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

On March 24th, the weather in Zhongzhou was still cold, but there was already a hint of spring in the wind.

Before dawn, the funeral home was already packed with cars. One after another, they lined up from the main entrance all the way to the street, with no end in sight.

Liu Changhe's funeral.

Fang Jingxiu didn't come. Not because he didn't want to, but because he couldn't. His presence would only cause trouble for Huang Zeshan. Huang Zeshan had finally managed to make Liu Changhe's death look like a suicide, escaping the disciplinary committee's investigation.

If he comes, people will wonder what Fang Jingxiu is doing here? Is he here to watch the spectacle? Or to demonstrate? No matter what, it won't be good for Huang Zeshan.

The funeral began. Liu Changhe's former colleagues and friends stood there, their expressions solemn, but their eyes devoid of sorrow. In this circle, the death of a person is no different from the death of an ant. If you die today, someone will take your place tomorrow. The day after tomorrow, no one will remember your name.

Huang Zeshan stood at the front, next to his sister, Liu Changhe's wife. She was crying. Not because Liu Changhe was dead, but because Liu Changhe was finally dead. She had hated him for so many years, hated him to the point of wanting to kill him with her own hands.

The convoy slowly drove out of the funeral home and headed towards the East Suburb Cemetery. Fang Jingxiu stood at the window on the sixteenth floor, watching the string of black cars disappear at the end of Anning Street.

He picked up his teacup and took a sip. The tea was already cold, but he didn't frown and swallowed it.

Liu Changhe is dead. He died before he was arrested. He died before the disciplinary committee officially opened a case. He died before all the evidence was made public.

In this way, his family will be innocent. His wife is a martyr's family member, his illegitimate child is a martyr's child, and his parents are martyrs' relatives. They will not be implicated, investigated, or discriminated against.

They can continue living in their old houses, continue receiving their old salaries, and continue living their old lives. This is the kind of death high-ranking officials prefer. One person dies, the whole family lives.

If you die, your sins will be absolved. Your family can continue to live a life of wealth and luxury. This is the rule, and also a transaction. If you die, they live. If you don't die, we all die together. Liu Changhe chose the former.

Fang Jingxiu also knew that Liu Changhe hadn't died willingly. Huang Zeshan had forced him to. Huang Zeshan told him, "If you don't die, I'll kill your parents anyway. If you die, I'll preserve your parents' wealth and status." Liu Changhe chose the latter.

Fang Jingxiu withdrew his gaze, turned around, and walked back to his desk to sit down. Three documents lay spread out on the desk. The first was Meng Sizheng's confession, a thick stack of papers, each page bearing his signature and fingerprint. He confessed to all his crimes.

The second document is a statement regarding Meng Yan's situation. Meng Sizheng's son was spared. There was no case filed, no investigation, and no punishment. He was simply transferred from the Central Economic Audit Office to a less demanding department, with his rank and benefits remaining unchanged.

That's normal. Meng Sizheng's father-in-law is still in the National Strategic Administration Bureau. As long as he's in that position, no one can touch him.

As long as you obey, as long as you can withstand the pressure, as long as you don't betray those above you.

The third document was Ren Yijun's appointment notice. He was the new Director-General of the Central Economic Audit Bureau, formerly the Director of the Northwest Branch. Ren Yijun was not Meng Sizheng's man, nor Liu Yang's man, nor a member of the Bai family. He was likely the person behind Director-General Meng's orders.

When two clams fight, the fisherman profits. He wasn't the fisherman, and Meng Sizheng wasn't a clam. They were both fish, and the fisherman was the old man.

The old man told him to fight Meng Sizheng to the death, to fight until both were severely injured. Then he would step in and push his own people into the fray. Ren Yijun was that person.

He held the now-cold teacup in his hand, his fingertips icy, but he didn't put it down. A question kept swirling in his mind: Why him? Why did the old leader insist on choosing him and Meng Sizheng?

Among the many people in the Central Economic Audit Bureau, there are plenty who are more senior, have stronger backgrounds, and are more obedient than him. Yu Qi is above him, with a higher rank, a closer position, and more seniority.

Why Ren Yijun of all people? Unless…

Fang Jingxiu paused for a moment. Unless Yu Qi was originally an old man's person, then everything would make sense.

That's why Qin Yang was able to get that document.

Qin Yang told Chen Nuo that he found it himself. But Fang Jingxiu knew that Qin Yang didn't have that ability. The document was given to Qin Yang by Yu Qi.

Yu Qi instructed Qin Yang to hand the documents to Chen Nuo, to have Chen Nuo investigate, to deliver them, and to act as the scapegoat. This way, she both brought down Meng Sizheng, protected the old man, and made Fang Jingxiu owe Yu Qi a favor. A triple win.

He thought his old boss wanted to get rid of Meng Sizheng. But Meng Sizheng was his man, had followed him for twenty years, done so many things for him, and taken so many blames for him. What benefit would getting rid of Meng Sizheng bring to his old boss?

He thought his old leader was testing him. But to test him, did it really need to involve Meng Sizheng? Did it need to involve the entire Central Economic Audit Bureau? Did it need to involve the futures of 372 officials?

He thought the old leader wanted to balance the factions. But balancing the factions only requires changing a few key positions, not such a big fuss.

A thought suddenly flashed through Fang Jingxiu's mind. Perhaps, the old leader didn't want to get rid of Meng Sizheng, nor was he testing him.

It was not a ruse, but a warning to others, to let everyone know that in this circle, no one is untouchable. Meng Sizheng had followed him for twenty years, earned billions for him, and taken the fall for countless scandals.

But when the time came, he acted just the same. Fang Jingxiu did things for him, killed people for him, and swept the roads for him. But when the time came to use him, he was used just the same.

The old leader wasn't choosing who would win; he was telling everyone that anyone could die for him.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door. Three knocks, neither too loud nor too soft.

"Come in."

Qin Yang pushed open the door and came in, holding a folder in his hand. He stood in front of the desk, head down, not daring to look at Fang Jingxiu.

"Secretary Qin," Fang Jingxiu began, "how many years have you been with the Central Economic Audit Bureau?"

Qin Yang's hand clenched slightly. "Ten years, Fang Si."

"Ten years." Fang Jingxiu nodded. "Three years earlier than me. You worked for Yu Qi before?"

Qin Yang's back began to sweat. "Yes."

"Did he give you that document?"

Qin Yang was silent for two seconds. "Yes."

"Qin Yang, do you know what I value most?"

Qin Yang shook his head.

"Loyalty." Fang Jingxiu looked at him. "But, Qin Yang, I don't blame you."

Qin Yang suddenly looked up, her eyes reddening. "Fang Si..."

"You were just trying to protect yourself." Fang Jingxiu's voice softened. "You have dirt on me, but you didn't use it. You took Yu Qi's documents, but you only testified against Chief Meng and Liu Changhe, without implicating me. You didn't betray me; you just... left yourself a way out."

Qin Yang's eyes welled up with tears. He immediately grasped Fang Jingxiu's hands with both of his, interlocking their fingers. His hands were trembling, but his grip was tight.

"Fang Si, I promise you." His voice was choked with emotion. "There won't be a next time. I'm sorry."

Fang Jingxiu looked at him. He didn't pull his hand away, nor did he speak. He simply reached out his other hand and gently ruffled Qin Yang's hair.

"good."

Qin Yang's tears finally fell. He lowered his head and buried his face in Fang Jingxiu's hand, his shoulders trembling, but he made no sound.

After a long while, Qin Yang released his grip, straightened up, and wiped away his tears. He took a step back and stood up straight.

"Fang Si, you gave me my life."

Fang Jingxiu looked at him, a complex emotion in his eyes. "I don't need your life. I need you to do a good job. Now go out and give me a report on Yu Qi's situation."

Qin Yang bowed deeply. "Yes."

He turned, walked to the door, and paused. "Director Fang, what about Chief of Staff Ren…"

Fang Jingxiu looked at him with doting eyes. "I'll handle Chief Ren's matter."

Fang Jingxiu watched his departing figure, thinking, "Once unfaithful, never trusted again."