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

February 22, Central Economic Audit Building, Chief Executive's Office.

Chief of Staff Meng sat behind his desk, the ashtray in front of him overflowing with cigarette butts. He hadn't been home for three days; his eyes were bloodshot. Three documents lay open on the desk, each an inquiry letter from the Inspection Department. The wording grew increasingly harsh, the deadlines increasingly urgent.

First document: Please explain the flow of funds for the digital transformation project in Zhongzhou Province. Second document: Please explain the destination of the resettlement fees for employees of the original seed farm. Third document: Please explain the business dealings with the Bai and Liu families.

He didn't reply to a single one. Not because he didn't want to, but because he didn't dare. To reply would be to admit defeat. Not replying meant he could drag it out. But how long could he drag it out? He didn't know.

The phone rang. He stared at the number on the screen, his hands trembling. He knew what this call meant. He took a deep breath and answered.

This was his former boss, and also the biggest beneficiary of the 556 case, accounting for 40% of the profits. Over the years, he had done a lot for his former boss and shouldered a lot of burdens for him.

"Old boss, you wanted to see me?"

"I've seen the news. The heat is getting out of control." The old leader's voice was devoid of emotion, as if stating a fact. "A joint investigation team has been established, led by the Supervision Department and assisted by the Discipline Inspection Commission. They will be stationed at the Central Economic Audit Office tomorrow morning."

"My former boss, I..."

His former boss interrupted him, "Someone has to take responsibility for this."

"Old boss, what do you mean...?"

"You carry it."

The office was silent for a few seconds. Chief of Staff Meng opened his mouth, as if to say something, but then swallowed his words.

"Old boss," his voice was hoarse, "it contains more than just my name. Over three hundred names, involving more than a dozen provinces and cities. If I take the blame, what about them?"

"The list will be changed. You've already been exposed, but they haven't. If you take the blame, they'll be safe. If they're safe, your descendants will be safe."

"Old boss, I..." His voice trailed off. "I don't want to go in."

"Chief Meng, do you think I wanted you to go in?" The old leader's voice softened, tinged with helplessness. "I didn't want to either. But there was no other way. The higher-ups want to investigate, and someone has to take the blame. If you take the blame, then I can help you from the outside. If I'm not out there, who will help you?"

He knew his old boss was telling the truth. If he went in, his old boss, outside, could still help him. If he didn't go in, and his old boss went in, he would lose everything.

"He's gone in. After a while, when things calm down," the old leader's voice lowered, "I'll come pick you up."

"Old boss, do you keep your word?"

"When have I ever lied to you?"

"Okay. I'll carry it."

"Don't worry. I'll take good care of your son, your daughter, and your grandson." The old leader paused. "I'll handle the list. You, on your end, burn everything that needs to be burned. Don't leave any loose ends."

The phone call ended. An old man sat behind a table, holding a photograph in his hand. The person in the photograph was Fang Jingxiu. There was a red X on his face, drawn heavily, the ink penetrating the paper.

He drew it himself.

The old man stared at the photo for a long time.

"Fang Jingxiu, you're lucky to be alive."

"With Meng Sizheng as your backup." The old man closed his eyes and tapped his fingers lightly twice on the armrest. Once, twice.

He picked up the photo with the red cross on it and looked at it one last time. Then he put the photo in the drawer and locked it.

"Fang Jingxiu, you think you've won?" he said in a low voice. "This game isn't over yet."

At the same time, at the Bai family villa.

Bai Yan sat in his study, a shredder in front of him. He had been burning documents for three days. Account books, contracts, agreements, records of transactions—everything he could burn was burned.

But there was one document he didn't burn. Not because he didn't want to, but because he dared not. This document was a confirmation of financial transactions, personally signed by Liu Yang.

For the past twenty years, he has done so much for Liu Yang, taken so many burdens for him, and made so much money for him. Yet, he made sure to settle all the accounts meticulously, especially the records of dealings between the Bai and Liu families—not a single one could be left behind.

Bai Yan agreed at the time. But he didn't do as he was told.

It's not that he doesn't want to, it's that he doesn't dare. Because he knows that in officialdom, no one can be trusted. Today you're his front man, tomorrow you'll be his scapegoat.

Today he tells you to burn the account books, tomorrow he'll say you forged them. Today he says he'll handle it, tomorrow he'll say he doesn't know this person. So he's keeping a backup plan.

Bai Yan picked up his phone and dialed a number. "Team Leader Huang, this is Bai Yan. I want to report Liu Yang."

February 28th, Zhongzhou Discipline Inspection Commission Detention Center.

When Chief of Staff Meng was brought in, it was still dark. He didn't struggle, didn't argue, and didn't beg for mercy. He simply followed the two men in plainclothes through the gray door without a nameplate.

At the same time, another team from the Discipline Inspection Commission went to Chief Meng's house. The villa was located in the western suburbs, covering three acres, and the renovation alone cost several hundred million yuan.

They searched all day and found a hidden compartment behind a bookcase in the basement. Inside the compartment was a safe, and inside the safe were property deeds. Not one or two, but a whole pile. They weighed 105 pounds.

Cui Ming, who was leading the team, stared at the pile of property certificates and remained silent for a long time. He had worked in discipline inspection for decades and had seen corrupt people, but he had never seen anyone this corrupt.

He put down the property certificate, turned around, and looked at the young discipline inspection cadres behind him.

"Take photos, register, and seal them. Not a single one can be missing."

Chen Nuo compiled the evidence of resettlement fees for the original seed farm employees in Qin Yang's possession into a report and submitted it directly to the Supervision Department. The report was written with restraint, devoid of emotion or evaluation, containing only facts.

Every fact is verifiable, every figure has a source, and every name has a testimonial. The first page of the report contains only one line: "556 workers froze to death, starved to death, or committed suicide because their resettlement funds were embezzled. Please organize a thorough investigation."

After reading the report, Cui Ming picked up a pen and signed two words on the cover: "Case filed."