Chapter 49: Now, Who

Daily Info 3: Qin Lan wants to co-rent with Yu Yanli, slowly cultivate feelings, gradually give him small favors, and only give herself to him after officially becoming a couple… but she’s realizing she might not be in control after all…

Yu Yanli saw this info and nearly laughed out loud.

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

But on day one, Qin Lan’s carefully laid plan collapsed, and her rhythm was completely thrown off.

Last night, if not for fearing the aftermath, if Yu Yanli hadn’t held back at the last moment after getting his fill, allowing Qin Lan to escape, he’d already be downstairs buying her medicine right now.

After waking up and washing up, Yu Yanli bought breakfast downstairs, returned home, and found Qin Lan already up, packing her luggage.

“Didn’t you say you’d stay with me for now?”

Yu Yanli frowned and asked. Qin Lan, fearing he’d misunderstand, explained: “My agent just called—she rented an apartment for me. I can’t burden you.”

“Just stay. What’s the burden? I get someone to talk to.”

Yu Yanli kept trying to persuade her, but Qin Lan was firm—she couldn’t let her agent’s kindness go to waste.

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

Though she 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 over. If she didn’t play hard to get, if she didn’t carefully cultivate the emotion, how could she make Yu Yanli unable to leave her and willingly stay with her for life?

Yu Yanli 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 flickered with shock and distress, lips parting 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 about her moving out, 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 Yu Yanli and gently explained.

“Don’t overthink it. We just won’t live together—but that doesn’t stop me from coming over to see you.”

Yu Yanli looked dejected: “Don’t comfort me. I understand.”

You understand what?!

Qin Lan bit her lip, kept coaxing him—but Yu Yanli kept that “don’t speak, my heart is dead” expression, which tore at her. Finally, she clenched her teeth and hugged him, planting a kiss on his lips.

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 abandonment’s misery when he kissed; he was dominant, brazen, and ruthless.

Yu Yanli savored it: “Next time, don’t use mint toothpaste—it numbs your tongue.”

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

“My agent already rented one…”

Qin Lan tried to argue, but one sly glance from Yu Yanli made her surrender immediately.

“Don’t make it too expensive. One bedroom, one living room is fine.”

…

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

Capable, with many listings, high-quality properties, fair prices, and though his character wasn’t perfect, he was considered decent in the brokerage business.

But what Yu Yanli admired most was Xiao Zheng’s discretion—he protected client privacy, never uttered a word he shouldn’t.

So this time, for Qin Lan’s apartment, Yu Yanli contacted him.

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

Crucially, the distance from Guanghua Li was just right.

He’d nailed the balance: too close meant no personal space; too far meant insufficient connection.

Yu Yanli, already impressed by Xiao Zheng, now understood how Li Peng must have felt about him—and he began to feel a desire to recruit him.

He considered hiring Xiao Zheng once his own career took off.

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

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

Hearing Xiao Zheng’s description, Yu Yanli suddenly remembered—he could visit Panjiayuan anytime.

Maybe he’d stumble upon an undiscovered antique through the system at a bargain price…

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.

They found a hotpot restaurant nearby—for dinner and to celebrate Qin Lan’s move-in.

After eating, Yu Yanli 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 Yu Yanli, turned around, and looked at him expectantly.

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

“Different?”

Yu Yanli studied her, uncertain: “Gained weight?”

“You’re the one who gained weight.”

Qin Lan bristled, but Yu Yanli shrugged: “A little extra weight is better—it’s more pleasant to touch.”

In terms of feel, he thought Dong Xuan still had a slight edge, while Qin Lan was a bit thinner—but her slim waist and long legs made her feel sweet and delicate in his arms.

“I’m not talking about your figure.”

Seeing he couldn’t guess, Qin Lan prompted him. Yu Yanli 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. Yu Yanli caught her foot, teased her a bit, then finally stopped, grinning.

“I noticed long ago—your skin’s a bit whiter than before.”

“Good thing your eyes aren’t completely useless.”

Qin Lan was finally satisfied. Yu Yanli smiled—he wasn’t just observant; his information network was sharp.

Someone in Hengdian had been aggressively skincare-focused—daily sunscreen, hydration, never without whitening fruits and vegetables, determined to blind his “dog eyes”—the system had already reported it multiple times.

Yu Yanli thought Qin Lan would ask right away upon meeting him, but she’d waited until now—probably hoping he’d notice the surprise himself.

“Now, who’s whiter—you or your ex-girlfriend?”

Qin Lan stood with her hands behind her back, smugly asking. Yu Yanli hesitated, rubbing his chin.

“Do you really want 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: “Was she really that white?”

“Mm.”

Qin Lan fell silent again, then softly asked: “Was her face square too?”

Yu Yanli: “…”

Women are all petty. He’d never tease again…

(End of Chapter)