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

Outside the door, Secretary Qin was already waiting by the car. Upon seeing them come out, he immediately opened the car door.

Fang Jingxiu put Chen Nuo in the back seat, got in himself, and closed the car door.

The moment the car door closed, it shut out all the noise and malice from the outside world.

Chen Nuo was still nestled in Fang Jingxiu's arms, her body trembling uncontrollably. Tears blurred her vision, the slap mark on her face stung, and the cold touch of the handcuffs lingered on her wrists.

"Going to the hospital?" Secretary Qin asked, turning around from the front seat.

Fang Jingxiu looked down at the person in his arms, and after a two-second silence, said, "Let's go back to the ministry dormitory."

Chen Nuo was slightly taken aback, then looked up at him with teary eyes.

"There's a military doctor on duty in the dormitory," Fang Jingxiu explained in a low, calm voice. "Given my status, I can't take you to a public hospital late at night."

Chen Nuo understood.

He is a powerful division chief at the Jingjing Development and Reform Commission. If he takes a young girl to the hospital emergency room in the middle of the night and is photographed or recognized, who knows what rumors will spread the next day.

The officialdom is like walking on thin ice; every detail must be carefully considered.

The car turned onto Chongli Avenue and headed west.

Chen Nuo leaned against Fang Jingxiu's chest, her tears had stopped, but her body was still trembling slightly.

It wasn't the coldness, but the lingering fear. The helplessness she felt in the interrogation room earlier overwhelmed her like a cold tide.

"Still afraid?" Fang Jingxiu's voice came from above, unusually gentle.

Chen Nuo shook his head, then nodded, his voice still a little hoarse: "I was just... a little scared."

Fang Jingxiu didn't say anything, but simply tightened his arms around her.

After a long while, Chen Nuo whispered, "Brother Xiu, I'm sorry... I'm troubling you so late."

"Stupid." Fang Jingxiu's voice held a sigh. "Why didn't you call me immediately after something like this happened?"

Chen Nuo paused for a moment, then said, "I was afraid you were busy..."

"No matter how busy I am, I'll still have time to answer your call." Fang Jingxiu interrupted her, his tone serious and unquestionable. "Next time you go to a place like that, let me know in advance, and I'll send someone over to keep an eye on you."

These words were spoken calmly, but Chen Nuo sensed the weight behind them.

He wasn't restricting her freedom; he was protecting her in his own way. He arranged for people to ensure her safety, even when she couldn't see him.

"It wasn't my fault, Brother Xiu." Chen Nuo looked up, her eyes still red and swollen. "It was Lin Hao... he kept touching me inappropriately and even tried to drag me upstairs to the hotel..."

"I know." Fang Jingxiu nodded, took out a tissue box from the car's storage compartment, pulled out a tissue, and gently wiped away the remaining tear stains on her cheeks. "Secretary Qin has obtained the surveillance footage, the complete one. It shows everything from when you left the dance floor to the back door, and then to when he chased after you and harassed you."

Chen Nuo's eyes widened: "Then the police..."

"What they saw was a selection of clips chosen by the Lin family," Fang Jingxiu said calmly, as if he were talking about something perfectly ordinary. "Yang Jianguo accepted bribes from the Lin family, so naturally he would do things their way."

After wiping her face, he examined the red marks on her face more closely: "Does it still hurt?"

"A little," Chen Nuo said honestly.

Fang Jingxiu took a small tin box from the inside pocket of his suit, opened it, and inside was a light green ointment. He dabbed a little with his fingertip and gently applied it to her cheek.

The ointment felt cool and had a faint herbal scent.

"What is this?" Chen Nuo asked.

"Military-grade bruise-reducing ointment works better than regular ones." Fang Jingxiu applied it carefully, his fingertips applying incredibly gentle pressure. "It should be gone by tomorrow."

Chen Nuo looked at his face, which was so close to hers.

The car was dimly lit, but the outline of his face was exceptionally clear in the glow of the streetlights flashing past the window. His brows were slightly furrowed, and his eyes were focused, as if he were handling some important task.

"Brother Xiu," she suddenly said, "you seem to... be able to solve anything."

Fang Jingxiu paused in his actions, then looked up at her: "Really?"

"Yes." Chen Nuo nodded. "Lin Hao's matter, the police's matter, Mrs. Lin's matter... you've resolved them all as soon as you arrived."

Fang Jingxiu closed the ointment box and leaned back in his seat.

"It's not something I can solve," he said calmly. "It's my position that makes some things simple for me."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "Like tonight, if it hadn't been me, but some other ordinary civil servant, Yang Jianguo wouldn't have taken it seriously at all. Mrs. Lin's slap would have been pointless."

He spoke directly, even somewhat cruelly.

But Chen Nuo understood.

He was teaching her.

In this society, power is the only true measure of success. Grievances and reason are worthless in the face of absolute power.

"So you have to remember," Fang Jingxiu turned back to look at her, "when you encounter something like this in the future, don't try to reason with her, find someone who can help you as soon as possible."

"Are they looking for you?" Chen Nuo asked.

Fang Jingxiu remained silent for a few seconds.

"Yes," he finally said. "At least for now, yes."

Currently.

This word was used very tactfully.

He doesn't promise forever, nor does he cross any boundaries; he only guarantees that within the current stage of their relationship, he will protect her.

Chen Nuo's nose tingled, and tears welled up again.

It's not that I feel wronged, it's... an indescribable emotion.

It's like someone who has been wandering for a long time has finally found a harbor where they can temporarily dock.

"Why are you crying again?" Fang Jingxiu shook his head helplessly and hugged her again. "Alright, be good."

His hand gently patted her back, as if comforting a child. Chen Nuo buried her face in his chest, inhaling the clean, crisp scent of cedar on him, her tears soaking his shirt.

"I'm sorry..." she choked out, "I just... couldn't control myself..."

"It's alright." Fang Jingxiu's voice came from above, deep and gentle. "Cry, you'll feel better after you've cried. Chen Nuo, you need to become strong, so strong that they can't ignore your presence, understand?"

Become powerful...

So ethereal.

Can I really do it?