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

The office area of ​​the Young Directors Support Program under the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, 5:30 pm.

The air was filled with the relaxed feeling that comes with the end of a workday, but at one of the workstations by the window, the atmosphere remained focused and attentive.

Chen Nuo has been here for almost five months.

Starting from the eighth day of the Lunar New Year, after Fang Jingxiu's entry ticket, earned from three drinks at a restaurant, took effect, she carried a backpack and entered this industry-recognized high-starting-point platform as an ordinary student.

Without any special treatment or prior notice, Fang Jingxiu even specifically spoke with the leader in charge of the youth support program: "Follow the rules, teach them what needs to be taught, scold them what needs to be scolded, don't worry about me."

He knew that true skill was a protective charm, an asset that no one could take away.

A relationship can open a door for her, but she needs to navigate the maze behind that door using her own understanding of rules and practical experience.

He wanted to throw her into this pool of elites, where competition was fierce and undercurrents, and let her struggle, choke on the water, and learn to swim.

So for the past five months, Chen Nuo has worked even harder than he did at the film academy.

She is no longer the directing student who only needs to focus on creation. Here, she has to learn the operating rules of the entire film and television industry chain, from project initiation, financing, script polishing, team building, on-site shooting to post-production, publicity and distribution, and even the entire process of dealing with investors, platforms and censorship departments.

More importantly, she needs to observe and learn the interpersonal rules here, how to get along with mentors, how to cooperate and compete with fellow students, and how to deal with the overtures or difficulties from seniors with different backgrounds and motives.

She was almost always the first to arrive and the last to leave.

During the day, she followed different project teams, starting from the most basic script supervisor. After a scene was filmed, her script supervisor sheet was more detailed than anyone else's, with shot number, shot type, content, number of takes, whether there were any continuity errors or technical problems, densely packed and clearly organized.

In the evenings, while others went out for dinners and socializing, she would often return to her apartment to organize her notes from the day, study the scripts and film analysis assignments given by Liu Zheng or other leaders, or delve into those tedious but important industry policy documents and contract templates.

Liu Zheng didn’t pay much attention to the young girl who had suddenly appeared, only thinking that she was quiet and hardworking.

However, during several script reading sessions, Chen Nuo was always able to raise some unique and insightful questions that went straight to the heart of the matter.

On the set of a period drama, as the script supervisor, she promptly pointed out a detail error in the props that did not match the historical period, thus preventing a major flaw from being aired.

Liu Zheng slowly began to notice this junior colleague with solid basic skills and keen insight, and started to give her more responsibilities, letting her participate in more core planning discussions, and even handing over some initial materials of some key projects that he was preparing to her for study.

The solid details and mature narrative rhythm in her film "The Silent City," which were praised by the review experts, are many of the fruits of those five months of social preparatory courses.

The coordination of group scenes at the demolition site of the urban village benefited from her experience of observing how the executive director coordinated hundreds of extras when she followed the film crew to the location.

The intense dialogue between the protagonist and the demolition office officials, with its concise lines and rich subtext, is inseparable from her training in countless script discussion meetings on how to make dialogue both advance the plot and carry multiple layers of information.

Even during the difficult price negotiations with the distributors in the later stages of the film, she was able to remain calm and hold her ground, which stemmed from having witnessed too many similar business games here.

At this moment, what lay open in front of Chen Nuo was the initial script of Director Liu's historical drama and a thick stack of related historical research materials.

She knew that once she entered the review department, much of her work wouldn't involve making decisions based on banging on the table, but rather writing logically sound, precisely worded review opinions and reports that pointed out problems, offered constructive suggestions, and were acceptable to the party being reviewed.

This text is completely different from the scripts and director's interpretations she is familiar with; it is another system of power language.

Her notes are professional and meticulous, far exceeding the scope of an ordinary script supervisor or trainee; they are more like those of a seasoned script consultant or history coordinator doing preliminary desk work.

Next to her was a well-worn copy of "Standards for Writing Official Documents," which she had secretly taken from Fang Jingxiu's study to learn the rigorous, accurate, and unbiased official style of expression.

She knew that once she entered the review department, a large part of her work would involve writing review opinions and situation reports.

"Xiao Chen, haven't you left yet?" Liu Zheng's voice interrupted her thoughts.

Chen Nuo looked up, quickly fading his focused expression from the research and replacing it with a polite smile: "Brother Liu, almost done. Let's finish checking this point."

She subconsciously tucked the "Standards for Writing Official Documents" under a stack of documents.

Liu Zheng took in her every move, and a thought stirred within him.

This girl seems to be learning something a bit beyond her syllabus.

He sat down and began what seemed like casual conversation but was actually a probing question with deeper meaning.

"Brother Liu." Chen Nuo smiled politely, closed the documents in his hand, and said, "It'll be quick. We'll leave once we've checked this point."

Liu Zheng sat down in the empty seat next to her, looking relaxed. "I went to see your movie, 'The Silent City,' at the cinema this weekend."

He adjusted his glasses, his gaze towards Chen Nuo filled with undisguised admiration and a hint of inquiry. "It was filmed exceptionally well. Especially the group scenes depicting the demolition of the urban village—the direction and emotional control were superb. Truly, the student has surpassed the teacher; the younger generation is truly formidable."

"Brother Liu, you flatter me," Chen Nuo quickly replied modestly. "It's all thanks to your excellent teaching and the guidance of the senior members in the group. I still have many shortcomings and am working hard to learn."

Liu Zheng smiled, but subtly changed the subject: "Speaking of which, the fact that this film was able to pass censorship so quickly, receive the highest rating, and even win an award... well, luck and talent are both indispensable."

He paused, then casually remarked, "There are plenty of good proposals in the industry now, but very few have the luck and opportunity to be brought to the forefront and receive such strong official recognition. Xiao Chen, you've taken this step both steadily and beautifully."

Chen Nuo felt a slight chill.

coming.

Liu Zheng's words were ostensibly a compliment, but subtly a probe.

He wanted to know who was pulling the strings behind the scenes for her.

While the film's high quality is one aspect, it would be absolutely impossible for it to overcome complex approval processes, avoid potential obstacles, and even receive official honors and resource allocations that surpass those of ordinary newcomers in such a short time without a powerful driving force.

This is an unspoken rule within the industry.

"I was pretty lucky." Chen Nuo lowered his eyes, tidying up the papers on the table, his tone still calm, with just the right amount of relief.

"The topic we chose happened to coincide with the policy-driven trend of realist creation, and we also received a lot of help from teachers and friends during filming and post-production. The judges valued the film because it has some social value."

She attributed the credit to the wind direction, the help, and the social value, cleverly avoiding the core question of who was helping.

Liu Zheng was not so easily dismissed.

He leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret: "I heard that before the jury meeting, Director Zhou from the Cultural Bureau specifically inquired about this film? Director Zhou is known for her impartiality; to get her to pay extra attention..."

He drew out his words, looking at Chen Nuo with a meaningful gaze.

Chen Nuo's heart skipped a beat.

Liu Zheng even knows that Vivian Chow is interested in movies?

It seems that the commotion at the review meeting that day has already attracted some attention within the system.

She remained composed, even revealing a perfectly measured hint of surprise and gratitude: "Director Zhou seems to care a lot about young directors, doesn't she? She did ask very detailed questions at the review meeting and offered a lot of professional advice, which I found very helpful."

It's still about avoiding the real issues and focusing on the weak ones.

A barely perceptible glint flashed in Liu Zheng's eyes.

This young girl looks young, but she speaks very tactfully and is very vigilant.

He smiled and changed his perspective: "That's true. But to be able to get Director Zhou to personally oversee things, and to hold such a large apprenticeship banquet at the Li Family Mansion... Xiao Chen, your connections are quite something."

The Li Family Mansion is a place that even ordinary directors or officials might not be able to book a table in, let alone the heads of the Cultural Bureau, the Propaganda Department, and the Cadre Bureau.

This is practically an open declaration: I know you have powerful backers.

Chen Nuo's heart skipped a beat in his chest.

He even knew about the dinner party at the Li Family Restaurant?

The news spread so fast?

Or...did he specifically inquire about it?

She felt an invisible pressure coming at her.

If this is the case even in the arts and culture circles on the fringes of the system, then once she truly enters the core departments, the spying and scheming will likely only increase and become more covert.

She looked up, meeting Liu Zheng's probing gaze, a shy smile typical of young girls appearing on her face. Her tone carried a hint of helplessness: "Brother Liu, please don't tease me. It wasn't a formal apprenticeship banquet at all. It was just that my... family heard I'd achieved some small success and insisted on inviting a few leaders to dinner to thank them for their help. It was all from my elders, and I couldn't refuse."

She gave the other party a seemingly plausible answer without completely denying it.

"Family members?" Liu Zheng pondered these three words, his smile deepening, but he didn't press for details about who they were.

Some things are better left unsaid.

Since the other party is unwilling to explain, pressing them further would be considered impolite.

The people who could handle Vivian Chow and get those people to come to the Li Family Mansion were not people that Liu Zheng could easily offend or investigate.

All he wanted was confirmation—confirmation that Chen Nuo did indeed have powerful backers, and that those backers were very strong.

This is enough.

In the future, we should be more polite to this Xiao Chen in the group and even in the industry, and perhaps... take the opportunity to get closer to him.

"I see. It's a good thing to have the support of your elders." Liu Zheng ended the topic at the right time, stood up, patted Chen Nuo on the shoulder, and his tone returned to the gentleness of a senior.

"Keep up the good work, Xiao Chen. You have a good foundation and are willing to learn, so you have a bright future. In the future, no matter where you go... well, don't forget our Youth Support Program, and come back to visit often."

He almost let slip that he had joined the system, and had obviously heard rumors about it.

Chen Nuo, understanding perfectly well, also stood up, his attitude respectful: "Thank you for your encouragement, Brother Liu. No matter where I am in the future, I will always be your student, a product of the Youth Support Program."

That's a well-said statement; it acknowledges Liu Zheng's kindness while also demonstrating an attitude of not forgetting one's roots.

Liu Zheng nodded in satisfaction, exchanged a few more pleasantries, and then left with the folder.

Chen Nuo slowly sat back in his chair, a fine layer of cold sweat on his back. The conversation that had just taken place seemed ordinary, but in reality, it was fraught with tension and suspense.

Every word Liu Zheng uttered was a test of her true nature and depth.

Every response she made had to be extremely careful. She had to keep Fang Jingxiu's secret and not cause him any possible trouble or speculation, while also maintaining basic decorum and interpersonal relationships, and not appearing too arrogant or unapproachable.

There is a long way to go.