Chapter 48

October, golden autumn, Jingcheng railway station

Qin Lan stepped off the train with her suitcase, scanning the surroundings for a free taxi, her fingers rubbing the pre-written address slip, feeling deeply satisfied.

Let me catch that bastard off guard this time!

Hmph, only writes me a letter every half a month, calls once every two or three days, and even texts are slow to reply.

She wanted to see whether Seeing Yan Li was really not getting back together with his ex-girlfriend.

"Miss, need a ride?"

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

But she saw standing behind her the very bastard she had been thinking of for months.

"Miss, you're gorgeous—ride's free."

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

"Alright then."

Qin Lan was stunned yet delighted, then smiled broadly, shoved her bag into his hands, and followed Seeing Yan Li away, leaving a young man behind staring in disbelief.

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

Seeing Yan Li brought Qin Lan to a Santana, shoved the suitcase into the trunk, while Qin Lan circled the car curiously, inspecting it.

"Boss Yan's doing well—bought a car already."

"Rented."

Seeing Yan Li closed the trunk: "I got this just to pick you up. How about that? Moved, right?"

"Not bad."

Qin Lan's tone was aloof, but her cheerful cadence revealed she was deeply pleased he'd come to meet her.

Still, Qin Lan had one question: "How did you know I was coming to Jingcheng today?"

"Guess."

Seeing Yan Li teased, so Qin Lan had to reason it out herself: "I didn't tell many people—my agent, you don't know him, Huang Yi? I didn't even tell her the exact date… You didn't wait here every day, did you?"

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

"I asked Huang Yi, and I subtly probed when I called you before, roughly estimated when you might come, checked the train schedules, and came pretty close."

Qin Lan suddenly understood: "So that time you told me when you'd go to Suzhou to film— you were just fishing for when I'd arrive."

She glared at him playfully: "You're too sneaky. Dealing with you means I have to be on edge every single day."

Yet despite her complaints, Qin Lan slipped into the car with swift, effortless motion, showing no sign of keeping her distance.

"Where to?"

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

"Your place."

Seeing 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."

Seeing 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 guy, why are you so stingy?"

"It's not stinginess."

Seeing Yan Li rebutted, then said seriously: "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 coyness: "Just take me to see it. We're good friends—I need to know where you live."

"Fine."

Seeing Yan Li sighed, turned the steering wheel, drove away from the station, and barely over half an hour later, the car entered a residential compound; Qin Lan sneakily glanced at the compound's name.

Hmm, yes—it was Guanghua Li compound!

At the building entrance, they got out and collected the luggage; Qin Lan couldn't help asking.

"Why did you rent here?"

"I used to rent near our school, but after I started trading stocks, it became more convenient to live in Chaoyang, so I moved."

What Seeing Yan Li said was mostly true—he'd lived near Beijing Film Academy, he did trade stocks, and living in Chaoyang was indeed more convenient.

What he didn't mention was that he hadn't canceled his lease at the school area, and he spent far more time there than here.

More importantly, the rental date of this Guanghua Li apartment differed by over two months from the date he'd written on the first letter to Qin Lan.

…

The apartment Seeing Yan Li rented was on the second floor; Qin Lan stepped inside and saw two bedrooms and a living room, decently decorated, but with no signs of daily life.

"Of course there are no signs."

Seeing Yan Li said confidently: "Since returning from Hengdian, I've barely spent any days in Jingcheng—I was in Shijiazhuang filming for a month, and just a few days ago I was on a business trip again. I feel like I'm wasting money on this rent."

Qin Lan thought it over and nodded, wandered slowly through the apartment, and relaxed.

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

Seeing Yan Li silently lit a cigarette, grateful he'd played it safe.

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

Clothes, toothbrushes—easy to hide. But if a single hair was found, especially in his room or beside his bed, even blaming it on a roommate wouldn't work.

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

A nightmare!

So the best solution was to have three rabbit holes—set up a separate place, easy, convenient, and safe.

I'll take the side room.

After inspecting the house, Qin Lan also picked her room—there wasn't much to choose from, only two rooms: either the side room, or share a room with Seeing Yan Li.

Fine.

Seeing Yan Li nodded, but added: "Once you pick your room, don't wander around. If you go to the wrong room at night to use the toilet, don't blame me for being uncivil."

"I'm returning that to you—if you dare act up and pretend to wander into the wrong room, I've brought scissors with me."

Qin Lan made a fierce scissor gesture with her hands; Seeing Yan Li felt a chill below, deeply displeased.

"I'm not even charging you rent, and you're threatening me?"

Qin Lan didn't reply; she stuck out her tongue and went back to her room to pack. This left Seeing Yan Li hesitating.

Should he wander into her room tonight—or shouldn't he?

That night, after eating out, Qin Lan made the decision for him: on the way back, she bought a large lock and hung it prominently on the bedroom door.

Her intentions were clear: she didn't want to move too fast!

At least until Seeing Yan Li clearly stated his intention to date her, she didn't want to let him take advantage of her by accident.

But Seeing Yan Li didn't want to clarify things, just like with Dong Xuan—he preferred to vaguely "be friends."

Then let it be slow. After all, the meat was already on the table; eating it early or late was still eating—it wouldn't hurt to wait a bit.

Still, the meat was temporarily out of reach, but a little groping was necessary—consider it rent payment.

Qin Lan, holding her change of clothes, had just stepped into the living room to ask Seeing Yan Li if the bathroom water was cold when he grabbed her, clamped his lips onto hers, and kissed her fiercely.

"Mmm… hmm…"

Qin Lan was stunned; it took half a minute to react. She broke free, gasping for air. "What's wrong with you?"

Seeing Yan Li didn't let go; he leaned down and kissed her lightly: "I saw Huang Xiaoming. I'm watching out for you."

Seeing Yan Li still wouldn't let go, leaning down to kiss lightly: "I saw Huang Xiaoming—I'm keeping an eye on him for you."

Qin Lan was confused. Huang Xiaoming was in Seeing Yan Li's rented house? Where?

Seeing Yan Li pointed to the turned-on TV, where his starring drama, The Great Han Son of Heaven, was playing.

Seeing Yan Li pointed at the turned-on TV, where his drama The Son of Heaven was playing.

Qin Lan couldn't hold back her laugh; she pinched Seeing Yan Li. "You're never done, are you? Even him you won't let go of."

Seeing Yan Li looked innocent: "I'm helping you—helping someone all the way. Hey, he's looking over again…"

He bent down and kissed her again; she struggled weakly a few times, then slowly sank into it.

The TV still played The Great Han Son of Heaven—luckily, it was precisely the scene where Li Ling was captured.

Huang Xiaoming's portrayal of Liu Che, mistakenly believing him a traitor, lost all composure, eyes bulging, raging uncontrollably, pointing at the camera and furiously screaming…

Huang Xiaoming's portrayal of Liu Che mistook him for betrayal, losing all composure, eyes blazing with rage, leaping in fury, pointing at the camera and screaming curses...

(End of chapter)