The Cinnabar Mole of a Beijing Circle Tycoon

The last ball grazed the edge of the net and landed lightly, creating a wisp of air.

Shen Qingyao bent over, supporting herself with her racket. Her bangs were damp with sweat and clung to her smooth forehead. Fine beads of sweat clung to the tip of her nose, but her eyes sparkled with a smile as she looked at her opponent with a gentle curve to her lips: "You won. A bet is a bet."

Lu Ying raised her hand to wipe the thin layer of sweat from her forehead, her fingertips still feeling the heat from the exercise. A relaxed and contented smile appeared on her lips, and her tone was somewhat casual: "Thank you for the courtesy."

"Tell me, what do you want to eat?" Shen Qingyao straightened up, tucked her sweaty hair behind her ear, raised her chin, and a sly glint in her eyes. "The winner gets to decide."

She picked up a towel from the chair, her fingertips brushing against the soft cashmere fabric, and casually added, "If you want to eat at home, there's a chef there who can cook whatever you want."

Lu Ying raised an eyebrow, a hint of hesitation flashing in her eyes, her tone tentative: "Is it convenient for me to come to your place?"

"Meng Jiangyu is away on a business trip and isn't home," Shen Qingyao said frankly. After a pause, she added with a smile, "Even if he wasn't away, he would usually be at the company by now. It's just me and Zhang Ma at home."

Lu Ying visibly relaxed, waving her hand with a smile, her tone tinged with smugness: "Let's go outside. It's a bit embarrassing to freeload on my first visit. Since you're treating, I'll have to treat you to a good meal. How about Wangjing Tower?"

"Okay," Shen Qingyao readily agreed, glancing at her sports watch. "Then let's go home and pack up, and meet downstairs in half an hour?"

"no problem."

Each returned to their respective floors in the same apartment building. Shen Qingyao took a comfortable hot shower, the steam washing away the fatigue from her workout.

She opened her wardrobe, selected a soft, off-white knit sweater, and paired it with high-waisted skinny jeans. The simple and neat look exuded a touch of gentle elegance, making her skin appear even whiter.

Picking up her phone, she quickly typed out a few messages and sent them to Meng Jiangyu:

Hey Yu, I have some amazing coincidence to tell you! My roommate Lu Ying also lives in our building!

I ran into her when I went downstairs to play badminton, and we even played a game together!

I just told her straight up about our relationship, and we're going to have dinner at Wangjinglou Restaurant later.

After sending the message, Shen Qingyao picked up her camel coat draped over the sofa and called out towards the kitchen, "Aunt Zhang, I'm going straight to class after I finish eating, don't wait for me to come back~"

"Alright, Miss Shen! Be careful on the road and keep warm!" Aunt Zhang's voice came from the kitchen, with a gentle smile.

When she came downstairs, Lu Ying was already waiting for her in a black van.

Unlike her lively and energetic demeanor while playing ball, she was now dressed in a simple gray suit that accentuated her slender figure and exuded a gentle and elegant temperament.

The van came to a smooth stop in front of Wangjinglou, and Shen Qingyao and Lu Ying got out one after the other.

At midday, Wangjing Tower sheds its solemnity from the night. Warm sunlight shines on the vermilion gate tower, and the carved wooden windows exude a rustic charm. There aren't many visitors, making it exceptionally quiet.

Just as they reached the door, they saw Lu Linchuan leading Fang Shuning out by the hand. The four of them suddenly met each other's eyes and were all stunned.

"Miss Shen, what a coincidence." Lu Linchuan was the first to react, taking the initiative to raise his hand to greet her, his tone gentle and polite, with just the right amount of smile in his eyes.

Fang Shuning was overjoyed; her eyes lit up instantly, and she affectionately called out, "Yaoyao!"

She wore a beige dress, the hem swaying gently with her steps, and a matching ribbon tied around her waist, exuding a gentle and graceful air.

"Mr. Lu, Sister Fang!" Shen Qingyao was also a little surprised, not expecting to run into them here. A sincere smile spread across her face, and her tone was cheerful.

Lu Linchuan's gaze fell on Lu Ying, who was standing next to Shen Qingyao, his eyes showing a hint of familiarity.

Lu Ying stepped forward and greeted them with a smile and a nod: "Cousin, Sister Fang."

"Yingying, long time no see," Fang Shuning responded warmly, then looked at the two of them curiously, "How come you're with Yaoyao?"

"She's my roommate!" Lu Ying said with a smile, linking her arm with Shen Qingyao's.

"You're relatives?" Shen Qingyao's eyes widened, her face full of surprise. She hadn't expected such a coincidence.

"A distant cousin," Lu Linchuan explained calmly, his tone revealing little emotion.

"What a coincidence, you're here to eat too?" Shen Qingyao asked.

"Yes, we just finished eating and were about to head back." Fang Shuning nodded with a smile, her gaze sweeping over the two of them. "You two should go in quickly, don't delay your meal."

Lu Linchuan glanced at his watch and said gently, "We won't disturb you any longer; we'll take our leave now."

"Bye-bye!" The group said their goodbyes politely, watching Lu Linchuan and Fang Shuning's figures gradually disappear into the distance.

Only after the two disappeared around the street corner did Lu Ying lean closer to Shen Qingyao and lower her voice to say, "My cousin has a huge business and is very shrewd. Even my dad has to give him some leeway. I'm actually quite afraid of him in private."

She pulled Shen Qingyao inside, her steps light and her tone slightly sarcastic, "He seems kind on the surface, but he's actually very cold and difficult to get along with. We younger folks have to behave ourselves when we see him; we're quite afraid of him."

As soon as the two entered the lobby, the manager of Wangjinglou Restaurant recognized Shen Qingyao at a glance and immediately greeted them with a beaming smile, his attitude respectful and warm: "Miss Shen, Miss Lu, you've arrived! Please come in, please come in!"

Shen Qingyao often came with Meng Jiangyu, so these shrewd people naturally dared not neglect her.

The manager personally led them to the private room, exchanging pleasantries along the way, asking if Mr. Meng had come along, and talking about the new dishes added to the restaurant.