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

Since their "chance encounter" at the coffee shop that day, Shen Yao appeared to be doing as usual.

She remained the same frugal, high-achieving student who shuttled between classrooms, libraries, and coffee shops, listening attentively in class and working diligently.

Behind closed doors, she mobilized almost every available resource, like a silent spider web, to gather all information about "Xiang Yuchuan" without leaving a trace.

She was no longer satisfied with Zhang Chen's one-sided words, which were driven by sour grapes mentality.

In the film and television association's group chat, she would keep an eye out for any senior students who seemed to be well-informed.

She even began selectively contacting some of the more active girls in school who seemed to be at the center of gossip, exchanging harmless little secrets for the information she wanted.

She was extremely careful, never asking directly. She would only throw out a hint, or subtly reveal a little curiosity about the "influential figure" during a casual conversation, and then remain silent, letting the other person elaborate.

The fragmented information, like pieces of a puzzle, gradually pieced together a clearer image of Xiang Yuchuan in her mind:

The parents are well-known entrepreneurs with businesses spanning real estate and finance.

Xiang Yuchuan is an only child and is very much loved, but this has also made him a carefree person. He seems to have little interest in inheriting the family business, and he studied a casual major in college, with his mind not on his studies at all.

In some people's words, it's "good fortune, being born into the right family."

His "romantic history" is so rich that it could be published as a book.

It's common knowledge that he changes girlfriends frequently, from art students and the most beautiful girl in the broadcasting department at our school, to aspiring stars from the film academy next door and the most beautiful girl in the foreign language department...

They come in all shapes and sizes, but without exception, they are all top-tier beauties.

The relationships never lasted more than three months, and the breakups were always clean and straightforward. It's said that the breakup fees were extremely generous, enough to ensure the girls could live comfortably for a short period of time.

Therefore, even knowing his "bad record," countless girls who are confident in their beauty still flock to him.

Shen Yao listened to these words with surprise on her face, but secretly nodded in agreement.

The parents are powerful business owners with substantial wealth.

Being an only child and being pampered means I have access to more resources.

A love of enjoyment over a love of career suggests a relatively simple mind and greater susceptibility to influence.

He changes girlfriends frequently, but he's generous with money, which suggests he's not stingy, or rather, he's used to using money and material things to maintain relationships and solve problems.

This is an advantage for her.

He wasn't ugly; on the contrary, he was quite handsome.

This at least spared her from having to face a disgusting face.

Shen Yao calmly assessed this information, as if she were evaluating the performance parameters of a tool.

Not ugly, rich, and generous.

That's enough for her current goals.

Now, the basic situation of the target has been ascertained.

The next step is to create opportunities and generate a strong desire in him to possess them.

Since then, Xiang Yuchuan has appeared much more frequently.

Sometimes it's when there are no classes in the afternoon, and sometimes it's just before closing time in the evening.

He doesn't always order iced Americano anymore. Occasionally, he'll try something different, order some new items, and then find a seat by the window or in a corner, where he can sit for an afternoon or an hour or two. Sometimes he uses his laptop, but more often he just wears headphones to play games, or simply stares out the window in a daze.

When he arrived, Shen Yao politely took his order and served him food, following the store's rules.

Aside from the necessary greetings like "Hello," "Your coffee," and "Enjoy your coffee," she never initiates conversation and rarely even makes extra eye contact.

She simply focused on doing her own thing, wiping tables and chairs, cleaning utensils, or quietly reading a book in her spare time.

However, every moment she appeared in his sight was carefully calculated.

When she reads, she tilts her head slightly, allowing the light from the window to perfectly outline the focused and beautiful lines of her profile. Her long eyelashes droop, making her appear serene and beautiful.

When she stands on tiptoe to wipe the high cabinets, her body stretches out in a slender and supple arc, carrying a youthful and alluring charm.

She inadvertently revealed her best side to Xiang Yuchuan time and time again.

Xiang Yuchuan seemed to be happy about this as well.

He rarely bothered her, and most of the time he just watched from afar.

Occasionally, when their eyes meet, Shen Yao will immediately give a polite smile that is slightly hurried and embarrassed, and then quickly look away, as if she had just accidentally made eye contact with a customer, with a touch of professional restraint.

After several times, the conversations between the two finally moved beyond just ordering food.

For example, when she brings him coffee, he might casually ask, "What book are you reading?"

Shen Yao would show him the book covers, usually professional books or some profound literary works.

He might just raise an eyebrow, neither confirming nor denying, but Shen Yao knew that this at least left him with the impression that she was "more than just an empty shell."

For example, once when he saw her notebook under the counter, filled with neat and detailed class notes, he would say with a hint of teasing, "Working so hard?"

Shen Yao blushed slightly, as if her little secret had been exposed, and whispered, "I'm afraid I won't be able to keep up, so I have to work harder."

All her responses were strictly kept within the framework, never exceeding it in the slightest.

Shen Yao was not entirely unmoved.

Xiang Yuchuan's attitude of "just watching but not getting close" left her a little confused.

According to the information she had gathered, this girl who had her eye on the young master usually pursued him directly, showering him with flowers, gifts, and sweet words, making it a quick and easy affair.

Why is it that when it comes to her, she's resorting to the "quietly watching" approach?

Did he think that simply showering money on a "poor, well-behaved girl" like her wouldn't be effective? Or did he want to try something different this time, like enjoying the process of "hunting"?

No matter what Xiang Yuchuan's intentions are, her strategy will not change.

He watched, and she showed him.

He probed, and she defended.

This is a test of patience. Let's see who loses their temper first.

That evening, as closing time approached, only two or three tables of customers remained in the shop. The lights were dimmed, and soothing background music played.

Shen Yao was cleaning the bar counter, mentally planning the list of books she would read when she got back.

Another figure approached; it was a male student from the same college but a different major, named Wang Zhi.

He began to express his affection openly and subtly not long after the start of the semester, sending her several inexpensive snacks, all of which Shen Yao politely declined with various excuses.

At this moment, his face showed a mixture of stubbornness and eagerness.

"Shen Yao, please give me a chance! I really like you!" Wang Zhi's voice was a bit loud, which sounded particularly abrupt in the quiet shop, attracting the attention of the few remaining customers.

Shen Yao felt a wave of disgust, as if she had swallowed a fly.

They don't even consider their own circumstances; their trust is outrageous.

But her face still maintained its usual gentle and troubled expression:

"Wang Zhi, all I want to do right now is focus on my studies and part-time jobs. I really don't have the energy to think about these things."

As she spoke, she subconsciously shrank back, trying to create some distance.

This subtle dodge seemed to spur Wang Zhi on. He probably felt that it was a good time to "break through" when it was almost closing time and there were fewer people, and he actually reached out to grab Shen Yao's wrist:

"Shen Yao, don't hide, I'm serious."

In that unpleasant moment, Shen Yao noticed out of the corner of her eye that the coffee shop door had been pushed open.

That familiar figure, carrying the chill of the night, walked in casually.

It's Xiang Yuchuan!