Green Tea Empress: Every World Needs Me

Chapter 3: The First Move

The next few days blurred together in a whirlwind of meetings, strategy sessions, and behind-the-scenes maneuvering. Bianca Lin quickly learned that Yu Cheng’s world was far more complex than she could have imagined, and though she’d always prided herself on being a master of manipulation, she hadn’t quite anticipated the depths of control he wielded.

Her initial meeting with him had been a calculated success—she had planted the seeds of doubt, made him question her motivations, and kept him intrigued. But it was one thing to win a battle; it was another to win the war. And she had no illusions about the stakes. To manipulate someone like Yu Cheng, she needed more than charm; she needed leverage. And in this world, leverage wasn’t something you could easily acquire. It was something you earned, through subtlety, timing, and a well-timed show of strength.

The corporate offices of Tang Industries were a maze of glass-walled meeting rooms and sleek, high-tech conference halls. The very air felt charged with a subtle, unspoken tension—every employee knew their place, their role in the grand chessboard that was Tang Industries. And Bianca, as the newest player on the field, had to prove her worth quickly, or risk being discarded like so many before her.

But Bianca wasn’t like everyone else. She had worked too long and too hard to be underestimated now. And she wasn’t about to let Yu Cheng—or anyone—forget who she was.

Her first step was to ingratiate herself with the right people. Yu Cheng might have been the puppet master, pulling the strings from behind the scenes, but every empire had its underlings, those who could be swayed, influenced, or even corrupted. And Bianca, with her innate ability to read people, knew exactly how to find those who were vulnerable to her touch.

Her target was Li Mei, the head of the company’s legal department. Li Mei was smart, meticulous, and unyielding in her loyalty to Tang Industries—but Bianca could see the cracks in her armor. Li Mei had a history, one that Bianca had already dug up. She had a younger brother who had recently fallen into serious financial trouble, and while Li Mei had managed to keep her personal life out of the company’s eyes, the pressure of that secret was slowly starting to eat away at her.

One evening, Bianca found herself standing in the hallway just outside Li Mei’s office, watching the woman as she signed off on documents. It wasn’t difficult to figure out where her weakness lay—it was just a matter of how to exploit it. She knew that Li Mei valued loyalty above all else, and Bianca would make sure that loyalty was tested.

With a soft knock, Bianca entered the office, her presence as commanding as it was graceful. Li Mei looked up in surprise, then quickly masked her surprise with a polite smile.

"Ms. Lin," Li Mei greeted her, setting down her pen. "Is there something I can assist you with?"

Bianca’s smile was warm, but there was a certain chill behind it, a controlled intensity that only Li Mei would pick up on. "Actually, I was hoping we could talk," Bianca said, her voice smooth, almost coaxing. "I’ve heard a lot about you, and I think there’s a lot we could accomplish together."

Li Mei raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued but also cautious. "I’m not sure what you mean, Ms. Lin."

"I’ve been watching the way you handle things here at Tang Industries," Bianca continued, moving closer. "You’re meticulous. Efficient. I admire that. But I also know that the higher up you go, the more pressure you face. Everyone has their breaking point, Li Mei. Everyone has a secret. And I think I know yours."

The words hung in the air between them, heavy with unspoken threat. Li Mei’s face stiffened, but she didn’t react immediately. Instead, she placed her hands on the desk, leaning slightly forward.

"Are you threatening me, Ms. Lin?" she asked, her voice steady but with an edge of caution.

Bianca’s smile deepened, but it wasn’t a smile of warmth—it was a smile that promised danger. "Not at all. I’m simply stating facts. The truth has a funny way of coming out when you least expect it. Especially in a place like this, where everyone’s secrets are just one wrong move away from being exposed."

Li Mei’s eyes narrowed, but there was no sign of panic. She was a seasoned professional, after all. "What do you want, Ms. Lin?"

Bianca leaned in, her voice dropping to a near-whisper. "I want you to help me. I want your loyalty. But loyalty works both ways. You help me, and I’ll make sure your secret stays exactly that—your secret."

There was a long pause as Li Mei processed Bianca’s words. Finally, she spoke, her voice calm but laced with a certain hardness. "What exactly is it that you want, Bianca?"

Bianca straightened, standing tall and composed. "Yu Cheng is a man who doesn’t tolerate weakness. But even he has enemies. People who want to see him fall. What if I told you I could help you get close enough to him to influence his decisions? To put him in a position where he might need your help more than you need his?"

Li Mei’s gaze flicked momentarily to the papers on her desk, as if considering the proposal. Then, she locked eyes with Bianca, her expression unreadable. "And what would you want in return?"

"Just your loyalty," Bianca said, her voice soft but firm. "And your cooperation in making sure the right people are in the right places at the right time."

There was a long silence before Li Mei spoke again. "You’re playing a dangerous game, Ms. Lin. But I can see you’ve already made your move. What exactly do you expect me to do?"

Bianca’s smile returned, this time softer, almost sympathetic. "All I’m asking for is a little faith. Help me, and I’ll make sure Tang Industries remains in the right hands—your hands, if that’s what you want. And in return, we both get what we need. It’s a simple exchange, Li Mei."

Li Mei leaned back in her chair, considering the offer with a mixture of wariness and curiosity. Bianca could see the wheels turning behind her eyes. It wasn’t a deal Li Mei could easily walk away from, not if she valued her career and her secret. She knew it was only a matter of time before Li Mei folded—people always did, given the right push.

Finally, Li Mei nodded, her decision made. "Fine. But don’t mistake my cooperation for weakness. I’m doing this for my own reasons, not because I trust you."

Bianca’s smile widened, though it was laced with the knowledge that this was just the beginning. "Trust is overrated. Results are what matter."

As she turned to leave, her phone buzzed with a message from System 777.

You’ve made your first move. But beware: Yu Cheng won’t sit idly by. He’s already noticed your presence.

Bianca’s smile didn’t falter as she read the message. She knew this wouldn’t be easy—nothing worth having ever was. But she also knew one thing: Yu Cheng might have the empire, but she had something even more dangerous—control. And once she had that, she could topple anyone, even him.

The game was just beginning, and Bianca Lin had every intention of winning.

Bianca’s footsteps echoed softly as she exited Li Mei’s office, the conversation already etched into her memory. The legal head’s reluctant cooperation was the first piece of her puzzle. But now, it was time to deal with the most important piece—Yu Cheng himself.

She knew he wasn’t a man easily manipulated, but she also knew that everyone, no matter how cold or calculating, had their vulnerabilities. She just had to find his. Bianca’s mind raced with possibilities. He had built his empire through ruthless logic and precision, never allowing emotions to cloud his judgment. Yet, there were whispers in the hallways, rumors that even someone like him could be swayed—if the right buttons were pushed.

She glanced at her phone again, reading the message from System 777 with a faint smile. Yu Cheng already knows you’re here. He’s not blind to your presence, Bianca. Be careful—he’s a master of counter-moves.

She was no fool. Bianca had already anticipated that Yu Cheng wouldn’t simply sit back and watch her play her game. He would be watching her closely, waiting for any misstep. But Bianca wasn’t worried. She was always two steps ahead.

Her phone vibrated once more. It was another message—this time from Yu Cheng himself.

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Ms. Lin, I trust your meeting with Li Mei was productive. I’ll be expecting you in my office at 4 PM today. We have matters to discuss.

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She couldn’t suppress the thrill that shot through her chest. Yu Cheng was calling her in for another meeting—this time, face-to-face. He was testing her, she realized. Watching her every move.

Bianca took a deep breath, her expression carefully neutral as she glanced at her reflection in the glass windows of the elevator. Her hair was perfectly styled, her outfit impeccably tailored. It was time to make her next move, and she wasn’t about to let Yu Cheng think for one second that he had control of the situation.

It was her turn now.

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End of Chapter 3