Lipstick Shades and Property Deeds

Qin Yanan pulled the doorknob aside slightly, and Liu Chang'an brushed past her. Her hair swayed with her figure, a few strands of black hair moved slightly, and she exuded a fragrant aroma.

Qin Yanan locked the door behind her, tugged to make sure it was locked, and said, "You haven't put away the appliances I bought for you last time. Some of the manuals and accessories are still in the box. I fiddled with them for a while while I was waiting for you. I put the manuals in the drawer under the TV, and I labeled the spare parts and put them all in that storage box."

"Thank you for your help." Liu Chang'an nodded. Qin Yanan was more meticulous in this regard. Zhou Shuling came to help him clean every day, but Zhou Shuling didn't dare to touch the appliances she didn't know how to use, just like a man wouldn't want to help a woman organize her cosmetics.

"I didn't really have anything urgent to do, I just don't know why... I just wanted to come and take a look..." Qin Yanan glanced sideways at the ground, her long trench coat hanging from the chair, the tips of her high-heeled sandals lightly touching the ground in circles, her toenails painted with a single-color pink nail polish, which had a soft halo in the light. "Do you think... Ye Sijin was the one who instructed me?"

After Qin Yanan finished speaking, she raised her head and stared intently at Liu Chang'an. It seemed that the question only involved someone else's instructions, and not that she had just seen Liu Chang'an in the morning and wanted to see him again in the evening... Since it was someone else's instructions, it naturally had nothing to do with her own modesty. Therefore, the way she looked at him seemed to be just a rational discussion, and had nothing to do with other emotions.

As for whether Ye Sijin can be considered someone else... sometimes he can be considered someone else, sometimes he can be considered himself; it all depends on Qin Yanan's own mood and needs.

"Let me put it another way. It's not so much that you instructed it, but rather that it was influenced by the emotions within those memories." Liu Chang'an thought for a moment. "When you were reborn, your brain shouldn't have any memories stored inside. So where did Ye Sijin's memories go? They were probably sealed, imprisoned, or forbidden to be accessed... things like that, whether scientifically or unscientifically. Then you became the Qin Yanan you are today, and your strong individual consciousness continues to prevent you from accessing those memories. Now that you're slowly accepting that you once had a completely unrecognizable memory, your brain is probably starting to consciously or unconsciously access those past memories... Memories, of course, contain emotions, and emotions naturally influence your behavior."

Memories without emotion are merely recorded stories. The reason people cherish memories is ultimately because humans are emotional beings.

"What if these memories have an increasingly significant impact on me in the future?" Qin Yanan watched Liu Chang'an sit down. She remained standing, but her voice was soft and gentle, like the murmur of a breeze rustling through the leaves of a sycamore tree outside the balcony.

"If you ask me what you'll become... I really can't say. You'll probably be someone whose personality has changed. Like when you think about some embarrassing things you did as a child, you'll wonder how you could have been so stupid back then, but you won't think it's someone else's fault or that it has nothing to do with you. You'll still feel embarrassed and ashamed when you think about it..." Liu Chang'an smiled and waved his hand. "Don't think too much about these things. Just let nature take its course."

"I didn't do anything shameful or silly when I was a child... Zhu Juntang, on the other hand, often did some silly and embarrassing things." Qin Yanan thought, how could an elegant and graceful woman be associated with anything shameful? It's like how men always ask their girlfriends if they've practiced judo, and girls usually deny it rather than say that they do it occasionally.

"As expected, Zhu Juntang must have been a fairy since childhood. It's hard to cultivate such a personality and temperament, right?" Liu Chang'an thought of Zhu Juntang, turned his head to look out the window. He couldn't see Baolong Center from the living room. Taiwan also has some activities on the mainland's National Day, but they are not statutory holidays. Zhu Juntang probably didn't need to rush back to Taiwan.

"But what I'm worried about now is whether Ye Sijin's feelings for you... will affect me?" Qin Yanan twirled a strand of hair on her chest with her fingers and sighed softly, because she now understood that when Liu Chang'an asked her to touch the coffin, she didn't tell Liu Chang'an that the obsession she sensed with Ye Sijin for someone was not simply familial affection.

She had also dreamt of Ye Sijin spending a passionate night with someone, and now she naturally knew who that person was...

"What do you think?" Liu Chang'an asked in return, gazing into her eyes. Qin Yanan gradually showed a shy expression, then turned her head away and bit her lip.

"There might be a little bit, but I'm ultimately a more rational person. I'm not a woman like Su Nanxiu. Even if things went wrong back then, how could I make the same mistake again?" Qin Yanan raised her hands and crossed them over her chest as if she had made up her mind, so that he wouldn't think she was trying to take advantage of Ye Sijin's influence to possess his feelings. She wasn't that kind of person.

"Oh." Liu Chang'an indicated that he understood. Let's just leave it at that for now. The past is the past, and the present is the present. It would be best if we could keep that distinction clear... But no matter what kind of relationship it is, it's not something that can be clearly defined or governed by rules. As we get to know each other, we'll understand how to maintain the right balance.

"I didn't see Shangguan Dandan today. She didn't even answer my knocks." Qin Yanan was a little confused. She clearly felt that Shangguan Dandan was much closer to her than to Su Nanxiu, and she also felt that Shangguan Dandan was quite nice to her.

This should prove that Shangguan Dandan doesn't treat her like a daughter, otherwise, how could she treat her daughter like that?

This relieved Qin Yanan. Whether it was a mother in her twenties or a mother who looked fourteen or fifteen, it was quite a dilemma.

"That's normal. Sometimes she's sleeping, sometimes she's reading novels, and sometimes she simply doesn't want to come out." Liu Chang'an wasn't surprised. "Let's talk about it next time."

"I'm quite curious about what Su Nanxiu will do next... She seems to be at a disadvantage, but someone like her definitely won't give up easily. However, she hasn't made any moves yet." Qin Yanan was still a little concerned about Su Nanxiu. Although Shangguan Dandan seemed to be able to suppress Su Nanxiu's strength lay in her cunning and ruthless ideas, as well as the matching execution ability.

For example, the two cyborgs who were killed by Liu Chang'an that night; for example, as the "Third Mistress," Su Nanxiu, as far as Qin Yanan knew, had a double doctorate in pharmacology and pathology... If an ordinary person married such a wife, and she had murderous intentions, then he could expect a "normal death."

"She's not young anymore, why would she be so impatient?" Liu Chang'an stood up and looked at the door.

Qin Yanan also noticed the movement at the door; someone was gently pushing it from the outside.

Outside the door, Zhou Shuling carried a large bowl of sliced braised beef, muttering to herself, "I wanted to bring them some late-night snacks, but they locked the door," before going upstairs again.

"I think I'll leave now, so no one will overthink it." Qin Yanan somewhat helplessly. The young woman upstairs might not necessarily have any feelings for Liu Chang'an, but she just loved gossip too much.

Liu Chang'an nodded and saw a video chat invitation pop up on his phone, which was on the coffee table.

Liu Chang'an quickly grabbed his phone, picked up Qin Yanan, and jumped off the balcony.

Qin Yanan was baffled, but she had been lifted up and jumped over by him many times before, so she wasn't flustered. She habitually wrapped her arms around his neck, then bit her lip and watched him silently, letting him do as he pleased.

By this time, there weren't many people left near Liu Chang'an's neighborhood. Liu Chang'an carried Qin Yanan and leaped a few times, arriving at an alley not far from the neighborhood. He put her down, took her a few steps, and led her to a brightly lit street.

"Why did it take you so long to answer?" An Nuan's reproachful voice came through the video call as soon as Liu Chang'an connected.

"I just saw Teacher Qin out... Teacher Qin had something to discuss with me, we finished talking, and now I'm taking her home." Liu Chang'an summarized, and that was roughly what happened.

An Nuan instinctively glanced at the time, her brows furrowing briefly before relaxing into a smile. She said to Liu Chang'an, "I'll say hello to Teacher Qin."

Liu Chang'an was somewhat puzzled. It was already a good thing she hadn't rushed back overnight in a fit of jealousy and fury, but instead, she even greeted Qin Yanan?

He turned the phone slightly towards Qin Yanan, saying, "An Nuan said she wanted to say hello to you."

"Hi, An Nuan, how was your trip?" Qin Yanan unconsciously leaned closer, revealing a gentle smile, and waved to An Nuan on the screen.

"It's alright, Teacher Qin, how did you know I went on vacation?" An Nuan's smile was similar, even more enthusiastic.

"Liu Chang'an told me that he did after you left." Qin Yanan's smile widened.

Liu Chang'an sighed. What was he trying to do?

"Actually, I didn't want to go on a trip either. My flight is at 6 a. m. on the 1st, and he stayed at my house until 4 or 5 a. m. before leaving... He's not coming to play with me, and I'm so bored..." An Nuan's cheeks flushed slightly. It's all because of this old fox that I've lost all my composure! Liu Chang'an would tell you right away as soon as I left? He really has no shame. At most, he'd just say that casually if you asked!

"Then come back soon." Qin Yanan stopped there, but it wasn't convenient to ask Liu Chang'an now... It seemed inconvenient to ask at any time, she'd have to test the waters another day... No, there was no need to test the waters. If An Nuan really had a relationship with Liu Chang'an, she probably wouldn't be implying anything like this. Liu Chang'an stayed at her house until four or five in the morning.

Qin Yanan didn't want to upset An Nuan too much. As for whether An Nuan would interpret her request to come back early as meaning that if she didn't come back early to protect Liu Chang'an, someone else would take advantage of the situation, that was An Nuan's own business. Qin Yanan herself didn't mean that; she just treated Liu Chang'an as an older brother.

"Teacher Qin, your lip color is so beautiful! Could you tell me the shade?" An Nuan asked suddenly.

"Yang Shulin 401 clarinet, this color might not suit you a bit, it's a little too mature," Qin Yanan suggested earnestly, brushing a strand of hair from her chest. "It just looks a bit lighter on screen."

"Oh, I see. I already have 406, 411, 412, and 410. Actually, I prefer 413, but that color is a bit mature, and my mom likes to wear it." An Nuan pouted. "I'm currently using 410, a lovely pinkish-girly color."

"Judging from your hotel, it seems to be the Rosewood in Sanya?" Qin Yanan noticed the background in An Nuan's video.

"Yes, we really shouldn't have come here for National Day, but my grandparents and my mother don't dare to take long flights, and I prayed to the Bodhisattva at South Mountain Temple for Liu Chang'an during the Dragon Boat Festival, so we're here to fulfill our vow." An Nuan also felt it was time to stop and decided to end the conversation with Qin Yanan.

"So you went to the duty-free shop today? I recommend a designer brand to you, it's designed specifically for Asian women. I'm always so envious when I go, but they usually don't have my size." Qin Yanan smiled slightly, flaunting that she was still a young girl in front of a twenty-five-year-old woman. This was truly vicious, no different from killing someone's spirit.

An Nuan's expression changed slightly. She turned to look at the balcony and suddenly exclaimed, "Oh no! I got my bag wet while playing water activities today, and my property certificate got wet too. I just put it on the balcony to dry, and it's gone!"

"Why are you bringing a property certificate with you on your trip?" Qin Yanan was taken aback.

"It belongs to Liu Chang'an's family. He gave it to me, and I've been keeping it in my bag ever since, forgetting to take it out!" An Nuan said hurriedly. "I'm not talking to you anymore, I'm going to find the property certificate first."

After saying that, An Nuan carefully observed Qin Yanan's expression, then meticulously took several screenshots before hanging up the video call.

Qin Yanan turned her head to look at Liu Chang'an.

Liu Chang'an was a man who had never known what "panic" meant, but he sensed it. If it were any other man, he would probably be dead by now.

Qin Yanan slapped her phone into Liu Chang'an's hand, then took out his house key from her bag and slapped it onto his phone with a blank expression.

"What are you doing?" Liu Chang'an looked at Qin Yanan, who looked like a little hen returning to her brooding hen only to find that the eggs she was incubating were gone.

"I asked you for a key, and you just gave her the property certificate?" Qin Yanan crossed her arms, nodded, stepped on her heels, bit her lip, and tugged at a strand of hair at the corner of her mouth. She used to think An Nuan was just a girl who liked to provoke people, but now she felt that An Nuan was a born master of palace intrigue. Her words were so sharp and pointed, full of hidden schemes. Qin Yanan had been tricked by An Nuan without even realizing it.

"It's given."

Qin Yanan glared at Liu Chang'an, annoyed, and took a few steps forward before running back. She stared fiercely at Liu Chang'an, snatching the key back from his hand. If she just returned the key like that, wouldn't that mean she'd been completely defeated by An Nuan? Qin Yanan wasn't the type to give up easily. Over a hundred years ago, as a child, she could wait for her brother without sleep or food; what was this now?

An Nuan, there's plenty of time in the future, please continue to guide me.

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A long chapter was written while I was ill; please vote with monthly tickets.