The Cinnabar Mole of a Beijing Circle Tycoon

Chapter 154 Broken Bridge and Lingering Snow

As the car entered Hangzhou, the misty rain of Jiangnan outside the window lessened, and sunlight filtered through thin clouds onto the green tiles and white walls, adding a touch of tranquility.

Shen Qingyao leaned back in the passenger seat, looking out the window at the green bricks and gray tiles, a sense of parting sorrow welling up in her heart.

Meng Jiangyu stopped at the red light at the intersection, reached out and touched her head. "What's wrong? Are you feeling anxious about parting?"

"I didn't think the misty rain in Jiangnan was that beautiful before, but now it looks absolutely gorgeous."

"The misty rain enters Jiangnan, and the landscape is like ink." Meng Jiangyu looked at the distant mountains and flying eaves.

"Four hundred and eighty temples of the Southern Dynasties, how many pavilions and terraces are shrouded in mist and rain?" Shen Qingyao wrote with emotion.

"Ayu, let's go to Lingyin Temple."

"Okay." Meng Jiangyu picked up his phone to arrange a flight rebooking. "So, you suddenly want to go to Lingyin Temple?"

"The wish I made before the Buddha a few years ago has come true, it's time to go and fulfill my vow," Shen Qingyao said to herself. "I probably won't be coming to Jiangnan again anytime soon."

"Okay." The green light came on, and Meng Jiangyu stepped on the gas and drove forward.

Shen Qingyao took out a brocade box from her bag. Inside the box was an eighteen-bead bracelet that she had been selecting for half a year. Each bead was lustrous and full with clear patterns. She had searched all the antique shops to find the perfect bracelet.

Meng Jiangyu casually asked, "Have you been enjoying collecting beaded bracelets lately?"

Shen Qingyao played with the eighteen seeds in her hand. "These were prepared for you."

Meng Jiangyu caught a glimpse of her subtle movement out of the corner of his eye, and a slight smile played on his lips: "Why did you decide to put this on me?"

"I pray for your safety, and for my peace of mind."

These eighteen seeds gather blessings from all directions, hoping that he will have no worries year after year.

In the blink of an eye, they arrived near Lingyin Temple, and Meng Jiangyu parked the car at the side gate.

Lingyin Temple was filled with the smoke of incense and the sound of chanting. Meng Jiangyu led Shen Qingyao out of the car.

Abbot Master Liaochen, dressed in a yellow hemp robe, led a group of gray-robed monks to wait at the side gate to welcome the distinguished guests. The incense money donated by the Meng family each year accounted for 70% of the temple's income.

When Meng Jiangyu arrived with his female relatives for the first time, the abbot naturally came to greet him as a sign of respect.

"Mr. Meng, it's been three years. How have you been?"

"Master Liaochen, how have you been?" Meng Jiangyu put his arm around Shen Qingyao's waist and gently pushed her forward. "This is my fiancée, Shen Qingyao."

Shen Qingyao smiled and nodded, "Master Liaochen."

"Miss Shen, Amitabha." Liao Chen looked at Shen Qingyao, "Please follow me into the temple, both of you."

Shen Qingyao followed beside Chen, while Meng Jiangyu walked slowly alongside her, carrying her bag.

Shen Qingyao went to fulfill her vow first, kneeling on the prayer mat with her back straight and her eyes pious.

Meng Jiangyu stood to the side, his gaze fixed on the top of her head, his expression incredibly gentle.

After fulfilling her vow, Shen Qingyao took the brocade box to Master Yuantong for consecration.

Master Yuantong sat in meditation in the main hall, holding prayer beads, while Meng Jiangyu led Shen Qingyao into the hall.

Yuantong, dressed in a bright red kasaya, knelt on a prayer mat and devoutly worshipped the Buddha.

Meng Jiangyu spoke, "Master Yuantong, it's been many years. How are you?"

Upon hearing the noise, Yuantong slowly opened his eyes. "Benefactor Meng, I am perfectly fine."

Yuantong glanced at Shen Qingyao, "This female benefactor must be your destined one."

"Master has a good eye; she is my fiancée, Shen Qingyao."

"Your fate was predetermined in your past lives." Yuantong slowly stood up.

"Master Yuantong, hello." Shen Qingyao greeted him politely.

"Female benefactor, Buddha saves those with affinity."

Master Yuantong glanced at the eighteen beads the girl handed him, then at Meng Jiangyu who was staring intently at Shen Qingyao. He smiled, recited some scriptures, and used cinnabar to consecrate the beads. When he handed the bracelet back, he said, "Sincerity brings results; may you have peace year after year."

Shen Qingyao thanked him sincerely, took the bracelet, and turned to walk up to Meng Jiangyu.

She raised her hand and put the bracelet on his left wrist. The eighteen-bead string complemented the pale skin of his wrist, and the dark beads contrasted with the dark shirt he was wearing, adding a touch of Zen and gentleness.

Meng Jiangyu looked down at the bracelet on his wrist, his fingertips brushing over each bead, feeling the warmth of Shen Qingyao still lingering on them.

He reached out and pulled her into his arms, resting his chin on the top of her head. His voice was low and gentle, mingled with the incense smoke of the temple, making it exceptionally moving: "Qingyao, this is what you gave me. I will wear it for the rest of my life."

Shen Qingyao nestled in his arms, listening to his steady heartbeat, her nose filled with the scent of cedar and Zen incense mingling with his fragrance, and softly hummed in agreement.

The wind blew through the ancient pines in the temple, carrying the scent of incense, and the distant sound of bells drifted over, landing on the two of them.

After bidding farewell to Master Yuantong, the two walked out of the Mahavira Hall and saw snowflakes dancing in the sky. This was the first snowfall in Hangzhou in ten years.

Shen Qingyao was pleasantly surprised. "I remember the last time it snowed in Jiangnan was when I was in elementary school."

"Would you like to go to West Lake to see the snow?" Meng Jiangyu asked, looking at the girl's delighted expression.

"Yes!" Shen Qingyao hugged Meng Jiangyu, who wrapped her in his coat.

Snowflakes fell softly across Hangzhou, and the eaves of Lingyin Temple outside the car window were covered with a thin layer of white. Meng Jiangyu kept a steady grip on the steering wheel and drove towards West Lake. The wheels of the black Maybach rolled over the frost-covered asphalt road, making a soft crunching sound.

Shen Qingyao leaned against the car window, her fingertips lightly tracing the falling snowflakes on the glass, her fingertips brushing against the thin frost on the glass, her eyes curving softly: "I didn't expect to encounter the first snow while visiting Lingyin Temple. The snow on the Broken Bridge of West Lake must be beautiful."

Meng Jiangyu glanced at the light in her eyes out of the corner of his eye, his fingertips lightly turning the steering wheel, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the texture of the leather steering wheel.

The car stopped in front of a private club by West Lake. The club owner bowed and opened the car door. Meng Jiangyu got out first, shielding Shen Qingyao from the gust of cold wind. Shen Qingyao got out of the car.

Meng Jiangyu held Shen Qingyao's hand; the icy touch made him tremble slightly. He subconsciously grasped her palm, "Why are your hands so cold?"

He frowned slightly, completely enveloping her hand in his warm palm, his fingertips repeatedly caressing her slightly cool fingertips.

The club owner was a shrewd-looking man. "Mr. Meng, the private room is ready. Please follow me."

"Thank you for your help." Meng Jiangyu led her into the club, the warmth spreading through their interlocked fingers, dispelling the chill outside.

The clubhouse was well-heated, and Meng Jiangyu handed their coats to the waiter.

The lake-view private rooms on the second floor offer unparalleled views of the lake. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the Broken Bridge and Lingering Snow into a freehand ink painting. Snowflakes hang down, and the bridge is hidden in the hazy white and pale blue lake light. Lingering snow on the eaves is blown away by the wind and falls softly onto the lake surface, rippling with tiny waves.