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

Saturday afternoon at 3 pm, apartment study.

Chen Nuo sat cross-legged on the cashmere carpet in the corner of the study, leaning against a dark brown leather armchair.

A thin laptop was spread out in front of him, with several printed documents scattered around it, and a half-open copy of "Compilation of Cultural Policies and Regulations".

I've only been working here for a week.

That week, she was like a sponge thrown into water, almost greedily absorbing everything from the censorship department.

Familiarize yourself with the procedures, remember the faces and general division of labor of the dozen or so people in the department, and learn the language used in those seemingly dry but weighty official documents.

Her team leader, Tang Hai, was a middle-aged man in his forties who was always smiling. He was slightly overweight, spoke slowly and deliberately, and was always kind and gentle to everyone.

During this week, Tang Hai didn't give her any substantial heavy work; it was mostly miscellaneous tasks like organizing files and taking meeting minutes.

But just yesterday afternoon, before leaving get off work, Tang Hai called her aside, handed her a folder, and gave her that sincere smile of a senior mentoring a junior:

"Xiao Chen, you've adapted quite quickly this week. You're young and quick-witted after all. There's an urgent task here, which the bureau will discuss at a meeting next Monday. It's about updating the filings for several international cultural cooperation projects. I thought it would be a good opportunity for you to get some experience, so I'll do a basic preliminary review first, just let me know your initial opinions on Monday. There's no pressure, it's just about getting familiar with the process."

The folder contained information on three projects, including the "Supplementary Filing Statement for the Cultural Exchange and Cooperation Project between Yongzhou City and the K Foundation".

Chen Nuo was quite excited at the time.

This was the first independent job she had received with any real significance. She even felt that Team Leader Tang might be a good person, unlike some others who were hostile to newcomers.

So, she consciously brought the work back home this weekend. Fang Jingxiu was called to Xishan by his father in the morning, who said there was something to discuss, and he didn't come back for lunch.

She stayed home alone, made herself a cup of tea, and buried herself in the documents.

The K Foundation's project documentation is the thickest, with supplementary notes mainly adding details of several new sub-projects and minor budget adjustments.

She repeatedly checked and compared the information with the initial checklist, trying to identify any potential risks.

After looking at it for a long time, my eyes felt sore and my neck became stiff.

When the study door was pushed open, a very faint, fresh scent of grass and trees belonging to the Western Hills was brought in.

Fang Jingxiu walked in.

Seeing Chen Nuo nestled on the carpet, his eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly.

"Didn't you rest?" He walked over to her, his gaze sweeping over her computer screen and the documents next to it.

"Team Leader Tang assigned this task on Friday, and we need to submit our preliminary review comments on Monday." Chen Nuo tilted his head back and rubbed the back of his neck. "I want to finish it over the weekend."

Fang Jingxiu sat down on the carpet next to her, his long legs casually bent. He didn't rush to look at the documents; instead, he reached out and placed his warm fingers on the stiff muscles at the back of her neck, massaging them gently for a few moments.

"Tang Hai?"

"Yeah, our team leader is a really nice guy. He always has a smile on his face and has been taking good care of me this week." Chen Nuo squinted comfortably and said casually, unconsciously leaning closer to his hand.

Fang Jingxiu's massaging hand paused almost imperceptibly for a moment, then resumed as usual.

"Is that so?" He said calmly, withdrawing his hand and picking up the thickest supplementary document from the K Foundation.

He read the documents with incredible speed, his gaze like a precise scanner, swiftly sweeping over the formatted clauses and numbers. Occasionally, his finger would lightly tap a spot on the page, lost in thought.

After Chen Nuo finished reading it, he asked with a hint of anticipation, "Brother Xiu, what do you think? I've read it several times, and the budget increase is within a reasonable range. There don't seem to be any other special problems."

Fang Jingxiu did not answer immediately.

He placed the instruction sheet on the carpet, leaned back against the armrest of the sofa, and stared at a point in the void, as if he were rapidly retrieving and integrating information.

"Tang Hai," he suddenly spoke, his voice low but each word clear, "when he gave you the documents, besides telling you to train, what else did he say? His exact words."

Chen Nuo recalled for a moment: "He said... Old Wang suddenly had something to do, and I saw that you adapt quickly and have talent, so I'll do a basic preliminary review first, check it out, and show it to me on Monday. There's no pressure, just familiarize yourself with the process. Oh, he specifically mentioned that this is something the bureau will discuss at the meeting next Monday."

Fang Jingxiu pursed his lips down very slightly, a curve that was almost cold.

"Chen Nuo," he turned to look at her, his eyes devoid of the gentleness they usually shared in private, replaced by a sharp, almost scrutinizing gaze, "believe it or not, sometimes, what seems like candy can actually be poison."

Chen Nuo felt a chill run down his spine.

Fang Jingxiu picked up the supplementary explanation again, turned to the appendix of the budget adjustment, and pointed to one line: "Special labor cost for the digital collection and translation of folk music has increased by 240% compared to the initial filing. Reason?"

"They said they hired a more professional multinational team, including top audio restoration experts and translators of rare languages," Chen Nuo replied. This was the part that she found slightly unusual during her investigation, but was convinced by the reasons of professionalism and being a top expert.

"Multinational team? Which team? Where are the qualification documents? Where is the draft contract?" Fang Jingxiu asked three questions in a row, his tone still calm, but it left Chen Nuo speechless.

The appendix contains only simple text descriptions and numbers, without any supporting materials.

"And here," he flipped to the section on changes to the project personnel list, "two new senior cultural advisors have been added, without any background information. The one who was removed from the original Chinese liaison officer list is a retired section chief from the Yongzhou Cultural Bureau, known for his meticulous work and familiarity with the local situation."

He put down the documents, leaned forward, rested his arms on his bent knees, and fixed his gaze on Chen Nuo.

"An important foreign-related project supplementary filing that needs to be discussed at the bureau meeting has undergone significant changes to core budget items without basis, and key personnel adjustments are not explained. Is this being given to a newcomer who has only been with the company for a week and has no experience in foreign-related projects to conduct the initial review?"

He slowly shook his head, each word like an ice bead hitting the ground, "Chen Nuo, this isn't training, this is roasting you over a fire."

Chen Nuo's face gradually paled. It wasn't that she didn't understand; she had simply been blinded by the illusion of being trusted and given a chance.

At this moment, Fang Jingxiu ruthlessly dissected it, and the layer of warm sugar coating instantly melted away, revealing the cold and sharp calculations beneath.

"Why...why did he do that?" Her voice was a little hoarse.

"Chen Nuo, the first thing you need to learn in the organization is not how to do things, but how to judge people. And judging people is not just about what they say on the surface, but also about what they don't say and why they say it."

He looked at her, his gaze calm: "Tang Hai is kind to you and takes the initiative to care for you because you have me behind you, and because of the prestigious reputation of your Youth Support Program. That's no secret. But beneath this kindness lies..."

He paused, searching for a more precise word, "a defensive hostility."

"Hate?" Chen Nuo asked, puzzled. "I pose no threat to him."

"Not now, but what about later?" Fang Jingxiu's tone was calm, yet every word struck Chen Nuo's heart.

"You're twenty-two this year, and you're being directly appointed to a substantive deputy section chief position, under the direct supervision of Director Zhou Huimin. What's Director Zhou's background? The cultural exchange hub project she spearheaded last year is the top candidate for the ministry's annual performance evaluation. In terms of achievements, resources, and connections, Zhou Huimin is the most popular candidate to succeed the retiring Deputy Director Yao."

He picked up his glass, took a sip of water, and continued his analysis: "That's how officialdom is. It's a one-pot system. Unless the higher-ups are removed or move on their own, the lower-ups have no chance to climb up. You're now on Zhou Huimin's side. As long as you don't make any major mistakes, with her support, plus your own abilities and... some extra resources, your rise will be much faster than those who have been stuck in the clerk position for ten or eight years."

He put down his cup, his gaze sharp as he looked at Chen Nuo: "What's the closest position to you? It's the deputy head of the publicity department, a position that's been vacant for half a year. Tang Hai has been the team leader for seven years; he's forty-one this year. If he can't be moved in the chain of adjustments brought about by Zhou Huimin's promotion, his career is probably over. And you, Chen Nuo..."

He gently tapped the computer in front of her. "You're probably the youngest, but also the most unpredictable, among his potential competitors. Even though you don't even think about competing with him for anything right now."

Chen Nuo understood, and a chill ran down his spine. So, that seemingly well-intentioned task might actually be a precise stress test and the planting of hidden dangers?

If she is incompetent or careless and falls into a trap, it could be used to suppress her, or even ruin her fledgling career.

"But...we're all colleagues working together, does it really have to be like this?"

Fang Jingxiu sighed softly, a sigh that contained the complexity of having seen through the ways of the world.

"Chen Nuo, do you still remember Liu Qingsong?"

"I remember," she whispered, her fingers unconsciously curling up.

"Was Liu Qingsong good to you at first?" Fang Jingxiu asked.

"……good."

"And then?"

Chen Nuo remained silent.

Later, faced with interests and threats, that kindness became as thin as paper, easily punctured.

"That's human nature." Fang Jingxiu's voice was low, as if stating an age-old truth.

"Faced with sufficient interests or threats, feelings, morality, and promises easily fade. The officialdom is an even more magnifying glass, clearly revealing the self-interest, jealousy, suspicion, and tendency to flatter the powerful and belittle the weak in human nature."

He paused for a moment, letting his words settle.

"His hostility towards you may not be directed at you personally, but rather at the possibility of injustice. He fears power. With a flick of his finger, he could easily erase the opportunity he has worked so hard for half his life to reach. This fear is enough to turn a seemingly amiable and kind person into an adversary who secretly trips you up."

Chen Nuo finally understood.

Seemingly sensing her low spirits, Fang Jingxiu slid off the sofa armrest and sat down on the carpet next to her.

He didn't say anything, but simply reached out and put his arm around her shoulder, letting her lean against him.

He paused, looking at Chen Nuo's pale face, his tone softening slightly, but the words remained sharp: "No matter which one, the result is the same. If you do as he says and submit this preliminary review opinion, which seems to have no major problems, on Monday, it's equivalent to you approving these flawed changes. In the future, whether it's an audit, disciplinary inspection, or the project itself going wrong, your signature will be the first insurmountable hurdle. The label of lax oversight and dereliction of duty will be stuck with you for years, or even worse."

The sunlight shifted slightly, landing on Chen Nuo's clenched fingers, where the plain silver ring reflected a slightly cold light.

"Were you startled?" Fang Jingxiu's voice was lowered.

"...I just feel like I'm pretty stupid."

"You've been foolish once, remember the feeling, and you'll be smarter from now on." Fang Jingxiu withdrew his hand, picked up the half-empty glass beside him, and held it to her lips. "Have some water."

Chen Nuo took two sips of slightly cool water from his hand.

"When I was your age," Fang Jingxiu put the cup back in its place, his gaze fixed on the sky cut off by tall buildings outside the window, his voice carrying a distant calm.

"The pitfall I fell into was... more legitimate than this. A joint approval document that everyone said was fine, a standard procedure, was asked to be countersigned by me. I signed it."

"Later, a cleverly altered piece of data in that document was unearthed at a crucial moment and became evidence that I lacked political judgment and principles." He gave a forced smile, but there was little to it.

"The price was that I was stuck in a mediocre position for three whole years. All core tasks and promotion opportunities were closed to me. During those three years, I experienced the full spectrum of human nature."

His tone remained calm, but Chen Nuo could sense beneath that calm a rugged past, hardened by the passage of time.

"...An Qi," he uttered a name softly, like spitting out leftover tea leaves, "that's when she left. She felt I had no future and couldn't afford to waste any more time."

The name An Qi, like a tiny thorn, unexpectedly pierced Chen Nuo's heart, bringing a sharp, bitter taste.

This was the first time he had brought up that name on his own initiative, mentioning that bleak period in which she had never been a part of it.

She blurted out almost without thinking, her voice so soft she could barely hear herself: "You wear a pinky ring... because of her?"

Fang Jingxiu clearly hadn't expected her to ask that.

He turned his head, looked at her for a few seconds, and then suddenly chuckled softly. He reached out and gently rubbed her smooth cheek.

"Chen Nuo," he called her, his voice rising slightly at the end, carrying a clear teasing tone, "Jealous?"

Chen Nuo's face flushed red instantly. She wanted to deny it, but she couldn't hide it from his all-knowing gaze. She could only turn her face away in embarrassment, her ears burning.

Fang Jingxiu's smile deepened slightly, but quickly faded. He took her left hand, which was adorned with a plain ring, and completely enveloped it in his warm palm.

"Wearing a pinky ring," he said, looking into her eyes, each word clear and solemn, "is a warning to myself. Before I have the ability to clear all the thorns in my path and ensure absolute safety, I should not easily drag anyone into my battlefield. That's not love, that's irresponsibility, that's selfishness."

His thumb gently caressed the ring on her ring finger, and also the delicate finger bones beneath the ring.

"I picked it later," he said in a low voice, like the deepest string of a cello being plucked, "because I felt that I finally had the ability and the right to love someone."

After saying that, he lowered his head and gently placed a warm and precious kiss on the back of her ring finger, where she wore a ring.

Chen Nuo stood there, stunned.

Fang Jingxiu raised his head, the intense emotions in his eyes quickly subsided, and he regained his clarity.

He released her hand, tapped the damned supplementary notes on the carpet with his finger, and said, "Now, stop being jealous, girlfriend. We need to fill this hole first."

He picked up the document again, his eyes sharp as knives.

"You can't sign this document, but you also can't simply return it saying you can't review it. That would be a poor choice, playing right into their hands and confirming your incompetence or your tendency to shirk responsibility." He thought quickly, his words steady and forceful.

"What you need to do is draft a 'Preliminary Review of Supplementary Filing Materials for K Foundation Projects and a Request for Instructions on Several Issues'."

"Ask for instructions?" Chen Nuo asked, puzzled.

"Yes." Fang Jingxiu nodded. "List out each of the problems you found, such as missing budget documentation, lack of explanation for personnel changes, and insufficient risk assessment for some new sub-projects. Then submit a written request to the department and bureau asking whether these missing materials are normal, whether they need to be supplemented, how the relevant risks should be assessed, and what the subsequent procedures should be."

He watched her eyes gradually brighten and continued, "You need to put all the ambiguities on the table in the most standardized and written form. Pass the buck back to the person who should be responsible, in a lawful and compliant manner."

"In that case," Chen Nuo had already caught up with his train of thought, "whatever their initial purpose was, they must first address these procedural questions I raised. If they cannot provide a reasonable explanation and supplementary materials, this supplementary filing will not pass my initial review. If they force it through, then this request record will be my shield."

"Smart." Fang Jingxiu gave her an approving look. "Also, make two copies of this request. Don't make a fuss about it, but leave a record."

Chen Nuo finally understood.

This is not retreating, but rather a strategic retreat.

Within the rules, protect yourself in the most rigorous, even slightly clumsy, way, while simultaneously turning the tables on others.

"I understand, Brother Xiu." She took a deep breath, nodded emphatically, and her eyes regained their firmness. "I'll change my approach now and draft this request."

"Okay." Fang Jingxiu stood up. "Use my computer in my study; it has templates for standard requests. I'll go get something to eat."

He walked to the door, then stopped and looked back at her.

The girl had sat up straight, her fingertips eagerly moving across the keyboard. In the fading afternoon light, her profile was clean and determined. The simple ring on her finger occasionally shimmered with each movement.

"Chen Nuo," he called her name.

"Hmm?" She turned her head.

"Remember this feeling today," he said calmly, looking at her. "No one is kind to you for no reason, except me."