The Cinnabar Mole of a Beijing Circle Tycoon

For Shen Qingyao, studying and taking exams were never difficult.

Despite the increased academic pressure in her junior year, she remained firmly in first place in her major and unsurprisingly secured a place in the postgraduate program.

As the first author, she published a paper on the mental health of AI in a top psychology journal, successfully entered Professor Li Jing's research group, and secured a graduate student position in advance.

In early July, Shen Qingyao invited her roommates to a dinner at Wangjinglou to celebrate the successful conclusion of her junior year.

"Sisters, order whatever you want to eat." She raised her chin, her tone full of joy.

"Then we won't stand on ceremony, we definitely won't let you, this little rich lady, save a single penny," Xiang Yu winked and jokingly replied.

After everyone ordered, Xu Huihui picked up her wine glass, her bright eyes sweeping over everyone: "Let's have a toast! Congratulations to Yao Yao on getting accepted into graduate school!"

"Thank you everyone." Shen Qingyao smiled and raised her glass. The glasses clinked together, making a crisp sound, and the room was filled with heartfelt celebration.

Amidst the lively chatter, Xiang Yu dropped a bombshell: "I have something to tell you guys. I'm planning to stay in Beijing. After graduation, my family will use their connections to get me a job as a psychologist at the Third Affiliated Hospital."

"Really? That's fantastic!" Lu Ying's eyes lit up, her voice full of joy.

Shen Qingyao noticed Xu Huihui's downcast eyes and asked softly, "Huihui, are you planning to go back to Hainan?"

"Yes." Xu Huihui nodded, her voice softening slightly. "I've discussed it with my parents. I'm going home to take the civil service exam and stay by their side."

"That's good too. Being with your family will surely make life more comfortable," Shen Qingyao comforted softly.

"That's right! If you miss us, just book a flight and fly over anytime. We can even organize a group trip to Hainan to visit you!" Lu Ying quickly chimed in, afraid that the atmosphere would become sentimental.

Xu Huihui curved her lips into a smile and softly hummed in agreement.

"Hey, hey, why are you getting so sentimental? We still have a year before graduation!" Xiang Yu quickly smoothed things over, patting Xu Huihui on the shoulder. "Don't get anxious beforehand!"

Just then, the waiter pushed open the door and came in to serve the dishes. His movements were quiet and efficient, and he quickly and quietly withdrew.

Shen Qingyao's eyes lit up as she remembered something, "The four of us are all interning at the Second Hospital this summer, so we can see each other every day!"

"Oh yeah! I almost forgot about that!" Xu Huihui's mood instantly brightened, and the gloom on her face vanished.

"Speaking of which, we have to thank Mr. Meng. If it weren't for his help in arranging it, how could the four of us have gotten together for an internship?" Xiang Yu teased, winking.

Upon hearing this, Shen Qingyao playfully stuck out her tongue: "Of course, I'm benefiting from it."

The dinner table was steaming hot. Xu Huihui picked up a piece of roast duck and looked at Lu Ying: "By the way, Yingying, how are things going with that blind date of yours? I've been too busy lately to ask you."

Lu Ying's cheeks flushed slightly, but the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up: "It's going very well. We're getting along very smoothly, and the wedding is estimated to be in the first half of next year."

"What? So fast?" Xiang Yu exclaimed in surprise, her voice rising in disbelief. "That's way too hasty!"

"We've been dating for a year now, and both sets of parents have started discussing marriage." Lu Ying's tone was full of sweetness.

"That's true. If you date for too long without getting married, it might really fall through." Xu Huihui nodded in deep agreement.

Lu Ying smiled at everyone, her eyes full of anticipation: "You all have to come and be my bridesmaids!"

"Absolutely!" Shen Qingyao agreed first, her tone resolute.

She paused, then asked curiously, "Yingying, after you get married, do you plan to stay home and be a stay-at-home mom?"

"No way!" Lu Ying immediately shook her head, her tone firm. "I can't stand a life revolving around my husband and kids every day. After graduation, I want to work at my family's entertainment company!"

"That's so cool!" Shen Qingyao smiled and raised her glass, her clear eyes sweeping over her sisters. "Look, we all have clear plans. It feels so good."

The glasses clinked again, the crisp sound filled with the passion and brightness of youth.

After a satisfying meal, a gentle knock was heard on the door of the private room.

Shen Qingyao looked up and met Meng Jiangyu's gaze. "Ayu."

The man stood at the door, dressed in a well-tailored black suit, his figure tall and straight like a pine tree. His eyes and brows held the usual aloofness and coldness, but when his gaze fell on her, they softened unconsciously.

"Alright, my Ayu is here to pick me up." Shen Qingyao smiled as she stood up and picked up her bag from the back of the chair.

The roommates immediately started making noise, winking at Yu: "Mr. Meng, you're so quick to pick people up!"

Meng Jiangyu walked over slowly and naturally took the bag from Shen Qingyao's hand. "There's a dinner party nearby."

He glanced indifferently at the mess on the table, and said lightly, "Honey, looks like you're having a lot of fun."

"Of course," Shen Qingyao looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with laughter, "I'm super happy being with my sisters."

"I've asked Jason to wait downstairs." Meng Jiangyu's voice wasn't loud, but it carried a sense of reassurance. "He'll take you home and let Yao Yao know he's safely there."

"Brother-in-law, we won't stand on ceremony with you," Xiang Yu and Xu Huihui said.

Shen Qingyao is the youngest of the four.

"Of course," Meng Jiangyu replied.

"Yaoyao, Jiang Yu, bye-bye." Lu Ying said goodbye and went downstairs with Xiang Yu and Xu Huihui.

Shen Qingyao nodded and waved goodbye, saying, "Take care on your journey."

Meng Jiangyu nodded slightly in agreement, then his gaze returned to Shen Qingyao, his tone softening slightly: "You're gone?"

The two walked out of the private room hand in hand. The warm yellow light of the corridor fell on their side-by-side figures, casting long shadows.

Meng Jiangyu deliberately slowed his pace to match Shen Qingyao's.

Downstairs, a black Bentley was parked quietly, with the driver already waiting respectfully beside the car. Upon seeing the two of them come out, he immediately stepped forward and opened the car door.

Shen Qingyao bent down and sat in the car. Just as she was about to speak, the warm water the man handed her stopped her from saying anything.

"Drink some water to sober up," Meng Jiangyu said in a low voice, with a hint of concern that was barely perceptible.

Shen Qingyao took the water glass, their fingertips touching, and warmth instantly spread.

Outside the car window, Jason was politely greeting her roommates and helping them get in the car.

Shen Qingyao looked at the scenery outside the window, then turned to the man beside her: "Ayu, why are you seeing double?"

The man lowered his eyes, gently tidied the stray hairs behind her ear, and lightly brushed his fingertips against her earlobe, his tone languid yet controlling: "Baby, you're drunk."

The car drove smoothly into the night, the cabin filled with the faint scent of cedar, Meng Jiangyu's usual fragrance.

Shen Qingyao leaned back in her chair, still holding the glass of warm water between her fingertips, and turned to look at him. "I'm not drunk."

The man's hands had distinct knuckles, and the watch on his wrist gleamed coldly in the dim light. His profile was sharp and hard, yet when he looked at her, his eyes held an unyielding tenderness.

"Honey, how much did you drink today?" he asked, his voice low and husky.

"Just a little bit." Shen Qingyao's tone carried a hint of coquetry.

Meng Jiangyu didn't speak, but simply freed his right hand and reached over to cover her cheek.

His palms were slightly cool and calloused. His fingertips brushed against her brow bone unintentionally, the movement as light as a feather.

"Little liar," he whispered, but his fingertips didn't move away. Instead, they slid down her cheek, gently pinching her chin, his thumb caressing her soft lips.

Shen Qingyao's face instantly flushed, and she instinctively tried to dodge, but he held her even tighter.

The man leaned over, and the scent of cedarwood in the carriage instantly intensified. His fragrance enveloped her, carrying a crisp tobacco aroma that was both dangerous and alluring.

"Let me help you sober up." His voice was very low, and at such close proximity, she could clearly see his thick eyelashes.