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

On the third day at noon, Secretary Qin knocked on the dormitory door on time.

When Chen Nuo opened the door, she was no longer as uneasy as she had been the previous two times. She was wearing her light-colored sweater and jeans, her hair loosely tied in a low ponytail, and she was without makeup, but her complexion looked much better.

"Ms. Chen," Secretary Qin handed over the insulated bag, "Director Fang asked me to tell you that he'll be picking you up tonight."

Chen Nuo's heart skipped a beat: "He...is free?"

"Director Fang has a dinner party tonight and insists that you attend." There was something meaningful in Secretary Qin's smile. "Please make sure you are ready."

"What kind of dinner party do I need to attend?" Chen Nuo asked, taking his lunch.

Secretary Qin shook his head: "Director Fang didn't elaborate. But it must be... a very important occasion."

After seeing Secretary Qin off, Chen Nuo sat on the sofa, eating and pondering.

Is it absolutely necessary for her to attend such an important occasion?

What important occasions could a nobody like her attend? Unless... the occasion requires her to play a certain role.

cousin?

Or something else?

Chen Nuo shook his head, deciding not to think about it anymore.

Anyway, if Fang Jingxiu tells her to go, she will go.

Obedient, sensible, and doesn't cause trouble.

This is the most important thing she should do right now.

She took a shower in the afternoon and carefully dried her hair. She wanted to put on makeup, but she remembered that Fang Jingxiu didn't like heavy makeup.

It was 6:30 p.m. and already dark.

The streetlights in the ministry compound lit up one after another.

Chen Nuo was sitting on the sofa watching the news broadcast.

The broadcast happened to show footage of the National Development and Reform Commission holding a symposium on the new energy industry. Fang Jingxiu sat on the left side of the conference table, wearing a dark gray suit, white shirt, and dark blue tie. He was speaking, his expression focused, his gestures steady and powerful.

The man on the screen was completely different from the man she usually met who would laugh, make her laugh, and remove fish bones for her.

That's Director Fang.

They are state cadres who wield real power and shoulder heavy responsibilities.

Chen Nuo stared at the screen, her eyes unconsciously becoming filled with adoration and focus. She didn't notice that the door lock clicked softly at that moment.

Fang Jingxiu pushed the door open and came in.

He looked exhausted.

His eyes were dark and bluish-black, and he had stubble on his chin. He carried a heavy briefcase in one hand and a clothing bag in the other.

Unmelted snowflakes still clung to the shoulders of his dark gray coat, clearly indicating he had just returned from outside.

As soon as he entered, he saw Chen Nuo sitting on the sofa, the light from the TV screen reflecting on her face. She was so engrossed in watching that she didn't even notice him coming in.

Fang Jingxiu's gaze fell on the television screen.

It was a close-up shot of him speaking.

He raised an eyebrow, remained silent, and quietly looked at Chen Nuo.

The girl's eyes sparkled as she stared intently at him on the screen, a smile unconsciously playing on her lips. Her adoration and focus were as pure as that of a naive young girl.

A certain part of Fang Jingxiu's heart suddenly softened.

The fatigue from three consecutive days of meetings, social engagements, and document approvals was mostly washed away by those clear eyes at this moment.

He deliberately made his steps heavy.

Chen Nuo was startled and hurriedly grabbed the remote to turn off the TV. When she turned around and saw it was him, her face flushed red.

"Xiu, Brother Xiu..." She stood up, flustered, "You're back."

Fang Jingxiu placed his briefcase on the coffee table, took off his coat and hung it up, then looked at her and asked, "What are you looking at?"

"Watch...watch the news." Chen Nuo looked down at his toes. "Learn...learn politics."

"Oh?" Fang Jingxiu walked up to her, leaned down to look at her, and said, "That male lead on TV just now looked a bit familiar."

Chen Nuo's face turned even redder: "Brother Xiu... don't tease me."

Her voice was soft, with a hint of coquettishness, like a kitten's paw gently scratching at one's heart.

Looking at her flushed cheeks and evasive eyes, Fang Jingxiu suddenly realized that teasing her was a very interesting thing.

He straightened up and handed her the clothing bag: "Go change your clothes."

Chen Nuo took the bag and asked curiously, "What occasion is it for?"

"It's a special dinner." Fang Jingxiu loosened his tie and sat down on the sofa. "You'll find out when you get there."

He paused, then added, his tone unusually playful: "Little fangirl."

These three words were spoken softly and slowly, like a feather brushing against the ear.

Chen Nuo's face was so hot it could fry an egg.

Clutching the bag of clothes, she looked at him with sparkling eyes: "Then...then I'll go change now!"

She turned to leave, her movements too hasty, and her fingers inadvertently brushed against Fang Jingxiu's hand as she took the bag.

For a moment, both of them froze.

A current seemed to surge through them where their skin touched. Chen Nuo's fingers were slender and soft, with the unique warmth of a young girl; Fang Jingxiu's hands were dry and warm, with distinct knuckles.

Time seemed to stand still for a second.

Chen Nuo was the first to react. Like a startled rabbit, she pulled her hand back, grabbed the bag, rushed into the bedroom, and slammed the door shut.

The movements were completed in one smooth motion.

Fang Jingxiu remained standing in the same spot, still in the posture of handing over the item.

His gaze fell on the back of his hand.

The subtle sensation still lingered where she had touched me.

He slowly withdrew his hand, his fingertips unconsciously rubbing against that patch of skin.

The faint scent of orange blossoms seemed to linger in the air. It was the smell of the shower gel he had prepared for her.

Fang Jingxiu sat down on the sofa and lit a cigarette.

Smoke curled up, blurring his features.

He recalled Chen Nuo's expression when he watched TV earlier, that pure admiration and liking;

I remember the way she looked away when she blushed;

He recalled the fleeting thrill he felt when her fingers brushed against the back of his hand.

This shouldn't be happening.

He said to himself.

To him, Chen Nuo should be a smart and promising junior, a younger sister who needs to be mentored, and a pawn who can be cultivated.

It shouldn't be like this now.

She makes his heart race, makes him want to tease her, and is the first person he wants to see when he's tired.

Fang Jingxiu stubbed out his cigarette and closed his eyes.

He is 29 years old this year and has been in politics for seven years.

I've met too many people and experienced too many things.

He knows what he can have and what he must not touch.

Chen Nuo... belongs to the latter.

She is too young, too innocent, and too dangerous.

The danger is that she might make him lose his mind and make decisions that are inconsistent with his status and interests.

For example, the night before last, he carried her away in public;

For example, right now, he took her to that dinner party.

But he still did.

In the bedroom, Chen Nuo leaned against the door, her heart pounding like a drum.

She looked down at her fingers.

The fingers that I touched on the back of Fang Jingxiu's hand are still slightly warm.

She took a few deep breaths, forcing herself to calm down.

Opening the garment bag revealed a light champagne-colored dress. The style was simple and elegant, with a conservative neckline and a knee-length hem, but the cut was superb, perfectly accentuating the figure. Accessories included a pair of pearl stud earrings and a delicate necklace.

Chen Nuo changed her clothes and tidied herself up in front of the mirror.

The dress fits perfectly, as if it were tailor-made.

The pearl earrings made her skin look even fairer, and the necklace was just below her collarbone, simple yet elegant.

She styled her hair into a low bun, revealing her slender neck.

The person in the mirror has lost some of the naivety of a student and gained more gentleness and poise.

She is very suitable for the identity of "Fang Jingxiu's cousin".

Chen Nuo practiced smiling in front of the mirror.

Be proper, be generous, and be neither arrogant nor servile.

She remembered the touch from earlier.

She could clearly see Fang Jingxiu's reaction.

He froze, though only for a moment.

What does this mean?

This means he cares too.

This means that the touch was not entirely without his feeling.

Chen Nuo understands men so well.

Especially men like Fang Jingxiu.

Mature, steady, restrained, and patient.

They don't easily say they like someone, nor do they easily reveal their emotions. Their care is hidden in the details, in those subconscious reactions.

That moment of awkward silence was a detail.

She took a deep breath, opened the door, and went out.

In the living room, Fang Jingxiu was standing by the window making a phone call. Hearing the sound, he turned his head.

His words paused for half a second the moment his gaze fell on her.

Then he said to the person on the other end of the phone, "That's it, I'm hanging up."

He put away his phone and looked Chen Nuo up and down, his eyes showing appreciation, but also... something deeper.

"It's a good fit," he finally said.

"Thank you, Brother Xiu." Chen Nuo smiled. "Shall we go now?"

"Okay." Fang Jingxiu picked up his coat. "Let's go."

He walked to the door and opened it for her. As Chen Nuo walked past him, he suddenly whispered, "Tonight's dinner is a little special. Don't be nervous, just follow me."

"What kind of occasion is it?" Chen Nuo couldn't help but ask again.

Fang Jingxiu looked at her, his eyes deep: "You'll know when you get there."

He paused, then added, "Remember, no matter what happens, I'm bringing you with me. Don't be afraid of anyone."

These words were like a reassuring pill.

Chen Nuo nodded: "Okay."

The two stepped out of the dormitory building; the air after the snow was fresh and crisp. A black Hongqi H7 was already waiting downstairs.

Fang Jingxiu opened the car door for her and waited for her to get in before getting in from the other side.

The car drove out of the ministry compound and merged into the traffic on Qiming Street.

Chen Nuo looked at the lights flashing past the window, her heart filled with both anticipation and trepidation.

She didn't know what lay ahead.

But she knew that the person beside her would protect her.

This is enough.