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

The Fang family members gradually dispersed.

The cousins ​​walked out of the courtyard in twos and threes, talking in hushed tones, their voices carried away by the night wind.

As Fang Nian left, she whispered in Fang Jingxiu's ear, "Brother, how serious is your matter?"

"Not big."

"You're lying. You never look people in the eye when you lie."

"Go back and get some sleep."

The courtyard fell silent. Only Fang Xinglin, Fang Zhenguo, and Fang Jingxiu remained. There was still the wind, the incense ash, and the lamp that hadn't gone out.

Fang Xinglin, leaning on his cane, looked at Fang Jingxiu. "Let's go inside and talk."

Fang Xinglin sat down in the armchair, rested his cane on the armrest, and then raised his eyelids to look at Fang Jingxiu.

"Speak. What is it?"

Fang Jingxiu stood before him, not sitting. Fang Zhenguo stood beside him, also not sitting. In this house, no one could sit unless the old man gave the order. This was the rule, and also a sign of respect.

"Grandpa," Fang Jingxiu began, "it's about the digital transformation project in Zhongzhou Province."

Fang Zhenguo's brow twitched. "This is Yingchuan's business, what does it have to do with the Central Economic Audit? You're just the initiator, not the contractor. The money doesn't pass through your hands, the accounts don't go through your system, and you didn't send the people. Why should they investigate you?"

Fang Jingxiu lowered his head and remained silent.

"Did you have someone else handle things that shouldn't have been handled? Or did you relay messages or pass on materials for someone?"

Fang Jingxiu remained silent.

"Fang Jingxiu, tell me the truth. Is this matter related to your woman?"

Fang Jingxiu neither denied nor admitted it; he simply remained silent.

"I told you long ago, that woman would be trouble sooner or later. She doesn't understand anything, her family can't help her, and she's always getting herself into trouble. Now look what's happened, the disciplinary committee has come knocking on our door. On New Year's Eve, she was cornered in the ancestral hall in front of our ancestors. You've completely disgraced the Fang family."

Fang Jingxiu raised his head, about to speak...

"What woman?"

Fang Xinglin's voice wasn't loud, but it was like a stone thrown into water, shattering Fang Zhenguo's words completely.

"Dad, that brat has a girlfriend. She's a junior deputy director in the video transmission system, her family has no connections, and she doesn't know anything. This is most likely related to her."

"Jingxiu, really?"

"Grandpa, it's true."

Fang Xinglin stared at him for three seconds. Then he smiled.

It wasn't the kind of kind, gratified smile; it was the kind of smile that had been held back for a long time and finally couldn't be contained anymore. It started from the corners of his mouth and slowly spread to his entire face, wrinkles crinkling together, and his eyes narrowing into slits.

He laughed so hard his shoulders were shaking, and his cane almost slipped off the armrest.

Fang Zhenguo was afraid that he had lost his mind, so he angrily scolded Fang Jingxiu, "Fang Jingxiu, look what you've done! You've made your grandpa stupid!"

Fang Xinglin looked at him, his smile slowly fading. "Zhenguo, come here."

Fang Zhenguo took two steps forward.

Fang Xinglin reached out, grabbed the cane leaning against the armrest, and struck Fang Zhenguo on the calf.

With a sharp, clear "smack," Fang Zhenguo winced in pain, but dared not flinch or cry out.

"Dad! Why did you hit me?"

I hit you because you're stupid.

"How could I be so stupid?"

"Jingxiu is the eldest grandson of the Fang family. He's thirty years old this year. Thirty years old, do you know what I was doing when I was thirty?"

Fang Zhenguo remained silent.

Fang Xinglin answered himself. "When I was thirty, your older brother was already six. Now Jingxiu is thirty, and he's only just started dating. This is a wonderful thing. Why would I be angry?"

Fang Xinglin looked at him, his tone softening. "Tell me, are you looking for a wife or a business partner?"

"Dad, that's not what I meant..."

"That's exactly what you mean," Fang Xinglin interrupted him. "It's a good thing that a woman doesn't understand the ways of officialdom, doesn't understand all those intricacies. What's the point of understanding so much? If she does, she'll be calculating. If she's calculating, Jingxiu will have to be wary of her. If Jingxiu is wary of her, how can this family continue?"

He looked at Fang Zhenguo. "Jingxiu is a man. A man who stands tall and upright. If he can't protect his woman from the wind and rain, if he can't be a reliable support for her, what kind of man is he? What's the use of him being a high-ranking official or making a lot of money?"

Fang Zhenguo lowered his head and remained silent.

"Jingxiu, is that girl good to you?"

"it is good."

"How can it be good?"

"She would bring me food when I was working overtime. She would text me when I was on business trips. When I was in a bad mood, she would lean on my shoulder without asking any questions."

"Being good to you is enough. Nothing else matters."

"Grandpa, but my dad doesn't agree."

Fang Xinglin narrowed his eyes.

Fang Jingxiu continued, his tone tinged with a hint of grievance, helplessness, and even a touch of deliberate sarcasm. "My dad said she doesn't understand anything and will hold me back. He also said her family can't help, and marrying her will make my path in the Intermediate People's Court even more difficult."

He sighed. "It seems you won't be able to hold your great-grandson, Grandpa."

Fang Xinglin slammed his cane heavily on the ground. The whole room shook with a loud thud.

"Fang Zhenguo!"

"dad……"

Fang Xinglin stood up, leaning on his cane, and walked up to him.

"Let me tell you, Fang Zhenguo. If you dare to stop the birth of my great-grandson, I'll beat you to death."

Fang Zhenguo's face turned pale. "Dad, I didn't say I wanted to stop it..."

"What you just said was an attempt to stop me!" Fang Xinglin pointed his cane at his nose. "Jingxiu is thirty years old and has finally found someone. Instead of helping him, you're being picky. What's with all this talk about background and support? I'm asking you, do you want me to die sooner?"

Fang Xinglin continued, "Jingxiu got to where he is today through his own abilities. He didn't rely on you, me, or anyone else's connections. Did he need any help? No, he didn't. He himself is the biggest help."

He paused. "That girl doesn't understand the ways of officialdom, that's alright. Jingxiu understands, that's enough. Her family can't help, that's alright. Jingxiu himself is his biggest support. She doesn't need to do anything, just pour him a glass of water when he's tired, say a few words, and lean on his shoulder. That's enough."

"Dad, I understand."

"Got it? Is that all?"

"Then... I'll invite that girl over for dinner another day?"