Chapter 272: Bad Intentions

As Jiangjiang Ruyi had said, the Jiang couple's temperaments were indeed very good.

The few of them sat on the living room sofa, chatting at length and enjoying each other's company immensely.

Jiangjiang Ruyi remained seated on the floor beside the coffee table, continuously refilling tea for everyone.

She wore a beaming smile throughout; every time she heard her parents praise Lu Ran, her heart seemed to fill with sweetness.

That obedient and endearing appearance made Lu Ran look at her again and again.

Lu Ran was kept for lunch, and only upon seeing the zongzi on the dining table did he belatedly realize why the Jiang couple was home during the holiday.

It turned out that yesterday had been the Dragon Boat Festival.

There was another matter of which Lu Ran was also belatedly aware.

When he tasted Mother Jiang's cooking, he was astonished to discover that the flavor of the dishes felt somewhat familiar.

Jiangjiang Ruyi often brought boxed meals to Lu Ran; it turned out that some of those dishes had come from Mother Jiang's hands.

"Eat more vegetables, Xiao Lu, you are too thin," Zhuang Zhuang Jingyi said, placing a piece of braised pork rib into Lu Ran's bowl.

"Thank you, Aunt Zhuang," Lu Ran said hurriedly, lifting his rice bowl.

Zhuang Zhuang Jingyi watched the young man before her with a smile.

She had seen Lu Ran's valiant bearing on television.

It was truly difficult to connect that famously formidable Great Xia prodigy with the gentle young man sitting before her.

From her daughter, she had also learned many stories about Lu Ran.

Zhuang Zhuang Jingyi understood clearly that this was simply how Lu Ran was in daily life.

"Xiao Lu, I heard you want to attend Wu Lie River University?" Jiang Zheng suddenly asked.

"Yes," Lu Ran nodded.

Mentioning this, Zhuang Zhuang Jingyi said gratefully, "Over these past few months, admissions officers from various universities have constantly called us.

With Jiang Ruyi by your side, she has truly benefited from your glory; she can choose whichever school she wishes."

Lu Ran smiled and said, "It is because Jiang Ruyi is excellent enough and her capabilities are solid."

Jiang Zheng, beaming with a full smile, asked, "With grades as good as yours, you would have more than enough to enter Jingcheng University; isn't that a pity?"

A better university naturally meant more resources and more opportunities.

However, Lu Ran did not care about these things.

He said, "If Deng Yuxiang City had a university, I would have stayed directly in Deng Yuxiang."

"Hehe~" Zhuang Zhuang Jingyi chuckled softly, "So attached to your hometown?"

Lu Ran silently nodded.

A sigh arose in Zhuang Zhuang Jingyi's heart.

She knew that Lu Ran had returned from Jingcheng and lived entirely alone.

Lu Ran's self-reliance and independence moved Zhuang Zhuang Jingyi, a mother herself, deeply.

She also knew that there must be something here that Lu Ran could not bear to leave behind.

Jiang Zheng spoke at the appropriate moment: "Actually, Jingcheng is not far from us; the high-speed train takes only an hour."

As a father, he naturally hoped his daughter would attend a better university; this was beyond reproach.

However, his daughter had rejected invitations from many prestigious universities and had firmly decided to go to Wu Lie River University together with Lu Ran.

After a moment's thought, Lu Ran still said, "Uncle Jiang, my foundations are here.

My choice to attend Wu Lie River University is not because it lies within this province.

It is because this Mother River flows through the city where this university is located."

Lu Ran understood clearly that he was like a tree; if he wished to grow taller and flourish with lush branches, his roots had to delve deeper.

"Dad," Jiangjiang Ruyi said, frowning slightly, somewhat dissatisfied.

"Alright, alright," Jiang Zheng repeatedly begged for mercy, "Uncle is an ordinary person; I do not understand many things. It is my fault for speaking out of turn."

Lu Ran shook his head with a smile: "No, Uncle Jiang only meant well for us."

"Eat, eat," Zhuang Zhuang Jingyi said, adding several more pieces of pork rib to Lu Ran's bowl.

Lu Ran suddenly spoke, his expression serious: "I will strive to take good care of Jiang Ruyi."

Seeing Lu Ran's utterly earnest demeanor, Jiang Zheng's smile was filled with gratification: "Uncle believes you."

Lu Ran was no ordinary young man, but a famously formidable Great Xia prodigy.

For his daughter to share mutual affection with such a person was truly an incredibly fortunate matter.

Zhuang Zhuang Jingyi said gently, "Xiao Lu, you have already taken very good care of her.

Your Uncle Jiang and I are ordinary people; for many matters, we have the heart but lack the strength.

The sword you gave Jiang Ruyi, capable of guarding her for a lifetime, has put our minds at ease considerably."

Jiangjiang Ruyi lowered her head, eating the dishes in small bites.

There were some matters of which her parents were unaware.

For instance, what were the conditions for the Cool Night Sword to become a divine weapon.

This meal concluded with both hosts and guests thoroughly delighted.

Lu Ran sat in the home for a while longer, then, under the farewells of the Jiang couple, he and Jiangjiang Ruyi left the house together.

The two walked leisurely along the road; the only flaw was that the overcast clouds had dispersed, and the afternoon sunlight was somewhat scorching.

Well, Lu Ran felt even hotter.

This was because he was still wearing his black combat uniform.

Jiangjiang Ruyi, on the other hand, had changed into a white short-sleeved shirt and denim shorts, with exquisite sandals on her feet.

This youthful, radiant, and somewhat lazy style made Lu Ran's heart stir endlessly.

Truly, I didn't know who was so blessed to have such a fair-skinned and beautiful girlfriend—oh, it turns out it's me!

Hehe~

Where does one even begin to reason about this?

Jiangjiang Ruyi said softly, "Don't take my father's words to heart; he..."

Lu Ran cut off the young girl's words: "Fathers, I understand.

If we have a daughter in the future, I will be extremely nervous too."

"Go on." Jiangjiang Ruyi's face turned red in a flash, and she lightly spat at Lu Ran.

Lu Ran said, "Your uncle and aunt are really quite nice; their personalities are great, and they don't put on any elder's airs.

When you met my mother, you certainly weren't as relaxed as I am now, were you?"

"Don't talk nonsense." Jiangjiang Ruyi dissatisfiedly patted Lu Ran's shoulder. "Auntie Jiang Qiao treats me very well."

Lu Ran smiled.

So she's already defending her?

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship seems quite harmonious.

In the afternoon, the two returned together to the Deng Yuxiang Home Community.

As soon as the door opened, they heard a "meow, meow, meow" sound.

Little Li Hua zoomed over in a flash, completely ignoring Lu Ran, and ran straight to the young girl's legs, constantly rubbing against her ankles.

Lu Ran pursed his lips: "After I leave, I'll trouble you to take care of Little Li Hua.

If your uncle and aunt don't like it, just leave it here; you only need to come once a month to refill the cat food."

Jiangjiang Ruyi bent down, picked up the little creature, and gently poked its small nose:

"Rest assured, I'll take it back to raise."

"Meow~" Little Li Hua stuck out its pink tongue, constantly licking the young girl's fingertips.

The more he looked, the angrier Lu Ran became.

Damn it!

I haven't even licked them yet.

After you leave, I must give you a great retribution!

Just wait until I use the Xie Fa of Rouge Paper·Paper Effigy to control you and roll you up into a little cat strip~

Lu Ran reached out, rubbed the furry cat head, then bent down to fetch slippers for Jiangjiang Ruyi.

The two went to the small bedroom; after paying respects to Lord Xiang Xiang Xianyang, Jiangjiang Ruyi departed with Li Hua.

After Lu Ran closed the door properly, he approached the shrine, pressed his palms together, and said in a low voice:

"Lord Xiang Xianyang, your disciple has fulfilled your request."

"Not bad." A hoarse voice echoed into Lu Ran's mind.

Lu Ran immediately said, "After the college entrance exam, your disciple will go on pilgrimage; do I need to make any other preparations?"

The white jade carving of Bai Yang replied: "Just bring your life and come."

Lu Ran: "..."

Is it really that terrifying?

Lu Ran could indeed foresee that going to Lord Xiang Xiang Xianyang would inevitably involve a segment of training in the Demon Cave.

With no teammates by his side, Lu Ran could naturally let loose, delve deep into the Demon Cave, and freely Shi Zhan Xie Fa.

Presumably, as long as his strength and realm improve slightly, or when he fully masters the Shen De Xie Fa, he should be able to gain Lord Xiang Xiang Xianyang's approval?

A thought stirred in Lu Ran's heart, and he continued, "Lord Xiang Xianyang, before going to your place, should I first go to the Ghost General Demon Cave to kill extensively?

If I can activate this Yemo Yemo Xiesu, I will possess techniques for spiritual defense.

In that case, no matter where I roam, I will be much more secure."

"Consider it yourself."

Although the words were thus, the deity's tone carried a faint hint of approval.

Lu Ran felt joy in his heart, thinking silently, "As expected."

With Lord Xiang Xianyang, the more one plays dead—uh, the more stable one is, the more points one gains!

Lu Ran pressed his palms together and bowed slightly in respect.

Afterwards, he changed into a short-sleeved shirt and shorts, then walked out of the small bedroom.

In the living room, Jiangjiang Ruyi was sitting on the sofa, stroking Little Li Hua while watching television.

Lu Ran strode over, sat beside the girl, and snatched the lazily enjoying Little Li Hua away.

"Meow~ Meow!" Little Li Hua struggled in protest.

Yet, after Lu Ran let out a "Baa," it no longer cared about its female owner.

After this burst of the Sound of Compassion, it was no longer Lu Ran wanting to hold Little Li Hua, but rather Little Li Hua frantically embracing Lu Ran...

"You person, don't always bully it," Jiangjiang Ruyi said dissatisfiedly.

Holding the restless Little Li Hua, Lu Ran looked at the girl: "Don't go back today, okay?"

Jiangjiang Ruyi shifted her gaze to the television.

However, on the screen, it was still Lu Ran's figure.

Three hosts were discussing something; on the background screen was the heroic image of Lu Ran slaying Jiang Jing·Evil Dog with his own hand.

"After we finish dinner, I will go back," Jiangjiang Ruyi said softly.

This time, Lu Ran was very insistent: "Your uncle and aunt have already agreed to us."

Jiangjiang Ruyi's heart beat faster and faster, because Lu Ran had put down Little Li Hua and brought his face close.

She could feel Lu Ran's scorching gaze.

Jiangjiang Ruyi hesitated for a long time before finally speaking: "I—mm."

Lu Ran kissed her directly.

Jiangjiang Ruyi's face grew redder and redder; she realized she was being lifted up.

This was her first time entering the master bedroom of this house, yet she never expected it would happen in such a manner.

Inside the master bedroom, everything had already been tidied up spotlessly.

The sheets and quilts had all been replaced with new ones, and the wedding photo above the headboard had been stored away by Lu Ran in the wardrobe of the small bedroom.

Lu Ran had plenty of bad ideas.

He had long prepared for this day; this home ought to have its mistress.

Earlier this morning, inside the elevator, Lu Ran had told Jiangjiang Ruyi that she seemed different today.

At that time, his words were interrupted by the opening elevator doors.

What Lu Ran wanted to say was that she seemed somewhat proactive, after all, this visit had been orchestrated entirely by her.

Since the two had already committed themselves to each other and now possessed the approval of both families, Lu Ran no longer needed to hold anything back.

As for being proactive, he had no intention of falling behind.

Lu Ran placed his girlfriend on the bed, propped himself up with his hands on either side of her body, lowered his head, and gazed at that beautifully blushing face:

"Today, don't leave, alright?"

Jiangjiang Ruyi turned her head to the side, closed her eyes, and said nothing.

Lu Ran turned around, walked back to the door, and shut the bedroom door.

Coincidentally, Little Li Hua was standing right in front of the door, curiously peeking around.

"Click."

"Meow~ Meow-meow~ Meow~ Meow!"

From outside the door came the sound of Little Li Hua cursing indignantly.

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(End of Chapter)