Green Tea Empress: Every World Needs Me

Chapter 10: Tangled Webs

Bianca Lin sat at her desk in her office, the soft hum of the city below a constant reminder of the corporate jungle she had to navigate. After her tense meeting with Yu Cheng, she had learned a crucial lesson: trust was not something easily given, and in this world, loyalty was a commodity that was bought and sold. If she was going to survive—and thrive—she had to be more than just a skilled manipulator. She needed to be indispensable.

Her fingers lightly tapped the surface of her desk, as her mind raced through possibilities. She had to prove herself to Yu Cheng, not just as a capable executive, but as someone who could elevate Tang Industries to greater heights. She had already begun to make her mark in small ways, but now it was time to take things up a notch. She couldn’t afford to wait for opportunities to come to her; she had to create them.

The faint ping of an incoming message broke her concentration. She glanced at her phone and saw it was from her assistant, Laura, who had been tasked with keeping track of the day-to-day operations.

From: Laura

Subject: Meeting with Yu Cheng

Ms. Lin,

Yu Cheng has requested your presence in a strategy meeting for the new project. It’s scheduled for 2:30 PM today. Please be prepared.

Bianca raised an eyebrow. A strategy meeting? This was a rare occurrence. Yu Cheng, a man who ran his empire with cold precision, rarely made time for anything that wasn’t crucial. This could be her chance. She had to be ready.

She stood up from her desk, her heels clicking against the polished marble floor as she moved to the wardrobe. She had learned early on that her appearance was as much a part of her weaponry as her charm or intellect. Yu Cheng had made it clear that he had high expectations, and she couldn’t afford to let him see any sign of weakness. A tailored suit, sleek and understated, was just the thing to convey both power and sophistication. She chose a deep emerald-green blazer and black trousers, pairing it with a delicate necklace that gave her a polished yet approachable look.

Her reflection in the mirror was impeccable. She felt the rush of confidence flood her veins as she applied a final touch of lip gloss. She was ready for whatever Yu Cheng would throw at her.

The elevator ride to the top floor felt like an eternity, but Bianca kept her posture straight, her face a mask of calm composure. She had to focus. The moment she walked into that meeting room, she couldn’t show even the slightest trace of uncertainty. She had to command the room.

The doors to the elevator opened with a soft chime, and Bianca stepped out into the sleek, quiet lobby. The receptionist, still at her post, gave her a polite nod as Bianca walked past, offering nothing but a polite, cool smile in return. She wasn’t here for pleasantries.

She approached the glass doors leading into Yu Cheng’s office and hesitated for just a moment before pushing them open. Inside, the room was already set up for the meeting. Yu Cheng stood by the window, his usual stance—strong, confident, and utterly unmoving—his silhouette framed by the sweeping view of the city beyond.

“Ms. Lin,” he said without turning around. His voice was low, his tone as crisp as ever. “On time. I appreciate that.”

Bianca smiled and stepped closer, her gaze sharp as she assessed the room. The atmosphere was charged. She could feel the tension thick in the air. It was as if the walls themselves were watching her, waiting for her to make the first move.

“I don’t believe in wasting time,” she replied, her voice smooth, yet purposeful. “Especially when it comes to important matters.”

Yu Cheng finally turned to face her. His eyes, dark and unreadable, seemed to pierce right through her, but she held his gaze without flinching. His intense scrutiny was something she had learned to handle with grace.

“Good,” he said simply, gesturing toward the table where several other executives were already seated. “Take a seat. We have much to discuss.”

Bianca moved toward the table, taking the seat opposite Yu Cheng, a spot that allowed her to remain at the center of the conversation. The room was filled with the other senior executives, all sharp-eyed professionals with years of experience under their belts. She didn’t expect them to make it easy for her. They would be as much a challenge as Yu Cheng himself, but Bianca had always thrived under pressure.

The conversation began immediately, Yu Cheng leading the discussion as he outlined the goals for the upcoming project—an ambitious venture that would see Tang Industries enter the rapidly growing field of artificial intelligence. It was a risky move, one that could either solidify the company’s dominance in the tech world or bankrupt them entirely.

Bianca listened intently, her mind already working through the possibilities. She didn’t just want to be part of this project—she wanted to lead it. The company’s entry into AI would be the perfect platform for her to showcase her value to Yu Cheng and the other executives. She could see the way they all looked at her, assessing her every word and reaction. To them, she was a newcomer. A wildcard. But they would soon learn that underestimating her would be their biggest mistake.

As the meeting wore on, she took every opportunity to inject her ideas into the conversation, offering strategic insights that highlighted her understanding of the market and her ability to think several steps ahead. She noticed Yu Cheng’s gaze on her every time she spoke, his expression unreadable, but she could see a flicker of approval in his eyes when her suggestions aligned with the vision he had for the company.

The meeting lasted for over two hours, but by the time they wrapped up, Bianca felt like she had left her mark. The other executives may have been more experienced, but they were too entrenched in the old ways of doing things. Bianca was the future, and she wasn’t about to let anyone forget it.

As the meeting adjourned, Yu Cheng gave a final nod, signaling the end of the session. The other executives filed out of the room, but Bianca remained seated, her eyes never leaving Yu Cheng. He stood by the window, his back to her as he stared out over the city. The silence between them was thick, but it was a silence that spoke volumes.

“You’ve done well,” Yu Cheng finally said, his voice soft yet weighted with meaning. “I’m impressed with your ideas, Ms. Lin. But that doesn’t mean you’ve earned my trust. Not yet.”

Bianca’s heart skipped a beat, but her expression remained unchanged. “Trust is earned, Mr. Cheng,” she replied, her voice low and measured. “And I intend to earn it.”

Yu Cheng turned to face her, his gaze intense and piercing. For a moment, she thought he might say something more, but instead, he simply nodded.

“Then you’ll have your chance,” he said, his tone hardening. “But be warned, Ms. Lin. In this world, trust is the most dangerous thing you can possess. And once you have it, you’re vulnerable.”

Bianca’s mind raced as she considered his words. Was he testing her, or was this a veiled warning? Either way, she had no intention of backing down. If trust was the key to success in this world, then she would build it—and break it—on her own terms.

As the door closed behind her, Bianca stepped back into the elevator, her pulse steady once more. The meeting had been a success, but she knew that this was just the beginning. The corporate world was a game of chess, and every move she made had to be calculated. She had made her first move, but now it was time to plan her next one.

Yu Cheng had given her an opportunity, but Bianca knew that in his world, opportunities were fleeting, and the price for failure was steep. She would have to play her cards carefully, with precision and cunning. If she wanted to secure her place at the top, she would have to outmaneuver not only her rivals but also the man who held the keys to the kingdom.

As the elevator doors slid open, Bianca stepped into the corridor, her eyes sharp with determination. This was her world now, and she would shape it to her will. The game had only just begun.

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End of Chapter 10