This Beast Never Sleeps at Night (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 1
“Beware the Silver Wolf!”
Recently, rumors had been circulating among the Imperial Palace guards about sightings of a wolf.
But the man didn’t believe it. A wolf inside the Imperial Palace—let alone one with silver fur?
In his twenty years guarding the palace, he’d never heard such an absurd tale.
“Show yourself if you’re around!”
As he passed through the palace woods, he even boldly shouted toward the rain-drenched darkness.
All that answered was the furious sound of rain pounding the leaves.
Just as the man turned away confidently, thinking, “I knew it,”
Flash!
Lightning struck, and something dazzling glinted brightly from among the bushes.
‘…The Silver Wolf?’
The man’s expression, tense at first, gradually turned bewildered.
Rising from the undergrowth was a stunningly handsome man, his silver hair soaked entirely by the rain.
Moreover, he was completely naked, not a single thread on his body.
‘Could he be a nobleman enjoying a secret tryst with his lover?’
While the man was still pondering this, the stranger drew steadily closer. Only then, as the guard raised his lantern, did he notice the handsome face was smeared with blood.
The man wiped the blood off his cheek with the back of his hand, his expression utterly blank.
His deep gray eyes, impossible to fathom, were chillingly indifferent.
‘Wait! Now that I look closely… who is this person…?’
Chills ran down his spine, and without realizing it, the guard took hesitant steps backward—then tripped over something soft.
“This… this is!”
The carcass of a deer, still warm with body heat.
Sssss…!
At that very moment,
From deep within the black forest, trees and bushes violently shook as something charged rapidly toward them.
Instinctively sensing terror, the guard looked up in alarm—
Only to see a pitch-black shadow burst forth and pounce on him with brutal ferocity.
“Aaaargh!”
“Long live Your Majesty on this joyous birthday!”
As the Imperial couple appeared atop the spiral staircase, nobles stepped forward one by one to offer their respects, accompanied by servants bearing countless gift parcels.
Fine porcelain, silk, precious jewels, rare medicinal herbs, expensive artworks…
Numerous presents piled up beside the Emperor like a towering stack.
Finally, it was Adele’s turn.
Click, click…
As she crossed the banquet hall, silence fell. All chatter and laughter ceased. Some guests even froze mid-sip, staring at her.
Amid this hushed stillness—as if time itself had stopped—Adele walked slowly toward the Emperor.
Her gait was arrogant and confident, as though she were the true star of this banquet.
Beneath her neatly pinned-up black hair, her slender, pale neck shone brilliantly. Her deep green eyes held an air of mystery and irresistible allure.
Yet it wasn’t merely her beauty that left the crowd spellbound.
“Good heavens! Isn’t that mourning attire?”
A whisper drifted through the crowd, and like a signal, murmurs erupted all at once.
“To wear mourning clothes on His Majesty’s birthday? She’s clearly lost her mind.”
They were, of course, referring to Adele’s black dress.
Naturally, she’d anticipated this reaction.
Each year, the Emperor’s birthday banquet doubled as a year-end gala—the grandest and most lavish event in the Kalime Empire.
Noblewomen supposedly spent the entire year preparing the dress they’d wear tonight, knowing it would be the talk of high society for months to come.
Either earning admiration or ridicule.
Thus, no one dared wear black.
Yet Adele had done the unthinkable!
“But what on earth is she holding in her arms?”
“Surely not an urn?”
“Unlikely… though with that woman, who knows? She might just do it.”
Adele glanced down at the box cradled in her arms.
It was meant as a gift for the Emperor—but now that she looked at it, its shape and size did indeed resemble an urn.
Mourning attire paired with an urn—truly a perfectly matched combination.
“I can’t understand why His Majesty invites that woman every year.”
That was precisely what Adele herself wanted to ask.
Why did the Emperor invite her to this banquet every single year?
Officially, it was because she was the widow of a former Marquis from a distinguished family.
But why insist on inviting her to an event no one—including herself—welcomed?
“After all, there’s no proof she poisoned her husband.”
“Even so! How can she brazenly show her face when everyone knows the truth?”
They spoke loudly enough for her to hear plainly.
The more they jeered, the higher Adele lifted her chin, wearing an even more shameless expression.
The first time she’d attended this banquet, ignorant of the rumors, she’d suffered terribly. But after eight years, she’d grown numb to the insults.
That said, she hadn’t worn black on purpose. Though they claimed enduring abuse made one live longer, she wasn’t so masochistic as to seek out scorn for enjoyment.
In truth, she owned only one high-quality silk dress. Originally cream-colored, she’d dyed it pink the next year, then red the year after, repairing and re-wearing it each time.
The red dress later became purple, and as the colors grew progressively darker, black was now her only option.
So Adele made her choice.
Rather than appear as a pitiful pauper wearing the same shabby dress for years, she’d become the banquet’s eccentric rebel.
‘After all, my reputation can’t possibly get any worse.’
Taking a deep breath, she bowed politely to the Emperor.
“Long live Your Majesty on this joyous birthday.”
Having no servant with her, she personally handed over the gift herself—
That very box, which looked so much like an urn.
The Emperor’s head servant couldn’t hide his bafflement as he accepted it.
“Your dress is quite striking today, Madam.”
The Emperor addressed her directly.
It was exceedingly rare for him to comment on a lady’s attire—but his tone carried a hint of mockery, prompting everyone to sneer knowingly.
Clearly, Adele’s mourning-like dress had offended His Majesty.
Adele smiled faintly and replied clearly,
“Black symbolizes unity, Your Majesty. I wore it to express my hope that countless nations may unite harmoniously beneath the Empire’s banner.”
That was the textbook definition of twisting a dream into an omen.
The Emperor chuckled silently at her audacious reply.
“Then tell me—what’s inside this peculiar box?”
“A dessert I made myself.”
Dessert.
Instantly, scattered snickers broke out around the hall.
The Imperial household employed dozens of personal chefs for the Emperor alone, and the banquet overflowed with colorful desserts of every kind.
“To offer something fit only for common children to His Majesty!”
“Indeed. She’s clearly not in her right mind.”
Despite the murmurs, Adele remained undaunted.
“It’s made with my own special recipe—certainly unlike anything you’ve ever tasted.”
Her confident demeanor seemed to pique the Emperor’s curiosity.
“I’m curious what it tastes like.”
“You’d probably die mid-bite and never know the flavor. Wouldn’t you agree, Lady Adele von Oswald?”
The Empress, who’d worn a displeased expression all evening, finally interjected. Though smiling, her gaze toward Adele was icy cold.
Those nearby exchanged meaningful glances, feeling obligated to join in now that the Empress had spoken.
“I suppose the late Marquis greatly enjoyed desserts made by his wife.”
“Your Majesty, since her ‘special recipe’ hasn’t been verified, it could be dangerous.”
Everyone believed Adele had poisoned her husband with food—even without evidence, widespread belief made it truth.
A woman who’d married an elderly Marquis old enough to be her father for social advancement, then murdered him cruelly.
A seductress blinded by lust, who’d even tempted her stepson.
Adele—the Kalime Empire’s most infamous villainess!
To them, that was the undeniable truth.
‘All utter nonsense.’
Branded as the poisoner of her husband, Adele was always an outcast at banquets. Everyone watched her closely, ready to spread malicious rumors regardless of her reaction.
‘It’s fine. I’ve endured this far longer than just a day or two.’
Steeled inwardly, Adele replied with a calm face.
“Sadly, I began making desserts to soothe the sorrow of losing the Marquis first. He would have loved them so much if he’d tasted them in life. That’s why I wished to offer them to Your Majesty. Now I see my wish was overly presumptuous.”
With a faint, graceful smile, Adele bowed politely once more.
“If it troubles you, Your Majesty, it’s best simply to discard it.”
Her forced smile threatened to cramp her lips.
She just wanted to return home quickly.
‘As soon as I get back, I’ll tear off this suffocating dress.’
Then she’d bake cookies sweet enough to melt her tongue and soft, fluffy bread.
Just then—
“May I taste it, Your Majesty?”
A pleasant baritone voice resonated through the banquet hall.
The crowd instinctively stepped back, parting to clear a path.
At its center stood a man in a black uniform adorned with golden epaulettes.
Tall, slender, and a young noble in his late twenties.
“Is that Count Weiss?”
Someone shouted, causing a stir throughout the hall.
Count Weiss.
He was currently the Empire’s most talked-about man.
The hero who’d delivered the greatest contribution to ending the decade-long war with neighboring countries.
Rumors even claimed he was descended from royalty of a fallen nation, given how abruptly he’d risen to prominence just five or six years ago.
But most importantly—he was still unmarried at such a young age.
Today marked his first appearance in high society. Merely hearing he’d attend had left the ladies excited all evening.
And—
He exceeded all expectations.
No, he was utterly unlike what anyone had imagined.
Far too beautiful to be believed for a valiant hero.
His short silver-white hair fluttered gently with each step, and his pale blue-gray eyes shimmered mysteriously. His sharp features and tightly closed lips were as cold and distant as glacial ice.
“I’m late, Your Majesty.”
With a face devoid of any smile, he bowed before the Emperor.
An impression so cold, it seemed he’d never smiled in his life.
“Coming late only to covet My gift?”
“Will you deny me permission, then?”
“Of course not. If the Count desires it, permission is granted.”
The Emperor nodded, and the head servant opened the box, offering it to Count Weiss.
Inside lay carefully crafted cookies, cup-shaped cakes, and miniature tarts, each beautifully wrapped—so lovely it dispelled any notion of it being an urn.
The Count selected a cookie and placed it in his mouth.
Everyone watched tensely—though most ladies stared at his lips with self-interested eyes. His red, glossy lips were so alluring they nearly made one forget he was a man.
After a moment, the Count addressed the Emperor.
“It’s the best cookie I’ve ever tasted.”
“Surprising. I didn’t know the Count appreciated cookies.”
He slightly furrowed his brows.
“Did you assume I ate raw meat or something?”
The Emperor laughed heartily, making sure everyone heard.
“He looks so refined now, but on the battlefield, he was a ferocious beast unlike any other. That’s precisely why I admired his wild nature.”
“If you insist on saying such things, I won’t accept your invitations next time.”
“My dear, aren’t you being too precious? I am still the Emperor, after all.”
“That’s exactly why I’m humoring you.”
“Ah, how very kind of you.”
Those listening were astonished by the exchange between Emperor and Count.
The Emperor before them was widely rumored to be heartless—even seasoned nobles often broke into cold sweats in his presence.
Yet these two bantered like old friends, with the Emperor seemingly yielding to the Count.
Clearly, the rumors of His Majesty’s deep regard for the Count were no exaggeration.
“Then let Me try one too.”
After tasting the cookie, the Emperor, clearly pleased, offered some to the Empress and others.
“It’d be a shame to keep this to Myself. Everyone, have a bite.”
At this, guests eagerly reached for one each, not forgetting to heap praise on its deliciousness—carefully watching the Emperor and Count’s reactions.
In an instant, Villainess Adele had transformed into a dessert virtuoso.
Yet Adele’s expression was even worse than before—her face pale as if she might collapse at any moment.
Her deep green eyes remained fixed solely on Count Weiss.
Probably because of his hair. Silver-white hair that beautiful was exceedingly rare.
No—it wasn’t just his hair. No matter how she looked at him, the Count bore an uncanny resemblance to that boy.
‘Chris…’
Though ten years had passed, just recalling his name brought a lump to her throat.
The boy who’d stood before her, unable to say “Don’t go.”
His long eyelashes wet with tears, his cracked hand tugging at her sleeve.
As the memory surfaced, Adele quickly shook her head.
‘Impossible!’
This man was Count Weiss.
Not only a war hero, he was also rumored to be immensely wealthy—owning diamond and gold mines, along with several banks.
But the boy she knew had been the son of an ordinary miner.
By now, he’d likely become a miner himself—perhaps even a father if he’d married young.
And surely, he’d long forgotten someone like her.
Above all, those icy eyes couldn’t possibly belong to Chris. He’d always been the warmest boy, with the prettiest smile.
‘Yes, this is Count Weiss. Just someone who happens to look alike…’
Moments later, dance music began to play through the hall.
Ladies eagerly approached Count Weiss, eyes sparkling—hoping he’d ask them to dance. Being his partner tonight would earn them envy in high society for weeks.
But the Count slipped through the crowd and strode purposefully toward someone.
With long, decisive strides.
His booted legs carried him unhesitatingly straight to Adele.
Everyone watched in disbelief, and Adele’s eyes widened in shock.
Though she’d told herself dozens of times it couldn’t be him, she couldn’t tear her gaze away.
‘Chris… Is it really you…? No, of course not.’
Half of her hoped it was him; the other half prayed it wasn’t.
Meeting again like this—after all this time—felt unbearably wretched.
Yet she’d always longed to see him once more before she died.
That boy who’d always stood by her side.
In all her happiest memories, he’d always been there.
He stopped.
Finally halting before Adele, he knelt gracefully on one knee and extended his large right hand.
“Will you be my partner?”
He asked her to dance.
For a moment, Adele felt her world freeze.
She heard nothing, saw nothing.
Staring blankly at the man with dazzling silver-white hair, she placed her hand atop his—as if bewitched.
Clasp!
His large, firm hand closed firmly around hers.
His long arm wrapped around her slender waist, pulling her tightly against him.
Adele looked up in surprise.
In an instant, she was trapped helplessly within his broad, solid embrace.
Then, a soft baritone voice whispered close to her ear.
“It’s been a long time, Adele.”
When male lead is the homewrecker
“I know she doesn’t love him.”
I’ve read the novel below twice already. Girls, I’m highly recommending it to you!
The female lead? Not a good person.
The second male lead? Not a good person.
The male lead? Willingly plays the third party, breaking up the female and second male lead’s relationship despite all the warnings from his friends—so yeah, he’s definitely not a good person either.
Basically, nobody in this novel is simple-minded or without scheming.
The female lead starts off as the male lead’s secretary, but don’t worry—later on, she takes over the company while the male lead steps back to support her. He won’t steal her spotlight, overshadow her, or dull her shine.
I love novels where men are out here snatching wigs, tearing each other down, and going to war just to win the female lead’s affection. And this is exactly that kind of novel. Most of Hai Dai Ran’s works have this dynamic. You’ll see the male characters’ emotions being pushed to the absolute extreme.
There’s even a scene where the second male lead exposes the male lead online for being a homewrecker. The brotherhood immediately gangs up on him, dragging him through the mud. I find it compelling —it completely flips reality on its head, where usually, women are the ones fighting over a man and getting torn apart by the sisterhood.
For me, female leads in the novels I read should only struggle in their careers, not in love. But if the brainless romantics in the story are all men? I have zero complaints.
I’ve pretty much read all of Hai Dai Ran’s novels and even translated all of them—her works are just my thing. I’ll slowly upload everything here. One day, when my website is official, I hope I can invite her to join as one of the star authors.
Here’s the story synopsis:
One-line summary: She is his lifelong obsession, to the point where he was willing to be a third wheel, scorned by society, just to wedge his way into her relationship with her fiancé.
Cold-hearted and indifferent female lead + Scheming and subservient CEO male lead
Intro 1:
“I know she doesn’t love him.”
With blood trickling from his clenched fist, Rong Xiu gazed at the woman before him, his eyes clouded with anguish. Hidden in the wardrobe, he had witnessed Fan Xia – the woman he desperately loved – in an intimate embrace with her fiancé. Yet his heart still yearned for her, defying all reason.
Fan Xia, the elegant and composed assistant, carried something mysterious in her eyes whenever she looked at her fiancé, Wen Lan Sheng. Strange occurrences began to surface – secret meetings with the young Gu Jin Yi, an unexplained withdrawal of 5,000 yuan… Then suddenly, her fiancé’s sister, Wen Jing, violently attacked her.
In this matriarchal society, Rong Xiu had risen to become the chairman of a powerful healthcare conglomerate, breaking through gender prejudices. But for the first time, he willingly stepped into the shadows as the other man, disregarding his friends’ warnings to become her secret lover.
Because he had discovered the truth – Fan Xia wasn’t the pure angel everyone believed her to be. And perhaps, he was the only one capable of helping her execute her mysterious plan…
Intro 2:
Rong Xiu’s biggest regret in life was missing out on Fan Xia.
He secretly loved Fan Xia for 7 years.
Watched her go public with her boyfriend.
Watched her kiss her boyfriend at their wedding.
Until that man blissfully nestled in Fan Xia’s arms, obtaining everything he could only dream of.
The crazy jealousy stripped away his hidden secret love, layer by layer, burning like wildfire.
Fan Xia, how can I have you!
【Reading and Trigger Warning Guide】
1. Female dominant, male submissive, male pregnancy
2. Male lead schemes his way to the top, male competition
_____
Please help me, I want to bring you the best possible things.
If you find any chapter or novel with poor translation and editing quality, let me know by commenting directly under that novel or chapter. I will retranslate it as soon as possible.
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MANGA DISCUSSION
1 Comment
Chapter Comments (38)
The man is in love, as far as I can see; it’s not just a childhood friend.
Another obsessed person I met, that’s exactly what I prefer.
It seems like sweet love at first sight, but I know better than that.
Inline Comments (4)
“If Lord Weiss went so far as to bring you flowers, it clearly means he’s comple
Why do I have an odd feeling their love will be tragic- Adele seems scaryyy
“I’m not generous enough to love a traitor.”
Ohhhhh myyyy gooosh- this man, idk if I’m a fan 😭😭
“If Lord Weiss went so far as to bring you flowers, it clearly means he’s comple
I meant the princess
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Anna Anna
Yes, it’s definitely him 😩 I’m excited to read it 😆😆