Shenzhen’s fan half-raised, concealing his mouth.

Lan Meishan suddenly halted and turned to face them. They stopped at once, watching him carefully.

"Honestly," he said calmly, "I was only expecting two students to join this program. Not two more who are already at the sixth stage."

"We are honoured that you’re willing to guide us, Senior," Shenzhen said, bowing politely.

Lan Meishan nodded. "Even so, my focus will remain on Ningyan and Linyao. You two may assist them after the program." His gaze moved between the group. "If possible, always remain together. Supporting one another through the trials will help you form strong bonds and connections that will matter greatly in the future."

Ningyan found himself agreeing. Rong Chao and Shenzhen could become powerful allies for him.

"Now," Lan Meishan continued, turning toward the lake, "the Celestial Lake possesses strong spiritual properties. Normally, it is only open to last-year students. However, I’ve obtained permission for you to cultivate here." He glanced back at them. "If any of you are uncomfortable cultivating through water, I can arrange an alternative."

Ningyan pressed his lips together, then raised his hand. "I’m not comfortable with water."

For a brief moment, his eyes met Meishan’s. Surprise flickered across the emerald gaze then vanished just as quickly as Meishan looked away.

"I don’t mind," Rong Chao chirped eagerly. "I’m a great swimmer."

Shenzhen, on the other hand, strolled over to the lake’s edge and leaned forward to admire his reflection, fanning his face with a pleased grin. "Senior Brother did mention that it’s very effective."

"Your brother is Jun Haoxuan, correct?" Linyao asked softly as she stepped closer to him.

"Yes."

The two began chatting quietly.

Meanwhile, Rong Chao had already begun removing his outer robes, stripping down to his trousers before stepping into the water. He waded in until it reached his torso, then stopped, closed his eyes, and brought his palms together.

His tiger ears twitched. His tail rose above the water’s surface.

Suddenly, a silver glow enveloped his body.

A massive, translucent tiger materialized behind him, alive, snarling, powerful, before surging back into his form. The glow intensified, pouring into his body as he stood motionless in the lake, silent and focused.

Ningyan slowly made his way toward Lan Meishan, who stood watching as Shenzhen held Linyao’s hand and guided her into the lake, both of them still fully dressed. Shenzhen had left his fan behind this time, and instead of cultivating like Rong Chao, the two of them were talking quietly, their voices carrying soft laughter over the water.

Ningyan stopped beside Meishan.

Lan Meishan glanced at him. "You said you weren’t comfortable with water."

There was a note of displeasure in his tone. It was subtle, but unmistakable.

"I wanted to talk to you," Ningyan replied. "Not swim in a lake."

"The lake can help you."

"If you truly wanted to help me," Ningyan said, a little too sharply, "you would have invited me to the library."

He stopped himself.

The words sat heavy between them.

"No, i.." Ningyan exhaled slowly.

The glow in Meishan’s emerald eyes dimmed, just a fraction. But he said nothing.

"I.. I should have come to you," Ningyan went on more quietly. "Or written a letter. Or found some way to communicate. I didn’t... and that was wrong. I’m sorry."

"I didn’t expect you to do anything like that," Lan Meishan said at once as he adjusted his glasses even though they weren’t crooked. "You didn’t do anything wrong. I’m not angry with you. I’m not angry with Yan Wuhen either. He was telling the truth, after all."

He paused before adding, "As for the library, I’ve returned to my manor in the forest. My cultivation space has moved there. Unfortunately, two of my uncles arrived at the academy recently. That’s why I haven’t invited you for private guidance... or approached you at all."

"Oh," Ningyan said softly.

He wasn’t sure why he had expected anger. Or why the absence of it felt heavier.

Meishan’s gaze softened. "I don’t think we should be friends anymore," he said quietly. "Not with everything happening beneath this illusion of normalcy."

He looked back toward the lake.

Ningyan followed his gaze. Shenzhen and Linyao were splashing water at each other now, laughter ringing out. Rong Chao remained waist-deep in the lake, completely immersed in his cultivation, silver light pulsing steadily around him.

"Then why is this program even happening?" Ningyan asked, turning back sharply.

Meishan met his eyes. "Because I asked the headmaster to approve it. I wanted to."

"To help me?"

"Yes."

Ningyan parted his lips, then sighed. "You’ve already done enough."

"You aren’t the only one I’m helping."

"But you arranged this because of me."

There was a brief silence.

"I want to be close to you," Lan Meishan said suddenly.

Ningyan’s eyes widened.

His heart skipped hard and he hated that it did. He took an instinctive step back.

"Thank you for the program," he said quickly. "I should go join the others."

Lan Meishan watched him closely. "The headmaster doesn’t expect you and Linyao to suddenly ascend. This program will only last a week according to the days of the official tests."

Ningyan scoffed. "Then why make it sound so special?"

"I already told you," Lan Meishan said evenly. "I want to be close to you."

Ningyan hesitated, then gave him a sideways look. "That’s... a creative use of nepotism. Am I going to get expelled?"

Lan Meishan’s lips curved into a faint smile. "You’re ignoring my confession."

"You can’t create a fake program just to get close to me," Ningyan shot back. "Academics matter to the students here."

"It would have been private," Meishan replied calmly. "But my uncles—"

"So the only way you can get close to me now is through academics?" Ningyan cut in.

Lan Meishan blinked. "Are you trying to distance yourself because of my father? Because of what my family is doing?"

"No." Ningyan answered too quickly.

The moment the word left his mouth, he wanted to slap himself.

Lan Meishan was the son of the future villain. If left unchecked, he might very well become the final antagonist himself.

Wait.

The thought struck Ningyan like lightning. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

If he stayed close... if he understood Lan Meishan better, his other personality, the one lurking beneath the calm surface, maybe he could suppress it. Tame it. Or at least make it harder for that side to emerge.

The only way to do that was to stay close.

But as a lover?

Ningyan exhaled slowly.

They weren’t talking about marriage. Just proximity. Control. Influence.

Right?

"Wuhen wouldn’t like this," Ningyan said quietly.

Lan Meishan’s eyes lit up. "I don’t care about him."

Ningyan let out a nervous laugh.

This was probably a terrible idea.