Starting from Douluo to Capture Goddesses

"Brother Xu Ran?"

Zhu Zhuqing was stunned for a moment, blinking her beautiful eyes in surprise.

Her face was filled with confusion as she tilted her little head, looking at Xu Ran with some doubts. When did she have a Brother Xu Ran? Why couldn't she remember it?

She felt that Xu Ran might be lying to her.

"It turns out you don't remember. By the shore of Lake Daming in Xingluo City, I once saved you. Back then, you called me Brother Xu Ran. But so much time has passed; it's normal that you've forgotten," Xu Ran quickly said, eager to end the topic. He felt that if the conversation continued on this subject, he would definitely give himself away.

"Oh," Zhu Zhuqing nodded, still wearing a puzzled expression on her pretty face. However, she didn't probe further. Six years ago, she was just a child, and who could remember things from back then?

And besides, she was not a busty-brained woman; she had her own way of judging people. She saw nothing but sincerity in Xu Ran's eyes. What Xu Ran said was true, there was no deceit. Xu Ran wouldn't lie to her. Otherwise, why would he have come back to the Zhu Clan for her sake?

Thinking of this, Zhu Zhuqing felt somewhat guilty. Xu Ran had saved her, yet she had forgotten him. Wasn't that a bit inappropriate? Would Xu Ran be disappointed if he found out?

"Then, could I hear you call me Brother Xu Ran once again? It's been so long since I last heard you call me that," Xu Ran said with a faint smile, his gaze fixed on Zhu Zhuqing. He was somewhat eager to hear her address him that way. Even Dai Mubai, Zhu Zhuqing's fiancé, didn't have such a privilege.

In the original story, the relationship between Zhu Zhuqing and Dai Mubai had always been tense. He remembered that their relationship truly began to improve when Tang San distributed Immortal Herbs to the Seven Devils. Back then, Zhu Zhuqing was even worried about Dai Mubai having issues absorbing the Immortal Herbs.

It was then that their strength greatly increased, giving Zhu Zhuqing a glimmer of hope. Dai Mubai also officially came out of his slump, eventually defeating Davis and then beginning his road to redemption.

Even a worthless person, with a precious treasure, could become stronger, but a worthless person remained just that. In this lifetime, he would never let Dai Mubai lay his hands on even a single Immortal Herb.

Moreover, once he won Zhu Qing's affection, he would deal with him. Dai Mubai would get a taste of what it felt like to have someone else hold and dote on his fiancée.

By then, he could also tip off Davis about Dai Mubai's whereabouts, letting Davis take a shot at him. Davis didn't know Dai Mubai was in Soto City, but he did. Dai Mubai had fled to the Tiandou Empire to avoid Davis. If exposed, Dai Mubai would be done for.

"Brother Xu Ran," Zhu Zhuqing said, looking at Xu Ran's unabashed gaze, then bowed her head, her cherry lips parting to speak.

She didn't know whether she truly had a Brother Xu Ran, but if Xu Ran said so, then so be it. Xu Ran was nice, and although his gaze sometimes roved shamelessly to certain places, she somehow didn't dislike him. Especially knowing that he had come to the Zhu Clan for her, even risking danger, her fondness for Xu Ran deepened significantly.

"In a few days, I'll apply to the Family Head to have your engagement with Dai Mubai annulled. Dai Mubai is not worthy of you. I won't just stand by and watch you jump into a pit of fire," Xu Ran said, standing up and tenderly caressing Zhu Qing's long hair.

"You can like anyone in the future, but not Dai Mubai, the waste," Xu Ran firmly spoke, palm gently stroking Zhu Qing's hair.

"Xu Ran, don't," Zhu Qing's pretty face changed slightly as she grabbed Xu Ran's arm. If Xu Ran approached her father with such a request, he'd be killed.

"I won't stand idly by and watch the girl I like throw herself into a pit of fire. Even if she doesn't like me, it's not acceptable," Xu Ran said, his arm encircled by Zhu Qing's embrace. Unable to help it, his gaze briefly landed on Zhu Qing.

"You, stop looking around," she chided.

"And don't you dare go to my father about this. I won't allow it," Zhu Qing's face turned red, sensing Xu Ran's gaze and feeling somewhat annoyed. She was grown up and knew exactly where Xu Ran was looking.

But she didn't dare let go of him. What if Xu Ran did something foolish and got himself killed?

The Family Head and the Elders were so fierce; what if they knew Xu Ran was interested in her?

What would happen to Xu Ran if her father learned that he liked her?

She couldn't bear to think about it; the punishment, she knew without thinking, would be severe.

Zhu Qing held Xu Ran tightly, her full figure pressing against his arm, making his heart flutter.

However, Xu Ran knew that, in the real story, it was Xiaowu's legs that were the most beautiful.

But Xiaowu was not easy to pursue. Zhu Qing didn't like Dai Mubai, which made it easier to chase her, but Xiaowu had Tang San by her side—if one wasn't dazzling enough, they couldn't win her over.

"Brother Xu Ran, please don't go, okay? I don't want you to get hurt," Zhu Qing pleaded when Xu Ran continued to be silent.

She was unclear whether her feelings for Xu Ran extended beyond friendship. But she knew she couldn't let Xu Ran get hurt for her sake.

"Alright, I won't go for now," Xu Ran nodded, pulling Zhu Qing into his embrace. Her body was soft and smelled good.

Zhu Qing's face blushed. How could Xu Ran, while talking, start taking advantage of her and hug her? Didn't he know that girls shouldn't just be hugged casually?

"It's late today, I should go back now. Xu Ran, you should head back and sleep too," Zhu Qing pulled away from Xu Ran's embrace and ran off with a flushed face.

Her heart raced uncontrollably. She didn't know why she felt no aversion towards Xu Ran; even being held in his arms didn't feel uncomfortable.

She still held Xu Ran's clothes in her hand—clothes he had used to cover her legs. Zhu Qing held the garment to her chest; the scent from Xu Ran's hands entered her nostrils, making her heartbeat quicken further.

She quickened her pace, her long legs carrying her to her boudoir. Not until Xu Ran was out of sight did her heart finally calm down.