The Cinnabar Mole of a Beijing Circle Tycoon

At one o'clock in the afternoon, Shen Qingyao stood at the school gate on time.

She was wearing her most elegant black dress, with a beige coat over it, and her hair was simply pulled back, revealing her smooth neck.

For this part-time job, she specially applied light makeup half an hour in advance, so that she would look professional without being too flashy.

Not long after, a black Mercedes-Benz van slowly pulled up in front of her. The window rolled down, and the middle-aged man in the driver's seat politely asked, "Are you Shen Qingyao?"

"I am."

"Please get in the car. I'm here to take you to the party."

Looking at the very high-end-looking car, Shen Qingyao figured it couldn't be a scam, especially since it was recommended by her teacher.

Shen Qingyao nodded, opened the car door, and got in.

The car interior is spacious, with soft carpets and a faint woody scent in the air.

She sat somewhat reservedly in the corner, watching the street scene outside the window rush by, a faint sense of anticipation in her heart. Her teacher had said it was a high-end cocktail party, and she wondered what it would be like.

The car drove out of the bustling city center, turned into a quiet tree-lined avenue, and finally stopped in front of an ancient, vermilion gate.

Two stone lions stand on either side of the gate, exuding a magnificent aura. Above the gate hangs a plaque with three large, gilded characters that read "Feng Hua Palace," written in a vigorous and powerful style, conveying a profound sense of history.

Shen Qingyao got out of the car with the driver and stared blankly at the antique-style building complex in front of her.

It wasn't the modern, luxurious hotel executive lounge she had imagined, nor was it a bustling banquet hall; instead, it resembled a garden-style royal palace.

With its upturned eaves, carved beams and painted rafters, the courtyard is planted with vigorous pine and cypress trees, and the stone path is paved with fine pebbles, exuding an understated elegance.

"This way, please." The staff member led her inside, through several courtyards, to a spacious side hall.

The room was already set up, with various bottles of liquor and bartending equipment on the long bar counter, and crystal chandeliers reflecting a dazzling light, making the glassware shimmer and sparkle.

"Ms. Shen, please prepare here." The person in charge gave a few brief instructions and then turned and left.

Shen Qingyao took a deep breath, walked behind the bar, and began to check the equipment and drinks.

The base spirits were complete, and the ingredients were fresh, all from brands she was familiar with.

She steadied herself and began adjusting the shaker; the cool metallic touch relaxed her tense nerves somewhat.

A short while later, an older man came over, followed by a dozen or so young people in their early twenties.

He handed Shen Qingyao a drink menu. "Hello, Shen! I'm the manager here, my surname is Zhou. Please mix the drinks according to this menu."

"They stay here. Once you've mixed the drinks, just have them take them away one by one."

Shen Qingyao nodded slightly, "Okay!"

Manager Zhou was a shrewd person; he neither showed excessive enthusiasm nor excessive indifference, striking the perfect balance.

Shen Qingyao focused intently on mixing the drinks, her movements more composed than when she practiced at school.

She tried her best to ignore her surroundings and focus only on the wine glass in her hand. The refreshing mint, the rich base spirit, and the sweet syrup were all perfectly executed.

They had never seen Meng Jiangyu act like this before, with his body in Cao's camp but his heart in Han's.

He touched his nose, secretly glad that he hadn't actually "cancelled" the person; otherwise, given Meng Jiangyu's personality, he would probably have had to renovate Fenghua Palace all over again.

In the side hall, Shen Qingyao was busy following the wine list given to her by Manager Zhou.

The first drink is "Snow-Topped Red Plum," which uses vodka as a base, mixed with fresh berry juice, and finally topped with a layer of creamy whipped cream and sprinkled with edible dried flower petals, resembling plum branches covered in snow outside the courtyard.

Her movements weren't fast, but they were exceptionally steady.

The jug twirled in my hand, the liquid striking the sides of the jug with a crisp sound that blended wonderfully with the faint music drifting from outside.

Sunlight streamed through the carved window, falling on her earnest profile, casting a small shadow on her eyelashes—more captivating than the meticulously crafted cocktail.

Manager Zhou stayed by her side for a while and saw that she was skilled and used the right ingredients. He was relieved and gave her a few instructions, "Follow the order and don't make any mistakes." Then he turned around and went to the front of the room to greet the guests.

The dozen or so young people who remained were all servants of Fenghua Palace. They were watching intently, not daring to slack off in the slightest. The guest that Manager Zhou had specifically instructed was no ordinary person, and they had to keep their hands steady when serving the wine.

After mixing the first glass of wine, Shen Qingyao placed it on the tray and said softly, "Thank you for your help."

The first waiter quickly picked it up and walked slowly towards the courtyard.

Inside the ancient pavilion, Meng Jiangyu was listening to Lu Linchuan analyze next year's investment trends when he suddenly smelled a refreshing fruity aroma mixed with a faint sweet scent of cream. He subconsciously looked up and saw a waiter carrying a glass of "Snow-Topped Red Plum" over. The vibrant color in the glass looked just like the plum blossoms on the plum branches in the corner of the courtyard.

"This is..." Lu Linchuan raised an eyebrow.

"It was composed by Master Gao's prized student. He said it's called 'Snow-capped Red Plum Blossom,' which is very fitting for the occasion," Zhou Yanqiu quickly explained, glancing at Meng Jiangyu to observe his reaction.

Meng Jiangyu didn't speak, he just stared at the glass of wine.

The waiter placed the wine in front of him, but he didn't move. His gaze seemed to be looking through the wine glass at some unseen place.

Shen Qingyao... the drinks she mixes are just like her—clean yet with a touch of stubborn vibrancy.

"Want to try some?" Lu Linchuan smiled and pushed the wine glass towards him.

Meng Jiangyu then reached out, his fingertips grasping the cold glass, and gently swirled it.

The layer of cream swayed slightly, revealing the bright red liquor beneath. He tilted his head back and took a small sip.

The vodka's crispness is neutralized by the sweet and sour berries, and finally by the rich cream, creating a layered and strangely harmonious flavor, much like the collision of winter plum blossoms and snow on a snowy day.

"Not bad." He put down his wine glass, his tone revealing neither joy nor anger, but Lu Linchuan and Zhou Yanqiu, who knew him well, could see that the frost in his eyes seemed to have melted a little.

Over the next few hours, cocktails of various shapes and flavors were served.

There's the refreshing "Mint Mist," the mellow "Amber Time," and the slightly spicy "Burning Clouds"... Each cup is as exquisite as a work of art, and each has its own unique flavor.

Meng Jiangyu only tasted one sip of each cup, yet he remembered every flavor.

He could picture her standing behind the bar, focused on mixing drinks, perhaps with a slight frown, perhaps with pursed lips, perhaps with her arms working hard as she shook the pitcher, revealing slender yet strong lines.

These thoughts grew wildly in his mind like vines, making it hard for him to breathe, yet they also carried a secret expectation.