After breakfast, Qian Ran indulged in a round of teasing and caressing Cai Mei'er before finally leaving.
Yan Shaozhe's hospitality was overwhelming.
He insisted that Qian Ran visit more often—what could Qian Ran do about it?
Without hesitation, Qian Ran teleported directly to Ma Xiaotao's dormitory.
"Qian Ran, what are you doing here?"
At home, Ma Xiaotao was dressed in a fitted school uniform. Seeing Qian Ran, her face lit up with delight as she rushed toward him.
"What do you think?" Qian Ran chuckled, giving her cheek a playful pinch.
"Did you bring it?" Ma Xiaotao asked excitedly. It wasn't typical for Qian Ran to visit the female dormitories of the inner courtyard without a specific reason. And if he did, it usually meant good news.
"I wouldn't let you down," Qian Ran said as a faint light flickered in his hand, revealing a jade box.
Opening the jade box, a golden-red gel appeared before Ma Xiaotao's eyes. Its subtle fragrance combined with an immensely rich and pure fire element aura, leaving Ma Xiaotao momentarily spellbound.
The dense fire energy emanating from it was something Ma Xiaotao could clearly sense.
If she could absorb this fiery gel, her strength would undoubtedly soar.
"Well? Didn't your husband promise you?"
"How are you going to thank me?" Qian Ran teased, his gaze drifting playfully over Ma Xiaotao's curvaceous figure. A thought crossed his mind—why not bring Ma Xiaotao along to Yan Shaozhe's house tonight?
Having Ma Xiaotao present could significantly dispel Yan Shaozhe's suspicions.
After all, if he got too cozy with Cai Mei'er, it was only a matter of time before someone caught on.
"Let me absorb this fiery gel first, and then I'll properly thank you. Okay?" Ma Xiaotao said, brushing a kiss on his lips.
"If you're in a hurry, why don't you go find Ling Luochen instead?" Ma Xiaotao huffed playfully.
"Ling Luochen's here too?" Qian Ran's interest was piqued by her comment.
"She's staying with me now. It's nice having someone to keep me company."
Ever since Ling Luochen and Qian Ran started their ambiguous relationship, she had moved in with Ma Xiaotao. Unlike the outer courtyard, the inner courtyard dormitories were much more spacious, so the two women living together wasn't a problem.
Qian Ran stretched out his spiritual senses and, sure enough, detected Ling Luochen's presence.
"Then hurry and refine the gel. I'll take care of the rest," Qian Ran said with a mischievous grin. He wasn't planning to let Ma Xiaotao off the hook so easily. Fiery gel like this carried residual medicinal power in the body for hours after absorption—it would be a unique experience.
Besides, one wielded Ultimate Ice, the other Ultimate Fire.
Having them together could lead to some... interesting chemistry.
"Got it," Ma Xiaotao said, her face flushed with excitement. Yet deep down, she wanted to save this opportunity for Ling Luochen.
Qian Ran's antics had been tormenting Ling Luochen—this once-proud ice princess now lacked her former confidence, always second-guessing herself. She was nothing like the untouchable figure she had once been.
"Go absorb the gel, then," Qian Ran said, giving Ma Xiaotao's rounded hips a playful smack. He knew how much this fiery gel meant to her and didn't want to waste any more time.
As Ma Xiaotao consumed the fiery gel, the dense fire element surged within her. Her prior exhaustion was replaced by a swelling sense of power. Her entire body emitted a captivating rosy hue as the fiery energy inside her climbed to new heights.
She quickly entered a meditative state. It wasn't long before her aura began to change dramatically.
"Xiaotao, who's here?" Ling Luochen, wearing a light bathrobe and pink slippers, stepped out of the bathroom. Seeing Qian Ran, she froze in place.
"Qian Ran?" Ling Luochen's delicate figure trembled. Realizing how revealing her bathrobe was, she blushed with embarrassment.
Freshly bathed, her skin was rosy and tender, almost like she had applied makeup. Her baby-soft complexion exuded a faint warmth, while a mix of her natural scent and the aroma of her shower gel wafted into Qian Ran's nose.
What stood out more was how the damp bathrobe clung to her body, accentuating every contour.
Ling Luochen's chest wasn't as full as Ma Xiaotao's, but it was far from lacking.
They say that a veiled beauty is the most alluring, and this moment proved it true.
"Qian Ran, I'll go change."
Embarrassed by Qian Ran's gaze, Ling Luochen stammered, her cheeks burning.
"Senior Luochen, don't you want me to see you?" Qian Ran caught her hand, stopping her. How could he let her leave? Changing clothes only to take them off later seemed unnecessary.
Unless, of course, it was something specially designed to tempt him—in that case, he wouldn't object.
But Ling Luochen, ever the proper inner courtyard senior, would never do something so bold.
"No, that's not it…" Ling Luochen panicked, afraid of being misunderstood. She just felt...
"I want to see. I love seeing. Let me enjoy this moment a bit longer," Qian Ran said, gently lifting her into his arms and placing her on the sofa.
Ling Luochen lay obediently on the couch, her eyes shut tight, too shy to face him or imagine what he might do next.
"Baby, you're so beautiful," Qian Ran murmured, entranced by her delicate features. Ling Luochen's shy demeanor combined with her graceful aura made her irresistible.
Though he could easily undo the ribbon at her waist with a simple pull, he refrained. There was a charm to this hazy, dreamlike beauty that he found deeply satisfying.
The thin fabric of her bathrobe, pressed against her body by gravity, outlined her graceful figure perfectly.
Every inch of her was stunning, serene, and enchanting.
Unlike Ma Xiaotao, who was never this cooperative.
Qian Ran leaned closer to her face, his right index finger lightly pressing against her soft, red lips before gently sliding inside.
Soon, Ling Luochen's lips instinctively wrapped around his finger.
"Good girl."
"I adore obedient seniors like you," Qian Ran said, a playful glint in his eye. Men, after all, had a soft spot for compliant women—it made life so much easier.
Retracting his finger, he began to kiss her cheeks and lips with fervent passion.
(End of Chapter)