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

The private room was dimly lit, and a music video was playing on a huge screen. A group of well-dressed young men were hugging scantily clad female companions, shouting and singing, or rolling dice and drinking. The scene was chaotic and extravagant.

Pale white thighs and arms swayed in front of my eyes, and an atmosphere of indulgence filled the air.

Shen Yao frowned slightly, a hint of discomfort and disgust flashing across her face.

No matter how many times she saw such a male-dominated, overly explicit place of entertainment, she instinctively felt a sense of repulsion.

Her appearance did not initially attract much attention.

It wasn't until Xiang Yuchuan, who was sitting in the center of the sofa surrounded by a group of people, spotted her that he immediately stood up and called out loudly, "Yaoyao, over here."

His shout immediately drew everyone's attention.

Xiang Yuchuan strode over and naturally put his arm around Shen Yao's shoulder, while also using his body to block some of the gaze directed at her.

Before the other young masters could even see Shen Yao's face clearly, they heard Xiang Yuchuan's affectionate "Yao Yao" and saw how protective he was of her, and immediately a commotion arose.

"Hey, Brother Xiang, you've been keeping a mistress hidden away, huh? Finally decided to bring her out into the public eye?"

"Exactly! Let the brothers see which bewitching our young master Xiang is!"

"Why hide it so tightly? Are you afraid we'll steal it?"

Qin Fang, in particular, relied on his childhood friendship with Xiang Yuchuan and shouted the loudest, his voice filled with exaggerated mockery:

"Xiang Yuchuan, you're not being fair! You've been dating your girlfriend for so long and you're keeping her so covered up? Hurry up and let your buddy see what kind of angel has descended from heaven!"

Xiao Weilin, who was sitting next to him, was extremely annoyed by the noisy environment and Qin Fang's chatter. With a gloomy face, he slammed his wine glass down on the table with a loud thud.

Amidst the chaotic commotion, Xiang Yuchuan, with Shen Yao in his arms, turned to face the crowd.

The dazzling lights in the private room shone on Shen Yao's face, fully revealing her meticulously made-up, breathtakingly beautiful face.

In an instant, the entire private room seemed to be muted.

The once boisterous playboys were all stunned, staring intently at Shen Yao, their eyes filled with undisguised amazement.

Xiao Weilin's originally gloomy and impatient gaze suddenly narrowed the moment he saw Shen Yao's face.

Qin Fang, who had been shouting the loudest, froze instantly with a smile. His mouth was slightly open, as if someone had grabbed his neck, and he couldn't utter a single word.

The playfulness and ease in his eyes had vanished.

Shen Yao took in everyone's reactions.

A look of surprise and unease crossed her face. She leaned slightly closer to Xiang Yuchuan, her small hand gently grasping his sleeve, her eyes timidly scanning the strangers in the private room.

Especially after lingering on Qin Fang and Xiao Weilin's faces for a few more seconds, a look of shock flashed in their eyes, which quickly transformed into a sense of fear and unease, as if asking, "How could it be you?" before finally settling into pure unfamiliarity.

Xiang Yuchuan thought she was frightened by the scene and so many strangers, so he quickly patted her back reassuringly and whispered:

"It's alright, Yao Yao, don't be afraid, we're all family."

Qin Fang was the first to react.

He forcibly suppressed the turmoil in his heart, forcing a forced smile onto his face. His tone was filled with exaggerated praise, but his eyes darted between her and Xiang Yuchuan with a complex expression:

"Damn, Xiang Yuchuan, you're really lucky with the ladies! And... who is this beautiful lady...?"

He deliberately dragged out his words, waiting for Xiang Yuchuan to begin his introduction.

Xiang Yuchuan put his arm around Shen Yao's shoulder, his gaze sweeping over his friends with their varied expressions, and with a distinctly serious and proud tone, formally introduced them:

"Let me introduce you all, this is my girlfriend, Shen Yao."

Xiang Yuchuan's attitude clearly indicates that he's not just playing around.

In an instant, all eyes fell on Shen Yao.

Just then, Xiao Weilin, who had been sitting in the corner with a cold face, suddenly sneered.

The voice wasn't loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly, carrying an undisguised harshness:

"ugly."

Upon hearing this, the private room fell silent for a moment, then erupted in a few bursts of laughter.

Everyone is not blind.

Shen Yao's appearance and temperament are far from being "ugly"; she is clearly breathtakingly beautiful.

Young Master Xiao's words were clearly sour grapes; he was just looking for trouble.

Xiang Yuchuan's face darkened, and out of fierce protectiveness, he immediately retorted:

"Xiao Weilin, are you blind? If you're jealous, just say so. I know my girlfriend is beautiful, that's enough."

Qin Fang quickly smoothed things over, patting Xiao Weilin on the shoulder with a grin:

"Oh dear, Xiao Er, no wonder you can't find a girlfriend. Your standards are way too high! If Miss Shen Yao is ugly, then all the girls we usually see must be monsters! Alright, alright, don't spoil the fun."

Xiao Weilin, feeling teased by the two of them, snorted coldly, picked up his wine glass, took a swig, and stopped talking.

The moment Shen Yao heard Xiao Weilin call her "ugly," a small flame suddenly ignited in her heart.

You, Xiao Weilin, keep picking fights with me!

He pushed her in the elevator, and now he's calling her ugly in public?

On her face, she maintained an expression of being offended yet trying to appear magnanimous, but in her mind, she had already taken out her little notebook and made a deep note of Xiao Weilin's actions.

I will not be a woman if I do not avenge this! You just wait!

Xiang Yuchuan ignored Xiao Weilin and pulled Shen Yao to sit down in the center of the sofa.

As luck would have it, or rather... some people intentionally or unintentionally rearranged the positions.

To Shen Yao's left, separated by an empty seat, was Qin Fang, and not far to her right was Xiao Weilin, who exuded a low-pressure aura.

These arrogant and spoiled young men were clearly very curious about Shen Yao, the "extraordinary woman" who could "subdue" Xiang Yuchuan.

As soon as I sat down, a barrage of questions came my way, the tone both probing and ingratiating:

"Is Miss Shen from Shanghai? Which university does she study at?"

"How did Miss Shen and our young master Xiang meet? He must have pursued you relentlessly, right?"

"Miss Shen, do you like to sing? Come on, request a song!"

Some people even offered her fruit and drinks, taking meticulous care of her.

Shen Yao responded to each question with a polite smile.

Her voice was soft, and her attitude was neither humble nor arrogant. She was neither overly enthusiastic nor aloof, perfectly playing the role of "Xiang Yuchuan's official girlfriend".

At the same time, she could clearly sense the burning probing from her left and the cold gaze from her right.