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

Xie Yunzhou was somewhat absent-minded and didn't quite hear what Fang Yunci said, only uttering a soft "Hmm?"

Fang Yunci's gaze was unfocused, fixed on the empty space in front of him. A smile played on his lips as he spoke in a low, slow voice:

"If you've set your sights on... something that belongs to someone else... and now that thing is unclaimed, and you're tempted to possess it, to keep it under your watchful eye, unable to go anywhere else."

"Do you think... we should take action and get our hands on it?"

Xie Yunzhou was in a state of confusion, his mind filled with Shen Yao's image, and he had no intention of carefully considering the hidden meaning and danger in Fang Yunci's words.

He assumed his cousin was just talking about collectibles or business, so he gave a perfunctory reply:

"...If you like it, just buy it."

The school leaders sitting on the other side vaguely heard a few words.

Although he hadn't heard everything clearly, he roughly guessed that they were discussing something they wanted, so he smiled and interjected, his tone matter-of-fact:

"Yunci, what are you saying? With your current status and position, what is there that you want but can't have? If you find it interesting, then find a way to get your hands on it and play with it! Do you think it will just fly away?"

Upon hearing the school leaders' words, which sounded like aiding and abetting evil, Fang Yunci not only did not refute them, but instead chuckled softly.

There was an unfathomable meaning behind the laughter.

He turned his head and looked again at Shen Yao on the stage, who was giving her closing remarks with Yu Hang. He repeated a sentence softly, as if asking someone else, or perhaps asking himself.

"Yeah?"

If you find something interesting, do you have to get your hands on it?

That's so true.

The gala concluded successfully, with thunderous and prolonged applause filling the auditorium. Shen Yao and Yu Hang, as the hosts, joined all the performers on stage for a curtain call, receiving cheers and congratulations from the entire school.

Standing under the spotlight, looking at the countless gazing eyes below the stage, Shen Yao felt a surge of immense accomplishment and an irrepressible ambition.

Her gaze involuntarily drifted towards the VIP section.

Fang Yunci and Xie Yunzhou, as outstanding alumni representatives, took the stage to speak. Both of them exuded a composure and confidence that comes from long-standing positions, attracting countless admiring and awe-inspiring gazes from the audience.

Someday...

She also wants to stand at that level, to be someone everyone looks up to, instead of being just an "outstanding student" who needs to rely on talent and beauty to win applause, like she is now.

A feeling mixed with envy and resentment quietly grew in her heart.

"Stop watching, it's so boring."

A sleepy voice came from beside him. He yawned, looking like he was about to fall asleep at any moment.

Shen Yao instantly suppressed the surging emotions in her eyes, turned her head, and gave Yu Hang a gentle yet slightly helpless smile:

"What's wrong? You want to sleep again? It's only this early."

"Hmm..." Yu Hang responded weakly, his eyelids already drooping.

Shen Yao found his expression somewhat amusing and, with a mischievous urge, reached out and gently nudged his arm.

"No sleeping allowed, there's still a group photo and a wrap-up!"

"Yu Hang... Yu Hang... Yu Hang..."

Yu Hang was jolted by her push, blinked blankly, and seemed not to have reacted yet.

He stared at Shen Yao's face, stunned for a few seconds, before finally seeming to regain his senses and managing to muster his strength:

"...Hey, I'm here."

He still cooperated with Shen Yao and completed all the subsequent procedures.

Finally, all the work was finished, and the people backstage gradually dispersed. Yu Hang waved to Shen Yao: "Let's go."

"Yes, you've had a hard day. Go back and get some rest." Shen Yao smiled and said goodbye to him.

Watching Yu Hang's figure disappear through the door, Shen Yao walked to the makeup mirror and began to remove her makeup.

She thought this thrilling yet rewarding night would end peacefully.

As she walked out of the auditorium's back door alone, preparing to return to her dormitory, she unexpectedly saw a familiar figure leaning against a black sedan in the dim light of the streetlights, seemingly waiting for someone.

It was Fang Yunci.

He had his hands in his trouser pockets, relaxed, with his signature smile on his face, his gaze fixed on her.

"Ms. Shen, the party was wonderful, thank you for your hard work."

Fang Yunci took two steps toward her, his voice sounding exceptionally clear and pleasant in the quiet night.

"I wonder if I have the honor of treating you to a late-night snack? It would be a way to celebrate your successful performance tonight."

His invitation was impeccably polite.

But looking at his perpetually aloof and self-assured demeanor, especially the way he stood on the steps looking down at her, Shen Yao felt a sudden surge of displeasure.

She disliked the feeling of being "given a handout," and she disliked even more Fang Yunci's eyes that seemed to see through everything.

Moreover, she keenly sensed that a man like Fang Yunci would never like a woman who would obey his every command and come to him at his beck and call.

So, she quickly put on an apologetic and tired smile, shook her head slightly, and said in a soft but firm voice:

"Mr. Fang, thank you for your kindness. However, I'm really too tired today and want to go home and rest early. Maybe next time, I'll treat you again when there's another opportunity."

This was the first time she had explicitly rejected Fang Yunci's invitation.

Fang Yunci's smile froze for a second, a dark glint flashing in the depths of his eyes.

He took a step forward, closing the distance between them, his gaze still gentle, and casually posed a sharp question:

"What, you still can't let go of Xiang Yuchuan?"

Shen Yao immediately tried to recall all the beautiful memories she had of Xiang Yuchuan, attempting to immerse herself in the role of someone "heartbroken."

She lowered her eyelashes, the long lashes casting a small shadow beneath her eyelids; her lips trembled slightly, and her voice carried a profound sense of loss.

"I……"

She uttered only one word, then seemed unable to continue and quickly turned her face away.

Fang Yunci frowned slightly as he watched her instantly enveloped in sadness.

He stared at Shen Yao for a few seconds, his emotions unreadable, but then his expression relaxed and he smiled gently.

That smile remained as gentle as ever, like a delicate orchid quietly blooming in the night, its tenderness concealing a subtle hint of danger.

He raised his hand to pat her shoulder, but the movement froze in mid-air. He eventually withdrew it to his side, leaving only his voice like a spring breeze brushing past her ear:

"Let bygones be bygones. Girls should always look forward."

The man paused slightly, his tone shifting to a mixture of concern and warning:

"Things might not be too peaceful lately. If you run into trouble, feel free to come to me anytime."

After saying this, Fang Yunci gave Shen Yao a deep look, said nothing more, turned around, opened the car door, and got into the driver's seat.

Only Shen Yao remained, standing alone in the wind. The night breeze ruffled the stray hairs on her forehead, and she slowly raised her head. The tearful expression from before had vanished, and her eyes were now clear.

Alarm bells rang in her mind.

A strong intuition seized her; she needed to devote most of her energy to dealing with Fang Yunci.

If she disregarded his last words and relinquished the initiative, she would no longer be herself, but would become a soulless plaything in Fang Yunci's hands, an object to be manipulated at will.

Moreover... perhaps approaching Xie Yunzhou from Fang Yunci's perspective would be a more subtle way to provoke him.