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nLing Qing’er’s face darkened. “I’ve embarrassed myself.”

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n“I’m not laughing.” Xiao Ran was very serious.

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nThey entered the residence.

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nHer parents hurried over with a group of people. Mother Ling took a step forward and grabbed her hand, afraid that she would run away again if she let go in the next moment. She instructed the caretaker, “Make arrangements quickly and let Qing’er continue.”

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n“Mother!” Ling Qing’er cried out unhappily.

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nShe pointed at Xiao Ran and introduced him.

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n“His name is Xiao Ran. Like me, he’s working for the Imperial Court.”

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nFlushing, looking like a little girl, she finally blurted out, “I… I have taken a fancy to him.”

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nOnly then did the two elders notice Xiao Ran.

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nThe scrutiny was thorough, from head to toe.

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nHe appeared talented and handsome. He was tall with a sunny disposition. Under the accentuation of a blue brocade robe, in addition to Xiao Ran’s extraordinary characteristics, the more they looked at him, the more satisfied they were.

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nHowever, Mother Ling still did not believe her. She asked suspiciously, “Is he who you fancy?”

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n“Yes.” Ling Qing’er nodded.

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n“If he wasn’t, I wouldn’t have run away from the blind dates.”

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nMother Ling asked again, “How long have you two been together?”

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n“We dated for almost a year!”

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n“How’s the relationship?”

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n“Mother, why do you have so many questions?” Ling Qing’er started panicking.

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n“Answer me.”

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n“We are dying to stick ourselves together every day. Satisfied?”

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n“No!” Mother Ling shook her head vigorously.

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nShe waved the maid away, leaving them alone.

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n“You still have your Chastity Sand. Speak! Did you find someone to trick us?” Mother Ling’s eyes were venomous.

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nXiao Ran perspired profusely and felt a little uncomfortable.

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nIf he’d known that things would turn out this way, he wouldn’t have agreed to help her earlier.

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nLing Qing’er was anxious. She stomped her feet and said, “Who do you think your daughter is? Do you think your daughter is so lacking in self-control?”

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nMother Ling nodded, then shook her head. “Your father and I believe you, of course. But young people these days, after being together for so long, who wouldn’t be curious about the affairs of men and women? Even if they’re forbidden to do so, they’ll secretly get a taste of the forbidden fruit.”

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nShe looked as if she had seen right through her.

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n“Ling Qing’er, don’t you think so?”

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nLing Qing’er was completely panic-stricken. Her mother was really too difficult to deal with!

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nHugging Xiao Ran’s arm, she leaned against his chest like a little bird. Her heart was beating very fast, like a little deer knocking against some obstacle endlessly.

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nShe, who had never done this sort of thing before, no longer looked as aloof as she was before.

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nShe was obedient like a girl next door, revealing a shy look when she met the person she liked.

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n“Do you believe me now?”

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n“That’s it?” Mother Ling put her hands on her hips.

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n“You… you…” Ling Qing’er was extremely regretful.

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nIf she’d known that things would end up this way, she would not have come back just now.

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nIt was too late to say anything now. She had to get past her mother with this charade.

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nShe reached out her fair hand and held Xiao Ran’s cheek. She closed her eyes and went all out. She was forced into a corner by Mother Ling and had to do this as a last resort.

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nShe kissed Xiao Ran forcefully.

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nXiao Ran was totally bowled over. Didn’t they agree to go only through the motions? Why did he have to sacrifice his innocence? What the heck was going on?

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nHe was only selling his skills, not his body.

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n“See? Xiao Ran doesn’t have any reaction at all. If he truly likes you, why would he be so indifferent?” Mother Ling proceeded to add the coup de grace.

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nLing Qing’er was absolutely furious!

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n“So in your hearts, you are dying to marry me off so quickly?” She thought.

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nIn a low voice that only the two of them could hear, she pleaded, “Be more proactive!.”

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n“I don’t know how!” Xiao Ran whispered back in embarrassment.

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nLing Qing’er was furious and panicky. She hugged his head tightly, wishing she could become one with him.

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nAfter a long while,

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nshe finally let go of Xiao Ran with a red face. Her blushing face was especially attractive. “Do you believe me now?”

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n“I don’t believe it! It’s clear that you found him from somewhere. If he was really here to visit us, how could he arrive here empty-handed when the Lantern Festival had just ended?” Mother Ling said.

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nLing Qing’er was about to have a nervous breakdown.

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nXiao Ran smiled faintly and wiped the lipstick mark off his lips.

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nHe took out six gems that had been dug out of the clothes from Qu Bo’an and partner.

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nIn reality, there were eighteen pieces in all, all of them priceless.

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nHe handed over the six gems.

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n“Here’s a little something. Uncle, Auntie, hope it is acceptable to you.”

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n“Are you really the one she likes?” Mother Ling pressed on again.

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n“I would never lie to the young or old,” Xiao Ran said with a smile.

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n“It doesn’t matter whether you brought gifts or not. We simply want to see her settled down with a good man while we are still breathing,” said Mother Ling.

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nXiao Ran handed the gift over nonetheless.

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nWith a helpless look,

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nMother Ling had no choice but to accept it.

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nThey then went to the hall.

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nLing Qing’er sat at the side in a docile manner like an obedient child.

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nXiao Ran was interrogated relentlessly. He was asked how old he was, where his hometown was, and who else was in his family.

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nWith much difficulty, they managed to get past the parents, but at night, they caused trouble again.

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nAfter dinner,

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nLing Qing’er was chased into her bedroom with two maidservants standing guard outside.

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nThey were instructed to watch over them.

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nIn the bedroom,

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nthe two of them sat on the bed. The atmosphere was very awkward.

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n“What should we do now?” Xiao Ran finally broke the silence.

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n“I don’t know either.” Ling Qing’er replied with a look of exasperation.

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nThe maidservant’s voice could be heard from outside. “Miss, Madam has instructed you both to rest as soon as possible.”

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nThe word “Rest” was given very strong emphasis.

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nThey both understood what that meant.

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nThey looked at each other and became silent again.

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n“My mother just said that she wants to see my Chastity Sand disappear tomorrow morning,” Ling Qing’er said.

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nXiao Ran was at a complete loss for words.

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n“What good methods do you have there?”

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nWhat other method could there be besides putting it to test it in ‘actual combat’?

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n“Why don’t we escape?” Xiao Ran suggested.

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nLing Qing’er shook her head. “No! If I escape again this time, they will hunt me down in the capital city and block the entrance of the Spiritual Divinity Bureau.”

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nThis was a completely hopeless situation.

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nLing Qing’er looked at him with her beautiful eyes. No one knew what she was thinking.

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nXiao Ran panicked and quickly stood up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. “What are you doing?”

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n“We’ve known each other for over three years,” Ling Qing’er said.

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nIt had been almost four years since they entered the Celestial Dungeon in the same batch.

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nXiao Ran did not respond.

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n“From our previous contact, you’re quite interesting. Although your evolution level is a little low and your position is a little low, you’re a good person. You’re brave, resourceful, and responsible,” Ling Qing’er said.

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nXiao Ran took another step back again.

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n“They’ve been pressing me for a long time. My younger brother already has a family, and my nephew is old enough to do housework, but I’m still single.”

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n“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. Stop talking.” Xiao Ran panicked.

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n“Am I beautiful?” Ling Qing’er asked.

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n“The lights are too dim. I can’t see clearly,” Xiao Ran blurted out against his conscience.

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nLing Qing’er stood up from the bed and walked towards Xiao Ran.

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nWith every step she took, Xiao Ran took a step back.

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nSeeing that Xiao Ran was about to walk out of the bedroom, Ling Qing’er pounced. Boundless spiritual soul energy swept out and set up a barrier in the room, blocking him.

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nXiao Ran had no intention of counter-attacking and could only stop.

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n“Help me this once!”

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n“This matter is too serious. I think you should consider it carefully.” Xiao Ran uttered nervously.

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n“I don’t think you dislike it. You saved me again this time. We’ve known each other for so long. The main point is that we seem to hit it off better. I don’t regret giving you my first time. They won’t force me again in the future,” Ling Qing’er said.

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