Gao Wu: Oh no! Young Master Zhen is a cultivator!

"I admit that when I first approached Young Master Lin, I did have some ulterior motives."

Zhao Yanran walked up to Lin Ran, her expression frank: "But today, I absolutely and truly want to stay by Young Master Lin's side and be his woman!"

"I can't give you a formal identity, or even promise you anything, and you don't care?" Lin Ran looked at her, his gaze deep.

Having already had Chu Xining and Bai Ruolin, he wouldn't mind having Zhao Yanran as well.

However, Chu Xining is his official fiancée, and their relationship is already bound together.

Bai Ruolin is intelligent and wise, and her choices are very rational, so Lin Ran doesn't need to have any concerns.

But Zhao Yanran is different.

She has some cleverness, but not exceptional intelligence, and may not be able to take responsibility for her choices.

Therefore, Lin Ran had to make it think it through.

After all, once you're on his ship, there's no going back.

"I know what I'm doing, and I won't regret it!" Zhao Yanran said firmly.

In fact, this choice was already made when Lin Ran gave her the "Divine Dragon Body Refining Technique".

The cultivation technique that allows one to reach the Profound Realm is only the first half.

Anyone with a brain knows how to choose.

Lin Ran nodded slightly: "Then you don't need to call me Young Master Lin anymore, just call me by my name."

"Then I'll call you Lin Ran, okay?" Zhao Yanran took a step and sat down in Lin Ran's lap. "Good little brother, do you accept me now?"

"Ahem..." Lin Ran looked slightly embarrassed: "Well, I can help you buy a house near Xinhai Martial Arts Academy, so it will be convenient for you to go to school in the future."

Zhao Yanran wrapped her arms around Lin Ran's neck, her eyes sparkling: "Is Lin Ran planning to take care of me?"

"Wasn't it you who was just begging me to take you in?" Lin Ran feigned helplessness.

"Hehehe..." Zhao Yanran's laughter did not diminish: "Actually, it doesn't matter if I don't go to school. Anyway, with the cultivation technique you gave me, I can't learn anything more useful at school."

Lin Ran shook his head, his expression serious: "Some basic combat training is still necessary."

"This world is fraught with danger; we must not let any opportunity to improve our strength slip by!"

Zhao Yanran casually agreed, "Okay, I'll do as you say."

Once she established a relationship with Lin Ran, she had already achieved her goal; all the other minor details were unimportant.

Lin Ran hesitated for a moment, then spoke again: "Since we've already laid it all out, I'll be even more frank. Besides Xi Ning, Bai Ruolin is also one of my people."

"I know." Zhao Yanran said calmly, showing no surprise whatsoever.

Her expression surprised Lin Ran slightly: "You knew?"

"I know." Zhao Yanran nodded. "When I first went to your school to find you, I could tell that Bai Ruolin and Chu Xining had feelings for you."

Lin Ran gave an awkward smile: "Back then, we hadn't even defined our relationship yet."

"So it's settled now?" Zhao Yanran followed up with a question.

"More or less."

In order to fake his death, Lin Ran gave Bai Ruolin a cultivation technique as a gift.

The two had already been open and honest with each other, confirming their feelings for one another.

However, since Lin Ran already has a fiancée, their relationship is not suitable to be made public.

A smug glint flashed in Zhao Yanran's eyes: "The man I've set my sights on is indeed very charming. He actually managed to make the eldest daughter of the Bai family willingly become his concubine."

"There's no difference between big and small, it's just that on the surface I'm only engaged to Xi Ning," Lin Ran explained seriously.

Zhao Yanran adopted an indifferent attitude: "It doesn't matter to me. As long as I can stay by your side, I'd be happy even if I had to be your concubine."

"Don't say things like that again," Lin Ran gently interrupted. "Now that we've established a relationship, I will treat you both equally from now on."

As soon as he finished speaking, he raised his hand, took out a vermilion fruit, and handed it to Zhao Yanran.

"This is a Vermilion Fruit I obtained in the secret realm. After you eat it, refine it yourself, and it should improve your cultivation level."

Zhao Yanran's "Divine Dragon Body Refining Technique" is also a high-level body refining technique.

Even if his cultivation speed cannot match Chu Xining's "Mysterious Ice Tempering Technique", his ability to refine spiritual power will not be too far behind.

It seems that taking a single Vermilion Fruit wouldn't require Lin Ran's help to regulate the body.

Zhao Yanran's eyes lit up. She reached out and took the vermilion fruit, casually asking, "So, will Chu Xining and Bai Ruolin get some too?"

"Xi Ning has already taken it, and the effect is quite good. She has already entered the mid-stage of the Innate Realm."

Lin Ran thought for a moment and continued, "When I see Bai Ruolin later, I will give her one too. I will not be biased."

He's now an advisor for handling secret realm incidents and no longer needs to patrol the sea every day. I wonder if Bai Ruolin is still holding her post.

Perhaps I can go to the beach tomorrow and give her a red fruit while I'm there.

Zhao Yanran looked up at him, her tone tinged with emotion: "Sometimes you act in ways that are unpredictable, and other times you seem to care a lot about principles. You're a really strange man."

"This is true freedom!" Lin Ran's lips curled into a slight smile.

Zhao Yanran looked puzzled: "What do you mean?"

"I only do what I want to do, and I only adhere to the principles I'm willing to uphold. Things I'm unwilling to do and principles I don't care about cannot bind me!"

A hint of longing appeared in Zhao Yanran's eyes: "That sounds amazing!"

"So you should also cultivate diligently, so that you can also gain true freedom in the future!" Lin Ran patiently persuaded.

"Although I feel that just being by your side is enough, I still feel incredibly motivated!"

Zhao Yanran smiled and teased, "But...would you also try to fool those two like that?"

"Cough cough cough... Don't worry about the details." Lin Ran changed the subject: "Hurry up and eat the Vermilion Fruit, and refine it yourself."

"Alright, I can't let Lin Ran's good intentions go to waste."

Zhao Yanran got up and walked to the sofa next to her, sat cross-legged, and ate the vermilion fruit in a few bites.

Lin Ran observed quietly for a moment, confirming that Zhao Yanran's cultivation technique was operating stably and that she could independently refine the medicinal power of the Vermilion Fruit. He then felt relieved and turned to leave.

The moment the door opened slightly, Song Yishu outside paused for a moment.

She had been eavesdropping on the sounds coming from the study when Lin Ran suddenly appeared. She quickly composed herself and pretended to be calm.

"Hmm... Xiao Ran, how did the talk go? I was wondering if you guys would like some fruit."

Lin Ran waved his hand: "Everything is arranged, don't worry. She won't eat the fruit; she needs a quiet environment right now."

"You didn't bully her, did you?" Song Yishu's expression was complicated. "I can't interfere too much with what you young people do, but I just hope you won't let the girl suffer any injustice."

Lin Ran nodded in agreement: "I'll try my best."

Human nature is diverse, and everyone's perception of their own circumstances is completely different.

Some people are concerned with every gain and loss, while others are willing to compromise and yield.

Lin Ran knew that he couldn't control everyone's joys and sorrows, so he could only try his best to treat everyone equally.

Of course, given his current relationship with the three women, he will inevitably show some subconscious favoritism, which he cannot avoid. It all depends on each person's ability to bear it.

As dusk deepened, members of the Lin family returned one after another.

Lin Hongbo and Lin Zhiwan entered the living room one after the other, and Lin Zhiyao came downstairs.

Just as the three of them sat down, the door to the study opened, and Zhao Yanran slowly walked out.

She had completely refined the medicinal power of the Vermilion Fruit, and her aura became even more refined, making her look radiant.

"Little brother Lin Ran..."

She had barely opened her mouth when she immediately fell silent.

In the living room, Lin Hongbo, Song Yishu, Lin Zhiyao, and Lin Zhiwan all turned their gazes toward her, their eyes burning with intense interest.