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

Chen Nuo looked out the window.

Fang Jingxiu and Minister Chen's conversation seemed to have ended; the two shook hands, and then Minister Chen got into his car and left.

Fang Jingxiu stood still, lit a cigarette, and glanced towards the parking lot.

Even from dozens of meters away, through the car window, Chen Nuo could feel that his gaze was fixed on the car.

It landed on her.

Then, he stubbed out his cigarette and strode over.

His steps were steady and unhurried.

It's like everything is under control.

Chen Nuo's heart pounded rapidly with each step he took.

Liu Qingsong saw Fang Jingxiu walking over and immediately got out of the car.

He closed the car door, straightened his clothes, and hurried to meet him. Chen Nuo also quickly got out of the car and followed behind Liu Qingsong.

"Director Fang," Liu Qingsong stopped three steps away from Fang Jingxiu, bowed slightly, and smiled broadly, "Thank you so much for tonight's matter. The approval was finalized so quickly entirely thanks to you..."

Fang Jingxiu didn't reply, but simply took out a cigarette case from his coat pocket. He twirled the silver cigarette case between his fingers, took one out, and put it between his lips.

Liu Qingsong reacted quickly, immediately taking out a lighter from his pocket, lighting it with a "snap," and then protecting the flame with both hands as he moved closer.

Fang Jingxiu tilted his head slightly, brought the cigarette closer to the flame, and took a deep drag. The scarlet flame flickered in the night, and smoke rose between the two of them.

He exhaled a puff of smoke, his gaze passing over Liu Qingsong and landing on Chen Nuo behind him.

He glanced at it briefly, then quickly looked away.

"Director Liu," Fang Jingxiu said, his voice not loud, but exceptionally clear in the quiet parking lot.

"Please speak," Liu Qingsong said, maintaining a slight bow.

"From now on," Fang Jingxiu flicked his cigarette ash, his tone as indifferent as if he were talking about the weather, "I don't want you to use Chen Nuo as a bargaining chip."

Liu Qingsong's smile froze for a moment: "Director Fang, what you're saying..."

"She's not someone you can mess with." Fang Jingxiu interrupted him, finally looking him directly in the eye. "Understand?"

The sentence was spoken lightly, but each word felt incredibly heavy.

A cold sweat instantly broke out on Liu Qingsong's back. He quickly forced a smile and said, "Nothing like that! Minister Chen was just... just joking with Xiao Chen. If anything were to happen, I'd be the first to protect her!"

"Oh?" Fang Jingxiu raised an eyebrow, his deep eyes fixed on Liu Qingsong through the smoke. "Then why didn't you say anything just now?"

Liu Qingsong was speechless.

Just now at the dinner table, Minister Chen's hand was on Chen Nuo's waist, and he saw it.

Minister Chen forced her to drink, and he saw it too.

But he didn't say anything, he just lowered his head and ate his food.

Because he wanted to use Chen Nuo to exchange for that approval document.

This is an unspoken rule within the industry.

Bringing young and beautiful girls to dinner parties is itself a form of suggestion. The girls use their beauty and bodies to exchange for resources, and the directors use the girls to exchange for projects—a win-win situation.

He assumed Fang Jingxiu understood.

But now it seems...

"Director Fang," Liu Qingsong's voice was a little weak, "I..."

"From now on," Fang Jingxiu took another drag of his cigarette, his tone still calm, but the air in the parking lot seemed to freeze, "you can't bring her to these kinds of gatherings, whether I'm there or not."

He paused, looking at Liu Qingsong's gradually paling face, and slowly added:

"If there's a next time..."

The cigarette burned between my fingers, the red sparks flickering.

"I think you don't need to act anymore," Fang Jingxiu said the last part of his sentence, his voice soft but like a cold knife. "Go watch a show at the police station."

Liu Qingsong's body visibly swayed.

He raised his head, his face pale, and looked at Fang Jingxiu. His lips moved, but no sound came out.

Fang Jingxiu just looked at him without saying a word, and slowly smoked.

Ten seconds.

It felt like ten minutes had passed for Liu Qingsong.

He finally realized what was happening, and abruptly lowered his head, bowing ninety degrees: "I'm sorry, Director Fang! I didn't think it through! I was wrong!"

Fang Jingxiu remained silent.

He flicked his cigarette ash, his gaze lingering on Chen Nuo for a second.

There was a question in his eyes.

How do you want to handle this?

Chen Nuo's heart was pounding.

She looked at Liu Qingsong's hunched back, at this once-undisputed director in the crew, now as humble as a primary school student in front of Fang Jingxiu.

That is power.

No need to yell, no need to bang on the table or smash cups.

Just a few words, a glance.

It can send chills down your spine and make you break out in a cold sweat.

"Director Fang," Liu Qingsong said, still bent over, his voice trembling, "I promise, there will absolutely be no next time! I swear!"

Fang Jingxiu then spoke, his tone still calm: "Am I the one who should apologize?"

Liu Qingsong was taken aback for a moment, then realized what was happening.

He straightened up, turned to Chen Nuo, and bowed again: "Xiao Chen, I'm sorry! I failed to protect you tonight! It's my fault!"

Chen Nuo quickly waved his hand: "Director Liu, please don't..."

She looked at Fang Jingxiu with a pleading look in her eyes.

Fang Jingxiu looked at her, and after a few seconds, he slowly said, "Alright."

Liu Qingsong felt as if he had been granted a pardon, but he still dared not fully straighten up.

"You go back first." Fang Jingxiu stubbed out his cigarette and threw it into the nearby trash can. "I'll take her."

"Alright, alright!" Liu Qingsong nodded repeatedly. "Well... Director Fang, Xiao Chen, I'll be going now."

He bowed again before turning and quickly walking to his car. He got in, started the engine, and drove away from the parking lot in one fluid motion, as if he were fleeing something.

Only two people remained in the parking lot.

And that black Audi A6.

Fang Jingxiu stood still, without moving.

Chen Nuo looked at him, her heart still racing.

The evening breeze lifted the hem of his coat, and the streetlights cast varying shadows on his face, making him look even more aloof and...charming than usual.