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

The China Economic Audit Building.

When Fang Jingxiu arrived at the office, a handwritten notice was already on the desk. It had no document number, no official seal, only one line: 10:00 AM, Chief of Staff Office, Comrades Fang and Yu. This type of notice could be accepted or rejected. If accepted, it meant it was a formal meeting.

He put down his glass, stood up, and straightened his tie. Today he was wearing a navy blue suit, a white shirt, and a dark gray tie. He pushed open the door and went out.

The corridor was quiet. As they reached the elevator, the doors opened. Yu Qi stood inside, holding a folder in his hand. There was no briefcase, no notebook, just that thin folder. He wore a dark gray suit, his gray hair neatly combed, and the buttons on his cuffs were silver—understated yet sophisticated.

Fang Jingxiu bowed slightly. "Good morning, Director Yu."

Yu Qi nodded. "Good morning, Fang Si." He didn't step aside to give her his seat, nor did he say anything more.

Fang Jingxiu stepped into the elevator and stood to Yu Qi's left. Subordinates stand on the left, superiors on the right—this is an unwritten rule. The two stood side-by-side, half a person's distance between them; one was young, the other older. One had concealed his sharp edges, the other was unfathomable.

The elevator doors closed, and the numbers ticked down one by one. Ten, eleven, twelve…

Fang Jingxiu spoke up, "Director Yu, Qin Yang said that some of the materials from the Zhongzhou case came from you. I haven't had a chance to thank you in person yet."

"Director Fang, documents are constantly moving around in our system. Sometimes even the people who handled them can't remember where they came from or where they're going. Don't you agree?"

He neither admitted to giving it to Fang Jingxiu nor denied it. He neither accepted nor refused thanks. He saved face for Fang Jingxiu and left himself room to maneuver. To press further would be to disregard the proper etiquette.

The elevator reached the eighteenth floor, and the doors opened. Fang Jingxiu stepped aside and gestured for Yu Si to go first.

Yu Qi stepped out of the elevator, with Fang Jingxiu following half a step behind. "Director Yu, regarding the integrated media project, Chief Executive Officer Ren hasn't given us any direction yet. You've been at China Economic Audit for a long time and have a lot of experience. I'd like to ask for your advice on the next steps?"

"Media convergence is about converging resources and connecting channels. As for resources, whoever has more resources has more confidence. As for channels, whoever controls the access has more leverage. As for the project itself, it's just about putting these things on the table so everyone can see them."

Fang Jingxiu chuckled inwardly. That was crystal clear. Resources and distribution channels dictate; the project itself is merely a vehicle. Arguing about it is pointless; whoever holds the money and the approval authority has the final say.

"Director Yu explained it very clearly. Regarding resources, the Central Economic Audit Office has no say; it has to be decided from above. As for distribution channels, the Publicity and Education Commission, the Science and Technology Administration, and the Internet Information Office each manage their own areas. If we can clarify the demands of each party and keep things organized so they don't fall apart, then we've done our duty."

I understand, but I won't overstep my authority. It's my duty to clarify and maintain order. Giving up resources and channels is not my responsibility. This Fang Jingxiu is quite capable.

The two walked to the door of the chief's office. Yu Qi raised her hand and knocked three times. Not too hard, not too soft, not too fast, not too slow.

"Come in."

Ren Yijun sat behind his desk, several documents spread out in front of him. He wasn't holding a pen; it was just resting on the desk, his fingertips tapping on the paper. "Sit."

After they sat down, Ren Yijun spoke up, "Director Fang, Director Yu. I'm a soldier who was suddenly brought here. The matter in the Northwest hasn't been finished yet, and I'm already here. I'm not familiar with the Central Economic Audit Bureau. I'll need your guidance on the business matters in the future."

Yu Qi bowed slightly. "General Manager Ren, you're too kind. As your subordinates, we will certainly do our best in handling matters related to the Central Economic Audit Office."

Fang Jingxiu also bowed slightly. "Chief Yu is right. If Chief Ren has anything he needs to know, we will answer it without reservation."

Ren Yijun looked at them, her gaze lingering on each of their faces. "The disciplinary committee has been urging us about the materials several times. The tail end of the Zhongzhou case has been mostly swept away, but some clues are still out there. The Central Economic Audit Office is a business department, so it's not appropriate for them to directly interfere in other people's affairs. But if we don't submit some things, they won't know where to look."

Fang Jingxiu understood. He glanced at Yu Qi. Yu Qi kept her head down, looking at her hands on her knees, as if she hadn't heard anything. The superior's silence was a way of telling the subordinate to speak first.

Fang Jingxiu spoke up. "Chief of Staff Ren, dealing with loose threads requires extra care. All the Central Economic Audit can do is clearly identify which threads are from the fabric, which are from the clothing, which should be cut, and which should be left. Once that's clear, hand them over to the appropriate place. As for how they cut or leave them, that's their business; we shouldn't interfere."

I will organize the materials, but I will not proactively hand over the knife. I will clearly list the issues, but I will not tell the disciplinary committee who to investigate. I will cooperate, but I will not overstep my authority.

"Director Fang is right," Yu Qi suddenly spoke up. "Director Fang is good at handling loose ends. The materials for the Zhongzhou case were compiled by Director Fang, and the Discipline Inspection Commission was very satisfied. This time, it's most suitable for Director Fang to take the lead again. I will fully cooperate."

"You flatter me, Director Yu. The materials were compiled by everyone, not just by me. For the new threads that need to be sorted out this time, I suggest we follow the old procedure: sort them out separately, check them together, and submit them only after confirming that everything is correct. This way, no one will take the blame, and no one will miss anything."

Ren Yijun smiled. "Director Fang, your idea is good. We'll handle it separately, then work together, so no one gets blamed. Let's do it that way. You take the lead, and Director Yu will assist. Once it's clear, send it over for me to take a look."

"Yes, Chief of Staff Ren."

Yu Qi nodded. "Okay."

Ren Yijun picked up her teacup again, took a sip, and looked at Fang Jingxiu. "Director Fang, the Publicity Committee is pressing us again about the integrated media project. Do you have any thoughts on that?"

"Chief Ren, the matter of integrated media involves many departments, making coordination difficult. My idea is to first establish the framework, clarify the demands of each party, and then gradually fill in the content. We can't rush it. As for how to establish and clarify the framework, I plan to organize my initial ideas in the next few days, ask Director Yu for his review, and then report back to you."

"Okay. Please have Director Yu review it first, and then send over the approved plan."

Fang Jingxiu stood up. "Yes, Chief of Staff Ren."

Yu Qi also stood up. The two bowed slightly and turned to walk towards the door.

"Fang Si," Ren Yijun suddenly called out.

Fang Jingxiu stopped and turned around.

Ren Yijun sat behind his desk, sunlight streaming in from the window, casting interplay of light and shadow on his face. His expression was obscured, but every word of his voice was clear.

"Get the loose thread sorted out as soon as possible."

"Understood. I'll get started as soon as I get back."

He pushed open the door and went out.

Fang Jingxiu stood alone in the corridor, staring at the closed door. He turned and walked towards his office. After a few steps, he suddenly stopped and glanced out the window. Sunlight streamed through the clouds, reflecting a blinding glare onto the glass curtain wall of the building opposite.

The loose threads need to be sorted out, but how to sort them out, what results to get, and who to hand them over to afterward are his business.

A knife handed to you, you can refuse. A fire handed to you, you can refuse to light. A path handed to you, you can refuse to choose. But your attitude is essential. For Yu Qi, it's respect. For Ren Yijun, it's cooperation.

Not too much, not too little. Just enough for two people to feel that he is usable.