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

That bowl of bird's nest stewed milk topped with gold leaf was indeed delicious, sweet but not cloying, with a silky smooth texture.

Shen Yao ate in small bites, seemingly gradually recovering from her earlier "grievance." Her eyes brightened again, comforted by the delicious food, like two obsidian stones that had been washed and sparkled under the light.

She ate with complete focus, seemingly lost in her own world, temporarily forgetting that Mr. Fang was sitting opposite her.

Looking at her childlike and easily satisfied appearance, Fang Yunci's gaze softened unconsciously. He quietly drank his tea without disturbing her.

Suddenly, as if she had thought of something wonderful, Shen Yao abruptly looked up at Fang Yunci, scooped up a small piece of steamed milk pudding adorned with gold leaf with a spoon, and naturally offered it to him, her tone filled with the joy of sharing:

"Mr. Fang, this is really delicious! Would you like to try some?"

As soon as she said it, she seemed to realize that her action was a bit too intimate and inappropriate, after all, the two of them were sharing a spoon...

A thin blush instantly spread across the girl's cheeks. Her eyes flickered, and she shrank back a little shyly, even her small earlobes turning pink.

Her eyes, still moist from crying, were as clear as the blue sky after the rain, and the tip of her nose was slightly red from the emotional turmoil.

The gesture of tucking her neck in made her already slender neck even more prominent. At the open neckline of her square-necked top, her delicate collarbone rose and fell gently with her soft breaths, like a butterfly about to take flight.

This unintentional display of an alluring blend of innocence, shyness, and a touch of clumsiness instantly captivated Fang Yunci's gaze.

His gaze involuntarily slid down her flushed neck, landing on the curve of her full chest, which appeared even more pronounced as she leaned forward slightly, and further down, on her slender waist that seemed impossible to encircle...

Only then did he belatedly realize that the seemingly slender girl in front of him actually had such a... figure.

A subtle, restless heat quietly rose in his heart.

He looked at Shen Yao's embarrassed expression, as if she wanted to share but realized it was inappropriate. He didn't expose her little scheme, nor did he show any sign of being offended. He simply smiled gently and reached for a clean little spoon on the cutlery rack.

"Okay, I'll try it."

He spoke naturally, scooped a small amount from Shen Yao's bowl with a new spoon, put it in his mouth, savored it carefully, and then nodded in affirmation, "Hmm, it's really good, the sweetness is just right."

His gesture showed that he accepted her kindness while maintaining just the right distance, making him appear gentlemanly and considerate.

Shen Yao watched his composed movements and secretly admired his composure. On her face, she seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, revealing a sweet smile, and continued to eat her dessert.

Dinner finally ended in a subtle and harmonious atmosphere.

After paying the bill, Fang Yunci picked up his coat and casually suggested, "It's getting late, let me take you back to school."

Shen Yao looked grateful and a little embarrassed. "Then I'll trouble you, Mr. Fang."

"No trouble at all." Fang Yunci smiled slightly and walked out of the private room with her.

Shen Yao followed Fang Yunci to the public area of ​​the hotel lobby, still pondering how to subtly close the distance during the rest of the drive.

She had even thought of several seemingly casual topics that would showcase her studiousness or interesting personality.

People are not as good as the sky.

A familiar yet slightly puzzled voice sounded not far behind her:

"Yaoyao?"

That voice belongs to Xiang Yuchuan!

Shen Yao turned around stiffly and saw Xiang Yuchuan walking towards her with long strides, his face showing a mixture of surprise and confusion.

He might have made an appointment with a friend, or he might have come to discuss business; in any case, he ran right into us!

Xiang Yuchuan's gaze lingered on her face for a second before falling on Fang Yunci beside her.

He paused for a moment, clearly recognizing Fang Yunci, and immediately put on a familiar smile, greeting her in a relaxed tone:

"Brother Yunci? What are you doing here? You've come to Shanghai? What a coincidence!"

Xiang Yuchuan strode up to the two of them, naturally put his arm around Shen Yao's shoulder, and pulled her closer to him, his actions intimate and possessive.

Then he looked at Fang Yunci, a hint of curiosity and confusion in his eyes, and asked with a smile, "Brother Yunci, do you and Yao Yao... know each other?"

"Yao Yao?" Fang Yunci raised an eyebrow slightly upon hearing this affectionate address.

He repeated the two words, his voice low and carrying a meaningful undertone.

Then, he raised his eyes, his gaze landing on Shen Yao's face with a half-smile.

Hey!

Shen Yao cursed inwardly.

She had planned everything, but she never expected to be caught by Xiang Yuchuan here, in this way!

All her previous build-up and meticulous performance crumbled instantly in the face of Xiang Yuchuan's "Yao Yao" and that arm-around-the-shoulder gesture!

It's over. Everything went black before her eyes.

It would be incredibly difficult for a man like Fang Yunci to develop romantic feelings for her, let alone for her to be labeled as "taken"—and by someone he knows!

What's the point of playing this game?!

Sure enough, the next second Xiang Yuchuan hugged her tightly, and with the flamboyance and personality unique to young people, he introduced her to Fang Yunci in a generous manner:

"Brother Yunci, let me formally introduce you. This is my girlfriend, Shen Yao."

Fang Yunci's gaze calmly swept over Xiang Yuchuan's hand, which was firmly clasped around Shen Yao's slender waist, and stared at it for a long time.

His face still wore that gentle and polite smile, showing no emotional fluctuation whatsoever, as if that meaningful glance from just now had never happened.

"I see. I met Ms. Shen at an economic summit before. She did Yunzhou a small favor, and I haven't had a chance to properly thank her. Since I'm in Shanghai now, I thought I'd have a casual meal to express my gratitude."

Fang Yunci's explanation was reasonable and watertight, explaining the reason for their acquaintance while clearing himself of any involvement and defining the relationship as purely one of "gratitude".

Shen Yao froze in Xiang Yuchuan's arms, forcing a smile that could barely be described as "obedient," but her heart had already turned cold.

She could feel Fang Yunci's gaze linger briefly on her face, but she couldn't discern anything from it.

Fall short.

No, it's a complete exposure, all previous efforts were in vain.

Xiang Yuchuan seemed completely oblivious to the strange atmosphere, and listened to Fang Yunci's explanation:

"Really? Yao Yao even helped Yun Zhou. Brother Yun Ci, you're too kind."

He turned to Shen Yao, his tone both affectionate and tinged with a sense of entitlement:

"Yaoyao, why didn't you tell me you knew Brother Yunci?"