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

5:40 PM, Jingjing Hall.

The elegance of this private room lies not in its luxury, but in its layout.

The round rosewood table symbolizes completeness and core, while the main seat is backed by a landscape screen, signifying having a strong support system.

The seating arrangement had been repeatedly confirmed by the secretary and the hotel manager, leaving no room for error. The hotel was now almost full, and amidst the swirling smoke, the hushed conversations were typical of official circles, the literal meanings perfectly clear, yet the underlying implications were palpable.

These people wield real power within the cultural system, including project approvals, personnel mobility, policy interpretation, and even the judgment of prevailing trends.

Their early arrival was not only to give Fang Jingxiu face, but also to take this opportunity to exchange information and resources.

The fact that Director Fang suddenly wanted to send his cousin into the system, and directly to the most difficult censorship department, is itself a piece of information worth pondering.

When the waiter pushed open the door to the private room and Fang Jingxiu walked in first, the conversation immediately quieted down, and almost everyone stood up, wearing warm yet measured smiles.

"Director Fang!"

"Director Fang, you've arrived!"

The greetings conveyed obvious respect, and even a hint of barely perceptible tension.

Fang Jingxiu is not only a young director with real power in the National Development and Reform Commission, but also has the Fang family, a powerful and influential family, standing behind him.

Although those present were all powerful figures within the cultural system, in terms of influence and future potential, they were still clearly inferior to Fang Jingxiu. This difference, at tonight's dinner, manifested as an invisible class divide.

Unlike usual, Fang Jingxiu did not simply nod reservedly in response, but went straight to the head seat or the reserved seat of honor.

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, a smile appearing on his face that was slightly more approachable than in official settings, but still carried a sense of distance.

Then, he made a seemingly ordinary gesture, but one that was quite meaningful in this context…

He took out a dark blue hard box without any markings from the inside pocket of his suit, opened it, and inside were neatly arranged special-supply cigarettes.

He took two steps forward, walked to Deputy Director Li of the Cadre Bureau who was closest to the door, took out a cigarette, and handed it to him with both hands.

Cigarettes build bridges, liquor paves roads, and wealth brings disaster—this is the law.

"Director Li, have a smoke first."

Deputy Director Li was visibly taken aback, then accepted the gift with both hands, flattered, and repeatedly said, "Oh, Director Fang, how can I accept this..."

Fang Jingxiu didn't say much, then walked over to Director Liu of the Cultural Bureau office next door and handed him a cigarette as well.

Next was Director Zhao from the Film and Television Department… He walked around half of the round table, personally offering a cigarette to each of the male leaders present. His movements were unhurried, and his face showed no particular expression, as if it were just a casual gesture.

But everyone knew that this was by no means a casual gesture.

Given Fang Jingxiu's status and position, in this situation, he would normally only need to sit there, and someone would naturally offer him cigarettes and light them.

Personally handing out cigarettes, especially these special-supply cigarettes without any official markings, is an extremely subtle yet substantial gesture of respect and courtesy, a proactive act of lowering one's stance to show closeness and respect.

This gesture wasn't directed at them, but at the person he was going to introduce tonight, Chen Nuo.

He used the weight of his own identity to create a gentler, more accepting atmosphere for her entry.

He was telling everyone: Tonight, I have a request of you all, so I will first offer my respects to you.

After handing out the cigarettes, he walked to the head seat, but instead of sitting down immediately, he stepped aside to let Chen Nuo, who was half a step behind him, pass.

He personally pulled out a chair for her, his voice gentle yet clear as he said, "Xiao Nuo, sit here."

Chen Nuo sat down and said "Thank you, brother" calmly and naturally.

Fang Jingxiu then walked to the other end of the round table, but not to the empty seat of honor. Instead, he sat next to Deputy Director Zhang Yuanchao, a seat near the window that was convenient for smoking but not the absolute seat of honor.

He sat down, and immediately a waiter quietly poured him a glass of Moutai.

Fang Jingxiu picked up his wine glass, but instead of just symbolically touching it to his lips as usual, he looked around and said, "Director Zhang, esteemed leaders. Today, I brought Xiao Nuo here to learn from you seniors and leaders. She may be young and might cause some trouble or offend you if she's not good with words. I hope you will be understanding and take good care of her in the future. This first glass is for you all."

After saying that, he tilted his head back and downed nearly an ounce of baijiu in one gulp.

The wine glass was emptied and then turned upside down.

The movements were fluid and without any hesitation.

Everyone quickly followed suit, their surprise growing.

Director Fang is... genuinely offering a toast, and he's doing so in a very humble manner.

What followed was a barrage of toasts.

Although the main character is Chen Nuo, the rule is to first pay respects to the introducer and the leaders present.

Every leader found a suitable reason to toast Fang Jingxiu, expressing gratitude for his support, congratulating him on his promotion, and looking forward to future collaborations…

Fang Jingxiu accepted all toasts, and each time they clinked glasses, he would say a few polite words before drinking it all in one gulp.

He drank steadily, unhurriedly, his Adam's apple bobbing. When he put down his glass, his expression remained unchanged, only a faint mist, tinged with alcohol, gradually gathered deep in his eyes.

He was measuring the sincerity of tonight's promotional event with each glass of real wine, and in this way, he was also sharing the potential pressure of scrutiny with Chen Nuo.

The more he drank, the more humble he became, and the less critical and scrutinizing others were of Chen Nuo. This was a more sophisticated form of protecting one's own in the power arena.

It's not about using power to oppress people, but about lowering oneself and paying a price to gain space.

Chen Nuo sat next to the host, watching him being toasted one glass after another, and watching him remain calm and composed throughout, her heart clenching with anxiety.

She knew his stomach wasn't good, and he was usually very restrained when socializing. His drinking tonight was entirely because of her.

After a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere relaxed considerably under the influence of alcohol, but the hierarchy of power remained clear.

He was telling everyone, "I've brought the person; she has to walk her own path; but this place belongs to Fang Jingxiu, and the rules must be followed."

Fang Jingxiu unbuttoned his suit jacket and loosened his tie, but his posture remained upright.

He reached for his cigarette case on the table, took out a cigarette, and Zhang Yuanchao immediately handed him a light. He lit it, took a deep drag, and slowly exhaled the smoke.

Amidst the swirling smoke, the lines of his handsome profile appeared somewhat blurred, his eyes half-closed, as if he were using the smoke to suppress the surging effects of alcohol.

The light cast a small shadow on his straight nose, his jawline was taut, and his Adam's apple swayed up and down with each swallow. It was a mature man's sexiness, tinged with a hint of weariness and powerful self-control.

Even in this semi-relaxed state, the noble air and sense of control that he had long held in high positions did not dissipate. On the contrary, the restraint he displayed under the influence of alcohol made him appear even more profound and unpredictable.

His not sitting next to her is a profound art in official banquets.

Sitting next to someone is both a form of protection and a constraint.

Protecting her from direct impact also restricts her opportunities to respond independently and demonstrate her abilities. It also restricts others. With the leaders present, who would dare to truly test and examine this paratrooper?

If all the conversations turn into superficial flattery and rambling, then the meal loses its most important function: to verify its quality and establish rules.

Fang Jingxiu brought her to this examination hall, gave her the exam questions, and also gave her the space to answer them independently. Her good performance was a testament to her own ability.

If she doesn't answer well... he will polish her answer, but he will never write it for her.

Sure enough, as soon as Director Fang moved, the air pressure on the main seat subtly changed.

Director Zhou adjusted her glasses. She had a tough style and couldn't stand people who relied on connections to get by. In particular, she had some doubts and displeasure about Fang Jingxiu putting his mistress in the most core and demanding investigation department under her.

Now that Fang Jingxiu has adopted a hands-off approach, she feels she can say something.

"Comrade Chen Nuo," Director Zhou began, her voice not loud but carrying an inherent authority, "welcome to the Policy and Regulations Department. I've seen your film; the subject matter is sensitive, and it was boldly made. However," she changed the subject, her gaze sharp,

"Working in the censorship department is completely different from making a film. You're the goalkeeper, not the striker. It requires an extremely high level of political awareness, a thorough understanding of policy provisions, the composure to say no when facing pressure from all sides, and the art of artful communication. You might have to review dozens of hours of rough cut footage a day; a single subtitle, a single shot, a single line of dialogue can trigger a chain reaction. This job is tedious, stressful, easy to offend people, and offers slow promotions. Many talented young people can't endure it, nor can they learn it. Are you sure you can do it?"

These words were blunt and pointed directly to the core contradictions, highlighting the difficulties and potential risks of this position.

It is both a test and a warning: Don't think that you can live comfortably here just because Fang Jingxiu is backing you up. This place values ​​real skills and tough guys.

The table fell silent. Even Zhang Yuanchao, who was flicking his cigarette ash in the smoking area, paused, glancing over in their direction. Everyone was waiting to see how Chen Nuo would respond.

Chen Nuo put down the warm water cup he had been holding, maintaining his posture as he met Director Zhou's gaze. He spoke calmly and unhurriedly, "Director Zhou, thank you for your reminder. I understand the special nature and importance of censorship. Having worked in filmmaking, I know better where creators might unknowingly cross the line, and I understand the immense effort poured into a work from conception to completion. Entering the censorship role means a shift from a creator's mindset to a gatekeeper's mindset; it's about learning to evaluate artistic works using more standardized and systematic criteria. This certainly requires immense patience and rigor, but I believe this experience will be an indispensable and valuable asset for my future growth, whether I continue creating or pursue a management career. I am willing to immerse myself in the work, learn from scratch, and master the skills as quickly as possible to become competent in my role."

She did not refute or defend herself, but rather frankly acknowledged the differences and transformed her identity as a creator from a potential disadvantage into an advantage in understanding the laws of creation, while also expressing her determination to learn and her long-term vision.

The answer was sincere, pragmatic, and carried an unwavering determination.

As Fang Jingxiu listened, the corners of his mouth curved almost imperceptibly, before being obscured by the smoke.

He flicked his cigarette ash, leaned back slightly, and continued his observation and command in a more relaxed yet still dignified posture.

Vivian Chow stared at her for two seconds, her serious expression softening slightly, and nodded: "It's good that you have this understanding. The review department doesn't tolerate idlers, nor does it bury talent. If you encounter any problems at work in the future, you can come to me at any time, or consult the senior colleagues in the department."

This statement represents a preliminary acceptance, while also leaving room for further observation.

Wang Hai, the section chief of the Cadre Bureau, interjected at the opportune moment, his smile amiable, but his words carrying a sharp edge: "Comrade Chen Nuo's awareness is truly commendable. Director Fang has excellent judgment. However, there are rules within the system. Take it one step at a time, do things diligently and practically, and the organization will see it. Young people, be careful not to be impatient for quick success, and also be careful not to... become arrogant because of favor."

He spoke the last four words softly, but they carried great weight.

This was a reminder to her to be mindful of her position and to properly balance her special status as Director Fang's cousin with her duties as an ordinary staff member, so as not to attract unnecessary jealousy and criticism.

"Director Wang's reminder is certainly true. I will keep it in mind: be humble in your personal life, but ambitious in your work." Chen Nuo replied modestly, while cleverly using the phrase "ambitious in your work" to express his desire to achieve results.

After a round of verbal sparring, Chen Nuo managed to regain his composure. Next up was the wine.

Toasting is an essential part of any dinner party, and it's also a litmus test for emotional intelligence, drinking capacity, and even the closeness of the relationship behind the toast. The order of toasting, the words spoken, and how much to drink all have their own rules.

First, I would like to express my respect to Fang Jingxiu and thank him for the introduction; this is the proper etiquette. Chen Nuo picked up his teacup, walked to the smoking area, and said respectfully, "Brother Xiu, I'd like to offer you this tea instead of wine. Thank you for your guidance and help all this time."

Fang Jingxiu raised his glass, lightly clinked it against hers, and said only two words: "Do a good job."

It is concise yet full of concern and expectations.

He took a sip, and Chen Nuo finished the tea in his cup.

Then came the toasts to the leaders. Starting with Deputy Director Zhang, proceeding in order of seating, Chen Nuo bowed slightly each time, addressing them accurately and offering concise and appropriate toasts: "Director Zhang, I toast you. Please guide me in the future."

"Director Zhou, I respect you and I will definitely strive to learn from you."

"Director Wang, thank you for your guidance just now. I respect you."

……

She only took a small sip of tea each time, but her attitude was sincere and her manners were impeccable.

No one actually urged her to drink. Firstly, she had a valid reason, and secondly, Fang Jingxiu was sitting there, and no one wanted to provoke him. But by offering toasts, she reaffirmed her position and attitude with everyone.

In the latter half of the dinner, the conversation gradually opened up, from recent developments in the film and television industry to the censorship of certain sensitive topics, and then to the policy guidance for the cultural industry.

Chen Nuo mostly listened quietly, only occasionally offering some insights based on his own experience when Director Zhou or Deputy Director Zhang asked about specific details of filmmaking or the current state of the industry. His words were substantial but did not overstep any boundaries.

Her professionalism and understanding of the industry made some of the people present put aside their initial disdain.

Fang Jingxiu spent most of his time in the smoking area listening to Zhang Yuanchao and Wang Hai discuss the latest directives from higher authorities regarding the cultural field, occasionally interjecting a few words, but only touching on the point briefly.

His gaze would occasionally sweep over Chen Nuo, watching her respond, watching her learn, watching her gradually integrate into this new environment.

His eyes held scrutiny, assessment, and a deep-seated focus and expectation, like a sculptor examining his work.

Referrals can be given, platforms can provide them, and even initial protection can be given, but true acceptance, respect, and future development opportunities must be earned and proven by the person being referred.

Fang Jingxiu used a meal to give Chen Nuo a vivid first lesson on joining the company. Here, relationships are the ticket, but ability is the seat. And a sense of propriety and learning ability determine how long you can sit in this seat and how high you can sit.

As the dinner party drew to a close, Chen Nuo's performance had already earned him initial approval.

Fang Jingxiu stubbed out what he didn't know was how many cigarettes he had smoked, picked up his teacup, and took a sip of strong tea to calm his churning alcohol cravings.

He stood up, still steady, but the bloodshot eyes and slightly hoarse voice betrayed the strain on his body.

He raised his glass one last time, this time pouring only a small half-full glass, and faced Zhou Huimin, Zhang Yuanchao, and the others: "Director Zhou, Director Zhang, everyone, Xiao Nuo is young, and in the future, she will need your guidance and instruction in her work. I entrust her to you all. This glass is for you all; everything is understood without words."

After saying that, he drank it all in one gulp again.

That was an extremely polite remark, perhaps even a bit harsh.

The word "entrust" encapsulates all his humility and heavy drinking tonight, all for a single, clear purpose.

Everyone quickly raised their glasses and expressed their reassurance to Director Fang, saying they would definitely take care of things.