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

As the Spring Festival approaches, Jingjing City is like a machine running at full speed.

Chen Nuo had been in Liu Qingsong's film crew for half a month and was gradually getting used to the upside-down rhythm of day and night. Two more people who had connections left the crew, leaving only her and another male student from the Communication University of China to persevere.

Liu Qingsong's attitude towards her has visibly softened. From initially ignoring her, to occasionally offering guidance, he now proactively invites her to review footage and discuss editing ideas.

"How do you think you should cut this chemical reaction process to make it more impactful?" Liu Qingsong asked her one late night, pointing to the monitor.

Chen Nuo stared at the process of the liquid changing from transparent to dark blue in the picture: "We can speed up the first thirty seconds, and then cut to slow motion the moment the color changes, using sound to create contrast. Use rapid electronic sounds for the accelerated part, and silence for the slow motion part, and then suddenly burst out with a drumbeat."

Liu Qingsong was silent for a few seconds, then turned to the editor and said, "Give it a try."

The results were surprisingly good.

As they finished work, Liu Qingsong patted her on the shoulder, a rare occurrence for him: "You have talent. Keep it up."

Chen Nuo nodded, but she knew in her heart how much of this talent was the result of her staying up all night watching movies, repeatedly analyzing them, and studying desperately.

She dared not relax. Because she knew that it all started with Fang Jingxiu.

Fang Jingxiu was busy until takeoff.

The new energy project has entered a critical stage, and there are also the ministry's year-end summary, next year's budget approval, and various unavoidable meetings and social engagements.

Chen Nuo could only see him in the news.

Occasionally, he is a guest at an economic forum, sometimes he is featured in reports on company inspections, but more often his name appears in policy documents.

She didn't dare to bother him too often.

My father once said, "A workaholic like Fang Jingxiu hates two things the most: stupidity and noise. Stupidity is not understanding his world, and noise is disrupting his rhythm. The quiet he needs is not silence, but understanding, knowing when to appear and when to disappear."

Therefore, Chen Nuo would occasionally send WeChat messages, but he always did so with great restraint.

Sharing interesting stories from the set: "Today we filmed the scene of the lab explosion. It was actually made with baking soda and vinegar, but the effect was very realistic."

Take a work photo: "The laboratory building at four in the morning looks like a scene from a science fiction movie."

Or to say something unimportant: "The cafeteria has sweet and sour pork ribs today, but they're not as good as the ones you took me to eat the other day."

She knew Fang Jingxiu wouldn't reply immediately.

He might be in a meeting, approving documents, or socializing. So after sending the message, she put her phone aside and went about her business.

My phone usually doesn't vibrate until three or four in the morning.

"Um."

Or: "Take a rest."

Or, like today, at 2:27 AM: "Liu Qingsong said your storyboard is well written."

They were brief and to the point, but at least they replied to everyone.

Chen Nuo dared not send too many messages, much less suggest meeting. Her father had said that Fang Jingxiu, a workaholic, hated being disturbed.

The initiative must be in his hands.

This is a common problem among men in high positions.

They are used to being in control of everything, including emotions.

"Men are all like that, especially successful ones," Chen Jianguo analyzed over the phone. "What they need is a quiet haven, not yet another situation where they have to deal with things. You have to make him feel that being with you is relaxing, not a burden."

Therefore, Chen Nuo was very restrained.

Even when I miss him, I only post trivial daily updates, never asking where he is, when we'll meet, or if I miss him.

She hid her longing and unease in those seemingly casual sharing sessions.

So she waited.

When he has time, when he wants to see her.

Just like now.