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

In the latter half of the movie, Shen Yao seemed to be truly immersed in the plot.

She no longer looked around, but occasionally, at crucial moments in the plot, she would furrow her brow slightly or let out a very soft sigh.

That focused profile looked exceptionally serene and captivating under the screen light.

She knew that the gaze behind her, filled with amusement and interest, had not completely left.

The movie ended, and the lights came on.

The group snapped out of their reverie and began exchanging their thoughts in small groups.

Zhang Chen naturally lingered around Shen Yao, eagerly asking her how she felt and if there was anything she didn't understand.

This time, Shen Yao didn't just talk to Zhang Chen.

She stood up and looked confidently at the senior students Zhang Chen had introduced, especially the president of the film club and the vice minister of the publicity department, giving them a slightly shy but sincere smile:

"The film was really well made. Although there were some parts I didn't quite understand, it felt very powerful. Thank you to the club president for organizing this event, and thank you to all the senior students for teaching me so many things that I couldn't learn in the classroom."

The club president, a bespectacled senior, adjusted his glasses upon hearing this and nodded with a smile:

"It's good that you've gained some insights, junior. You can come to association activities often in the future, and you'll gradually understand."

The vice-minister smiled and glanced at Shen Yao a few more times, seemingly having a good impression of this pretty and polite freshman.

Taking the opportunity, Shen Yao chatted briefly with a few classmates who seemed friendly, and the conversation revolved around the movie.

She mostly listens, occasionally offering her opinion, her voice always gentle and soothing.

During this process, she could sense that some girls were giving her subtle, scrutinizing glances, and even a few seemingly casual remarks that, upon closer inspection, carried a hint of sarcasm.

For example, someone said with a smile:

"Junior Shen Yao is both beautiful and hardworking. Zhang Chen, you must take good care of her and not let some people with ulterior motives deceive her."

Shen Yao pretended not to understand the deeper meaning in his words, her face still displaying that innocent expression, even a hint of shyness from being praised, as she softly said:

"You're joking, senior. The seniors have been very kind to me."

Her appearance will be interpreted differently by different people.

Some people think she's genuinely naive, like an innocent little rabbit.

But some people are shrewd, like that vice minister, whose eyes held a thoughtful look.

This girl is either genuinely naive, or she's perfectly aware of everything, yet she manages to pretend without a trace of misunderstanding.

Regardless of the type, it is not advisable to easily become an enemy before fully understanding their situation.

This is exactly the effect Shen Yao wanted.

She doesn't need to become friends with everyone immediately, but she needs to establish an image of "hardworking, beautiful, a little timid but polite" in her first appearance, so that people don't easily see her as a pushover or a pretty face.

Throughout the entire conversation, she could always feel the gaze of the person in the back row.

Xiang Yuchuan didn't come closer; he had even stood up, seemingly preparing to leave.

He leaned against the door frame, his posture languid, but his gaze seemed tangible, passing through the crowd and landing on her.

Shen Yao never looked back even once.

As the event ended, everyone said their goodbyes. Shen Yao also politely said goodbye to Zhang Chen and several senior students, expressing that she would come to study again at the next event.

As she turned to leave, her back was slender yet straight, her steps light and slow, without a trace of lingering attachment.

She knew that for a man like Xiang Yuchuan, who was used to women throwing themselves at him, a moment of ignoring him would be far more interesting than deliberate flattery.

She doesn't need any progress this time.

All she had to do was cast the bait.

Then, wait for the fish to swim over curiously to explore.

What she needs to do now is to go back to studying those difficult professional books, continue working part-time at the coffee shop, continue improving herself, and continue to be like a greedy sponge, absorbing all the nutrients that can make her stronger.

Sure enough, less than three days later, Shen Yao met Xiang Yuchuan at the coffee shop.

It was a weekday afternoon, and there weren't many people in the store.

He changed his clothes, wearing a simple black T-shirt and cargo pants. He looked less roguish in the screening room and more casual, but his nonchalant attitude remained the same.

He pushed open the door, the wind chimes tinkling softly, and walked straight to the bar.

Shen Yao was wiping the coffee machine with her head down when she heard footsteps. She looked up, and a standard, aloof professional smile instantly appeared on her face.

"Hello, what would you like to order?"

Her eyes were clear, carrying the politeness one would show to a stranger, revealing no extra emotion, as if she had never seen him the night before.

Xiang Yuchuan's gaze lingered on her face for half a second, and a very faint smile seemed to appear at the corner of his mouth.

He glanced at the menu, his tone casual, with a hint of laziness:

"One iced Americano, to go."

His voice was deep and magnetic, just like the aura he exuded in the corner that night.

"Okay, one iced Americano to go, please wait a moment."

Shen Yao operated the ordering machine skillfully, her voice steady and her movements fluid, just like a well-trained shop assistant.

The entire ordering process took only a dozen seconds and there were no issues whatsoever.

After paying Yu Chuan, he leaned against the side and waited, casually looking at his phone without glancing at Shen Yao again, as if she were just an ordinary, somewhat pretty coffee shop employee.

Shen Yao turned her back to make coffee, maintaining a perfect smile on her lips, but inwardly she snorted coldly.

They're putting on quite a convincing act.

She was certain that this man definitely remembered her.

His eyes, seemingly languid, were actually sharp; those he had seen could not be easily forgotten.

Moreover, that night in the screening room, his gaze upon her held a clear interest.

His current "stranger" demeanor can only mean two things:

Either he's playing hard to get, a common tactic used by playboys;

Either he's naturally arrogant and feels there's no need to show extra familiarity to a "coffee shop assistant".

Either way, it suited her perfectly.

She quickly made the coffee, carefully packaged it, and handed it over with both hands, her smile impeccable.

"Your iced Americano is ready, please take it."

Xiang Yuchuan took the paper bag, his fingertips lightly brushing against her fingers, the touch slightly cool.

He looked up and finally looked at her properly again, his eyes devoid of warmth. He simply nodded and said, "Thanks."

Then, he picked up the coffee, turned around, and decisively pushed open the door to leave without a trace of lingering.

As Shen Yao watched his sleek black sports car roar away from the street corner, the professional smile on her face slowly faded.

He didn't come here today just to buy a cup of coffee.

This was a silent declaration, and also a test. He was watching to see how she would react.

And she gave the most perfect response—ignoring it.