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

As the dinner progressed, the dishes on the table had gone cold, but the atmosphere had become much more lively than at the beginning.

Minister Chen put down his wine glass, picked up a napkin to wipe his mouth, and leaned back in his chair with a relaxed posture. This action usually signifies...

Let's get down to business.

"Qingsong," he began, his tone casual yet authoritative, the kind of tone a superior would use when speaking to a subordinate, "I've seen your approval document."

Liu Qingsong immediately put down his chopsticks, leaned forward slightly, and put on a very serious face: "Please speak, Minister Chen."

"The subject matter is good and aligns with political guidelines," Minister Chen said slowly and deliberately. "Mars exploration and new energy sources are both key national strategic priorities. If filmed well, it will be positive propaganda."

"Yes, yes, we'll definitely film it well," Liu Qingsong quickly replied.

"However..." Minister Chen changed the subject, "there are a few issues that need to be changed."

Liu Qingsong immediately pulled out a notebook and pen from his bag, looking even more attentive than a student listening to a lecture: "Please tell me, I'll take notes."

Minister Chen held up one finger: "First, regarding the Mars exploration section, the technical details need to be corrected. There can be no scientific errors, not even the slightest. If experts point out flaws after the broadcast, it will be embarrassing for everyone."

"We invited Dr. Jiang Wen from the Jingguo Academy to be our scientific advisor..." Liu Qingsong explained.

"Jiang asked?" Minister Chen raised an eyebrow. "That young PhD? Is he up to the task?"

Fang Jingxiu, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up: "Jiang Wen is the last disciple of my mentor, Academician Li, and his professional ability is not a problem."

His tone was calm, but his words carried great weight.

Minister Chen immediately changed his tune: "Oh, Academician Li's outstanding student, then no problem. But we still need to be rigorous and verify the authenticity again and again."

"Understood, I will definitely verify it!" Liu Qingsong quickly took notes.

"Secondly," Minister Chen held up his second finger, "the presentation of technology must be positive, highlighting the achievements of our country's independent innovation. There cannot be any negative implications whatsoever."

"Don't worry about that, the script has been reviewed and is definitely positive."

"Third," Minister Chen's gaze swept across the table, finally settling on Chen Nuo, "the selection of young actors must be rigorous. The lead actors must have impeccable backgrounds and no negative news."

When he said this, the way he looked at Chen Nuo was completely different from when he first entered. Gone was that greasy scrutiny; instead, it carried a kind of elder-like, even somewhat polite, examination.

Chen Nuo sat quietly, but a complex emotion welled up inside her.

This is the officialdom.

Or rather, this is reality.

When she first entered, Minister Chen looked at her as if she were a commodity, openly assessing its value and making no attempt to conceal his desire.

Liu Qingsong shoved her forward, the other men at the table watched the spectacle, and Fang Jingxiu observed coldly. At that moment, she was merely fuel, a bargaining chip used to exchange for benefits.

But now?

Fang Jingxiu's simple act of calling her "cousin" and pulling out a chair changed everything.

Minister Chen treated her politely, Liu Qingsong treated her with even more respect, and she no longer needed to sacrifice herself for the approval process.

Simply because she has someone backing her.

Youfang Jingxiu.

This realization filled Chen Nuo with both relief and sorrow.

Thankfully, she is safe.

Tragically, her value was never determined by herself.

It was decided by the man behind her.

Those things that she once had to exchange her body and her dignity for.

For example, this approval document.

Now all it takes is a word, a glance, or a gesture from Fang Jingxiu.

Chen Nuo raised her head, her gaze unconsciously drifting towards the person in the main seat.

Fang Jingxiu leaned back in his chair, a cigarette between his fingers, the smoke curling upwards in the lamplight. He tilted his head slightly, listening to Minister Chen speak, occasionally nodding, occasionally saying a word or two, his voice low and steady.

He was wearing a dark gray custom-made suit today, the cut of which was extremely well-fitting, making his broad shoulders and narrow waist appear even more striking.

A sliver of his white shirt sleeve peeked out, and she wore the familiar watch on his wrist. The light streaming in from above cast deep shadows on his face, making his features appear even more defined and sharp.

Even in this setting, surrounded by officials of the same rank, his innate air of nobility and official authority remained undeniable.

That's not something you can fake; it's ingrained in your bones.

It is an aura forged by family background, education, and experience.

Just then, Fang Jingxiu suddenly looked up, his gaze piercing through the swirling smoke and landing precisely on her face.

Eyes facing each other.

Chen Nuo's heart skipped a beat.

Fang Jingxiu looked at her, his gaze calm, but there was an emotion she couldn't decipher surging within it. He gently tapped the cigarette between his fingers, and the ash fell into the ashtray with elegant composure.

Then, he nodded to her almost imperceptibly.

It was such a slight movement that almost no one noticed it.

But Chen Nuo saw it.

I understood it too.

That means: It's okay now.

I'll take care of everything.

She suddenly remembered what her father had said: "You can never figure out what a man like Fang Jingxiu is thinking. He can give you everything, and he can take everything away. What you need to do is not to guess, but to make him unable to leave you."

How can I make him unable to leave me?

Chen Nuo didn't know.

All she knew was that at this moment, she wanted to hold onto him.

Seize this ray of light.

Even if this light may never belong to her.

The dinner ended at 10 o'clock.

As the group stepped out of the restaurant, a cold wind immediately swept in. Chen Nuo wrapped his coat tighter around himself and watched Fang Jingxiu and Minister Chen shake hands and say goodbye at the door, both wearing the standard, aloof smiles typical of officialdom.

"Director Fang, it's settled then," Minister Chen said.

"Thank you for your hard work, Minister Chen." Fang Jingxiu nodded.

"Not at all, it's my duty."

After the pleasantries, Minister Chen's car arrived first. Before getting in, he nodded to Chen Nuo, saying, "Little Chen, remember to look for me next time you come to Jingjing."

"Thank you, Minister Chen," Chen Nuo said with a smile.

The car drove away.

Liu Qingsong leaned closer and asked Chen Nuo in a low voice, "Xiao Chen, are you coming back with me, or...?"

He glanced at Fang Jingxiu, who was still talking to Director Wang and Director Li, and his meaning was clear.

Chen Nuo also looked at Fang Jingxiu.

He was facing away from her, listening intently to what Director Wang was saying, his brows slightly furrowed. His profile appeared particularly sharp and cold under the streetlights, yet also... captivating.

"I'll talk to you..." Chen Nuogang began.

"Mr. Liu, Ms. Chen."

A voice broke in.

Secretary Qin approached at some point, a polite smile on her face: "Would you two please move to the parking lot and wait a moment? Director Fang has finished talking to me and has something to discuss."

He spoke very politely, but his tone left no room for refusal.

Liu Qingsong immediately nodded: "Okay, okay, we'll go right away."

Secretary Qin led them to the parking lot. The hotel's parking lot was on the side, quite secluded.

Halfway there, Chen Nuo saw the car...

A black Audi A6 with a white license plate starting with Jing AG6.

Secretary Qin stopped next to the Audi A6 and opened the back door: "Please wait a moment, Director Fang will be here soon."

Liu Qingsong got into the car first, and Chen Nuo hesitated for a moment before getting in as well.

The car door closed, the car was quiet, and the heating was on full blast.

Liu Qingsong breathed a sigh of relief, unable to contain his smile: "Xiao Chen, thank you so much for today."

Chen Nuo didn't speak, but just looked out the window.

Through the car window, she could see Fang Jingxiu and Minister Chen still talking at the hotel entrance in the distance.

Both men, dressed in overcoats, stood tall and imposing under the streetlights. Minister Chen gestured with his hands as he spoke, while Fang Jingxiu only nodded occasionally, but his presence clearly overshadowed the other man.

That is power.

There's no need to speak loudly or make a show of yourself.

Standing there, you're in the center.

"Director Fang's attitude towards you is unusual," Liu Qingsong suddenly said, his tone probing.

Liu Qingsong's expression was complex, containing envy, emotion, and a hint of barely perceptible worry.

"Do you know what a license plate starting with 'Jing AG6' means?" he asked.

Chen Nuo shook his head.

"That means," Liu Qingsong paused, "that this car can go anywhere. No one dares to stop it, and no one dares to check it."

He looked at Chen Nuo: "Director Fang didn't just arrange for you to wait in this car randomly. He's telling you, and everyone else, what your position is with him."

Chen Nuo's heart skipped a beat.

A man's level of care for a woman is reflected in the details. Is he willing to let you into his private space? Is he willing to let you into his inner circle? Is he willing to... use his power to protect you?

Fang Jingxiu asked her to ride in this car.

Using his car, his driver, his... power circle.

Come and wait for her.

This is no small matter.

"Director Liu," Chen Nuo asked softly, "do you think... this is a good idea?"

Liu Qingsong remained silent for a few seconds.

Then he said, "It's good for you. But for the other person..."

He didn't finish speaking, but Chen Nuo understood.

For her, this is protection, attention, and a sense of security.

But for Fang Jingxiu, this was an exception, a risk, and...exposing his weakness.

Chen Nuo's heart skipped a beat.

She turned to look at Liu Qingsong: "Director Liu, I..."

"You don't need to explain." Liu Qingsong waved his hand and smiled. "I understand. It's not easy to have a powerful backer in this industry. You're lucky to have met Director Fang."

He paused, then his tone became serious: "But Xiao Chen, I have to remind you of something."

"Please speak."

"A man like Director Fang isn't someone an ordinary person can handle." Liu Qingsong lit a cigarette. "He has his own path to walk, and that path is narrow, only wide enough for one person at a time. You... need to understand your place."

Chen Nuo remained silent.

Of course she knew.

She always knew.

But some feelings can't be controlled just because you know them.

Just like the moment she threw herself into his arms in the hallway.

At that moment, all the calculations, all the restraint, all the right and wrong, vanished.

Only one thought remained...

I want to be with him.

Even if the road ahead is difficult, even if there is no result.

I'd like to give it a try.

"Director Liu," Chen Nuo said softly, "thank you for reminding me. But... I want to give it a try."

Liu Qingsong looked at her for a long time.

Then he smiled, a smile that held a sense of helplessness and understanding from someone who had been through it all.

"Okay," he said. "You're young, you have to hit a wall before you know how painful it is."

This decision to give it a try was the courage he gave her when he said he was there for her.

She knew the road ahead would be difficult.

But she wasn't afraid.

Because this time, she wasn't alone.