1. Transmigrated as a rare female

“Ruan Li! If you want to die, don’t drag us down with you!” The refined young man’s brows were furrowed in anger as he scolded her, though his good upbringing kept him from cursing outright.

The moment Ruan Li opened her eyes, she was confronted by a monstrous face only a hair’s breadth from her own, its gaping maw wide open as if ready to tear her apart.

With a wet, gruesome splatter, blood sprayed across her face. The thick scent of iron and the horrific scene before her assaulted her fragile nerves.

So, not even a minute after regaining consciousness, her bright, watery eyes rolled back and she fainted again.

She must have died and gone straight to hell!

She must have!

Ruan Li recalled the browser history and chat logs with her best friend she hadn’t had time to erase before the car accident, and her heart ached in misery.

Bai He, seeing the woman in his arms playing at fainting again, frowned even deeper, his tone even more impatient, “Stop pretending! The beast is dead. Get up, don’t crush me!”

Yet the woman in his arms showed no reaction.

A bead of blood slipped from the corner of her closed eye down to her crimson lips, and the pallor of her cheeks lent her a fragile beauty.

But then Bai He remembered her vile behavior, and no matter how beautiful she looked, she was nothing more than a venomous beauty. “Enough with the act! If you don’t get up, I’ll toss you to the ground!”

When she still didn’t respond, Bai He sneered. Who would’ve thought her acting skills had become so superb?

He immediately let go of her. Whether she was truly unconscious or faking it, so much the better if it was real! Falling from the rooftop, she’d at least be crippled if not dead.

The soft weight in his arms vanished, but seeing her still unmoving—even as she plummeted at breakneck speed—struck him as odd.

A cold chill crept into Bai He’s heart.

Suddenly, a snow-white crane appeared in the air. With a low cry, he dove after her.

Only after safely setting her down did Bai He return to human form, his gaze complicated as he looked at the unconscious Ruan Li.

She really had fainted. If he left her here…

“What’s wrong with her?” A tall, blond, blue-eyed young man approached, clear distaste in his eyes.

“…She fainted from fright,” Bai He replied.

Lionel gave a thumbs-up, “What did you do to her? You actually managed to scare her unconscious.”

Bai He’s gaze on Ruan Li’s unconscious face grew even more complicated. “It seems the beast terrified her.”

Lionel was surprised. “Terrified by a beast? Isn’t she the one who loves eating them the most?”

Bai He shook his head. “No idea. Let’s just take her back. If she really dies here, we’re dead too.”

Lionel edged a step away. “You’re the one who knocked her out, you bring her back.”

With that, he transformed into a golden mutant lion and dashed off, kicking up a cloud of dust that coated Bai He’s face.

Bai He wiped his face in exasperation, then glared at the woman sprawled on the ground. Dust from Lionel’s departure now veiled her once-pale face, somehow making her normally detestable features look almost foolishly innocent.

Bai He was disgusted with himself for the thought. He hoisted her onto his shoulder and gave her a jostle.

Ruan Li dreamed of being on a tiny boat tossed about on stormy seas. The waves battered her vessel, and she clung tightly to the side, terrified she’d be thrown overboard.

Bai He really began to suspect Ruan Li was taking revenge on him. How else could she, even while hanging upside down, manage to pinch a chunk of flesh from his waist?

He prided himself on being considerate, but now he was truly annoyed.

The moment he got home, he dumped her onto the sofa.

Ruan Li, still dreaming of being struck by a monstrous wave and flung into the sea, woke with a start.

Meeting Bai He’s eyes—brimming with anger and mockery—she was nonetheless captivated by the pale clarity of his irises.

How could anyone have such light, almost translucent eyes? Like frost flowers in winter—delicate, exquisite, ethereal, and cold.

Seeing her dazed, foolish stare, Bai He’s irritation only deepened. Yet instead of the scorn and insults he expected, she murmured in awe, “Such beautiful eyes…”

A flicker of surprise flashed across Bai He’s gaze. He pressed his lips together, coldly watching her fixation.

Was she truly such a good actress?

“What are you trying to pull?”

Bai He eyed her warily, as if she were some unforgivable villain.

Ruan Li instinctively touched her face. Had the accident ruined her legendary beauty?

The very thought sent her rushing to the bathroom.

“Thank goodness…” She patted her chest in relief. Her face was still her own—so beautiful it could have been computer generated.

Bai He followed her unhurriedly, intent on figuring out what she was up to.

Yet all he saw was her admiring herself in the mirror. No odd behavior otherwise. Though suspicious, he couldn’t quite relax his guard.

Done fussing over her precious face, Ruan Li finally noticed the handsome, cool man beside her—even with his brows pinched so tightly he looked ready to crush a fly.

“Hey, handsome, who are you?” Ruan Li asked in a soft, delicate voice.

Bai He crossed his arms, but her affected tone made him shudder. “What do you want from me? Want me to hunt wild beasts for you, or kidnap beastmen? Just say it.”

“Could you speak normally?” he snapped, his tone and expression unfiltered in their disdain.

Ruan Li gave an awkward smile, unsure what she’d done to offend him. “May I ask, do we know each other? You seem to really dislike me.”

Bai He was briefly taken aback. He looked her up and down, noting her genuinely puzzled expression, especially those big, clear, innocent eyes—so guileless it was almost criminal.

“You… lost your memory?” Bai He’s cool voice was slow and cautious.

Ruan Li nodded lightly. Though she still hadn’t figured out her situation, the pain she’d felt pinching herself confirmed she was alive. But this world was utterly unfamiliar. Since that was the case, she might as well pretend to have amnesia.

Bai He never expected her to actually have lost her memory.

Yet recalling her odd behavior and her pure, harmless gaze, he found himself inexplicably inclined to believe her.

From Bai He’s explanation, Ruan Li learned that this was an era of highly advanced technology. However, due to cosmic radiation, men had long since gone extinct, and some male animals had become anthropomorphic. They evolved five elemental powers—metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. Though women survived, their ability to reproduce was also affected, causing their numbers to plummet. Now, the ratio of women to male beastmen was dangerously skewed. Thus, interstellar law decreed that once a woman reached twenty, she would be forcibly matched with five male beastmen to form a family and bear children. Males were required to protect women unconditionally.