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

After an unknown amount of time, Shen Yao finally seemed unable to bear it any longer and used all her strength to raise her hand and push against Xiao Weilin's chest.

Xiao Weilin then realized what was happening and abruptly released his grip on her arms, creating a distance between them.

Fresh air rushed into her chest, and Shen Yao's cheeks flushed an unnatural red from lack of oxygen and the intense caresses they had just shared.

In the darkness, Xiao Weilin breathed heavily, the soft touch of her still lingering on his lips.

He raised his hand, his fingertips brushing against his lower lip, feeling a slight sting and wetness.

What did he just do? He actually got seduced by this woman who talks nonsense and has ulterior motives? He even acted like a beast in heat towards her...

A strong sense of self-loathing and absurdity instantly overwhelmed him.

When did Xiao Weilin become so tasteless and out of control? How could he do something so undignified to a woman he was clearly wary of?

Xiao Weilin raised his head. Shen Yao was breathing heavily with her mouth slightly open. Her lips, which he had ravaged, were swollen and red, so vivid that they looked as if they were about to bleed. They were glistening with moisture, and together with her fragile and somewhat dazed expression, they formed a breathtaking beauty.

His throat tightened, and he glared at Shen Yao with a complex expression.

Finally, he turned around abruptly and practically fled.

The footsteps faded into the distance, leaving Shen Yao alone.

She slowly straightened up, and the weak and helpless look she had just given off faded away like the tide.

As if nothing had happened, she began to methodically straighten her wrinkled collar and comb her somewhat messy long hair with her fingers.

After tidying up, I calmly walked out of the corner and rejoined the flow of people coming and going at the school gate.

She took out her phone and, without hesitation, dialed a number.

The call was answered instantly, and Zhou Jingyan's gentle and concerned voice came from the other end. The background was quiet, as if he were at home: "Yaoyao? Are you back at school?"

"Brother Jingyan," Shen Yao's voice immediately became light and slightly coquettish, completely different from how she was in front of Xiao Weilin just now, "I'm back at school, just letting you know I'm safe. I'm fine now, much better, don't worry about me."

Zhou Jingyan, on the other end of the phone, was standing on his spacious balcony.

The night breeze ruffled his hair as he listened to the girl's soft and understanding voice through the receiver, and her smiling face seemed to appear before his eyes.

Thinking of the grievances she had suffered, he softened his voice and said, "Just go back to school. If anyone bullies you, tell me, Yao Yao."

Shen Yao replied sweetly on the other end of the phone, "I know, Brother Jingyan. You're so good to me. I'll take good care of myself. You should get some rest too."

After hanging up the phone, Zhou Jingyan was overwhelmed with guilt.

He eventually checked the surveillance footage downstairs at the company that day. Besides overhearing her talking in her sleep, he still couldn't completely let go of that pathetic suspicion.

As she said, Shen Yao in the surveillance footage did indeed wait downstairs at the company for a long time.

People came up to chat with her, including several of her company's employees, but she just shook her head awkwardly and didn't leave with anyone.

After a long while, she hesitantly moved into the dimly lit alley, her expression one of helplessness and struggle throughout. Finally, she squatted down in a corner, lowered her head, and dialed his number.

For Zhou Jingyan, this was the first time in his life that he had felt such a strong protective instinct towards someone.

But this unfamiliar, surging emotion also brought with it an equal fear—he was afraid he couldn't bear this responsibility, and in an instant, he shamefully chose to run away, even using suspicion to probe her.

Even if she knew nothing about it, the act itself made it impossible for him to forgive himself. That burning shame was a judgment on his cowardice and wavering.

He will never know that what he perceives as harm is merely part of Shen Yao's plan. Even if he investigates He Tian, ​​she has already prepared a comprehensive response.

The next afternoon, after class, Shen Yao returned to her dormitory. Instead of going to the library or participating in club activities like other students, she leisurely began to groom herself.

She chose a soft, peach-colored ankle-length dress, which made her skin appear even whiter and more translucent. The belt at the waist accentuated her slender waistline, and the skirt swayed with her steps, adding a touch of gentle and graceful elegance.

She carefully combed her waist-length hair until it was smooth and flowed down her back like a waterfall, with only a small hair clip tucked behind her temple.

She wore light makeup, focusing on highlighting her clear eyes and natural good complexion, making her look fresh and refined without appearing too deliberate.

Just before leaving, her gaze fell on an exquisite velvet jewelry box on the dressing table. She opened the box, and inside lay a bracelet.

Shen Yao arrived on time at the elegant and tranquil private room of the Chinese restaurant where she had arranged to meet Xie Yuanzhu.

Not long after, the door to the private room was gently pushed open by the waiter. Accompanied by Xie Yuanzhu's excited voice, a petite figure rushed in first, followed by a tall, aloof man.

"Sister Shen Yao!" Xie Yuanzhu's eyes lit up the moment she saw Shen Yao, and she rushed over to hug her affectionately. "You've finally come to the capital! I've missed you so much!"

Shen Yao smiled and stood up, hugging her back, her voice gentle: "Yuanzhu, I missed you too. Thank you for coming today."

Xie Yuanzhu released her, but didn't sit down immediately. Instead, she took Shen Yao's hand and looked her up and down carefully. Her round little face was instantly filled with undisguised heartache and worry. Her first question was:

"Sister Shen Yao, how have you been lately?"

She paused, her brows furrowing tightly, her voice lowered, tinged with indignation.

"You seem different, even though you're more beautiful now. Did someone bully you? Or are you having a hard time? What's different about you?"

Shen Yao felt a warmth in her heart; Xie Yuanzhu's concern was genuine.

She was about to shake her head and comfort the lively and sincere little girl, telling her, "It's okay, I'm fine..."

Before she could finish speaking, a clear and pleasant male voice sounded softly from behind, interrupting her unfinished attempt at comforting him:

"She's lost weight."

Shen Yao raised her head, her gaze passing over Xie Yuanzhu's shoulder to Xie Yunzhou, who was standing a step behind her.

Xie Yunzhou remained aloof and dignified, as cold and elegant as frost and jade, with little expression on his face.

His gaze lingered on her face for a moment, as calm as a lake at night, without a ripple. He didn't even look into her eyes, but quickly swept over her jawline, which was slightly clearer than he remembered.

As always, "the autumn moon is not to be disturbed by dust."

Xie Yuanzhu, who had been chattering away, turned around abruptly in surprise to look at her brother, her little mouth slightly agape.

Shen Yao's long eyelashes trembled slightly upon hearing his words.

Seemingly a little embarrassed and at a loss, she subconsciously raised her hand and gently tucked a stray hair behind her ear with her fingertips.

As she raised her hand, a section of her fair wrist slid out from her sleeve, a touch of platinum shimmering on her wrist.

The delicate bracelet, with its warm and smooth texture, gleamed with a subtle and soft glow under the dim lights of the private room.

It fit snugly around her slender wrist, the perfect size, making her skin appear even whiter and adding an indescribable air of elegance to her.

Her hands were exceptionally beautiful, with slender fingers and graceful lines.

Xie Yunzhou's gaze was instantly drawn to that familiar gleam.

It was a birthday gift he sent through his sister. At the time, his thoughts were probably just that of a polite gift to his sister's friend, light and casual, without much thought.

But at this moment, seeing the bracelet so perfectly placed on her wrist, complementing her gentle and quiet attire, and even seeming to have become a part of her body, Xie Yunzhou felt inexplicably that they were a perfect match.

She was also wearing...