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

After weeks of tireless work, Shen Yao and her team finally completed the highly challenging innovation project.

When the final report was submitted, everyone breathed a sigh of relief and erupted in enthusiastic cheers.

"We did it! We did it!"

"Yaoyao! You're amazing! We definitely wouldn't have been able to figure out this core algorithm without you!"

"Yes! Yao Yao is practically our pillar of strength!"

The team members excitedly surrounded Shen Yao, their faces beaming with heartfelt joy and admiration.

Even the senior who had previously been critical of Shen Yao out of jealousy of her beauty and relationship with Xiang Yuchuan now patted her on the shoulder with genuine admiration and said sincerely:

"Shen Yao is indeed capable!"

Surrounded by everyone's enthusiasm, feeling the pure and innocent smiles on their faces, and hearing the heartfelt praise that was free of any ulterior motives, Shen Yao's heart was filled with an unprecedentedly warm current.

This feeling was completely different from when Xiang Yuchuan bought her luxury goods and took her to high-end places.

It was also completely different from the possessive, amazed looks those people gave her.

This is a genuine joy of recognition earned through one's own hands and wisdom.

She had to admit that the success she achieved through her own abilities was a hundred times more enjoyable than the material comforts she gained by relying on men's charity or having to be subservient to others.

This sense of accomplishment, solid and profound, makes her feel that she is truly alive and has value.

In teamwork, she doesn't need to pretend to be a weak and innocent little flower, nor does she need to deliberately please anyone; she only needs to fully demonstrate her talent and hard work.

We fight side by side for the same goal, supporting and respecting each other.

This equal and pure relationship gave her a long-lost sense of ease and made her feel addicted.

After the project ended, the group members excitedly arranged to have a celebratory meal together at a small restaurant on the back street of the school.

There were no luxurious private rooms, no expensive drinks, only steaming hot pot and ice-cold beer.

Everyone sat together, chatting animatedly about the project details, dreaming about the future, and laughing continuously.

Shen Yao sat among them, took off her mask, and joined everyone in grabbing meat, clinking glasses, laughing so hard she almost fell over, tears welling up in her eyes.

She was no longer the "young master's girlfriend" who needed to maintain elegance and read people's expressions at all times; she was just an ordinary college student excited about success.

Wow, this is the first time I've ever seen Yao Yao smile so happily!

A boy in her group looked at her bright smile and said, blushing.

The senior student joked, "For our junior Yao Yao to laugh like that, she must be really happy today!"

As Shen Yao listened, she felt both warm and a little bittersweet.

Yes, this is the real her, the one who laughs heartily at the results of her hard work.

Here, she is seen and recognized, not because of her beauty, nor because of who she depends on, but because of her inner qualities—her wisdom, her hard work, and her leadership.

This feeling of being treated equally and genuinely appreciated was like a ray of light shining into the corner of her heart that was filled with desire and calculation.

She possesses all the worst human traits—greed, vanity, and ambition.

But at this moment, looking at these energetic and simple-minded classmates, and then comparing them to the girls of similar age in those nightclubs dressed in revealing clothes, forcing smiles while accompanying spoiled brats...

For the first time, Shen Yao's heart shamefully ran away.

A thought she had never had before flashed through her mind.

If, if she could continue like this, relying on her own abilities to live such a simple yet fulfilling life, wouldn't that be nice?

The moment the idea popped into her head, she ruthlessly suppressed it.

Weakness! She scolded herself inwardly.

Can this cheap warmth help you get rid of the past?

Can you stop yourself from being at the mercy of others?

The shortcut to the summit is right in front of you, yet you stop for a wildflower by the roadside?

She picked up her glass and downed the cold beer in one gulp, trying to extinguish the unwarranted wavering in her heart.

It's all an illusion, a complete illusion!

This is just a brief moment of dizziness after success.

The dinner ended in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere, and everyone said goodbye and agreed to get together again next time.

Just as Shen Yao was about to leave, the senior who had previously been quite critical of her gently pulled her arm.

"Yaoyao, wait a minute, I need to talk to you about something."

The senior student looked a little embarrassed, yet also quite serious.

Shen Yao was a little surprised. She stopped and smiled, "Senior, what's wrong?"

The senior student pulled her to a quieter corner, looked at her, and said sincerely:

"Yaoyao, are you also preparing to apply for an exchange program at Yenching University?"

Shen Yao was slightly taken aback. This was not a secret among students in the same grade. Many outstanding students were competing for it, so she had nothing to hide and nodded frankly: "Yes, senior, I am preparing materials."

Looking into her clear eyes, the senior student's face showed a look of guilt:

"Yaoyao, I need to apologize to you first. I used to have some prejudice against girls like you, the kind who are particularly beautiful and look very delicate. I always thought that you guys might, well, you know. Especially you, who are so strikingly beautiful. It was wrong of me to treat you badly before."

Shen Yao didn't expect her senior to apologize so directly, so she quickly shook her head and said gently, "Senior, don't say that. It's all in the past. I didn't take it to heart."

The senior student smiled with relief, then lowered her voice, and with a hint of intimate sharing of a secret, took Shen Yao's hand:

"That's good. Now, let me get to the important stuff. Professor Li from our college, you've taken his 'Introduction to Communication Studies' course, right? He's praised you a lot in private, saying you're quick to understand and have insightful ideas."

Shen Yao's eyes lit up. Professor Li was a highly respected senior professor in the college, and it was not easy to gain his approval.

The senior student continued:

"I know that letters of recommendation are needed for exchange student applications. I happen to be quite familiar with Professor Li, and when we talked about outstanding students last time, I specifically mentioned you and your excellent performance in this program. Professor Li was very interested! So..."

The senior student took a folded piece of paper out of her pocket, stuffed it into Shen Yao's hand, and winked at her.

"You don't need to bother looking for other teachers, just go directly to Professor Li. Here's his office phone number and email address. Just tell him I sent you, and he'll definitely write you a letter of recommendation!"

Shen Yao looked at the slip of paper with the number written on it in her hand, feeling its weight, filled with unexpected warmth and strength.

She looked up, her eyes shining brightly with surprise and gratitude, like they were filled with stars.

She couldn't help but grab her senior's hand, her voice filled with undisguised joy and a touch of coquettishness:

"Senior, you're so kind. Thank you."

The senior student, caught in her bright, sparkling eyes and coaxed by her soft tone, was momentarily overwhelmed. Her face flushed slightly, and she shyly smoothed her hair, smiling as she said:

"Oh, there's no need to thank me. You're already excellent; I was just helping to put in a good word. Good luck, Yao Yao! I hope you get selected!"

"Yes, I will definitely try my best." Shen Yao nodded vigorously, her heart filled with complex emotions.

Holding the note, watching her senior's departing figure, Shen Yao stood there, her heart unable to calm down for a long time.

This was the first time she had earned the respect and proactive help of people who were originally prejudiced against her, entirely through her own efforts and abilities.

The thought of "another possibility" that she had forcibly suppressed resurfaced silently, though still faint, it seemed a little clearer than before.

She gripped the note tightly, took a deep breath, and carefully treasured this sudden warmth and wavering feeling.