The Cinnabar Mole of a Beijing Circle Tycoon

The morning mist, like a veil, drifted over the upturned eaves of the ancient Lingyin Temple, and incense smoke rose gently in the morning light.

The dew was heavy, wetting the tips of Shen Qingyao's moon-white shoes. She wore a pea-green cheongsam with dark patterns, and the collar was embroidered with a few clusters of pale pink peach blossoms.

Her black hair was tied up in a high bun, secured with a simple peach wood hairpin. The hairpin was carved with intricate intertwined branches, and it was chosen by her mother herself, who said that peach wood could protect her and bring peace.

At this time, the temple was sparsely populated, with only a few pilgrims hidden among the pines and cypresses. The sounds of wooden fish drums and chanting emanated from the main hall, mingling with the refreshing scent of grass, trees, and incense, adding to the tranquility.

Shen Qingyao received her admission letter from Peking University and made a special trip to come before the start of the semester.

Having long heard that the marriage fortune slips at Lingyin Temple were the most accurate, she held a stick of incense and knelt devoutly before the Buddha statue, her eyelashes drooping and her eyes filled with longing.

May I encounter a pure love during my upcoming university years, from our first meeting to growing old together, and remain faithful to each other until the end.

-

A black Mercedes-Benz stopped outside the side gate of the temple, and Meng Jiangyu got out of the car.

Meng Jiangyu wore a well-tailored black shirt, with the cuffs casually rolled up to his forearms, revealing a simple mechanical watch on his wrist.

His handsome features showed a hint of weariness from his travels, yet his inherent nobility remained undeniable.

After his grandmother recovered from a serious illness, he canceled all his other plans and made a special trip to Lingyin Temple to fulfill his vow.

Jason, the personal assistant, waited at the temple entrance, while he went alone to pay his respects to the abbot along the cobblestone path.

He climbed the steps, the stone path damp with morning dew, and felt slightly cool and wet under his feet.

The temple bells rang melodiously, and the scent of incense mingled with the fragrance of herbs and trees, bringing peace to the mind.

He didn't disturb anyone and simply followed the path he remembered.

The abbot was meditating in the meditation room behind the main hall when he heard footsteps. He slowly opened his eyes, and when his gaze fell on Meng Jiangyu, he revealed a gentle smile: "Benefactor Meng, it's been a long time."

"Master Yuantong." Meng Jiangyu bowed slightly. "My grandmother's health is improving, so I've come to fulfill my vow and pray for her long-lasting health and well-being."

The abbot gestured for him to sit down and personally poured him a cup of tea: "Sincerity brings miracles. The old lady is blessed with good fortune; she has survived this ordeal thanks to her great blessings."

The two sat facing each other, exchanging few pleasantries, casually chatting about Buddhist teachings and Zen principles, occasionally mentioning worldly observations, the atmosphere as peaceful as the morning light outside the window.

Meng Jiangyu, who was used to strategizing in the business world, was unusually relaxed in this meditation room, and the aloofness between his brows faded considerably.

Half an hour later, Meng Jiangyu got up to take his leave, holding a string of sandalwood prayer beads given to him by the abbot: "Thank you, Master."

"Please take your time, benefactor." The abbot's gaze fell upon the distant mountains shrouded in mist. "All things in this world are preordained; just accept them with equanimity."

Meng Jiangyu bid farewell to the abbot: "Thank you, Master, please stay!"

Meng Jiangyu turned to leave, his gaze inadvertently sweeping over the incense burner in the main hall before suddenly stopping.

Beside the incense burner, Shen Qingyao was devoutly offering incense.

Her pea-green cheongsam accentuated her snow-white skin, her black hair was styled in a high bun, and the peach wood hairpin gleamed warmly in the morning light. Her profile was soft, her eyelashes were gently drooping, and her expression was focused and serene.

The wisps of cigarette smoke swirled around her, making her look like a classical lady who had stepped out of a painting.

Meng Jiangyu's heart skipped a beat.

He had seen countless exquisite appearances, but never anyone had blended elegance and liveliness so perfectly as she had.

A touch of green in the morning mist, like a pebble thrown into the lake of his heart, rippled outwards.

He unconsciously slowed his pace, his gaze fixed intently on her.

After Shen Qingyao finished offering incense, she turned around and happened to meet his gaze.

With deep, dark eyes like a cold pool, a high nose bridge, and well-defined lips, the man's features were striking and outstanding, exuding a cool and noble air. He was a rare and exceptionally handsome man.

Her heart skipped a beat, as if an electric current had passed through her, and her cheeks flushed slightly. She subconsciously looked away, but couldn't help but secretly glance back.

The moment their eyes met, the air seemed to freeze.

The morning breeze carried the lingering warmth of the incense, and both of their heartbeats became erratic, yet neither of them took the initiative to take a step forward.

The watch on Meng Jiangyu's wrist ticked, reminding him of the international conference that evening, a schedule that could not be delayed in the slightest.

His Adam's apple bobbed slightly, but he eventually withdrew his gaze, leaving without pausing, and steadily walked away along the bluestone steps, leaving only a faint scent of cedar.

As Shen Qingyao watched his figure disappear into the morning mist, her heart still fluttered.

She gently patted her cheeks, secretly laughing at her own naiveté. Such an outstanding man, it was fate to take a second look at him, but in the end, it was just a chance encounter.

She turned around and knelt down again in devout worship before the Buddha statue.

-

Meng Jiangyu walked slowly down the bluestone steps, his black shirt outlining his tall shoulders, exuding an aura that kept strangers at bay, completely out of place with the lively atmosphere inside the temple.

Outside the temple gate, Jason stood intently facing the distant Flying Peak. When he caught a glimpse of that familiar figure out of the corner of his eye, he immediately composed himself, strode forward, and bowed: "President Meng."

His tone was so respectful that he dared not be the slightest bit negligent. "When General Manager Lin of Yunyi Group learned that you were in Hangzhou, he asked someone to pass on a message that he would like to invite you to a small gathering tonight."

Meng Jiangyu's trip to Hangzhou was a private one.

Meng Jiangyu didn't look at him; his gaze remained fixed on the distant, rolling green mountains. His voice was low and cold, devoid of any warmth: "Who leaked the information?"

"Driver." Jason's forehead was covered in a fine layer of cold sweat, and his hands, hanging at his sides, clenched unconsciously. He knew his boss's temperament; he couldn't tolerate the slightest betrayal.

"Get rid of it." Meng Jiangyu's tone was as calm as if he were talking about a trivial matter, but his fingertips unconsciously increased the pressure as he rubbed the Buddhist beads on his wrist. "I don't keep people with ulterior motives around me."

The warm, smooth feel of the wooden prayer beads did nothing to soften the cold glint in his eyes.

"Yes, I'll take care of it right away." Jason didn't dare to hesitate and quickly replied.

After a brief pause, he cautiously followed up, "So, what was President Lin's response?"

Meng Jiangyu finally withdrew his gaze, his eyes deep and dark, a mocking smile playing on his lips: "Warn him, don't try to play these little tricks on me."

Meng Jiangyu paused, then added, "Also, tell him that Hanhai Capital has no interest in the cultural tourism industry."

His words were firm and authoritative, carrying an undeniable authority; with a single sentence, he determined the future of Yunyi Group in this field.

"Understood." Jason wrote it all down, not daring to miss a single word.

"Now, let's go to the airport." Meng Jiangyu walked steadily toward the black sedan parked by the roadside.

The Buddhist prayer beads on his wrist swayed gently with his movements, the warm wood contrasting sharply with his cold and dignified aura. Jason followed closely behind.

Outside the car window, the outline of Lingyin Temple gradually receded into the distance, while Meng Jiangyu continued to gently stroke the Buddhist prayer beads on his fingertips, his mind involuntarily flashing back to the pea-green figure inside the temple just moments before.

-

As the fortune-telling container shook, a bamboo stick fell with a soft rustling sound.

Shen Qingyao picked it up and saw two lines of ancient poetry inscribed on it: "A single meeting in the golden autumn breeze and jade dew surpasses countless encounters in the mortal world."

The old monk beside her took the bamboo slip, looked at her gently, and slowly said, "Young lady, this is an auspicious sign. Your destined partner has already been met and is not out of reach. This is a match made in heaven. Just wait patiently, and things will fall into place naturally."

Shen Qingyao's heart skipped a beat. "Thank you, Master!"