"Ming'er, what are you daydreaming about? Hurry up, wash up, and let's eat. I went out to grab breakfast." Qian Ran said, half a steamed bun already in his mouth. He waved a bag of food in front of Wu Ming's face, a teasing smile on his lips.
"Qian Ran? You didn't leave?" Wu Ming's eyes widened in delight, her tone betraying her surprise.
"Leave? Where would I go? Don't tell me you thought I was one of those guys…" Qian Ran's lips twitched.
He recalled how, in his previous life, some men would act like perfect gentlemen, only to ghost the women they seduced after enjoying their company. Worse, some would crawl back when loneliness struck.
Qian Ran wasn't that kind of scoundrel. He might be shameless at times, but he prided himself on treating the women in his life well. Every single one of them spoke fondly of him.
"Of course not!" Wu Ming quickly denied it, though a trace of guilt lingered in her eyes. She hurried off to wash up.
The two strolled along a street after leaving the hotel.
"Qian Ran, about last night… Was it because I wasn't good enough?" Wu Ming asked hesitantly, recalling her perceived clumsiness.
"What do you think? You were sleeping so soundly I had to carry you back to the hotel. I thought fire-attribute soul masters were supposed to be hardy drinkers, but apparently, you can't even hold your own against Xiaotao," Qian Ran replied, rolling his eyes.
In Qian Ran's mind, fiery soul masters should naturally be bold and resilient—something deeply ingrained from countless portrayals in stories and media.
"That's not true! I'm usually good with alcohol. Last night was an exception!"
Wu Ming felt too embarrassed to admit that it wasn't the alcohol—it was how comfortable and secure she'd felt in Qian Ran's embrace. The wine only helped her relax further.
Surely many women would dream of falling asleep so peacefully in Qian Ran's arms.
"Does what you said last night still count?"
"That depends on you." Qian Ran chuckled.
The "Inner Court Volcano"? Wu Ming might have a fiery reputation among others, but in front of Qian Ran, she was like a meek lamb.
Perhaps she was afraid of disappointing him, which made her act so reserved.
"W-what?"
"If you want, we're officially a couple," Qian Ran said, cupping Wu Ming's chin and admiring her lovely features.
"Okay…" Wu Ming replied softly, her heart soaring with joy. She clutched his hand tightly, their fingers interlocking.
After their date, Wu Ming reluctantly returned to the inner court.
Having originally signed up for the Sea God Fate Matchmaking Festival, she immediately withdrew her application.
"Hmph. With a man as outstanding as Qian Ran, why would I even look at anyone else?"
"Wu Ming, you're really not joining the Sea God Fate this year? Isn't your family pressuring you? Or are you just giving up entirely?" asked Han Ruoruo, her tone curious.
On the Douluo Continent, most successful soul masters came from established families. Even if the soul masters themselves weren't in a rush, their families often were.
Families with a strong lineage enforced strict marriage and childbearing expectations to ensure their legacy endured.
Both Wu Ming and Han Ruoruo, as inner court disciples with powerful martial souls, were no exception. Their families wouldn't tolerate them remaining single for long.
"Hehe, I have a boyfriend now," Wu Ming said proudly.
"Really? You're not joking, are you? You've always been so picky. Even the best guys who've confessed to you got chased off. What's going on here?" Han Ruoruo asked, stunned.
Wu Ming's reputation as one of the Inner Court Volcanoes wasn't just for show. She'd been a renowned beauty ever since joining the inner court, attracting numerous admirers. But few could endure her temper or match her strength.
"Why would I lie?" Wu Ming said. "Actually, the guy I like is… Qian Ran."
"Qian Ran? The one from the outer court?" Han Ruoruo's expression was a mix of surprise and skepticism. Qian Ran's talent and charm were well-known, as was his reputation for being a bit of a playboy.
"Yes… But Qian Ran isn't like the rumors say. He's not as unfaithful as people make him out to be," Wu Ming defended.
She'd once dismissed Qian Ran as a flirt herself. But after getting to know him, she found her standards shifting to accommodate him.
Before falling in love, a woman's ideal partner often existed as a construct of her imagination. After falling in love, however, her standards would bend to fit the reality of her chosen one, flaws and all.
Han Ruoruo was startled by the joy radiating from Wu Ming.
It seemed Wu Ming had truly fallen for Qian Ran.
"By the way, your information on Qian Ran is outdated. He's not an outer court student anymore. He joined the inner court over a year ago and is now the vice-dean of the Soul Engineering Department. He's also an eight-ring soul engineer!" Wu Ming declared proudly.
"Eight-ring soul engineer? Vice-dean of the Soul Engineering Department?" Han Ruoruo's demeanor shifted to seriousness.
Having been absorbed in her own training, she hadn't kept up with recent events at the academy.
An eight-ring soul engineer at Qian Ran's age? It was astonishing.
As Wu Ming recounted her encounter with Qian Ran and his recent certification, Han Ruoruo couldn't help but be impressed.
A young man who had already ascended to Shrek Academy's upper echelons—such a feat hinted at a future Sea God Pavilion Master.
"He's a monster," Han Ruoruo muttered.
"Wait… So Qian Ran was taking his eight-ring soul engineer exam yesterday. You met him then and already fell for him?!" Han Ruoruo asked, her tone incredulous.
"W-well, yes," Wu Ming admitted, covering her face in embarrassment.
Many men had pursued Wu Ming for years without making any progress. Yet here she was, smitten after less than a day with Qian Ran.
No, Qian Ran hadn't even pursued her. He'd simply invited her, and she had accepted.
"You're beyond saving," Han Ruoruo said, shaking her head with a wry smile.
(End of Chapter)
Notes-You can read advanced chapters in patreon.com/Shadow_D_X