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

Shen Yao did not answer.

She turned her head away, avoiding his burning gaze, which held a last glimmer of hope, and buried her face deep in the pillow, her thick, black hair spreading out.

Xiao Weilin's gaze was fixed on that patch of ink.

This hair, which had been entwined between his fingers just last night, and had also clung to her sweaty neck and cheeks, outlining breathtaking curves as she tossed and turned in her confused and infatuated state.

At that moment, they seemed to have a life of their own, emitting a warm and subtle fragrance with each tremor and gentle dance of hers, enveloping not only his fingers, but also all his senses and mind.

Xiao Weilin especially remembered that a strand of hair had once crossed her rosy lips. The extreme blackness of her hair contrasted with the moisture on her lips after they had been sucked, creating an almost bewitching purity, a charm that he was powerless to resist and willing to succumb to.

But at this moment, this silent avoidance, this attitude of not even giving a second glance, is more lethal than any words.

She regretted it.

She really regretted it!

This realization shattered all his pride, all his anger, and all his remaining hope.

That's fucking ridiculous!

This was simply the most absurd, ridiculous, and cruel thing he had ever heard in his life.

For the first time in his life, Xiao Weilin was used as a tool for revenge by a woman.

In her heart, he wasn't even a substitute, just a tool to vent her hatred!

Xiao Weilin felt so angry that his vision even blurred.

"roll."

The moment the word left his mouth, his hand gripping Shen Yao's shoulder loosened abruptly, as if burned by fire.

Shen Yao trembled slightly upon hearing this word.

As if she were afraid of him, or as if she loathed him, she stopped crying and struggled to get out of bed.

After a night of entanglement and the emotional outburst just now, she felt weak all over. She tried to sit up several times, but could only fall back down helplessly, looking disheveled and fragile.

Looking at her seemingly weak appearance, Xiao Weilin felt an uncontrollable sharp pain in his chest.

He didn't want to look at her again; even looking at her felt like torture.

The young man quickly rolled out of bed and, as if fleeing some kind of plague, rushed out of the chaotic hotel room without looking back.

The heavy door was slammed shut with a loud bang.

As soon as the door closed, Shen Yao went straight into the bathroom, letting the hot water wash away her fatigue.

After getting ready, she quickly took out her phone and focused on memorizing the key points of the book and English words, repeatedly reciting a few complex pronunciations.

At 2 p.m. sharp, Shen Yao appeared in front of the TV station building.

The meeting with executive planner Wang Tao went exceptionally smoothly.

Upon first seeing Shen Yao, Wang Tao's eyes flashed with amazement, and he immediately understood—no wonder President Qin had personally greeted her; her appearance was a "killer weapon" on camera.

He secretly lamented that it would be a real shame if someone with such exceptional qualities, worthy of being called a "dream girl," didn't enter the entertainment industry.

What surprised Wang Tao even more was that Shen Yao's professionalism and demeanor during the ensuing conversation completely exceeded his expectations of someone with connections.

She has clear logic, her own insights into journalism and communication, a humble yet assertive attitude, and answers questions in a logical and organized manner. She can even offer insightful opinions on some details of the program.

Wang Tao couldn't help but sincerely praise, his tone now filled with genuine respect.

"With your abilities and qualifications, it's really a waste of your talents to only be a regular intern. But what about President Qin..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear. Qin Fang had already made arrangements, and the internship he was given was a relatively easy one that would make it easier to "take care" of him.

Shen Yao's face showed humility and gratitude: "You flatter me. I'm new here and don't know anything. I'm already very grateful to President Qin and you for taking care of me by starting from the basics and learning more."

Her words further increased Wang Tao's positive impression of her.

He felt a pang of regret, thinking that President Qin might have underestimated Miss Shen's potential and ambition.

The procedures went very smoothly.

Shen Yao filled out the employment form, received a temporary work permit, and officially became an intern for this highly anticipated new financial program.

Stepping out of the TV station building, the afternoon sun was a bit too bright.

Shen Yao took out her phone, opened her chat with Qin Fang, and typed a message:

Mr. Qin, the formalities have been completed. Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity. Are you free this weekend? I'd like to invite you to dinner to express my gratitude in person.

A while after the message was sent, my phone vibrated.

【Yaoyao, you're too kind. I already told you you came to help me, why are you thanking me? But as for dinner… of course I'm free. It's my honor to have dinner with you, Yaoyao. I'll arrange a place this weekend and pick you up then.】

Shen Yao looked at the screen, a smile appearing on her face.

She replied with a sweet emoji and the words, "Okay, then I'll trouble you, Mr. Qin."

As night deepened, Xiao Weilin, reeking of alcohol, staggered and pushed open the door of the Xiao family villa.

Only a few wall lamps were lit in the living room, making it dimly lit, empty, and quiet.

The alcohol burned like a flame in his veins, but it did nothing to dispel the coldness and restlessness that lingered in his heart.

He slumped heavily onto the sofa, running his hands through his disheveled hair.

But it's no use.

Shen Yao's tear-streaked face, her eyes brimming with hatred, and those words that sounded like a curse kept replaying in his mind.

"I only like Yuchuan..."

"I hate you for treating me like this!"

Every word was like a barbed whip, lashing at his most sensitive nerves.

Xiao Weilin took a deep breath, his chest heaving violently, trying to suppress the rage that was about to burst forth from his body.

She's just a woman. It was just one night of debauchery. What's the point of talking about sincerity or pretense? Hasn't he seen enough of her cunning and manipulative ways?

For over twenty years, Xiao Weilin had never allowed anyone to truly get close to him. It was just an accident. What does a man's first time matter? Was he really going to lose his mind and doubt everything because of a woman like that?

ridiculous.

But the next second, that name, like a sharp thorn, pierced his chest again.

"Shen Yao...liar...you liar!"

Xiao Weilin's voice was filled with the pain of being deceived and unspeakable grievances, and his eyes were red. He was so angry that tears welled up in his eyes.

In his mind, that face, capable of eclipsing everything else, appeared clearly, especially those eyes that had once led him to mistakenly believe he had captured a moment of tenderness...

His thoughts surged, her "despicable" and his "ridiculous" intertwined, almost consuming Xiao Weilin.

How could Shen Yao, after giving him such a dreamlike intimacy, then cast him into hell using another man's name?

Xiao Weilin swung his fist and slammed it hard against the armrest of the sofa next to him, making a dull thud.

That's not enough, far from enough!

The young man suddenly stood up and swept his arm across the coffee table in front of him.

Expensive bone china teaware, crystal ashtrays, laboratory research materials... everything that was in the way was violently tossed aside.

A piercing shattering sound erupted in the deathly silent living room. Shards of porcelain scattered everywhere, a scene of utter chaos, reflecting his violently heaving figure.

The side door to the living room was gently pushed open.

A boy in a blue and white school uniform stood at the door, seemingly startled by the sudden loud noise.

He carefully cradled a small bird in his arms, which was chirping softly. It was a nightingale, its wings not yet fully grown, but already remarkably beautiful.

The boy glanced at the mess on the ground and his uncle Xiao Weilin, who stood in the middle of the shards looking like a madman. His face did not show much surprise or fear; he only slightly twitched his delicate eyebrows.

He lowered his head and gently stroked the feathers of the nightingale in his arms with his fingertips, his voice carrying the cleanliness and reproach unique to a young man:

"Uncle, please keep it down. Don't scare my Jiaojiao."

Xiao Weilin was panting heavily, his gaze turning sinister as he looked at Xiao Weixun, especially at the bird in his arms that was being pampered.

He recognized it; it wasn't the same colorful little bird he'd seen in the garden before.

The alcohol had dulled his senses; he stared at the bird and instinctively asked:

"What happened to your old bird? Did it die again?"

Xiao Weixun raised his head, his clear eyes shining brightly in the dim light. He gently shook his head, his tone tinged with a hint of regret:

"It flew away. Who knows where it went?"

He paused, looked down at the new little bird in his arms, and a pure and gentle smile appeared on his face.

"But it's okay, I'll take good care of Jiaojiao. Her voice is especially beautiful, even better than the previous one."

"It flew away, and its sound was beautiful..." These two words unexpectedly struck a sensitive nerve in Xiao Weilin.

He suddenly remembered that not long ago, Xiao Weixun had praised a woman's voice in a similar tone.

It looks like Shen Yao?

This association made his blood seem to flow backward instantly.

He stared intently at Xiao Weixun's face, which was equally beautiful yet even younger, still carrying a youthful air. An absurd and malicious thought uncontrollably surfaced:

Shen Yao, that damned, fickle woman!

Did she even prey on a young child like Xiao Weixun? Did she seduce him too? Is that why Xiao Weixun said something about "a nice voice"? And why did he switch to a bird with an equally "nice voice"?

He completely forgot that Shen Yao was only nineteen years old and Xiao Weixun was seventeen. What kind of children were they?

As Xiao Weilin watched Xiao Weixun caring for the little bird, he found it increasingly suspicious and irritating.

Alcohol and inexplicable jealousy completely overwhelmed his reason, making him suspicious of everyone.

Xiao Weixun seemed to sense the increasingly unstable and dangerous aura emanating from his uncle. He hugged the bird in his arms tighter, took a half step back, and whispered:

"Uncle, you've had too much to drink. You should get some rest. I'm going back to my room."

After saying that, he stopped looking at Xiao Weilin, turned around and quickly walked up the stairs, his figure disappearing around the corner on the second floor.

In the empty living room, only Xiao Weilin remained, standing amidst the mess.

Holding the little nightingale he named "Jiaojiao," Xiao Weixun walked briskly back to his room on the second floor.

In stark contrast to the mess and violent atmosphere of the living room downstairs, his room was spotless, filled with a faint scholarly scent and a refreshing fragrance of herbs and trees.

On the desk by the window, several thick mathematics monographs and draft paper filled with complex calculations were spread out.

He carefully placed Jiao Jiao into a fine and spacious birdcage by the window, which contained soft hay, water, and grain.

The little nightingale seemed a little uneasy about its new environment, hopping gently on its perch.

Xiao Weixun did not immediately return to his desk. Instead, he pulled up a chair, sat down next to the birdcage, and gently stroked the delicate, smooth back feathers with his long, slender, white fingers inside the cage.

His movements were gentle and patient, his eyes fixed intently on the beautiful little creature.

"Jiaojiao," he suddenly spoke, his voice very soft, "sing a song for me? Like that sister in the garden that day, something nicer."

The little nightingale in the cage tilted its head, looked at him with its tiny black bean-like eyes, and then opened its tender yellow beak, emitting a series of clear, melodious, and pleasant chirping sounds.

The sound, like pearls falling onto a jade plate, flowed through the quiet room, carrying an unadorned, natural spirituality.

Xiao Weixun listened quietly, a pure and satisfied smile gradually appearing on his face, his eyes seemingly sparkling with starlight.

The smile lasted only a moment.

"Uncle, can't you even be a good dog?"

He sighed softly, turned back to his desk, picked up the pen again, and focused his attention on the complex mathematical problem on the draft paper.

In the room, only the scratching sound of pen nibs across paper and the occasional clear, melodious song of a caged nightingale could be heard.