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

When the door to the private room was pushed open again, the laughter and conversation inside paused for a moment.

All eyes were focused on the doorway.

Fang Jingxiu walked ahead, his expression unchanged, still with that calm and aloof demeanor. Chen Nuo followed half a step behind him, her head slightly lowered, her face still bearing the faint blush and tear stains.

A subtle atmosphere permeated the air.

Liu Qingsong was the first to react, and his face immediately lit up with a smile: "Director Fang, Xiao Chen, you're back? The food's almost cold, please sit down."

But his eyes swept quickly between the two, lingering for a second longer on Chen Nuo's slightly reddened eyes, a knowing glint in his eyes.

Minister Chen put down his wine glass, his gaze sweeping over Fang Jingxiu and Chen Nuo, his usual official smile deepening: "Little Chen, are you alright? You didn't seem to be feeling well earlier."

"It's alright, thank you for your concern, Minister Chen," Chen Nuo replied softly, her voice still slightly hoarse from crying.

She stood at the doorway, feeling four pairs of eyes fall on her simultaneously.

Inquisitive, intriguing, clear-headed, and scrutinizing.

The blatant staring made her extremely uncomfortable, and her fingers unconsciously clenched the hem of her clothes.

Almost subconsciously, she moved closer to Fang Jingxiu.

It was a very small step, almost unnoticed by anyone. But Fang Jingxiu felt it. Her shoulder brushed lightly against his arm, trembling slightly.

That's a physiological dependence.

Like a frightened little animal, it instinctively gravitates towards someone it trusts.

Fang Jingxiu subtly shifted his body, using half of his shoulder to block those gazes. Then, from an angle where no one could see, he lightly patted Chen Nuo's hand.

Just for a moment.

Quickly, very lightly.

But Chen Nuo sensed it.

The warm palm lingered briefly on the back of her hand, offering a silent reassurance: Don't be afraid, I'm here.

Her heart instantly calmed down.

"Please sit down," Fang Jingxiu said calmly, and walked to the dining table first.

He didn't return to his seat, but instead went to the place where Chen Nuo had just been sitting. The chair next to Minister Chen was pulled out naturally.

This action caused the air in the private room to freeze again.

At official banquets, seating arrangements are a complex matter.

There are unwritten rules about who sits in the main seat, who sits in the secondary seat, and who should pull out a chair for whom. For someone of Fang Jingxiu's rank, it should be someone else pulling out a chair for him.

But now, he's giving Chen Nora a chair.

Moreover, he pulled it himself.

Minister Chen's eyelids twitched, relieved that a major disaster had just occurred.

Liu Qingsong's eyes lit up.

It's a sure thing; this approval is definitely in the bag.

Chen Nuo was stunned for a moment, then realized what was happening, quickly walked over, sat down in the chair that had been pulled out, and whispered his thanks, "Thank you, Brother Xiu."

She called him Brother Xiu again.

Not in a square location.

Fang Jingxiu grunted in acknowledgment before returning to his seat and sitting down opposite Minister Chen.

Throughout the entire process, his expression remained calm and his movements were composed, as if everything that had just happened was perfectly normal.

But everyone at the table understood.

He is asserting sovereignty.

In the most subtle, dignified, yet undeniable way, tell everyone: This person is mine.

Don't move.

Don't even think about moving.

This is the unspoken rule of officialdom. Some things don't need to be said explicitly; a gesture, a glance, or a seating arrangement is enough.

"Come on, the food's getting cold, let's eat it while it's hot." Liu Qingsong broke the silence first, raising his glass in a toast, "Minister Chen, Director Fang, I'd like to propose a toast to you both. This project is all thanks to your support."

Minister Chen also raised his glass, beaming: "Director Fang's cousin is one of us. Things are easy to discuss when we're on the same side."

He emphasized the word "cousin," but the meaning in his tone was completely different.

The cousin I spoke to earlier was trying to distance herself, but the cousin I speak to now is one of us, someone I can't touch.

Fang Jingxiu raised his glass and clinked it against his: "Minister Chen, you're too kind."

The two drank it all in one gulp.

The atmosphere at the subsequent dinner became much more harmonious.

Minister Chen stopped pouring wine for Chen Nuo and even occasionally served her food, speaking to her in a gentle manner as if she were a junior member of his family. Director Wang and Director Li were also very polite to her, speaking to her with a smile.

Chen Nuo ate quietly, occasionally responding with a word or two, but mostly keeping his head down.

She could feel Fang Jingxiu's gaze occasionally falling on her, brief but warm.

Just like the warmth he felt when he patted the back of her hand in the hallway.