Xu Ran had also noticed Meng Yiran.
Back when Xu Ran went to the Aquipeia Forest, he encountered Meng Yiran, at that time treating her as nothing more than a fish in the pond. Cough cough, that sounds a bit strange indeed, practically the suspicion of a scumbag who woos then runs.
But at that time, their meeting was as transient as a passing glimpse of water. His reputation hadn't yet become illustrious, and in the Aquipeia Forest, he was busy playing with Gu Yuena, Qiu'er, and the likes, with no time to develop a romance with her.
In a flash, several years had passed, and Meng Yiran hadn't changed much; her appearance was still as delicate and lovely as ever. Perhaps due to her Snake Staff Martial Soul, wielding that very peculiar snake staff, she possessed a certain wild beauty.
With the passage of time, Meng Yiran's figure had definitely become fuller; after all, she was grown up now, and her body had developed quite nicely.
Although Meng Yiran's looks couldn't compare to Xiaowu and the others, she was still a rare beauty.
A fish that delivers itself to the pond—who would refuse to eat it?
Seeing Meng Yiran walking towards Xu Ran, the surrounding crowd quickly made way for her. Meng Yiran also had a high standing in Tiandou City. As the vice-captain of Beast Academy, the attention she received was second only to that of Xiaowu and the others.
After all, Xiaowu and the others were already spoken for. Naturally, single talented girls like her received more attention.
"Xu Ran, long time no see."
Meng Yiran waved at Xu Ran, with a tinge of shyness, feeling a bit embarrassed under his gaze.
Up close, her heart pounded wildly at the sight of Xu Ran's handsome visage, as if it was about to leap from her petite frame.
Over the years, as Xu Ran's strength improved, his masculine charm soared alongside it. At least in Meng Yiran's eyes, she had never seen a man as dashing as Xu Ran.
When she first met Xu Ran, they were both unacquainted strangers. At that crucial moment, although she found Xu Ran to be attractive, she had no time to contemplate matters of the heart.
Back at her clan afterward, once her heart had calmed down, reminiscing about Xu Ran made her feel that the men from her family and academy paled in comparison to him.
And now, Xu Ran had improved significantly since then. Especially his air of supremacy, far superior to before. Each movement seemed to embody the forces of nature and those immersed in it couldn't help but deem it a form of art.
"Yiran, you've become even more beautiful these past few years, I hardly recognize you," Xu Ran said with a smile, looking at the somewhat reserved girl before him.
"Really?"
Meng Yiran's cheeks flushed as she looked down at her figure, displayed perfectly under her tight-fitting clothes. She had always had confidence in her looks, but Xu Ran was never short of beautiful girls by his side.
The close female companions around Xu Ran, one more beautiful than the other, at least in her eyes, she had yet to meet anyone less attractive than her.
Xu Ran calling her beautiful was probably just being polite, she thought.
With that thought, Meng Yiran's eyes dimmed slightly.
"No matter how beautiful, I'm still not as good-looking as those girls by your side," Meng Yiran pouted, saying with a hint of grievance and a touch of disappointment in her voice.
"Who says? I think our Yiran is the most beautiful."
"Innocent with a hint of wildness, a full figure touched with a bit of immaturity, just perfect for me," Xu Ran said with a smile. Meng Yiran's potential was not bad, and though her talent was somewhat lacking, he had Talent Enhancement Potion, making it not difficult to raise Meng Yiran's talent.
"Who belongs to your family anyhow?"
"As I expected, you're still the same, such a lecher!"
Meng Yiran's cheeks grew even redder, her eyes widened as she gazed at Xu Ran, her heartbeat quickening. Her mind was completely occupied by Xu Ran's words.
What did Xu Ran just mean by that?
Could it be that Xu Ran was suggesting they play a game? ...Otherwise, why would Xu Ran say she belonged to his family?
Or was it all just her overthinking?
She was a bit afraid that she was overthinking because she couldn't handle the emotional ups and downs.
She had already resolved to give up on her feelings for Xu Ran, considering the vast difference in their social status. But Xu Ran's words had reignited hope in her in an instant.
"If you're not my family's, then whose do you wish to be?" Xu Ran's mouth curved into a smile as he pulled Meng Yiran into his arms, feeling her figure. Just enough fullness for a young maiden, not yet a woman. It was just right.
"Ah."
"Xu Ran..."
Meng Yiran let out a startled scream. She had always been pure and never been in contact with another man; she hadn't even held hands with a male her age, let alone been embraced.
In a flurry of bashfulness, Meng Yiran clenched her fists lightly, curling her petite body into a ball, her legs swaying aimlessly in the air.
"Hiss." Xu Ran frowned.
At this moment, Meng Yiran also calmed down and her palm touched the bandages on Xu Ran's chest, realizing that he must be injured. Otherwise, with Xu Ran's pride, he wouldn't be sitting in this wheelchair.
"Xu Ran, what's wrong? Did I hurt you?"
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. I just didn't react in time," Meng Yiran said in a panic, her beautiful eyelashes quivering, a look of self-reproach on her face, her voice tremulous.
"It's all right, just don't move," Xu Ran replied with a smile, hugging Meng Yiran even tighter. He rested his chin on her fragrant shoulder, his cheek pressed against her pretty face, greedily inhaling the fresh scent emanating from her body, along with the hint of her hair's fragrance.
"Oh."
Meng Yiran nodded gently, knowing full well that even if Xu Ran said nothing, she wouldn't dare move. Enveloped in Xu Ran's embrace, she felt as if she were encased in flames, as though she was melting. Yet it was incredibly comfortable, cozy, as if she was being protected within, very warm.
Happiness had come so suddenly that she hadn't caught up yet.
She didn't know what Xu Ran was thinking right now, whether he truly wanted her or if this was just for fun.
But regardless of whether Xu Ran was sincere, she was willing. Even a short time with Xu Ran would make her happy; even a night's joy would suffice.
At least now in Xu Ran's arms, she felt warm and blissful.
"But it would be wonderful if we could really be together," Meng Yiran pouted, gazing at Xu Ran's chiseled handsome face, and couldn't help but silently wish in her heart. If she could be with Xu Ran, even a mosquito bite would satisfy her.