At this moment, Xiao Yan still firmly believed that Xun Er had him in her heart.
In his view, the affection he and Xun Er had for so many years couldn't possibly just disappear.
Even if Xun Er now had only a sliver of love left for him, he still had the chance to pursue her once more. That is, of course, provided that Xun Er wouldn't be taken away by Xu Ran.
His visit this time was precisely to remind Xun Er of that.
As long as Xun Er was wary of Xu Ran, with her intelligence, she would surely guard herself against him. In that case, once he became stronger, he could be with Xun Er again.
Of course, all these were just Xiao Yan's wishful thinking.
He could never have imagined that at this very moment, Xun Er and Xu Ran were already lying in the same bed. Although Xu Ran had kept his promise not to do anything to Xun Er, their bodies pressed closely together, and their relationship underwent a fundamental change.
Now, the feelings between Xu Ran and Xun Er were definitely much deeper than when Xiao Yan and Xun Er hadn't had any conflicts yet.
Because Xu Ran and Xun Er had now shared skinship. For a conservative girl like Xun Er, this basically solidified their relationship. If Xun Er knew of Xu Ran's strength now, perhaps the two could have a deeper understanding of each other right away.
At the moment, what Xun Er dreaded was only her family. If she knew Xu Ran was even stronger than her father, she would have no reservations.
But even if Xu Ran told her, Xun Er wouldn't believe it.
And revealing his "Cultivation Level" as a Dou Di now would be too premature.
"Xu Ran, can you not cling to me so closely?" As Xu Ran held her in his arms, his hot body pressing against hers and one arm tightly wrapped around her waist, she was completely leaning against Xu Ran.
Xun Er, who had never had such close contact with a boy before, naturally felt uncomfortable with such a significant leap forward, almost completely baring herself.
She felt as though her heart was about to leap out, her face burning hot as if she had a fever.
Especially with Xu Ran's breath on her neck and the trembling hairs that tickled her skin.
Only now did Xun Er realize how foolish the decision she had just made was.
She had not expected it to feel like this.
It was as if she were being roasted in a raging fire, her heart burning fiercely. Yet at the same time, an unprecedented sense of happiness welled up within her.
The empty space on her back she had always felt since childhood was suddenly filled with a warm and secure body hugging her, bringing her an unmatched sense of security, as if she was being protected all the time.
Though she was the young miss of the Gu Clan and it was unlikely anyone would dare to hurt her, this sense of physical and emotional vulnerability made her rather enjoy the feeling of being protected.
"I won't let go. You are mine, just as you were before, and even more so from now on. I want to hold you in my arms and not let you go anywhere," Xu Ran said with a slight smile. At that moment, he was also aware of Xiao Yan outside and deliberately raised his voice a bit.
He wanted to let Xiao Yan know just what kind of relationship he, Xu Ran, now had with Xun Er.
"Aren't you being too overbearing?" Xun Er blinked her sparkling eyes, and after hearing Xu Ran's words, couldn't help but snuggle closer into Xu Ran's embrace.
"I am overbearing, so what? I said I wouldn't do that today, but I didn't say other things were off-limits," Xu Ran said with a wicked smile. Being as learned as he was, he couldn't truly be restrained by such conditions.
"You... bad guy... always bullying Xun Er."
"You promised, just to hold," she said.
Xun Er's pretty, delicate face puffed up angrily, as she turned her head and looked at Xu Ran irritably.
Indeed, her father was right, not a single man was good. Men's words were all just to coax people.
"I didn't say..." Xu Ran sneered, increasing the strength of his grip.
Xun Er couldn't help but let out a whimper.
Just as Xun Er was about to resist, Xu Ran placed his index finger on his lips, signaling for silence with a shushing gesture.
"Stinky Brother Xu Ran, what are you doing? Don't bully Xun Er!" Xun Er raised her small fists and pounded hard on Xu Ran's chest a few times. However, because Xu Ran was holding her too close, she couldn't fully extend her arms, and her small hands hitting Xu Ran's chest felt soft, more like she was acting coquettishly.
"Shh. There's someone outside."
Xu Ran pointed outside, intending to tease Xun Er.
Especially, Xu Ran wanted to see what kind of expression Xun Er would have when facing Xiao Yan.
It really seemed like Xun Er had no lingering feelings for Xiao Yan anymore.
Even though Xu Ran was very confident in his judgment, he still wanted to see Xun Er's reaction.
Seeing Xun Er and Xiao Yan walking on two paths that would never cross, even becoming future enemies, caused Xu Ran an uncontrollable excitement. He felt he was born to be a villain, naturally suited for committing misdeeds. Doing good deeds left him emotionless, while misbehavior brought him pleasure.
But Xiao Yan and his likes weren't good news either, so Xu Ran didn't feel any guilt at all.
"Who is it?"
Confused, Xun Er trembled slightly, wishing she could kick Xu Ran off the bed.
This...
No matter who it was, if outsiders heard them, how would she live it down? This was too embarrassing.
But if it were an ordinary person, how could they possibly get close to her? Ling Ying had always been guarding this place.
"Not someone else, it's Xiao Yan," Xu Ran continued, watching Xun Er's reaction.
"Xiao Yan? What is he here for?" Xun Er looked towards the door, seemingly also sensing something. A look of disgust involuntarily appeared on her face.
If previously the misunderstanding with Xiao Yan had merely saddened her, then the incident involving Xiao Yu had made Xun Er feel disgusted.
The kind of person she detested the most were those who used such methods to bully girls.
"Don't know. Maybe he wants to win you back, who knows?"
"Now that his plans of being intimate with his fiancée have fallen through and his scheme to take advantage of Xiao Yu has failed, he has no choice but to come back to you," Xu Ran said leisurely.
Xu Ran's words made Xun Er's gaze grow even colder.
Under Xu Ran's manipulation, Xiao Yan's image had completely collapsed in Xun Er's heart. In her eyes, the previous misunderstandings were all intentional acts by Xiao Yan to abandon her and go after his betrothed.
Even after Nalan Yanran had canceled their marriage, Xiao Yan still decided to possess Xiao Yu in that manner.
And now that he had lost everything, he thought about coming to her?
What did Xiao Yan take her for? Did he think she, Gu Xun'er, had no shame, and he could take or discard her as he pleased?
She was the young mistress of the Gu Clan; on what grounds did Xiao Yan act this way?
Xiao Yan was just taking advantage of her affection for him, feeling invincible, but now, she had completely seen through his tricks. The only person in her life truly deserving of her reliance and cherishment was none other than Xu Ran.