Flying from Ottawa (YOW) to Beijing then to Penang and return flight

Hi,
Flying from Ottawa (YOW) to Beijing, staying in Beijing for 2 nights, then a flight to Penang, Malaysia. And after 2 months fly back to Beijing, then back to Ottawa.
The flight is about 400 dollars cheaper if I stay in Beijing and then fly to Penang then a direct flight to Penang
Nationality is Canadian. Thank you for your answer