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

The Hongqi H7 slowly approached a gray-white Soviet-style building. Through the car window, Chen Nuo could clearly see the sentry post at the gate.

Two guards in camouflage uniforms stood ramrod straight, their black gun barrels pointing diagonally at the ground. The metallic barrels gleamed coldly in the night, and the insignia on their shoulder straps indicated that this was a security force directly under the command of an agency.

The vehicle stopped in front of the guard post, and Secretary Qin rolled down the window and handed over a black pass.

The guard took it, lightly swiped his fingertip across the verification device, and a green pass icon flashed on the screen.

Immediately, the two guards raised their hands in unison, giving a standard military salute. Their movements were perfectly synchronized, and their sharp eyes did not peek into the car at all.

The car window slowly rolled up, and the Hongqi H7 smoothly drove into the compound. The wheels rolled over the smooth asphalt road, making a slight rustling sound.

Secretary Qin got out of the car and opened the back door. Fang Jingxiu stepped out first, then turned around and reached his hand into the car: "Can we get out?"

Chen Nuo tried, but her legs were still weak. The fear and lingering dread from the police station hadn't completely dissipated. She stood up, holding onto the car door, but her legs felt unsteady.

Fang Jingxiu didn't ask any more questions. He bent down, put one arm around her back, and put the other arm under her knees, lifting her up steadily in his arms.

"Brother Xiu..." Chen Nuo whispered, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Don't talk." Fang Jingxiu carried her into the building, his voice very low. "The soundproofing in this building isn't great. If the neighbors hear a woman's voice, I won't be able to explain it to them."

He spoke in a very serious tone, but Chen Nuo detected a subtle hint of humor in his voice—the kind of perfectly timed humor that a mature man uses to avoid creating an awkward situation.

Chen Nuo buried her face in his shoulder, inhaling the familiar scent of cedar mixed with a faint smell of tobacco. His embrace was steady, his arms strong, and he carried her up to the third floor without even breaking a sweat.

The hallway was carpeted in dark colors, and the lighting was soft. Occasionally, a door would open, and the person peeking out would politely nod upon seeing Fang Jingxiu: "Director Fang."

"Director Zhang, you haven't rested yet?" Fang Jingxiu greeted him with a normal expression, showing no sign that he was holding someone in his arms.

Chen Nuo's face was mostly covered by his coat.

"Just got back from a meeting. What brings you here...?"

"My child fell down, so I brought him back to get him treated," Fang Jingxiu said casually, without stopping.

The other party didn't ask any further questions, nodded, and closed the door.

This is the rule in the ministry compound.

Do not ask questions, do not pry, and maintain a just-right distance.

The hallway was carpeted in dark colors, and motion-sensor lights turned on one by one as Fang Jingxiu stepped in. He carried her up to the third floor and stopped in front of the door on his right.

He didn't take out his keys; he simply placed his right palm on the door lock's sensor area.

With a soft "beep", the door lock opened.

Palm vein recognition. Chen Nuo silently memorized this detail.

This level of security is definitely not something you'd expect in an ordinary place.

Fang Jingxiu pushed the door open, gently closed it with his foot, and then placed Chen Nuo on the sofa in the living room.

The room was much simpler than she had imagined.

It's a typical two-bedroom, one-living-room single dormitory room. It's not very big, but it's very tidy.

The most eye-catching feature in the living room is the bookshelf that covers the entire wall, crammed with all sorts of documents and books: "Compilation of New Energy Policies", "National Five-Year Plan Outline", "Analysis of Global Energy Pattern"... all of them are thick professional books.

A national flag and a huge world map hung on the wall, marked with various symbols and lines in red and blue markers, like some kind of strategic simulation.

Besides that, there was only a fabric sofa, a wooden coffee table, and an office chair.

Several stacks of documents awaiting reading were piled on the coffee table, and a thermos was placed next to them.

It has the words "National Development and Reform Commission" printed on it.

The entire space is cold, rational, and functional, with almost no trace of private life.

Fang Jingxiu took off his black overcoat and hung it behind the door, then loosened his tie.

He didn't unbutton it, just loosened it a little. Then he meticulously rolled up the sleeves of his white shirt to his elbows, revealing his well-defined forearms.

"Sit still." He said, walking to the kitchen to pour a glass of warm water and placing it on the coffee table in front of Chen Nuo. "The doctor will be here soon."

Chen Nuo took the water glass, her fingertips touching the glass wall; the temperature was just right.

She sipped her water, secretly glancing at Fang Jingxiu.

He stood in the center of the living room, maintaining a perfect distance from her.

Not too far, not too close, about two meters. This distance ensures that he can respond promptly if she needs help, without making her feel pressured or uncomfortable.

Chen Nuo suddenly understood that this was his sense of propriety.

Men and women should not touch each other. She is injured and emotionally vulnerable, and needs comfort right now. If he gets too close, even just patting her shoulder, it could be misunderstood and might give her undue expectations.

So he stood there with restraint, like a true elder brother.

Show concern, but don't overstep boundaries;

Protect, but do not overstep boundaries.

"Brother Xiu," Chen Nuo put down his water glass and said softly, "thank you."

Fang Jingxiu glanced at her: "You've said that twice tonight."

"But……"

"No buts." He interrupted her, his tone gentle but undeniable. "Since you call me brother, it's only right that I protect you."

He spoke so matter-of-factly, as if it were a matter of course.

Chen Nuo felt a lump in her throat and wanted to cry again.

But she held back.

She knew that Fang Jingxiu didn't like people who cried. He preferred strong, sensible, and capable people.

So she took a deep breath and tried to keep her voice steady: "Then... will Lin Hao cause you any trouble?"

Fang Jingxiu walked to the window, his back to her, and said in a low voice, "It's not a problem. Lin Guodong is currently applying for cultural industry support funds, and it will be submitted to the meeting next month."

He didn't say anything more, but Chen Nuo understood.

Lin Hao's father needed something from Fang Jingxiu's department. As long as this leverage remained, the Lin family wouldn't dare to really do anything to him.

This is the game of power.

It's not about who shouts the loudest that wins, it's about who has what the other person wants.

A knock came at the door.

Fang Jingxiu went to open the door, and a middle-aged man in military uniform was standing outside carrying a medical kit.

"Dr. Liu, thank you for your help." Fang Jingxiu stepped aside to let him in.

Dr. Liu glanced at Chen Nuo, asked no further questions, and began his examination immediately. He worked very professionally, first checking the injuries on her face, then the bruises on her wrists.

"Soft tissue contusion, not serious," Dr. Liu said, taking out ointment from the medical kit. "Apply this three times a day, and the swelling should go down in three days. Apply a warm compress to the bruise on your wrist, and you can start moving around a bit starting tomorrow."

He handed the ointment to Chen Nuo, then looked at Fang Jingxiu: "Director Fang, do you need some calming medicine? This comrade looks quite frightened."

Fang Jingxiu glanced at Chen Nuo: "Do you need it?"

Chen Nuo shook his head: "No need, I'm fine."

Dr. Liu nodded, packed his things, and left.

The door closed again, leaving only the two of them in the room.