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

The sky over Jingjing was unusually clear, and sunlight streamed through the large glass windows of the VIP ward at the General Hospital of the Military Region, making the room warm and inviting. A faint smell of disinfectant lingered in the air, but the atmosphere felt more relaxed than usual.

Chen Nuo had already changed out of her blue and white striped hospital gown and was wearing a beige turtleneck cashmere sweater with a light brown long coat over it. Although her face was still a little pale, her eyes were bright and she looked to be in good spirits.

She sat obediently on the sofa beside the hospital bed, tilting her head slightly, listening attentively to the instructions given by Dr. Cheng Zhong, who was sitting in the chair opposite her.

Cheng Zhongnian is nearly sixty years old. His hair is gray but neatly combed. He wears gold-rimmed glasses, a white coat, and a nameplate for chief physician on his chest. His temperament is refined yet exudes the efficiency unique to military doctors.

"...The wound is healing very well, and the scar will be lighter than expected, but since it's on the side of the neck, avoid strenuous exercise for the next three months, especially neck stretching and twisting. Be careful when showering, and try not to get it wet until the scab has completely fallen off. Apply the scar removal cream as needed, and it will heal quickly." Cheng Zhong's voice was gentle and clear, and he spoke at a slow pace to ensure Chen Nuo could understand.

"Continue with a light and nutritious diet, and avoid spicy, stimulating foods and seafood for another month. Come back for regular check-ups, especially to monitor the recovery of nerve function. If you experience any numbness, tingling, or limited mobility, contact me immediately."

Chen Nuo wrote them down one by one and nodded, "Thank you, Uncle Cheng, I've remembered them all."

Cheng Zhong smiled as he looked at her obedient appearance. His gaze swept over the light-colored medical dressing around her neck, which was almost completely covered by her turtleneck sweater, and then looked into her clear eyes, which had lost much of their innocence and gained a more serene look. He nodded to himself.

This girl has become much more composed after this ordeal.

Just then, there was a gentle knock on the door of the ward, and then it was pushed open.

Fang Jingxiu walked in.

He had clearly come directly from the ministry; he was still wearing his crisp dark gray suit, with a matching cashmere overcoat, a light gray scarf draped over his left arm, and a delicate paper bag in his right hand.

Perhaps because he had arrived in a hurry, his meticulously styled hair was slightly disheveled by the wind, and his cold and stern eyes still carried a trace of his busy official duties. But the moment he stepped into the room and his gaze fell on Chen Nuo, that coldness melted away like spring snow and turned into a gentle warmth.

He first bowed slightly to Cheng Zhong, his posture respectful and natural: "Uncle Cheng Zhong, you haven't finished get off work yet. You've worked hard." His voice was the kind of humility a junior would show to a senior.

Cheng Zhong waved his hand and laughed, "I'm waiting for you to come and pick them up. The doctor's orders need to be explained in person, so that you won't neglect them and cause trouble for this old man again." Although he said this, his eyes showed the appreciation of an elder for an outstanding junior.

Fang Jingxiu smiled, draped his coat and scarf over a hanger, placed the paper bag on the bedside table, and then walked over to Chen Nuo. He naturally reached out to check her forehead temperature, then looked down at her complexion carefully, and asked in a low voice, "How are you feeling? Is anything bothering you?"

"No, everything is fine." Chen Nuo looked up at him, her eyes crinkling with dependence and joy.

Cheng Zhong, observing the natural intimacy between the two, cleared his throat and deliberately put on a stern face: "I've returned the person to you perfectly intact." He pointed at Chen Nuo.

"You've suffered a lot this time, and your body is still weak and needs time to recover. You'd better be careful in the future, and don't hurt me again and send me here." This was a double entendre, referring to both the body and something else.

Fang Jingxiu straightened up, a perfectly measured look of confusion and innocence on his face: "Uncle Cheng, how could I not be careful with what you're saying? This was an accident, it will never happen again."

"Hmph, don't play dumb with me." Cheng Zhong pushed up his glasses, his gaze behind the lenses carrying the knowing wisdom of someone with experience and a hint of mockery. "I mean, some things... need to be done in moderation, with caution. Young people being hot-blooded is understandable, but this Comrade Chen is still a key person to protect, especially..."

He paused, his gaze sweeping meaningfully over Chen Nuo's neck and abdomen. "Although the wound on her neck has healed, the deeper tissues still need time to recover and stabilize. She can't withstand too much pressure or strenuous activity. Also, she hasn't fully recovered her energy, so she should avoid things that are mentally and physically exhausting. If it's unavoidable... she must be careful, moving gently and controlling the time, understand?"

That's quite a straightforward statement.

At first, Chen Nuo didn't fully realize what was going on. But when she figured out what it meant to be mentally and physically exhausting and to move slowly, her whole face turned bright red, and even the tips of her ears turned crimson.

She was so ashamed that she wanted to disappear. Instinctively, she shrank into Fang Jingxiu's arms, burying her burning cheeks in the crisp fabric of his suit, her fingers tightly gripping the shirt at his waist.

Fang Jingxiu was taken aback by Cheng Zhong's blunt, almost disrespectful, admonition, and his ears burned slightly. However, being the seasoned Director Fang, he showed no embarrassment whatsoever. Instead, he adopted a look of bewildered amusement and righteous indignation, gently patting the ostrich-like girl's back in his arms as he said to Cheng Zhong, "Uncle Cheng Zhong, what kind of person do you... take me for? Am I the kind of person who doesn't know what's important and only cares about himself?"

Cheng Zhong laughed heartily, pointing at Fang Jingxiu: "Don't try that on me! I know you young people too well. But then again," his smile faded slightly, taking on a more serious expression,

"I've done my duty by reminding her. Xiao Chen is a good girl, so you should treat her well and not take advantage of her age to bully her."

Fang Jingxiu felt the person in his arms stiffen slightly, realizing that his uncle's bullying had a hidden meaning. He shook his head helplessly, "Uncle Cheng Zhong, you've wronged me. In this world, it's hard to say who's bullying whom." He lowered his head, his tone teasing, "I'm afraid some people will be so desperate that they'll ruin my reputation."

"Pfft—" Cheng Zhonggang picked up his teacup and took a sip, then nearly spat it out upon hearing this. Pointing at Fang Jingxiu, he laughed so hard he almost fell over. "You, Fang Jingxiu! Trying to turn the tables on me, huh?"

Chen Nuo, who was buried in Fang Jingxiu's arms, was both ashamed and angry at his words. She didn't care that Cheng Zhong was still there and pinched the soft flesh on his waist hard.

Fang Jingxiu was muscular, so that little bit of force was like a tickle to him, but he still hissed in agreement and whispered in her ear with a chuckle, "Murdering your husband, Director Chen?"

Chen Nuo felt even more embarrassed and increased the pressure on his hands, but a sweet feeling welled up in his heart because of the intimacy and indulgence in his words.

After the laughter subsided, Cheng Zhong said seriously, "Alright, I'll stop teasing you. All the formalities are complete, you can leave now. Remember to take your medication on time, get plenty of rest, and have regular checkups." He stood up and patted Fang Jingxiu on the shoulder.

"Jingxiu, I'll let your father know that Xiao Chen is recovering well and that he can rest assured. However..." He lowered his voice, "you need to be aware of the Liu family's situation and the Bai family's underhanded tactics. Your Uncle Cheng can still speak up in the medical system, but I can't help much in other areas. Be careful in everything."

These words were purely from a close confidant, revealing concern for the son of a family friend and a clear understanding of the complex situation.

Fang Jingxiu's expression turned serious, and he nodded: "I understand, thank you, Uncle Cheng. I'm sorry to have troubled you."

"Go on, go on. I get dizzy just watching you young people being so clingy." Cheng Zhong waved his hand, laughing as he shooed them away.

Fang Jingxiu then gently pulled Chen Nuo out of his arms. He saw that her cheeks were still flushed, her eyes were like water, and she was glaring at him reproachfully. She looked charming and lovely.

His smile deepened as he picked up the coat beside him and carefully helped her put it on, buttoning it up one button at a time. He then took the scarf she handed him and, though his movements were slightly clumsy, he patiently wrapped it around her neck, ensuring it was warm without putting pressure on her wound.

Finally, he put on his coat, picked up the paper bag, and naturally took Chen Nuo's hand with his other hand.

"Uncle Cheng, we'll be taking our leave now. We'll visit you at your residence another day with my father," Fang Jingxiu said politely.

"Go on, go on." Cheng Zhong saw them to the door, watching their backs as they left hand in hand.

The man had an upright posture and a steady gait, exuding an air of refined nobility and the composure of someone in power.

The girl nestled beside him, slightly thinner than before after her brush with death, but her eyes were bright, and her posture was trusting without being subservient. Sunlight streamed in from the window at the end of the corridor, casting a soft golden hue around their silhouettes.

Cheng Zhong nodded slightly, thinking to himself: That old man Fang Zhenguo probably needs to reconsider this girl from a humble family. For his proud and shrewd son to care so much, even at the cost of withstanding pressure from all sides, this girl is probably more than just pretty and sensible.

The elevator descended, and the two of them were alone in the car. The blush on Chen Nuo's face finally faded. She shook their clasped hands and whispered, "What's in the bag?"

"A discharge gift." Fang Jingxiu's lips curled into a slight smile. "I'll look at it when I get home."

The car drove away from the hospital, merging into the afternoon traffic of Jingjing. Chen Nuo looked at the familiar street scene outside the window, feeling as if she had been through another world. She had only been hospitalized for a little over half a month, but it felt like she had experienced a long period of torment and rebirth.

"Should we go straight back to the apartment?" she asked.

"Let's not go back yet," he said, his voice calm and devoid of any particular emotion. "I'll take you somewhere."

"Where are we going?" Chen Nuo turned to look at him curiously. The lines of his profile were particularly clear in the flowing light and shadow outside the window, his chin was slightly tucked in, and there seemed to be a deeper calmness between his brows than usual.

Fang Jingxiu turned his head to meet her questioning gaze, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly.

The smile was faint, but it wasn't as gentle as usual; instead, it carried something indescribable, heavy.

He tightened his grip on her hand, his voice low but each word clear and distinct in her ears:

"Brother Xiu will take you to settle the accounts."