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

On Tuesday morning at nine o'clock, Jingjing's internet world was turned upside down by two media bombs that were detonated almost simultaneously.

The first piece, simultaneously released by several influential investigative self-media outlets and authoritative media social news sections, had a shocking title: "Maggots in the Sunlight: Exposing Angel House's Transnational Surrogacy Black Market and Those Imprisoned Wombs."

The report, through detailed undercover videos, victim testimonies, and screenshots of internal documents, exposes a vast surrogacy network based overseas but intricately connected with domestic capital and brokers.

The article, written with a calm yet almost brutal tone, exposes Angel House, a so-called high-end transnational surrogacy agency registered overseas but actually controlled by a secretive domestic capital entity.

The article details how the organization exploits information asymmetry and legal loopholes to specifically target vulnerable women in impoverished and remote areas of China, especially those with physical or intellectual disabilities. They lure women with lies such as high-paying jobs, free treatment, and opportunities to enjoy life abroad, then illegally transport them out of the country, imprison them in so-called medical centers with appalling conditions, and force them to become surrogate mothers, reducing them to mere reproductive tools.

The article included several edited but still clear interview recordings and blurry videos that conveyed pain and despair.

The women in front of the camera, some with blank stares and others with tears streaming down their faces, recounted their tragic experiences of being deprived of their freedom, forced into pregnancy, spending their pregnancies in inhumane conditions, and even having their children forcibly taken away and abandoned like trash.

One of the young women, who had a slight intellectual disability, hugged a tattered rag doll and murmured repeatedly, "Hehe...baby...so many babies...bang...one baby after another!"

The article concludes with a sharp and incisive statement: "When the chain of evil operates completely and covertly, every individual who stands by indifferently may become a silent accomplice. If we turn a deaf ear to the screams from the abyss today, when disaster strikes again, looking around, perhaps no one will be there to cheer us on. Protecting women's rights is protecting the bottom line for each of our futures. No one can remain unscathed in this systemic plunder. Even when walking in the sunlight, please remember the eyes in the darkness."

Almost simultaneously, a second nuclear bomb exploded in the entertainment gossip section.

Zheng Shuang, a top Chinese actress, was exposed by paparazzi for giving birth to twins in the United States through a surrogacy agency three years ago. The paparazzi provided what appeared to be chat logs between Zheng Shuang and the surrogacy agency, remittance receipts, and audio recordings proving that she wanted to abandon the children.

Zheng Shuang and her team quickly issued a statement denying the allegations and accusing the allegations of being fabricated. However, more insiders and employees began to anonymously reveal details, with clear timelines, making it difficult to distinguish between truth and falsehood.

Two issues, one concerning social ethics, legal bottom lines, and basic human rights, and the other touching the nerves of millions of fans and the most sensitive topic of celebrity personas in the entertainment industry, instantly ignited the entire internet.

The top ten trending topics were dominated by related terms, and the servers crashed several times. Public sentiment was completely ignited, with anger, fear, doubt, and debate creating a cacophony of voices.

Some astute marketing accounts and opinion leaders have begun to intentionally or unintentionally link the two events.

The analysis appears objective, but it subtly hints at something: "Why is the surrogacy industry so difficult to eradicate? Is there any shadow of domestic capital or even privileged classes behind it?"

"From disabled women to glamorous female celebrities, how large is the client base for surrogacy services? Where does the demand come from?"

"If even a top celebrity like Zheng Shuang might be involved in surrogacy, what about those unseen, more powerful and wealthy individuals? Have they already built an even more secretive and secure chain?"

The sparks of conspiracy theories were quietly ignited and spread rapidly on the fertile ground of information overload.

Countless ordinary netizens, swept up by emotions and fragmented information, enthusiastically participated in this nationwide investigation and trial, fueled by capital and precisely fed by algorithms. However, few people delved into whether the sources of the initial explosive materials were absolutely reliable, or who the masterminds behind them really were.

In a media landscape manipulated by capital, the truth is often the least important bargaining chip; emotions and clicks are king.

The rise and fall of celebrities are often nothing more than pawns and cannon fodder in the power struggles of capital behind the scenes.

No celebrity is completely innocent; the public image they project is always the complete opposite of their private life.

Never have a strong romanticized view of celebrities.

The National Development and Reform Commission building, sixteen stories high.

Fang Jingxiu stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window in his office, a cigarette between his fingers, but he didn't smoke it. He just looked out at the gray sky and the cars rushing by like ants below.

His personal phone screen was lit up, displaying the latest encrypted message from Shen Rongchuan, containing only two brief sentences:

"It exploded. It generated three orders of magnitude more buzz than expected."

"Public opinion is surging, and the authorities are under immense pressure. This time, the Bai family may not be able to cover it up anymore."

Fang Jingxiu's face was expressionless, showing neither the smugness of a smoothly progressing plan nor the unease of manipulating public opinion to cause social unrest.

There was only a cold, almost mechanical calmness. He had long anticipated this outcome.

When the recordings of those disabled women's tearful accusations and the shocking inside story of Angel's Home were released, coupled with Zheng Shuang as a highly impactful catalyst, what was triggered was far more than just gossip in the entertainment industry; it was a collective fear and anger throughout society about a potential existential crisis.

This fear and anger is a raging beast that no amount of capital or power can easily suppress openly.

He picked up his phone and replied to Shen Rongchuan with a concise yet decisive statement:

"Keep pushing. Don't let the hype die down. Uncover every possible connection, especially those domestically providing assistance, and let slip a little bit about whoever is involved. Make them realize that this time, the cover-up really can't be kept up anymore."

After sending the message, he brought the cigarette to his lips, took a deep drag, and slowly exhaled.

Smoke filled the window, blurring his sharp vision.

He knew that he had taken an extremely dangerous step.

While exploiting and amplifying this nationwide panic involving basic human ethics and social security could certainly deal a devastating blow to the Bai family, it could also lead to social unrest and even backfire if not handled carefully.

He had to precisely control the heat, ensuring the fire burned fiercely enough to penetrate the Bai family's protective layer, yet preventing it from spiraling out of control and spreading to the wrong places. It was a dance on the edge of a cliff.

More importantly, the Bai family will never sit idly by and wait for their doom.

They are probably like wounded, trapped beasts, frantically retaliating and searching for scapegoats.

The clues left by Li Yiran's death that point to him constitute the first wave of counterattack.

What follows will only get more intense.

Just then, the phone on the table rang.

Fang Jingxiu stubbed out his cigarette, walked over, and answered the call.

On the other end of the phone came the father's deep voice, filled with suppressed anger. The background was extremely quiet, suggesting it was in the study.

"Jingxiu." Without any pleasantries, he addressed him by his name directly, his tone unusually stern.

"Dad," Fang Jingxiu replied, his voice steady.

"Is it convenient for you to talk now?" Fang Zhenguo asked, as was customary to ensure the security of the call.

"It's convenient; I'm the only one in the office."

"Those things online," Fang Zhenguo's voice was even lower, each word seemingly squeezed out from between his teeth, "have nothing to do with you?"

Fang Jingxiu remained silent for two seconds.

He knew what his father was asking.

Given his position and access to information, it was impossible for his father not to see the organized manipulation behind this media storm and the subtle hints of a threat directed at the Bai family.

"Some things need to be seen." He neither admitted nor denied it directly, giving an ambiguous but clear answer to his father.

A heavy breath came from the other end of the phone, followed by an even longer silence.

Fang Zhenguo was clearly making a concerted effort to control his emotions. After a long silence, he spoke again, his voice carrying a weary yet authoritative tone:

"Fang Jingxiu, go home immediately after get off work. Your mother wants to see you." He paused, then added, "Just by yourself."

"Understood, Dad," Fang Jingxiu replied calmly.

Without further ado, the call ended.

Fang Jingxiu put down the receiver, walked back to the window, and looked at the still bustling city outside.

The father didn't get angry on the phone, nor did he ask any more questions, but this precisely shows that the seriousness of the matter had exceeded his previous expectations.

His father told him to come home immediately, and that he was to come alone, clearly indicating that he wanted to have a serious, perhaps even decisive, family talk.

Regarding his recent actions, his power struggle with the Bai family, the potential consequences of this nationwide media storm, and... the potential impact on the Bai family's powerful empire.

There's no escaping it now.

He never intended to escape.

He lit another cigarette, the flame illuminating his deep eyes. There, he saw a calm weighing of options, lingering murderous intent, and a clear anticipation of the impending family storm.

The Bai family's counterattack, the father's summons, the surging public opinion, the lurking shadows... all the pressure is gathering from all directions.

But Fang Jingxiu, having chosen to ignite the fuse, was already prepared to face all the impacts.

However, before this storm completely engulfs or takes control of him, he must ensure that the person he cherishes most is safe and sound.

He picked up the internal phone and dialed Secretary Qin's number, his voice regaining its usual calm and steady tone: "Secretary Qin, all afternoon's arrangements are postponed. Also, notify the security team to raise the security level for Miss Chen Nuo's itinerary today to the highest level. Report any abnormalities directly to me immediately."