Green Tea Empress: Every World Needs Me

Chapter 9: Breaking Point

Bianca Lin walked away from Yu Cheng’s office with a calm exterior, but inside, her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. Mei Wong’s unexpected entrance had thrown her off balance, but she refused to let it show. She had come here to win, and no one—especially not Mei—was going to take that away from her.

She walked down the long corridor of the top floor, her heels clicking against the polished marble, each step a deliberate reminder of her purpose. She had to get back to her office, to the sanctuary where she could think clearly and recalibrate. There, she could analyze the situation, and figure out how to turn this unexpected alliance between Yu Cheng and Mei to her advantage.

The elevator doors slid open as she approached, and she stepped inside, hitting the button for the floor where her office was located. She could feel the tension in her shoulders as the elevator ascended, but she did her best to push it aside. There was no time for weakness, no time for doubt. If she was going to play this game, she had to be cold, calculated, and, above all, ruthless.

The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open to the floor where she had made her mark. Her office was one of the few spaces in the building that reflected her personality—a sharp contrast to the rest of the company’s sterile, minimalist design. It was sleek but warm, a blend of luxurious furnishings and modern decor, carefully curated to make an impression. This was where Bianca worked her magic. Here, she could think, strategize, and refine her next move.

As she walked into her office, she noticed the stack of reports on her desk. It was the kind of paperwork she had learned to dread—the unending mountain of tasks that, while necessary, were beneath her. She had already planned to delegate the bulk of it to her assistants, but for now, there was something else on her mind.

Bianca glanced out the floor-to-ceiling windows of her office, taking in the breathtaking view of the city. The sprawling metropolis below looked like a finely tuned machine—orderly, controlled, and yet beneath that order, there were fissures, cracks in the system that were waiting to be exploited. Tang Industries was no different. It was a machine, yes, but a machine that could break if the right lever was pulled.

And that’s where she came in.

Her phone buzzed on the desk, snapping her out of her thoughts. She glanced down at the screen, and her pulse quickened when she saw the name. It was from Yu Cheng.

From: Yu Cheng

Subject: Meeting Request

Ms. Lin,

We need to discuss the future of your position within Tang Industries. Meet me in my office in 30 minutes.

Best regards,

Yu Cheng

She stared at the message for a long moment, her mind racing. Another meeting with Yu Cheng? After their last conversation, she had assumed that her place within the company was secure—at least for now. But this message... this felt different. His tone was colder than usual, almost as if he were giving her a warning.

She straightened her blazer, adjusting the fabric with practiced precision. Whatever this was, she would be ready. Yu Cheng wasn’t the type to waste time on idle chatter, and every interaction with him felt like a high-stakes game. She was ready to play.

Bianca stepped out of her office and made her way to the elevator. Her heart was steady, but there was a sharpness in her gaze, a tension that only those who truly understood the game could recognize. Yu Cheng was unpredictable, a man who played by his own rules, and it was exactly that unpredictability that made him so dangerous.

The elevator doors slid open, and she stepped inside, the familiar chime echoing as she pressed the button for the top floor. She could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on her as the elevator ascended. What did Yu Cheng want now? And more importantly, what was the real purpose of this meeting? She didn’t believe for a second that it was just about her position in the company.

The elevator doors opened, and Bianca stepped into the lobby. The receptionist was absent, the space eerily quiet, and Bianca felt a chill run down her spine. The lobby was deserted, save for a few of the employees bustling around the hallways. Normally, the top floors were bustling with activity, the sound of phones ringing and conversations echoing through the halls. Today, however, it felt unusually silent.

She walked down the corridor toward Yu Cheng’s office, her heels clicking loudly in the quiet, a sharp contrast to the usual hum of business. The closer she got, the more she felt the weight of the silence pressing against her chest. There was something off about this meeting, something that didn’t sit right with her instincts.

As she reached Yu Cheng’s office, the door was already slightly ajar. She pushed it open slowly, stepping inside to find Yu Cheng standing by the window, just as he had been earlier. His back was turned to her, and he didn’t acknowledge her entrance right away. The room was dimly lit, the shadows cast by the evening sun creating a mood of mystery, of danger.

“Ms. Lin,” he said finally, his voice low and controlled. He didn’t turn to face her, but his tone held an edge. “I trust you’re not wasting my time today.”

Bianca met his words with a smile, one that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I never waste anyone’s time, Mr. Cheng,” she replied smoothly, her voice steady, despite the pulse of unease in her chest. “You requested this meeting. I assume it’s important.”

He turned around slowly, his gaze locking onto hers with an intensity that made her stomach tighten. “It is important,” he said, his voice a sharp contrast to the soft murmur of the city below. “I’ve been keeping an eye on your progress, Ms. Lin, and while I’m impressed with your ability to navigate the corporate waters here, I have to ask: Are you truly committed to Tang Industries? Or is this just another game for you?”

Bianca froze, her breath catching for a moment. The question was loaded, the implication clear. Yu Cheng wasn’t just testing her loyalty—he was questioning her resolve. And that was dangerous territory. If he had any inkling that she wasn’t fully committed, it could be the end of her.

“I’m fully committed to Tang Industries, Mr. Cheng,” she said firmly, forcing the words out with as much conviction as she could muster. She wasn’t sure if she was convincing him or herself, but she couldn’t afford to show any weakness. “I’m here to ensure that the company thrives, just as you are.”

Yu Cheng’s eyes narrowed slightly, studying her every word, every gesture. He wasn’t buying it—she could tell. There was a flicker of doubt in his gaze, an unspoken challenge that he had just thrown her way. The game had just changed, and Bianca realized she would need to step up her strategy if she was going to stay in the game.

“I don’t trust easily, Ms. Lin,” Yu Cheng said, his voice low and almost dangerous. “Trust, in my world, is a rare commodity. And I’m not sure you’ve earned it yet.”

Bianca felt the shift in the room, the temperature seeming to drop as the weight of Yu Cheng’s words settled over her. She knew what she had to do next—show him that she could be more than just a player. She could be an ally. But how? The answer hit her with sudden clarity.

She took a step closer to him, maintaining her composure as her eyes never left his. “Then let me earn your trust, Mr. Cheng,” she said softly, but with an underlying steel in her voice. “Give me the chance, and I’ll prove that I’m not just here to play games. I’m here to build something real.”

Yu Cheng regarded her for a moment, his face unreadable, and for a moment, Bianca thought he might dismiss her. But then, he nodded slowly.

“Very well,” he said, his voice sharp and commanding. “You’ll have your chance, Ms. Lin. But remember—this is not a game. The stakes are real, and one misstep could cost you everything.”

Bianca nodded, her resolve hardening. She had just crossed a line, and there was no turning back now. If she was going to survive this game, she had to be more than just a player. She had to be the one who dictated the rules.

Yu Cheng’s eyes softened for a moment, just a flicker of something almost imperceptible—was it respect? Or perhaps curiosity? It was gone before she could fully register it, but it was enough.

“Now go,” he said, his tone abrupt, as if dismissing her. “There’s work to be done.”

Bianca didn’t hesitate. She turned and walked toward the door, her heart pounding in her chest. This was it. The game had only just begun, and the true challenge was only beginning to unfold. The stakes had never been higher, but neither had her determination.

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End of Chapter 9