The Cinnabar Mole of a Beijing Circle Tycoon

Meng Jiangyu drove her to Tanzhe Temple.

The mountain road winds along, with lush pine and cypress trees on both sides, and the air is filled with the fragrance of grass and trees.

Shen Qingyao leaned against the car window, watching the scenery flash by outside. Her heart felt like it was filled with a piece of candy, slowly melting and becoming sweet and swollen.

The Bentley slowly drove into the open space in front of the Tanzhe Temple gate, where monks were already walking on the bluestone path to greet it.

The abbot, dressed in an apricot-yellow robe with dark gold swastika patterns embroidered on the hem, was over sixty but still vigorous. His gaze fell on Meng Jiangyu with a familiar gentleness.

Behind him followed six high-ranking monks, all dressed in crimson robes, holding prayer beads, and with solemn expressions. Upon seeing the convoy, they stopped and formed a neat human wall.

The car door opened, and Meng Jiangyu got out first. As he turned around to help Shen Qingyao out, the abbot and the senior monks stepped forward.

The bluish-gray stone steps were wet with morning dew, reflecting the figures of the crowd. The scent of incense mingled with the fresh air of the mountain grass and trees, creating a solemn yet peaceful atmosphere.

"Mr. Meng, Ms. Shen, Amitabha."

As the abbot clasped his hands together, palms touching, a few rays of morning light shone through the folds of his robes. His voice was as steady as a bell, carrying the peacefulness of years gone by.

The high monks behind them also clasped their hands in prayer, their movements perfectly synchronized, their prayer beads twirling between their fingers, producing a soft, clinking sound.

Meng Jiangyu nodded, raised his hands and respectfully clasped them together in return, his fingertips touching his chest, his posture calm and composed.

His usual sharpness, accustomed to navigating the business world, was now tempered, leaving only a touch of appropriate respect: "Abbot, esteemed masters, thank you for waiting."

As he finished speaking, his gaze swept over the senior monks behind the abbot, several of whom were highly respected elders of the temple, clearly having been specially invited out.

Shen Qingyao followed suit, pressing her palms together, her fingertips trembling slightly as she looked at the scene before her.

Even the abbot of the ancient temple personally came to greet them, which gave a vague sense of the Meng family's deep-rooted influence in the capital.

When the abbot's gaze fell on her, it was with a touch of kindness as he looked her over. He then turned to Meng Jiangyu and said with a smile, "Mr. Meng, you are very kind. Please come in. The incense before the Buddha has been prepared."

Meng Jiangyu shielded Shen Qingyao with his side and walked side by side with the abbot into the hall. The sound of their footsteps on the bluestone path was light and slow, intertwining with the faint sound of bells in the distance, creating a strange harmony.

Shen Qingyao secretly raised her eyes and saw Meng Jiangyu talking quietly with the abbot. His profile looked particularly serene in the morning light.

The red carpet ended at the threshold of the palace gate; it was soft but not sinking when stepped on, made of a specially selected thick and dense velvet material.

The incense burned brightly and dimly in the bronze censer, and the tobacco smoke, as if guided by an invisible hand, drifted leisurely out through the ventilation windows in the roof, leaving only a faint sandalwood fragrance that lingered in the air without being pungent.

Meng Jiangyu's palm was warm, and as he led her inside, his fingertips unconsciously caressed between her fingers.

The light inside the hall was dim, and the candlelight flickered on the offering table, casting the shadows of the two people onto the blue brick floor, which swayed gently with their footsteps.

The abbot stood beside the Buddha shrine, the brocade box in his hand gleaming with a dark purple luster, clearly made of the finest brocade.

When opened, the jade talisman reflected a translucent halo under the candlelight, and each petal of the lotus pattern was carved in three dimensions, with even the patterns of the flower core clearly visible.

When Meng Jiangyu picked up the jade talisman, his fingertips accidentally touched the skin on the back of her neck. Shen Qingyao subconsciously flinched, so he moved even more gently.

The red rope tickled slightly as it wrapped around his neck. His knotting technique was both nimble and gentle, the small knot fitting snugly against the back of his neck, neither too loose nor too tight.

"Wear it properly, and it will keep you safe and sound, free from illness and disaster." His voice was very low, the scent of incense falling on his ear like a feather gently brushing against him.

When Shen Qingyao touched the jade talisman, she could feel the warmth he left behind.

When I looked up, my gaze met his eyes, which held the flickering light of candlelight, brighter than ever before.

"Thank you." Her voice trembled slightly.

Meng Jiangyu gently ruffled her hair, his fingertips warm as they passed through her strands: "Why are you being so polite with me?"

When kneeling on the prayer mat, the knees sink into the soft cushion.

The moment Shen Qingyao closed her eyes, she smelled a faint scent of cedar mixed with incense on him.

As she listened to the soft sound of his kowtow beside her, her wish was as simple as an open sheet of paper.

Let's just hold hands like this, let the days pass slowly, just a little slower.

As she stood up, Meng Jiangyu used a clever touch to help her stand up steadily.

He looked down at her, his eyes sparkling with a smile like falling starlight: "What did you wish for?"

Shen Qingyao shook her head, deliberately keeping everyone in suspense: "If I tell you, it won't work."

He chuckled softly, took her hand, and led her out of the hall, the red carpet slowly spreading out behind them in a gentle trail.

When I came out of the hall, the morning light had already crossed the mountain eaves, illuminating the bluestone path.

The abbot stood on the steps in front of the hall, turning the prayer beads in his hand with increasing ease. He stopped when he saw the two approaching.

"Thank you for your help today, masters." Meng Jiangyu bowed with his hands clasped, his tone filled with sincere gratitude.

The abbot returned the greeting with his palms together, his gaze lingering briefly on the two clasped hands before turning to the jade talisman on Shen Qingyao's chest, a kind smile appearing in his eyes.

"Miss Shen, wearing this talisman will naturally be protected by the Buddha's light."

He turned to Meng Jiangyu, his voice steady as an ancient bell, "Mr. Meng's sincerity is something even Buddha would appreciate."

A mountain breeze swept by, fluttering the hem of the monk's robe and bringing with it the gentle sound of rustling pines.

The abbot looked at the two of them and said slowly, "The journey of life is long, and it is fate that we can walk together. I wish you both peace, joy, and success year after year, and that all your wishes will be fulfilled."

This blessing is simple yet profound, like the incense smoke swirling in a temple, gently touching people's hearts.

Shen Qingyao subconsciously tightened her grip on Meng Jiangyu's hand, and the moment their fingertips touched, she could feel the strength of his grip.

"Thank you for your kind words, Master." Meng Jiangyu nodded. "I'll come again another day."

The abbot smiled and waved his hand: "You're welcome anytime."

As the two set off, Shen Qingyao glanced back and saw the abbot still standing at the mountain gate, his figure exuding a sense of transcendence in the morning light.

She lowered her head and touched the jade talisman on her chest, the warmth spreading from her skin to her heart.

Seeing her gazing out the window in a daze, Meng Jiangyu reached out and pulled her into his arms: "What are you thinking about?"

"I was thinking about the abbot," Shen Qingyao said softly, leaning on his shoulder. "He said we would be safe and happy."

"Yes, it will." Meng Jiangyu lowered his head and placed a light kiss on the top of her head, his tone resolute, "It definitely will."

Outside the car window, the green of pine and cypress trees stretched endlessly.