Shui Yue'er's big eyes flickered as she watched Xu Ran cradle her sister in a princess carry. A surge of envy filled her heart, along with an exhilarating thrill and an inexplicable sense of excitement. If both she and her sister could... would it be possible...
Seated in the resting area, Xue Wu stretched her long, beautiful legs on the bench while gently massaging her slightly sore calves. Witnessing this scene, for some reason, she felt a tinge of sourness in her heart. What if she could also be held in the arms of Teacher Xu Ran, a man uniquely peerless in his manner, she wondered if it might feel different.
At the same time, she turned her head to look at Shui Yue'er, a strange light flickering in her beautiful eyes.
She knew very well, if anyone here harbored thoughts about Teacher Xu Ran, it had to be Shui Yue'er. The first time she saw Teacher Xu Ran, she had been utterly smitten, and now, with Teacher Xu Ran holding Bing'er, she appeared so composed, seemingly without a hint of dissatisfaction.
"Could it really be that Qi Yatou has succeeded? Otherwise, why would she be this calm? She's always been unable to hide her emotions, yet now she seems to harbor little discontent."
"If Yue'er can, why can't I?" Xue Wu lowered her head, her eyes glinting mysteriously as she eyed her own well-developed figure.
In terms of looks, she was on par with Bing'er, but if it came down to figure alone, she was the best among Tianshui College's seven girls.
The others were staring blankly at this tableau, their hearts filled with a different kind of excitement. The captain and Teacher Xu Ran, embracing like this, seemed like a princess and a prince, bringing a profound impact to their hearts in their budding years.
They couldn't help feeling envious of Bing'er—If they too could be treated so tenderly by Teacher Xu Ran, they would have no regrets even in death.
"What are you all still standing around for? Your two captains have given you a demonstration, shouldn't you be training by now?" Xu Ran looked at Bing'er's flushed cheeks and, sensing the odd looks in the eyes of the girls, spoke seriously.
"Yes," responded the five girls in a delicate chorus, casting an envious glance at Bing'er, then went to pick up the fitness balls to start their training.
"Teacher Xu Ran, that…" Bing'er, having been held in Teacher Xu Ran's arms for quite some time and noticing he had yet to put her down, couldn't help but remind him in a soft voice.
Having rested for a bit, her energy had somewhat recovered. The heat dissipated from her body, and the sticky sweat made her feel somewhat embarrassed.
"Hmm," Xu Ran nodded as he carried Bing'er towards the resting area, and seated her on a chair next to Xue Wu, with a seat separating them. Xu Ran then sat between the two girls.
Sandwiched between the two girls, Xu Ran could smell two distinctly different fragrances mixed with the faint saltiness of sweat from the recent exercise.
The three of them sat in silence, with the two girls lost in their own thoughts, heads lowered, not daring to speak.
After a while, Xue Wu finally broke the quiet atmosphere.
"Teacher Xu Ran, how much longer will you be staying at the college? The headmaster said you're now a gold medal teacher. Will you be staying at the college often from now on?" Xue Wu couldn't help but ask, her fingers nervously twirling her black hair, a gesture repeated over and over.
She wasn't sure what her feelings toward Xu Ran were—whether it was pure admiration for a powerful individual or something more. All she knew was that her heart was in turmoil.
Bing'er shared this sentiment. As soon as Xue Wu raised the question, Bing'er's heart skipped a beat, and her face paled slightly.
"I don't know, maybe a week, or two, or perhaps I'll leave in just a few days," Xu Ran said, his face breaking into a smile. Given the current circumstances, he might need to stay at Tianshui College for about two more weeks.
After all, with so many beautiful girls at Tianshui College, naturally, he thought to enjoy a few more days before departing. Although aside from the abundance of beautiful girls, there wasn't much else interesting at Tianshui College, but...
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Even if Xu Ran were to stay a few more days, he would still create the illusion that he was leaving tomorrow. That way, he could stir their emotions, making it easier for him to take advantage when the opportunity arose.
Pah, speaking like this seems a bit shameless.
But the coarse words hold an unsophisticated truth; this is just the way it is.
The difference between a warm man and a straight man is exactly this, a warm man always knows how to phrase things in a way that can touch a girl's heartstrings. And Xu Ran was that kind of warm man.
Xu Ran's gaze fell on Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu, seated on either side of him, and he felt an odd sensation in his heart.
Xue Wu and Shui Bing'er were both stunningly beautiful girls, they were of the same caliber as Zhu Qing, Xiaowu, and Rongrong. Moreover, both Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu had ice-type martial souls and shared a Soul Fusion Skill. If he could win them over, he imagined a future of embracing them from both sides, which would bring a distinct feeling.
"Are you leaving so soon?" Xue Wu and Shui Bing'er's expressions changed slightly, feeling a bit dejected. Although they had known that Xu Ran wasn't likely to stay long at Tianshui College, they hadn't expected his departure to come so quickly.
This made them feel a bit worried. According to Teacher Xu Ran, it was even possible that he wouldn't stay at Tianshui College for more than a week.
"Yes, I have some matters to attend to outside," Xu Ran said.
Now that he no longer had a Strength Experience Card, staying at Tianshui College too long might expose him. Even though Shui Miao respected his talent and wouldn't dare to take him lightly, it was still not ideal.
The charade had been set, and if it were discovered, wouldn't it be like getting slapped in the face?
Since Shui Miao and the others saw him as a peerless powerhouse, then he would be a peerless powerhouse. When he left Tianshui College, he would return one day, making an appearance before them in an overwhelmingly strong form.
By then, he would at least have to possess a combat strength comparable to that of a Titled Douluo. With the System, it wouldn't be too difficult for him to reach that stage.
"Alright, enough said."
"You all should rest for a bit, then go wash up and change clothes, or else you might catch a cold. This morning's cultivation session is over; this afternoon, all seven of you should come on time to the bamboo forest where I am staying," Xu Ran said as he stood and walked towards the door.
He had achieved his goal; for the moment, he couldn't possibly have his wish fulfilled to embrace the beauties. He still needed to give them a little time.
Xu Ran stopped at the big door, looking back towards the training room.
"Shui Yue'er, come over to my place later, I have some matters to explain to you," Xu Ran said, his eyes lingering meaningfully on Shui Yue'er's delicate and lovely figure.
"Oh, got it, Teacher Xu Ran," Shui Yue'er replied while training, her voice betraying a hint of guilt. She wasn't a child anymore and naturally understood what Xu Ran had in mind by calling her over. She just never expected Xu Ran to summon her so publicly under the guise of a teacher in front of so many people.
Although the others surely couldn't grasp the implication behind Xu Ran's words, the guilty-minded Shui Yue'er couldn't remain calm.
She cautiously glanced around her, relieved only after seeing that no one else was paying attention to them.
At the same time, she thought of a very serious problem. Now that Xu Ran was their teacher, would he frequently call her over to check her homework? And once there, it certainly wouldn't be to check homework, but rather...
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