Chapter 49

【Daily Info 3: Qin Lan wants to share an apartment with Yan Li, slowly cultivate feelings, gradually give him small sweet treats, and only give herself to him after officially becoming a couple… but she's realizing she might not be in control after all…】

Yan Li saw this info and nearly laughed out loud.

It matched his earlier guess based on system data—Qin Lan had come to Jingcheng with her own plan and rhythm.

But on the very first day, her carefully prepared plan collapsed, and her rhythm was completely thrown off.

Last night, if not for fearing the aftermath, Yan Li would've taken enough advantage and only let her escape at the last moment—he'd be downstairs buying her medicine right now.

After waking up and washing up, Yan Li bought breakfast downstairs; when he got home, Qin Lan was already up, packing her luggage.

"Didn't you say you'd stay with me for now?"

Yan Li frowned and asked; Qin Lan, fearing he'd misunderstand, explained: "My agent just called—she rented an apartment for me. I can't trouble you."

"Just stay! What's the trouble? I get someone to talk to."

Yan Li kept trying to persuade her, but Qin Lan was firm—she couldn't ignore her agent's kindness.

In truth, she was afraid that if she stayed any longer, in less than three days, she'd be warming his bed.

Though Qin Lan didn't mind the idea, it was moving too fast.

The easier something is to obtain, the less you value it. This man is no honest soul—he's slick and charming, winning women's hearts. If she didn't play hard to get and carefully cultivate the emotion, how could she make Yan Li unable to leave her, and willingly stay with her for life?

Yan Li knew exactly what Qin Lan was thinking—through the system, it was as clear as a mirror.

But outwardly, hearing she was leaving, his eyes showed a flicker of panic, his lips parted as if to speak, then he swallowed the rising pain and nodded sadly.

"Oh, I bought breakfast. Let's eat."

Qin Lan, watching his expression closely, grew anxious—she'd expected him to be unhappy, but not this heartbroken.

Right—she'd promised to stay with him, yet last night she'd fled back to her room, and now she was leaving after just one night. He must think she was breaking up with him.

Forgetting her luggage, Qin Lan hurried after Yan Li and gently explained.

"Don't overthink it—we're just not living together, but that doesn't stop me from coming over to see you."

Yan Li looked dejected: "Don't comfort me—I understand."

You understand what?!

Qin Lan bit her lip, kept coaxing him, but Yan Li just wore that "don't speak, my heart is dead" expression—it tore at her. Finally, she clenched her teeth and pulled him into a kiss.

After kissing for several minutes, Qin Lan, lips slightly swollen, glared at him: "Happy now?"

The moment she kissed him, she knew she'd been tricked—this dog of a man had no trace of "abandoned sorrow" when he kissed—he was dominant, ruthless.

Yan Li savored it: "Next time, don't use mint toothpaste—it numbs my tongue."

Qin Lan pinched him, but he dodged: "Eat first. Afterward, I'll take you to see apartments—I know a good agent."

"My agent already rented one…"

Qin Lan tried to protest, but one sly glance from Yan Li made her surrender immediately.

"Don't get anything too expensive—just a one-bedroom, one-living-room will do."

…

After breakfast, Yan Li contacted Agent Xiao Zheng—he'd found this man through the system when renting his Guanghua Li apartment.

He was highly capable, had a large inventory of quality listings, fair pricing, and though his character wasn't perfect, he was considered decent in the brokerage business.

But what Yan Li admired most was Xiao Zheng's extreme discretion—he protected client privacy and never uttered a word he shouldn't.

So this time, for Qin Lan's apartment, Yan Li contacted him.

Xiao Zheng was indeed skilled—he not only matched Qin Lan's requirements but subtly inquired about their relationship, then selected three apartments that were all excellent.

Crucially, their distance from Guanghua Li was just right.

This balance was perfectly calibrated—too close meant no personal space; too far meant insufficient connection.

Yan Li, who'd already liked Xiao Zheng, now understood how Li Peng must've felt about him—and he began to feel a desire to recruit him.

He considered, once his career took off, luring Xiao Zheng to work for him.

Qin Lan went with him to view the apartments and finally chose a complex called Nongguang Li near East Third Ring, about a half-hour drive from Guanghua Li.

Notably, this complex was close to Panjiayuan—only a few li away.

Hearing Xiao Zheng's description, Yan Li suddenly remembered—he could visit Panjiayuan anytime.

Maybe the system would help him find an undetected cheap antique…

After choosing the apartment, signing the contract, paying rent, and buying household items, Qin Lan spent the whole afternoon bustling around—finally, the new place looked livable.

The two found a hot pot restaurant nearby—for dinner, and also to celebrate Qin Lan's move-in.

After eating, Yan Li walked Qin Lan home, faintly recalling the feeling he'd had back in Hengdian.

Speaking of which, Qin Lan suddenly remembered something, stepped close to Yan Li, turned around, and looked at him expectantly.

"When you saw me this time, did you notice anything different?"

"Different?"

Yan Li studied her, uncertain: "Gained weight?"

"You're the one who gained weight!"

Qin Lan bristled, but Yan Li shrugged: "A little extra weight is good—it's more pleasant to touch."

In terms of feel, Yan Li thought Dong Xuan still had a slight edge; Qin Lan was a bit thinner, but her waist was slim, legs long, and she felt wonderfully delicate in his arms.

"I'm not talking about your figure."

Seeing Yan Li couldn't guess, Qin Lan prompted him; Yan Li frowned, studying her face.

"Plastic surgery? Doesn't look like it—your face is still a bit square."

"@＃＆{}"

Qin Lan flew into a rage and kicked him; Yan Li caught her foot, teased her a bit, then finally stopped, grinning:

"I noticed it right away—your skin's a bit whiter than before."

"You've got sharp eyes, I'll give you that."

Qin Lan finally seemed satisfied; Yan Li smiled—he not only had sharp eyes, but his information network was sharp too.

Someone was diligently skincareing in Hengdian, daily applying sunscreen and hydration, never letting go of whitening fruits and vegetables, determined to blind his "dog eyes"—the system had already announced it several times.

Yan Li had thought Qin Lan would ask immediately upon meeting, but he didn't expect her to wait until now, guessing she wanted him to discover the surprise on his own.

"Now, who's whiter—you or your ex-girlfriend?"

Qin Lan stood with her hands behind her back, proudly asking; Yan Li hesitated, rubbing his chin.

"Do you really want to hear the truth—or a lie?"

"Of course... never mind, I don't want to hear it."

Qin Lan fell silent for a moment, then couldn't help asking again: "Is she really that white?"

"Mm."

Qin Lan fell silent again, then asked softly: "Then, is her face square?"

Yan Li: "..."

Women are all petty—he'd never tease again...

(End of Chapter)