It took quite an effort to soothe Xiao Yu and Xiao Mei, and then Xu Ran hurriedly went to find Xun Er.
Xun Er was not as easily fooled as Xiao Mei and Xiao Yu. Xun Er had always been exceptionally perceptive, and she had long known about some of Xu Ran's affairs.
Sure enough, as soon as Xu Ran saw Xun Er, she gave him a special look that made his scalp tingle, and he felt somewhat embarrassed.
In Xun Er's boudoir, Xu Ran toyed with her delicate waistline.
Xun Er lay atop Xu Ran, thoroughly enjoying his caresses. Now, Xun Er was increasingly exuding the aura of a mature woman, a transformation from her original intelligent and pure demeanor. The previously clear and cold temperament had also changed.
Among the first few women who were with Xu Ran, Nalan Yanran spent her time at Yunlan Sect and thus didn't interact much with the other women, and Xiao Mei naturally wasn't cut out to be the leading lady. Therefore, those who came to Xu Ran later were consciously gravitating towards Xun Er.
Although Xu Ran treated everyone equally, he could not control the women seeking closeness with Xun Er.
Being of Gu Clan origin and superior in terms of stature, appearance, and family background, all the women greatly respected Xun Er. Even Ya Fei somewhat cozied up to her.
Xun Er was almost becoming the leader of these women.
Of course, this referred to the women from the Fighting Spirit Continent. As for Xiaowu and the others from the Divine Realm, although they got along amicably, their worlds were different and they had different worldviews as a result of growing up in different environments, so there was much they couldn't discuss. Moreover, they were now all focused on Cultivation and seldom interacted with Xun Er and her group.
Furthermore, after Gu Yuena single-handedly destroyed those Hun Clan experts from Canaan Academy, Xun Er and the others all felt a deep sense of crisis, so naturally, they banded together for warmth.
The strength of Gu Yuena and her peers was simply too formidable, each far surpassing Ya Fei, the strongest among them, which naturally caused unease. Banding together for warmth was a natural trend.
However, Xu Ran was worried that once Xun Er and the others accumulated their strength, if the two groups were not managed well, it might lead to trouble.
In a sense, when Xun Er and her group's "Cultivation Level" grow stronger, they would consume resources from the Divine Realm. Previously, they had all been granted the status of gods around the same time. Xiaowu and her group were naturally considered the first. If they said they had no other designs, that would clearly be false.
With alluring eyes, Xun Er turned to face Xu Ran, and said with a playful smile, "Brother Xu Ran, the issues with the Xiao Family should involve you, shouldn't they?"
From Xun Er's gaze, Xu Ran understood she had known all along, and seeing that she wasn't sad at all but instead smiling so coquettishly, he couldn't help but feel a mix of amusement and helplessness. The Xiao Family naturally had no relation to Gu Xun'er, who was from the Gu Clan, and its demise would not affect her. However, the old Xun Er was not that kind of person; having stayed with the Xiao Family for many years, she definitely had feelings for it.
Oh, how he had led Xun Er astray!
"Yu Er and Mei'er were nearly crying their eyes out, yet you can still smile! If I were to die one day, I'm afraid you might secretly rejoice," Xu Ran said, pinching her pert behind rather forcefully, sounding quite vexed.
Xun Er was no longer as reserved and aloof as before and could let loose as long as it was just her and Xu Ran. She squinted her eyes slightly, stretched her body like a little kitten, and then continued to lie softly on top of Xu Ran.
"The Xiao Family has nothing to do with me; I am not a member of the Xiao Family. If the Xiao Family were to be annihilated by someone else, I would definitely seek revenge for Uncle Xiao and the others. However, if Brother Xu Ran were the one behind it, then naturally I wouldn't be sad, right?" Xiao Xun'er thought for a moment, then said earnestly.
She didn't know why.
The Xiao Family had always been good to her, and if the Soul Hall were to take action against the Xiao Family, she would certainly have her father take revenge against the Soul Hall.
"Why?"
Xu Ran was stunned for a moment, but he was very pleased with Xun'er's response. He had watched many over-the-top TV dramas, with all kinds of conflicts and vendettas, such as the male lead being the killer of the female lead's father which not only prevented them from being together but also led to their painful estrangement.
While on one hand, this demonstrates loyalty and righteousness, Xu Ran, although he liked such a righteous female lead, did not want his own wife to be like that.
In other words, even if Xu Ran destroyed the entire world today, his woman would only think it was the world's fault, not his.
In some past idol dramas, this is exactly how the plot would unfold, and the dialogues could make one's skin crawl. From the perspective of an ordinary person, it would definitely provoke curses and complaints. But when one is the protagonist, they quite enjoy the feeling.
And Xu Ran was exactly like this.
"Brother Xu Ran must have his own reasons. What Brother Xu Ran dislikes is what Xun'er dislikes, and what Brother Xu Ran likes is also what Xun'er likes. If Brother Xu Ran dislikes the Xiao Family, it must be the Xiao Family that has the problem. So, I will definitely support Brother Xu Ran," Xun'er said sweetly and with pretended anger.
Such words, if overhead by others, would definitely leave them dumbstruck.
If Gu Yuan knew that his well-educated daughter was speaking such an unreasonable and bewitched manner, who knows what his expression would be; he would probably want to cry.
Xun'er was definitely led astray by Xu Ran, and not just slightly.
In Xun'er's view, Xu Ran had completely become her standard and doctrine. Well, the phrase "The husband is the wife's guide" is fully embodied in Xun'er.
"Brother Xu Ran, did Xun'er say something wrong?" Xun'er seemed to be courting Xu Ran's favor. There were more and more people around Xu Ran, and even many who made Xun'er feel inferior, making the originally somewhat arrogant Xun'er now increasingly nervous.
Initially, Xun'er did not oppose Xu Ran having affairs on the side and even maintained a certain distance from him, teasing his appetite. In her heart, she believed her status as the young lady of the Gu Clan was far more noble than anyone else's, and that Nalan Yanran, Xiao Yu, Xiao Mei, Ya Fei, and even those from the Canaan Academy were far inferior to her.
If there came a day when Xu Ran was to marry, she would definitely be the most eligible one, and the others could only be side consorts.
However, it became different when she learned of Zi Yan's identity and when people like Xiaowu and Gu Yuena came along; she was completely flustered. Emotionally, she was at a disadvantage, and Xu Ran had her wrapped around his finger completely.
With more and more people around Xu Ran, it was becoming more and more difficult to earn his favor. Xu Ran would not abandon them, but when everyone appeared before Xu Ran's eyes, it couldn't always be equal, could it? Some would gain extra attention and more opportunities to be with Xu Ran.