"Young Master Xu Ran, you've returned; I have been waiting for you for many days." As Xu Ran walked towards his dormitory, he saw Tang Yuehua, dressed in white and holding a plain qin, with a noble and unsullied air, approaching him.
Last time, it was agreed that Tang Yuehua would come to Shrek Academy to find him, so they could study music together, but it was delayed due to a visit to the Min Clan.
"How long has the Pavilion Master been here? I was detained by some matters previously and have neglected the Pavilion Master," Xu Ran said with a smile. Tang Yuehua really did embody the air of a reclusive fairy with her demeanor.
She was like the heroines in martial arts novels—aloof from the world and unparalleled in temperament. Xiaolongnü? Wang Yuyan?
But it was a pity that her cultivation was not up to par.
If Tang Yuehua's strength were to improve, paired with her innate Noble Halo Domain, she would certainly be a peerless individual. If he were to win her over, he'd truly live a life full of peace and prosperity.
When the beauty dances, it's an enchanting and captivating sight.
"I arrived just two days ago," Tang Yuehua blushed slightly under Xu Ran's gaze. She hadn't studied Xu Ran before, and had come to discuss art with him only after learning of his lofty artistic sentiment. But after thoroughly understanding Xu Ran, she never expected his daily life to be so unrestrained, surrounded by numerous beauties, having straightforward relationships with many women. It was the sort of behavior that only a profligate would exhibit.
She couldn't comprehend how, amid that drunken and spellbound lifestyle, Xu Ran could still play such beautiful flute music. This was truly surprising!
Could such things really be good?
"Does the Pavilion Master feel disappointed in me?" Xu Ran caught Tang Yuehua's look and smirked. He knew that in Tang Yuehua's eyes, he probably now seemed like that profligate man.
"I…"
"You can speak frankly."
"It is a bit, but I know Young Master Xu Ran possesses true talent and learning, and is definitely not the kind of person he seems," Tang Yuehua said, looking at Xu Ran's handsome face and his carefree and natural charm. He was a breathtaking enigma.
With an extraordinary face, mesmerizing demeanor, world-shaking talents, unmatched gifts, and strength… She found it hard to imagine that such a perfect person existed in the world, almost without any flaws.
"Other people say I am too mad, I laugh at their inability to see through me," Xu Ran said pretentiously. He couldn't very well declare himself whether he was a scoundrel or not; a person's image must be maintained through many aspects. Should Tang Yuehua delve deeper, a sense of mystery would arise within him, thereby capturing her.
"The world laughs at my madness?" Tang Yuehua's heart trembled, feeling that there was something intriguing about what Xu Ran said. Then she blushed again, thinking that Xu Ran was talking about her.
She hadn't even become closely acquainted with Xu Ran before she made her judgment, considering him like those common lechers outside. But how could Xu Ran possibly be that kind of person?
Xu Ran's interests were nobly refined; he was certainly not an unscrupulous lecher.
All of Xu Ran's actions must have their own profound significance.
"Young Master Xu Ran, I…" Tang Yuehua felt her face burning, suddenly ashamed as she, who always valued propriety, thought about her previous rigid beliefs.
Xu Ran was the true gentleman, and his actions were the real return to simplicity and truth.
"The Pavilion Master need not feel guilty towards me; I, Xu Ran, have grown accustomed to these years. It's just that I didn't expect that even the Pavilion Master would see me as that kind of person."
"In my view, you are different from other women outside, and that was why I went to see you that day. But it appears that there is not even one person in this world who truly understands me," Xu Ran said, looking at Tang Yuehua, swallowing the saliva in his throat.
If Tang Yuehua fell for him, he would have another chance to throw an impressive move at Tang San.
Lan'er's identity must not be revealed; otherwise, it would spoil the fun. But as for Tang Yuehua, he could let Tang San get a taste of what cruelty meant in advance. Still dreaming of pursuing the goddess? He'd directly strike at his big rear guard, not sparing even a single female relative, and see how Tang San could still manage to smile after that.
"So that's how it is?" Tang Yuehua was somewhat distracted, her sense of guilt deepening. All of a sudden, a different kind of feeling for Xu Ran surged in her heart. In this world, it was probably only she and Xu Ran who were like that.
Geniuses are destined to be lonely.
Although she was the Principal of Yue Xuan, admired and loved by countless people, she hadn't found a single soul to share intimate conversations with until now. Xu Ran, peerless and a unique genius, who was surrounded by beauties, also had a lonely heart.
Tang Yuehua looked at Xu Ran's figure, touched by the loneliness that he projected.
"Does the Pavilion Master dance?" Xu Ran suddenly looked up, staring intensely into Tang Yuehua's eyes.
"I... do," Tang Yuehua replied, her voice rapid.
For some reason, she felt that Xu Ran's gaze was prickly like thorns, making her heart tremble. She, who had never experienced love, naturally did not understand what was happening. By the time she realized it, she had already fallen into the tender trap Xu Ran had set.
Sometimes you know it's a trap, but still you dive headlong into it. Because such beauty is truly hard to resist.
He wasn't any different; a brothel is a hero's tomb, but he would rather die amidst the peonies.
"I will play the zither, and the Pavilion Master will dance, may I?" Xu Ran said.
"Alright," Tang Yuehua nodded, not understanding why she felt flushed, especially when she met Xu Ran's gaze, the heat became almost unbearable.
Her normally untroubled heart was now quivering, and an inexplicable heat overwhelmed her.
Always pure-minded and desiring little, she had never felt this way before, leaving her at a loss, hurriedly responding to Xu Ran's conversation.
"What's wrong with the Pavilion Master? Is there a problem with your body?" Xu Ran asked, observing Tang Yuehua's flushed cheeks. Tang Yuehua, such a chaste and inexperienced old maid in matters of the heart, was no match for him.
With just a few words, he had Tang Yuehua all flustered and disconcerted.
"Still such an innocent person," Xu Ran couldn't help but sigh. Bi Bidong, Qian Renxue, Tang Yuehua—people who excel in their respective domains and devote themselves to their research often neglect emotions, placing themselves at an absolute disadvantage in affairs of the heart.
That was why there were always underdogs who rose above their station. Because the Phoenix is only seemingly noble and mighty but inwardly as pale as any.
Tang San and Yu Xiaogang are underdogs. And him, Xu Ran, ah, a cad.
But without being a cad, how would he start a "Harem"?
Such beauties, if wooed by someone else or left lonely for life, wouldn't that be heart-wrenching?
Seemingly a cad, he actually had a tender heart, unable to bear the thought of pretty girls belonging to anyone else.