Green Tea Empress: Every World Needs Me

Chapter 4: The Power Play

The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, and Bianca stepped into the pristine marble lobby of the Tang Industries building once again. This time, the air felt different—more charged, as though the very walls were aware of the high-stakes game she was playing. Every movement was calculated, and every word spoken in this building carried weight. She could already feel the eyes of the employees on her, but she didn’t let it faze her. Bianca Lin didn’t fear being watched; she thrived in it.

As she made her way through the lobby, she couldn’t help but notice how pristine everything was—no hint of dust or disorder. The same sleek, modern furniture, the same polished surfaces. It was a constant reminder of the meticulous control that Yu Cheng exercised over every facet of his empire. And it was in this meticulously crafted environment that Bianca would make her mark.

The receptionist nodded as Bianca approached, her eyes narrowing slightly, though her expression remained neutral. “Ms. Lin,” she said in a clipped tone, her voice cool but respectful. “Mr. Cheng is expecting you.”

Bianca offered a slight nod, acknowledging the woman’s presence but not bothering with pleasantries. Instead, she walked past the desk and into the private elevator, which would take her directly to Yu Cheng’s office on the top floor.

The elevator was silent except for the soft hum of the machinery, and for a moment, Bianca allowed herself to relax, closing her eyes and focusing on the task ahead. She was walking into the lion’s den, and she needed to be sharp. Yu Cheng was playing the game just as she was, but what he didn’t realize was that she was the one who held the ultimate power.

The elevator came to a smooth stop, and the doors opened to reveal a sleek, minimalist hallway, the walls lined with dark, polished wood that reflected the soft lighting above. At the far end stood a set of double doors, and behind them, the man she had come to defeat—or perhaps seduce, depending on how things played out.

She paused for a moment before walking toward the doors, a slow, deliberate stride that echoed through the hallway. Her heels clicked against the floor, each step an assertion of her presence. When she reached the doors, she didn’t wait for them to open—she simply grasped the handle and stepped inside.

Yu Cheng was standing by the large window again, gazing out at the sprawling city below. His back was to her, his posture straight and rigid, as if he were some sort of modern-day emperor overseeing his empire. There was an air of command around him, a quiet dominance that made it clear this was his world, and she was merely a player in it.

But Bianca wasn’t just any player. She wasn’t about to let this man intimidate her.

“Mr. Cheng,” she said smoothly, her voice laced with an almost playful note. He didn’t immediately turn around, but his body stiffened, as if he had known she would walk in precisely at that moment.

He slowly turned to face her, his dark eyes assessing her with a cold, calculated look. “Ms. Lin,” he said, his voice low and controlled. “You’re punctual, I see.”

“Wouldn’t dream of being late,” she replied with a sly smile, her tone warm but with a faint edge of sarcasm. She had already realized that this man wasn’t one for flattery, so she would give him none. Instead, she would show him that she was as formidable as he was—perhaps even more so.

He gestured toward the chairs around a sleek glass table in the center of the room. “Please, have a seat. We have much to discuss.”

Bianca took her seat, crossing her legs in a way that accentuated her figure without being overt. She wasn’t here to flaunt her assets—she was here to play the game. Yu Cheng didn’t take his seat immediately, instead walking around the table and placing himself at the head, facing her directly. His eyes were sharp, and there was something almost predatory in the way he looked at her, but Bianca didn’t flinch.

“Let’s get straight to the point,” he said, his gaze never wavering. “You’ve been meeting with my executives, Ms. Lin. What exactly is it you want?”

Bianca tilted her head slightly, her smile never faltering. “What I want is simple, Mr. Cheng. I want to help you. I want to ensure Tang Industries thrives in the future.”

Yu Cheng raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. “And why should I trust you? You’re an outsider—someone who hasn’t proven herself in this company, let alone in this world. I don’t trust people who come in with nothing but promises.”

Her smile never wavered. “Because you’re too smart to turn away someone who can offer you exactly what you need. I know your company is facing pressure from all sides. Rival companies are circling, waiting for a weakness to exploit. And there’s one thing you haven’t considered.”

“Oh?” Yu Cheng’s voice was cold, but there was a flicker of curiosity in his eyes. “And what is that?”

“Your people,” Bianca replied smoothly. “Your executives—your inner circle. They’re loyal, yes, but loyalty can be bought, Mr. Cheng. I can help you secure that loyalty, tighten your grip on power. All you need to do is trust me.”

He leaned forward slightly, his gaze never leaving hers. “Trust you? Why should I? What makes you think you have the power to secure my empire?”

Bianca paused for a moment, her eyes narrowing with an almost predatory gleam. “Because I understand the game better than anyone else in this room, including you. You may have built Tang Industries from the ground up, but the game is changing. And in this new game, you can’t rely on old methods. You need someone who can see the shifts before they happen. Someone who understands people, who knows how to turn loyalty into power.”

There was a long silence as Yu Cheng studied her, his expression unreadable. Then, slowly, he leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. “And what makes you think I need you for that? I’ve done just fine on my own.”

Bianca’s smile widened, a glint of amusement dancing in her eyes. “Because, Mr. Cheng, you’re smart enough to know that even the most brilliant men can’t see everything. You need eyes and ears—someone who knows how to navigate the power structures and who can make the right moves at the right time.”

For the first time since the conversation had begun, there was a flicker of uncertainty in his gaze, though it lasted only for a brief second. He was considering her words, and that, Bianca knew, was the first victory. She wasn’t just an outsider anymore. She had gotten under his skin, and that was exactly what she wanted.

“Fine,” Yu Cheng said, his voice steady once again. “We’ll see if you can deliver. But know this, Ms. Lin: failure is not an option. If you fail, I will destroy you.”

Bianca leaned forward slightly, her smile turning to one of pure confidence. “Don’t worry, Mr. Cheng. Failure is not in my vocabulary.”

The air between them crackled with unspoken tension, the unrelenting challenge of two powerful minds locking horns. The game had only just begun, and Bianca was ready to play it like she always had—perfectly.

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End of Chapter 4