Boom!
If Qian Ran had to describe the situation, one word sufficed: explosive.
Upon his return to Shrek Academy, the ones most eager to see him weren't Xian Liner, Cai Meier, Wang Dong'er, or Tang Ya. Instead, it was Yan Shaozhe and Qian Duoduo?
"Come on, can't you calm down? The more desperate you two act, the more arrogant I'll become," Qian Ran thought to himself, unsure whether to laugh or cry.
This situation felt a little... bizarre.
Unlike Xian Liner and Cai Meier, who were driven by love and longing for Qian Ran, Yan Shaozhe and Qian Duoduo sought him out for entirely different reasons—they needed his advice.
In cultivation, both were towering figures renowned across the continent.
But in the battlefield of romance? They were utter failures.
Like the legendary strongmen Mu En, Long Xiaoyao, and Zhongli Laogui, their romantic lives were complete disasters.
The path of cultivation emphasized purity and focus, channeling all intellect and emotional energy toward mastery. It was no wonder so many of these powerhouses were emotional blockheads.
At this point, Qian Ran couldn't help wishing that Yan Shaozhe and Qian Duoduo had just a sliver more emotional intelligence. You're playing with fire here, brothers.
It wasn't that Qian Ran lacked sympathy—it was that they were being far too generous with their actions.
Cai Meier and Xian Liner's expressions grew noticeably awkward. They hadn't expected Yan Shaozhe and Qian Duoduo to pull this stunt.
That said, in recent days, both women had grown increasingly cold toward the two men, even avoiding unnecessary interactions. Beyond work-related discussions, they deliberately kept their distance.
For Yan Shaozhe and Qian Duoduo, Qian Ran's return to the academy presented the perfect opportunity to bring Xian Liner and Cai Meier together.
You had to admit, these two pitiful brothers were really struggling.
As the four headmasters departed, Meng Hongchen and the others stood dumbfounded.
They were prodigies, and while the academy's teachers treated them kindly, it was just basic courtesy. Each year, many talented students emerged, making it difficult to gain the favor of the academy's most influential figures.
But Qian Ran? He didn't just earn recognition; he seemed like a close personal friend of those big names.
"Qian Ran, did I hear that right? The deans just invited you to their homes for dinner? And the male deans are cooking?" Keke tugged on Qian Ran's sleeve, her disbelief written all over her face.
Even now, she couldn't fully process what she'd just heard.
They already knew Qian Ran was a legend among the students, but this? Being on such good terms with the academy's top leaders was beyond anything they could've imagined.
And these big shots had time to cook? That was unbelievable.
"My relationship with them is good. You could say we're friends," Qian Ran said with a smile.
"Your man's quite something, isn't he? Believe me now? Relax and settle into Shrek Academy. If you want to join the inner court, your current strength makes it an easy task."
"Yay!"
Keke jumped with excitement.
Even in the Sun Moon Empire, Shrek Academy's reputation remained formidable. Each year, Shrek Academy dominated the Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament, consistently defeating the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy.
This time, the Sun Moon Academy's exchange students had been carefully selected, reflecting how seriously the Sun Moon Empire regarded Shrek Academy. For Keke, Juzi, and the others, studying at Shrek was a tremendous honor.
Though they had experienced many extraordinary things, being welcomed into Shrek Academy—and possibly its inner court—was a tangible, life-changing achievement. It filled them with uncontainable joy.
"Hehe, my brother's still studying at Shrek Academy. When we attend lectures, he's going to be so jealous," Meng Hongchen said gleefully.
The exchange program between Shrek Academy and the Sun Moon Academy lasted two and a half years. Qian Ran had only spent about a year "goofing around" in the Sun Moon Empire before returning. Meanwhile, Xiao Hongchen and the others still had time left in their studies at Shrek.
"Your brother…"
Qian Ran finally remembered Xiao Hongchen.
That guy had guarded Dream Hongchen like a hawk during the Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament, as if terrified Qian Ran would make a move on her. And yet, what good had it done? Qian Ran still got what he wanted.
"You guys get ready. I'll introduce you to some new friends later," Qian Ran said to Dream Hongchen and the other girls.
"Alright. We'll go do some shopping first, Qian Ran, so don't rush," Dream Hongchen said knowingly.
She and the others were well aware of Qian Ran's numerous relationships at Shrek Academy.
Naturally, the "friends" Qian Ran mentioned were those women. It wasn't something they dared to take lightly.
For such an important occasion, how could they not dress to impress? What if they got overshadowed? That would be unbearable.
Qian Ran, understanding their thoughts, had deliberately refrained from heading straight to his grand estate. This gave them ample time to prepare.
"We'll be back soon, Qian Ran. We're just going to pick up a few things," the girls said, bidding him farewell as they rushed off.
"Still mad?"
"Don't worry. The deans won't gossip about this," Qian Ran said as he gently took Xue Lingxun's hand.
"Hmph. None of your business." Xue Lingxun pulled her hand away, tears streaming down her face.
Why? Why had she only met Qian Ran now?
If she had met him when she was younger, there wouldn't be so many rumors and whispers about them.
"Don't cry. It's not a big deal. If you find this bothersome, we can live in the small world inside the Xu Mi Ring. No one will bother us there," Qian Ran said, hugging her tightly.
Xue Lingxun stopped crying but, in her frustration, bit down hard on Qian Ran's hand.
This was the most awkward situation she'd ever encountered in her life.
Yan Shaozhe and Qian Duoduo had definitely figured it out. How humiliating!
"Alright, alright. Let me tell you a story. It'll make you feel better," Qian Ran said, deciding to share the truth about his relationships with Cai Meier and Xian Liner.
Sure enough, after hearing the full story, Xue Lingxun stopped crying and even began to laugh.
So, she wasn't alone in this? That scoundrel Qian Ran had plenty of experience in such matters. No wonder he'd handled her so effortlessly.
"Hmph. Fine, I'll let you off this time," Xue Lingxun huffed coquettishly.
But as she thought about Yan Shaozhe and Qian Duoduo—the two hapless fools—her mood brightened significantly.
Never in her wildest dreams would she have imagined that even the untouchable Cai Meier and Xian Liner had fallen to Qian Ran.
Could it be that Qian Ran was born to be a nemesis for women?
(End of Chapter)
Notes-You can read advanced chapters in patreon.com/Shadow_D_X