"Heh, really? And what are you planning to do about it?"
Zhang Lexuan leaned in close, smiling at Qian Ran.
Any woman would feel pleased to be complimented.
The only people who typically praised her were the seniors in the Sea God Pavilion, but that was the encouragement of elders toward a junior.
As for the inner court, the other disciples were far too intimidated to confess anything to her. No one would dare to flatter her in such a playful, flirtatious tone.
"I just hope you won't let this situation with Beibei hold you back, Senior Sister. Even if there's a marriage agreement, it's a new era—why not be with someone who truly likes you?"
Qian Ran couldn't resist resting his hand on Zhang Lexuan's slender waist.
Through the thin dance dress, he could even feel the layer of her inner clothing underneath.
His heart raced at the thought.
It seemed Zhang Lexuan hadn't realized how captivating her outfit was.
This dance dress was quite transparent. Another color might have concealed things, but the black underneath showed plenty.
Qian Ran certainly enjoyed the view.
With Zhang Lexuan so close, he could see every detail even more clearly. What a sight!
He hadn't expected her figure to be this stunning.
If he could win over Senior Sister, he'd be living the good life.
Lost in thought, his eyes drifted down to Zhang Lexuan's chest.
"Things between Beibei and me aren't as simple as you think." Zhang Lexuan felt a ticklish sensation from Qian Ran's hand, batting it away with a slightly embarrassed look. This flirt had a way of pushing boundaries.
All it took was a little warmth, and he'd leap into action.
Yet, why was her heart racing? Could it be… anticipation?
"It's just Elder Mu's promise. So what? You didn't break the promise—Beibei's the one who hasn't made an effort. Who's to blame for that?" Qian Ran's resolve to pursue her had only intensified.
He wasn't going to let Zhang Lexuan waste her life on Beibei.
Beibei wasn't a bad guy, sure—better than Xu Sanshi, at least. But he was oblivious, blindly pursuing Tang Ya instead of appreciating the beauty right in front of him.
Qian Ran couldn't stand the thought of such a stunning woman still single.
No matter the circumstances, he'd see what happened down the line.
Zhang Lexuan's long legs, particularly in white stockings, perched on his shoulder—that would be a view.
"Don't bring this up again," Zhang Lexuan said, rolling her eyes at him. She thought he was being genuinely supportive, but clearly, he just wanted an opportunity to take advantage.
Though Beibei didn't seem romantically inclined toward her, if she truly ended up with Qian Ran, Beibei would be furious.
Beibei was already in low spirits after losing Tang Ya to Qian Ran. If she…
Wait!
How could she even entertain such thoughts? She was much older than Qian Ran.
But still… her mind wandered, leaving her unsettled.
Qian Ran was so young, his age practically half hers. If they were together, wouldn't she be taking advantage?
Her gaze fell on his youthful, slightly innocent face, and her heart quickened.
It wasn't only young men who preferred younger partners—some accomplished women found young prodigies like Qian Ran quite attractive. Recently, Qian Ran had been receiving love letters from senior sisters. It seemed even older women found him irresistible.
"Well, you've gotten what you came for. Can you leave now?" Zhang Lexuan was beginning to feel nervous being alone with him. Normally, she was poised and composed, but around Qian Ran, her calmness unraveled.
At first, it was manageable. But now, merely looking at Qian Ran's face sparked unfamiliar thoughts.
Thoughts she didn't even understand herself.
"Heh heh… Seems like you're tempted," Qian Ran thought to himself, pleased.
If Zhang Lexuan truly felt nothing for him, she wouldn't have let him get so close. When he touched her waist, she wasn't genuinely angry.
Judging by her reactions, he knew exactly what she was feeling.
Just as he was drawn to her, Zhang Lexuan, too, seemed intrigued by him.
However, her limited experience with emotions meant she might not even realize it. A few more encounters, and she'd surely understand her feelings.
Qian Ran estimated that Zhang Lexuan's affection for him was at least a solid seventy out of a hundred.
Mission half-accomplished.
He genuinely liked her. Sure, he enjoyed the company of younger, attractive girls, but his preference leaned towards mature women like Zhang Lexuan and Xian Lin'er. They ranked even higher than most beauties.
After all, mature women weren't just beautiful—they were fun and doting, and they could handle anything without a care.
"Senior Sister, I also wanted to ask for your help buying a house near Shrek City. A big one, with many rooms, preferably a standalone villa." He hadn't forgotten his purpose in visiting. With his own villa, he and Tang Ya could have all the privacy they wanted, without worrying about nosy onlookers.
In a sparsely populated villa neighborhood, even outdoor activities on the lawn would be safe with a little caution.
Not to mention, he could install a ceiling ring in the room, attach a rope, and then…
Ha ha ha…
"Do you have enough money? Property prices in Shrek City are steep," Zhang Lexuan said, surprised. Real estate here was among the most expensive in the world.
"No worries—I've got money. Here's a card with a million Gold Soul Coins. Just help me buy the biggest and best villa available close to the academy." He handed her the card he'd received as a reward from the system.
"So much money?" Zhang Lexuan's eyes widened. This guy could casually hand over such a large amount, just for a house? Even she, who rarely worried about money, was stunned. That kind of money could buy a decent soul bone!
"Alright. I'll take care of it. It should be ready soon," Zhang Lexuan said, pocketing the card. Her view of him shifted—someone who spent so generously must have a significant background. She grew more curious about Qian Ran's origins.
(End of Chapter)