Guide to Rising to Power as a Wife in Beijing's Elite Circle

On the evening of the 14th of the lunar year, on the 17th floor of the Broadcasting Building.

Director Liu Zheng's team finished a day of filming, and Chen Nuo was tidying up her script.

Liu Zheng walked over and lit a cigarette: "Chen Nuo, it's the Lantern Festival tomorrow, so you don't need to come."

Chen Nuo looked up: "Okay, Director Liu."

"Go back and think carefully about your graduation project." Liu Zheng flicked his cigarette ash. "Your first film is not only about graduation, but also about your future film career. Think carefully about the subject matter, think deeply about it, and think it through thoroughly."

He spoke very seriously; he was genuinely trying to teach her.

Chen Nuo nodded: "Thank you, Director Liu. I will think about it carefully."

In the past two weeks, her situation in the group has improved significantly.

Without the initial scrutiny and rejection, people began to truly accept her because she was indeed hardworking, dedicated, and... had no connections.

People who are beautiful and articulate but lack connections are actually easier to get along with in this circle. Because you pose no threat, are pleasing to the eye, and can help with tasks, you are naturally liked.

Liu Zheng's attitude towards her also softened.

From the initial test to the current sincere guidance, he could see that this girl genuinely wanted to learn and was capable of learning.

"Regarding the subject matter," Liu Zheng rarely spoke up, "for your first film, either make an art film to compete for awards, or make a mainstream film for safety. If you want to make a big splash after your comeback, you can consider the latter."

This is a well-intentioned reminder.

Chen Nuo thanked him again: "I understand, Director Liu."

On the way home, Chen Nuo was absent-minded.

Sitting in the passenger seat, she rested her chin on her hand, watching the street scenes rushing past the window, her mind filled with Liu Zheng's words.

"What's wrong?" Fang Jingxiu glanced at her as he drove. "You look dazed and confused."

"Brother Xiu," Chen Nuo turned his head, "Director Liu asked me to go back and come up with ideas for a movie, but I have no inspiration."

Fang Jingxiu looked ahead: "The first film must be about the country or about a group of disabled people."

Chen Nuo was taken aback: "Is it related to the state or disabled people?"

"Yes," Fang Jingxiu said. "Many actors make their debut in art films or patriotic films, which are more likely to win awards. The same goes for directors. Filming these kinds of subjects has a high success rate and is also safe."

He put it bluntly: in this circle, safety is more important than art.

Chen Nuo remained silent.

She pondered Fang Jingxiu's words repeatedly, and then remembered Liu Zheng's reminder.

What are you filming?

To expose the dark side?

But what dark side could she possibly know?

She is just an ordinary person.

Even if people have heard about it, they think it's fiction, because in the eyes of ordinary people, those things are as absurd as a comedy.

The car drove into the underground parking garage of the residential complex.

Chen Nuo was still in a daze until Fang Jingxiu parked the car and unbuckled his seatbelt: "We're here."

"Oh..." Chen Nuo also unbuckled his seatbelt and got out of the car.

The two walked upstairs hand in hand.

In the elevator, Chen Nuo suddenly had a flash of inspiration!

I'm just an ordinary person, so I don't know, but my boyfriend is different!

Fang Jingxiu took off his shoes and went straight to the kitchen to pour water without wearing slippers.

"Boyfriend!" She snatched the water glass from his hand. "Let the younger one do this!"

Fang Jingxiu was startled by her, then raised an eyebrow: "You've practically drained your boyfriend's kidneys, and you're still trying to win him over?"

Chen Nuo's face darkened: "What are you talking about, Fang Jingxiu? I'm not in heat! I just want to ask you something!"

She snuggled into his arms, put on a fawning expression, and handed him the water glass: "My dear boyfriend, have some water."

Fang Jingxiu patted her shoulder, took the water glass under her bright gaze, and took a sip: "Okay, what is it?"

"Um..." Chen Nuo's eyes sparkled, "Could you tell me something... explosive news? I want to use it as material for a film."

Fang Jingxiu replied without hesitation, "No."

"Why!"

"If you make a movie about high-ranking officials, won't it bombard the entire society?" Fang Jingxiu looked at her. "At that time, not only will your film career be ruined, but I won't be able to stay as a director anymore. I might as well become a toilet manager."

He said it very seriously.

Chen Nuo grew anxious: "I don't want official news! I'll take anything from society! It's just... those suppressed news stories, do you have any?"

Fang Jingxiu fell silent.

Looking into her expectant eyes, he quickly weighed the options in his mind.

—Those suppressed news stories, those unresolved cases, those victims who will never see a resolution…

"Chen Nuo," he began, his voice somewhat deep, "there are some things... knowing them isn't necessarily a good thing."

"I know," Chen Nuo nodded, "but I just want to make it. I want to make real, powerful films."

Looking at her serious expression, Fang Jingxiu suddenly remembered when he first started working.

At that time, he was just like her, full of ideals, wanting to serve the people and change the world.

He passed the National Development and Reform Commission's exam, ranking first in both the written and oral tests, and thought he was ready to make a name for himself.

and after?

Only after spending too much time in officialdom and experiencing setbacks do people realize the cruelty of reality.

You either become like them, or you remain neutral, neither gossiping, participating, nor expressing your opinion.

Otherwise, they will be ostracized and marginalized.

So what if you're capable?

So what if you get first place in the exam?

In Jingjing, those who can get into the system are all top talents in their own small county.

You think you're gold, but Jingjing is full of gold.

You think you're incredibly capable, but you're just one of the 100,000 heavenly soldiers—ordinary, unremarkable, and unable to change anything.

Youthful spirit is a non-renewable quality, just like when Li Bai was 19, he would say, "The roc rises with the wind in a single day, soaring straight up ninety thousand miles."

But when society eroded his youthful spirit, he wrote, "The great roc soars, shaking the eight corners of the earth; but when it falls in the middle of the sky, its strength fails."

"Brother Xiu?" Chen Nuo called him softly.

Fang Jingxiu snapped out of his reverie and looked at her. Her eyes were bright and clear, just like his when he was young.

"There's one," he finally said, "but it hasn't fully come to light yet; it's already been suppressed."

Chen Nuo's eyes lit up: "What?"

Fang Jingxiu walked to the sofa, sat down, turned on the smoke purifier, and lit a cigarette.

Chen Nuo quickly followed and sat down next to him.

"Yongzhou," Fang Jingxiu exhaled a puff of smoke. "It happened last year. A village redevelopment project in the city, the developer forcibly demolished the houses, and someone died. The family petitioned, but they were stopped. The media reported on it, but it was quickly suppressed. Now... nobody mentions it anymore."

He spoke simply, but Chen Nuo sensed the heaviness in his voice.

"How many people died?" she asked.

"Three," Fang Jingxiu said. "One was an elderly person, and two were young people. The elderly person died of illness, supposedly due to the anger caused by the forced demolition. The two young people... died in a car accident while trying to protect their rights."

"A car accident?" Chen Nuo frowned. "A real car accident?"

Fang Jingxiu glanced at her but didn't say anything.

But Chen Nuo understood; it wasn't a real car accident.

"Why suppress it?" she asked.

"Because the developer has someone backing him." Fang Jingxiu stubbed out his cigarette. "A local leader in Yongzhou. If this gets out of hand, it won't do him any good."

"So, that's it... just like that, nothing happens?"

"Hmm." Fang Jingxiu nodded. "It's over. The family received compensation, signed an agreement, and stopped making trouble. The media took their money and stopped reporting on it. Ordinary people... will forget about it in a couple of days."

Chen Nuo remained silent.

She looked at Fang Jingxiu, at his calm face, and suddenly realized that this man was carrying a lot of burdens in his heart.

There are many things he knows, but cannot change.

"Brother Xiu," she asked softly, "I want to film this!"

"Chen Nuo," he began, his voice slightly hoarse, "do you know how many people this will offend?"

"I know," Chen Nuo said, "but I'm not afraid."

"I'm scared," Fang Jingxiu said. "I'm afraid something will happen to you."

"You'll protect me, won't you?" Chen Nuo looked at him. "You said you'd pave my way."

Fang Jingxiu closed his eyes.

He suddenly realized that he had the ability to protect her.

So what if she took the photos?

If something goes wrong, he'll take the blame.

Because she's his girlfriend.

This confidence stems from everything he has accumulated over the past twenty-nine years: family background, status, connections, and... power.

When he opened his eyes again, he sighed: "It's okay to film it, but the subject matter can't be too obvious. It can't be based on real events; it has to be adapted, metaphorical, and made so that people can see it but can't find any fault with it."

Chen Nuo's eyes lit up: "You agreed?"

"Can I disagree?"

He knew there were risks, and he knew it could cause trouble.

But he knew even more that Chen Nuo needed this opportunity, this subject matter, and a powerful film.

All he could do was support her, protect her, and let her do what she wanted to do.

Just like something he once wanted to do but didn't manage to.

He paused for a moment, then said, "Many things aren't impossible, it's just a matter of whether you have the ability to cover your losses. I do, so you can."

Chen Nuo was stunned.

For the first time, she directly grasped what Fang Jingxiu's power truly meant.

This means that he can access the darkness that ordinary people cannot, and he can also protect the light that she wants to protect.

"Brother Xiu..." she whispered, "Don't you think I'm... too naive?"

"No." Fang Jingxiu pulled her into his arms. "On the contrary, I'm glad that you still have this innocence, and I'm glad... that I have the ability to protect this innocence."

He looked out at the night sky and said in a low voice, "This industry gets corrupted when too many people come in. It's good that you can keep this attitude. I'll protect you and let you film what you want to film."

She leaned against him, smelling his familiar scent, and a complex mix of emotions welled up inside her—gratitude, reassurance, and also… a heavy sense of responsibility.

"I'll be careful," she said. "I won't cause you any trouble."

"Mm." Fang Jingxiu kissed her forehead. "If you need any information, you can ask me. But remember, you can only ask, you can't leave any evidence."

"I see."

Chen Nuo rushed over and hugged him: "Thank you, boyfriend!"

Fang Jingxiu put his arm around her, resting his chin on the top of her head: "What are you thanking me for? I just... didn't want to disappoint you."

He paused for a moment: "I don't want to disappoint my past self."

Chen Nuo looked up: "My past self?"

"Yes," Fang Jingxiu said, "that hothead back then who was single-mindedly focused on serving the people."

She leaned against him and whispered, "Brother Xiu, you've actually...never changed."

"They've changed," Fang Jingxiu said. "They've become more worldly, more sophisticated, and know how to weigh the pros and cons. But some things... haven't changed at all."

For example, the commitment to justice.

For example, sympathy for the weak.

For example... that feeling deep in one's heart,

The passion that hasn't been completely extinguished.

The two sat on the sofa for a long time. Outside the window, the night deepened, and lights began to come on one by one.

"I'll start editing the first draft tonight!"

Fang Jingxiu looked at her serious expression and suddenly smiled. He lowered his head and planted a kiss on her lips: "Silly."

"You're the idiot," Chen Nuo retorted, but the corners of his mouth were turned up.

"I was really stupid," Fang Jingxiu said. "I knew it was risky, but I still let you do it. But what can I do... you're my girlfriend."

When he said this, his eyes were so tender they could melt your heart.

Take pictures, take pictures!

The sky is falling down

I, Fang Jingxiu, will hold the fort!