Chapter 98: Xian Lin’er’s Heart

"Calm down, no need to take action," Qian Ran said, reluctantly getting off Xian Lin'er, though his gaze lingered on her alluring black tights as her skirt had slightly ridden up. Xian Lin'er quickly adjusted her skirt, her face flushed. She was at a loss for how to handle this.

How was she supposed to face Qian Ran from now on?

"Teacher?" Qian Ran tentatively addressed her.

"You still dare call me that?" Xian Lin'er was furious. Did he think he could just brush off what had happened and walk away as if nothing happened?

"Then… Lin'er?" Qian Ran ventured, feeling the pressure of her stern gaze. Xian Lin'er wasn't called the 'Valkyrie' of Shrek Academy for nothing; her imposing aura was palpable. The gap in their abilities meant Qian Ran had to tread carefully here.

No matter how much talent he had from the system, he was still years of training away from her level.

"Hmm?" That one soft address sent a tremor through Xian Lin'er's heart. Hardly anyone had called her that so intimately. When Qian Ran used it, it brought a strange feeling that was hard to shake.

She looked at him with a mix of emotions, her heart uneasy. She could still feel the weight of his hands on her, the spots on her face and neck faintly aching from his kisses. Had he wanted to consume her whole?

"I'm sorry; this was all my fault." Qian Ran finally apologized. Even though he hadn't fully crossed the line, he knew he had disrupted the serenity Xian Lin'er had always held dear.

Xian Lin'er pursed her lips, letting out a small sigh instead of rebuking him.

Thinking back, she realized she also bore some responsibility for letting things unfold as they had.

Perhaps, deep down, she was drawn to him. After a life of calm and focus on cultivation, the excitement Qian Ran brought had stirred something in her.

Even when she felt irritated, like earlier when Qian Duoduo was at the door, there had been a thrill to it that she couldn't deny.

Although she'd known Qian Ran had a mischievous streak, she'd found herself curious about how he would react to her. And this hadn't just been an accident; rather, it had been a natural culmination of their growing connection.

Xian Lin'er enjoyed the way Qian Ran enlivened her days, and he was undeniably attracted to her beauty. Despite their seemingly different paths, they complemented each other in a way that felt natural.

Watching Qian Ran's remorseful expression, she couldn't help but feel a little flustered.

"You… it's not entirely unacceptable, but next time, ask for my permission," she said softly, cheeks flushed. "And… you can't go overboard. In front of others, you still have to call me 'Teacher'..."

She shyly set the terms, feeling embarrassed at her own words.

Truthfully, she didn't dislike being with Qian Ran, nor did she mind the way he showed affection. Since knowing him, she had started to understand the joys of being a woman, even if his bold gestures occasionally took her by surprise.

Over time, her old feelings for Yan Shaozhe had faded, and Qian Ran's lively presence filled that space in a way she hadn't anticipated.

Maybe her feelings for Yan Shaozhe had been more about unresolved pride than genuine love.

"Really? Lin'er, I promise I'll treat you well." Qian Ran was overjoyed, not expecting things to turn out so perfectly.

It seemed that mature women weren't as difficult to win over as he had thought, as long as he knew how to meet their unspoken needs.

Unable to resist, he pulled Xian Lin'er close again, feeling that he could never tire of her beauty.

"Little flirt," Xian Lin'er said, blushing. "How can I trust anything you say? You already have so many girlfriends—how would you have time for your teacher?"

Her face was rosy as she looked at him, half-amused. Even now, Qian Ran's hands held her firmly by the shoulders.

For the first time, she felt what it was like to be completely vulnerable.

"So, Teacher is jealous?" Qian Ran teased, feeling a deep sense of satisfaction. Winning over Xian Lin'er, the Valkyrie, was a feat unlike any other. She had an abundance of admirers at Shrek Academy, including Qian Duoduo, but none of them had managed to capture her heart—except him.

He imagined the day they could walk through campus hand in hand, turning heads and stirring envy in her many admirers.

The very thought was exhilarating. Xian Lin'er was more beautiful than any of the so-called social media "goddesses" back in his previous life. Her beauty was incomparable, from her graceful face to those flawless legs wrapped in black stockings.

"Jealous of you? Why would I be?" Xian Lin'er shot him a glance, her expression both annoyed and fond. She knew she was falling for him, but his charm was undeniable. Even if their relationship could only be private, she was content to have him by her side.

After all, openly dating one of her own students would be scandalous.