Elydes - Chapter 284: Threads and Puzzles

The course of commitments never did run smooth.

As a precocious child, Lycoris suffers from a strange sense of deja vu. On the day her father told her about her fiancé, she realizes that her fiancé was a character from an otome game she once played in a previous life.

After finishing a tragic novel where the villain is betrayed and killed by his own beast husbands, Li Wei does what any reasonable reader would do. He rants about the ending.Then he gets hit by a car.When he opens his eyes again, Li Wei finds himself inside that very novel, reborn as Su Ningyan, the future villain destined to walk a path of madness, war, and blood.Ten years before his fall.Ten years before his death.In the original story, Su Ningyan’s unstable phoenix beast core drives him toward forbidden power, turning him into a feared villain who ultimately dies at the hands of the men he loved most.This time, Li Wei refuses that fate.He will avoid the villian arc.He will heal his beast core.And he will stay far away from the four terrifying beast princes who will one day become his husbands.Unfortunately, fate has other plans.The academy meant to heal him becomes a battlefield of tension, rivalry, and instinctual bonds. The beast princes notice him far too early, and the more Su Ningyan tries to escape the plot, the tighter destiny coils around him.Because in a world ruled by beast bloodlines and ancient bonds, some connections cannot be severed only delayed.And the husbands who once killed him… may not be willing to let him go again.****ExcerptSu Ningyan didn’t know where he was.At first, he thought he was dreaming. His body felt warm... too warm... and the scent in the air was unfamiliar, sharp and clean, like lightning after rain.He turned onto his side.And froze.A pair of golden dragon eyes stared back at him from inches away.The man was breathtaking. Long black hair spread across silk pillows, sharp features sculpted as if carved from jade. His presence alone pressed down on Su Ningyan’s chest, heavy and suffocating.His face went pale. “What the—”“You’re awake.” The man smiled faintly.Jun Haoxuan. Azure Dragon Clan. Future Beast King.And, according to the book, one of the men who would eventually become his husband.“Did you sleep well?” Jun Haoxuan asked calmly.Su Ningyan’s eye twitched. He was supposed to be avoiding them.So why was he waking up in the dragon prince’s bed?

A 19-year-old young lady came to the Jiang family, a prominent family in Sea City. Rumors had it that she rescued the Jiang family’s madame many years ago in the countryside. After she enrolled at Sea City University, the madame took her to the Jiang family’s residence before school started, claiming to familiarize the lady with Sea City’s environment.

It was said that that the young lady was an orphan who grew up in the countryside. However, she carried herself in a manner that befitted a rich young lady from a prestigious family, more so than the real rich young ladies.

It was said that the young lady had not seen the world and was not presentable. However, she maintained her composure in front of the bigshots from all walks of life. She maintained a proper smile that made people look askance.

It was said that the young lady was brought home by Old Madame Jiang to be Young Master Jiang’s wife.

It was said that the young lady came from too humble a background and was not fit to marry into the Jiang family.

It was said that the young lady fell in love with the young master of the Jiang family at first sight, but the young master of the Jiang family did not care about her at all.

…

First meeting.

She sat by the lotus pond in the Jiang family mansion as she read a book.

Even though she was in a simple outfit of a white T-shirt matched with black pants, he saw the charm of a beautiful lady.

She exuded the aura of a young lady.

First meeting.

Her book fell. He called after her.

She turned around after hearing him.

At that moment, she suddenly understood what “a man as beautiful as jade” meant.

He was a bright gentleman who was as gentle and beautiful as jade; she was an elegant young lady, reserved and upright.

If someone asked her what her greatest gain in coming to Sea City was, she would answer without hesitation, “Meeting him.”

If someone asked him what his greatest gain in staying in Sea City was, he would answer without hesitation, “Meeting her.”