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

Guo Huaimin sat in his office, a red-headed document spread out in front of him: "Decision on Awarding Comrade Chen Nuo the Honorary Title of National Cultural Security Guardian."

The approval document has been issued. It was signed by the Vice Minister in charge of culture, education, and health, and copies were sent to the Central Economic Audit Office, the film and television system, and the Zhejiang Provincial Party Committee. The red seal is affixed neatly, and the date is today.

He didn't apply for this honorary title; Fang Jingxiu asked him to apply for it. Yesterday morning, Fang Jingxiu came to his office without any documents or materials, only bringing a single sentence.

"Representative Guo, you've seen the Baizhou case. My cousin risked her life there, almost losing it. There has to be an explanation from above."

He knew Fang Jingxiu meant it wasn't about seeking an explanation, but about getting a reward. The Baizhou case had blown up so much; Wang Longjie was imprisoned, Inspector Hu and Inspector Wu were taken away, and Bai Yan was arrested overseas.

The entire internet is praising Chen Nuo, hailing her as a heroic figure. Without an explanation from above, public opinion won't be satisfied; an explanation would be tantamount to acknowledging Chen Nuo's merit.

To acknowledge Chen Nuo's merits is to acknowledge the mistakes of the Discipline Inspection Commission, the Baizhou Municipal Party Committee, and those who protected Wang Longjie.

Fang Jingxiu was forcing him to take sides.

Guo Huaimin pondered for a long time before asking, "What do you want?"

"Representative Guo, my cousin is still young. She has no connections, no backing, and no influence in this circle. All she has is passion and fearless courage."

Guo Huaimin looked at Fang Jingxiu, waiting for him to continue.

"People like this either die quickly or go far. I want her to go far." Fang Jingxiu put down his teacup, his voice not loud, but every word was steady. "So I need your help. Not now, but to send her to a higher position, so that she will be able to help others in the future."

This was an open strategy. Fang Jingxiu didn't hide anything; he laid his purpose out on the table.

Guo Huaimin knew he could refuse, but what would be the price? Fang Jingxiu had a favor to do for him, and with that favor in place, it wouldn't be good to directly turn against him.

Guo Huaimin picked up his teacup, took a sip, and neither agreed nor disagreed. But today's official document said it all.

Guo Huaimin picked up the red landline on the table and dialed a number. "Old leader, it's me, Huaimin."

"What is it?"

Guo Huaimin carefully considered his words. "Old leader, Chen Nuo from the Baizhou case has already received an honorary title. But I feel that a title alone isn't enough. What she did in Baizhou wasn't just about cultural security governance; it also involved poverty alleviation, education, and women's rights protection. I was thinking, could we apply for a more significant award for her?"

"What policy?"

Guo Huaimin was prepared. "Wasn't Baizhou City just designated as a key county for rural revitalization? There's a huge education gap there, especially the girls' enrollment rate, which ranks last in the entire Central Prefecture. I'd like to suggest that she be appointed as the deputy director of the Baizhou City Education Bureau, in charge of girls' education. First, she has a strong grassroots support there, and the people of Baizhou trust her; second, she's familiar with the situation and can get up to speed quickly; and third, she's a woman, so it's perfectly legitimate for her to take charge of girls' education."

There was silence on the other end of the phone. He knew his old boss was weighing his options; placing his people in Baizhou was tantamount to planting a flag there.

But at the same time, Fang Jingxiu needed to repay a favor, a favor he would have to use sooner or later. It's always better to have one more friend than one more enemy.

Finally, the person on the other end of the phone said one word: "Okay."

Guo Huaimin hung up the phone; his back was soaked with sweat. He immediately picked up his phone and dialed Fang Jingxiu's number.

"Fang Si, it's done. He'll be appointed as the deputy director of the Baizhou City Education Bureau, in charge of girls' education. The approval will be issued next week."

Fang Jingxiu's voice was calm. "Thank you, Representative Guo."

Guo Huaimin hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Fang Si, aren't you afraid she'll hate you? And that you'll throw her back to Baizhou, the place where she almost lost her life?"

"Representative Guo, she's not that kind of person. She hates those who do bad things, not that place. Putting her in Baizhou wasn't to make her suffer, but to let her make contributions. Doing a good job in girls' education is a real achievement. With achievements, the next step is to become a full-fledged department head."

Guo Huaimin was taken aback. "A section chief?"

Fang Jingxiu's voice carried a hint of amusement. "Representative Guo, you don't think I only want her to be a deputy director, do you? She has a long road ahead of her; I'm just paving the first step for her. The rest, she'll have to walk on her own."

He suddenly realized that Fang Jingxiu was a more complex person than he had thought. He wasn't just paving the way for Chen Nuo; he was playing a much bigger game.

Fang Jingxiu hung up Guo Huaimin's call and sat in his study without turning on the lights. The night outside the window was deep, and the city lights resembled a flowing galaxy, large and small, bright and dim, much like the hearts of people in officialdom.

Guo Huaimin asked her if she would hate him. She said no. Because he knew her too well; she wasn't that kind of person. She hated the people who did bad things, not the place.

Bai Zhou contains girls she saved, girls she didn't have time to save, and memories she'll never forget. Sending her back isn't to make her suffer, but to help her win.

Doing a good job in educating girls is a real political achievement. With that achievement, the next step is to become a full-fledged department head. Once she's a full-fledged department head, she can stand rightfully by his side without having to call him "cousin" anymore.

She didn't know any of this, nor could she know. Because if she did, it wouldn't be that she walked up there herself, but that he helped her up. He didn't need her gratitude, he only needed her to walk steadily.

The city lights spread out beneath his feet, large and small, bright and dim. He remembered something Chen Nuo had once said: "Brother Xiu, you've helped me so much, I can't repay you."

He didn't answer at the time because he didn't know how. He wanted to say, "You don't need to pay me back. Just standing there is enough."