Chapter 48: Huang Xiaoming: Can You Two Lovers Just Leave Me Alone?

In October’s golden autumn, Beijing Railway Station

Qin Lan stepped off the train with her suitcase, scanning the surroundings for a vacant taxi, her fingers rubbing the pre-written address slip—she felt immensely pleased.

Let me catch that bastard off guard this time!

Hmph, he writes me a letter only once every half month, calls every two or three days, and his text messages are always late to reply.

She wanted to see whether Yan Li was truly not getting back together with his ex.

“Miss, need a ride?”

As Qin Lan searched for a taxi, someone suddenly tapped her shoulder. She swiftly sidestepped and shook off his hand, about to turn and scold him.

But there, standing behind her, was the very bastard she’d been thinking of for months.

“Miss, you’re gorgeous—ride’s free.”

Yan Li wore a black leather jacket, dark sunglasses, chewed gum, and spoke with a flippant tone, like a street hoodlum hitting on girls.

“Alright then.”

Qin Lan was stunned, then delighted, and broke into a smile. She shoved her bag into his hands and followed Yan Li away, leaving a young man behind gaping in disbelief.

Is it really this easy to pick up girls with a car?!

Yan Li led Qin Lan to a Santana, tossed her suitcase into the trunk, while Qin Lan circled the car curiously, inspecting it.

“Boss Yan’s doing well—bought a car already.”

“Rented.”

Yan Li shut the trunk: “I got this just to pick you up. How about that? Moved, right?”

“It’s okay.”

Qin Lan spoke haughtily, but her light tone betrayed her deep satisfaction with Yan Li’s effort to meet her.

Still, Qin Lan had one question: “How did you know I was coming to Beijing today?”

“Guess.”

Yan Li teased, so Qin Lan analyzed on her own: “I didn’t tell many people—my agent? You don’t know him. Huang Yi? I didn’t tell her the exact date… You didn’t wait here every day, did you?”

Qin Lan stared at Yan Li in shock. He hesitated, then decided lying was too risky.

“I asked Huang Yi. I also subtly probed when I called you before, roughly estimated when you might come, checked train schedules, and came up with a close enough guess.”

Qin Lan suddenly understood: “So when you told me last time about when you’d be shooting in Suzhou, you were really just fishing for when I’d arrive.”

She glared at him reproachfully: “You’re too sneaky. Dealing with you means I have to be on edge every single day.”

Yet despite her complaints, she slipped into the car with swift, eager movements—no hint of hesitation or distance.

“Where to?”

Yan Li got in, started the car, and turned to ask Qin Lan. She answered without hesitation.

“Your place.”

Yan Li looked uneasy: “Going straight to my place right after you arrive? That’s too fast. I’m not psychologically prepared. We should take it slow.”

“Pfft.”

Qin Lan spat at him: “I’ve already checked out my old apartment. I’m just crashing at yours for now. What are you thinking?”

“You should stay at a hotel.”

Yan Li muttered, making Qin Lan flustered and annoyed: “I don’t want to stay at a hotel—is that a crime? You’re such a stingy guy.”

“It’s not stinginess.”

Yan Li countered, dead serious: “I’m afraid you’re scheming to take advantage of me.”

“Stop being full of yourself.”

Qin Lan laughed and slapped him lightly, her voice tinged with coquettishness: “Take me to see it. We’re good friends—I need to know where you live.”

“Fine.”

Yan Li sighed, turned the steering wheel, and drove away from the station. Less than half an hour later, the car entered a residential compound. Qin Lan stole a glance at the compound’s name.

Yep—Guanghua Li Compound!

At the building entrance, they got out and collected her luggage. Qin Lan couldn’t help asking:

“Why did you rent here?”

“I used to rent near our school. Then I started trading stocks, and this side of Chaoyang is more convenient, so I moved.”

Yan Li’s statements were mostly true: he’d lived near Beijing Film Academy, he did trade stocks, and Chaoyang was indeed more convenient.

But he didn’t mention that he hadn’t canceled his lease at the academy—and he spent far more time there than here.

More importantly, the rental date of this Guanghua Li apartment was over two months after the date he’d written on the first letter he sent her.

…

The apartment Yan Li rented was on the second floor. Qin Lan stepped inside: two bedrooms, one living room, decently decorated, but no signs of daily life.

“Of course there aren’t any signs.”

Yan Li spoke confidently: “Since returning from Hengdian, I’ve barely spent any days in Beijing. I was shooting in Shijiazhuang for a month, and just a few days ago I was on a business trip. I feel like I’m wasting money on this rent.”

Qin Lan thought it over and nodded. She wandered through the apartment, relaxing.

No signs of a woman’s presence—so far, so honest!

Yan Li silently lit a cigarette. Thank goodness he’d played it safe.

If he’d been forced to bring her to Jimen Li, not only would he risk running into Dong Xuan later, but cleaning up daily traces would be a nightmare.

Clothes and toothbrushes were easy to hide, but if a single hair was found—especially in his room or beside his bed—he couldn’t even blame it on a roommate.

Even if he managed to fool Qin Lan now, after she left, he’d have to move Dong Xuan’s things back exactly as they were.

A total hassle!

So the best solution was to have three rabbit holes—set up a separate place. Simple, safe, and low-maintenance.

“I’ll take the side bedroom.”

After inspecting the apartment, Qin Lan picked her room—no real choice, only two bedrooms: either the side bedroom or share one with Yan Li.

“Fine.”

Yan Li nodded, but added: “Once you pick your room, don’t wander around. If you go to the wrong room at night, don’t blame me if I’m not nice.”

“Same goes for you. If you pretend to wander into the wrong room, I’ve brought scissors.”

Qin Lan made a sharp scissor gesture. Yan Li felt a chill below and was deeply annoyed.

“I’m not even charging you rent, and you’re threatening me?”

Qin Lan didn’t reply. She stuck out her tongue and went to unpack. Yan Li hesitated.

Should he go to her room tonight—or shouldn’t he?

That night, after dinner, Qin Lan made his decision for him. On the way back, she bought a large padlock and hung it prominently on her bedroom door.

Her message was clear: not so fast!

At least until Yan Li clearly declared he wanted to date her, she wouldn’t let him get away with anything casual.

But Yan Li didn’t want to clarify things either—just like with Dong Xuan, he preferred to keep things vague, “just friends.”

Then let it drag on. The meat was already on the table—eat it early or late, it’s still meat. A little delay didn’t matter.

But since the meat was temporarily off-limits, a little groping was still justified—consider it rent payment.

Qin Lan, holding her change of clothes, stepped into the living room to ask Yan Li if the bathroom water was cold—when he suddenly pulled her into a kiss, biting her lips fiercely.

“Mmm… ugh…”

Qin Lan was stunned. After half a minute, she broke free, gasping:

“What’s gotten into you?”

Yan Li didn’t let go. He leaned down and kissed her gently: “I saw Huang Xiaoming. I’m protecting you.”

“Huh?”

Qin Lan was confused. Huang Xiaoming? Where was he? This was Yan Li’s apartment.

Yan Li pointed to the TV, which was playing his drama, *The Great Han Emperor*.

“Pfft.”

Qin Lan couldn’t help laughing, pinching him: “You’re never done with him, are you?”

Yan Li looked innocent: “I’m helping you. Help someone all the way. Oh, he’s looking this way again…”

He kissed her again. She struggled weakly, then slowly sank into it.

On TV, *The Great Han Emperor* continued—luckily, it was the scene where Li Ling was captured.

Huang Xiaoming’s Liu Che, believing him a traitor, lost control completely—eyes bulging, face twisted in rage, pointing at the screen and screaming curses…

(End of Chapter)