Qianran didn't have the sinister thoughts Juzi suspected—his occasional eccentricities were more fleeting indulgences than anything else.
That morning, he simply had Juzi dress in her school uniform: a short pleated skirt paired with white ankle socks and blue-and-white sneakers, giving her a sweet and innocent appearance.
The sight of such a pure and lovely young woman, so gentle and obedient, sent a thrill down Qianran's spine.
Now, this is what you call pure allure, he thought.
After securing his reward through some playful antics, Qianran finally let Juzi get up to wash.
At that moment, Qianran received a communication from Zhu Ying.
The long-distance communicator they used only worked within a certain range, which meant Zhu Ying had arrived in Mingdu.
Qianran decided to inform Juzi that Dai Hao, the White Tiger Duke, had also come to Mingdu.
Juzi fell silent for a long while.
"Qianran, I…" Juzi hesitated, unsure how to express herself.
"Whatever you decide, I'll support you," Qianran said.
"Then… I think I'll let it go," Juzi finally said, her tone resolute. "You're right—war is cruel. My parents died because of Star Luo Empire's army, but how many of Star Luo's people died because of the Sun and Moon Empire's wars?"
In the past, Xu Tianran had filled Juzi with hatred for Star Luo and other nations, using her parents' deaths as fuel. Her grief and resentment made her an easy pawn in his hands.
But now, being with Qianran had changed her perspective.
Qianran had once promised to capture Dai Hao and let her exact her revenge, but Juzi no longer cared. If she were to assign blame, the Sun and Moon Empire, the instigator of the war, was just as culpable for her parents' deaths.
Besides, Qianran had told her much about the White Tiger Duke's family.
Juzi couldn't help but pity Dai Hao. After all, Qianran had completely humiliated the man—his wife and Qianran openly flaunted their relationship while Dai Hao could only stand by and cheer for them.
Unlike Xu Tianran, who relished such scenarios, Dai Hao had been coerced into his role.
"You've really let go?" Qianran asked, surprised by Juzi's transformation.
"Yes. After being with you, I decided to move on," she said firmly.
"Good. I was wondering what to do if you insisted on killing Dai Hao," Qianran admitted. Juzi's newfound focus on the future rather than her past grievances was a relief to him.
Juzi's vendetta had never had a clear target—her hatred was diffuse, aimed at an entire nation.
In the original timeline, Juzi's obsession with vengeance had been fueled by Xu Tianran's constant manipulation. It was his propaganda that had driven her to embrace the war against Star Luo Empire. At that time, if the protagonist had reached out to her more assertively, he might have swayed her from her dark path.
Now, with Qianran in her life, Juzi had undergone a profound change. Her old wounds no longer dominated her. The promise of a brighter future alongside Qianran made it easy for her to leave her hatred behind.
"Hmph. You seem awfully concerned about Dai Hao," Juzi said with a pout, her tone teasing.
"Not really. Dai Hao's just a minor character to me. If you killed him, it wouldn't affect me much. But his death would destabilize the continent's political landscape, and that would complicate my plans. Plus…"
"Plus, his presence lets you fool around with Zhu Ying while staying amused, doesn't it?" Juzi shot Qianran a sharp glare, seeing right through him.
Qianran coughed awkwardly, offering a sheepish grin. "Let's go. I'll introduce you to them." He pulled Juzi out of the small world within his spatial ring, avoiding further discussion.
Juzi chose not to press him. She knew better than to push too hard—being too demanding would only strain their relationship. Qianran's devotion to her was evident, despite his occasional eccentricities.
Juzi was also curious to meet Zhu Ying, whose reputation as a charming and resourceful woman clearly held Qianran's favor. A woman like Zhu Ying had much to teach about capturing and maintaining a man's attention.
Juzi wasn't above learning a trick or two if it meant securing her place in Qianran's heart.
Zhu Ying had arranged a discreet meeting at a small, secluded pavilion in Mingdu.
As soon as Qianran entered, Zhu Ying's sultry voice filled the air.
"Qian-lang, I've missed you so much."
Zhu Ying's appearance hadn't changed much.
In two words: lusciously captivating.
She wore a tight black pencil skirt that accentuated her curvaceous figure, her rounded hips swaying seductively with every step. The sheer black stockings encasing her thighs revealed glimpses of her fair skin beneath.
It was clear that Zhu Ying still knew exactly how to captivate Qianran.
From her vantage point, Juzi froze, stunned by the scene before her.
Zhu Ying's side profile alone was mesmerizing. Her well-rounded hips, like ripe peaches, swayed tantalizingly as she walked.
In an instant, Juzi understood why Qianran had been so excited to meet her.
Even with her well-proportioned figure, Juzi felt a pang of insecurity. Her own curves couldn't compare to Zhu Ying's.
"So bold," Juzi muttered under her breath, her normally composed demeanor slipping.
Her figure was already enviable: her chest was a respectable C-cup, and her hips formed a smooth, shapely curve. She often wore fitted cheongsams on dates with Qianran, confident in her appeal.
But standing next to Zhu Ying, Juzi felt deflated.
Her narrower pelvic bones simply couldn't achieve the same exaggerated hourglass shape.
Zhu Ying glanced at Juzi briefly before throwing herself into Qianran's arms, ignoring the younger woman's discomfort.
Zhu Ying's voluptuous figure wasn't an affectation—her wide hips and slender waist naturally caused her to sway when she walked. She wasn't putting on a show; Zhu Ying understood that Qianran preferred genuine allure over anything contrived.
And Zhu Ying? She was the epitome of genuine allure.
(Chapter End)
Notes-Read advanced chapters in patreon.com/Shadow_D_X