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

Friday morning at 9:00 AM, in the conference room on the third floor of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television.

The long conference table was covered with a dark green tablecloth, and more than twenty chairs were arranged in a neat oval shape.

All the fluorescent lights on the ceiling were turned on, illuminating the room as bright as day, without a single shadow.

This is an expanded meeting of the Party Committee of the Bureau, announcing the results of a new round of cadre adjustments.

Chen Nuo sat in the back row, in a seat against the wall.

On the surface, he appears just like everyone else around him: calm, focused, and impeccable.

But her palms were already sweating.

Because what was announced today was the result for the position of Director Yao.

Director Yao was taken away for questioning by the disciplinary committee last Tuesday and has not been released yet.

There are all sorts of rumors circulating in the circle. Some people say it's not a big problem and he'll be back in a few days.

Some say the involvement is too deep, and this time it's in jeopardy;

Some people say that someone has been trying to take him down for a long time.

Chen Nuo knew the truth.

She compiled that evidence herself.

The clues that the Red Cross's 8.7 million yuan donation and 5.5 million yuan surplus flowed into overseas accounts are enough to keep Director Yao in jail for ten years.

Director Yao can't get out.

Director Zhou's biggest rival has been eliminated.

Everything is under control.

The meeting began.

The organization minister read out the list of cadre adjustments in a calm, even voice, as if reading a menu.

First came a batch of retirement notices for deputy inspectors.

Then came the rotation and exchange of several department heads.

At last……

"After deliberation by the Party Committee of the Bureau and approval by the superior competent authority," the Organization Minister's voice remained calm, "the position of Director-General of the Policy and Regulations Department will be filled by Comrade Wan Baoguo."

There was a moment of silence in the conference room.

Chen Nuo's mind went blank.

Wanbaoguo?

Wan Baoguo, who ranked last and had the least hope?

Wasn't it Vivian Chow who promoted her?

Not the one with the most votes?

Is it Wan Baoguo?

She subconsciously looked at Vivian Chow.

Vivian Chow sat in the front row, her back straight, her face expressionless.

The fingers holding the pen tightened slightly.

Let's look at the others.

Director Zhang of the Personnel Department was looking down at the documents, so his expression was not visible.

Director Li from the office picked up his teacup and took a sip, his movements so slow they seemed deliberate.

The heads of the directly affiliated units exchanged glances for a moment before quickly looking away.

No one gave anything away.

There was no surprise, no dissatisfaction, and no questioning.

Only silence.

Only those who have been in the system for a long time understand the meaning of silence.

The outcome is already decided; further discussion is pointless.

Whether you like it or not, you have to accept it.

Countless thoughts swirled wildly in Chen Nuo's mind.

How could it be Wan Baoguo?

What gives him the right?

Who pushed him?

How did you do that?

She couldn't figure it out.

The meeting ended, and everyone gradually got up and left.

No one whispered or talked about it.

Everyone quietly packed up their laptops and left the meeting room, as if nothing unusual had happened.

Chen Nuo was the last to leave the meeting room.

Just as I reached the corner of the corridor, a voice came from behind me:

"Xiao Chen."

Chen Nuo turned around.

Shi Anping stood three steps away, his face bearing his usual gentle smile.

"Shi Chu." She stopped.

Shi Anping walked over and walked outside with her. His tone was casual, as if they were having a casual chat.

"With the new director in office, there may be some adjustments within the department in the coming period. Keep that in mind."

Chen Nuo nodded: "Thank you for the reminder, Director Shi."

Shi Anping smiled and said nothing more.

The two walked together to the elevator.

While waiting for the elevator, Shi Anping suddenly turned to look at her: "Xiao Chen, are you free this afternoon? I have some newly arrived tea, come and have a taste."

Chen Nuo's heart skipped a beat.

"Good spot, what time?"

"Three o'clock, please." The elevator arrived, and Shi Anping stepped aside to let her go first. "No rush, come over after you finish what you're doing."

The elevator doors closed and it slowly descended.

Chen Nuo looked at her reflection in the elevator door, and her heart beat a few beats faster than usual.

Why did Shi Anping seek her out?

At 3:00 PM sharp, Chen Nuo knocked on the door of Shi Anping's office.

"Come in."

Pushing open the door, I saw Shi Anping sitting in front of the tea table, slowly and methodically rinsing the teacups and tea leaves.

Seeing Chen Nuo enter, he pointed to the chair opposite him: "Sit."

Chen Nuo sat down and watched him make tea.

Shi Anping's movements were slow and meticulous, with each step carefully executed: scalding the cups, warming the pot, adding tea leaves, rinsing the tea, brewing, and serving.

The entire process took a full seven or eight minutes.

He pushed the first cup of tea in front of Chen Nuo.

"Try it. It's Wuyi rock tea, a gift from a friend, who said it's from the authentic Wuyi Mountains."

Chen Nuo held the teacup with both hands and took a sip.

The tea soup is mellow and has a long-lasting sweet aftertaste.

But her mind wasn't on that.

Shi Anping took a sip himself, put down his teacup, and suddenly said:

"Xiao Chen, how long have you been working here?"

"It's been almost two months," Chen Nuo replied.

"Two months isn't a long time," he said, "but you learn very quickly. Team Leader Liu has praised you to me several times, saying that you have a good understanding and pick things up quickly."

Chen Nuo lowered his head slightly: "It's because you taught me well."

Shi Anping smiled, his smile as gentle as ever.

But Chen Nuo noticed that his eyes were not smiling.

"Xiao Chen," he put down his teacup, looking at her, "you're a smart girl. Smart, willing to learn, quick to understand, and also..."

He paused, then added, "Background."

Chen Nuo's heart began to race.

"Having connections isn't a bad thing," Shi Anping continued, his tone still calm. "In this building, those with connections move faster, while those without connections move more steadily. Each has its advantages."

He paused for a moment, his gaze falling on Chen Nuo's face.

"But Xiao Chen,"

Chen Nuo didn't speak, he just looked at him.

Shi Anping slowly opened his mouth:

People who walk fast are more likely to fall. People who walk steadily can get up even if they fall.

He paused, then added:

"But if those who walk fast climb up by stepping on those who walk steadily, those who walk steadily will also find a way to make those who walk fast fall down."

The office was extremely quiet.

There was only a slight sound of the air conditioner blowing air.

Chen Nuo's heart sank to the bottom.

She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but Shi Anping didn't give her the chance.

"I know what you want to ask," he said, his tone still calm. "I saw that file."

Chen Nuo's fingers tightened slightly.

"Those suspicious points are quite interesting," Shi Anping said. "The abnormal flow of Red Cross donations, the fraudulent outsourcing of projects, and the connection of private accounts—any one of these could be enough to keep us investigating for a while."

He looked at Chen Nuo with a complex expression in his eyes.

It wasn't anger, it wasn't resentment, it was just a kind of...

A calm that sees through everything.

"I know you did this on purpose," he said. "You wanted me to be the one to hand over the evidence. If it works, Zhou Si goes up, and you follow; if it fails, Yao Si retaliates, and it's me who gets burned, not you."

Chen Nuo's face paled slightly.

He picked up his teacup and took another sip.

"But when you were plotting against me, did you ever consider that I've been in this building for twenty years and haven't seen anything like it?"

Chen Nuo was speechless.

"I knew you were no ordinary person after what happened with Tang Hai," Shi Anping said. "For a newcomer to get a section chief with twenty years of experience into the company, that's not luck, that's brains. I thought to myself, this kid is smart, if I mentor him, he'll be successful in the future."

He put down his teacup and looked at Chen Nuo.

"But I never expected that your first scheme would be against me."

Chen Nuo's eyes were slightly red.

"You think you're on the third floor, but I'm actually on the fifth floor."

A long silence followed in the office.

Chen Nuo opened his eyes and looked at Shi Anping.

She wanted to ask, "Why are you telling me all this?"

Now that you've already turned the tables, you can pretend nothing happened and keep me in the dark.

But Shi Anping spoke first.

"Xiao Chen," his tone suddenly changed, "do you know what the situation is like with Director Yao right now?"

Chen Nuo was taken aback, then shook his head.

"There's no leader," Shi Anping said. "Director Yao is out of the picture. His men are in a state of panic, unsure of which side to take."

He paused, looking at Chen Nuo.

"At this point, whoever steps forward will be able to rally that group of people."

Chen Nuo's heart skipped a beat.

She suddenly understood something.

Shi Anping wasn't simply giving her a lesson.

He was...

Recruit her.

"You joined as a deputy section chief," Shi Anping continued. "You know who's behind you without me saying. Zhou Si already considers you a confidant at the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television. And what connections do you have with the National Development and Reform Commission?"

He looked at her, his gaze carrying a sense of weighing.

"Xiao Chen, you have more cards in your hand than you think."

Chen Nuo remained silent.

She was processing those words.

With Director Yao gone, his faction needs a new leader.

Shi Anping wanted to gather that group of people, but he wasn't enough on his own; he needed allies.

As for myself, with my background, abilities, and intelligence, I am the best choice.

But at the same time, this is also a warning.

If she doesn't accept this offer, Shi Anping will become her rival.

An opponent on the fifth floor.

"Director Shi," Chen Nuo began slowly, "you want me to take sides?"

Shi Anping smiled.

That smile contained admiration, calculation, and a hint of relief.

"Smart," he said. "I like talking to smart people."

He poured Chen Nuo another cup of tea, this time with a more casual gesture.

"Xiao Chen, you used that substitution trick very well," he said, "but you forgot one thing."

"What is it?"

"The plum tree isn't stupid. It knows it shielded the peach tree from insects, and it will remember that. By autumn, it will grow taller than the peach tree and block out all the sunlight."

He looked at Chen Nuo with deep eyes.

"But now, the plum tree doesn't want to block the sunlight. It wants to ask the peach tree if it wants to grow together?"

Chen Nuo remained silent.

She got it.

Shi Anping meant that even if you schemed against me, I won't hold a grudge.

Because in this circle, holding grudges is useless; only self-interest matters.

Now that Director Yao has fallen, an opportunity has arisen; we can cooperate.

You help me gather those people, and I'll help you establish yourself. It's a win-win situation.

If we don't cooperate...

Next time, it won't be as simple as just attending class.

Chen Nuo picked up his teacup and took a sip.

The tea had gone cold, and the astringency lingered on the tip of my tongue.

"Director Shi," she said, "I need to think about it."

Shi Anping nodded: "Of course."

He stood up, walked to the window, and turned his back to her.

"Xiao Chen, I'm going to say one last thing to you."

Chen Nuo looked at him.

"In this circle," Shi Anping said slowly, "there are no permanent friends or permanent enemies. Today you scheme against me, tomorrow I scheme against you, and the day after tomorrow we may join forces against someone else. This is all normal."

He turned around and looked at Chen Nuo.

"But no matter what, you must always have cards in your hand."

"You lost today because you only had enough cards to win half the game. Next time, if you want to win the whole game, you need to accumulate enough cards first."

Chen Nuo stood up and bowed deeply.

"Thank you, Director Shi."

Shi Anping waved his hand.

"No need to thank me. Thank yourself. If you didn't have someone backing you, I wouldn't be sitting here talking to you today."

Chen Nuo walked to the door and suddenly stopped.

"Director Shi."

"Um?"

"Those pickled vegetables," she said, "were they given to me sincerely, or...?"

Shi Anping paused for a moment, then smiled.

There was a genuine warmth in that smile.

"Silly child," he said, "how much are pickled vegetables worth? That was given sincerely."

Chen Nuo's eyes welled up slightly.

She opened the door and went out.