"Wu Ming, you dropped out of the Sea God Fate Festival? Why?"
In the inner court cafeteria, a male student's heart shattered upon hearing that Wu Ming wouldn't be participating in the matchmaking event.
He had worked tirelessly for this moment, preparing strategies and researching potential rivals.
But now, Wu Ming hadn't even given him a chance.
"Chu Qingtian, what does my participation have to do with you?" Wu Ming frowned at the boy in front of her.
In truth, she had been prepared to participate.
If Qian Ran hadn't appeared, she might have resigned herself to choosing someone like Chu Qingtian because of her age and family's pressure.
But now, that was out of the question.
Before meeting Qian Ran, Wu Ming had always approached love with a rational mindset. She sought someone stronger than her, someone she could look up to. For most people, love often started as a practical consideration, especially when no one had yet stirred their heart.
But after yesterday, Wu Ming knew she could never accept another man. Her heart belonged to Qian Ran entirely.
Perhaps Qian Ran didn't feel the same way about her—maybe she was just one among many women in his life.
But she liked him, truly and deeply.
It was hard to describe the feeling. She had once dismissed the notion of true love, but now she believed in it wholeheartedly.
Even if Qian Ran had nothing to his name, she would still stay by his side. The thought of spending a lifetime with him filled her with joy, a joy no one else could offer.
"Why? At least give me a reason. You know I signed up for the festival for you," Chu Qingtian said bitterly.
Even with Wu Ming's fiery reputation, her stunning figure was the most eye-catching in the inner court.
Many were drawn to her beauty but kept their distance out of fear of her temper. Most inner court prodigies were too proud to risk being humiliated by a woman. But Chu Qingtian had the courage to try.
In his mind, Wu Ming was destined to be his partner. He had worked toward this for years, enduring setbacks and strategizing to win her over.
If Wu Ming ever decided to settle down, he was confident he'd be her first choice.
"We're not suitable for each other. I don't like you," Wu Ming said simply.
For years, Wu Ming had avoided real feelings for anyone at the academy. She might have been fiery and temperamental, but when it came to love, even she softened.
Once someone passed their mid-twenties without experiencing true love, relationships often became pragmatic rather than passionate. This was why many encouraged finding love during youth, particularly during university years.
Qian Ran, however, was an exception. His presence had a way of rekindling youthful excitement, making those around him fall deeply in love regardless of their age or prior skepticism.
"As for why I'm not participating in the Sea God Fate Festival," Wu Ming continued, "it's simple. I'm not single anymore, so I no longer meet the criteria."
She smiled as Qian Ran's image flashed in her mind, filling her with warmth.
Perhaps this was what real love felt like.
Now, she found herself busy learning about relationships, taking advice from Ma Xiaotao. She'd spent most of her life training and socializing with female friends, leaving her with little understanding of men or romance.
But everything was different now.
She cared deeply about Qian Ran's opinions, wanting to see admiration and affection in his eyes.
When he looked at her with approval, it made her day. When he seemed distant or disapproving, it left her heart heavy.
Love, Wu Ming realized, meant living not just for herself but for someone else.
She had once scoffed at such notions of being "love-struck." Now, she had become that person, but she didn't mind.
Because Qian Ran was worth it.
"What? You have someone you like?" Chu Qingtian staggered, his face pale with shock.
"Is he better than me?" he asked, desperate to understand why he wasn't chosen.
"He's a thousand times better than you," Wu Ming replied without hesitation. She knew the truth would hurt, but she wasn't going to lie.
In her eyes, no man on the continent could compare to Qian Ran.
Qian Ran had stirred feelings in her that she hadn't even known existed. For years, she had ignored such thoughts entirely, focusing on her training. But with Qian Ran, her heart raced, her body felt alive, and even her idle thoughts were consumed by him.
Ma Xiaotao had teased her, saying Qian Ran's strength and weight were overwhelming in certain situations, but Wu Ming found that appealing. A powerful man like Qian Ran made her feel secure.
"A thousand times better…" Chu Qingtian muttered, his expression darkening as he fell silent.
He was determined to find out who had stolen Wu Ming's heart.
Someone who dared to interfere now, after all his years of effort? If they had waited just a little longer, he was certain he could have won Wu Ming over at the Sea God Fate Festival.
The inner court cafeteria was buzzing with excitement as word spread.
Wu Ming, one of the most sought-after women in the inner court, had fallen for someone.
"Who could it be?" many wondered. Wu Ming's fiery reputation aside, her beauty and talent were unmatched. Winning her over seemed like an impossible task for most.
Who was bold enough to succeed where Chu Qingtian had failed?
Little did they know, the man they speculated about was sitting in the faculty dining area.
Qian Ran stared at the list of Sea God Fate participants with a slight headache.
While he had successfully won over Wu Ming, Han Ruoruo posed a different challenge.
Han Ruoruo's personality was nothing like Wu Ming's. Wu Ming's fiery and decisive nature made her seem intimidating, but it also meant she was straightforward.
Once she decided to be with Qian Ran, there was no hesitation.
But Han Ruoruo was different.
Despite being an eight-ring Soul Douluo, she had chosen someone as unremarkable as Wang Yan, a six-ring Soul Emperor, in the original story. It was clear Han Ruoruo didn't base her decisions solely on strength or status.
Winning her over would require a completely different approach.
(End of Chapter)