The Cinnabar Mole of a Beijing Circle Tycoon

As spring gradually warmed, the days slipped by quietly, and Shen Qingyao's courses unfolded one by one.

Elective and required courses are packed full, leaving only Thursday afternoons as free time.

She became like a pendulum swinging back and forth between the campus and the apartment, leaving home with Meng Jiangyu every morning, one for class and the other for work.

On ordinary days, Meng Jiangyu would always arrive home before six o'clock in the evening to have dinner with her, and then the two of them would stay in the study and do their own things.

She frowned at the obscure technical terms on the screen, her pen scratching across the notebook.

He worked, the crisp, clear sound of his keyboard typing blending with the soft rustling of pages turning, creating a gentle murmur.

Of course, there are always one or two days a week when Meng Jiangyu will come home a little late.

At times like this, Shen Qingyao would usually finish her homework around nine o'clock, then curl up on the sofa in the living room, with the TV on low volume, waiting for him to come home.

As night deepened, Meng Jiangyu pushed open his door and caught a glimpse of the warm yellow light shining in the living room. His heart was instantly filled with warmth.

He took off his coat, walked slowly to the sofa, leaned down and pulled Shen Qingyao into his arms, his voice slightly hoarse from the alcohol: "Baby! Why aren't you asleep yet?"

"I've been waiting for you!" Shen Qingyao looked up, a faint smile in her eyes. "I can't sleep until you come back."

"Sweetie, I'll try to come home earlier from now on." Meng Jiangyu lowered his head and rubbed the top of her head.

Shen Qingyao's nose twitched slightly, and she frowned gently: "You've been drinking?"

"I only drank a little, it's nothing."

She reached out and turned off the TV, then stood up and took his wrist, her voice soft and sweet: "Let's go back to our room and sleep."

Meng Jiangyu took her hand in return, his eyes full of tenderness: "Okay."

Thursday morning was a lab class, and it ended half an hour later than usual.

As Shen Qingyao walked out of the teaching building with her backpack containing lab reports, she immediately spotted the car parked under the shade of the sycamore tree and Meng Jiangyu leaning against the car door.

He wasn't wearing a suit today; instead, he wore a light gray knit sweater with the sleeves rolled up to his forearms, revealing a watch on his wrist.

The spring breeze carried fine sycamore fluff, brushing against his hair. He saw Shen Qingyao, his eyebrows instantly curving into a smile, and he waved to her.

Shen Qingyao was stunned for a moment, then quickly ran over, hugged Meng Jiangyu, and said with surprise and delight, "Ayu, what brings you here?"

Meng Jiangyu hugged the girl, took the backpack from her shoulder, and his fingertips inadvertently brushed against her neck, bringing a slightly cool touch.

"I missed you! So I came!" He opened the car door for her. "I just passed by your favorite dessert shop and bought you your favorite Basque dessert."

As Shen Qingyao got into the car, she immediately smelled a sweet fragrance. She turned to look at Meng Jiangyu, who was fastening his seatbelt, and couldn't hide the smile on her lips.

"Are you hungry?" Meng Jiangyu asked, looking at the little glutton.

"It's okay, I'm not too hungry."

The car drove slowly along the ring road, the windows half-rolled down, and the wind carrying the scent of grass and flowers came in, tickling the tip of one's nose. Soothing light music flowed from the stereo, permeating every inch of the air in the car.

Shen Qingyao took a small bite of the Basque cheese, her gaze falling on the scenery passing by the window. A slight smile curved her lips. She felt that this unhurried time was so peaceful that it warmed her heart.

Meng Jiangyu caught a glimpse of a bit of cream on the corner of her mouth out of the corner of his eye. He couldn't help but chuckle, and with a free hand, he gently wiped it away with his fingertips. His voice was deep and warm, like it had been warmed by water: "Eat slowly, no one's going to take it from you."

"I know!" Shen Qingyao glanced at him, her tone slightly coquettish, "Brother, you're meddling too much."

Meng Jiangyu chuckled softly, reached out and lightly pinched her neck, feigning a threat: "Itching for a beating, huh?"

Shen Qingyao immediately raised her hands in surrender, her eyes crinkling as she corrected herself, "I misspoke, daddy."

As we chatted and laughed, the scenery outside the window gradually became unfamiliar. The towering buildings slowly faded away, replaced by endless greenery.

She couldn't help but tilt her head and ask, "Brother, where are we going?"

"Let's go into the mountains and sell you for money," Meng Jiangyu teased her in a serious tone.

Shen Qingyao remained completely calm, instead confidently raising her chin: "I don't believe it. You love me so much, you definitely wouldn't want to part with me."

Meng Jiangyu was amused by her self-righteous manner and shook his head helplessly: "You know that already?"

"certainly!"

The car eventually stopped in the parking lot at the entrance of Shanshui Manor.

Shen Qingyao's eyes lit up as she looked at the manor's imposing gate: "Brother, so you're bringing me here to play golf!"

"Let's go eat first," Meng Jiangyu unbuckled her seatbelt. "There's a Michelin three-star Cantonese restaurant here. The food is authentic, you'll definitely like it."

The two got out of the car one after the other. Meng Jiangyu naturally took her hand and led her inside. After a few steps, staff members came to pick them up in a sightseeing car and took them towards the restaurant.

The sightseeing bus shuttled through stretches of lush green lawns and winding tree-lined paths, stopping in front of a small building with white walls and gray tiles.

The restaurant's interior features an elegant modern Chinese style, with warm yellow lighting highlighting the texture of the wooden tables and chairs, and melodious guzheng music flowing gently in the air.

Meng Jiangyu skillfully led Shen Qingyao to a seat by the window, beckoned a waiter, and promptly announced a list of dishes: "Shrimp dumplings, chilled sweet and sour pork, steamed spare ribs, casserole-baked prawns, boat congee, plus your signature glass pigeon and steamed grouper."

The waiter acknowledged and withdrew. Shen Qingyao rested her chin on her hand and looked at him: "You ordered so much, can you finish it all?"

"Try it," Meng Jiangyu poured her a cup of warm Pu'er tea, gently touching the back of her hand with his fingertips. "This Cantonese restaurant has a lighter flavor, which suits your taste perfectly."

Before long, the dishes were served one after another.

The skin of the roasted pigeon is roasted to a golden-brown, glossy sheen, with an enticing sheen. With a gentle tear, the crispy skin falls off easily, revealing tender and juicy pigeon meat inside, with a subtle aroma of charcoal.

Shen Qingyao took a bite, her eyes instantly lighting up, not even noticing the little bit of oil on the corner of her mouth.

Meng Jiangyu chuckled, pulled out a tissue, bent down to wipe the grease from the corner of her mouth, and said in a doting tone, "Eat slowly, it's hot."

The sizzling hot pot prawns were served still sizzling, releasing a rich, savory aroma mixed with the sweetness of the prawns.

The shrimp shells were fried until crispy, while the shrimp meat remained firm and springy, fully absorbing the flavor of the sauce.

Shen Qingyao peeled one and was about to put it in her mouth when she remembered something and handed it to Meng Jiangyu's lips: "Brother, you eat it."

Meng Jiangyu opened his mouth and took it in, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly, the smile in his eyes deepening: "So sweet."

Iced sweet and sour pork is a rare and refreshing dish. The pork belly with alternating layers of fat and lean meat is coated with a glistening sugar coating, cut into small pieces, and soaked in ice. The first taste is icy cold, followed by a sweet and sour flavor that melts on the tongue, without feeling greasy at all.

Shen Qingyao ate with great relish, her little cheeks puffed out like a little squirrel.

When the steamed grouper was served, its eyes were bright and its flesh was white and tender. It was only drizzled with a little soy sauce for steamed fish, which brought out the freshness of the seafood to the fullest.

Meng Jiangyu picked out the tenderest piece of fish belly, carefully removed the bones, and put it into her bowl: "Eat more fish, it'll help your brain."

Shen Qingyao snorted, but still obediently ate the fish.

The last dish served was red bean soup with tangerine peel. The red beans were cooked until they were soft and chewy, mixed with the subtle fragrance of tangerine peel, and it was sweet but not cloying.

Shen Qingyao scooped up a spoonful and put it in her mouth. The warmth spread from her throat all the way to her heart, and she squinted her eyes in comfort.

She ate until she was about 70% full, put down her spoon, patted her round belly, and was completely satisfied.

Seeing her like this, Meng Jiangyu couldn't help but chuckle and reached out to ruffle her hair.