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

In early March, a subtle atmosphere permeated the National Development and Reform Commission building in Jingjing.

Nine o'clock in the morning, in the large conference room on the third floor.

All members of the committee's leadership team, directors and deputy directors of various departments were present, forming a dense crowd of nearly a hundred people.

This is the most important personnel adjustment meeting at the beginning of the year.

Fang Jingxiu sat in the third row, his dark gray executive jacket was perfectly ironed, and his white shirt collar was crisp.

He had a notebook open in front of him, twirling a pen in his hand, his expression calm and composed, but those sitting around him subconsciously held their breath.

That's what aura is.

No need to speak or move, just sitting there can create a sense of pressure.

On the platform, the committee director began his speech: "...Based on work needs, and after organizational research, it has been decided..."

After a lengthy introduction, we finally got to the point.

"Comrade Fang Jingxiu is appointed as Director-General of the Industrial Development Department, and relieved of his post as Deputy Director-General of the New Energy Department..."

The report was very standard, but everyone in the meeting room knew it was just going through the motions.

The decision to promote Fang Jingxiu to director had already been made three months ago.

Today's meeting is about procedural justice, giving everyone an explanation, and also a final opportunity to express our stance.

As he finished speaking, polite applause rang out in the conference room. But Fang Jingxiu could feel the gazes falling on him—some congratulating, some envious, some jealous, and some scrutinizing.

A 30-year-old director.

In the National Development and Reform Commission, a ministerial-level unit, what does it mean to be in this position at this age? Everyone present knows.

Fang Jingxiu stood up and bowed slightly: "Thank you for the organization's training and trust, and thank you for the leaders' recognition. If the appointment is approved, I will certainly perform my duties diligently and live up to the trust placed in me."

He spoke in a proper and respectful manner, but his attitude was upright, neither arrogant nor impatient, and he did not forget his roots.

Deputy Director Wang nodded: "Okay. Let's proceed with the vote according to procedure."

The vote was just a formality; it passed unanimously.

The meeting ended at 10:00 AM.

Fang Jingxiu walked out of the conference room with the crowd, his face expressionless, but his eyes were sharper than usual.

"Director Fang, congratulations." The former director of the Energy Department patted him on the shoulder, his smile showing both satisfaction and emotion. "From now on, the New Energy Department will be in your hands."

"Don't worry, Chief Director." Fang Jingxiu bowed slightly. "I still need your guidance."

This shows respect for seniors and also leaves room for maneuver. Although the former director has retired, he still has connections, and we can't afford to offend him.

Back in his office, Secretary Qin was already waiting. Upon seeing Fang Jingxiu enter, he immediately stood up, holding a red folder and a key.

"Sir," Secretary Qin's voice was filled with barely suppressed excitement, "the approval has come through. This is the appointment document, and this is the key to the director's office."

Fang Jingxiu accepted it.

The folder was light, but heavy. He opened it, and the first page was an official document with an official header: "Notification Regarding Comrade Fang Jingxiu's Appointment."

A bright red official seal was affixed to the bottom.

He looked at it for a few seconds, closed the folder, and placed it on the table. Then he picked up the key, a somewhat old brass key with the label 301 on it.

"Is room 301 ready?" he asked.

"It's all cleaned up." Secretary Qin nodded. "As per your request, we didn't touch the old director's things, we just did a cleaning."

"Okay." Fang Jingxiu put the keys in his pocket. "I'll move in this afternoon."

"Yes." Secretary Qin paused, then added, "Also... Political Commissar Fang just called."

Fang Jingxiu paused, "What did you say?"

"They asked if the approval had been issued yet. I said the meeting had just ended, it should be soon."

Fang Jingxiu nodded and waved his hand: "You go ahead and get busy."

Secretary Qin left the office and gently closed the door behind her.

Fang Jingxiu walked to the window and looked at the traffic flowing down Anning Street. The winter sun shone through the glass, casting warm dappled light on his shoulders.

The phone rang.

He is the father.

Fang Jingxiu answered the phone: "Dad."

"Has the approval been issued?" Fang Zhenguo's voice came through the receiver, steady and powerful.

"Just came down."

"Okay." Fang Zhenguo paused. "Since you've just taken office, you have to proceed slowly and deliberately. Don't rush, don't be rash. There are many people watching the position of director."

"I know," Fang Jingxiu said.

Fang Zhenguo was silent for a few seconds, then changed the subject: "What do you plan to do about the Liu family?"

coming.

Fang Jingxiu tightened his grip on the phone: "There's no rush."

"Not in a hurry?" Fang Zhenguo's tone became more serious. "Jingxiu, don't think I don't know you're keeping a student on the side."

Fang Jingxiu remained silent.

He knew that rebuttal was the least effective way to refute; since his father had spoken, it meant he had accurate information.

"I'm not saying you absolutely have to marry into the Liu family," Fang Zhenguo continued, "but the Liu family is involved in politics. Putting aside their power, at the very least, their conduct and background have been investigated and are clean. Your woman... has she been investigated?"

"There's no way she could have a problem," Fang Jingxiu said, his voice steady.

"Right now, you're protecting her, so of course there's no problem." Fang Zhenguo's voice deepened. "But what about the future? Can you protect her for a while, or for a lifetime? What will happen to her if one day you can't protect her anymore? What will you do then?"

Fang Jingxiu closed his eyes.

The sunlight outside the window was warm, but his heart was ice-cold.

"Dad," he finally said, "I know what I'm doing."

"I hope you really do." Fang Zhenguo sighed and hung up the phone.

Fang Jingxiu held his phone and stood there for a long time.

Then he walked to his desk, opened a drawer, took out a cigarette case, and lit one.

Smoke rose in the sunlight, blurring his face.

We need to speed things up.

Chen Nuo's progress needs to be accelerated.

He couldn't let her live forever in the shadow of potential problems. He wanted to make her strong enough that no one could question her innocence.

My phone vibrated again.

This time it's Chen Nuo.

She sent me a photo of the ruins in Yongzhou's urban village, which looked particularly desolate under the setting sun.

The caption read: "Brother Xiu, I've seen the truth. It's cruel, but it's real."

Fang Jingxiu looked at the photo, his gaze softening.

He typed: "When are you coming back?"

"Tomorrow, I'd like to speak with a few more victims' families."

"be safe."

"I know. How's it going on your end? Did the meeting go smoothly?"

Fang Jingxiu hesitated for a moment, then typed: "The approval has been granted. I am now Director Fang."

She replied almost instantly: "Congratulations to my boyfriend!!! [Sprinkling flowers]"

A string of happy emojis followed.

Fang Jingxiu looked at those expressions and smiled.

The gloom in my heart has dissipated somewhat.

He typed: "Waiting for you to come back, let's celebrate."

"Okay! I want a big meal!"

"Okay, you can eat whatever you want."

After chatting for a few more minutes, Chen Nuo said he needed to continue his visits and logged off.

Fang Jingxiu put down his phone, stubbed out his cigarette, and picked up the appointment document again.

The red cover gleamed in the sunlight.

Director.

He had waited many years for this position.

But when you actually sit in that position, you realize that the higher you are, the heavier the responsibility and the more constraints you face.

He has to be responsible not only for himself, but also for those behind him.

Take responsibility for Chen Nuo.

Fang Jingxiu opened the drawer and took out a document he had prepared beforehand, titled "Suggestions on Further Promoting the Support Program for Young Directors".

This is the next step he is preparing for Chen Nuo.

If we want to accelerate, we need a plan.

Traffic continued as usual on Anning Street.

And his path, and Chen Nuo's path, have just entered a new stage.

The road ahead is long, but at least they are together.

This is enough.