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

Before Xie Yunzhou could even process what this momentary lapse in concentration meant, Shen Yao had already walked up to him.

She tilted her head slightly, looked at him, a forced smile of gratitude on her lips, and said softly, "Thank you for your concern."

The girl was very close, so close that Xie Yunzhou could see more clearly the faint dark circles under her eyes that couldn't be completely concealed, and the weariness that was indeed showing beneath the thin layer of foundation on her face.

She expressed her gratitude, but Shen Yao's demeanor clearly showed that "I'm not doing well."

This forced smile is more impactful than a direct lament.

Xie Yunzhou frowned, but ultimately said nothing more.

Once the three were seated, Xie Yuanzhu immediately became lively.

She snatched the menu, shoved it into Shen Yao's hand, and said with great bravado:

"Sister Shen Yao, look how thin you are! You have to eat more today to make up for it! Order whatever you want, don't hold back!"

As she spoke, she picked up another menu and began rattling off the names of the dishes, choosing only the expensive and high-quality ones. She clearly remembered Shen Yao's taste preferences and ordered without any hesitation.

Seeing Xie Yuanzhu ordering more and more, almost turning the menu upside down, Xie Yunzhou finally couldn't help but speak up:

"Xie Yuanzhu, that's enough. You've ordered too much; she can't finish it."

He said this to his sister, but his gaze swept lightly over the almost untouched teacup in front of Shen Yao, the meaning of which was quite clear.

Given her current condition and appetite, there is no point in being extravagant.

Xie Yuanzhu was interrupted by her brother and was taken aback at first. Then, as if she understood something, a sly "I get it" expression immediately appeared on her face. She winked at Xie Yunzhou and responded in a drawn-out, ambiguous tone:

"Okay, okay, I got it, bro! Whatever you say! That's all for now!"

She deliberately pronounced "brother" in a roundabout way, her eyes darting back and forth between Xie Yunzhou and Shen Yao, as if she had discovered some incredible secret.

Xie Yunzhou met his sister's teasing gaze, but his expression remained calm and composed. He simply took a sip of water from his glass, subtly avoiding her mocking stare.

Shen Yao took in everything, her face showing embarrassment at being treated so excessively, and whispered to Xie Yuanzhu:

"Yuanzhu, you really don't need to order so much, it's too extravagant."

The atmosphere was relaxed and harmonious throughout the meal, thanks to Xie Yuanzhu's lively chatter.

Shen Yao sat between the Xie siblings, listening gently to Xie Yuanzhu speak most of the time, nodding and smiling from time to time, giving her encouraging looks.

Xie Yuanzhu was talking about her confusion and worries after the college entrance examination, her little face scrunched up:

"Sister Shen Yao, I'm so worried! The results haven't come out yet. My parents keep telling me to be prepared for the worst, that they'll send me abroad if I don't do well on the exam, but I really don't want to go abroad. I don't know anyone there."

Shen Yao listened patiently, a smile of understanding and encouragement on her face, her voice gentle as she comforted her:

"Yuanzhu, don't worry too much. You're so smart, you'll definitely be fine. Even if you really need to go abroad, it'll be a great opportunity to broaden your horizons. But of course, staying in the country, in a familiar environment, is the best option."

Her words offered comfort and subtly supported Xie Yuanzhu's desire to stay in China, prompting the young girl to nod repeatedly in agreement.

Perhaps because she had talked too much, Shen Yao felt a little thirsty.

As she continued listening to Xie Yuanzhu's story, she naturally reached for her water glass on her right without turning around, brought it to her lips, and took a small sip.

The warm tea moistened her slightly dry throat.

Just as she put down her water glass, she caught a glimpse of Xie Yunzhou sitting next to her. His body seemed to stiffen slightly, and his gaze fell on the glass she had just put down, a fleeting look of surprise flashing in his eyes.

Shen Yao seemed to only then realize what was happening, her face instantly showing panic and embarrassment. She quickly turned to Xie Yunzhou, leaned closer to him, and spoke with an apologetic and helpless tone:

"Mr. Xie, I'm so sorry. I took the wrong cup. I'm really sorry."

As she spoke, she subconsciously tried to push the cup away, as if it were a hot potato.

Xie Yunzhou shifted his gaze from the rim of the cup with a faint lipstick mark to Shen Yao's embarrassed face.

He didn't speak immediately, but shook his head slightly to indicate that she didn't need to worry about it. His gaze then turned to his sister Xie Yuanzhu, who was still talking non-stop, with a hint of reminder in his eyes.

Shen Yao immediately understood his meaning, and a grateful expression appeared on her face as she nodded gently.

She quickly and naturally picked up a clean cup, poured tea back in, gently pushed it in front of Xie Yunzhou, and silently mouthed "I'm sorry."

Then, she immediately turned around and focused her attention back on Xie Yuanzhu, as if the little accident had never happened, and continued to discuss college application matters with her, her smile returning to normal.

Xie Yunzhou, however, could not forget this little incident as quickly as she did.

His gaze involuntarily fell back on the teacup that Shen Yao had mistakenly used.

On the rim of the pristine white porcelain cup, a faint, beautifully shaped lip print was clearly imprinted—a trace left by the gentle, dusty rose lipstick Shen Yao had worn today.

The faint pink stood out strikingly against the pure white porcelain.

Xie Yunzhou stared at the mark, and the image of Shen Yao drinking water just now uncontrollably surfaced in his mind—her slightly raised neck, its lines fair and delicate, her lips moist and soft as they lightly touched the rim of the cup.

The image flashed by, suddenly stirring up even deeper, more intense memories. It was that day, when she saved him, the warmth of their skin pressed tightly together, and her suppressed breath whispering in his ear…

He quickly looked away, picked up the cup of tea that Shen Yaoxin had poured for him, and took a big gulp.

Inside the private room, Xie Yuanzhu's voice remained clear and crisp, and Shen Yao's response was still gentle.

Only Xie Yunzhou, amidst the clamor, fell into an unprecedented, subtle silence.

After finishing her meal, Shen Yao stood up, a genuine and bright smile spreading across her eyes, and said goodbye to the Xie siblings.

She raised her hand and waved gently, her voice soft and warm: "Yuanzhu, Mr. Xie, thank you for your hospitality. I've had a very happy day."

As their gazes met, a gentle sincerity swept over them.

Xie Yuanzhu reluctantly held her hand, saying, "Sister Shen Yao, you must keep in touch often, come to my house to play, and tell me if anything happens!"

Her tone was excited, and she added, "Congratulations on getting into Yenching University! You're so amazing!"

Whether it was because of Xie Yuanzhu's sincerity or because she wanted to bring this radiance into someone's eyes, Shen Yao laughed so heartily, a rare occurrence. Her laughter, like the sound of silver bells tinkling in the wind, echoed crisply through the night.

The two girls hugged each other happily and even spun around like children.

Shen Yao muttered softly about the tension and insomnia she experienced while preparing for the exam, and then said, "But the thought of seeing Yuanzhu and the others makes it all worthwhile."

Xie Yuanzhu was overjoyed and snuggled up to her. She really liked Sister Shen Yao.

Xie Yunzhou stood quietly behind his sister, his usually solitary figure subtly imbued with joy.

His gaze fell silently on Shen Yao's face.

Even he himself didn't realize that his usually tightly pursed lips had slightly curved into a soft arc with her clear laughter.

An impulse, like a gentle breeze, brushed across my heartstrings, stirring quietly at this moment.

Xie Yunzhou wanted to ask her why she had lost so much weight recently; he also wanted to ask her if the bracelet on her wrist was suitable for her.

But all the words that rolled to his lips were ultimately swallowed back down by him.

Once they finally stopped laughing and joking, he slowly stepped forward, still with a cold and aloof demeanor, and simply gave Shen Yao a few words of advice:

"Be careful on the road."