After months of absence, Qian Ran and his group's return to the academy caused quite a stir. Both Huo Yuhao and Dai Huabin wore sour expressions, but no one seemed more troubled than Bei Bei.
For days, Bei Bei had been unable to see Elder Xuan Mu En at the Sea God Pavilion, only hearing that the elder was in seclusion.
Others might not know, but Bei Bei was painfully aware that this so-called "seclusion" was just a cover—Elder Xuan had left Shrek Academy to kill Qian Ran for him.
And yet, here was Qian Ran, safe and sound. What about Elder Xuan?
Could something have gone wrong?
"No, that's impossible. Elder Xuan is so powerful—how could anything happen to him?"
"Elder Xuan is an Ultimate Douluo! Even if he's no longer at his peak, there are very few on the entire continent capable of threatening his life. And there's no way someone of that level is protecting Qian Ran."
"Something must have delayed him."
Clenching his fists, veins bulging on his forehead, Bei Bei refused to believe Qian Ran could have killed an ultimate expert. Throughout the continent's history, Ultimate Douluo typically died of old age. Killing one was almost unheard of.
Yet, the sight of Qian Ran alive and well filled him with unbearable frustration.
During Qian Ran's absence, Bei Bei had sought comfort among several attractive junior female students in the outer court. Only then did he realize how enjoyable Qian Ran's lifestyle had been. His own status as the great-grandson of the Sea God Pavilion's master made it absurdly easy to win over these girls, who would then cling to him wholeheartedly.
Looking back, Bei Bei felt foolish for having wasted so much time pining after Tang Ya, stubbornly pursuing a single flower.
Sure, Tang Ya was beautiful, but after all his efforts, he still hadn't even tasted her sweetness. Meanwhile, the junior girls he casually approached were far easier to enjoy.
Unfortunately, Bei Bei had come to this realization too late. Even in the outer court, the prettier girls secretly admired Qian Ran. Bei Bei could only settle for the less outstanding ones.
Now that Qian Ran had returned, Bei Bei's privileged playboy lifestyle was doomed to end.
"Damn you, Qian Ran! I refuse to believe your luck will hold forever. With your arrogance, it's only a matter of time before you offend someone you can't handle and end up dead!" Bei Bei growled angrily.
"Bei Bei, Vice Dean Cai is looking for you," a classmate called out from a distance.
"Vice Dean? Which one?" Bei Bei's heart sank.
The name Xian Lin'er had already become a source of dread for him—he wanted nothing to do with her.
"Vice Dean Cai Meier."
The classmate relayed the message and left.
"Phew." Bei Bei sighed in relief.
Unbeknownst to him, he was about to step into a nightmare.
Qian Ran was seated in Cai Meier's office, the vice dean wearing a formal teaching outfit: a tailored gray blazer that struggled to contain her curves and a tight pencil skirt that emphasized her shapely hips. Her long legs, wrapped in black stockings and paired with high heels, exuded a mature allure.
"Come here, you." Qian Ran reached out, pulling Cai Meier onto his lap and playfully pinching her...
"You've done well, my little darling," he said, referring to her staged argument with Yan Shaozhe. Otherwise, Qian Ran would have faced the headache of navigating the complicated dynamic between Cai Meier and the martial soul department's dean.
After their public falling-out, Cai Meier's subsequent cold attitude toward Yan Shaozhe now seemed perfectly reasonable. Using the argument as an excuse, she had taken the opportunity to distance herself from him, leaving Yan Shaozhe blindsided.
Even if Xian Lin'er weren't involved, Cai Meier would have found another pretext to argue with Yan Shaozhe. Arguments, after all, didn't require much justification—any trivial matter would suffice.
"Yan Shaozhe really is despicable, shamelessly eyeing Lin'er while sitting on his high horse," Qian Ran scoffed.
"Hah! Look who's talking," Cai Meier laughed, her delicate shoulders trembling with mirth. "You're the most shameless, lecherous man alive, yet you have the nerve to criticize him."
"I'm different from Yan Shaozhe," Qian Ran retorted smugly, his hands wandering boldly over Cai Meier's body. "I'm capable, so the more, the merrier."
Cai Meier's cheeks flushed as she silently acquiesced to his touch. These days, she found herself increasingly drawn to the thrilling sensation of being with Qian Ran, her resistance completely eroded.
Qian Ran was truly exceptional—unyielding and strong.
"You're such a tease, my sweet Meier," Qian Ran whispered, kneading her soft curves while murmuring suggestively into her ear.
Cai Meier shot him a sultry glance, no longer resisting his advances. Her face reddened, her long, slender legs stiffening as she closed her eyes tightly.
"When Bei Bei arrives, you know what to do, right?"
"You're taking Ma Xiaotao and Ling Luochen to get their spirit rings soon. Use that as an excuse to lure Bei Bei out of the academy. Once I have him, I'll make sure he regrets everything."
"That useless fool doesn't even realize his pathetic great-grandfather is already dead. Soon enough, he'll learn the price of crossing me," Qian Ran said coldly, his gaze turning icy. With Mu En gone, Bei Bei no longer had any reason to remain alive.
"Understood." Cai Meier gazed at Qian Ran with a dazed expression, her arms wrapped around his neck. She was utterly infatuated with this younger man. Recently, his increased charm had made her lose control entirely, leaving her wholly addicted to their moments together.
Now, she was even willing to help Qian Ran with his schemes.
Bei Bei had endangered Qian Ran's safety by involving Mu En in an assassination attempt. Cai Meier was thoroughly disgusted with him. If it hadn't been for Bei Bei, Mu En wouldn't have antagonized Qian Ran—and wouldn't have died.
All of this stemmed from Bei Bei's own incompetence.
How could there be such a vast gulf between two geniuses from the outer court? Compared to Qian Ran, Bei Bei was nothing but trash.
"Are you planning to kill him?" Cai Meier asked.
"Of course. I've let him live this long out of generosity. When the time comes, I'll have Lin'er do it. Let her personally kill the great-grandson of her own teacher, Mu En. Naturally, Ya Ya and Senior Sister will join in the fun." Qian Ran sneered.
Bei Bei had made his move against Qian Ran, and now it was time to pay the price.
"You're so wicked, dragging all of us down with you," Cai Meier murmured, a mix of resentment and fondness in her tone.
If it weren't for Qian Ran, Cai Meier, Xian Lin'er, Tang Ya, and Zhang Lexuan would all still be paragons of virtue.
Now, thanks to Qian Ran, they had all succumbed to his influence.
Before meeting Qian Ran, they would never have imagined their lives could take such a turn. Cai Meier and Xian Lin'er, once respected leaders, were now far removed from their dignified roles as vice deans of Shrek Academy.
(Chapter End)
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