The Cinnabar Mole of a Beijing Circle Tycoon

The wind at the end of the semester carried a biting chill, sweeping away the withered leaves from the campus.

The number of people in the library and study rooms gradually decreased, and they were replaced by figures dragging suitcases between the dormitory buildings, with the air filled with the joy of being on vacation.

The dormitory was unusually lively on the afternoon of the last exam.

Xu Huihui was stuffing neatly folded clothes into her suitcase, humming a Hainan folk song, her face beaming with anticipation for home: "Finally finished exams! I'm leaving first thing tomorrow morning. My mom said she made me coconut chicken soup!"

Xiang Yu was packing up her bottles and jars of skincare products when she heard this and smiled, "I'm planning to go to Aranya for a trip first, and then go back."

She turned to Shen Qingyao and asked, "Qingyao, you're really not coming with us?"

Shen Qingyao was organizing her notes when she heard this. She looked up and smiled, "No, I'll stay at school and find something to do. That way I can earn some living expenses."

"That's true," Xiang Yu nodded. "Then you'd better take good care of yourself here all by yourself. Call us anytime if anything happens."

Lu Ying leaned back in her chair, scrolling through her phone, and replied, "Don't worry, I'll leave a few days later, and I'll be staying in Beijing the whole time."

"Okay," Shen Qingyao replied, feeling a warm glow in her heart.

Over the next two days, Xu Huihui and Xiang Yu left the school one after another.

On the day she saw them off, Shen Qingyao stood at the entrance of the dormitory building, watching the taxi disappear at the end of the road, feeling empty inside.

The dormitory suddenly became quiet, leaving only her and Lu Ying, and even their voices echoed.

During the day, Lu Ying goes out with her group of rich second-generation friends and usually doesn't come back until very late.

A few days later, Lu Ying packed her things and went home. Before leaving, she left Shen Qingyao some snacks and a prepaid card for a nearby restaurant: "If you don't want to cook, eat out. Don't make yourself suffer. This card will expire before the end of the year if I don't use it."

"Thank you, Lu Ying."

"No need to thank me, we're roommates." Lu Ying waved. "I'm leaving now. Contact me anytime if you need anything."

"good!"

The dormitory is completely empty.

Shen Qingyao sat at her desk, staring blankly at the three empty beds for a while.

But she quickly composed herself, turned on her computer, and started searching for part-time jobs during the winter break.

She remembered what Supervisor Zhou had said when she was working part-time at Fenghua Palace, and she also remembered the black card that Meng Jiangyu had handed her.

But she ultimately didn't make that call; instead, she contacted a bar called "Night Tide" not far from the school.

On the day of the interview, Shen Qingyao specially wore the black dress she wore while working part-time at Fenghua Palace.

The bar owner, a middle-aged man with a thick beard, took the drink Shen Qingyao mixed, tasted it, and his eyes immediately lit up: "What's this called?"

"Snow-capped Red Plum Blossom"

The boss smiled. "Your skills are good enough, so stay on. How long do you plan to work here?"

"I want to work until the Lunar New Year, which is about twenty days," Shen Qingyao said. "Then the dorms won't let us stay anymore, and I'll have to go home."

"No problem," the boss readily agreed. "The pay is daily, 20% higher than the market rate. How about that?"

"Thank you, boss!" Shen Qingyao was overjoyed that things went so smoothly.

The decor of "Night Tide" is an understated industrial style, with dim lighting and soothing music. Most of the guests are white-collar workers and successful businessmen, who are of high quality and rarely cause trouble.

Shen Qingyao's job is to mix drinks behind the bar, and she occasionally needs to exchange a few words with customers.

She quickly adapted to the pace of life here.

From 7 p.m. to 1 a.m., she stands behind the bar, skillfully shaking the pitcher, pouring drinks, and garnishing them, creating exquisite cocktails one after another.

Normally, the dormitory curfew is 11 p.m., but it's not as strict during winter break.

She doesn't talk much, but her cocktails taste good and look beautiful. Gradually, she gained a few repeat customers who always ordered her "Mint Mist" or "Amber Time".

The bar's business has clearly improved.

On the seventh night of her job, the boss went to the bar and watched her mix a "Burning Clouds" cocktail. He nodded in satisfaction and said, "Qingyao, your skills are really good, even better than my long-time employees. I happen to be short a long-term bartender. Are you free next semester? Come work for me, and we can discuss the salary and benefits."

Shen Qingyao paused, her hands stopping what they were doing.

Long-term part-time job? This means that her living expenses for next semester are covered, and she can even save some to send home.

She immediately started to plan in her mind: classes were during the day, and the bar was open at night, so the times didn't conflict; moreover, "Night Tide" was close to the school and the environment was safe.

"Boss, can I... can I?" she asked uncertainly.

"Why not?" The boss patted her shoulder. "The person I choose can't be wrong."

If you're willing, we can sign a long-term contract, you can come during winter and summer vacations, and the salary will increase by 10%.

These conditions are too tempting.

Shen Qingyao nodded vigorously almost without hesitation: "I'm willing! Thank you, boss!"

"Great!" The boss smiled even more broadly. "We'll sign the contract when you come back after winter break."

That evening, as I was leaving get off work, it started to snow lightly.

As Shen Qingyao walked back to school, snowflakes fell on her face, cold to the touch, but warm to the heart.

The streetlights cast a long shadow over her, and she walked briskly, clutching her newly received wages in her pocket.

She had been moving forward cautiously since arriving from the small town, not daring to ask for too much.

But now, she has found a long-term part-time job thanks to the skills she has learned.

She looked up at the falling snowflakes, and couldn't help but smile.

This winter doesn't seem so cold anymore.

At that moment, Meng Jiangyu had just finished a transoceanic video conference.

He rubbed his temples and looked out the window. A thin layer of snow had accumulated in the courtyard of Yu Garden, and the red plum blossoms were in full bloom, just like the scene he had seen at Fenghua Palace that day.

The assistant knocked and came in, handing over a cup of hot coffee: "Mr. Meng, this is a message from the owner of 'Night Tide' bar. He said Ms. Shen is very outstanding and he wants to keep her on a long-term part-time basis. He's asking for your opinion."

Meng Jiangyu took the coffee, his fingertips tracing the warm cup, a barely perceptible smile flashing in his eyes.

That day, after returning from Fenghua Palace, he asked his assistant to keep an eye on Shen Qingyao's movements. Upon learning that she was looking for a part-time job, he anonymously recommended her to the owner of "Night Tide," who was a reliable person and the bar was safe.

"Tell her to do as Miss Shen wishes," Meng Jiangyu said calmly.

"Yes."

After his assistant left, Meng Jiangyu walked to the window and looked at the red plum blossoms in the courtyard.

He knew that Shen Qingyao wouldn't know it was him who helped; she would only think that her abilities had been recognized.

That's good.

He didn't want to use his power to suppress her; he just wanted to watch her rely on her own strength to gradually move towards a wider world.

And he was willing to be the one standing in the shadows, clearing away some obstacles for her.

The snow is still falling, silently settling on the glazed tiles of Yu Garden.

Just like his attention to her, silent yet enduring.

Shen Qingyao was unaware that behind the seemingly accidental opportunity she had obtained was a silent act of protection.

All she knew was that as long as she worked hard, life would always reward her.