Emperor Wu of Han and the Little Girl Who Doesn't Know How to Manage Life

Although Qin Lan was a bit petty, she got angry quickly and cooled down just as fast. Without waiting for Yan Li to coax her, she came to Guanghua Lane the next morning as if nothing had happened, even bringing him breakfast.

This was partly because Yan Li was about to leave the capital to film in a few days.

After finally reuniting, they would soon be separated again, and they barely had enough time to nurture their relationship, let alone sulk or give each other the silent treatment.

She made a mental note to keep track of this dog of a man; once she had him under control, there would be plenty of time to seek revenge.

Yan Li, who had been reading at home earlier, set his book down after opening the door for Qin Lan and went to wash his hands before breakfast.

“The soy milk’s a bit cold; I’ll warm it up,” Qin Lan said, feeling the temperature of the soy milk packet. She went to the kitchen to heat it while Yan Li finished washing his hands. He didn’t start eating immediately but peeled a tea egg while waiting for her.

Once the soy milk was warm, they began their meal. Yan Li was tall, strong, and young, with a large appetite; he polished off a fried dough stick in no time.

Qin Lan wasn’t very hungry, so she just drank some soy milk and ate two tea eggs before picking up the book Yan Li had set aside and flipping through it casually.

“Records of the Grand Historian? Why are you reading this?” Qin Lan asked, puzzled. Had he become obsessed with the TV series “Emperor of the Han Dynasty” these past few days?

Yan Li bit into his fried dough stick. “A crew is going to hold auditions soon. I want to prepare in advance.”

“A crew?” Qin Lan was surprised. As a newcomer without formal training and limited connections in the industry, she hadn’t heard of any production related to the “Records of the Grand Historian.” But judging by Yan Li’s enthusiasm, it must be a highly sought-after big project.

Could it be a sequel to “Emperor of the Han Dynasty”?

If so, Yan Li wasn’t just taking the role from her; he was also competing for the male lead originally played by Huang Xiaoming. That was ruthless.

“Don’t be silly,” Yan Li said, exasperated. Was he really that kind of person? Besides, when had he ever stolen anything from her? She was the one who didn’t like Huang Xiaoming; he was just trying to help.

“Besides, if I get into the crew for ‘Emperor Wu of Han,’ I might even have a chance to play the young Liu Che.”

But…

Recalling information from the system, Yan Li realized that compared to playing the young Emperor Wu, he was more interested in portraying one of Han China’s two legendary generals—Wei Qing or Huo Qubing.

Especially Huo Qubing. Yan Li had only known of him as a formidable general from middle school history lessons, with only a vague understanding.

After studying the “Records of the Grand Historian” and online resources in depth these past few days, Yan Li was utterly amazed by Huo Qubing’s military achievements.

This made him all the more eager to play the role!

Moreover, the director of “Emperor Wu of Han” was Hu Mei, who had previously helmed “The Yongzheng Dynasty,” and the main production company was China Film Group. The entire crew was reliable, making it one of the top historical productions in the industry.

Having experienced the long wait to audition for “Heroes of the Sui and Tang Dynasties” and then seeing the script for “The Treasure Bowl” that distorted Zhu Yuanzhang’s image, Yan Li took such historical roles seriously.

A true champion general of the Han Dynasty, famed for his conquests from the Wolf Mountain to the Ju Xu Pass!

If he were fortunate enough to portray such a peerless divine general and earn recognition from the audience, it would be a worthy achievement for Yan Li’s acting career.

“I’ll ask my agent to keep an eye out, too. Maybe we’ll end up in the same crew,” Qin Lan said.

She wasn’t particularly interested in “Emperor Wu of Han” or “Emperor Guangwu of Han,” but she wanted to act alongside Yan Li.

The main point was that being in the same crew would give them more private time together.

Unlike now, where they barely saw each other before soon parting again; by the time Yan Li returned from filming in Su City, she might already have left the capital for another shoot.

Thinking of this, Qin Lan felt even more reluctant. Yan Li, perceptive as ever, noticed her mood and leaned in to kiss her gently.

“All right, after I finish eating, I’ll take you out to have some fun.”

Qin Lan smiled but pushed him playfully. “Ew, your mouth’s all oily.”

Before she could say more, Yan Li kissed her again with even more enthusiasm. “The weather in the capital is dry; I’m just putting some oil on you to protect your skin.”

“Nonsense!” Qin Lan scoffed, but she didn’t resist much and let him have his fun.

…

Qin Lan wasn’t professionally trained as an actress. She had attended Industrial University of Shen City, majoring in accounting.

According to her, she chose that major influenced by her mother, who was an accountant at a state-owned enterprise and considered it a stable career.

But after entering university, Qin Lan didn’t really like accounting.

In 2000, her junior year, she participated in a modeling contest with classmates, where she stood out and was signed by a broadcasting company in Xiang Province.

After graduating in 2001, she moved to the capital and became one of the many aspiring actors trying to make it there.

But before drifting for long, she was chosen by Qiong Yao to star in “My Fair Princess 3,” and the gears of her personal fate began to turn slowly.

…

Now, returning to the capital with Yan Li by her side, Qin Lan’s mindset was entirely different.

“Let’s go to Tiananmen Square first. I want to take some photos.”

Qin Lan had been in the capital before and had visited Tiananmen Square, but at the time, with an uncertain future and a tight budget, she had only glanced at it briefly.

This time, knowing that Yan Li had borrowed a camera specifically to enjoy their outing and capture memories, she was eager to explore properly.

Yan Li had no objections. Since he was taking Qin Lan out today, he was happy to follow her lead.

In fact, except for the one time he took photos at Tiananmen Square during his freshman year to send home, it had been over two years. It was good to document some personal changes.

They played from morning until dusk when the camera’s battery nearly died before heading home.

“Thanks for today,” Qin Lan said, having had a great time. Her gaze toward Yan Li grew softer and sweeter as she got out of the car and gave him a farewell kiss.

Seeing the good mood, Yan Li felt emboldened and said tentatively, “I’m a bit thirsty.”

“Then do you want to—” Qin Lan pursed her lips, her eyes seeming to hesitate.

Yan Li thought he had a chance and was about to push further when, catching him off guard, Qin Lan slipped out of his embrace, quickly opened the car door, and hopped out, laughing.

“If you’re thirsty, drink at home.”

Saying that, she dashed away playfully, fearing Yan Li would catch her and fuss over her. Yan Li shook his head.

Though she seemed ditzy on the surface and kept retreating, her defenses were strong when it mattered. She held her ground and didn’t reveal her cards easily.

Because of this, Yan Li was starting to enjoy their back-and-forth play. Each conquest came with a little surprise.

But he vowed to get even for every trick she played on him.

The next day, Qin Lan came to Guanghua Lane again. Yan Li took the opportunity to tease her thoroughly and then, taking it a step further, helped moisturize and care for her hands.

“Gross!” Qin Lan exclaimed after washing her hands, complaining that they felt sore and refusing to eat breakfast unless Yan Li fed her.

Yan Li’s expression was strange. Young girls were always like this. Dong Xuan had been the same; after their last close encounter, she had avoided milk and soy milk for days.

Not like Jiang Shan, the older sister, who was more mature and practical, never wasting anything…