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

Will you help me?

The girl in his arms looked up and asked timidly, her eyes, washed with tears, like black grapes soaked in water, gazing at him with a wet look.

Zhou Jingyan raised his hand and gently stroked the top of her soft hair, his voice gentle yet firm: "Yes."

Upon receiving an affirmative answer, Shen Yao's eyes instantly lit up, but she didn't immediately leave his embrace. Instead, she nuzzled her face against his chest and continued to ask:

"Will I cause you trouble?"

She asked cautiously, as if afraid of becoming a burden to him.

This sensible yet pitiful appearance made Zhou Jingyan's heart tremble.

He couldn't resist any longer. He raised his other hand and, with extremely gentle and tender fingertips, touched the still-lingering red mark on her cheek. His voice unconsciously softened even more:

"No. This is a very simple matter for me."

Shen Yao blinked, her long eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings, her face showing a mixture of innocence and confusion:

"But isn't He Tian's father a professor at Peking University? And the person in charge of this exchange program? Is it really okay?"

Looking at her seemingly naive and innocent appearance, only worried about implicating him, Zhou Jingyan felt both amused and heartbroken, and a strong protective instinct arose within him to clear all obstacles for her.

He smiled helplessly, his tone carrying a calm and confident air, yet devoid of any oppressive force befitting a person in a position of power.

"Don't worry. If I say I'll help you, I definitely will."

Hearing this almost promise-like statement, Shen Yao seemed to finally feel completely at ease.

A radiant smile of relief bloomed on her face. She slowly loosened her arms from tightly hugging his waist, took a small step back, and left his embrace.

The warm body suddenly left, and Zhou Jingyan's embrace instantly felt empty. A strange, subtle sense of unease quietly swept over his heart.

He subconsciously curled his fingers, as if trying to grasp something.

Shen Yao stood before him, her small face tilted up, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him, filled with undisguised joy and gratitude:

"Really? That's wonderful, Mr. Zhou! You're so kind!"

She clasped her hands together in front of her chest, like a little girl who had received a beloved gift, her tone cheerful yet tinged with a touch of naive recklessness.

"How can I thank you? You've helped me so much, I... I'm willing to do anything for you! I can help you organize your files, or help you take care of your pets, I'm very patient."

I'm willing to do anything for you.

These words came from her mouth in a dimly lit hotel room, addressed to an adult man…

Looking at Shen Yao's unguarded face, which was filled with "sincerity" and "gratitude," Zhou Jingyan felt a surge of intense emotion, a mixture of worry, helplessness, and a hint of aroused heat.

Does she even know what she's saying?

Does she realize how much temptation and danger those words represent to a man?

How could she say such a thing to a man so easily?

Zhou Jingyan was practically driven crazy by her naive and simple-minded nature.

He suppressed the strange emotions surging within him, put on a stern face, and spoke in as serious a tone as possible, as if he were disciplining a naive little sister:

"Shen Yao, don't say things like that to other people. Especially... to men, understand? Helping you is my own choice, I don't need anything in return from you."

He had to make her understand the wickedness of this world, and he couldn't let her continue to "give herself to him" so unguarded.

Shen Yao was startled by his sudden serious tone. She shrank back, a look of grievance and confusion on her face, and muttered softly:

"But Mr. Zhou, you are not just anyone, you are a good person."

Seeing her bewildered yet stubborn expression, Zhou Jingyan felt both angry and helpless, and could only let out a sigh in the end.

Never mind, she's still young and doesn't understand. We'll teach her slowly later.

His top priority now is to resolve her current predicament and ensure her safety.

Zhou Jingyan glanced at the time; it was getting late. He picked up his coat from the sofa armrest and prepared to leave.

He walked to the door, then turned back to give a few more words of advice, still feeling uneasy:

"Shen Yao, just rest here tonight and don't go anywhere. The room has been booked and it's safe. If anything happens, just call me anytime; you already have my number."

He paused, then said gently, "Don't worry about things at school. Leave it to me. I will make sure you get into Yenching University as you wish."

He felt he had made all the necessary arrangements, said what needed to be said, and appeased those who needed to be appeased.

As a "helpful" friend, he had fulfilled his responsibility, so he nodded to Shen Yao, indicating that she should rest well, and then reached out to turn the doorknob.

With a soft "click," the door lock opened.

Just as Zhou Jingyan opened the door, about to step out—

"Mr. Zhou..."

A soft call came from behind me.

Zhou Jingyan paused, then subconsciously turned around.

Shen Yao had quietly stood up at some point, her slender figure standing by the bed.

She didn't look at him, but lowered her head, her long eyelashes concealing the emotions in her eyes, her hands unconsciously twisting the hem of her skirt tightly.

Her shoulders hunched slightly, as if she were bearing an invisible pressure.

Zhou Jingyan said gently, "What's wrong? You can tell me whatever it is."

Shen Yao then slowly raised her head.

Her gaze was somewhat unfocused, finally sweeping timidly and quickly over the large bed in the center of the room before turning away as if burned, looking out at the deep night.

Her voice was so soft it was almost inaudible: "No, it's nothing. It's just that this room is too big and so quiet."

She paused, took a breath as if trying to calm herself down, before continuing, "Mr. Zhou, please be careful on your way."

Even so, she stood there without moving an inch.

Seeing her like this, Zhou Jingyan's gaze fell on the bed, and he suddenly understood the fear she hadn't voiced.

She could manage during the day, but when the night was deep and quiet, lying alone in this unfamiliar room, the terrible moments she had just experienced, especially the shadow of He Tian forcing her, would probably come rushing back like a tide and engulf her.

What she needs now is perhaps not just a safe place to live, but also real companionship that can dispel the fear of the dark.

He was only thinking about avoiding suspicion, but he overlooked the fact that she was in an extremely sensitive period after her trauma.

What difference is there between leaving her alone to face the long night now and placing her in invisible fear once again?

Seeing Shen Yao's profile, which showed her barely maintaining composure but appeared even more vulnerable, Zhou Jingyan's resolve crumbled instantly.

He released his grip on the doorknob, and the door closed softly.

The man turned and walked back, his tone softening, carrying a gentle resolve:

"I'll stay in the living room tonight. You can rest easy. If there's any noise, I'll be outside."