Before turning thirty, women are in the prime of their life and should live it up, party every night, revel in the vigor of youth, live in the biggest house, and drive the wildest car.

But how can a woman persuade a wealthy man to buy a car or a house for her?

One, she must have the capital, meaning good looks and a curvaceous figure.

Second, she needs tactics. For a woman to deal with a man, the thirty-six strategies of "The Art of War" are quite sufficient.

I have a colleague who is a champ in this area, a perfect example.

She used the strategy "create a diversion" from the thirty-six strategies, and at the age of 26, she became the head of my department.

When she was 24, she seduced a handsome naïve 19-year-old boy while she was still young and pretty. Finding it enjoyable, the boy rushed home to influence his father about promoting his girlfriend.

The father was our top leader at that time. Outraged, he demanded to meet this subordinate who had dared to hook up with his son!

Upon meeting, my colleague seduced the boy's father and reached the pinnacle of her life!

I was certainly aghast. Thankfully, she did not know that the boy's mother had passed away early, otherwise her petite little body would have been crushed by the boy's mom.

Now, my colleague is 28, living in a luxurious villa worth 50,000 per square meter, and daily parking her high-end Range Rover under our office building, making not only others but also me green with envy.

After reaching her peak, she would often sit in her office, puffing on a cigar, and flatter me saying that I am brilliant and beautifully unmatched. She suggested that a certain Head's son who just joined our department could use some tutoring, and that by doing so, I might get a chance to know his father. Definitely a catch with my looks and figure.

I thanked her, saying I would wait for a Governor's son.

She laughed, "Keep joking. You're already 25. If you wait any longer, you'll be an old maid. By then, not even the smallest of local leaders would spare you a glance. A woman should seize her chances while she's young and grab all she can."

I have profound respect for a woman who can push boundaries and settle for nothing less.

Ordinary people have their limits, and my limit is not to lay a finger on students. I'm not a good person, but I will pretend to be a good teacher until I'm out of this profession.

Up till now, no one has seen through my facade, including my highly educated parents.

On the surface, I'm best friends with Sister Na, gentle and charming as a virgin, yet inside, I'm green with envy to the point of madness.

She's right, at my age, I just can't compete with girls in their early twenties. Who at twenty would play with a twenty-five-year-old woman!

But as a teacher, where can I find a rich man!

The circle is way too narrow, nothing more than the school, and at most the academic circle. There're many hypocrites in these circles and not much profit. However, the circle is like ripples on the surface of a lake, expanding in circles, always intersecting with another ripple...

Soon, I targeted a man at an academic gathering, a company president worth hundreds of millions. This is a target that could help me afford a luxury car.

Why can't he just buy me a mansion directly?

Let the boss tell you, aiming to be the richest is right, but it is best to set a small attainable goal first, for instance, I first earn a hundred million.

Oh no, a car.

One bite at a time, one step at a time to buy a house, realize a small goal first.

Having set this goal, I thought, such people are high-profile celebrities type, I am merely a common educator, no matter how appealing, I am unlikely to catch his eyes.

So, brain wheels must turn, to devise a strategy.

Three days of burning brain cells, I selected a three-step plan.

These three steps were, lure the gentleman into the jar, cast a brick to attract a jade and loosen the reins to catch.

Translator's note: These Chinese idioms refer to strategic moves, i.e. create a trap and lure the enemy into it, throw out something to gain something better in return, pretend to retreat in order to advance. They are used here metaphorically to describe the protagonist's plans to snag a wealthy partner.

Before executing the plan, two things need to be understood clearly.

First, it is essential to determine your position. This involves distinguishing oneself from those who purely sell their bodies. Such a career is unsustainable in the long run. There are only so many ways to entertain, and trying out novel forms can invite trouble. If people grow bored or something goes wrong, they discard the entertainers like rubbish, without sparing a second look. How to avoid merely selling your body is a topic for later.

Second, one must stick to their principles. Even if you're a courtesan, you must still maintain your reputation.

For me, my reputation is the foundation of my life.

If my reputation tumbles, and I'm hit in the face with it, then it's game over. Ever heard of a dishonored person making a comeback?

So, safeguarding one's face is a delicate task. It is tougher yet more fragile than a membrane, and it's not something you can repair overnight, so be careful not to lose it.

I will keep a low profile for now, and when I've built up my strength, I will challenge others' reputation.

Enough said, let's continue talking about men.

The man I have as my target is the CEO of a corporation, his surname is Cheng. He's an industrialist with pharmaceuticals and infrastructure being his main businesses, his company has a significant influence domestically.

Ladies, when choosing a man, choose someone with real power, someone who owns land, factories, businesses.

Those involved in finance, the white-collar capitalists who gain wealth without physical effort, should only be the backup plan. The money they have isn't as reliable. They might seem intrigued in their suits and leather shoes, but they only make empty promises. There's a chance they might go bankrupt the next day. They are all full of trickery; they might fool you without you even realizing it!

In the past, I would not have had the courage or ambition to associate with a man of Mr. Cheng's caliber. But now, well, who cares about face? What matters is having a car and a house!

I am determined to seize this opportunity.

Before starting the plan, some groundwork is needed, which is very important. Just like foreplay is necessary to reap the eventual rewards.

I spent nearly fifty thousand dollars and managed to get two bottles of 1984 vintage Maotai liquor and two limited edition Huanghelou 1916 cigarettes through a friend. I carefully wrapped them up and brought them to the home of an esteemed professor from the Department of Architecture.

The moment the old professor saw me, his usually lofty and air of importance disappeared and his squinting eyes suddenly lit up, fixated on the generous gift I brought.

I couldn’t help but sigh, thankfully the professor has a discerning eye!

Why am I trying to please him?

He is the only intersection between the academic circle and Mr. Cheng's circle. He is the collaboration expert between the school and Mr. Cheng's company's research and development department. He was invited to the company's 20th-anniversary celebration and has the privilege to sit at Mr. Cheng's table.

But on that day, he won’t be there, I'll be attending in his place as the professor's niece.

So, everyone gets it now, right?

It’s not enough to merely get into the annual meeting, but the identity you use to get in plays a pivotal role in initiating conversations.

With the first step of my plan accomplished, I have secured a ticket close to Mr. Cheng – an entrance ticket to the company's annual meeting, under the name of the old professor's niece.

Are you despising me for spending fifty thousand yuan?

How can you break through without money?

Don't worry... because soon, I will be getting this money back from a "key person."

Of course, I'm not going to ask Mr. Cheng for it. That small amount of money would be an affront to him.

I'm going to get it from Mr. Cheng's youngest mistress!