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

After returning from the United States, Shen Yao threw herself back into intensive study and self-improvement.

Life seemed to have returned to normal, but only she knew that an invisible sword was always hanging deep in her heart.

Fear of the past, anxiety about being exposed.

She didn't know when her father, who was like a time bomb, would suddenly appear and destroy everything she had finally achieved.

This anxiety followed her like a shadow, preventing her from truly relaxing.

But she also knew that it was absolutely impossible for her to confess everything to Xiang Yuchuan.

That would be tantamount to tearing open one's ugliest scars and laying one's humble past bare in the sunlight for others to judge.

So she chose to continue playing the role of the "average but hardworking and ambitious" top student girlfriend, while working even harder to improve herself.

Time flies by amidst busyness and worries; spring is fleeting, and the sweltering summer arrives quietly.

This is Shen Yao's favorite season.

Not only because she could wear pretty dresses, but also because summer meant her birthday and symbolized the turning point where she left the mountain village to start a new life.

The boys and girls on campus have all changed into cool summer clothes, their skirts fluttering and colorful, creating a beautiful scene.

Shen Yao was no exception.

Her wardrobe was filled with the latest seasonal items that Xiang Yuchuan had taken her to buy, including dresses, shorts, and tank tops of various styles, which made her youthful and beautiful figure even more captivating.

Occasionally, when the two were leisurely nestled on the sofa, Shen Yao would ask, seemingly casually:

"Yuchuan, you're a senior now, you'll be graduating soon, what are your plans for the future?"

Xiang Yuchuan usually had a nonchalant attitude, lazily putting his arm around her and casually replying, "What plans could I possibly have? Going back to inherit the family business, the old man's been urging me for ages."

Shen Yao smiled and agreed on the surface, but couldn't help but secretly complain in her heart.

With his lifestyle of eating, drinking, and having fun every day, won't the family business go bankrupt very quickly if it's handed over to him?

Of course, she only dared to think these words in her heart.

Shen Yao's nineteenth birthday is just around the corner.

The day before her birthday, she received a video call from Xie Yuanzhu.

This little girl often chatters away with her on WeChat, sharing all sorts of interesting things, or sending her a bunch of pictures asking, "Sister Shen Yao, do you think this is pretty?" and asking for her opinion.

As soon as the call connected today, Xie Yuanzhu lowered her voice mysteriously:

"Sister Shen Yao! Tomorrow is your birthday! I sent you two birthday presents! They should arrive this afternoon. Remember to pick them up at the school's courier point; they'll be a surprise!"

Shen Yao was amused by her, and the two chatted and laughed for a while before hanging up the phone.

After finishing her classes in the afternoon, Shen Yao went to the school's express delivery point to pick up two exquisitely packaged boxes, as Xie Yuanzhu had instructed.

When she got home, she opened it out of curiosity.

The first box contained a silk scarf from a luxury brand, its bright and vibrant colors perfectly matching Xie Yuanzhu's aesthetic.

It also included a cute handwritten greeting card filled with hearts.

Shen Yao smiled knowingly; this was indeed Xie Yuanzhu's style.

She was stunned when she opened the second, slightly larger box.

Inside was a dark blue velvet jewelry box.

Upon opening the box, a delicate platinum bracelet with an extremely simple design yet exuding quality lies quietly on a black velvet lining.

The bracelet itself has no logo, only a row of tiny diamonds set at the clasp, exuding an understated yet undeniable luxury and taste.

There were no cards in the box.

Shen Yao's heart skipped a beat.

This style is clearly not what Xie Yuanzhu would choose.

Could it be...?

Was it a gift from Xie Yunzhou?

She put the bracelet on her slender wrist and looked at it in the light.

Shen Yao took out her phone and first sent a message to Xie Yuanzhu:

[Yuanzhu, I received the gift! The scarf is absolutely gorgeous, I love your taste. Thank you so much, Yuanzhu! [heart][heart]]

Then, after carefully considering her wording, she posted another message:

I also received the other gift. It's very exquisite, and I like it very much. Please thank your brother for me; it's very thoughtful.

Putting down her phone, Shen Yao looked at the new bracelet on her wrist and felt much better.

The Xie family study in the capital.

Xie Yuanzhu sat cross-legged on the soft cashmere carpet, chatting happily with Shen Yao on her phone.

Upon seeing Shen Yao's thank-you message, especially the mention of "another gift," she immediately raised her little face and shouted at the figure behind the desk who was reading documents:

"Brother, Sister Shen Yao received the gift! She said she absolutely loves the scarf~ and she even asked me to thank you!"

She deliberately emphasized the word "intentionally," blinking her big eyes as she observed her brother's reaction.

Xie Yunzhou didn't take his eyes off the paper, but simply gave a very flat "hmm" to indicate that he understood.

Xie Yuanzhu was already used to his coldness, but at this moment she couldn't help but purse her lips and mutter under her breath:

"How boring, bro. What kind of celestial beauty do you think would melt your icy face even a little? You're so stingy with words even when it comes to your own sister."

Her eyes darted around, a hint of cunning and probing in them, and she stood up and ran over to Xie Yunzhou.

"Hey, I think Sister Shen Yao is perfect! She's beautiful and gentle, and she can even cure your 'ailments'! Maybe she's the one?"

Upon hearing this, Xie Yunzhou finally raised his eyelids and glanced at his sister indifferently. His gaze was devoid of warmth, causing Xie Yuanzhu to subconsciously shrink back.

He didn't respond to that.

Xie Yuanzhu, however, became even more energized and pressed her advantage:

"Don't deny it. A while ago, I mentioned to you that Sister Shen Yao's birthday was coming up, and you didn't show any expression at all. I thought you hadn't even heard me!"

"And what happened? You secretly prepared a gift with me, didn't you? Humph, if you say it's just because she helped you out in Shanghai last time, I don't believe you~ Who waits so long to give a thank-you gift, especially on someone's birthday?"

She felt that her logic was clear and her evidence was conclusive, and that she was sure she could expose her brother's cold pretense.

Xie Yunzhou put down the documents in his hand, leaned back in his leather chair, and looked calmly at his sister, who had an overly vivid imagination, remaining silent for a few seconds.

Just when Xie Yuanzhu thought he was about to refute or acquiesce, he simply spoke lightly, his tone carrying a warning:

"Xie Yuanzhu, if you keep talking nonsense, all the Häagen-Dazs in the refrigerator this summer will be confiscated."

Xie Yuanzhu: "!!!"

This was a devastating blow to her.

She wilted instantly, like a frostbitten eggplant, and wailed, "Brother! You can't be so cruel!"

Xie Yunzhou ignored her and picked up the document again, but his gaze did not seem to immediately focus on the words.