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

The bell rang to signal the end of the dance class, and the changing room was filled with the steam of shower gel and the chatter of girls. Chen Nuo changed back into the white shirt and jeans she had worn before, and stood in front of the mirror, tying her half-wet long hair into a neat ponytail with a black hair tie.

The girl in the mirror had a healthy rosy glow on her cheeks from exercising, and her eyes were bright. The light pink scar on her neck was half-hidden by her shirt collar and was not noticeable unless you looked closely.

The youthful body undulates gracefully beneath simple clothing, possessing an unknowing, vibrant, and captivating allure.

Just then, there was a gentle knock on the locker room door. Lin Lan peeked in, her gaze immediately fixed on Chen Nuo, her face bearing a smile that was unusually warm, even somewhat deliberate: "Chen Nuo, you haven't left yet? Perfect timing! Vice Principal Wu and your Director Wang are in the office. They said they'd like to see you and have a chat. Hurry up and get ready to go over there, don't keep the leaders waiting."

Chen Nuo was taken aback.

Vice Principal Wu?

Director Wang?

find her?

She's just an ordinary third-year college student. Even though she had taken leave due to hospitalization and had completed all the necessary procedures, why would two leaders bother to have a chat with her after class?

Moreover, the teacher's eyes and tone revealed an unusual warmth, and even... a hint of ingratiation.

Despite her growing doubts, she remained polite and nodded, "Okay, teacher, I'll go right away."

On her way to the administration building, Chen Nuo considered various possibilities, and a bad feeling gradually emerged in her mind.

The corridor of the administration building was quiet, covered with thick carpets that absorbed the sound of footsteps. The air was filled with the faint smell of tea and old paper, mixed with an invisible solemnity and oppression belonging to the power structure.

The vice principal's office is on the top floor. It is spacious and bright, with a huge mahogany desk behind it and a floor-to-ceiling bookcase filled with finely bound books and trophies.

Vice Principal Wu and Director Wang were sitting on the leather sofa in the reception area. When Chen Nuo entered, the two of them put down their teacups almost simultaneously, revealing the well-practiced, standard, and warm official smiles.

"Chen Nuo is here, please sit down, don't be shy." Vice Principal Wu pointed to the single sofa opposite him, his tone as kind as a neighbor's uncle.

Director Wang quickly got up, filled a glass with warm water from the water dispenser, and personally placed it on the coffee table in front of Chen Nuo, his actions very attentive.

Chen Nuo thanked him, then sat down somewhat awkwardly, placing his hands on his knees and straightening his back.

She noticed that Vice Principal Wu's gaze was scrutinizing her, not like a teacher examining a student, but more like he was assessing a gift or a stepping stone to be given away, with a meticulous weighing and a condescending scrutiny.

Director Wang's gaze was more direct, lingering for a moment on her young and beautiful face and figure. Although he quickly looked away, the meaning behind that moment made Chen Nuo feel slightly uncomfortable.

"Chen Nuo, how is your recovery going? I heard you were a little frightened before, and the school and department are very concerned about you." Vice Principal Wu began by speaking with impeccable concern, his fingers gently stroking the smooth rim of the purple clay teacup.

"Thank you for your concern, Principal Wu and Director Wang. I'm much better now and it doesn't affect my studies," Chen Nuo replied cautiously, trying to make her voice sound calm and obedient.

"That's good, that's good. Young man, you recover quickly." Vice Principal Wu nodded, his tone shifting seemingly casually, yet with a precise guiding influence.

"I heard you're currently working on a film project? Is it about social issues? You have ideas and guts. Our film academy needs to cultivate creative talents with keen social insight and artistic courage."

Director Wang immediately chimed in, his tone exaggeratedly praising, "Absolutely! Chen Nuo has always been one of the top students in the department, her professional abilities are beyond question, and this project topic further demonstrates her depth of thought and sense of social responsibility. Principal Wu, our school must give such a promising talent strong support!"

Chen Nuo's heart skipped a beat.

Their knowledge of her project was so detailed that it went far beyond what ordinary concern could achieve.

She maintained a humble smile: "Principal and Director, you flatter me. It's still in the very early stages, and many of our ideas are not yet mature."

"Oh, no need to be so modest." Vice Principal Wu waved his hand, leaning forward slightly. His eyes behind his glasses gleamed with shrewdness, the kind of eyes that those who had long been in officialdom were adept at seizing opportunities and exploiting weaknesses.

"Having ideas is a good thing, but turning those ideas into reality requires more than just personal talent and enthusiasm. Project initiation, approvals, funding, filming permits, distribution channels... none of these steps are easy. While the school is willing to support us, resources are ultimately limited. Some aspects, such as understanding higher-level policy trends and connecting with a wider range of contacts, may require... additional, stronger assistance."

His words were subtle, but the meaning couldn't be clearer: you can't handle it on your own, and the school can't help much either; you need the powerful figure behind you to step in.

Director Wang then spoke in a tone that was both sincere and subtly pressuring: "Chen Nuo, you're a smart kid. To succeed in this industry, especially if you want to achieve something significant, talent alone isn't enough; you also need influential people to mentor you. I've heard that you know some... influential leaders in various ministries?"

He paused deliberately, observing Chen Nuo's reaction. "Sometimes, these kinds of relationships, if used well, can be twice as effective for personal development. On the contrary... they might lead to many detours, or even... the project might fail."

Following the lure of profit comes a subtle threat.

Chen Nuo felt a chill rise from the soles of his feet.

They not only wanted to make connections, but also implied that if she didn't cooperate, her project might encounter unexpected difficulties at the school level.

Her hands, resting on her knees, tightened slightly. She tried to maintain a calm expression, even revealing a perfectly measured hint of confusion and embarrassment: "Director Wang, what you're saying... I don't quite understand. I did run into some trouble before, and an elder kindly helped me out, but that was just... a favor out of old friendship. As a junior, I really don't dare, and don't have the authority, to ask for more, let alone act as a go-between... That would be too impolite."

She tried to blur and casualize the relationship again, positioning herself as an immature junior who dared not trouble others.

Vice Principal Wu smiled, a smile that deepened yet became even more enigmatic.

He picked up his teacup, took a slow sip, and then said, "Chen Nuo, you're too cautious, and you underestimate yourself." His gaze swept meaningfully over Chen Nuo's young and beautiful face and her vibrant, youthful body.

"Sometimes, influence isn't necessarily determined by status or age. Youth, beauty, talent, and gratitude... these are all valuable assets. The fact that an elder was willing to help you shows that they appreciate these qualities, doesn't it?"

These words were quite explicit, almost a direct statement to Chen Nuo that her greatest value lay in her youth and beauty, as well as her special relationship with that elder.

They didn't treat her as a talented student, but as a living bargaining chip to exchange for benefits.

Chen Nuo's face turned pale, and his stomach churned.

She felt a sense of disgust and anger at being objectified, but more than that, she felt powerless.

In the face of these cunning and ruthless individuals who are adept at power politics, her student-like defenses and sense of morality are as fragile as a sheet of paper.

"Principal, I..." She opened her mouth, wanting to refute, but found herself at a loss for words.

What could she say?

Is it true that she and Fang Jingxiu were truly in love?

That would only make the other party think she was more naive and ridiculous, and might even become another handle for them to use against Fang Jingxiu.

Look how immature your little lover is.

Vice Principal Wu seemed pleased to see her current embarrassment and wavering, softening his tone as if soothing a frightened animal: "Don't be nervous, Chen Nuo. The school isn't forcing you. We just hope you understand that in this society, especially on the path you want to take, it's very difficult to go it alone. The school is willing to support you, provide you with a platform, allocate resources, and even prioritize your project. We can pave the way for you to stay at the school after graduation, recommend you for further studies, and access industry resources..."

The bait he throws out becomes more and more specific and substantial.

Director Wang added, lowering his voice with an intimate, almost secret-sharing tone: "Principal Wu is right. And you should also think about your elder. In that position, he sometimes needs... eyes and ears from below, people who can help him and are trustworthy. If you help the school, the school will naturally reciprocate and support him in some ways and at some time. That's the long-term solution, a mutually beneficial arrangement."

One of the darkest unspoken rules in officialdom is alliance and patronage. High-ranking officials provide protection and promotion channels, while lower-ranking officials or related stakeholders are responsible for transferring benefits, handling shady dealings, acting as informants, or even acting as fronts.

Vice Principal Wu and Director Wang wanted to use Chen Nuo as a bridge to bind themselves and Fang Jingxiu to this mutually beneficial unspoken rule chain.

If they succeed, they will be able to leverage Fang Jingxiu's influence to acquire more resources and consolidate their position within the school and beyond.

As for Chen Nuo?

In their eyes, it's nothing more than a more attractive connector in this chain of interests.

Today it could be Chen Nuo, tomorrow it could be Li Nuo, Wang Nuo, or Lin Nuo. It doesn't matter who it is. The main thing is that once Fang Jingxiu changes personnel, they will immediately switch to new connectors.

The world is never short of beautiful women. No one stays eighteen forever, but there will always be women who are eighteen.

A woman can be both indifferent and indifferent in the face of power and profit.

Chen Nuo felt a chill run down his spine.

She looked at the two seemingly respectable leaders in front of her. They smiled and spoke earnestly, but every word they uttered reeked of corruption and collusion between power and money.

She seemed to see a huge, dark vortex opening its entrance toward her.

She knew she couldn't agree to it; she absolutely couldn't drag Fang Jingxiu into such a sordid deal.

But she also knew that she couldn't refuse outright, as that would immediately offend them and make it difficult for her to get along in school and in her future social circle.

She lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes concealing the struggle and disgust within them.

When she raised her head again, her face showed an even greater unease and timidity, and her voice trembled slightly: "Principal, Director, I understand what you mean... but I'm really... scared. That elder, he... he hates it when people use his name to do things, and he hates it when people drag him into unnecessary trouble. He was already very unhappy when he helped me last time, and he warned me... if I say those things again, he's probably... won't talk to me anymore."

She timely reddened her eyes, perfectly portraying a timid and fearful young girl afraid of losing her support. She attributed her refusal to the strictness of her elders and her own fears—the least provocative excuse she could think of.

Sure enough, Vice Principal Wu and Director Wang exchanged a glance, their brows furrowing slightly. They couldn't figure out the true character of the elder Chen Nuo had mentioned. If he was the kind of person who was particularly principled and averse to nepotism, forcing him rashly might backfire and sever the connection they had worked so hard to establish.

A brief silence fell over the office, broken only by the sound of Vice Principal Wu's fingers lightly tapping the armrest of the sofa.

A glint flashed in Wu Qiming's eyes; he clearly sensed the easing and caution in her words. For him, that was enough.

Once that connection is established and the first conversation takes place, there's no need to worry about a second or third attempt. Relationships are built up gradually.

"Good, good, good!" Wu Qiming smiled with satisfaction, leaned back in his chair, and resumed his kind and gentle demeanor as an elder. "Young Chen is sensible and knows what's important. The school will not treat you unfairly. Today was just a casual chat to get to know each other. If you have any difficulties in your studies or life in the future, feel free to come to Director Liu, or you can come directly to me."

He added meaningfully, "By the way, the preliminary rounds for this year's Academy Cup are about to begin. Your documentary proposal about urban villages is very socially significant; I think it's worth pushing it. Prepare well. You can go back now."

This is a clear promise of benefits.

She stood up as if granted a pardon, bowed, and said, "Thank you, Principal. Thank you, Director. I'll head back now."

Stepping out of that oppressive office and closing the door, the air in the hallway seemed a bit fresher.

Chen Nuo leaned against the cold wall and took a few deep breaths to suppress the nausea and lingering fear in his heart.

Her palms were covered in cold sweat.

For the first time, she truly experienced the darkest and coldest side of officialdom.

There is no right or wrong there, only the exchange of interests;

They lack real talent and ability, and are only interested in siding with others and offering sacrifices.

Youth, beauty, talent, and even emotions can all be put on a price tag and become bargaining chips.

Because she was standing next to Fang Jingxiu, she had been involuntarily placed on this bloody gambling table.

She seemed to have escaped unscathed in the previous exchange, but she knew she was being watched.

Vice Principal Wu's final words, "There's plenty of time in the future," hung over her head like a cold curse.

She glanced down at her phone; Fang Jingxiu had sent another message: "Arrived at the school gate."

The office door closed gently, shutting out the young girl's slightly thin but upright figure.

The kind and amiable smile on Wu Qiming's face vanished instantly. He leaned back in his large leather chair, picked up the purple clay cup on the table, and slowly sipped the slightly cooled tea.

The director immediately stepped forward and quickly cleaned up the teacup that Chen Nuo had used. His face still showed traces of the previous enthusiasm, but his eyes had already calmed down.

"Look at this girl..." Wu Qiming put down his cup, his fingers unconsciously stroking the smooth cup wall, his eyes looking out the window at the lush green campus, his tone revealing little emotion.

The director placed the teacup on the tray, straightened up, and a knowing smile, a mixture of shrewdness and a hint of disdain, appeared on his face: "What else can we say? Young, beautiful, certainly clean, and there's still a hint of something unpolished in her eyes. She's a bit different from the others we've seen before." He paused, lowering his voice...

"However, no matter how special she is, isn't she just a female student with no connections? What hasn't Director Fang seen? She's just looking for something new."

Wu Qiming let out a soft snort, neither confirming nor denying. He was well aware of Fang Jingxiu's influence, otherwise he wouldn't have taken it so seriously after receiving a vague hint of appropriate care from a higher-up, and even personally come down to chat for a few minutes.

Fang Jingxiu is young and holds a high position, and the Fang family behind him is very powerful and influential. Being able to get in touch with him would mean immeasurable potential resources for both the school and himself.

It's like a rich mine that suddenly appears before your eyes; who wouldn't want to be the first to swing a pickaxe?