The Cinnabar Mole of a Beijing Circle Tycoon

At the very top of the safe was a thick leather file folder. On the folder, three words were clearly written in black ink: Shen Qingyao.

She looked at the file folder with some confusion, then reached out and took it out.

She opened the sealed file folder, inside which was a thick stack of documents. The top one was her personal information form, which detailed her date of birth, home address, and even the schools she had attended from childhood to adulthood, leaving no detail unmentioned.

She flipped through the pages one by one; below were her investigation reports, frighteningly detailed. No wonder she knew her preferences so well.

Everything about her was clearly recorded in these documents; this is how wealthy people understand others.

She continued flipping through the pages until she reached the last one. Her gaze froze on it, and she seemed completely still, as if her blood had turned to ice.

The last page is a detailed chart of the family's assets, listing real estate and savings. In the real estate section, a commercial apartment in downtown Hangzhou is clearly listed. It is quite large and in a prime location. The owner's name is clearly written as: Shen Xizhou.

Shen Xizhou is her younger brother.

Shen Qingyao looked at the name, the property information, and the screenshots of the bank statements and property certificate attached to it. A bitter smile suddenly appeared on her lips, and her eyes reddened as she smiled.

She always believed that her family was poor and that it was not easy for her parents to support her and her younger brother's schooling, so she was sensible from a young age and saved money by eating and living frugally.

But now, looking at this asset chart, at the apartment in downtown Hangzhou with her younger brother's name on it, and at the savings she had never seen before, she realized that it wasn't that her family was in financial difficulty at all, and that her parents had never been unable to support her; they simply didn't love her.

She was nothing more than a tool they raised to supplement the family income and help their younger brother.

All those years of self-pity and relentless effort have become a joke at this moment.

She sat on the ground, clutching the investigation report tightly in her hand, her fingertips turning white from the force, tears blurring her vision uncontrollably.

She gave a bitter laugh, her voice hoarse, filled with endless self-mockery and heartache, "Shen Qingyao, what are you still hoping for?"

The balcony door was pushed open, and Meng Jiangyu came in after finishing his phone call.

He looked at Shen Qingyao sitting on the ground, and quickly walked over. "Baby, what's wrong?"

He crouched down to help her up, but his gaze fell on the investigation report in her hand, and he suddenly stopped.

That was an investigation report he compiled four years ago when he had Jason investigate Shen Qingyao.

Meng Jiangyu's Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and his fingertips curled up slightly. He looked at Shen Qingyao's reddened eyes, the tears on her face, and the investigation report she was clutching tightly in her hand. A strong sense of guilt and heartache welled up in his heart.

She looked up at him, her eyes brimming with tears. There was no anger or blame in her gaze, only endless weariness and heartache.

He opened his mouth, about to explain, but Shen Qingyao spoke first.

Her voice was hoarse. "When was this investigation conducted?"

Her gaze was so clear that he looked into her eyes and answered, word by word, "Four years ago."

Upon hearing these four words, Shen Qingyao gently closed her eyes, and the bitter smile on her lips deepened.

Looking at her tear-streaked face, Meng Jiangyu felt a growing pain in his heart.

"Baby, it's not what you think. Let me explain." His voice was low and pleading, a side of Meng Jiangyu that had never been seen before, a man who was usually aloof and in control of everything.

Shen Qingyao didn't look at him, clutching the investigation report tightly in her hand, letting her tears fall silently. "So my brother had already bought the house a long time ago."

Meng Jiangyu realized that Shen Qingyao was not angry because he had investigated her privately.

Meng Jiangyu picked Shen Qingyao up and placed her on the bed. "Baby, what happened?"

"When they took that million, they said they were going to buy a house for my brother, but four years ago, the house was already bought for him."

"Sometimes I think that they might be living a hard life, which is why they treat me like this. I'm doing well now, so it's only right that I help my brother within my means."

"Now I realize I was just being delusional."

Shen Qingyao smiled wryly, "It's really boring."

"Baby, I will make up for the love you've missed in the future."

On the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year, just as dawn was breaking, the soft sunlight filtered through the gaps in the heavy curtains and gently fell on the bedroom carpet.

Meng Jiangyu woke up very early. He turned to his side and looked at Shen Qingyao, who was still fast asleep beside him, with a gentle expression.

She slept soundly, her long hair spread out on the pillow, her cheeks slightly flushed, and her breathing shallow and even.

Meng Jiangyu gently propped himself up and quietly got out of bed.

After washing up, he took out a red envelope that he had prepared beforehand from the dressing room, his fingertips caressing the gold-embossed "福" (good fortune) character, his gaze returning to the tranquil figure on the bed.

Happy New Year, my darling!

He gently placed the red envelope in the most conspicuous spot on the bedside table, next to her usual glass, making sure she could see it as soon as she opened her eyes.

After doing all this, he turned around and closed the bedroom door.

Downstairs, the servants were already waiting in the living room. When they saw Meng Jiangyu come down, they all bowed and greeted him, "Sir, Happy New Year."

Meng Jiangyu nodded slightly, his expression remaining as calm and indifferent as ever, with less of his sharpness and more of his gentleness.

He took the red envelopes prepared in advance by his assistant and distributed them to the household servants one by one, saying simply, "Happy New Year."

After briefly explaining some family matters, he went to the Meng family's old residence.

Today is the first day of the Lunar New Year. According to tradition, we should go back to the old house to receive guests.

For several days after that, Meng Jiangyu went out early and returned late.

The New Year period is packed with social engagements: family gatherings, visits to relatives and friends, and business dealings, one after another.

As the current head of the Meng family, he has to be present for everything and often leaves before dawn.

Most of the time, Shen Qingyao was already fast asleep when he returned. He would quietly wash up, lie down beside her, watch her for a while by the dim light of the bedside lamp, and then close his eyes to rest.

Shen Qingyao lived a peaceful and leisurely life, staying in Yu Garden and enjoying her lazy time.

She nestled in the soft sofa in the living room, watching TV dramas and occasionally switching channels to watch variety shows.

The maid will prepare exquisite meals on time, with cut fruit laid out in front of you and tea at just the right temperature.

On the eighth day of the Lunar New Year, before the festive atmosphere had completely dissipated, the entire city had already returned to normal.

The morning light outside the window is soft and bright.

Shen Qingyao was awakened by the sound of the person next to her getting up. She opened her eyes groggily, and the first thing she saw was Meng Jiangyu's neatly dressed figure.

He was wearing a sharp, dark suit. "Awake?"

Meng Jiangyu turned around and saw her sitting up, rubbing her eyes. He walked over and sat down on the edge of the bed, reaching out to tidy her messy hair. "Good morning, baby."

"Hmm~"

"The company is starting work today, so I have to go."

Shen Qingyao leaned against the headboard, her voice still soft and sweet from just waking up: "Okay, then come back soon."

"Okay." Meng Jiangyu gently touched her cheek with his fingertips. "You went to bed late last night, so get some more sleep."

He didn't delay much; on the first day of work, as the head of HanHai Capital, he had to be there on time.

After giving a few brief instructions, he turned and left the bedroom.

Downstairs, the driver was already waiting outside.

Meng Jiangyu got into the car, and the car smoothly drove away from Yu Garden, heading towards the Hanhai Building in the city center.