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

On the seventh day of the third lunar month, at the detention center of the Discipline Inspection Commission.

Fang Jingxiu sat in the room, a cup of tea in front of him. The tea was freshly brewed, Longjing, pre-Qingming, with a bright golden hue. He picked it up, took a slow sip, and put it down.

The sound of a car engine came from outside the window, very soft, but he heard it. He put down his teacup, stood up, and straightened his collar. Still neat and tidy, it was a habit he had maintained for many years; a man can lack power, but he cannot lack dignity.

The door opened. Cui Ming stood in the doorway, holding a folder. "Fang Si, you can go now."

Fang Jingxiu nodded without asking why. Cui Mingyuan stepped aside, and Fang Jingxiu walked out of the room.

He paused at the gate. Two people were standing outside. Fang Zhenguo, wearing a dark gray overcoat but no military cap, stood there, and next to him was Fang Jingxiu's mother, wearing a dark scarf.

Seeing Fang Jingxiu come out, he quickly walked over, hugged him tightly, patted his back, and touched his face. "Brother Xiu, let me see, have you lost weight?"

"No, that's not true. Mom, I'm eating and drinking well here, three dishes and a soup every meal. Look how round my face has become."

"You've lost weight. Your chin is even more pointed."

Fang Zhenguo stood to the side, watching the mother and son, but didn't step forward. "Let's go. You can leave now."

Fang Jingxiu looked at his father and suddenly asked, "Dad, who saved me?"

Fang Zhenguo looked at him, then immediately raised his foot and gave Fang Jingxiu a light kick to the butt. "You did that on purpose, didn't you, Fang Jingxiu?"

Fang Jingxiu didn't flinch; he looked at his father, waiting for his answer. "Was it Chen Nuo who saved me?"

Fang Zhenguo was silent for two seconds, then nodded. "Your woman is quite capable."

Fang Jingxiu's lips curved slightly. It wasn't Chen Nuo who saved Fang Jingxiu; it was the woman you chose, and my Fang family accepts it. In officialdom, acknowledging someone's status is never about words, but about actions.

"Simple," Fang Jingxiu said casually, as if he were saying the weather was nice today.

Fang Zhenguo looked at him and snorted. "Simple? You think I don't know you were behind this? You got involved yourself, crushed the Bai and Liu families, and dragged Meng Sizheng down with you. Fang Jingxiu, you've played a very big game."

Fang Jingxiu didn't say anything, he just smiled.

Fang Zhenguo took a step forward and lowered his voice. "Jingxiu, there's something I don't understand. Huang Zeshan was clearly one of the people who harmed you, so why did he suddenly switch sides? Isn't he Liu Changhe's brother-in-law?"

"Dad, do you know Huang Zeshan's sister?"

Fang Zhenguo shook his head.

"Huang Zeshan's parents died early, and his younger sister dropped out of school at a young age to work and support his education and career path. In those years, she did all sorts of jobs, from factories and restaurants to street stalls. Later, Huang Zeshan entered the Central Economic Audit and rose through the ranks, but his career path was bumpy, and he needed help at crucial moments. For his sake, his sister slept with other high-ranking officials."

Fang Zhenguo frowned.

Fang Jingxiu continued, "Not just once, but many times. Every time, it was to pave the way for Huang Zeshan. Every time, he was exchanging his own body for his brother's future. Huang Zeshan knew this, but he had no choice. He could only desperately climb up the ladder so that he could give his sister a better life."

He paused.

"Later, he climbed up the social ladder and bought his sister a house, a car, and a shop. His sister finally didn't have to suffer anymore. But her years of being a bed slave made her distrust men, marriage, and everyone else. Until she met Liu Changhe."

Fang Zhenguo listened without saying a word.

"Back then, Liu Changhe was just a junior section chief. He was honest, dutiful, and good to her. She thought this man was different. She married him, and Huang Zeshan single-handedly promoted Liu Changhe from section chief to department head, bureau chief, and general manager. Without Huang Zeshan, Liu Changhe wouldn't be where he is today."

Fang Jingxiu looked at his father.

"But they never had children. My sister suffered terribly from menstrual cramps, often ending up in the hospital. Huang Zeshan initially thought she was unwell, but later he became suspicious and had someone investigate. And guess what the results were?"

Fang Zhenguo remained silent.

"Liu Changhe had been putting birth control pills in his sister's ginseng soup. Every time she had menstrual cramps, it wasn't menstrual cramps, it was a miscarriage. He didn't want his sister to have children because if she did, he would be tied down. He married her not because she was good to him, but because her brother was Huang Zeshan."

Fang Zhenguo's hands slowly clenched.

"When Huang Zeshan learned the truth, he had already stepped down. He wanted to take action against Liu Changhe, but he couldn't. Liu Changhe was out of control, with the Bai family, Liu Yang, and Chief of Staff Meng behind him. He couldn't bring him down by himself."

Fang Jingxiu looked at his father.

"So, he chose to cooperate with me."

"Jingxiu, did you go to see him before you went in?"

Fang Jingxiu nodded. "I said something to him."

"What did you say?"

"Director Huang, only if I am safe and sound, and your son gets promoted, will Liu Changhe die."

"He believed it?"

"He believed me," Fang Jingxiu said. "Because he knew I was telling the truth. The Bai family fell, Liu Yang fell, Chief Meng fell, and Liu Changhe is next. His son, Huang Jinwen, solved the case of trafficking women and made a great contribution; his promotion is a sure thing. By helping me, he helped himself. By helping me, he avenged his sister."

Fang Zhenguo stared at him, motionless for a long time. Then he turned and walked towards the parking lot. After a few steps, he stopped. "Jingxiu, in this scheme, you included me too?"

Fang Jingxiu did not answer.