"This poem is for you," Xu Ran said, where he could clearly see Han Xue's thoughts. He had only intended to plagiarize a bit, but Han Xue was thinking too much. However, it was a good opportunity for him to take advantage by feigning compliance.
"Why write it for me?" Han Xue pretended to stomp her foot in annoyance, her delicate eyebrows knitting together as she feigned unhappiness. But no matter how much she tried to cover it up, the flicker of delight and shyness in her eyes was undeniable.
"I think you are a different kind of girl," Xu Ran said as he reached out to grab Han Xue's hand.
"Heh. I bet you've said that more than once," Han Xue retorted, flinging Xu Ran's hand away, annoyed. At this moment, she also realized and gave Xu Ran a fierce glare.
Without caution, she could easily be charmed by this scoundrel, Xu Ran.
Heh!
Where was she different from others?
When men suddenly say such pleasing words, they must be up to something.
However, Xu Ran's poetry really made her heart itch. The poem was so melodious and easy to recite but so profound it left an endless aftertaste – truly a masterpiece. Even if Xu Ran wasn't sincere, such a poem was extremely precious.
And the fact that such a poem's existence was related to her meant that it might become a legend in the future.
"Then, why don't you give me your thoughts? Does this poem satisfy you?" Xu Ran also smiled. He really wanted to see how this girl would wriggle her way out of this. Making excuses would require good reasons, but Xu Ran wouldn't let Han Xue find any flaw to catch him on.
Once Han Xue was at a loss for words, she was at his mercy.
"I'm no critic; consider that you've passed," Han Xue said, her face turning red.
What did she know about critiquing such a masterpiece?
She wasn't someone who studied poetry; she just enjoyed it occasionally.
"Chess, calligraphy, poetry—why does Xu Ran excel in everything to the point of perfection, like a grandmaster who has immersed himself in these arts for countless years? It's just incredible," Han Xue felt that the heavens were somewhat unfair. Why was there such a huge gap between people?
It seemed as if the heavens had bestowed all the talents on Xu Ran alone.
Most crucially, the talents that Xu Ran displayed were not even his strongest suit. His real strength was!
"Are you ready to admit defeat?"
Xu Ran's appetite was aroused, and he looked at Han Xue's figure with increasing intent.
The allure of the unknown always incites an irresistible urge to explore.
The pale blue dress Han Xue wore was quite loose, elegant, and befitting a wealthy young lady, which matched her status.
Black stockings, leggings, shark pants, high heels, bikinis...
Xu Ran had long discovered the secret to why those Barbie dolls were bestsellers. Even as a man, he enjoyed the thrill of mixing and matching clothes.
Xu Ran quickly realized he was nearly a designer himself. Because of his ability, his brain was highly effective, and the outfits he designed greatly enhanced a person's beauty and temperament. Often, they would utterly downgrade those grandmasters of design from his past life.
"I won't admit defeat, don't even dream about it!"
Han Xue understood that if she lost, she would be done for.
She now regretted making that bet with Xu Ran.
How could she have anticipated that Xu Ran would indeed make such terrifying achievements in so many fields?
Now, even if she regretted it, it was too late.
"Can you play the piano?" Han Xue looked at Xu Ran.
"No, I don't want you to play the piano. Play the flute instead—you should know that, right?" Han Xue saw Xu Ran about to nod and quickly stopped him.
Xu Ran was proficient in everything from the zither to chess, calligraphy, and painting; she now truly believed it.
So, realizing that Xu Ran could play it, she quickly switched to another musical instrument.
"Are you sure? Can you think of any other instruments? If you can think of it, I can play it," Xu Ran assured confidently.
"Just this one, let's see if you can play this!" Han Xue bit her lip and said.
"Alright, I happen to have a dongxiao right here." Xu Ran waved the dongxiao in her hand, and Han Xue's face immediately fell.
How could Xu Ran know how to do everything?
As Xu Ran placed the dongxiao to her lower lip, the melodious and elegant sound of the flute began to float through the air.
It was a flute piece full of ancient charm, perfectly complementing the pavilions and gardens around her, creating an innate sense of unity with nature.
Xu Ran seemed to have stepped right out of a painting, as the landscape around her turned into a picturesque scene due to the music.
Han Xue's heart quickly became tranquil.
Listening, her mind cleared of its clutter.
Such ethereal sound could only remind one of recluses living in the mountains and forests. Did a talented and elegant person like Xu Ran also harbor in her heart such an unvisited woodland?
Han Xue gazed at the profile of Xu Ran playing the dongxiao and felt lost all of a sudden.
It seemed she had never really understood Xu Ran.
She had always, subjectively, assumed Xu Ran was no different from people like Hong Chen. Of course, in other respects, Xu Ran's character was countless times better than Hong Chen's. But Xu Ran's charm was something even a petty and contemptible person like Hong Chen would have to admire.
But now...
Every talent of Xu Ran was truly exceptional, eclipsing the ancients and dazzling the present.
Xu Ran simply should not exist in this world. Each of her talents, placed on different people, was enough to create dozens of grandmasters in their respective domains.
How could one person's talent soar to such heights?
How could one person have enough time to be so formidable in so many areas? Was Xu Ran that kind of once-in-a-millennium genius who mastered everything?
Han Xue's emotions were undoubtedly complex.
Previously, she always thought her sister Han Yue was just speaking out of love, not recognizing Xu Ran's talents and only feeling frightened by her sister's love-stricken brain. But when Xu Ran's talents were truly revealed before her, she understood.
Even she felt her sister was not a match for Xu Ran.
Even more, she couldn't imagine any woman in this world who could stand at the same height as him, who could stand beside him as an equal.
Perhaps, her sister's capitulation was justified.
Because even she was almost captivated.
The allure of this man was indeed too irresistible.
After playing "Flying Snow Jade Flower," Xu Ran herself felt her heart had calmed down a lot. This piece was suited for listening in the quaint alleys on a rainy day, or in the pavilions of Jiangnan, where the peaceful and far-reaching artistic conception could indeed immerse one's soul.
And Han Xue was so engrossed in watching Xu Ran that she didn't even realize when the music had stopped.
Her sparkling eyes fixated on Xu Ran.
"You win."
Han Xue pursed her red lips and finally spoke slowly.
She really didn't know how to comment, as Xu Ran's talent was beyond her ability to disparage. She wanted to deny it, but she didn't want to make a joke out of her appreciation for art. While listening to that piece, her heart felt joyous, relaxed, and that couldn't be concealed from anyone...