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

In the following period, Shen Yao settled down in the coffee shop.

She was efficient and quick learner, and soon became proficient in operating the coffee machine and remembered the preferences of regular customers.

She always maintained a just-right distance from store manager Chen Yuan.

Chen Yuan would give her small favors, such as an extra pastry or a new cup of coffee, and she would always show a sweet smile of being flattered, her eyes like they were filled with stars, making Chen Yuan feel that it was all worth it.

But whenever Chen Yuan tried to get a step closer, such as "accidentally" touching her hand, Shen Yao would always dodge cleverly like a startled little rabbit, her eyes innocent and flustered, making Chen Yuan both itchy and afraid to make a move, lest he offend the beauty.

She neither took the initiative nor rejected him, but subtly flirted with him, letting that faint expectation keep the man willingly giving his all.

In the coffee shop, Shen Yao's beauty and her pitiful charm were even more irresistible.

The male customers were exceptionally friendly to her, speaking gently when taking her orders and giving generous tips.

Occasionally, there would be difficult customers, but before Shen Yao could even speak, a kind male customer would step in to help her out.

Shen Yao only needs to blush slightly and whisper "thank you" to easily gain more favor.

Time flies, and the start of the school year is just around the corner.

Shen Yao counted the money she had saved, but she was still struggling financially after paying her tuition.

She couldn't go to register in old clothes; she would be looked down upon from the very beginning.

She made a precise investment with her limited funds.

She bought a simple white cotton dress from a street stall. The cut was perfect, the material was comfortable, and it accentuated her pure temperament and slender waist to the fullest extent.

She cleaned her shoes thoroughly, styled her hair carefully, and tied it into a neat and refreshing ponytail, revealing her smooth forehead and graceful swan neck.

Looking at herself in the small mirror in the coffee shop restroom, she was beautiful even without makeup, and her pure white outfit made her look even more charming, with a fragile beauty that seemed untouched by the world.

Great, that's exactly the effect she wanted.

In September, on the opening day of Shanghai University, the campus was bustling with activity.

Shen Yao stood alone at the bustling school gate, dragging a small, old suitcase.

Compared to the other new students who were surrounded by their families, she stood alone, yet she was exceptionally eye-catching.

"Hello, are you a freshman in the School of Journalism and Communication?" a warm male voice rang out.

Shen Yao turned her head and saw a tall, sunny-looking senior wearing a volunteer T-shirt, his eyes shining as he looked at her.

His name tag read: Junior, Zhang Chen, School of Journalism and Communication.

The target has been identified.

A shy and innocent smile immediately appeared on Shen Yao's face. She nodded gently, her voice so soft it could melt water: "Hello, senior. My name is Shen Yao."

Zhang Chen was momentarily captivated by her smile, and quickly took the shabby suitcase from her hand, enthusiastically introducing it to her:

"My name is Zhang Chen, I'm a junior, and I'm in charge of welcoming new students! What's your major, junior? I'll take you there! Our School of Journalism and Communication is full of beautiful girls, but with you here, I'm afraid the most beautiful girl in the school will have to change!"

His tone was undisguised in its flattery and amazement.

Two blushes rose on Shen Yao's face. She lowered her head and whispered, "Senior, please don't tease me."

She followed closely behind Zhang Chen, listening to his endless introduction of the campus, and occasionally asking a naive question or two to satisfy his vanity.

On their way to register at the School of Journalism and Communication, countless eyes fell on them, or more precisely, on Shen Yao.

Senior student Zhang Chen enthusiastically escorted Shen Yao to the girls' dormitory. If it weren't for the dorm supervisor's watchful eye, he would have loved to carry her suitcase upstairs himself.

He confirmed several times that Shen Yao had added him on WeChat before reluctantly leaving, patting his chest as he did so to assure her:

"Junior, if you need anything at school, feel free to contact me anytime!"

School of Journalism and Communication, Girls' Dormitory Building 3, Room 401.

Pushing open the dormitory door, a smell mixed with new books and air freshener hit me.

The four-person room had bunk beds and desks underneath, and the conditions were better than Shen Yao had imagined. Her other three roommates had already arrived.

In the first spot near the door, a woman wearing a classic Chanel jacket is directing her housekeeper to help make the bed.

She sat leisurely in a chair touching up her makeup, glancing up at Shen Yao, her gaze sweeping over her simple white dress and old suitcase, before casually lowering her head to continue applying mascara.

Across from me, a girl wearing black-rimmed glasses and dressed simply but with a calm demeanor was quietly placing stacks of thick books onto the bookshelf, her expression focused, seemingly oblivious to the noise around her.

On her desk sat an expensive-looking laptop.

In the last window seat, a bright-looking, tall girl was chattering away on the phone:

"Oh, I know, Mom and Dad, don't worry! By the way, I just saw a few handsome upperclassmen from our college!"

Seeing Shen Yao enter, she hurriedly said into the phone, "My roommate's here, I'll talk to you later," then hung up, flashing a bright, even overly enthusiastic, smile, and greeted her proactively:

"Hi! You're our last roommate, right? My name is Li Qian! You're really pretty!"

After exchanging a few casual words, Shen Yao quickly made a preliminary judgment about the three people in her mind.

Lin Weiwei comes from a privileged background and is spoiled. She is a beauty built on money and brands. We need to be wary of her condescending attitude, but we may also be able to obtain resources from her.

Zhou Yun may seem like a bookworm, but someone who can get into the School of Journalism and Communication at Shanghai University is no ordinary person. Moreover, that computer suggests that her family background may not be simple. She needs to be observed and should not be easily made an enemy.

Li Qian is enthusiastic, outgoing, and has strong social skills and is well-informed. However, her overly expressive emotions may lack depth and make her easy to manipulate. One should also be wary of her big mouth.

"Hello, my name is Shen Yao."

She deliberately made her movements appear somewhat restrained, perfectly portraying the image of a slightly apprehensive freshman from a small town.

"Shen Yao? What a lovely name!" Li Qian immediately leaned closer, curiously examining her. "You only brought this much stuff? Does your home live far away?"

"Yeah, it's pretty far," Shen Yao mumbled, pushing her shabby suitcase to her empty seat with a hint of embarrassment.

This appearance perfectly satisfied Lin Weiwei's subtle sense of superiority and also made Li Qian's sympathy begin to overflow.

"It's okay, we'll add whatever we need gradually!" Li Qian said warmly.

Zhou Yun also turned her head and nodded slightly to Shen Yao as a greeting, her expression remaining calm.

While tidying up her meager luggage, Shen Yao quickly glanced at the other three people's desks and beds out of the corner of her eye.

Lin Weiwei's cosmetics are all from top international brands; Zhou Yun's bookshelf is piled high with original works on communication studies, sociology, and even philosophy; and Li Qian's desk is covered with various cute dolls and photos.

What made her wary was that, although her three roommates had different styles, they were all undeniably beautiful.

Lin Weiwei possesses a refined and flamboyant beauty, Zhou Yun exudes a cool and intellectual beauty, and Li Qian radiates a sunny and healthy beauty.

In the previous environment, Shen Yao's beauty was overwhelming, a unique and scarce resource.

But here, in the colleges of this top university, beauty seems to have become a basic requirement.

Her advantages still exist, but they are no longer absolute.

In the School of Journalism and Communication, Shen Yao recalled what her senior Zhang Chen had said: what this place has no shortage of are ambitious and shrewd young men and women.

Beauty may be an admission ticket, but it is by no means a pass to pass.

A strong sense of crisis welled up in my heart.