The next day, Qian Ran summoned Zhou Yi and Mu Jin to his new office.
"Qian Ran, why are you in Vice Dean Qian Duoduo's office?" Zhou Yi and Mu Jin exchanged puzzled looks, their expressions tinged with confusion.
In the Soul Engineering Department's deputy dean's office, decorum was essential.
"Where is Vice Dean Qian Duoduo?" they asked hesitantly.
Both women were dressed in crisp white shirts paired with black blazers, knee-length black pencil skirts, and sheer stockings—a standard professional outfit.
"Hmm? What do you think?" Qian Ran said with a sly grin, stepping forward and pulling both of them into his arms.
"Qian Ran, stop!" Zhou Yi and Mu Jin were startled, their faces flushing with panic.
If anyone saw this, it could spell disaster.
"I am the deputy dean now. Understand?" Qian Ran said, settling into the leather chair behind the desk with a satisfied smirk.
"What? Are you serious?" Zhou Yi and Mu Jin's eyes widened in disbelief as they stared at him, his handsome face framed by the office's stately backdrop.
Their man—no, their man—had grown so powerful in such a short time?
He had gone from being an outer-court student to the deputy dean of the Soul Engineering Department in what felt like the blink of an eye. The speed of his rise was nothing short of astonishing.
As the deputy dean, Qian Ran wasn't directly their superior, but his position carried enough weight to influence their careers.
"Of course, it's true. Why would I lie? So relax—just lock the door," Qian Ran said, pointing at the office entrance.
"You shameless man," Zhou Yi muttered, blushing. Despite her protests, she quickly got up to lock the door.
"Qian Ran, what's going on?" she asked, returning to him and leaning against his side.
Mu Jin, not to be outdone, huffed with jealousy and perched herself on Qian Ran's other knee.
Both women were curious about how Qian Ran had managed such a meteoric rise.
Qian Ran smiled and recounted the events of the past few days, explaining how he had unseated Qian Duoduo and become deputy dean.
Upon hearing the story, Zhou Yi and Mu Jin couldn't help but feel proud of him. Qian Ran's success was their success. As his women, his rise meant better prospects and more comfort for them at the academy.
"I'll find a way to transfer you both here soon," Qian Ran said, his voice soft but resolute.
He was determined to look after his women. Though his time with them was limited, he wanted to compensate in every other way possible.
"Mm. We'll leave it to you," they replied, their voices filled with trust as they leaned into his embrace.
The insecurities they once felt about their relationships with Qian Ran had melted away.
At such a young age, Qian Ran had already become Shrek Academy's deputy dean. In a few years, he might even become the dean or the academy's master. By then, who would dare question their relationship?
Meanwhile, at another part of the academy...
"Mengmeng, what are you doing at Shrek Academy? Have you finally come to your senses?" Xiao Hongchen asked, looking at his younger sister with raised eyebrows.
"I've always told you that Qian Ran is a shameless womanizer, completely unsuitable for you."
"Now that you've realized that, good. How are things with Huo Yuhao? I knew from the start he'd be a good match for you. That boy is perfect for you."
Originally, Meng Hongchen had been slated to attend Shrek Academy as an exchange student. However, upon learning that Qian Ran was going to her academy, she had chosen to stay.
When Xiao Hongchen had found out, he had been livid. He couldn't understand why everyone seemed to adore Qian Ran.
During his time at Shrek Academy, Xiao Hongchen had heard countless rumors about Qian Ran—most of them involving his numerous romantic escapades. It seemed like Qian Ran had ties with nearly every notable beauty at the academy.
This only deepened Xiao Hongchen's jealousy and disdain for him.
He couldn't control what others did, but there was no way he would allow his sister to get involved with Qian Ran.
"Brother, how can you say that about Qian Ran? I won't allow you to insult him!" Meng Hongchen's face darkened as she glared at her brother.
Qian Ran was such a wonderful person—how could her brother slander him like this?
"What did you just say? Mengmeng, you're here because you've forgotten about Qian Ran, right?" Xiao Hongchen's heart sank.
Why did it seem like her feelings for Qian Ran had only grown deeper?
"I'm with Qian Ran now. Grandfather has already approved of our relationship. If you continue to hold these prejudices against him, then our sibling bond ends here," Meng Hongchen said coldly, her tone unwavering.
If forced to choose between her brother and Qian Ran, the answer was clear: Qian Ran.
He was the most important person in her life.
As for Xiao Hongchen? If not for their blood ties, she would have severed their relationship long ago due to his disrespect toward Qian Ran.
With Qian Ran's help, Meng Hongchen had already broken through to the Soul Emperor level and even become a seventh-level Soul Engineer.
What right did Xiao Hongchen have to criticize Qian Ran? He couldn't even compare to a single strand of Qian Ran's hair!
"What? Grandfather's gone mad! He agreed to this? Why?" Xiao Hongchen was dumbfounded.
When he had last spoken to their grandfather, there had been no mention of such a thing.
Qian Ran wasn't even part of the Sun Moon Empire; he was from Shrek Academy! How could the Hongchen family align itself with him without arousing suspicion from the empire?
"Why? Because Qian Ran is exceptional. You simply don't understand," Meng Hongchen replied, her brows furrowing.
"My cultivation is now higher than yours. That's all thanks to Qian Ran."
"Impossible!" Xiao Hongchen's face paled as he felt the overwhelming soul power radiating from his sister.
She really was stronger than him now? And it was all because of Qian Ran?
"In my eyes, Qian Ran is a thousand—no, ten thousand—times better than you," Meng Hongchen said before turning to leave.
She had no desire to remain in the presence of someone who despised Qian Ran.
Not only would she marry Qian Ran, but she would also bear his children—and that thought filled her with glee at the prospect of irritating her brother even more.
Her cold gaze pierced Xiao Hongchen's heart.
There had been a time when Meng Hongchen followed him everywhere, admiring him deeply. Back then, he had doted on her as his beloved little sister.
But now, everything had changed. His sister had been taken away by Qian Ran.
She was even willing to sever their bond over him!
"Damn you, Qian Ran! I won't let you take Mengmeng away from me. Never!" Xiao Hongchen's eyes reddened with fury.
If not for Qian Ran, how could his relationship with his sister have deteriorated to this extent?
(End of Chapter)
Notes-You can read advanced chapters in patreon.com/Shadow_D_X