The Guide to Rising to Power: The Ultimate Schemes of a Green Tea Beauty

The dinner that evening was held at an elegant private restaurant.

Wang Luoning is erudite and speaks elegantly. He and Chen Qiyun had a pleasant conversation on finance, business, and art collection.

When Chen Qiyun casually mentioned that he first met Shen Yao at the hotel, she was already prepared.

Shen Yao's cheeks flushed slightly, and she explained in a low voice with a hint of shyness:

"Please don't make fun of me. I just happened to run into him downstairs that day, and he accompanied me upstairs to deliver something."

Upon hearing this, and considering Shen Yao's shy yet natural reaction, He Xiuyuan's doubts dissipated considerably.

Looking at Shen Yao's face, which combined allure and innocence, he realized that this was the type Lu Xiuting liked.

That's certainly a discerning eye; no wonder he didn't even bother to glance at the people he sent before.

In matters between men, sometimes what seems like an impenetrable barrier can be no match for a sweet word spoken in bed.

He never looked down on women, especially someone like Shen Yao. So many men have fallen for her charms, yet still think they're in control.

Thinking about it this way, Chen Qiyun's gaze towards Shen Yao became subtly polite.

He smiled and changed the subject, making the atmosphere even more lively.

Towards the end of the dinner, Chen Qiyun took the opportunity of adding Wang Luoning on WeChat, and also added Shen Yao on WeChat as well. He knew perfectly well that Shen Yao was the real target, and this was just to avoid being abrupt.

In the end, he killed two birds with one stone, establishing connections with both the host and Shen Yao, and felt he had gained a great deal.

After seeing Chen Qiyun off, Wang Luoning looked at Shen Yao with admiration in her eyes: "Yao Yao, thank you so much for today."

Shen Yao took her arm and smiled sweetly, "Sister Luo Ning, I'm glad I could help you. I think Mr. Chen is a nice guy, and you two are a perfect match."

Wang Luoning gently nudged her, and the two looked at each other and smiled.

Since then, Shen Yao and Wang Luoning's relationship has entered a new, closer phase. Wang Luoning's attitude towards her has also changed from initial appreciation and mentorship to meticulous cultivation that is almost a "passing on of his mantle".

After each recording, Wang Luoning would conduct a detailed debriefing for Shen Yao, referring to the master tapes. This kind of practical guidance is meticulous and invaluable, something that cannot be learned in the classroom.

Shen Yao understood that Wang Luoning's dedicated cultivation of talent was far more than just cherishing talent.

She discerned Wang Luoning's professional anxieties as a veteran host: first, to find an ideal place for herself in a highly competitive industry; and second, to cultivate "her own people" before fading out in order to maintain her influence within the station. This was a well-thought-out move.

Shen Yao possesses all the qualities to become Wang Luoning's "successor." She is happy to accept this mutually beneficial alliance; Wang Luoning uses her to maintain his influence, while she takes the opportunity to grow.

She approaches every opportunity with gratitude and a willingness to give her all.

Wang Luoning nodded in satisfaction as she looked at Shen Yao's energetic demeanor. She admired and liked Shen Yao, but more than anything, she looked forward to the future returns of this "investment."

Each gets what they need, and they achieve mutual success.

This is the strongest relationship.

_

Shen Yao squatted by the pond in the Zhou family garden. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled patterns on her dress.

The retro stand-up collar accentuated her long neck, and the bow at the neckline shimmered slightly with her movements. The lace trim on the puff sleeves outlined her slender wrists. The pearls by her ears gleamed with a warm luster, and her long hair was styled in a princess updo with long ribbons draped over her shoulders.

Hearing footsteps behind her, she deliberately leaned forward again, fish food falling through her fingers and creating ripples.

"Yaoyao, don't stand too close." Zhou Jingyan's voice was as gentle as ever, but a little more urgent than usual.

She turned around at his call, and as she looked up, the sunlight fell perfectly on her eyelashes, and she smiled, "It's okay," her voice sweet as honey, the last syllable rising gently, "Anyway, I have Brother Jingyan to protect me."

Zhou Jingyan looked at her smiling eyes, shook his head helplessly, took half a step forward, and placed his right hand in a gesture of protection at her side, a position that could catch her at any time to prevent her from falling into the water.

Shen Yao divided the fish food in her hand in half, and naturally pulled Zhou Jingyan's hand, pouring the small particles into his slightly calloused palm.

Before he could react, her cool, slender fingers enveloped his hand, and she smiled as she guided him to throw the fish food onto the water.

"Jingyan, let's feed them together."

Zhou Jingyan was taken aback by her sudden and bold move. The soft touch in his palm and the faint sweet fragrance on her body made him forget to pull his hand away for a moment.

He watched the fish fight for food, creating ripples, then turned his head to look at the girl beside him, whose smiling face was much more lively and vibrant than her usual docile demeanor in front of him, and a smile unconsciously spread across his eyes.

In his presence, she always seemed to be bolder and more lively.

He noticed that a ribbon bow on her skirt had come loose and was hanging down, so he naturally bent down, his slender fingers deftly picking it up and retying it.

Shen Yao looked down at him and smiled contentedly.

Then, in a lighthearted tone, as if humming a tune, she said, "Jingyan, the weather is really nice today. But why did you think of inviting me over today?"

Zhou Jingyan's gaze fell on her face: "You often go to great lengths to bring me those snacks and soups, so it's only right that I treat you to a meal in return."

The Zhou family mansion was kept extremely warm and cozy by Zhou Jingyan. Shen Yao followed behind Zhou Jingyan, her gaze inadvertently drawn to the black grand piano in the corner of the living room.

Zhou Jingyan enjoyed the innocent and carefree atmosphere of "his own people" under his protection.

So she walked briskly over, her fingertips brushing across the smooth piano lid, then turned back, looking at him with a mixture of probing and coquettishness, silently asking, "Is it alright?"

Zhou Jingyan looked at her overly familiar manner without even frowning, and simply nodded: "Sit down."

With permission, Shen Yao sat down and deliberately pressed a series of out-of-tune notes on the piano keys. The tinkling sound broke the silence of the room, but it was not jarring; instead, it added a touch of liveliness.

As she "played" her instrument, she openly followed Zhou Jingyan's figure, watching him with a smile.

Zhou Jingyan showed no impatience with her "ear-piercing" voice, but simply shook his head with a smile and then turned and walked into the open kitchen.

A short while later, he came out carrying plates of delicious-looking dishes and placed them steadily on the dining table.

"Stop playing around, come and eat first." His voice was gentle, with a natural sense of care. "Try it and see if it suits your taste."

Shen Yao then stopped "playing" and ran to the dining table. Looking at the exquisite home-cooked dishes on the table, her eyes sparkled: "Brother Jingyan, your cooking is so good. Whoever marries you will be so lucky!"

Zhou Jingyan paused slightly as he was serving her rice. He didn't reply, but simply placed the bowl of rice gently in front of her.

The table was set with three dishes and a soup, all home-style dishes, but they were made with exceptional care, which showed the cook's dedication.

He ladled a bowl of soup for her and placed it in the most easily accessible spot within her reach: "Eat more."

After the meal, Shen Yao offered to help clean up, but Zhou Jingyan naturally took the bowls and plates from her hands.

"Go watch TV, or go play the piano for a while." He rolled up his sleeves and walked toward the kitchen sink.

The two moved to the small living room next to the glass conservatory, which was bathed in the afternoon sunlight.

Shen Yao held a cup of hot flower tea that Zhou Jingyan had brewed for her, then suddenly turned to look at him: "Brother Jingyan, I've been learning ballet lately."

Zhou Jingyan raised an eyebrow in surprise and replied, "Really? That's good."

Shen Yao put down her teacup, stood up, and spoke with a cautious desire to share:

"I haven't danced for anyone else yet, I only want to dance for you, okay?"

Sunlight streamed through the glass roof, casting a soft halo around her.

Before he could answer, she gently tiptoed, stretched out her arms, and began to dance slowly in the flowing light and shadow.

There was no music, only the sound of her light footsteps and the faint chirping of birds outside the window.

Zhou Jingyan sat there.

He watched as the sunlight kissed her hair, her skirt tracing an elegant arc, her slender neck and arms forming beautiful lines, like a fledgling butterfly spreading its wings for the first time, cautiously displaying its fragile, newborn beauty before him with complete trust.

The girl regarded this place as a safe haven where she could rest and show her soft side.

When the dance ended, Shen Yao stood up, slightly out of breath, her cheeks flushed from the exercise, and looked at him shyly.

Zhou Jingyan walked up to her.

He was much taller than her, but at this moment he bent down slightly, making his gaze level with hers, his voice so gentle:

"You jumped very well."

"I appreciate your kind gesture, Yao Yao."