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

Halfway through the meal, Lin Ming received a phone call and excused himself to leave. Mrs. Lin also said she was going to the restroom, leaving only Fang Jingxiu, Chen Nuo, and Lin Hao in the private room.

The atmosphere was a little awkward.

Lin Hao kept his head down and didn't eat much.

Fang Jingxiu acted very naturally, occasionally serving food to Chen Nuo, his movements as natural as if he had done it countless times.

"Eat some of this." He placed a deboned piece of fish into Chen Nuo's bowl. "You're too thin."

Chen Nuo's face flushed: "Thank you, Brother Xiu."

Lin Hao looked up at them, his expression complex.

Just then, Fang Jingxiu suddenly spoke up: "Lin Hao."

Lin Hao suddenly realized: "Director Fang..."

"As for the Film Academy," Fang Jingxiu said calmly, "you should apply for a year's leave of absence."

Lin Hao's expression changed drastically: "Director Fang! I—"

"It's just a leave of absence," Fang Jingxiu interrupted him, "not withdrawal. You can come back to continue your studies or transfer schools after a year if you want."

He spoke slowly, each word clear: "But this year, don't stay in Jingjing. Go out and see the world, think about what you really want."

This is not a discussion, it is a notification.

Lin Hao's face turned white, then pale, then pale again. Finally, he lowered his head: "...Yes."

Chen Nuo listened from the side, deeply moved.

She knew that Fang Jingxiu was venting his anger for her and also giving the Lin family a warning.

Those who harm him will pay the price.

But the price was carefully weighed.

Taking a year off from school served as punishment without completely cutting off her future. It preserved her dignity without pushing the Lin family to the brink of despair.

This is Fang Jingxiu's skill.

As the dinner progressed, the food on the table had gone cold, but the atmosphere became increasingly subtle.

After a few drinks, Lin Ming's face flushed, and he became more talkative. Taking advantage of the pauses between toasts, he cautiously observed Fang Jingxiu's expression, finally mustering the courage to speak:

"Director Fang, our company's application for cultural industry support funds... do you see anything missing? We can submit the materials at any time."

Fang Jingxiu put down his chopsticks, picked up a napkin, and slowly wiped the corner of his mouth.

The entire private room fell silent.

Chen Nuo felt the air around her freeze. Lin Hao and his wife also held their breath, their eyes fixed on Fang Jingxiu.

Fang Jingxiu then took out a cigarette case from the inside pocket of his suit.

Black leather, without any logo. He took out a cigarette, but didn't light it immediately; he just twirled it between his fingers.

Lin Ming immediately realized what was happening, took out a lighter from his pocket, and leaned forward, saying, "Director Fang, let me light it for you."

With a "pop," flames shot up.

Fang Jingxiu tilted his head slightly, brought the cigarette closer to the flame, and took a drag. The smoke slowly escaped, blurring his deep-set eyes and making his expression unreadable.

"I've reviewed the materials," he finally spoke, his voice coming through the smoke, somewhat ethereal. "There are a few points that need further refinement."

"Please tell us! We will definitely change!" Lin Ming replied quickly.

"First, the funding plan is not specific enough." Fang Jingxiu flicked his cigarette ash. "The support funds are not subsidies; every penny must have a clear purpose and output target."

"Yes, yes, we'll refine it right away!"

"Secondly, the social benefit assessment of the project is too vague," Fang Jingxiu continued. "It needs to be quantified. How many jobs will it create? How many related industries will it stimulate? How much tax revenue will it generate? These all need to be supported by data."

Lin Ming's forehead was beaded with sweat: "Understood! We'll have a professional agency reassess!"

"Third," Fang Jingxiu paused, then looked up at Lin Ming, "compliance review. Your company's tax situation last year, as well as its employment compliance, need to be checked again."

These words were spoken calmly, but Lin Ming's face turned pale instantly.

Chen Nuo listened from the side and understood.

This third point is the key.

The first two are technical issues, the third is a matter of life and death. If Fang Jingxiu makes any mistakes regarding compliance, the Lin family's project will be completely ruined.

The private room was so quiet that you could hear the faint sound of burning tobacco.

After a long pause, Fang Jingxiu continued, "Send the revised materials to my office tomorrow."

Lin Ming felt as if he had been granted a pardon and nodded hurriedly, "Yes, yes, yes! I'll have my secretary deliver it first thing tomorrow morning! Thank you so much, Director Fang!"

Fang Jingxiu didn't reply, but just took another puff of his cigarette.

In the smoke, his profile appeared particularly hard and cold, giving off a sense of aloofness that kept people at a distance.

But Chen Nuo knew that this was just a facade.

The real Fang Jingxiu was more complex and unfathomable than she had seen.

As the meal drew to a close, a waiter came in to clear away the leftovers and replace them with fruit platters and hot tea. Lin Ming personally poured tea for Fang Jingxiu, adopting an extremely humble posture.

"Director Fang, please have some tea to help you sober up." He offered the teacup with both hands.

Fang Jingxiu took it, but didn't drink it; he just placed it beside him.

He glanced at his watch; it was already 9:30.

"That's about it," he said, standing up.

Lin Ming quickly stood up as well: "Director Fang, let me see you out!"

The group walked to the parking lot.

The night wind was cold, and Chen Nuo instinctively wrapped her cashmere cardigan tighter around herself. Fang Jingxiu naturally took off his suit jacket and draped it over her shoulders.

"Wearing." He only said two words.

The jacket still carried his body heat and a faint smell of tobacco. Chen Nuo felt a warmth in her heart and whispered, "Thank you, Brother Xiu."

This scene made Lin Ming's gaze deepen.

When they reached the car, Secretary Qin was already waiting with the door open. Fang Jingxiu told Chen Nuo to get in first, but he didn't get in immediately himself.

He turned around and looked at Lin Ming, who was following behind him.

In the darkness of night, Fang Jingxiu's figure stood tall and straight like a pine tree.

The dim lighting in the parking lot illuminated his face, half in light and half in shadow, making his handsome face appear even more deep and three-dimensional.

He reached into the cigarette case and pulled out another cigarette. Lin Ming immediately took out his lighter, but this time Fang Jingxiu waved his hand.

He didn't light a cigarette, but just held it between his fingers, his gaze fixed on Lin Ming.

"President Lin," he said, his voice clear in the night breeze.

"Yes, Director Fang, please speak." Lin Ming bowed respectfully.

"I'll keep an eye on the project." Fang Jingxiu paused, "I hope your son's matter can be settled as soon as possible."

He spoke casually, but every word seemed to carry weight.

Lin Ming immediately assured him, "Don't worry! I'll have Lin Hao complete the leave of absence procedures tomorrow, and send him out of Jingjing the day after! I guarantee he won't come back to cause trouble within a year!"

Fang Jingxiu didn't speak, he just looked at him.

That gaze was calm, but carried an invisible pressure. Lin Ming's forehead began to sweat again, and he bent over even lower.

Fang Jingxiu raised his hand and patted Lin Ming's shoulder heavily.

The movement was very powerful, causing Lin Ming to stagger.

"President Lin," Fang Jingxiu's tone was unusually gentle, "you're a smart man. You know what to do."

Lin Ming nodded repeatedly: "Understood! Absolutely understood! Thank you for your guidance, Director Fang!"

Fang Jingxiu then withdrew his hand, turned around, and got into the car.

The car door closed, shutting out the outside world. Secretary Qin started the car and slowly drove out of the parking lot.