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

Liu Qingsong's taillights disappeared at the parking lot exit, leaving behind silence.

Fang Jingxiu stood still, motionless. In the night, his figure was as upright as a pine tree, the hem of his overcoat billowing in the evening breeze, revealing his neatly pressed trousers and gleaming leather shoes.

He didn't look at Chen Nuo, but simply took out another cigarette from the pack and lit it.

The crimson flames flickered in the darkness, and smoke rose between the two men, forming an invisible barrier.

Chen Nuo stood two steps behind him, twisting the hem of her clothes with her fingers, her heart pounding with anxiety.

She could sense that something was wrong. The coldness and authority she had shown in front of Liu Qingsong hadn't completely dissipated, and now there was a certain... suppressed anger.

Sure enough, Fang Jingxiu finished smoking half a cigarette and finally turned around.

The streetlight shone from behind him, casting him into shadow and obscuring his expression. But Chen Nuo could feel his heavy gaze fixed on her.

"A gathering like tonight," he began, his voice low but each word carrying a chilling edge, "is it really appropriate for a girl like you to come?"

Chen Nuo's heart tightened.

"Liu Qingsong's approval is his business." Fang Jingxiu took a step forward, closing the distance. Chen Nuo could smell the cigarette smoke and cedarwood scent on him, and... a suppressed anger. "What can you change by going?"

He stared into her eyes, his gaze sharp as a scalpel: "You think you're there to plead for me? To relay a message?"

Chen Nuo bit her lip and remained silent.

"Do you know what it means for a pretty young girl like you to be in one of those private rooms?" Fang Jingxiu's voice grew even colder. "It means you've become a bargaining chip for this permit. They'll take turns toasting you, getting you drunk, and then..."

He paused, the chill in his voice almost tangible:

"Let's get you to Minister Chen's bed together."

When he said those words, Chen Nuo trembled.

She recalled the scene at the dinner table earlier.

Minister Chen's greasy hands, Liu Qingsong's silence, Director Wang and Director Li's amused smiles. And that feeling... she felt like a lamb to the slaughter, being hunted.

"If it weren't for me tonight," Fang Jingxiu said, his voice growing even deeper as he looked at her pale face, "where would you be now? In which hotel bed? Hmm?"

The last "hmm" carried a suppressed anger, and... lingering fear.

Chen Nuo looked up at him.

The light from the streetlamp finally shone on his face.

His brows were furrowed, his eyes were deep, and his jawline was taut. It was a look of anger that she had never seen Fang Jingxiu before.

Strangely enough, she didn't feel wronged at all.

On the contrary, I feel... fortunate.

I'm glad he got angry.

Because being angry means caring.

"I'm not afraid," Chen Nuo suddenly said, her voice soft.

Fang Jingxiu was taken aback.

Chen Nuo took a step forward, looked up at him, her eyes shining like stars in the night: "Because I know you're here."

Fang Jingxiu's fingers tightened slightly as he held the cigarette.

"You said I was safe because you were there," Chen Nuo continued, her voice softening, carrying a girlish naiveté. "That means deep down, you're still a little grateful you were there, right?"

She saw right through him.

I saw through his chauvinistic protectiveness, his lingering fear that I was there, and even his anger at that moment, which was actually a form of indirect concern.

Fang Jingxiu stared at her for a long time.

Then he stubbed out his cigarette and threw it into the trash can, the movement a little forceful.

"What nonsense are you talking about?" His voice was still cold, but his taut jawline relaxed a little.

Chen Nuo smiled.

She took another step forward and this time snuggled right into his arms.

She wrapped her arms around his waist, pressed her face against his chest, and her nose was instantly filled with the familiar scent of cedar and tobacco emanating from him. Even through his coat and shirt, she could hear his steady, powerful heartbeat.

Fang Jingxiu's body visibly stiffened.

His hands hung at his sides, and he didn't move.

"You'll protect me, won't you?" Chen Nuo's voice came from his chest, muffled and soft, like a spoiled child. "I know you will."

She understands perfectly.

When a man is lecturing you, he may appear to be scolding you, but he is actually expressing that he cares.

At this time, you cannot talk back or explain yourself; you must go along with his emotions and uphold his authority. You need to make him feel that his protection is meaningful and needed.

So she said: I know you're here.

So she said: You will protect me.

Fang Jingxiu finally slowly raised his hand.

One hand landed on her back, while the other hand hesitated for a moment before finally landing on the back of her head, gently stroking her hair.

"Yes," he said, his voice a little hoarse, "I will protect you."

Chen Nuo snuggled against him, like a kitten that had found its owner.

Fang Jingxiu's body gradually relaxed.

He held her in his arms, feeling the softness and warmth in his embrace, and the clean scent of sweet orange and cedar on her body.

That was the perfume she wore when she stayed at his house, he remembered.

The fragrance lingered around my nose, a blend of her shampoo scent and a faint, uniquely feminine body odor.

It smells good.

It makes people feel... at ease.

It also makes people feel unsettled.

"From now on," Fang Jingxiu's voice rang out from above, the anger from before gone, replaced by a helpless yet doting seriousness, "You're not allowed to do this again."

"Mmm," Chen Nuo replied obediently.

"If Liu Qingsong sends you to this kind of event again, just tell me."

"Um."

"Also," Fang Jingxiu paused, "you're not allowed to drink anymore."

Chen Nuo lifted her head from his embrace, looking at him with bright, sparkling eyes: "But just now...didn't you say I'm allergic to alcohol?"

Fang Jingxiu looked down at her, a hint of a smile flashing in his eyes: "Then continue with the allergy."

Chen Nuo smiled, a hint of smug satisfaction in his smile.

She buried her face back in his arms, tightening her grip on his chest.

Fang Jingxiu hugged her back, this time holding her tightly.

The two of them just stood there in the parking lot, embracing each other, without saying a word.

The night wind was cold, but Chen Nuo felt that his embrace was warm.

It was so warm that she wanted to stay there forever.

It was unclear how much time had passed before Fang Jingxiu finally released her.

"It's time to go back," he said, his voice regaining its usual calm.

"Mm." Chen Nuo nodded, but her hand was still gripping his coat sleeve.

Fang Jingxiu smiled slightly as he looked at her dependent expression. He reached out and tucked her wind-blown hair behind her ear.

"Get in the car."

Secretary Qin was already waiting in the car.

Chen Nuo got into the back seat, and Fang Jingxiu got in from the other side. The car's heater was on full blast, keeping out the cold outside.

The car slowly drove out of the parking lot and into the night of Golmud.

Looking at the lights flashing past the window, Chen Nuo suddenly realized that everything he had experienced tonight...

The awkwardness of the dinner party, Minister Chen's harassment, Liu Qingsong's apology, and the warmth of this moment.

It was all worth it.

Because she knew that in this cold world, there was someone who would protect her.

He would get angry if she went to dangerous dinner parties.

They will say you are mine.

He would hold her in his arms and say, "I will protect you."

This is enough.

The car drove out of the city and back into the wilderness.

Outside the window was endless darkness, but Chen Nuo felt no fear.

Because there is light around her.

She secretly turned her head to look at Fang Jingxiu.

He was resting with his eyes closed, his profile flickering in the sparse lights passing by the car window. His brows were relaxed, his eyelashes cast soft shadows under his eyelids, and his expression was calm and at ease.

Looking at his sleeping face, Chen Nuo felt an unprecedented sense of peace.

She knew that the road ahead was long and there were many unknown difficulties.

But with him around, she wasn't afraid.

She leaned closer and rested her head on his shoulder.

Fang Jingxiu didn't open his eyes, but his arm naturally rose and put his arm around her shoulder.

The movements were so natural, as if they had been done countless times.

Chen Nuo smiled and closed his eyes.

At this moment, all is peaceful and serene.