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

The Yenching University campus in the afternoon.

Shen Yao glanced down at the school anniversary gala notification on her phone, thought for a moment, then swiped away and clicked on the financial news instead.

As she was walking, a senior student from the student council called out to her enthusiastically.

"Junior Shen Yao, I've finally found you!" The senior handed her a beautifully designed flyer, her face full of anticipation.

Shen Yao took it, and what came into view was the solemn words "110th Anniversary Celebration of Yenching University and Homecoming Gala for Outstanding Alumni".

She quickly scanned the contents, her face showing a mixture of curiosity and flattery. She looked up and asked softly, "Senior, what is this...?"

"The anniversary gala is the highlight of this year's event," the senior student explained enthusiastically. "Our arts and culture department is in charge of planning it, and everyone thinks that if we could invite you to be the host, the effect would be outstanding! Would you like to consider it?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Yao lowered her head slightly, her fingers unconsciously gripping the edge of the flyer. Her voice was soft, tinged with a hint of insecurity:

"Seniors, you're giving me too much credit. I might not be up to the task. Hosting a gala requires strong improvisation skills, which I don't have much experience with. All I know is how to dance, so I probably won't be of much help."

"Oh, junior, you're too modest!"

The senior student quickly waved her hand, her tone exaggerated yet sincere, "With your image and presence, just standing on that stage would be the best representation of Yenching University, the effect would be absolutely amazing! Experience is accumulated gradually, with us here to help you, no problem!"

Seeing that Shen Yao was still hesitating, her lips slightly pursed as if she was still weighing her options, the senior student rolled her eyes and decided to offer a more attractive deal.

She took a step closer, lowered her voice, and said with a hint of mystery and boastfulness:

"Junior, let me tell you, this year's anniversary gala is top-notch; the school is taking it very seriously. Not only will many outstanding alumni from various industries be returning to participate, but there will also be high-profile alumni interviews and speeches. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn and gain recognition."

Shen Yao's eyes brightened slightly, seemingly touched by the phrase "outstanding alumnus," and she softly confirmed:

"Really? A lot of amazing upperclassmen will be coming back?"

"Of course it's true." Seeing that she was wavering, the senior quickly pressed her advantage, throwing out her most crucial trump card, "The guest for the grand finale of the party has been tentatively confirmed. Guess who it is?"

She deliberately kept everyone in suspense, and only when she saw Shen Yao looking over curiously did she excitedly reveal the answer:

"It's Senior Xie Yunzhou and Senior Fang Yunci! You might not know, but they are the most famous 'Double Glory' in the history of Yanjing! They will be back in person to present the award!"

The hesitation on Shen Yao's face melted away, blossoming into a bright yet slightly shy smile, as if she had finally been convinced by her senior's enthusiasm and the "prestige" of the party:

"Since you've said that, senior, and there are such outstanding people as Senior Xie and Senior Fang coming back, it would be too inconsiderate of me to refuse."

She looked up, her eyes filled with gratitude for being trusted and a nervous anticipation. "Okay, senior, I'll give it a try. If there's anything I do poorly, please give me lots of pointers."

"That's great!" The senior student was overjoyed to see her finally nod and immediately took out her phone. "Here, let's add each other on WeChat. I'll send you the details of the arrangements and rehearsal schedule."

"Okay, senior, I'll be there on time." Shen Yao obediently took out her phone, scanned the QR code, and added her as a friend.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, she left satisfied to report the good news of "successfully winning over the popular junior."

Liu Yunyun jogged back to the office of the Student Union's Arts and Literature Department. Before she even entered, her excited voice rang out:

"It's all settled! It's all settled! Junior Shen Yao agreed! She'll be the host of our party!"

A small cheer immediately erupted in the office.

"However..." Liu Yunyun took a breath, a mix of amusement and helplessness on her face, "Junior Shen Yao is too modest. She kept saying she had no experience, was afraid of not doing well, and even said she only knew how to dance a little. It made me so anxious!"

"Dancing?" A boy in charge of program arrangement had his eyes light up and slapped his thigh.

"Hey, Yunyun. Our grand finale classical dance performance, 'The Goddess of the Luo River,' is still missing someone and hasn't been finalized yet, right? Junior Shen Yao can dance, and she's so... oh my god! If she were to perform this dance, wouldn't the effect blow the auditorium ceiling off?"

The office fell silent for a moment after those words were spoken, before erupting into an even more heated discussion.

"But isn't it too tiring to have a junior both host and perform the closing dance? And the rehearsal time is so tight..."

"Just ask, it doesn't cost anything! What if the junior is willing?"

Liu Yunyun was thrilled by everyone's words and the more she thought about it, the more reliable it seemed. If the gala could really be this successful, wouldn't her election as the next head of the arts and culture department be a sure thing?

She immediately made up her mind: she had to trick her junior, Shen Yao, into coming to dance class.

Liu Yunyun opened Shen Yao's WeChat and first praised Shen Yao lavishly, thanking her for being willing to host. Then, in an extremely earnest tone, almost like begging her father, she made this "unreasonable request."

After a barrage of sweet talk and gentle persuasion, Shen Yao finally gave in.

When Liu Yunyun saw that she had agreed, she was so excited that she almost jumped off her chair. She immediately replied with countless promises such as "I love you," "You're the best, junior," and "I'll treat you to milk tea for a month."

As autumn deepens, the leaves of the sycamore trees at Yenching University fall.

Shen Yao's life was filled with rehearsals for the school anniversary celebration—she attended classes and internships during the day, and spent her evenings and weekends in the auditorium.

Hosting the script, adjusting positioning, and coordinating the program—she was as busy as a spinning top. The classical dance "Goddess of the Luo River" required repeated refinement of every detail, often leading to practice sessions late into the night, her clothes soaked with sweat.

Amidst this busy schedule, she met another male host who had been absent for some time.

When the boy with the eye-catching rainbow short hair swaggered into the rehearsal hall, a genuine look of surprise flashed in Shen Yao's eyes.

When Yu Hang saw her, he forced a smile, and the drowsiness in his eyes seemed to lessen somewhat.

"Sister, it's you."