Starting from Douluo to Capture Goddesses

Feeling the gazes of those around her, Zhu Zhuqing's face flushed with embarrassment. Xu Ran, this bastard, had once again misled others about their relationship. But she had no time to fret over this now; she only knew that if Xu Ran continued, he would definitely face severe punishment. The marriage alliance between the Dai and Zhu families had always been viewed as the most important affair by the clan. If Xu Ran wanted to destroy it, how angry her father and the Elders would become was easy to imagine.

"Xu Ran, you come with us, and Zhu Qing, you come over too," Zhu Zihao said, looking at Xu Ran with great satisfaction. He could sense that Xu Ran's feelings for Zhu Qing were sincere. Xu Ran's character was far superior to Dai Mubai's. To give Zhu Qing a good future while also ensnaring a peerless genius for the clan seemed like an incredible deal!

...

In the study.

Zhu Zihao and three Elders stood above, looking down at Xu Ran and Zhu Zhuqing.

"Xu Ran, what did you mean by what you just said? What reward do you desire? Whatever it is, with your talent, we will do our best to satisfy it," Zhu Zihao said, a hidden meaning in his gaze.

"At the Zhu Clan, I desire nothing. What I want is for Zhu Qing's betrothal to Dai Mubai to be annulled. Dai Mubai, nothing but a loser, is unworthy of Zhu Qing. If the Family Head insists on marrying Zhu Qing to such a loser, I will regard the Zhu Clan as an enemy for life. If I live, I will retaliate with all my might," Xu Ran said, standing tall, his sword in hand seemingly responding to its master's call, letting out resonant sounds.

"Xu Ran, don't talk like that..."

"Father, Xu Ran was just too agitated, saying things in the heat of the moment, he didn't really mean it... I beg you not to punish Xu Ran." Zhu Zhuqing was overwhelmingly moved by Xu Ran, but her heart was filled with fear and even panic. She was moved that Xu Ran was risking his safety to secure her freedom. Her fear was that Xu Ran would be punished or even put to death because of it. Unknowingly, Xu Ran had become very important in her heart. She couldn't bear to see anything bad happen to him because of her.

She bit her lip, standing there, her eyes shimmering with tears. If her father decided to punish Xu Ran, she would take the punishment with him.

No matter life or death, she would stand by Xu Ran.

"Zhu Qing, tell the truth, how do you feel about Xu Ran?" Zhu Zihao said with a smile on his face, seeing clearly that Zhu Qing had feelings for Xu Ran. The two geniuses together would be a perfect match made in heaven.

"I, I like Xu Ran," Zhu Zhuqing said softly, her beautiful eyes looking steadfastly at Xu Ran. Since they were to be punished, they might as well face it together. If her father's punishment for Xu Ran was harsh, she would say it was she who seduced Xu Ran. She wasn't afraid of being called names by others, even if they called her shameless. As long as Xu Ran was safe, that was enough.

"Good," Zhu Zihao nodded.

"In that case,"

"From this day forward, the Zhu Clan no longer recognizes the relationship between Dai Mubai and Zhu Qing. From now on, Zhu Qing's fiancé is only one person, and that is Xu Ran," Zhu Zihao declared, without a hint of hesitation. He knew what a genius like Xu Ran meant and the benefits he could bring to the Zhu Clan, something Dai Mubai could never match.

Zhu Zhuqing stared blankly at her father, her dark, beautiful eyes wide with shock.

When did her father become so open-minded?

And now, she was Xu Ran's fiancée? What was going on?

Zhu Zhuqing's pretty face flushed, and she felt unable to react at the moment. Weren't they supposed to be punished together? Otherwise, she wouldn't have admitted her feelings for Xu Ran.

"Uncle, here's the marriage contract," Xu Ran said with a smile, swiftly presenting the prepared marriage contract, even directly addressing Zhu Zihao as 'uncle.'

Zhu Zhuqing, looking on at this scene, stared at Xu Ran in stunned silence, feeling a mix of embarrassment and annoyance. By now, she understood what had happened. Her engagement to Dai Mubai was annulled, and from now on, she had no connection with him. From now on, she would be Xu Ran's fiancée.

However, could it be that Xu Ran had anticipated this very scene from the start, even preparing the marriage contract in advance?

"Zhu Qing, what do you think? If you agree, then your relationship with Xu Ran will be settled," Zhu Zìháo said with a laugh, looking at his beloved daughter.

"Hmm..." Zhu Zhuqing hummed softly, her chest rising and falling slightly, too embarrassed to raise her head. At this moment, she also didn't dare to say no. If she disagreed, she would have to marry Dai Mubai. With that in mind, she would rather marry Xu Ran. Xu Ran's character was a hundred times better than Dai Mubai's.

After Zhu Zìháo handed the marriage certificate to Xu Ran, Zhu Zhuqing, feeling his burning gaze upon her, felt an overwhelming sense of embarrassment throughout her body.

"Father, I'll be leaving first," Zhu Zhuqing said softly, bowing slightly as a sign of respect and then quickly left the room.

"Uncle, I'll be leaving as well," Xu Ran said, making sure to show the proper respect.

"Good, you young people can do whatever you want to do, but keep in mind that Zhu Qing's body has always been somewhat frail," Zhu Zìháo reminded him, recalling his own romantic history, back in the days when he didn't rely on goji berries to sustain himself. Alas, let's not talk about it, for it all ends in tears.

"Okay," Xu Ran nodded, then hurried out to catch up with Zhu Qing.

"Are you angry?" Xu Ran caught up and took hold of Zhu Zhuqing's hand.

"Hmph. Shameless Xu Ran, you even lied to me," Zhu Zhuqing retorted, shaking off Xu Ran's hand in annoyance, her face flushed as she looked at him. She suspected that Xu Ran had known all along that her father would agree to his demands and had caused her all that unnecessary worry.

"What else could we do? The marriage contract is already signed," Xu Ran said with a smile, holding the freshly signed marriage certificate. With the certificate in his hand, his beloved Zhu Qing was his woman, and no one could change that.

In the Soul Land, the marriage certificate is an important proof. With the marriage certificate in place, nothing could be changed.

Even Dai Mubai didn't have a marriage contract with Zhu Qing before. Traditionally, the Dai and Zhu Families had an alliance through marriage, and over the years, the marriage arrangements between the two families had always been by verbal agreement. No one dared to object to the arrangements sanctioned by the emperor. But who would expect Xu Ran to be so fearless, like a calf that does not fear a tiger? As the saying goes, "With boldness, even Sadako goes on maternity leave."

Xu Ran's great goal in coming to the Soul Land was: to court the most beautiful women, drink the strongest liquor, and walk the wildest dogs.

"Hmph, shameless," Zhu Zhuqing scoffed, tilting her head up and sneakily glancing at the contents of the marriage agreement, her embarrassment rendering her speechless.

Was she going to be Xu Ran's fiancée from now on?

How did Xu Ran manage it?

How could her father agree to Xu Ran's demand and just marry her off to him like that? She wasn't prepared at all.

"How did you do it?" Zhu Zhuqing asked quietly, a hint of curiosity in her beautiful eyes.

"It's a secret, first give your fiancé a hug, then we'll talk," Xu Ran said with a laugh, tucking away the marriage certificate. With this certificate, he could directly show off in front of Dai Mubai at Shrek Academy when the time comes.

"No, no hugging," Zhu Zhuqing blushed, her delicate feet lightly tapped the ground, and with a few graceful steps, she swiftly dodged away. Xu Ran was so shameless, even tricking her and making her worry for nothing; she would not let him hug her.

"Wow, you're already my fiancée, and you won't even let me hug you. I must be the most pitiful fiancé in the world. With a fiancée as lovely as you, I can't even hug you, it's so hard," Xu Ran playfully complained. He knew he needed to give Zhu Qing some time to adapt. Once she accepted her new status, wouldn't his fiancée be available for a hug whenever he wanted?

"Anyway, it's not going to happen, I'm leaving now, see you tomorrow," Zhu Zhuqing, with a flush on her face, quickly ran off, a hint of joy in her expression. A marriage certificate carried more weight than a verbal marriage agreement in the Soul Land. With the issuance of a marriage certificate, her relationship with Xu Ran could no longer be changed.

What Xu Ran completely didn't know was that in the Soul Land, the importance placed on a marriage certificate was unprecedented. Once a marriage certificate was held, even if he died, Zhu Zhuqing, as a woman, wouldn't marry another man. Zhu Zhuqing might seem calm on the surface, but her adherence to her personal integrity was actually very traditional. By agreeing to sign the marriage certificate, she was also signifying her willingness to give herself to Xu Ran, including all those other parts.