Chapter 22: Huang Xiaoming

After finishing dinner, Qin Lan packed up the leftover cake, and the two left the restaurant.

Seeing Yan Li had wanted to find a place to sing something, but Qin Lan thought singing together was boring, and suggested taking a walk in the small grove—quiet and cool.

Today was Qin Lan's birthday, so she definitely got to decide.

It was nighttime, and the small grove had no streetlights, so it was dark; the two strolled along the nearby street instead. It was hot, so Seeing Yan Li bought two ice creams—one for each.

"Oh, by the way."

Seeing Yan Li bit into his ice cream and pulled a small box, egg-sized, from his pant pocket: "Almost forgot your birthday gift."

Qin Lan opened it and found a blue crystal necklace inside; under the light, it sparkled beautifully, quite attractive.

She asked Seeing Yan Li to help her put it on, then couldn't stop touching the crystal with her fingers, though she pretended to object.

"This must've cost a lot—you took me out to dinner and bought cake already, too extravagant. Let's return it."

"Not expensive."

Seeing Yan Li waved his hand: "Bought it at a jewelry shop on Pedestrian Street—no receipt, seventy-five yuan."

Qin Lan: "..."

How did his ex-girlfriend ever go for him!?

Even though she now knew the price was under a hundred yuan, Qin Lan made no move to take off the necklace—instead, she accepted the gift gracefully.

After that, they talked about their future plans.

Due to confidentiality rules, Seeing Yan Li spoke vaguely—essentially, he'd return to Beijing to seek opportunities. Qin Lan's plans were clear and specific.

Although she starred in Aunt Aunt Qiongyao's *Huanzhu Gege 3*, Qin Lan was not an artist under Aunt Aunt Qiongyao's Zhongjie Chuanbo.

The artists signed to 【Zhongjie Chuanbo】 were Xiao Yanzi Huang Yi and Liu Tao, who played Princess Mu Sha; Jiang Qinqin, who also appeared in *Huanzhu Gege 3*, was also under Zhongjie.

Qin Lan's current company was 【Huaxia Film & Television】, under Hunan Provincial Broadcasting, and also the producer of the *Huanzhu Gege* series.

【Huaxia Film & Television】, backed by Hunan TV, was low-profile but powerful.

Having starred in *Huanzhu Gege 3*, Qin Lan was naturally valued by the company—even before filming wrapped, her agent had already lined up her next project.

"My agent told me if *Huanzhu Gege 3* does well, they might secure me a lead role."

Qin Lan shared her agent's promise with Seeing Yan Li, her face glowing with hopeful anticipation for a bright future.

In truth, Qin Lan had played female leads before—but not in proper productions: one was a short drama, the other a rural series, neither even aired.

So when she said "lead role," she meant the female lead in a formal film or TV drama—the greatest dream of countless unknown young actors.

Seeing Yan Li's dream was to play a male lead once!

At present, achieving that goal still seemed distant, but Seeing Yan Li, confident in his system, remained hopeful.

Relaxed in mood, Seeing Yan Li joked with Qin Lan: "When you become famous and I'm still stuck, I'll come beg for your help."

Qin Lan waved it off: "Don't worry, I'll protect you then."

They walked, paused, and chatted for over an hour, then Seeing Yan Li offered to walk Qin Lan back to her hotel.

Qin Lan was reluctant to end the evening but didn't object; the two strolled slowly toward her hotel.

As they neared the hotel, Seeing Yan Li had just convinced Qin Lan not to see him off at the train station when a male voice called from behind.

"Qin Lan?"

Seeing Yan Li turned and saw a handsome bald man staring at them; the dim streetlight cast a faint look of sorrow and bitterness on his face.

Seeing Yan Li had met him before when dropping off Qin Lan—he recognized him immediately.

The cheap senior from Beijing Film Academy + Qin Lan's suitor—Huang Xiaoming

Seeing Yan Li's first instinct was to look at Qin Lan; without her cue, he couldn't tell how to treat this suitor—clarify, be civil, ignore, or cold-shoulder him.

Qin Lan didn't hesitate—she reached out and linked her arm through Seeing Yan Li's, affectionate and intimate, then calmly greeted Huang Xiaoming.

"Oh, Teacher Huang? What brings you out so late?"

Huang Xiaoming's smile was forced: "Just taking a walk after eating. Who's this?"

Qin Lan held onto Seeing Yan Li's arm, subtly nudging his heel with her foot; Seeing Yan Li instantly understood, smiled warmly, and stepped forward to shake Huang Xiaoming's hand.

"Hello, I'm Seeing Yan Li, Qin Lan's boyfriend."

"Hello, hello."

By the dim light, Huang Xiaoming sized up Seeing Yan Li—yeah, not bad-looking, taller, broader-shouldered; his heart grew heavier, yet he clung to a sliver of hope.

"Where do you work? I never heard Qin Lan mention you."

"Can't say I'm high-flying—I'm just scraping by on the set next door."

Seeing Yan Li pulled out a cigarette pack, offered one to Huang Xiaoming, lit one for himself, gave Qin Lan a glance—she shot him a silent glare but obediently took the lighter and lit his cigarette.

He exhaled a lazy puff of smoke, then smoothly slid his arm around Qin Lan's waist, pulling her half against his chest.

Then, watching Huang Xiaoming's complex expression, he continued.

"We've only been dating a short while. Qin Lan's company has strict rules about relationships, and with so many people on set, we kept it quiet."

"I see."

Huang Xiaoming nodded, glanced again at the two clinging together, and forced a thin smile.

"You two are perfectly matched. Won't disturb you—I've got things to do. I'll go."

Seeing Yan Li warmly urged: "Stay a bit longer—Qin Lan said you looked out for her on set. I haven't even thanked you properly."

"No, no."

"Alright then, go ahead, we'll talk next time—definitely thank you properly then."

Seeing Yan Li kept smiling, waved goodbye; Huang Xiaoming bowed his head and hurried off, his back looking like he was fleeing.

"This guy isn't as shameless as you made him out to be."

Seeing Yan Li clicked his tongue, thinking Qin Lan had exaggerated; she stared at him oddly, then couldn't help snapping back.

"That's because you're even more shameless than he is."

"Lanlan, how can you say that? I'm doing it all for you—it's not virtuous at all."

"Ugh."

Qin Lan feigned nausea, glanced at Qin Li's hand still wrapped around her waist, and her cheeks flushed slightly.

"Take it off."

"Don't rush. Who knows if that brat still has evil intentions, lurking somewhere watching? If he sees through it and I'm not here, he'll bother you again."

Hearing this, Qin Lan's already half-hearted resistance softened further.

"Then wait a little longer."

Seeing Yan Li held her silently for a while; with the beauty in his arms, his hands inevitably grew less restrained, brushing and touching. Qin Lan endured it for a while, until his paw's range kept expanding, then she gritted her teeth and said:

"Is this also to prevent him from having evil intentions?"

"Mm-hmm."

Seeing Yan Li nodded confidently and added: "I think this isn't enough—we need to add something more."

Qin Lan laughed in exasperation: "What else are you going to add?"

Seeing Yan Li turned to face Qin Lan, and before she could grasp what was happening, he cupped her head in his hands and kissed her fiercely, not letting go for over ten seconds.

"This is the ingredient."

Saying this, Seeing Yan Li let go and ran off, leaving behind one remark: "You were the one who kissed me first."

He had waited days to finally get revenge!

Watching Seeing Yan Li's swift escape, Qin Lan, who had been indignant moments before, touched her lips and suddenly smiled sweetly, her eyes soft as ripples, whispering softly:

"Rogue."

In the corner of the hotel lobby, a certain Huang man who had been secretly watching saw this scene—and his heart shattered into pieces…

(End of Chapter)