The Cinnabar Mole of a Beijing Circle Tycoon

The morning light of the 25th day of the twelfth lunar month streamed through the restaurant's floor-to-ceiling windows and fell on the dining table covered with a cream-colored tablecloth.

On a white porcelain plate were warm lava buns and steamed dumplings, and in a bone china bowl was a bowl of smooth Meiling porridge. The two ate their breakfast slowly and deliberately.

As breakfast was ending, Meng Jiangyu's phone vibrated. It was a message from Jason saying that the car was waiting downstairs.

"Honey, be good at home. I'm going with Mom to deliver holiday gifts in the port city. I'll be back tonight."

"it is good."

He got up, went to the entrance, and put on his coat. Shen Qingyao came over and straightened his collar, twirling the end of his scarf around her fingertips: "Be careful, text me when you arrive."

"Okay." Meng Jiangyu added with a smile, "I'll bring you almond cookies from that old-established shop in Hong Kong."

Meng Jiangyu looked down at her fair fingertips, reached out and grasped them, his fingertips gently caressing the back of her hand with a light touch that carried his usual sense of control.

When he let go, he raised his hand and ruffled the top of her head before turning to leave.

The door hinges clicked softly, and the steady footsteps gradually faded into the distance. Shen Qingyao stood there, gazing at the half-closed door, a faint smile still lingering on her lips.

Sunlight streamed into the living room, where Shen Qingyao was curled up in a cashmere blanket watching "The Story of Minglan." Her phone kept vibrating, with messages from Lu Ying popping up one after another, filled with complaints: "I'm so bored at home, I'm practically turning into a mushroom."

"Gu Xizhou is always busy with social engagements and has no time for me."

"My parents told me to be obedient and not to interfere with Gu Xizhou's important business."

"May I ask you?"

"I even doubt if I'm their biological child, and Gu Xizhou is their biological child."

"It's annoying."

"Help! If I stay any longer, I'm going to run away on the spot!"

Shen Qingyao lightly swiped the screen and typed: "I'm back in Beijing, and I'm just lazing around at home all by myself right now."

Not going home during the Lunar New Year must mean something happened.

Less than three seconds after the message was sent, a voice call came in: "Yaoyao, are you at Manhe? I'm coming up to find you."

"I am not in Manhe."

"Okay, how about we go out for a walk?"

"Okay." Shen Qingyao was just thinking of going out for a walk. "Where should we go?"

Shen Qingyao would tell herself what she wanted to say, but she couldn't bring herself to reopen old wounds if she didn't want to.

"I want to get my nails done and a new hairstyle. How about we go to Yaxi first?"

Shen Qingyao smiled and replied, "Okay."

"If we still have time, let's go to SKP and browse around. The sales staff said they've got some new arrivals."

"it is good."

Shen Qingyao lightly swiped her finger to open the chat window with Meng Jiangyu and typed, "Ayu, Lu Ying and I are going out for a walk."

Meng Jiangyu was still on his way to the airport when he saw the message and immediately replied, "Okay, the cards are all in the bedside table drawer."

"Okay, I understand."

She got up and went to the walk-in closet, changed into a cream-colored turtleneck sweater, paired with dusty pink straight-leg pants, casually picked up the Hermes pink house from the shelf, and turned to go into the bedroom.

She opened the bedside table drawer and carefully put away the black gold cards from several high-end shopping malls, as well as the unlimited exclusive black card given to her by Meng Jiangyu, into a compartment inside her bag.

After getting ready and taking her white coat, she went out. The driver was already waiting next to the black Rolls-Royce. As soon as he saw her come out, he quickly stepped forward, opened the car door, and nodded respectfully.

The car was lined with soft cashmere mats, and the heater made it warm and cozy. The ride was smooth, and in less than half an hour, the car came to a steady stop in front of the Yaxi Club.

The club's owner, Sister Lin, was waiting at the door. The woman looked to be in her early forties, well-maintained, with fair and firm skin. She wore a well-tailored black fitted suit with a low-key jade bracelet on her wrist. Her eyes and brows carried a hint of worldly wisdom, yet she was also very tactful.

Seeing Shen Qingyao get out of the car, she immediately greeted her with a smile, her voice cheerful but not ostentatious: "Miss Shen, it's windy outside, please come inside quickly, Miss Lu has already arrived."

"The private room is ready."

"Thank you for your help, Sister Lin." Shen Qingyao nodded and smiled gently. Sister Lin smiled and waved, leading her inside.

He exchanged a few casual pleasantries: "Miss Shen, it's been a while since you've been here."

"Some things happened recently," Shen Qingyao replied casually. Sister Lin, knowing better, didn't ask any more questions and simply led her towards the elevator.

The elevator went straight to the top floor, and right outside the elevator was a private reception area. Shen Qingyao immediately saw Lu Ying looking down at his phone, with a freshly brewed cup of coffee next to him, the rim of which was still steaming.

Upon seeing her arrive, Lu Ying immediately looked up, put down her phone, and said excitedly, "Yao Yao, you're finally here."

"The private room is all ready. The beautician and nail technician are waiting inside. Please go in first, and I'll have the kitchen prepare some tea and snacks, which will be sent in shortly."

"Okay." Lu Ying took Shen Qingyao's arm. "I want to get my hair permed today. New year, new look, new hairstyle."

"I've always wanted to try French-style big waves, but I never made up my mind. I'll give it a try today," Shen Qingyao replied.

Shen Qingyao was pulled towards the private room by her, a faint smile appearing on her lips, "Let's get a facial first, then a perm and manicure."

"it is good."

The warm yellow light, combined with a subtle aromatherapy scent, creates a gentle and relaxing atmosphere.

The beautician gently removed their makeup, applied a warm, hydrating mask, and massaged their temples with just the right amount of pressure using her fingertips. Shen Qingyao closed her eyes and enjoyed the massage.

After the collagen treatment, the two removed the facial masks, their skin glowing with a clear, hydrated radiance. The staff then led them to the styling area on the top floor.

The lights shone on the mirror, and the two stylists were already waiting with their tools ready. When the two came over, they smiled and handed over the styling pictures for confirmation: "Ms. Shen, your French big waves, with natural and fluffy curves and slightly languid curls at the ends, will probably look like the picture after it's done."

"If there are no further problems, we'll begin."

"There are no problems with the back, just part the bangs a bit more in the front."

"OK."

"Ms. Lu, after your fishtail perm is done, it will look just like the picture, with the ends of your hair curling up slightly like a fishtail."

Lu Ying confirmed: "There's no problem."

The two sat down, and the stylist deftly divided the area, applied the cream, and rolled up the bar, her movements skillful and crisp.

The nail technician approached the couple to inquire about their needs, "Ms. Shen, Ms. Lu, what kind of nail art would you like to do today?"

Lu Ying picked up the color swatches and flipped through them: "I want to do something a bit more complicated, with nail tips, long oval shapes, nude pink as the base, white rhinestones arranged into the shape of a butterfly, and then layered with gold cat-eye."

"Okay, Ms. Lu, I'll make a preliminary design first."

Shen Qingyao glanced at the color swatches and pointed to the gold cat-eye design: "Just layer pink blush over the gold cat-eye, almond-shaped nails, medium length, with glass beads, and some small rhinestones on the index and ring fingers."

"Okay, Miss Shen." The two nail technicians left the private room.