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

Secretary Qin gently tapped on the observation window and silently made a gesture.

Fang Jingxiu took one last deep look at the person on the bed, then turned and walked out of the ward.

When he took off his protective suit, his movements returned to their usual briskness, as if the stagnation of the previous few minutes had never existed.

Vice President Zhou and the director were still waiting outside. When they saw him come out, they bowed slightly.

"Thank you for your hard work." Fang Jingxiu said to them, his voice still hoarse, but it had regained its usual calm and distant tone. "Please be sure to use the best solution, no matter the cost."

"Director Fang, rest assured, this is our duty," Vice President Zhou replied solemnly. They understood the weight of that phrase, "regardless of the cost."

Fang Jingxiu said no more and walked straight to the relatively quiet rest area at the other end of the corridor.

Secretary Qin followed closely behind.

Secretary Qin closed the door to the rest area behind him, separating it from the outside world. The room contained only a simple sofa and coffee table, and large windows offering a view of the meticulously manicured but largely unappreciated holly bushes in the hospital courtyard.

"Director," Secretary Qin said in a very low voice, making sure only the two of them could hear.

"The people have arrived. In Yongzhou, Zhao Zhiqiang 'voluntarily' went to explain the situation to the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection, but several of his subordinates, as well as those directly involved in the Li family case from back then and this attack, have all been taken to their designated places. The person leading the team is Director Ma from the Third Office of the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection, whose father... used to be General Fang's bodyguard."

Secretary Qin's report was concise, yet packed with information.

The phrases "proactively explain the situation" and "please go where you need to go" reveal the underlying truth that a storm has already arrived.

From the time Chen Nuo was attacked until now, less than 24 hours have passed. Fang Jingxiu's net has been rapidly tightened, precisely bypassing any possible local protection agencies and mobilizing higher-level and absolutely reliable forces.

Director Ma's father was a former subordinate of Fang Zhenguo, a relationship that ensured the bias of the investigation and the controllability of the results.

This is not an ordinary disciplinary investigation; it is a thunderous purge, starting with the knife wound on Chen Nuo's neck and targeting the deeply entrenched dark network in Yongzhou.

Fang Jingxiu stood by the window, his back to Secretary Qin, gazing at the gray sky outside.

He was silent for a moment, a silence so heavy that it seemed to freeze the air.

Secretary Qin held his breath and waited.

"Hmm." Finally, Fang Jingxiu responded with a single syllable.

He didn't turn around; his voice, coming through his broad shoulders, was hoarser and deeper than before, as if he were forcibly suppressing something about to burst forth.

"Tell Director Ma to act strictly and swiftly, according to the law and regulations. I want more than just results," he paused, each word like an icicle striking the ground.

"We also need confessions. Everyone involved must be accountable. Especially... who ordered it, why they were silenced, every link in that chain must be clearly identified."

"Yes," Secretary Qin replied solemnly.

He understood the meaning of the word "confession".

This is not just about pursuing legal responsibility, but also about completely exposing the dark secrets of Yongzhou, digging out the deepest roots, paving the way for a potentially larger-scale rectification in the future, and also about giving the person in the ward an absolute and thorough explanation. It's not just about punishing the murderer, but also about eliminating the soil that nurtured the murderer.

Fang Jingxiu raised his hand and pinched the bridge of his nose hard. This subtle movement revealed a hint of fatigue, but when he lowered his hand, the lines of his profile remained as hard as iron.

"What's going on with the Liu family?" He suddenly changed the subject, his tone devoid of emotion, "?

"Ms. Liu Sihua called your office twice this morning, and I declined both times as you instructed, citing that the director was in an important meeting. Her tone was not very pleasant."

Secretary Qin carefully chose her words, "In addition, Brother Zhenguo called an hour ago to inquire about Miss Chen's condition. I truthfully reported that she was out of danger. He said to ask you to handle your current affairs well and be mindful of your actions."

"Be mindful of your words." Fang Jingxiu repeated these four words very softly, and the corner of his mouth seemed to twitch slightly. It wasn't a smile, but more like a cold self-mockery.

He understood the deeper meaning in his father's words.

The pressure from the Liu family, the considerations of his clan, and the sensitivity of his position, when placed on the same scale as the pale and fragile life in the ward at this moment, are perhaps self-evident to many.

However, the father did not explicitly object, but only reminded him to be mindful of the boundaries, which in itself was a subtle attitude in the family power struggle.

"I understand." That was all he said in the end.

Secretary Qin said no more and quietly stepped aside, like a shadow.

Fang Jingxiu remained standing by the window, but his gaze seemed unfocused.

The crisp shoulder line of the executive jacket made him look like he was made of iron, but only he knew that his heart felt like it was being gripped by a pale, cold hand, and every beat brought a dull pain.

Anger, lingering fear, overwhelming killing intent, and unfathomable heartache surged and clashed within him, yet he suppressed them firmly beneath his calm and reserved exterior with an iron will.

Keeping one's emotions hidden is a survival rule, but also a shackle for those in power.

He cannot afford to make any mistakes, not even a single step.

Chen Nuo needs the best medical care, the malignant tumor in Yongzhou needs to be completely removed, the ever-watchful Liu family needs to be dealt with with the utmost caution, and his own position and future plans need to remain as solid as a rock amidst these turbulent waves.

All emotions can ultimately be transformed into more precise and ruthless actions.

He raised his wrist and glanced at the time.

Then, turning to Secretary Qin, his voice had completely regained the clarity and composure of his working state, only the hoarseness remained like a brand, lingering and indelible:

"Arrange a car to take us back to the ministry. The afternoon's executive meeting will proceed as scheduled. Also, in my name, send a brief explanation to Director Li of the Film Bureau and Director Wang of the Youth Creative Support Program. Chen Nuo is temporarily unable to advance the project due to a sudden injury or illness. Please understand. I will personally coordinate related matters after she recovers."

"Yes, Director."

Fang Jingxiu glanced one last time in the direction of the intensive care unit, his eyes unfathomable.

Then, he turned around, strode towards the other end of the corridor. The hem of his executive jacket swept through the air with each step, his back straight and resolute, as if the brief gaze and slight tremor from just moments before had never occurred.

He simply let all the turbulent waves sink to the bottom of his deep eyes, transforming them into a more determined and dangerous journey ahead.

The thorn rose lay on the hospital bed, while her protector stood before the chopping board, silently sharpening the blade.