In the small cabin of Snow Alley, several people were happily chatting, discussing both the past and the future.

When Lu Ran was asked which university he aspired to attend, his response surprised everyone—Wu Lie River University.

Honestly, that was such a waste of his scores!

Given Lu Ran's current scoring momentum, he should easily surpass the enrollment score line of Beijing University by early June of this lunar year when the final scores were released.

Yet, Lu Ran was determined and had set his heart on Wu Lie River University.

Who knew how devastated the school leaders of Rain Alley's First High School would feel upon learning of Lu Ran's decision?

After all, a student like Lu Ran who could score over 660 points in the college entrance exam was a rarity that Rain Alley City had not seen in many years.

Not to mention, Lu Ran's final score would likely far exceed 660 points...

When Deng Yutang and others asked why he made such a decision, his answer was even more straightforward—Wu Lie River.

The Wu Lie River flowed through Rain Alley City, and also through the provincial capital, Wu Lie River City.

After some contemplation, the three of them understood his reasoning.

Lu Ran, acting as a "master," had once shared insights on advancing to River Realm with them.

The essence of 'hometown' was the key.

And among the critical factors was the vigorous and ceaselessly flowing water of the Wu Lie River.

Later, Tian Tian asked Jiang Ruyi which university she wished to attend.

The beautiful Jiang replied not with words, but with a glance at Lu Ran.

That glance made Tian Tian's heart sweeten!

On one hand, she was thrilled about the romantic gestures between her Master and Sister Ruyi.

On the other hand, if the two decided on Wu Lie River University, not Beijing, Shanghai, Qiantang River, or other places...

With Tian Tian's current scores, she could possibly strive for it.

The local universities generally had lower admission scores for students from the same province.

Similarly, Deng and his companion also targeted this university.

Based on their estimated scores, this top institution within the province was definitely the most cost-effective choice.

Finally, the five young people clinked their juice cups together.

That crisp sound was like the final sprint whistle.

On the way home, Lu Ran and Jiang Ruyi walked side by side.

The spring breeze brought with it the fragrance of grass and trees, refreshing their spirits.

"After the fifteenth of this month, shall we join them to complete the internship assignment?" Jiang Ruyi whispered.

"A last-minute sprint before the exam, we just need to give it a try," responded Lu Ran, nodding. "Let's see if we can upgrade the internship task like last time in Evil Dog Village, so we can earn more points."

Although that was said, managing to upgrade the internship task was more a matter of luck than certainty.

Last time, they had coincidentally encountered Si Xianxian's "reformation," which led to the military providing Lu Ran with a high-risk operation that allowed them to earn 20 additional Believer points.

Nevertheless, Lu Ran was still willing to try.

Initially, he had thought of going to Yan Zhi Village to wreak havoc after defending the city.

But looking at the calendar, and with the college entrance exam two months away, he could try pulling some strings with the "Ran Sect Believers."

As for success...

"It's all in the hands of fate," he thought.

"Mhm," Jiang Ruyi nodded gently, understanding what Lu Ran was thinking.

Actually, scores weren't so crucial for them.

Lu Ran had already received numerous offers from various universities, and so had Jiang Ruyi!

The path Lu Ran paved for her was broad and bright.

As a companion by the side of Da Xia's genius; a Jade Talisman Believer who just turned eighteen and was already at River Realm·Second Rank; a high school student with a Divine Weapon!

With so many labels in place, how could Jiang Ruyi not be the center of attention?

How could she not receive relentless calls from numerous universities?

Jiang Ruyi still remembered, in the days following "Heavenly Pride," when she received calls, the joy and pride on her parents' faces.

"Hah..."

Jiang Ruyi exhaled lightly, enjoying the spring breeze on her face as she looked up at the blue sky dotted with white clouds.

There was no need for a bright spring day; her heart was always warm.

He was always so glib, but at heart, he had always been a gentle man.

Whether towards herself or those around him... well, perhaps a bit gentler towards her.

Thinking of this, a smile appeared on Jiang Ruyi's face.

"Ruyi."

"Hm?" The girl turned her head to look at him.

"You really aren't proactive at all, are you?" Lu Ran picked up the girl's slender hand. "If I don't hold it, are you just going to leave it hanging?"

As he spoke, he gently pinched the center of her hand.

Jiang Ruyi looked at Lu Ran's profile, her expression profound.

Am I not proactive enough?

I've visited multiple times, made soup for you—is that not clear enough what I feel?

If I hadn't decided on you, what other girl of eighteen or nineteen would disregard the views of others and proactively make house calls...

Bad guy.

"We're here." Lu Ran gently tugged Jiang Ruyi's hand, pointing ahead.

Jiang Ruyi snapped back to reality.

Once again, she was stunned to find herself standing at the entrance of the apartment building.

Jiang Ruyi felt hopeless.

These days, Lu Ran had been escorting her home every night.

Several times, Jiang Ruyi only "woke up" when standing in front of the apartment building door.

This couldn't continue...

"Mhm, I'm heading back in," Jiang Ruyi said as she took out her access card and opened the door to the apartment building.

As usual, Lu Ran stood at the entrance of the building, watching her enter.

But this time, she paused her step and turned around:

"It's almost the fifteenth of the lunar month, so these next few days, I won't come over."

"Oh?" Lu Ran was somewhat taken aback.

"Hehe~" Seeing Lu Ran's clueless expression, Jiang Ruyi felt slightly better. "Let's both prepare well."

Jiang Ruyi, with a smile in her voice, turned and left.

Lu Ran suddenly stepped forward, catching her pale, delicate hand again.

"Ah!" Jiang Ruyi exclaimed softly.

In front of Lu Ran, she had no guard up.

Being by Lu Ran's side, she didn't even know where she was walking, so how could she be on guard?

"What did you say?" Lu Ran wrapped one arm around her slender waist.

Soft and fragrant like the scent of faint jasmine.

"Mm." Jiang Ruyi's cheeks flushed instantly.

Lu Ran took off their hats and masks deliberately slow.

Jiang Ruyi's upper body leaned back slightly, but she did not try to evade further, only her complexion becoming redder.

A kiss.

With the pesky fur flowers gone, this time, Lu Ran succeeded.

As the motion-sensing light went off, the stairwell fell into darkness and a profound silence.

In the dark, Jiang Ruyi seemed to hear her own rapidly beating heart.

Was this her first kiss?

Or should she count the last time, when Lu Ran's surprise peck happened as the first?

Well, it didn't matter. Either way, it was him.

Thinking this to herself, Jiang Ruyi tightly closed her eyes, one hand firmly grasping Lu Ran's shoulder.

For a long time, Lu Ran finally let her go.

Jiang Ruyi was breathing lightly, her cheeks flushed, her eyes slightly misty.

Lu Ran said softly, "These days, let's keep it as usual.

We'll stay until the night of the fifteenth and patrol together."

As he spoke, the motion-sensing light in the corridor lit up, dispelling the darkness.

Jiang Ruyi bowed her head, her voice small and light: "Mhm, okay."

Heh,

Little Ruyi.

Still trying to flee?

Lu Ran sorted the hats and masks in his hands, helped her put them back on, and said softly, "Then it's settled, head back."

Jiang Ruyi immediately turned around and rushed towards the elevator.

Lu Ran, however, leaned slightly to the side, watching the graceful figure standing in front of the elevator.

She was still shyly lowering her head, her hands twisted together, looking utterly adorable and confused.

Until Jiang Ruyi's figure disappeared at the elevator door, Lu Ran turned around and lightly licked his lips.

Sweet.

Was it because they had just eaten ice cream?

Well... who knows.

Lu Ran pushed open the door to the apartment building, greeted by bright sunshine.

The sky filled with fluffy white clouds, a warm spring breeze meeting him face to face.

The oft gloomy and cold Rain Alley seemed appropriate today.

As Lu Ran walked away on this side, in some apartment building by the water, the elevator reached the 9th floor.

Jiang Ruyi took out her keys, unlocked the door to apartment 901, and quickly slipped out of her boots.

In the living room, a middle-aged woman looked over, a bit surprised: "Back so early today?"

"Mhm, mom," Jiang Ruyi answered perfunctorily, walking quickly towards the north balcony.

"Put on slippers, the floor is cold!" Jiang's mother said, dissatisfied, watching her careless daughter.

Usually, her daughter always behaved in a calm and collected manner—what was up with her today?

Something was not right!

Jiang's mother reached for a pair of pink slippers, immediately walking toward the north balcony.

She arrived just in time to see Jiang Ruyi standing by the window, looking out at the street outside the community.

This apartment, located on the edge of the complex, had a clear view of the street.

"Watching Lu Ran?" Jiang's mother's voice suddenly rang out.

"No, not really," Jiang Ruyi said softly.

Jiang's mother looked at her daughter, whose words did not match her true feelings, and her face broke into a broad smile:

"When are you going to bring him home to meet your mother and father?"

Jiang Ruyi: "I..."

Jiang's mother took off her daughter's hat and gently stroked her jet-black hair with a tender look in her eyes:

"Ruyi, you've grown up..."

"I know." Jiang Ruyi left a quick reply, then turned and walked away quickly.

Jiang's mother looked at the pink slippers on the floor, couldn't help but chide with a smile: "Put on your shoes!"

But Jiang Ruyi hurriedly walked through the living room to the enclosed south-facing balcony, kneeling before the shrine of Divine·Jade Talisman.

She clasped her hands together, her eyes tightly closed, silently praying for something.

Seeing this scene, Jiang's mother, who had followed with the slippers, could only smile helplessly and didn't dare to disturb her.

The woman returned to the sofa, muted the TV, and fell into deep thought.

Lu Ran, a Nine-class God·Immortal Sheep Believer.

He was the pride of Rain Alley City and the heavenly pride of Da Xia.

But before he owned these glittering titles, he was merely the youth her daughter had chosen to help her graduate smoothly.

Who would have imagined that such a despised Immortal Sheep Believer would rise to such heights?

Could the daughter have foreseen the future?

Of course not.

Jiang's mother turned her head and looked towards the south balcony.

The Divine Sculpture inside the shrine was of a Third-class God·Jade Token, not the Second-class God·Tianluan.

This seemed to confirm that her daughter had already made up her mind.

What a silly girl...

...

Seeking some monthly tickets.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.