The Cinnabar Mole of a Beijing Circle Tycoon

At six in the morning, the snow-capped mountains were frozen solid. The cold wind swirled snowflakes as it blew past the windows of the special plane, making a soft, rustling sound.

The air was so cold it felt like it had been quenched with ice; inhaling it felt like being pricked with needles, and the white mist that was exhaled was torn apart and dissipated by the cold wind as soon as it drifted half a foot away.

Meng Jiangyu steadily supported Shen Qingyao's knees and shoulders, carrying her onto the helicopter.

Shen Qingyao hooked her arm around his neck, her nose bumping into the collar of his cedar-scented coat.

The bodyguard opened the cabin door, bent down and stepped into the helicopter, gently placing her on the seat covered with a cashmere carpet. He pulled the carpet over her and said, "Watch your feet."

Amid the roar of the propellers, Shen Qingyao watched him walk to the front cabin and whisper to the pilot, his profile hard and cold.

Meng Jiangyu came back and sat down next to her, placing her injured leg on his own lap. "We're going back to China early. Your foot is injured, and it'll be boring to lie in bed all day."

"Okay. These past few days have been really boring."

The helicopter took off, and the snow-capped mountains outside the window slowly receded into the distance.

Meng Jiangyu put her hand into his coat pocket and warmed it with his palm; the temperature of his palm was very warm.

"Does your foot still hurt?" Meng Jiangyu asked, touching the injured area.

Shen Qingyao shook her head and snuggled closer to him. "I don't feel anything."

The plane lurched slightly, and he immediately shielded her head. "It's too early. Get some sleep. You'll be more comfortable once we transfer to a private jet at the airport."

Shen Qingyao closed her eyes, listening to his steady heartbeat, and slowly drifted off to sleep amidst the roar of the engine.

The helicopter sped toward the airport; the flight route had already been applied for.

-

The private jet cabin was filled with soft, warm light, and the beige leather seats were so large that they could be fully reclined.

The walnut wood trim on the wall panels gleamed with a warm luster, and the silent engine completely shut out the noise from the outside world, leaving only the scent of cedar and the faint fragrance of gardenias in the air.

Meng Jiangyu settled Shen Qingyao in the zero-gravity seat by the window, pressed a button to adjust the angle, and made her lie in the most comfortable position, with her ankles still padded with soft cashmere cushions.

"Are you hungry? I've had breakfast prepared." He leaned down, his warm breath brushing against her earlobe.

"I'm hungry." Shen Qingyao nodded.

He brought over an exquisite white porcelain plate, on which sat Shen Qingyao's favorite bread.

The tart crust was crispy, and the strawberries were sweet and juicy. As she chewed, a little bit of light pink jam clung to the corner of her mouth.

Meng Jiangyu didn't speak, but leaned down slightly and gently brushed his thumb across the corner of her lips.

His gaze fell on her reddened lips, his Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and his voice was low and husky: "How does it taste?"

"It's delicious, slightly sweet, you should try it." Shen Qingyao held the strawberry tart in her hand to Meng Jiangyu's mouth.

Meng Jiangyu doesn't like sweets, but he still tried it and said, "It's not bad."

The starry sky lights on the cabin ceiling slowly lit up, simulating a sky full of stars.

Shen Qingyao turned her head to look out the window. The clouds were dyed golden red by the rising sun, and Meng Jiangyu's gaze remained fixed on her.

He reached out and tidied her stray hairs. She turned to look at him, and her eyes met his deep gaze.

The moment their eyes met, the air seemed to freeze, leaving only the sound of their clear breathing.

He slowly moved closer, his nose almost touching hers, their warm breaths mingling, and an ambiguous atmosphere grew wildly in the small space.

Just as their lips were about to touch, he chuckled, pulled back slightly, and caressed her lower lip with his fingertips: "We'll talk about it when your leg is better."

Shen Qingyao's cheeks flushed, and she snuggled closer to him, pressing her ear against his chest to listen to his steady and powerful heartbeat.

He tightened his arms around her, pulling her into a tight embrace, his chin resting on the top of her head. "Are you sleepy? Shall I carry you to your room for a nap?"

"Okay, I am a little sleepy." Shen Qingyao yawned.

The plane flew smoothly, and Meng Jiangyu carried Shen Qingyao to the room and gently placed her on the bed.

He sat on the edge of the bed, tucked her in, looked at her tenderly, and whispered, "Sleep well, I'll be right outside."

Shen Qingyao took his hand, shook it gently, and said coquettishly, "Come with me."

Meng Jiangyu smiled helplessly yet indulgently, took off his coat, and lay down beside her.

He stretched out his long arm and pulled her into his arms. She nestled in his arms like a kitten and rubbed against his chest.

Meng Jiangyu lowered his head and kissed her forehead. Shen Qingyao closed her eyes, a smile on her lips.

As drowsiness gradually crept in, Shen Qingyao's breathing slowly became long and even, her hand gripping his collar.

Meng Jiangyu didn't move, maintaining the position of holding her, his gaze fixed on her peaceful sleeping face, his eyes deep and filled with unyielding doting affection.

After an unknown amount of time, Shen Qingyao murmured Meng Jiangyu's name in her sleep. Meng Jiangyu gently patted her back and soothed her softly.

Only after he was sure she was fast asleep did he carefully adjust his position, still holding her in his arms, close his eyes, and drift into a peaceful dream with her.

When Shen Qingyao woke up again, it was already bright outside the window, and light was seeping in through the gaps in the heavy blackout curtains.

She shifted her body, and the warm chest that had been pressed against her back was gone, leaving only a silk sheet.

The scent of cedarwood still lingers in the air.

"Ah Yu." Her voice was a little hoarse. She sat up groggily and subconsciously reached to the side.

Just as my hand touched the warm water on the bedside table, the door was gently pushed open.

Meng Jiangyu was wearing a well-tailored dark gray suit, without a tie, with the collar slightly open and the cuffs meticulously rolled up to his forearms, revealing his hard, cold wrist bones.

Seeing her wake up, the coldness in his eyes vanished instantly.

"Awake?" He strode in and leaned closer to her.

Shen Qingyao wasn't fully awake yet. She reached out and hooked her arm around his neck, nuzzling her nose against his chin, her voice soft and sweet: "Where did you go? I woke up and didn't see you."

"You little rascal." Meng Jiangyu chuckled softly, sitting down on the edge of the bed. He slipped his large hand under the covers and grasped her ankle, gently massaging it with his fingertips. "I just went to the front to handle some acquisition work. What's wrong, can't you sleep without me holding you?"

Shen Qingyao felt comfortable from his massage and snuggled closer to him, her eyes sparkling: "Mmm, without you, the bed is always cold."

Meng Jiangyu paused, lowered his head and kissed her lips, his voice low and slightly hoarse: "I'll bring the documents in and sleep with you a little longer."

"No need, I'm not sleepy anymore, I'm getting ready to get up."

He tidied her messy hair. "Okay, we'll probably land in about four hours. Get up, pack your things, and have something to eat."

Shen Qingyao yawned and leaned on his shoulder, "Mmm."

He bent down and picked Shen Qingyao up in his arms, carrying her safely to the front hall.

Shen Qingyao hooked her arms around his neck, and Meng Jiangyu walked steadily down the corridor, gently placing her on the seat and bending down to tuck the blanket that had slipped off her.

Lunch had been arranged, and the two chatted and ate delicious food together.