Chapter 331: Zhu Ying Arrives, Dai Hao Overhears

Over an hour later, Zhu Ying finally emerged from the bathroom, moving slowly. Her body felt as light as cotton, but her legs were unsteady, trembling slightly with every step.

Walking out one unsteady step at a time, she found Dai Hao still waiting.

"Why did you take so long?" Dai Hao asked, scratching his head as he looked at Zhu Ying, her post-bath complexion radiant.

Zhu Ying casually dried her hair, glancing at him. "You waited all this time. What else do you need?"

"I want you to invite Qian Ran for a meal. Better to resolve grudges than deepen them. Now that the tournament is over, Qian Ran will probably be returning to Shrek Academy soon," Dai Hao said earnestly.

Zhu Ying was surprised by his reaction. Dai Hao wanted to build a rapport with Qian Ran? But Qian Ran was still in the bathroom—and not long ago, they had been...

"Is that really necessary?" she asked, feigning nonchalance.

"Absolutely. The Xingluo Empire is bound to change. Qian Ran's future influence in the Empire could rival that of our Duke's residence," Dai Hao explained seriously. "Everyone knows Qian Ran and the Spirit Hall behind him are the Empire's rising stars."

"Alright," Zhu Ying relented, masking her thoughts.

"Yingying, you need to temper your attitude from now on. Don't provoke Qian Ran anymore. You must always treat him with respect and courtesy," Dai Hao cautioned. "Frankly, I'm already a little afraid of him and don't want to risk offending him again."

Zhu Ying pouted. Why would I ever dare show dissatisfaction with Qian Ran? She couldn't even keep up with him physically—how could she not strive to please him?

After Dai Hao left, Qian Ran emerged from the bathroom, wiping his hair with a towel and dressed casually in a bathrobe.

"Dai Hao sure has some wild ideas," Qian Ran said with a laugh, sprawling on Zhu Ying's bed and gesturing for her to peel an orange for him.

Hearing Qian Ran mock Dai Hao as a "useless fool" stirred something in Zhu Ying. Strangely, it felt both uncomfortable and thrilling.

Under Qian Ran's repeated hints and manipulation, Zhu Ying had begun to see Dai Hao as a complete failure—a man oblivious to his own wife being enjoyed by another.

That evening, at the Star Emperor Hotel,

With the various academy teams having left, the Star Emperor Hotel—Xingluo Empire's finest—was now mostly empty. Naturally, Dai Hao chose this venue for his banquet with Qian Ran.

"Qian Ran!"

Dai Yaoheng was the first to greet him, his enthusiasm evident. Since recovering from his injuries, Dai Yaoheng had been eager to curry favor with Qian Ran. Observing the significant power increases among those close to Qian Ran, he recognized the young man as a golden opportunity.

"Senior, long time no see. How's your health?" Qian Ran smiled, patting Dai Yaoheng's shoulder. Having been with Zhu Ying, Qian Ran now showed more courtesy toward Dai Yaoheng.

Having already enjoyed his mother, there's no need to bully the man further.

Although Zhu Ying had no feelings for Dai Hao, she still cared for Dai Yaoheng and Dai Huabin as her stepsons.

"I'm much better now," Dai Yaoheng said, slightly flustered. He hadn't expected Qian Ran to treat him so warmly.

"Greetings, Duke, Madam."

"Qian Ran, good to see you. About the misunderstandings before, I hope you won't hold them against us," Dai Hao said. Having forgotten the warnings from Mu En just days earlier, Dai Hao now saw Qian Ran in a different light. With his rising status, Dai Hao even considered whether he should offer Qian Ran advice.

"Of course, it was all a misunderstanding," Qian Ran replied with a smile.

Sitting around the table, drinks flowed freely. As the alcohol took effect, the group grew more familiar with one another.

Dai Yaoheng felt a sense of regret at not having gotten to know Qian Ran sooner, marveling at how approachable he was. Dai Hao, too, began viewing Qian Ran in a new light.

After some time, Qian Ran exchanged a glance with Zhu Ying.

Understanding his intent, Zhu Ying stood up. "I'll head back to rest."

With that, she left the room.

Qian Ran stayed, continuing to drink with Dai Hao and Dai Yaoheng. As the evening progressed, Dai Yaoheng slumped drunkenly onto the table, and Dai Hao wasn't much better off. Qian Ran had deliberately chosen strong liquor, and Dai Hao was struggling to keep up.

When the timing felt right, Qian Ran excused himself and headed to the bathroom.

In the men's restroom, Qian Ran approached the fifth stall from the left and knocked lightly.

The door opened, revealing Zhu Ying.

She was dressed in a white cheongsam, its tight fit accentuating her ample chest. Her thighs, sheathed in flesh-colored stockings, glistened under the lights. The cheongsam's slit offered tantalizing glimpses of her shapely legs, while her slender waist and rounded hips painted the perfect picture of a sultry, refined woman.

"You're too bold," Qian Ran teased.

"You're the one who told me to come," Zhu Ying retorted, wrapping her arms around his neck, her tone laced with irritation.

As the Duchess of the Duke's residence, sneaking into the men's restroom was utterly humiliating. If not for Qian Ran, she would never have agreed to such a thing.

Qian Ran positioned her against the wall, lifting her cheongsam to reveal her figure further.

Zhu Ying was wearing pantyhose, the sheer fabric encasing her body from hips to toes. The sight left Qian Ran breathless with desire.

Meanwhile, Dai Hao, noticing Qian Ran's prolonged absence, felt the need to relieve himself after drinking so much. He stumbled toward the bathroom.

"What's that sound?" Dai Hao muttered. Though drunk, his instincts as a Titled Douluo were sharp. The faint noises from a nearby stall immediately sobered him up. Using his soul power, he evaporated the alcohol in his system and focused on the sounds.

A familiar male voice drifted through the thin partition. "You're so tempting tonight. I love this side of you."

"So that's why he refused the company of women earlier," Dai Hao chuckled to himself. "Turns out he had plans all along."

Dai Hao had known of Qian Ran's reputation for being fond of women. Earlier, he had even considered arranging some beauties from the hotel to entertain him. Many of the women here were specially trained and untouched, and Dai Hao had been willing to go all out to win Qian Ran over.

But it seemed unnecessary now. Dai Hao's curiosity deepened as he caught hints of the woman's voice—a tone that seemed oddly familiar yet distinctly different in its sultry quality.

Inside the stall, Zhu Ying's heart pounded. Recognizing Dai Hao's voice, she trembled with panic. Her blurred eyes locked onto Qian Ran's, a mix of fear and desperation flashing in her gaze.

"What are you so scared of?" Qian Ran whispered, his breath brushing against her ear. His hot breath sent shivers down her spine, and her legs nearly gave out.

Tears welled up in Zhu Ying's eyes. Whether from humiliation, fear, or something else, even she wasn't sure.

Outside, Dai Hao's interest was piqued further. "Interesting. His taste seems rather... unique."

As realization dawned, his curiosity only grew. Was this woman married? That particular trait intrigued him even more.

Yet, as the sounds from the stall grew softer, Dai Hao reminded himself of his status as the White Tiger Duke. It was unbecoming of him to eavesdrop like this. Moreover, if Qian Ran found out, the fragile relationship they had just begun to mend would be irreparably damaged.

Suppressing his curiosity, Dai Hao left the restroom.

(End of Chapter)