Douluo : Capture the goddess starting from peerless tang sect

"No way! I'm busy!"

Zhang Lexuan was taken aback. How had Qian Ran's power grown so quickly?

He had approached without her noticing. If he hadn't spoken, she might not have even known he was there. Was he progressing that fast, or had she just slacked off recently?

Seeing him, she felt a flare of irritation. Now he was here looking for her? Too late!

This rascal had been spending his days with Tang Ya and the others, and he'd been with Ma Xiaotao a lot, too.

"Why?" Qian Ran asked, not about to be brushed off as easily as Beibei.

"I need to train," Zhang Lexuan replied angrily. Qian Ran had spent so much time with those other women; it bothered her a bit.

"Come on, Senior Sister, don't try to fool me. You're not on the brink of a breakthrough, so there's no need to be in such a hurry," Qian Ran said, undeterred. He could tell she was annoyed, which was actually a good sign—it meant she cared.

If Zhang Lexuan had no reaction, that would have been the real problem.

"I'm not feeling well!" she retorted, biting her lip and starting to turn back toward her room.

"If you're feeling unwell, I can help. My third soul skill is healing," Qian Ran said, grabbing her hand gently.

"Let go!"

A blush spread across her cheeks, and she glared at him, annoyed and flustered.

"Nope." Qian Ran only tightened his grip, pulling her into his arms.

"What do you think you're doing? If you keep this up, I'm going to use force!" she snapped, flustered, her face flushed with a hint of warmth.

"Go ahead, Senior Sister. But if others come over, things might be hard to explain. I wouldn't mind rumors about me dating a senior from the inner court," Qian Ran teased, holding her closer.

"You jerk! What do you even want?"

It was the first time Zhang Lexuan had been held like this by a man, and the unfamiliar closeness had her squirming in embarrassment. She nervously tugged at her white dress, but the thrill of it left her strangely excited.

"Relax, Senior Sister. Are you scared?" Qian Ran asked with a grin, studying her eyes. It was a rare chance to see the usually calm and composed Lexuan looking so flustered and shy. He found it adorable.

Zhang Lexuan stomped on his foot, irritated. "Scared? That's not the issue!"

"Let's go on a date," Qian Ran whispered in her ear, drawing her even closer.

His words and the warmth of his embrace made her heart race. She could feel the heat rising in her cheeks, his proximity flustering her like never before.

"Date?" Her face reddened further.

Qian Ran's meaning was clear. And now that he was holding her so tightly, did she even have a choice?

In truth, if she were adamant about refusing, he wouldn't be able to do much. But since she had calmed down in his arms, her unspoken frustration had faded, and the invitation made her heart flutter.

"Fine, whatever," she huffed, turning her head with a hint of pride.

Qian Ran was surprised to see this proud side of Zhang Lexuan. It made him want to capture this moment forever, but he knew it wasn't the time.

She donned a veil, allowing him to lead her out of the academy.

At a beachside restaurant near Seagod Lake, he ordered dishes that he knew she would like, along with a few bottles of wine.

As they sat and waited, passersby occasionally cast curious glances at them. Both of them had striking appearances, and even with her white veil, it was clear Zhang Lexuan was a beauty. And with Qian Ran's looks, they were quite the pair, drawing envious eyes from the crowd.

Seagod Lake stretched wide and blue, its vast waters mirroring the sky's pure hue. The gentle breeze off the lake felt refreshing, lifting the weight of daily fatigue.

Soft sands formed a natural, inviting place to rest, and the nearby laughter of others made Qian Ran smile, feeling genuinely at ease.

"Shall we go for a swim, Senior Sister?" he asked, knowing full well she'd probably decline.

Had he known about this hidden spot by the academy, he would have brought the others over long ago to enjoy a secluded beach day.

He assumed she'd be too reserved, but to his surprise, she tilted her head and considered it.

"Why not?" she replied, surprising herself. She knew full well Qian Ran had ulterior motives, yet somehow, she found herself saying yes.

"Really?"

He'd just been testing the waters. He thought of how nice it would be to see the others here, even in modest swimsuits.

Thinking he'd heard her wrong, he looked at her, astonished.

"Hmph," she scoffed, her nose wrinkling slightly.

"Well, you'll need a swimsuit," he teased, smiling. He couldn't wait to see her figure.

"If that's what it takes," she replied, smirking as his face showed disbelief.

Turns out the quiet, demure girls could be full of surprises too.

Qian Ran quickly finished his meal and then led her down to the beach.

Finding a secluded spot, he bought a few beach items, already imagining future trips.

While he lay in the sun, Zhang Lexuan stayed under the shade of an umbrella. Wearing a bikini, her fair skin gleamed in the light, her long, shapely legs stretched gracefully over a blue-and-white towel, every inch a picture of elegance.

(End of Chapter)