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

Chapter 23 only treated her as a younger sister

Fang Jingxiu looked up at the clock on the wall.

3:20 a.m.

The dormitories in the ministry compound are divided into two types: single dormitories are two-bedroom and one-living room dormitories, while married cadres' dormitories are three-bedroom and two-living room dormitories.

His apartment is a standard single-person setup; he converted the guest room into a study.

Chen Nuo sat on the sofa, holding a water glass in both hands, her eyes still somewhat bewildered. Her white down jacket was crumpled from being pulled at the police station, and her hair was disheveled, with a few strands sticking to her sweaty forehead.

Fang Jingxiu walked up to her and squatted down.

This height is just right so that I can look her in the eye without making her feel pressured.

"Listen," he began, his voice steady and clear, "you'll be sleeping in the bedroom tonight. There are new towels and toiletries in the closet, and the bathroom is in the bedroom."

Chen Nuo opened his mouth as if to say something, but Fang Jingxiu raised his hand to stop him: "I know what you want to say. But I'm the one who calls the shots here."

It's not a command, but a statement of fact.

He stood up, walked to the wardrobe, and opened the door.

His clothes were neatly hung inside: white shirts arranged by shade, suits categorized by occasion, and below them were folded trousers and sweaters.

Sure enough, the bottommost storage compartment contained unopened toiletries and a set of light gray women's loungewear.

Fang Jingxiu took out some loungewear and a towel, walked back and handed them to Chen Nuo: "Go take a hot shower and relax."

Chen Nuo took the item, her fingertips touching his warm palm, then she pulled back as if burned.

"Brother Xiu..." she said softly, "Where do you sleep?"

Fang Jingxiu pointed to the sofa: "Here."

"That won't do—"

"Why not?" he asked, looking at her. "I often sleep on the sofa; I'm used to it."

These words were spoken casually, but Chen Nuo understood the underlying meaning. He was too busy with work, had an irregular schedule, and often slept on the sofa.

She stopped arguing and went into the bedroom with her things.

After the door closed, Fang Jingxiu sat down on the sofa, unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt, and let out a long breath.

tired.

It's not just the physical exhaustion, but also the exhaustion of having to stay vigilant at all times, weigh the pros and cons, and scheme against people's hearts.

But he got used to it.

From the first day he stepped into this system, he knew he was on a path of no return. Every step had to be steady, every decision had to be accurate, and every person around him had to be carefully considered.

Chen Nuo... was an accident.

He was just lending a hand, like many others he'd helped before. He was giving her a chance, pointing her in the right direction; whether it worked out was up to her.

But she was too smart and too hardworking. Like a plant growing in a crack in the rock, she would desperately try to grow upwards if given a little sunlight.

He began to admire her, and then... he began to care about her.

Tonight, I received a call from Secretary Qin, who said that Chen Nuo was taken to the police station while he was attending a meeting. He didn't even have time to explain; he grabbed his coat and rushed out.

This is not his style.

He was never an impulsive person. But at that moment, only one thought occupied his mind.

She can't get into trouble.

Fang Jingxiu rubbed his temples and opened his laptop. An unfinished annual summary report was still on the screen, but he couldn't concentrate on reading a single word.

The faint sound of water could be heard coming from the bedroom.

He closed his laptop, walked to the window, and lit a cigarette.

Outside the window, the ministry compound was completely silent. Only patrolling guards marched by in orderly steps, their military boots making a rhythmic crunching sound on the snow.

This place is home to vital components of the national machine. Behind each person lies a complex network of relationships, and every decision can potentially affect the fates of countless others.

And he, Fang Jingxiu, a 29-year-old section chief at the National Development and Reform Commission, is the most promising successor of the third generation of the Fang family, and cannot afford to have any weaknesses.

Chen Nuo could be a younger sister, a junior, or someone who needs care.

But it cannot be a weakness.

The cigarette burned down to the end, scalding his fingers. Fang Jingxiu snapped out of his daze and stubbed out the cigarette.

The sound of water in the bathroom stopped.

A few minutes later, the bedroom door was gently pulled open a crack.

Chen Nuo stood at the door wearing that light gray loungewear. The clothes were a bit too big for her; the sleeves were rolled up twice, and the trouser legs dragged on the ground.

She washed her hair, wrapped it in a towel, and had a bare face. Her eyes were still red and swollen, but she finally looked a little more alive.

"Brother Xiu," she whispered, "I'm done washing up."

"Okay." Fang Jingxiu nodded. "Go to sleep early."

Chen Nuo didn't move, standing at the door watching him, his eyes filled with hesitation, gratitude, and... something he dared not delve into.

"Today..." her voice choked with emotion, "If it weren't for you, I might..."

"It's impossible," Fang Jingxiu interrupted her, his tone firm. "I won't let that happen."

He spoke with such certainty, as if it were something beyond doubt.

Chen Nuo's tears welled up again, but she forcefully held them back.

"Thank you," she said. "Really... thank you."

"I've said that too many times tonight." Fang Jingxiu walked up to her, reached out, and gently patted her head. "Go to sleep. Everything will be alright when you wake up tomorrow."

This gesture is very natural, like an older brother to a younger sister, or an elder to a younger person.

But Chen Nuo's heart skipped a beat.

She nodded, went back to the bedroom, and gently closed the door.

Fang Jingxiu stood outside the door, listening to the rustling sounds inside, followed by the slight creaking of the mattress.

She lay down.

He sat back down on the sofa, opened his laptop, and began working.

At four o'clock in the morning, he sent an email to Secretary Qin to arrange work adjustments for the next day.

At 4:30 a.m., he finished reviewing three urgent documents.

It was five in the morning, and it was still dark, but he was wide awake.

Soft sobbing could be heard coming from the bedroom.

Fang Jingxiu paused, listening intently. It was a suppressed, restrained sob, as if afraid of being overheard.

He put down his computer, walked to the bedroom door, raised his hand as if to knock, but then stopped.

The finger hovered in the air for a few seconds before slowly being lowered.

In situations like this, offering comfort might not be the best option. What she needs is to process her emotions on her own and rediscover her strength.

He returned to the sofa and continued working.

But I could no longer concentrate.

That suppressed cry was like a fine needle, piercing a soft spot in his heart.

At six o'clock, the sky was just beginning to lighten. Fang Jingxiu got up and went to the kitchen to boil water, making two cups of honey water.

He carried the cup to the bedroom door and knocked gently.

no respond.

He knocked twice more, but there was still no response.

After hesitating for a moment, he pushed open the door.

Chen Nuo lay on her side on the bed, curled up in a ball, asleep. There were still tear stains on her face, and her eyelashes were wet, but her breathing was steady.

She was fast asleep and didn't even notice him come in.

Fang Jingxiu stood by the bed and watched her for a while, then placed the honey water on the bedside table.

Just as he was about to leave, Chen Nuo suddenly moved and mumbled something.

He bent down to listen.

"...Brother Xiu...don't go..."

balderdash.

Fang Jingxiu's body stiffened.

He stared at her sleeping profile for a very long time.

Then, he reached out and gently tucked the blanket around her.

"I'm here," he said softly. "I won't leave."

After saying this, he straightened up, walked out of the bedroom, and gently closed the door.

Back in the living room, Fang Jingxiu stood by the window, watching the sky gradually lighten in the east.