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

The car door closed, shutting out the cold rain and noise.

The car's heater was on full blast, creating a stark contrast with Shen Yao's damp and cold body, causing her to shiver uncontrollably.

Xiang Yuchuan frowned and wrapped the blanket around her, his movements not exactly gentle, but even carrying a hint of lingering irritation.

He didn't rush to drive; he just turned his head to look at the trembling, disheveled girl in the passenger seat.

Rain soaked her hair, a few strands of dark hair clinging to her pale cheeks and slender neck, making her appear even more fragile. Her thin white shirt was drenched by the rain, almost transparent, vaguely outlining the contours of her underwear and the girl's undulating curves.

She gripped the edge of the blanket tightly with both hands, her head bowed, tiny water droplets clinging to her long eyelashes, trembling with her soft sobs.

Compared to her usual innocence, this appearance possessed a breathtaking beauty born of hardship, silently exuding allure.

Xiang Yuchuan's Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily as he felt the air inside the car was somewhat hot.

He forced himself to look away and asked stiffly, "What happened? Who bullied you?"

Shen Yao raised her head and looked at him with teary eyes. Her eyes, washed by tears, shone brightly in the darkness, filled with lingering fear and grievance.

She sniffed, her voice thick with nasal congestion, and began to recount, haltingly, how the "pervert" had harassed her, how terrified she was, and how she had desperately run back...

Her narrative was skillful, emphasizing her fear and helplessness while downplaying specific details, making it sound like an innocent girl experiencing terrible harassment.

After speaking, she glanced at Xiang Yuchuan with a mixture of affection and shyness, then quickly lowered her head. Her gaze was incredibly alluring, stirring Xiang Yuchuan's heart.

"Senior, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to avoid you before."

Xiang Yuchuan didn't speak, he just looked at her.

Shen Yao seemed to have mustered up her courage before continuing, choking back tears, "I... I heard... I heard you used to have a lot of girlfriends... but none of them lasted long. I'm scared, I'm afraid I'll end up like that too, and then I'll be very sad."

She raised her hand and wiped away her tears haphazardly with the back of her hand, a gesture that was both childishly clumsy and aggrieved.

"But, but when something like this happened today, the first person I thought of who could save me was you."

These words struck Xiang Yuchuan's heart like a heavy hammer.

Is she avoiding him because she's afraid of getting hurt?

When she was in her most dangerous and helpless moment, was he the person she thought of?

A mix of pity, pride, and some inexplicable emotion instantly washed away all his previous impatience and irritability.

The atmosphere inside the car suddenly became ambiguous and tense.

Shen Yao seemed to notice the change in his gaze, and deliberately shrank back. This subtle movement, coupled with her rain-drenched cheeks, seemed more like a silent invitation.

Her soaked shirt collar was slightly open, revealing a small section of her delicate collarbone and the subtle curves of her breasts. Her rain-soaked skin shimmered with a moist glow under the car's interior lights.

Xiang Yuchuan's breathing became heavy. He looked at her moist, slightly parted lips, which appeared exceptionally red and alluring from crying.

Right now.

Just as Xiang Yuchuan finally couldn't hold back and leaned in to kiss her, Shen Yao didn't dodge. She simply closed her eyes, her long eyelashes trembling violently like butterfly wings.

In the split second before her lips were captured, she let out a soft sob, filled with endless grievance and dependence:

"Senior."

This sound completely shattered Xiang Yuchuan's reason.

He kissed her lips fiercely, with an almost predatory force.

The touch was softer and cooler than he had imagined, carrying the smell of rain and a hint of salty tears.

His inexperience was enough to make him lose his mind and become infatuated.

This was the first time he had ever truly kissed a girl.

Unlike his casual dating games, this was an unprecedented, overwhelming, and unfamiliar experience that almost overwhelmed him.

Shen Yao did not respond, but passively endured the kiss, her body still trembling slightly, like a leaf falling in the wind.

Only when Xiang Yuchuan finally released her, panting, did she seem to wake up with a start. She pushed him away abruptly, her face flushed red, and frantically pulled the blanket around her, stammering incoherently:

"I should go back now, the dorm is about to close."

Seeing her shy and flustered appearance, Xiang Yuchuan felt his burning desire intensify rather than subside. But he knew he couldn't rush things.

He took a deep breath, barely suppressing his turbulent emotions, and said in a hoarse voice, "I'll take you downstairs."

This time, Shen Yao did not refuse.

The car slowly started and drove towards the dormitory building.

The car was silent except for the faint sound of the air conditioning and the two people's somewhat disordered breathing.

Shen Yao turned her head to look at the receding rain outside the window, a pleasant smile curving her lips in the shadows unseen by anyone.

The crisis is over.

The car came to a stop downstairs in front of the dormitory building, but the rain still hadn't let up.

Shen Yao, wrapped in the half-wet blanket, reached for the car door, her fingertips trembling slightly, looking as if she was still in shock.

"Wait a minute," Xiang Yuchuan called out to her.

Shen Yao turned around, her wet eyes looking at him with a questioning gaze.

Xiang Yuchuan leaned over and took a long-handled umbrella from the back seat, handing it to her. The umbrella was exquisitely crafted, with a handle made of some kind of dark wood that felt warm to the touch, and a simple silver logo on it. It was clearly very valuable, which didn't quite match his usual flamboyant style; it looked more like a custom-made item.

"Take it, so it doesn't get wet again." His tone was much gentler than before.

Shen Yao hesitated for a moment, not answering immediately, but said softly, "It will make a mess."

Without a word, Xiang Yuchuan shoved the umbrella into her hand, his fingertips brushing against her cold hand, bringing a subtle sensation.

"So what if it's dirty?" He paused, looking at her intently, his voice lowered, "Don't walk alone at night anymore. If something like that happens again, just call me."

Shen Yao understood; he had included her in his "protection zone."

Shen Yao lowered her eyelashes and softly hummed in agreement.

"Also," Xiang Yuchuan said, feeling inexplicably pleased with her obedient and compliant demeanor, "those things from before were just rumors spread by others, there weren't that many." He rarely tried to defend himself, though his words were still vague.

Shen Yao nodded: "I understand, thank you, senior."

"Go on up, get some rest." Xiang Yuchuan waved.

Shen Yao then opened the expensive umbrella that was clearly out of place for her status, got out of the car, glanced back at him one last time, and then turned and ran quickly into the dormitory building.

Xiang Yuchuan sat in the car, watching her disappear into the stairwell, but didn't leave immediately. He lit a cigarette, took a slow drag, and in the swirling smoke, Shen Yao's tearful eyes and slightly trembling lips seemed to still appear before his eyes.

The sensation of that kiss still lingers.

He ran his fingers through his hair in frustration, a sense of unease he had never felt before. This feeling was unfamiliar to him, even a little dangerous, yet it possessed an inexplicable allure.

Forget it, let's take a step by step.

He stubbed out his cigarette and started the car.