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

The light from the crystal chandelier in the top-floor private room was soft.

When Chen Nuo followed Fang Jingxiu in, there were already five or six people sitting inside.

At the head of the table sat an elderly man with gray hair, flanked by two middle-aged men dressed casually but exuding an air of refinement.

Chen Nuo recognized them at a glance: Liu Qingsong and Zheng Xuan, representatives of the fifth generation of Chinese directors.

There were also a few people who looked like investors, dressed in suits and wearing expensive watches on their wrists.

"Director Fang is here!" An investor stood up to greet him, his gaze lingering on Chen Nuo for a moment. "And this is...?"

"Chen Nuo, from the Directing Department of the Film Academy." Fang Jingxiu said succinctly, pulling out a chair for her to sit down, and then sitting down next to her.

The relationship wasn't explained, but that natural, protective posture said a lot.

Liu Qingsong pushed up his glasses and said with a smile, "It's rare for Director Fang to bring a female companion, so Chen must have something special about her."

Zheng Xuan also cast a gentle glance at her: "From the Film Academy? Which professor did you study under?"

"Professor Zhang Hua," Chen Nuo replied politely, "You're a junior, working on your graduation project next year."

"Zhang Hua, huh? I'm an old acquaintance." Zheng Xuan nodded. "His students are all quite good."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the waiter began serving the dishes.

The conversation quickly turned to business.

Academician Wang, the chief scientist of the new energy project, spoke first: "Director Fang, the pilot-scale data for the phase change material is out, and its thermal stability is 15% better than expected."

"Laboratory data or field data?" Fang Jingxiu asked, twirling his teacup.

"In practice, we conducted three months of testing at a wind farm in Zhangjiakou, with temperatures ranging from -30°C to 50°C, and the material performance remained stable."

Fang Jingxiu nodded and looked at Liu Qingsong: "Director Liu, you understand the technical aspects. What should the promotional video emphasize? What are your thoughts?"

Liu Qingsong put down his chopsticks, his expression turning serious: "I've looked at the technical data, and it's very impressive. But the average viewer won't understand the data. We need a hook. A story that people can remember."

"for example?"

"For example..." Liu Qingsong thought for a moment, "We could film a father and son. The father is a veteran worker in a traditional thermal power plant, and the son is a new energy engineer. The conflict of ideas between the two generations, the iteration of technology, and the changes of the times."

Zheng Xuan added, "There must be an emotional storyline. Technology is cold, but human stories are warm."

Several investors began discussing budgets and rates of return.

The topics are becoming increasingly specialized, involving funding arrangements, policy risks, and market prospects.

Chen Nuo listened quietly, her fingers gently clasped together on her knees.

She understood some of it, but mostly the terminology and data were incomprehensible. She didn't show it, however; she just listened attentively, occasionally jotting down keywords in her mind.

Fang Jingxiu didn't talk much, but every time he spoke, he hit the nail on the head.

"The policy risks are manageable, and the ministry has already given its explicit support."

"The funds will be invested in three phases, with performance indicators for each phase."

"Market promotion should be done in cooperation with the local power grid; we cannot go it alone."

As he spoke, the black pen in his hand unconsciously wrote something on the napkin.

It's a collection of abbreviations and numbers, like some kind of formula being derived.

Chen Nuo glanced at it secretly, unable to understand it, but felt that the pen twirling between his slender fingers had a unique charm.

That's a habitual action of the controller.

As the dishes were served one by one, Chen Nuo glanced at the steamed grouper when it was turned to face him.

She likes to eat fish, but she's afraid of being impolite by picking out bones at the dinner table, so she rarely eats it.

The turntable continued to spin, and the fish drifted away from her.

Two minutes later, Fang Jingxiu suddenly raised his hand and gently turned the turntable. The steamed fish was back in front of Chen Nuo.

He used serving chopsticks to pick up a piece of the tenderest fish belly meat, carefully removed a few large bones, and then naturally placed it in Chen Nuo's bowl.

"Eat," he said casually, as if he were doing something completely ordinary.

There was a moment of silence on the table.

Everyone's gaze subtly shifted.

Chen Nuo's cheeks flushed, and she thanked him softly.

She picked up her chopsticks and ate the fish in small bites.

The meat is delicious, and the bones have been removed.

Fang Jingxiu continued the previous topic as if nothing had happened.

But Chen Nuo knew what this action meant.

At a dinner party of this caliber, every detail is a signal.

When he served her food and removed the bones in public, he was telling everyone: I will take care of this person.

It's not the ambiguous care of lovers, but more like the care of an elder for a younger person.

But it is precisely because of this sense of elder that it carries more weight.

This indicates a more stable and longer-lasting relationship.

The conversation gradually shifted from technical discussions to the details of shooting the promotional video.

Fang Jingxiu suddenly spoke up: "Chen Nuo will be doing her graduation project next year. If either of you directors has a suitable project, you could mentor her."

These words were spoken very naturally, but Liu Qingsong and Zheng Xuan both understood them.

Zheng Xuan was the first to react: "What kind of topics is Chen interested in?"

Chen Nuo put down his chopsticks and answered seriously, "Realistic themes. I think movies should reflect the times, and national strategies like new energy are the best themes for our times."

"Well said." Liu Qingsong nodded. "It's rare to see this kind of awareness among young people. I have a documentary project in the second half of the year about energy transition, and I need an assistant. If Chen is interested, he can join the team."

Chen Nuo's heart was pounding, but he remained calm: "Thank you, Director Liu. I will definitely study hard."

"No need to thank me." Liu Qingsong smiled and looked at Fang Jingxiu. "You should thank Director Fang for giving you this opportunity."

Fang Jingxiu didn't respond to that, but simply said, "She has a good foundation and is willing to learn. You should give her more guidance."

These words sound simple, but they carry immense weight.

It's like entrusting Chen Nuo to these two great directors.

In the ensuing conversation, Liu Qingsong and Zheng Xuan would intentionally or unintentionally steer the topic toward Chen Nuo, asking her questions about film theory, her opinion on a certain award-winning film, and her views on the Chinese film market.

Chen Nuo answered cautiously, but her thinking was clear. She didn't talk nonsense or flaunt theories; she simply combined her own observations and thoughts to give a practical answer.

"What Chinese films lack is not technology, but good stories," she said. "Too many films compromise for the sake of viewership, losing their power to express themselves. I think directors should have a sense of mission. It's not just about entertaining the audience, but also about recording the times and raising questions."

Zheng Xuan's eyes revealed appreciation: "Zhang Hua taught well. Nowadays, young people all want to make commercial films to make quick money; there are fewer people with that kind of thinking."

"That's why we need a senior to guide us," Fang Jingxiu said, picking up his teacup. "Chen Nuo is still young and needs to learn more."

He raised his glass, and everyone else followed suit.

Tea was used instead of wine, but this cup carried a certain ritualistic meaning.