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

The first thing she did was take the money and, instead of buying those luxury brands with obvious logos, carefully select several well-tailored, high-quality basic outfits.

The colors are simple and the style is classic, which can best complement her temperament, making her look sophisticated without being ostentatious.

Immediately afterwards, she made an appointment with a highly reputable beauty clinic in Shanghai.

She knew that even natural beauty requires careful maintenance.

In this environment teeming with beautiful women, she must maintain an absolute advantage.

She had a hyaluronic acid injection to make her skin look more hydrated and radiant; she also tried the most basic laser treatment to fade a few barely visible freckles on the bridge of her nose.

The effects are subtle, but when combined, they make her look more refined and flawless, as if she was born to be this perfect.

A month later, Shen Yao seemed to have undergone a complete transformation.

It was still the same face, but her complexion was better, her clothes were more tasteful, and the timidity that occasionally showed due to financial difficulties had disappeared, replaced by a calm confidence.

To her slight surprise, Xiang Yuchuan's enthusiasm did not seem to fade as quickly as the outside world had expected.

He would still pick her up from get out of class and take her to various upscale places, just like any ordinary boyfriend.

But what surprised Shen Yao even more was that their intimacy seemed to stop at kissing.

Passionate, lingering, and sometimes even a little rough kisses, but nothing more.

Xiang Yuchuan didn't seem to have any intention of going any further, which was quite inconsistent with his reputation as a "playboy".

Shen Yao harbored doubts, but on the surface she remained shy and passive, never taking the initiative to ask for anything, nor showing any curiosity.

Does he have some hidden reason?

Shen Yao observed discreetly, remaining vigilant.

Her roommates also had different attitudes.

Lin Weiwei's gaze remained the same, only now tinged with disdain. Zhou Yun remained indifferent, but occasionally she would discuss a professional issue with Lin Weiwei while Lin Weiwei was reading.

The most exaggerated one was Li Qian, who almost regarded her as an idol, constantly pestering her to ask about the details of her relationship with Xiang Yuchuan, her eyes filled with admiration.

Shen Yao remained indifferent to all of this, maintaining a facade of friendliness.

She still didn't quit her part-time job at the coffee shop, but she reduced her shifts.

This matter seemed to have made Xiang Yuchuan somewhat unhappy.

Once, when he came to pick her up, he saw her busy behind the bar and frowned slightly.

After she got into the car after get off work, he asked casually, "You haven't quit that lousy part-time job yet? Tell me if you need money."

Shen Yao could hear the displeasure in his tone, like jealousy, but more like he felt that it was beneath his dignity for his "possession" to show itself in public.

But he was clearly not used to showing this emotion, and masked it with impatience.

Shen Yao explained gently, "I'm used to it, and Brother Chen has been quite kind to me. It wouldn't be good to suddenly quit." She deliberately mentioned the store manager, her tone natural.

Xiang Yuchuan snorted and didn't say anything more, but his expression clearly darkened.

Time slipped into the second month.

Nourished by Xiang Yuchuan's money, Shen Yao blossomed more and more brilliantly, like a precious flower carefully watered.

Or rather, it's hard for anyone to become ugly after throwing so much money at Yuchuan.

Her skin was in peak condition, and her clothing style was carefully crafted, exuding an understated yet undeniably sophisticated feel.

Walking on campus, she practically became a living advertisement for the identity of "Xiang Yuchuan's girlfriend"—beautiful, poised, and possessing a relaxed and radiant quality that comes from being immersed in a life of luxury.

That day, Xiang Yuchuan took her to the most upscale shopping mall in Shanghai.

He seemed to enjoy swiping his card for her and watching her try on various gorgeous clothes, as if he were dressing up a beloved doll.

In the VIP room of a luxury store, as Shen Yao tried on an expensive dress, Xiang Yuchuan received a phone call. His tone was casual, tinged with impatience:

"Tsk, I know, how annoying. Let them handle things in Beijing themselves. Don't come to me indirectly and ask my dad about everything."

The word "capital" instantly struck Shen Yao, who was adjusting her skirt.

On the surface, she remained focused on adjusting her bra strap in front of the mirror, but her ears were picking up every blurry word from Xiang Yuchuan's phone call.

Although the call ended quickly, the keywords "Beijing," "my dad," and "things over there" were enough to stir up a storm in her heart.

The Xiang family's influence extends beyond Shanghai; it even reaches Beijing?

She only knew that the Xiang family were local wealthy businessmen, but she didn't expect their reach to be so far.

What kind of place is the capital? The center of power and resources!

If the Xiang family also has businesses or connections in Beijing, then Xiang Yuchuan's value far exceeds that of an ordinary rich second-generation who can be exploited for short-term profit.

This was a big fish, a fish much bigger than she had imagined!

Shen Yao's heart suddenly raced.

Her previous strategy was based on the perception that Xiang Yuchuan was a "local playboy in Shanghai," aiming to gain short-term benefits, maintain his public image, and withdraw when the time was right.

But now, the situation is completely different.

If the Xiang family has such a powerful background, then the marginal benefits one can gain from merely being Xiang Yuchuan's girlfriend with an uncertain expiration date are far too limited.

No, we can't just use this Playboy and then throw it away.

She needs a deeper relationship, a longer-lasting "bond," and to leverage deeper resources from him.

This means that she can no longer be satisfied with simply playing the role of a "well-behaved, obedient, and easily frightened" naive girlfriend.

This pattern may initially stimulate a protective instinct, but over time it can easily bore someone like Xiang Yuchuan who is prone to getting bored.

She had to inject new variables to keep him interested and motivated to conquer.

Just as she was thinking, Xiang Yuchuan hung up the phone and came over.

The VIP fitting room was dimly lit and offered a private space.

His eyes darkened as he looked at Shen Yao's slender figure and stunning beauty in the mirror. He reached out and pulled her into his arms, then lowered his head and kissed her.

The kiss carried his usual domineering and eagerness. Shen Yao didn't passively accept it as usual; instead, when he kissed her passionately, she slightly turned her head away from his lips.

Xiang Yuchuan was taken aback.

Taking the opportunity, Shen Yao broke free from his embrace and turned around little by little. She looked up at him, her cheeks flushed, and her eyes held a hint of coquettish reproach. She gently punched his chest and said, "What are you doing? This is a fitting room. What if someone sees us?"

Her coquettish manner carried a touch of girlish shyness and the intimacy between lovers, striking the perfect balance.

This was the result of countless practice sessions in front of the mirror, ensuring that every glance and every tone of voice could maximally stir a man's heartstrings.

Sure enough, Xiang Yuchuan was taken aback by her unprecedented coquettishness, and his heart began to flutter.

Far from being angry, he found it incredibly novel.

In the past, Shen Yao was either shy and evasive or passively endured things. She had never had such an active interaction with a hint of coquetry.

"So what if you see it? What's there to be afraid of?" He chuckled softly, his tone full of affection, and pulled her closer again, but this time his movements were much gentler.

Looking at Shen Yao's glistening eyes and slightly swollen lips, the fire in his heart burned brighter and brighter. He was torn between wanting to accept her advances and being captivated by her coy and alluring demeanor.

"It's all your fault." Shen Yao buried her face in his chest, her voice muffled and tinged with grievance, "You ruined my lipstick!"

Looking at her like this, Xiang Yuchuan felt that she was even more irresistible than her usual innocent self.

He coaxed, "I'll buy more if you spend it all. I'll buy you a whole case, okay?"

In the end, the dress was naturally bought. Not only that, Xiang Yuchuan also bought her two new seasonal bags and a pair of shoes without even blinking when swiping his card.

For Xiang Yuchuan, this small amount of money was a drop in the ocean, but it was well worth it to get Shen Yao's rare coquettishness and intimacy.