Douluo : Capture the goddess starting from peerless tang sect

Orange was utterly speechless.

How extravagant was Qian Ran, exactly?

She couldn't help but feel that even Xu Tianran wasn't as wealthy as Qian Ran. While Xu Tianran, as the empire's crown prince, could never lack money, he had to spend a significant amount to maintain his influence over many people.

On the other hand, much of Qian Ran's wealth consisted of unique and priceless items—treasures impossible to measure in terms of money.

"So…"

"So, tell me, what do you want? As long as I can give it to you, isn't that enough?" Orange stepped closer, gently tugging at Qian Ran's hand as she coquettishly begged. Since Xu Tianran had already permitted her to have an ambiguous relationship with Qian Ran, she no longer felt the need to act reserved.

Even if she didn't truly like Qian Ran, she had to win his favor. What's more, she did like him.

Qian Ran was the kind of man who was almost impossible not to like.

Even his slight playboy tendencies didn't bother her. Having spent time with Xu Tianran in the palace, she was no stranger to men with multiple wives and concubines. In her eyes, a man's lust wasn't a flaw.

"Really?" Qian Ran was taken aback.

Who was Orange? She was Xu Tianran's wife!

Shouldn't she be prioritizing Xu Tianran's trust, focusing on maintaining her position? Why was she suddenly getting so close to him?

Even when Keke had been flirtatious with him, Orange had kept her distance, never allowing Qian Ran the slightest advantage. Yet now, Orange was taking the initiative!

Qian Ran was stunned.

He didn't believe that he could hold more significance in Orange's heart than Xu Tianran. After all, Orange's primary goal at this stage was to avenge her parents and lead the Sun-Moon Empire's army to crush the Star Luo Empire's capital.

And currently, Qian Ran had not demonstrated the kind of power that could help her achieve that.

Even if Qian Ran elevated her to the level of a Titled Douluo, so what? He had no army to back her and couldn't help her fulfill her ambitions.

Qian Ran had previously trained both Keke and Orange, and when their strength surged recently, Keke's gaze toward him had practically turned into molten longing. Were it not for her shy innocence, Keke might have thrown herself at him without hesitation.

Even Nana, after advancing to Soul Emperor, had become even more devoted to him. Though she seemed outwardly unchanged, her eyes and demeanor revealed a deeper loyalty to Qian Ran.

For most women, such temptation was irresistible.

Being with Qian Ran meant access to even more resources.

Orange, however, had appeared far more composed about her newfound strength than Keke had been. Her calmness stemmed from her unwillingness to jeopardize Xu Tianran's trust for the sake of power.

Qian Ran had wanted to tease Orange, but he never expected her reaction to be like this. It didn't make sense.

Wasn't Orange afraid that getting close to him would arouse Xu Tianran's suspicion?

Could it be… Xu Tianran had given her permission?

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Orange asked, her voice tinged with embarrassment as she lowered her head, her face flushed red. Qian Ran's gaze seemed to burn with a fiery intensity, and she felt as though he wanted to devour her whole.

At that moment, she fully understood Keke's earlier behavior when she had been close to Qian Ran.

"Nothing," Qian Ran said with a chuckle, wrapping an arm around Orange's slender yet shapely waist. Smooth and supple!

Qian Ran had always found other men's wives fascinating.

"So, does this mean you're willing to be my girlfriend?" Qian Ran asked with a wicked grin, his gaze roving over Orange's exquisite figure. She looked stunning in her qipao, a vision of elegance and grace.

Unlike Zhu Ying and Cai Meier, whose voluptuous figures exuded fiery sensuality, Orange had a softer allure. Her facial features and body carried a gentle, dignified beauty.

"Mm," Orange murmured softly, lowering her head in shy agreement.

She hadn't expected their relationship to progress so quickly.

Right now, she had no reason to refuse. Her mission was to get close to Qian Ran and, ideally, bear his child. Once she was pregnant with Qian Ran's child, Xu Tianran would undoubtedly rush to arrange their marriage—otherwise, an unwed pregnancy would be scandalous.

In other words, as long as she took things a step further with Qian Ran, she could achieve everything she desired.

Although… relying on intimacy with Qian Ran to earn Xu Tianran's trust sounded bizarre, even Orange found it strange. Yet, this was the reality.

"Well then… Miss Orange, can you reveal your true identity now?" Qian Ran asked, leaning close and inhaling the sweet scent of her hair, visibly pleased.

"Qian Ran, you…" Orange trembled.

"You know who I am?"

"Yes, you're one of Xu Tianran's people, aren't you?"

"How did you know?"

"I've known from the beginning. My people have some reach, you know. Don't you have something you'd like to tell me?" Qian Ran asked, gazing at her soft, alluring face.

Orange bit her lip. She had always been careful to hide her true identity while attending the Sun-Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy. She didn't want people to know she was a trusted confidante of the crown prince, nor did she want to lose the quiet life she currently enjoyed.

Few at the academy knew her identity. Yet, Qian Ran had known from the start. Just how powerful were the forces behind him?

At first, she had only admired Qian Ran's immense strength and unparalleled talent. Now, she was starting to grasp the terrifying depth of his resources—not only could he produce priceless treasures, but he also had access to impeccable intelligence.

This was daunting.

Of course, Qian Ran knew her identity because he had read the original story. Orange, however, attributed his knowledge to the mysterious forces backing him.

That was fine by Qian Ran. It was better this way—he certainly wasn't about to reveal that his power came from a system. That would ruin the mystique. After all, anyone with a system could be just as amazing.

"Qian Ran, did you know? The first time I ate the barbecue you made, I was captivated by the taste. It reminded me of the food my father used to make. I once told Keke that if I were to truly marry someone, it would have to be an outstanding chef like my father. Although you're not a chef, the ingredients and seasonings you use are extraordinary."

"That was when I first felt a fondness for you. But I had to bury those feelings deep inside. We were impossible from the start—whether because of our age, experiences, or other circumstances, we were never meant to be. That's why I always distanced myself whenever Keke got close to you—I was afraid I'd fall for you too."

"Do you know? After I returned to the academy, I disappeared from sight. During training, I even considered leaving the academy entirely because I was afraid my emotions would spiral out of control if I stayed."

Orange bit her lower lip, looking up at the impossibly handsome man before her. How many could resist his charm?

Good looks, wealth, power—and all those strange, delightful snacks and trinkets she'd never seen before.

(End of Chapter)