The Cinnabar Mole of a Beijing Circle Tycoon

Meng Jiangyu took her hand, and the warmth of his palm was greater than he had expected.

His fingertips gently clasped hers, and he walked very slowly.

The bed was covered with a smooth, silk sheet, carrying a faint scent of cedar.

Meng Jiangyu sat down first, then reached out and gently pulled her to his side, his movements revealing his carefulness.

He didn't lie down immediately, but turned slightly to the side, his arm naturally around her shoulder and back, so that she could comfortably lean against him.

Shen Qingyao's cheek was pressed against his warm chest, and she could clearly hear his steady and powerful heartbeat, one beat after another, like a calming drumbeat.

She slowly closed her eyes, but her eyelashes couldn't help but tremble slightly.

Images began to surge uncontrollably in my mind.

Those overlooked moments, those unanswered expectations, those hidden grievances, all now spread through my mind like spilled ink.

Meng Jiangyu seemed to notice her stiffness, tightened his arms around her, gently rested his chin on the top of her head, and said in a low, husky voice, "Sleep."

The warm breath brushed against her hair, and Shen Qingyao's nose tingled. Tears finally welled up silently, soaking the robe on his chest.

Morning light filtered through the hotel's sheer curtains, seeping into the soft bedding and landing on Shen Qingyao's eyelids.

She slowly opened her eyes, her gaze first falling on the sleeping man's profile beside her. His brow bone was sharp, his jawline was clear, and his breathing was light and even.

The tear stains from last night have long since dried, leaving only a faint scent of gardenias on the pillow.

Without disturbing Meng Jiangyu, she gently broke free from his embrace and sat up. As she did so, the thin blanket on her shoulders slipped down, revealing a section of delicate skin.

The sky outside the window was bright and clear, and the man-made park was lush and green.

The grievances and resentment that had churned up for half the night dissipated like fog melted by the morning light.

It turns out that admitting that your parents don't love you isn't as difficult as you imagined.

She curved her lips into a faint smile, her fingertips tracing the coolness of her cheek.

What they want is money and a respectable life built on material possessions, so we'll give it to them.

As Meng Jiangyu said, problems that can be solved with money are not problems.

Shen Qingyao got up and dressed neatly, choosing a well-tailored off-white cashmere coat that made her back straight and her eyes and brows exuded a calmness that came from washing away the glamour.

Meng Jiangyu had woken up at some point and was leaning against the headboard looking at her with admiration in his eyes.

"Go home," she said, her voice calm and even. "You've indulged yourself for a day and a night; it's time to get back to work."

Meng Jiangyu didn't ask any more questions, just nodded and got up to wash up.

When the two came downstairs, Jason was already standing next to the car at the hotel entrance, with the trunk full of exquisitely packaged gifts.

"Good morning, boss and Ms. Shen."

"Jason, good morning," Shen Qingyao replied politely.

The car came to a smooth stop at the entrance of Shenjia Residential Complex. Shen Qingyao unbuckled her seatbelt and turned to look at the man beside her.

"Wait for me in the car," she said. "I'll text you first, then you can come in."

Meng Jiangyu held her hand, his fingertips tracing the back of her hand, his tone unwavering and resolute: "Call me anytime if you need anything."

Shen Qingyao felt a warmth in her heart, softly hummed in agreement, pushed open the car door, and, step by step, walked towards the familiar courtyard gate in her snow boots.

The sunlight fell on her back, gilding it with a layer of gold, and the panic of yesterday was no longer visible.

Shen Qingyao knocked on the door, and her mother opened it. Seeing Shen Qingyao standing in the doorway, she said, "Yaoyao, you haven't been home all night?"

Shen Qingyao leaned against the doorframe, looking at her mother, whose features were familiar yet unfamiliar. Suddenly, she smiled, but the smile didn't reach her eyes; instead, a faint chill appeared: "Only now do you realize I haven't come home all night?"

Mrs. Shen was taken aback. Mr. Shen, shuffling out in his slippers, came out from the inner room, still half-asleep, and asked, "What's all this noise so early in the morning?"

"I'm in a relationship." Shen Qingyao interrupted him, her voice as calm as if she were talking about something insignificant. "He's downstairs. I'm bringing him here today to introduce him to the place."

These words were like a pebble thrown into stagnant water; Mr. Shen's weariness instantly dissipated, his eyes brightened, and he took two steps forward, his tone urgent: "What does the groom's family do? How much is the bride price?"

Shen Qingyao lifted her eyelids slightly and asked calmly, "How many do you want?"

"One million." Mr. Shen held up one finger, his tone matter-of-fact, as if the number was a matter of course. "Although the going rate here is 188,000, my daughter is so outstanding, a graduate of a prestigious university, one million is not a small amount."

Looking at his matter-of-fact attitude, Shen Qingyao felt both absurd and chilled. She tilted her head slightly, a mocking smile playing on her lips: "A million in betrothal gifts, so how much dowry do you plan to give me?"

Mr. Shen scoffed as if he'd heard a joke, putting his hands on his hips: "What dowry? I raised you, sent you to university, that's the best dowry I could give you! Do you expect me to pay extra?"

"The man said," Shen Qingyao's voice turned colder, each word clear, "if not a single penny of this million-dollar dowry is brought back to the young family, then it's considered a one-time buyout, and from now on, I will have no further connection with the Shen family."

Mr. Shen was taken aback for a moment, then his face lit up with joy, and he nodded hurriedly, "Of course! Buyout it is fine!"

Afraid that Shen Qingyao would change her mind, he urged, "When will he give you the money?"

"Now you can." Shen Qingyao took out a bank card from her bag, walked straight to her mother, handed her the card, her fingertips were icy cold, and her tone was calm and indifferent, "Mom, the password is my birthday."

"He's downstairs, I'll call him up." Shen Qingyao looked at her father.

"No need to come up, it's too much trouble," Mr. Shen said impatiently.

"Okay." Shen Qingyao turned to leave, but couldn't help glancing at her mother. "Mom, have you thought it through? Sell your daughter for one million."

Looking at Shen Qingyao, Shen's mother said, "Qingyao, don't blame your mother. I had no choice."

Shen Qingyao sneered, glanced at her brother's tightly closed room door, and turned to leave.

Why would those who have already benefited stand up for the losing side? What are they really hoping for?

Shen Qingyao pushed open the car door and got in, her face expressionless, only her fingertips still feeling a little cold.

She looked up at Meng Jiangyu, her voice as calm as the wind outside the window: "No need to go up, everything is settled."

Meng Jiangyu didn't ask any questions, but simply reached out and placed his hand on the back of her hand, gently stroking her knuckles with his fingertips to warm it up.

Shen Qingyao leaned against the car window, her fingertips swiping across her phone screen as she dialed the number saved with "Little Dad" in her contacts.

The moment the call connected, her tense jawline softened, and her tone unusually warmed: "Dad, are you free at noon? I'm bringing my boyfriend home; let's have lunch together."

"Great! The whole family can come to my house for a meal."

"There isn't a large family, just you and your stepmother."

"What happened?"

Let's talk about it when we meet.

"Okay, let's not go outside, let's come straight home. Your grandma took your sister to visit relatives, they're not home. I'll go buy groceries now."

"Okay, we're coming right away."

After hanging up the phone, she turned to look at Meng Jiangyu, a hint of relief in her eyes: "Let's go back to Beijing after we have dinner at my stepparents' house."

"good!"

Shen Qingyao glanced at the back seat. "Where's Jason?"

"There's something in Beijing that needs his attention."

Meng Jiangyu nodded, his hands gripping the steering wheel steadily and firmly: "Let's go to the bank and buy a gold bar as a gift for your little brother."

"Okay." Shen Qingyao was stunned for a moment, then her lips curved into a smile, and the smile finally reached her eyes, like the first ray of spring sunshine breaking through the branches when the snow melts.

She turned her head to look at the street scene rushing past the window, her future filled with promises of happiness.