The Cinnabar Mole of a Beijing Circle Tycoon

At a street corner in the ancient city, there was a small shop with a wall full of jeweled hairpins. When Shen Qingyao passed by, she immediately spotted the silver butterfly hairpin in the window and pulled Fang Shuning inside.

The shop was filled with the faint scent of sandalwood, and the wooden shelves were filled with a dazzling array of headdresses.

The peach wood hairpins wrapped with red rope, the hair clips adorned with rhinestones, and the forehead ornaments strung with small pearls were dazzling to behold.

The proprietress, a middle-aged woman with gentle features, smiled and praised the tie-dye accessories on the two women, saying, "Your handiwork is so exquisite, it matches my hairpins perfectly."

Shen Qingyao picked up the silver butterfly hairpin, held it up in her hair in front of the mirror, and turned to ask Fang Shuning, "How is it? Does it look good?"

Sunlight streamed through the window and fell on the hairpin, making the patterns on the butterfly wings shimmer with tiny lights.

Fang Shuning was examining a wooden hairpin inlaid with turquoise in front of a bronze mirror when she heard this. She looked up and couldn't help but laugh: "It's not just pretty, it's practically tailor-made."

Shen Qingyao picked out some accessories for her roommates and asked the boss to pack them in pretty boxes.

As the two paid and walked out of the shop, a gentle evening breeze blew by, causing the butterfly wings in their hair to flutter softly.

Girls can't resist these cute little shops.

Afterwards, Fang Shuning pulled Shen Qingyao into a silver jewelry store.

Fang Shuning took a fancy to a pair of silver bracelets with lotus scroll patterns in the shop window: "Look at these, they would definitely look good on our wrists."

As she spoke, she pulled Shen Qingyao inside to try it on. The silver bracelet felt cool against her skin, making her complexion appear even whiter.

These past few days in Dali have felt like time has flown by, and I've had a very comfortable time.

The clouds over Cangshan Mountain drift slowly, the wind over Erhai Lake blows gently, and even the hawkers' cries at the alley entrance have a touch of languidness.

Before she knew it, the day came for her to leave Dali.

Meng Jiangyu was on a business trip in Shanghai for two weeks. Since she had never been to Shanghai before, she decided to spend a week in Dali and then another week in Shanghai.

The airport was still a bit chilly in the early morning. Cheng Qidong, carrying a package of flower cakes and plum wine, stood a short distance away, giving the two girls plenty of space.

Fang Shuning held Shen Qingyao's hand tightly, nagging, "Message me when you have time, don't forget about me while you're having fun."

Shen Qingyao took her hand in return, a smile in her eyes, and said earnestly, "Don't worry!"

"Sister Fang, I think Cheng Qidong is a very good person, gentle and reliable."

She paused, then softened her voice, "If you like it, don't hesitate. It would be such a pity to miss out."

Fang Shuning's cheeks flushed instantly. She glanced subconsciously in Cheng Qidong's direction and muttered softly, "I didn't..."

Seeing her shy expression, Shen Qingyao couldn't help but chuckle, "Oh, you didn't!"

Just then, the announcement at the security checkpoint came on, and she hugged Fang Shuning: "Let's go."

"Yaoyao, let me know you've landed safely!"

"Yes! Follow your heart and enjoy life!"

Shen Qingyao turned around and waved to Cheng Qidong, who was not far away. Cheng Qidong smiled and nodded in acknowledgment. The sunlight fell on him, as gentle as the days in Dali these past few days.

-

The winds of mid-July, carrying the heat of summer, swept across the glass curtain wall of Hongqiao Airport.

At 11:30 a.m., Shen Qingyao arrived at the VIP exit, followed by staff carrying suitcases. She immediately spotted Meng Jiangyu in the crowd.

He was wearing a white T-shirt and holding a bouquet of vibrant red roses, which made his features appear even more handsome and gave him a very mature, married look.

After a week apart, a clear smile played in his eyes as he quickly approached her, embraced her, and handed her the roses: "Baby!"

"You miss me so much!" Shen Qingyao accepted the roses.

"Of course, I miss you terribly!" Meng Jiangyu led Shen Qingyao outside.

How much do you want to?

Meng Jiangyu whispered in Shen Qingyao's ear, "I miss you so much that I dream about you!"

Shen Qingyao's ears burned. "You pervert!"

"I just missed you so much, it's all genuine!" Meng Jiangyu feigned disappointment. "I can tell you don't miss me at all, you don't even want to come back from Dali!"

Shen Qingyao lowered her head and sniffed the sweet fragrance of roses, a smile curving her lips: "It's quite pleasant, but I also miss you very much."

"I don't believe it!"

"Fine, don't believe me then!"

"You're so impatient with me now, aren't you!" Meng Jiangyu deliberately put on a stern face, but his hand naturally tidied up the stray hairs that had been blown around by the wind.

"A man who doesn't trust me doesn't deserve my patience!" Shen Qingyao looked up at him, but a smile was hidden in her eyes. She gently shook the rose in her hand, and the petals brushed against his wrist.

Meng Jiangyu chuckled softly, reached out and pulled her into his arms, resting his chin on the top of her head, his voice full of indulgence: "Alright, alright, it seems my Yao Yao's temper has grown quite a bit in the past week."

Shen Qingyao didn't struggle. The clean scent of soap on his shirt touched her nose, and her heart melted completely.

He was happy that she had become outgoing and confident, able to express her true thoughts instead of saying nice things to please others.

The two walked out side by side. Shen Qingyao was wearing a blue and white dress and a white sun hat.

The two tacitly agreed to wear matching outfits, attracting frequent glances from those around them.

"What should we do this afternoon?" Shen Qingyao asked with a hint of languor.

"What do you want to do?" Meng Jiangyu took the bag from Shen Qingyao's hand.

"It's so sunny outside, I don't want to go out at all," she said, frowning slightly, her voice full of coquettishness. "How about we go back to the hotel and lie down in the air conditioning? We can go to the Oriental Pearl Tower when it cools down in the evening."

Meng Jiangyu chuckled softly, his eyes filled with tenderness: "I'll do whatever you say."

The car door opened, and Meng Jiangyu gentlemanly shielded Shen Qingyao from the roof, helping her into the back seat of the Rolls-Royce.

The leather seats were incredibly soft, blocking out the noise from outside the window, and the air conditioning carried a faint woody scent, making one feel relaxed and comfortable.

The car drove smoothly across the Bund, and through the car window, the spire of the Oriental Pearl Tower shimmered with tiny lights in the sunlight.

Upon arrival at the Ritz-Carlton, the doorman respectfully carried their luggage.

The moment Shen Qingyao stepped into the penthouse suite, before she could even change her shoes, Meng Jiangyu turned her around and pinned her against the door.

The longing of not seeing each other for a week was transformed into a burning kiss the moment the door clicked shut.

His hand gripped the back of her neck, the force carrying an uncontrollable urgency, their lips exchanging familiar breaths.

Shen Qingyao's fingers unconsciously clenched the hem of his clothes, and she responded on tiptoe. He stole her breath, and even the river breeze outside the window seemed to be tinged with scalding heat.

Meng Jiangyu's kiss gradually changed from urgent to tender, his fingertips slowly tracing her waistline, carrying a burning heat.

He took a small step back, his forehead pressed against hers, their breaths mingling, his voice terribly hoarse: "Did you miss me?"

Shen Qingyao's cheeks flushed, her eyelashes trembled slightly, but she still tiptoed and took the initiative to kiss the corner of his lips, her voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz: "I want to."

Before she could finish speaking, he picked her up and carried her to the sofa by the French windows.

Outside the window are the buildings scattered along the Bund, and the outline of the Oriental Pearl Tower is so clear that it seems within reach.

He gently placed her on the soft sofa, and as he leaned over, his fingertips lightly traced the outline of her face, his eyes filled with undisguised affection: "It missed you!"

Shen Qingyao reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her face in the crook of his neck. The cool, woody scent emanating from him filled her nostrils, making her feel at ease and comforted.

She responded with a muffled sound, but her fingertips gently traced circles on the back of his neck, as if she were being coquettish, or perhaps expressing the longing she had kept hidden for a week.

Meng Jiangyu's kiss was urgent and heavy, traveling down from the corner of her reddened lips, burning her skin.

Shen Qingyao's fingers dug into his hair, her fingertips touching the bulging veins on the side of his neck, a tension that could only be achieved through extreme restraint.

The two hadn't seen each other for a week, and the anticipated intimacy arrived as expected.

The leather of the sofa was slightly cool, but it couldn't keep up with the burning heat on the two people's bodies.

His breath brushed against her earlobe, carrying a hoarse sigh, each word laced with an overwhelming longing: "Baby... I miss you so much."

Shen Qingyao clung to his shoulder, pressing herself even closer. Her soft sobs mingled with the faint sounds of traffic outside the window, spreading throughout the large suite, even the air itself seemed to have a sticky, sweet taste.

The river breeze outside the window carries the sound of cicadas as it passes by, and the floor-to-ceiling windows reflect the gilded outline of the Bund.

The two embraced and sank into the sofa, their bodies still covered in a thin layer of sweat. Meng Jiangyu pulled a blanket over them loosely, resting his chin on the top of Shen Qingyao's head, and gently stroking her back with his fingertips.

Shen Qingyao's cheek was pressed against his chest, listening to his steady and powerful heartbeat, her nose filled with the woody scent of his body mixed with a faint smell of sweat, and her whole body felt as soft as water.

Meng Jiangyu carried Shen Qingyao out of the bathroom, and the two lay down on the bed together.

As dusk completely enveloped the riverbank, the lights of the Oriental Pearl Tower shone like a galaxy fallen to earth, and the Bund's collection of international buildings was bathed in a warm yellow glow.

"Look," Meng Jiangyu lowered his head, his lips brushing against her hair, his voice languid and hoarse after their lovemaking, "over there is the Oriental Pearl Tower and the Bund."

Shen Qingyao looked up and followed his gaze to the window. Boats sailed by on the river, splashing up tiny ripples.

She didn't say anything, but snuggled closer into his arms, and Meng Jiangyu's arms tightened around her.