The Cinnabar Mole of a Beijing Circle Tycoon

On the 27th day of the twelfth lunar month, the morning mist had not yet dissipated in Yu Garden. The red plum blossoms in the courtyard were covered with fine frost flowers, and they shone with a warm light under the pale golden sunlight.

Meng Jiangyu's Hanhai Capital has already started its annual leave, and Meng Jiangyu no longer needs to be busy with company affairs.

The morning light streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a soft, shimmering patch on the floor.

After finishing his half-hour morning exercise, Meng Jiangyu, with a light sheen of sweat on his forehead, casually picked up a towel to wipe it off and carried a glass of warm water toward Shen Qingyao's room.

When he opened the door, he didn't see anyone on the bed. He paused for a moment, then turned his gaze and saw the figure sitting in a wheelchair.

Shen Qingyao had her back to him and was looking out the window.

Sunlight fell on the top of her head, outlining a fuzzy golden edge, and the off-white cashmere sweater she wore made her figure appear even more slender.

The floor-to-ceiling window, like a giant piece of glass, frames the outside scenery as a flowing painting.

The traditional pavilions with upturned eaves are faintly visible in the morning mist, and the copper bells hanging under the eaves are occasionally rustled by the wind.

Turning to look inside, one is greeted by a modern interior with clean lines, a soft, light gray carpet, and smart lighting adjusted to the most comfortable brightness. The clash between tradition and modernity here appears remarkably harmonious.

"Why didn't you call for help when you woke up?" Meng Jiangyu walked over and handed her some warm water. "Drink some water since you just woke up."

Shen Qingyao turned around, took the water glass, and smiled as her fingertips touched the warmth of the glass. "You've been awake for a while now, and you were so engrossed in looking outside."

Her gaze swept across the room, her eyes filled with undisguised amazement: "This place... is so well decorated. It looks like an old house from the outside, but it's so modern inside, it doesn't feel awkward at all."

She had seen Chinese-style mansions in magazines before, most of which had a heavy, oppressive feel, but Yu Garden was different.

The wooden beams were polished to a smooth, warm finish, yet paired with minimalist furniture.

A traditional Chinese ink painting hangs on the wall, next to an embedded smart TV.

Even the celadon vase in the corner is filled with fresh winter plum blossoms covered in morning dew, exuding a vibrant life within its classical charm.

"It took the designer three years to finalize the design." Meng Jiangyu squatted down next to her and adjusted the angle of her wheelchair so that she could lean back more comfortably. "It took a lot of thought to preserve the framework of the old building while also making it convenient to live in."

Shen Qingyao took a sip of warm water and looked out the window again: "The scenery outside is beautiful too. The trees are trimmed so neatly, and even the stones look like they were arranged on purpose."

"Yes, there's a professional gardener taking care of the backyard." Meng Jiangyu followed her gaze. "Once you've recovered a bit more, I'll take you for a walk in the backyard. There's a bamboo grove there; it looks quite nice this time of year."

"Okay." Shen Qingyao's eyes lit up, then she became a little embarrassed, "Wouldn't that be too much trouble for you?"

"It's no trouble at all." Meng Jiangyu looked at her, a smile in his eyes. "Taking care of you is no trouble at all."

Shen Qingyao blushed a little when he stared at her, and quickly looked away, pretending to continue studying the room's decor.

My gaze fell on the smart temperature control panel in the corner of the wall, which displayed the indoor temperature and humidity, accurate to one decimal place.

She suddenly remembered her dormitory room, where the heating was sometimes hot and sometimes cold in winter, and the fan was spinning so hard in summer that it felt like it was about to fall apart. She couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

It turns out that people's lives are really this far apart.

"What are you thinking about?" Meng Jiangyu could always easily catch the changes in her emotions.

"It's nothing," Shen Qingyao shook her head, picked up her water glass and took another sip, "I just feel... everything here is so nice."

It was so good that she felt like she was living in a dream.

Meng Jiangyu seemed to read her mind, reaching out to ruffle her hair in a natural and affectionate manner: "After you've lived here for a while, you won't find it strange anymore."

Shen Qingyao's heart skipped a beat, and she looked up at him: "I... I won't be staying for long either."

Once she recovers, she will eventually return to school and her original life.

Meng Jiangyu didn't reply, but simply picked up the remote control, pressed a button, and the curtains slowly opened to both sides, revealing the outside scenery.

As the morning light grew brighter, the pavilions and towers in the distance were bathed in a golden glow, and even the air seemed to be filled with the faint fragrance of grass and trees.

"Take care of your health first." His tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable certainty. "The rest isn't urgent."

Looking into his deep eyes, Shen Qingyao suddenly found herself unable to say no.

She lowered her head, looking at the shimmering water in her glass. The inferiority complex she felt due to the disparity in their abilities seemed to be quietly soothed by his words.

Perhaps, as he said, I shouldn't think about it too much for now.

At least for now, the sun is shining brightly, he is by her side, and this exquisite and warm room holds a comforting atmosphere for her.

She gave a soft "hmm," picked up her water glass, and continued looking at the scenery outside the window.

This time, the amazement in his eyes held an indescribable gentleness.

When Zhang Ma tiptoed into the room, Meng Jiangyu was tucking the thin blanket covering Shen Qingyao's legs.

"Sir, Miss Shen, breakfast is ready."

"Understood," Meng Jiangyu replied, pushing his wheelchair out.

Shen Qingyao had spent almost all of yesterday resting in her room, and as soon as she stepped out of the room, her eyes widened involuntarily.

The corridor was covered with a thick carpet that made no sound when you stepped on it. Several ink paintings with a profound artistic conception hung on the walls on both sides, and the light shone down from the carved wooden beams, making it warm and cozy.

The exterior decoration and the interior decoration are exactly the same style.

It possesses both the tranquil charm of old buildings and the convenience and comfort of modern life. Even the carvings on the columns look as if they have been carefully polished, gleaming with a warm luster.

"This way." Meng Jiangyu pushed her around a corner, and an elevator embedded in the wooden wall appeared in front of them. It looked as if it had blended into the old house without any sense of incongruity.

The elevator descended smoothly and soon arrived at the first floor.

As soon as the door opened, Shen Qingyao was immediately drawn to the scene before her.

The living room was larger than she had imagined; the high ceilings made her feel more open and spacious.

The most eye-catching feature is the huge light gray sofa in the very center, with simple lines that exude understated luxury. A few soft cushions are casually placed around it, making it look exceptionally comfortable.

What captivated her most was the floor-to-ceiling window that almost covered the entire wall. At this moment, the curtains were fully drawn, and the morning sunlight poured in without reservation, casting large patches of bright light on the floor, making even the dust particles floating in the air clearly visible.

"Do you like it here?" Meng Jiangyu noticed her bright eyes.

Shen Qingyao nodded vigorously, her voice filled with undisguised joy: "The light here is so nice."

She grew up in an old residential building that was dimly lit, and her small bedroom didn't even have a window, so she had to keep the lights on during the day.

Therefore, she has an almost obsessive longing for such a sun-drenched space.

Sitting here in this light, even breathing feels much easier.