Who was Lu Yuan? The pride of the heavens, the monster genius of this generation.
So if such a man actually showed interest in his granddaughter—wasn't that like catching a heavenly monkey and riding it into the clouds?
Meng Shu could barely suppress the joy bubbling in his chest. Up, up! Run straight up with him!
"Of course, of course. Ranran, come and get to know each other," he urged hastily, practically pushing his granddaughter forward.
Meng Yiran's cheeks turned pink. She had heard plenty of stories. At their Alien Beast Academy, news of Lu Yuan had spread like wildfire.
Privately, the sisters teased among themselves: If only Lu Yuan fancied one of them, they'd be giving birth to his monkey in the future! But who seriously believed that fantasy? Someone like Lu Yuan was too far above them to ever glance their way.
And yet… in this moment, her grandfather wanted her to introduce herself. Her palms felt clammy, her legs stiff.
"M-my name is Meng Yiran," she stammered.
Lu Yuan grinned and instantly held out his wine jar. "Nice to meet you. Want a drink?"
"I-I don't… I don't know how…" she faltered, suddenly flustered as she stared at the jar.
"Don't know? Then learn." He thrust it forward, teasing smile stretching wider.
"I—" Meng Yiran hesitated, but then, closer to him now, she realized something. The rumors hadn't done him justice. His face was sharper, his eyes brighter, his aura so naturally compelling she forgot to breathe for a second.
"Drink," Lu Yuan said without giving her any chance to escape.
Before her grandfather could protest again, Meng Yiran lifted the jar timidly, tilted it back, and swallowed.
"Haah… spicy!" She coughed lightly, eyes watering, the burn of wine spreading through her throat.
Meng Shu nearly fainted on the spot. "This foolish child—how could she actually drink it!" But his panic melted almost instantly when Lu Yuan laughed delightedly, clapping his hand against his knee.
"Haha! Not bad. Cute, willing to learn. Just drink a little more with me in the future."
Meng Yiran's blush deepened, heat spreading across her cheeks. Her lashes trembled. "My name is Meng Yiran…" she corrected softly. "But… you can call me Ranran."
"Ranran, is it? Mm." Lu Yuan repeated it in his mind several times, as if committing it to memory. "Ranran. Good name."
"Lu Yuan Big Brother!"
Two familiar voices rang out. Ye Lingling and Ning Rongrong approached, eyes sharp, almost in tandem.
Lu Yuan tightened his arm around the dazed Ranran and turned to them with a broad smile. "Oh, Rongrong, Lingling! Come meet Ranran—new girl."
Meng Yiran dipped her head nervously. "Hello… my name is Meng Yiran." Standing before the two elegant girls, she suddenly felt small, her confidence drained.
But Lu Yuan was already holding out something else: the struggling form of the Zijin Sable. "Lingling, this spirit ring's for you. Absorb it and you'll have milk for days."
Ye Lingling blinked, startled at his blunt words. "Lu Yuan Big Brother, is this really suitable for me? An animal spirit beast ring?"
"Don't worry. I wouldn't lie to you." His tone was matter-of-fact, unshakably confident.
She bit her lip, then nodded. "I believe you."
"My old lady will protect the girl while she absorbs."
Grandmother Snake, Chao Tianxiang, stepped forward quietly. She had seen clearly: the two girls behind Lu Yuan were close to him. Helping them was the perfect opportunity to establish goodwill.
"Good," Lu Yuan nodded. "Ranran, let's drink while we wait."
Half a jar later, Meng Yiran's strength was gone. She swayed, her head lolling until it rested on Lu Yuan's shoulder.
"Haah… if I tell my sisters back home I drank with you, Lu Yuan, they'll all think I'm boasting…" Her words were slurry, her face flushed bright red, her eyes dreamy.
Beside them, Meng Shu's grin stretched so wide it nearly split his face. Flowers bloomed in his heart. That's right, granddaughter… good job!
"Ranran, which academy did you say you attend?"
Meng Yiran squinted, brow furrowed as if trying to pull the words out of wine haze. "Uhh… let me think… Alien Beast Academy!"
"Alien Beast Academy?" Lu Yuan let out a dismissive snort. "That den of demon beasts and oddballs? Worthless compared to Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. Why not transfer and follow me instead?"
He beamed. He'd finally found a girl who could drink without running away from him. He wasn't going to let her slip away so easily.
Her lips parted, and she mumbled drowsily, "Okay… I'll go with you…" Moments later, she slumped completely against him, breathing softly in sleep.
From the side, Meng Shu's heart was torn in two. Seeing his granddaughter so close to Lu Yuan set the fireworks off in his chest… but they were not nobles. How could she enter Heaven Dou Imperial Academy so easily?
Yet hope returned when Lu Yuan lifted her into his arms with no hesitation.
"Lingling's ring's absorbed now? Good. Then we head back to Heaven Dou City."
He nodded toward Chao Tianxiang. "Old Lady, another time, I'll invite you for a drink."
And with Ranran fast asleep in his arms, he prepared to leave.
"Wait—please wait a moment!" Meng Shu called, his face tight.
Lu Yuan turned, brows furrowing slightly. "What, old man? Why're you stopping me?"
Meng Shu ground his teeth. Why? Because you're carrying my granddaughter away! But how could he say it that way?
Instead, he sighed. "We are not aristocrats. Ranran… she may not qualify to enter your academy."
"If she's not a noble?" Lu Yuan's grin flashed wide. "Then I'll make her one. Leave it to me."
He stepped around Meng Shu with swagger, carrying Ranran like a priceless treasure.
Meng Shu froze in place… then slowly chuckled. Is it truly that simple?
With Lu Yuan—perhaps it was.
"Don't drop my granddaughter!" he shouted after them, heart almost jumping out of his chest as Lu Yuan stumbled close to a tree.
Later, inside Tiandou Royal Academy.
"That brat still hasn't returned?"
Inside an office, an old man with flowing green hair sat calmly. This was Dugu Bo, the Poison Douluo.
Across from him, his granddaughter clung to his arm. "Grandpa, you can't bully Lu Yuan."
"Bully him?" Dugu Bo's beard bristled. "Yanyan, don't make this about feelings. That boy plundered one-third of my herb garden! My heart still bleeds."
News that the immortal herbs Lu Yuan had given away were reshaping destinies had spread. Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda had become Nine-Treasure. Dugu Bo practically boiled with regret.
But Dugu Yan stamped her foot. "If you even touch him, I'll… I'll refuse to live!"
"You—why are you so stubborn?" Dugu Bo slapped his thigh. "What spell has that brat cast on you?"
At the side, Meng Shenji listened with suppressed amusement. If someone could help teach this boy a lesson, maybe he'd finally settle down. But watching Dugu Bo and Lu Yuan go at each other? Even better.
The door burst open.
"Ha! Old Man Dream!"
Lu Yuan waltzed in, wine jar in hand, face bright with intoxication. His gaze landed on Dugu Yan. "Oh! Yanyan, you're here too. Come give me a hug!"
"Lu Yuan, you brat!" Dugu Bo's roar shook the room like thunder.
"Old Poison? When did you drop by?" Lu Yuan answered casually, lifting his jar for a sip.
"Smelly boy, return the immortal herbs you stole!"
But before he could lunge, Dugu Yan burst into fake sobs. "Waaah! If you hurt him, I won't live!"
Dugu Bo froze mid-stride, his fierce hand slowly retracting. "Y-Yanyan…"
Lu Yuan blinked innocently. "Yanyan, why are you crying? Did this poisonous old man bully you again? Old Poison has a bad temper and a worse reputation, but he's still your grandfather. You have to forgive him."
"???" Dugu Bo stared blankly. What demon twist of words is this?!
Now he was the villain, and Lu Yuan—the saintly protector?
"Old Poison," Lu Yuan added, narrowing his eyes, "if you dare bully her again, I'll clean you up."
"You brat, just what I've been waiting for. My hands have been itching."
Dugu Yan panicked. "Lu Yuan, stop drinking! You can't fight him, he's a Titled Douluo!"
Lu Yuan patted her head with confidence. "Don't worry, I've wanted to beat him for a while now."
"Oho. Listen to him!" Dugu Bo sneered. "Like you're one of us Titled. Very well, I'll show you the gap."
Meng Shenji stepped in quickly. "Outside! Don't smash my academy to rubble!"
Lu Yuan and Dugu Bo glared at each other, both eager to tear loose.
The students of Tiandou Academy quivered. They had no idea whether to fear or marvel.
Today… Dugu Bo would finally hang this drunkard Lu Yuan up and thrash him in front of everyone—
Or so he thought.
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