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

The next day, Yu Chuan sent a WeChat friend request, with a profile picture of a motorcycle whose face was obscured but which exuded a strong sense of atmosphere.

Shen Yao waited for most of the day, only seeing the message after finishing her studies at the library that evening. Almost immediately, Xiang Yuchuan's message popped up:

Are you free tomorrow night? Let's have dinner together.

His tone was commanding, as always.

Shen Yao held her phone, her fingertips tapping lightly on the screen, carefully choosing her words.

She couldn't agree too quickly, or it would seem cheap; but she also couldn't refuse outright, or it would dampen the other party's enthusiasm.

[Excuse me, senior, but I've arranged to attend a lecture with a classmate tomorrow night. It's about the forefront of new media and will be very helpful for our major.] The reason is valid and positive.

Xiang Yuchuan replied quickly: [What's so interesting about lectures? I'll take you to a newly opened Japanese restaurant; that's much more interesting.]

Shen Yao: [It really won't work, senior. Lecture tickets are very hard to come by, and I've already promised my classmate; I can't break my promise.]

There was silence for a few minutes on the other end of the phone. Just when Shen Yao thought this young master was about to lose patience, another message came:

Okay then. How about the weekend? You should be free on the weekend, right?

A faint smile appeared on Shen Yao's lips. See, setting up a little obstacle only made him more motivated.

I need to work part-time at a coffee shop during the day on Saturday, and I should be able to work in the evening.

"Part-time job? What's the point of earning that little bit of money? Quit, I'll support you." Young Master Xiang is indeed wealthy and powerful.

Shen Yao almost burst out laughing when she saw this sentence. "Support me? Can you support me for life? What I want is something I can hold in my own hands." She replied:

"No, senior. Part-time jobs can help me develop myself, and I want to earn my own living expenses."

This time, Xiang Yuchuan replied: 【Whatever. Wait for my message Saturday night.】

In the first round, Shen Yao won by a small margin. She wasn't immediately invited out, but instead, Xiang Yuchuan accommodated her schedule, leaving an initial impression that she was "opinionated and not materialistic."

On Saturday night, Xiang Yuchuan waited at the school gate in his flashy sports car.

Shen Yao didn't dress up deliberately. She was wearing one of her few clothes that she rotated, but which were clean and neatly ironed. She looked plain-faced, with only a little lip balm on, and looked as innocent as a high school student.

When Xiang Yuchuan saw her, his eyes lit up; he was clearly very receptive to her charm.

He took her to a high-end Western restaurant that required reservations well in advance; the environment was elegant and private.

Shen Yao would show just the right amount of curiosity and appreciation for exquisite dishes, but her dining etiquette was surprisingly proper, without showing the slightest embarrassment. This was thanks to the Western dining etiquette videos she had secretly watched in private.

She mostly listened, occasionally responding with a few words. The conversation revolved around campus life and studies, and she never pried into sensitive topics such as his family background or past romantic relationships.

After the meal, Xiang Yuchuan felt more comfortable than ever before.

The girl was pretty, quiet, and had clear eyes. She seemed to like him, but maintained a subtle distance, unlike other women who would eagerly cling to him.

Afterwards, Xiang Yuchuan offered to take her home, and Shen Yao did not refuse.

Before getting out of the car, Xiang Yuchuan took out a beautifully packaged bag from the car. It contained a skincare set from a top-tier brand, which was quite valuable.

"Take it." His tone remained as matter-of-fact as ever.

Shen Yao looked at the bag, her face showing obvious struggle and hesitation.

She bit her lip, looked up, and gazed sincerely at Xiang Yuchuan: "Senior, thank you for treating me to dinner today. I'm very happy. But this is too precious; I can't accept it."

Xiang Yuchuan raised an eyebrow: "Take it if it's given to you."

Shen Yao, however, was unusually persistent. She gently pushed the bag back, her voice soft but firm:

"I really can't. Senior, I came out to eat with you because I think you're a really nice person, not for any other reason. If I accept something this expensive, the taste will be ruined."

Her words were subtle, but the meaning was clear: I value you as a person, not your money.

Xiang Yuchuan was stunned.

He had given countless gifts, but this was the first time he had been rejected, and in such a way that it almost "insulted" his sincerity.

But looking into Shen Yao's clear yet stubborn eyes, his initial displeasure strangely transformed into a stronger interest and desire to conquer.

How interesting, he thought to himself.

"Fine, whatever you want." He took the bag back and didn't insist any further.

Shen Yao got out of the car, politely said goodbye, and turned to walk into the dormitory building.

Only after entering the stairwell and confirming that Xiang Yuchuan could not see her did a trace of fatigue appear on her face, but her eyes were unusually bright.

The first official date was a success.

Shen Yao knew very well that it was impossible to completely reject any benefits, as that would not be in line with her original intention.

But what she wanted was not this kind of one-time, condescending gift.

What she wants is a more sustainable and subtle allocation of resources.

For example, he could introduce her to more valuable internships, help her access higher-level circles, or provide assistance through his connections at certain crucial junctures in her future.

You have to cast a long line to catch a big fish.

Back in her dorm, she ignored Lin Weiwei's probing gaze and Li Qian's ambiguous teasing, calmly washed up, then opened her books and continued studying.

In Xiang Yuchuan's view, Shen Yao, this solid block of ice, seemed to be gradually melting under his enthusiasm.

She began to be less adamant in refusing his gifts.

From a reasonably priced lipstick to a simply designed wool scarf, she would initially refuse, then blush and accept it with a touch of shy joy, softly saying, "Thank you, senior, you've gone to so much trouble."

That appearance made Xiang Yuchuan feel that the money was well spent.

When she was with him, she no longer always appeared timid and distant.

Occasionally, she would pout slightly at his unintentional joke, and after he helped her solve a small problem, she would look at him with bright eyes, filled with undisguised dependence and admiration.

On one occasion, when he said, "I'll take you for a drive this weekend," she gently tugged at his sleeve and whispered sweetly:

"Then please drive slowly, senior. I'm a little afraid of going fast."

That sudden movement almost made Xiang Yuchuan's heart skip a beat. A strange, tingling sensation surged from the depths of his heart.

He found himself increasingly enjoying his time with Shen Yao, not just because she was beautiful, but also because of the closeness and trust she gradually showed that was only for him, which gave him an unprecedented sense of satisfaction.

That night, the moonlight was beautiful. Xiang Yuchuan escorted Shen Yao back to her dormitory, and the two walked side by side on a quiet, deserted tree-lined path.

The early summer evening breeze carried the fragrance of flowers, creating an unbelievably pleasant atmosphere. Shen Yao seemed to be in a good mood as well, softly recounting amusing anecdotes from class, her profile incredibly gentle in the moonlight.

Xiang Yuchuan looked down at her, at her trembling long eyelashes, and at her pink lips that opened and closed as she spoke.

An unprecedented, intense urge welled up within him; he wanted to kiss her.

The thought startled even himself.

kiss?

He'd had so many "girlfriends" that even holding hands was a hassle, let alone kissing.

In his view, those women were no different from the exquisite figurines in the store.

It's nice to display, and it's fine to use it for amusement when you're bored or to show off.

Who would want to kiss a figurine?

But when he was with Shen Yao, this feeling was so strong and natural. He could even imagine the soft touch of her lips.

As if possessed, he stopped in his tracks.

Shen Yao seemed to sense something, and stopped, looking up at him with a bewildered innocence in her eyes: "Senior, what's wrong?"

Under the moonlight, her eyes were like black glass soaked in water, pure and alluring.

Xiang Yuchuan's Adam's apple bobbed, and as if bewitched, he slowly lowered his head and moved closer to her.

He could smell her faint, clean scent, like soap, and see her slightly dilated pupils and her cheeks gradually blushing.

Getting closer.