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Chapter 93: Qin Lan’s Terrible Taste

“H-hello, Sister. My surname is Lu, and it’s an honor to be your neighbor.”

Lu Yao studied Qin Lan for a moment, then spoke a little hurriedly.

The woman before her was simply too beautiful, the kind of urban elegance that made Lu Yao feel as if she were dreaming.

Qin Lan chuckled softly and handed over the fruit basket she had brought. “I’m honored as well. I never expected my little neighbor to be this adorable.”

Lu Yao blushed, waved her hand, and politely declined. “No, no, Sister, you’re being far too kind.”

Qin Lan laughed again. “Not at all. I’m new here and might need your help someday, so please don’t stand on ceremony. It’s just a small gesture, nothing expensive; go ahead and accept it.”

Since Qin Lan had said so much, Lu Yao could no longer refuse. She smiled sweetly. “Thank you, Sister.”

Seeing such a well-behaved girl lifted Qin Lan’s spirits. She cleared her throat, and a sly glint flashed in her elegant phoenix eyes:

“May I ask how much you pay per quarter to rent this place?”

Wariness appeared in Lu Yao’s almond eyes, and she asked in a soft voice, “Sister, why do you want to know that?”

Qin Lan let out an awkward laugh, because she wanted to confirm her own suspicions.

Yesterday she had viewed the unit opposite Lu Li’s, and Wei Kun had talked it up to the skies, claiming it was a hundred times better than Lu Li’s, yet once she came she found there was no comparison at all.

Although the apartment faced the sun, mold still speckled the walls, the furniture and flooring had serious issues, and even the windows rattled as if a single sneeze would knock them out.

Qin Lan had been so angry she almost walked out on the spot, and only stayed because Wei Kun knocked another 500 yuan off the rent…

Therefore, she really wanted to know how much Lu Yao’s family had paid for the place she failed to secure for 5,500 yuan, hoping to find some psychological balance.

“I’m just curious, haha. If the question is rude, you don’t have to answer,” Qin Lan said with a gentle smile.

Just curious…

Lu Yao certainly did not want others to know their rent; with Wei Kun’s personality, if someone offered more, she and her brother would be thrown out.

Her bright eyes turned craftily, and she said with a smile, “I think it’s about 6,000…”

Noticing Qin Lan’s thoughtful expression, Lu Yao immediately corrected herself. “Or maybe 7,000. My brother handled the lease, so I’m not really sure!”

7,000, huh… Qin Lan did feel much better; 7,000 yuan really was beyond her budget.

That damned landlord really had jacked up the price behind my back! Qin Lan cursed inwardly.

She shook her head and looked at Lu Yao with a sigh.

Poor things, they had no idea I could have taken this apartment for 5,500… they really got ripped off…

After a few more polite exchanges, Qin Lan said goodbye and went back to her own unit.

She took out her phone and called Jiang Chaoyun. “Hey, you rascal, are you free today?”

It was Saturday, so in theory Jiang Chaoyun was off duty, but a detective’s hours were unstable and she could be called in at any time.

On top of that, Jiang Chaoyun was a workaholic, so Qin Lan could not be sure she was available.

At the moment, Jiang Chaoyun was indeed at home, yet as Qin Lan had expected, the workaholic was using her day off to sort through case files.

It was nothing urgent, so she could step away at any time…

She wedged the phone between cheek and shoulder, straightened the documents with both hands, and answered tersely, “What’s up?”

Qin Lan chuckled. “Humph, come shopping with me.”

Jiang Chaoyun frowned slightly and did not reply for a long time.

Qin Lan asked in puzzlement, “Why aren’t you saying anything?”

Jiang Chaoyun set the files aside, switched the phone to speaker, and placed it on the table. “Judging by your tone, it’s not just shopping. Confess and you’ll be treated leniently… what crooked scheme are you hatching?”

“Hey! What do you mean, confess and be lenient?” Qin Lan complained playfully. “Can’t you drop the interrogation routine when you’re talking to your best friend?”

“Just tell me what you want me to do. Don’t beat around the bush.”

Qin Lan laughed slyly. “I found a place today, but the condition inside isn’t great… furniture, bed, everything has to be replaced… so I want your help.”

Jiang Chaoyun let out a cold laugh. “In other words, you want free labor to fix up your new home.”

“Well, it’s just that I’m not very good at household chores~~”

Jiang Chaoyun snorted. “You shouldn’t have run away from that marriage. Otherwise, you’d still be a rich young lady enjoying capitalist privileges… living in a multi-story villa with dozens of servants…”

Qin Lan had once lived in luxury, meals served to her and clothes laid out, her ten fingers never touching menial work.

“Can you stop talking nonsense?” The moment she heard that, Qin Lan’s smile vanished and she clawed the air in anger.

“You have no idea how awful my fiancé looks. One glance at him and you’ll know what morning sickness feels like!”

“Morning sickness?” Jiang Chaoyun froze.

“It means you feel like vomiting!” Qin Lan said sarcastically. “That guy’s like a breeding boar; he can’t move when he spots a pretty woman! If you want those capitalist perks so badly, marry him for me and he’d be over the moon!”

“Shut your mouth.” Jiang Chaoyun rolled her eyes. “Pah, if you can fall for a scumbag, you’re no good yourself! Say whatever you like, I still won’t pity you.”

“What’s so bad about a scumbag…”

“You’re still talking? Your taste is terrible!”

“Fine, fine, are you coming or not?” Qin Lan whined, swaying her hips. “I’m all alone in Yong’an, and you’re my only friend…”

“Only friend, huh? When I offered you my place, you made excuse after excuse.”

“That’s because your home is far from campus and I’d have to ride the subway forever. Hey, you rascal, are you going to help me or not?”

Jiang Chaoyun nodded helplessly. “I’ll come, but I need to finish this paperwork… about two hours. Send me your address and I’ll find you then.”

“No need. Let’s just meet later at the pedestrian street! I still have to buy furniture, so give me your opinion.”

“All right…”

…

When Lu Li returned home after withdrawing the money, he stopped in surprise at the fruit basket on the table.

“What’s going on?” Lu Li asked in confusion.

Although Lu Yao had a little pocket money, she never spent it recklessly.

Lu Yao picked up a washed red apple and handed it to Lu Li, her almond eyes sparkling. “A super, super pretty sister just moved in next door! She brought this as a gift when she came to visit. Good brother, I’ve washed it for you… try it!”

Lu Li bit into the apple without thinking, and his face instantly twisted from the sourness.

Lu Yao burst out laughing; she had already finished one sour apple herself, and her molars were still aching.

Such a good thing had to be shared with her silly brother; only then did she feel balanced inside.

Lu Li forced the apple down and grumbled, “That pretty sister you mentioned must be an idiot. She can’t even pick apples, buying fruit that looks good but tastes terrible… her taste is awful…”

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