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

Today, the entire Yenching University is brightly decorated, and the auditorium, both inside and out, is especially adorned with flowers and brilliant lights.

Alumni from all over the world, current students and faculty, as well as celebrities from all walks of life gathered together, creating an unprecedented spectacle.

The backstage area was bustling with activity.

Shen Yao had already changed into the dress she would be wearing to host tonight.

She was sitting in front of the makeup mirror, finishing her makeup herself with practiced and meticulous technique.

Yu Hang slumped lazily in the chair next to Shen Yao, seemingly oblivious to the surrounding noise, and listlessly played with his phone.

Occasionally, he would lift his eyelids and his gaze would fall on Shen Yao's hands, which were carefully drawing on her eyebrows and eyes with nimble and steady movements.

When Shen Yao finally put down her eyeliner, breathed a sigh of relief, and prepared to check the overall effect, a hand with distinct knuckles suddenly reached out from the side and gently grasped her wrist without saying a word.

Shen Yao was slightly taken aback and turned her head to look.

Yu Hang had moved closer without her noticing. He held her wrist, lowered his head, and gently pressed his cool lips to the back of her fair hand.

A standard, romantic, and casual hand-kissing gesture.

This time, Shen Yao wasn't as panicked as she had been the first time.

After spending time together, especially after learning in a casual conversation that Yu Hang had lived in France for a long period of his youth, she was no longer surprised by his seemingly intimate but actually more habitual social etiquette.

In Yu Hang's own words, he was chewing on a lollipop at the time, and lazily explained:

"Oh, that... I've been there for a while, I've gotten used to it. I didn't mean anything by it."

In fact, Shen Yao had only seen him do similar things to her twice: once when they first met, and once now.

Instantly separate.

Yu Hang let go of his hand, slumped back into his chair, picked up the script next to him, and began to flip through it listlessly.

Shen Yao simply withdrew her hand and gently pressed the powder puff against the back of her hand that had just been kissed.

The auditorium of Yenching University was brightly lit and packed with students.

Fang Yunci, as a distinguished guest, had already taken his seat in the reserved area and was having a quiet conversation with a school leader next to him, his demeanor composed and elegant.

At this moment, a tall and aloof figure appeared at the entrance of the corridor, causing a slight commotion in the surrounding area.

The person who arrived was Xie Yunzhou.

He wore a well-fitting dark gray suit, which made his figure appear even taller and gave him a refined and otherworldly air.

Fang Yunci looked up at the sound, saw Xie Yunzhou, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, then he smiled gently and waved to him, indicating the empty seat next to him:

"Yunzhou? Didn't you say you had an important meeting tonight and couldn't come?"

Xie Yunzhou walked to the empty seat next to Fang Yunci and sat down. He slightly turned his head to avoid Fang Yunci's gaze, his voice as calm and cold as ever, only his speaking speed was slightly faster than usual:

"Yes, the meeting has ended early."

Meanwhile, backstage in the dressing room.

Shen Yao's phone screen, which was on the dressing table, lit up, and she received two messages in a row.

She picked up her phone and opened it.

The first message was from Qin Fang, sent one minute ago:

[Go Yao Yao! You'll definitely amaze everyone tonight! We're waiting to see you shine! (followed by a series of thumbs-up and fireworks emojis)]

Seeing this message, Shen Yao's lips curved into a slight smile, and she replied with a simple, "I will try my best."

Immediately afterwards, she opened the second message, which was from Zhou Jingyan:

[Yaoyao, the party's about to start, right? Just do your best. You've prepared very well, you'll definitely be fine.]

Shen Yao replied: 【Thank you, Brother Jingyan. I'll be careful. You take care of yourself too.】

The heavy curtain slowly opened, and the dazzling stage lights cascaded down like a waterfall. Accompanied by the rousing opening music and a tidal wave of applause, two dazzling figures appeared side by side in the center of the stage.

Shen Yao was wearing a satin white fishtail dress.

The halter neckline is adorned with delicate pearl chains that slide down the shoulder line to the open back design, while a soft satin bow of the same fabric is tied at the waist, making the back line appear thin and straight.

Her jet-black hair was neatly styled into a low bun, with a few stray strands tucked behind her neck.

Yu Hang, standing beside her, wore a well-tailored black suit, which, under the spotlight, added a touch of nobility and charm.

The handsome man and beautiful woman combination instantly captured everyone's attention the moment they appeared on stage.

A burst of even more enthusiastic applause and cheers immediately erupted from the audience, interspersed with many exclamations of amazement.

"Wow! This host is so beautiful!"

"The male host is so handsome! His charisma is amazing!"

"The hosts are Shen Yao and Yu Hang! They're so good-looking!"

Fang Yunci, who was originally talking quietly with the school leader next to him in the VIP seats, naturally turned his gaze to the center of the stage the moment Shen Yao stepped onto the stage.

His gaze fell on Shen Yao, a smile of appreciation on his lips, his eyes focused and calm.

Xie Yunzhou, sitting next to him, reacted quite differently.

When Shen Yao walked onto the stage, he looked up almost simultaneously. But his gaze only swept over her for a fleeting moment, as brief as an illusion, less than half a second, before he abruptly looked away.

The stage was dazzling with lights and cheers, but he seemed to be sitting on the silent peak of a snow-capped mountain, using the self-discipline and indifference honed over more than twenty years to seal that moment of uncontrollable concern back under the glacier.

He wouldn't look, nor would he allow himself to look.

"Director Fang is truly young and promising! It's an honor for Yanjing to have you back this time!"

A school leader smiled and said to Fang Yunci, his tone full of flattery.

Upon hearing this, Fang Yunci smiled, spoke humbly, and handled the situation with ease, but his gaze never left the stage, as if he were multitasking, able to exchange pleasantries with people while also enjoying the show.

The school leader then turned to Xie Yunzhou on the other side and asked in a familiar tone:

"Yunzhou's here too? Is everything going smoothly at the bureau lately?"

Hearing the question, Xie Yunzhou pulled himself back from his reverie. He nodded slightly, his voice revealing no emotion.

"Yes, everything went smoothly. Thank you for your concern."

Several prominent figures were chatting quietly in the audience, discussing work, current events, and the school's development, appearing to be in a very harmonious atmosphere.

If you observe carefully, you can find subtle differences in their attitudes toward performing on stage.

Fang Yunci is a typical example of someone who "doesn't care about what he sees."

His gaze seemed to be fixed on the stage, and he would occasionally smile or nod when the show was particularly exciting, as if he were watching attentively.

In reality, however, he was mostly preoccupied with social interactions with those around him, and his performance on stage was more of a formality to maintain his composure.

Shen Yao's appearance may have brought him a moment of pleasure.

Xie Yunzhou, on the other hand, completely "did not watch".

He remained slightly turned to the side, talking to the person next to him for almost the entire time, or simply staring straight ahead with a blank look, seemingly indifferent to the singing and dancing on stage.