Chapter 92: Yan Li and Qin Lan Co-habiting

By mid-April, the SARS situation in Jingcheng had worsened, and relevant departments increased their attention, implementing multiple measures.

These included closing schools and entertainment venues, suspending large-scale events, restricting population movement, and locking down communities with confirmed cases.

Although Yan Li had learned some information through monthly reports, the impact of written descriptions differed greatly from reality.

Affected by the oppressive, panic-stricken atmosphere, Yan Li became compliant, canceled all social engagements, and stopped going out.

Coinciding with Beijing Film Academy's campus lockdown, Dong Xuan and Huang Shengyi were both trapped inside, so he simply moved into Qin Lan's rented apartment in Nongguangli.

Right after Yan Li moved in, a case was discovered in Nongguangli, and the compound was temporarily locked down.

Yan Li was worried—moving into Nongguangli was fine, he wasn't permanently confined; he could still find time to handle Dong Xuan's check-ins and occasionally contact Huang Shengyi.

But now, under lockdown, he couldn't even go downstairs—how would he explain this later?

Qin Lan, however, was delighted; these past few days, she and Yan Li had seen each other nearly every day, and their feelings had grown well.

Yet she still felt it wasn't enough—and then came the lockdown, which was practically a forced two-person world.

Outside, the SARS crisis loomed everywhere, hearts trembling; trapped together, they had only each other to rely on, sharing the storm, clinging to one another through hardship, their bond surely rising steadily, climbing higher each day.

The more she thought about it, the happier she became; even while cleaning, she couldn't help humming, leaving Yan Li baffled.

Has this girl been bullied too much these past few days? Why does she seem so silly now?

Hmm, no—she never really was that smart to begin with…

…

"... Yesterday, 40-year-old NBA star Jordan played his final professional game at the Wizards' home court, officially announcing his retirement from basketball…"

Yan Li, fiddling with his phone, looked up at the TV: "I thought he retired already?"

He remembered clearly—he hadn't yet come to Jingcheng for university; a friend back home was a Jordan fan who had been heartbroken upon hearing the news, losing his appetite for meals.

Qin Lan fed him a segment of orange, glanced at the TV, and the subsequent report answered Yan Li's question.

"There, it says—third retirement. This time he's old, and it's final."

"You can do that?"

Yan Li rarely watched basketball; he'd only followed a few games last year when Yao Ming entered the NBA, out of curiosity—he truly didn't understand these things.

After the basketball news ended, CCTV aired "World Football," and Yan Li put down his phone, watching intently.

Qin Lan noticed his change in attitude: "Why are you suddenly watching football? I remember you barely watched during the World Cup."

Back then, Yan Li knew little about football, only joined the hype and bought sports lottery tickets.

"Because I tasted success buying lottery tickets, I started paying more attention; the more I paid attention, the more interested I gradually became."

Yan Li briefly explained his journey.

Actually, even before, his interest in football had surpassed other sports—he'd had a coach at his martial arts school who loved football and often played matches during breaks to entertain them.

But Yan Li had been young then; he'd just planted a seed, and afterward rarely watched games.

Until last year's World Cup, the seed finally sprouted.

However, due to work and time differences, he rarely watched live matches—usually he watched online match reports or programs like "World Football."

"Which team do you like?"

Qin Lan knew little about football, but she knew fans usually had a favorite team or player.

"Not decided yet. But I love watching the Premier League—I'll see who wins this season."

Yan Li had watched football for a short time—he was a typical fake fan and champion supporter, judging only by team performance: whoever won, he liked.

"Who's leading now?"

"Man United."

Qin Lan asked about Premier League rules, Man United's lead, and the probability of rivals overtaking them.

"Arsenal still has a chance—the gap between the two teams is very tight."

"Yeah, a few matches left—let's see who can hold on."

Qin Lan half-dozed through the program until a news segment on Beckham woke her up.

She only recognized a few players, and Beckham was the one she remembered best—he was handsome.

"Which team is Beckham on?"

"Man United."

"Then I support Man United too."

Yan Li: "..."

As "World Football" aired a Serie A highlights segment, Yan Li lost interest, lay on Qin Lan's lap, and began slipping his hand under her clothes.

Qin Lan had grown used to this these past few days; she rolled her eyes and said, "Aren't you watching football anymore?"

"Not anymore. I want to play with the ball now."

"Pfft."

Qin Lan spat at him, but unconsciously adjusted her posture to make him more comfortable, giving his arm easier access.

Just as they were enjoying themselves, his phone on the table rang; Yan Li switched to one-handed play and answered.

"Hello."

"Xiao Yan? It's Liang Guanhua."

"Teacher Liang."

Hearing it was Liang Guanhua, whom he'd met on "The Ju Bao Pen," Yan Li's expression grew serious; Qin Lan, seeing this, bit her lip, picked up the remote, and lowered the TV volume.

After brief pleasantries over the phone, Liang Guanhua got to the point.

He'd just taken on a new drama—a historical detective series called "Wu Chaomi," about the Tang dynasty statesman Di Renjie.

He would play the lead role of Di Renjie, and Di Renjie had a capable assistant, similar to Zhan Zhao beside Bao Zheng—the team's martial specialist, responsible for bodyguarding and apprehending suspects.

"This character is young, with plenty of fight scenes—I remember you know martial arts. Do you have any availability? I'd like to recommend you to the director."

Previously, in "The Ju Bao Pen," Yan Li had left a very good impression on Liang Guanhua; after the Spring Festival just a few days ago, Yan Li had even paid him a personal New Year's visit.

Precisely because of this, when he discovered a suitable role for Yan Li in "Wu Chaomi Case," he wanted to help Yan Li out.

"Oh my, thank you, Teacher Liang, for still thinking of me."

Yan Li hadn't expected Liang Guanhua to call him about this—he quickly expressed his gratitude.

He knew so many people, and those who actively helped him secure roles could be counted on his fingers.

Either they were like Cheng Lidong, who owed him favors, or like Jiang Shan, who had slept with him as compensation.

Yet Liang Guanhua had merely paid a New Year's visit, brought some homemade specialties and a box of milk—and yet, when he got a new drama, he remembered to recommend Yan Li.

Still, Yan Li was grateful and moved, but his schedule truly didn't have room.

These days, the SARS outbreak was severe; he estimated he wouldn't be able to shoot anything for the next one or two months.

In another two months, he was due to join the set of "Emperor Wu of Han," and after that, another drama, "Fortune Star High: Zhu Bajie."

Most importantly, Yan Li wanted to get involved in launching new projects, which would likely consume a great deal of his time and energy.

To be honest, if he hadn't already promised, he would have even turned down "Fortune Star High: Zhu Bajie."

After his net worth skyrocketed with "Conquest," Yan Li's mindset had shifted further—he no longer cared for ordinary productions or roles.

Only a multi-million-dollar historical epic like "Emperor Wu of Han," directed by a renowned filmmaker and featuring a legendary warrior like Huo Qubing, could make him temporarily set aside other work and truly return to his identity as an actor.

"I'm truly sorry to have troubled you."

"No problem, no problem, what's there to it? Come over for dinner when you have time—last time you improved that cold dish, it was delicious; I'll make it for you next time."

Liang Guanhua had a good attitude—helping was good if he could, but if he couldn't, it didn't matter.

"Good, good, I'll definitely take you up on it when the chance comes."

Yan Li finally understood why Liang Guanhua remembered him so well—his sweet talk and good acting were only part of it; the real key was the food.

After chatting a few more minutes, Yan Li hung up the phone; Qin Lan, whose face had turned as red as a piece of cloth, immediately grabbed his hand and pretended to bite him.

She had held back all this time, afraid of interrupting his call, but now she realized Yan Li was getting even more outrageous.

Yan Li didn't pull away—he cupped Qin Lan's occiput and leaned down to kiss her.

The more they kissed, the more passionate it became; Yan Li's hands began unbuttoning Qin Lan's clothes again, and this time, instead of resisting as she usually did, she gasped briefly between breaths.

"Go… go to the bedroom."

————

Qin Lan had teased him for so long that it had still stirred him deeply.

After a satisfying feast, Yan Li was in high spirits; he held the exhausted Qin Lan and whispered to her, making her eyes, already filled with nothing but him, grow even softer with affection.

Not long after, Qin Lan, unable to withstand her fatigue, fell into a deep sleep.

Yan Li checked the time—it had taken longer than expected; there were still fifteen minutes until midnight, so he decided to wait for today's daily intelligence.

As soon as midnight struck, today's daily intelligence refreshed; Yan Li lit a cigarette and opened the system.

【Daily Intelligence 1: Qin Lan was extremely satisfied with Yan Li's performance last night……】

Ugh, no need to state this kind of post-event summary.

Qin Lan's satisfaction had already been demonstrated through action—no need for the system to redundantly point it out.

【Daily Intelligence 2: Director Qian Yanqiu has already internally assigned his old classmate and close friend Zhang Zijian to play the role of Li Yuanfang; Liang Guanhua, unaware of the internal arrangement, recommending Yan Li was useless…】

Oh, so Teacher Liang was just being kind for nothing… Wait—Qian Yanqiu?

Yan Li frowned at the name, then pulled up a monthly intelligence entry—

【Monthly Intelligence x: Exclusive interview with director Qian Yanqiu, focusing on the 2004 hit suspense historical drama "Detective Di Renjie"…】

"Wu Chaomi Case," "Detective Di Renjie," lead character Di Renjie, same director, timeline matches.

Useless system—when will it add a feature to label a production's former names…

(End of Chapter)