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

"Director Fang, you flatter me. This is what we should do." Liu Qingsong bowed slightly, with a perfectly timed smile on his face. "Mainly because you're here on site, everyone's morale is different."

This is both polite talk and the truth.

Fang Jingxiu didn't respond to that, his gaze seemingly unintentionally sweeping over the filming area.

In that instant, his gaze settled on a corner not far away.

Chen Nuo was standing with Jiang Wen.

Jiang Wen, holding two cups of milk tea, smiled and handed one to Chen Nuo. Chen Nuo seemed to decline at first, but Jiang Wen insisted, so she had no choice but to accept it, saying something under her breath with a polite smile on her face.

The afternoon sun slanted down from the skylight in the roof, shining directly on them. Chen Nuo's pink down jacket shimmered softly in the light, and the lines of her profile were so exquisite they seemed unreal.

Jiang Wen stood beside her, leaning slightly forward; the distance between them was... a little close.

Fang Jingxiu's hand, which was tucked into his coat pocket, tightened almost imperceptibly.

But on the surface, he remained calm and composed.

"Um," Fang Jingxiu began, his voice as calm as if discussing the weather, "is it Jiang Wen, Teacher Li Zhaonian's prized student?"

Liu Qingsong followed his gaze and immediately understood seven or eight parts of the meaning.

He had clearly seen the determination in Chen Nuo's eyes when she said she wanted to give it a try in the parking lot that day. And he had also noticed the concern hidden beneath Fang Jingxiu's calm exterior as his gaze repeatedly fell on Chen Nuo.

These two people, one wants to try, the other cares, but both are holding back.

They need someone to give them a push.

"Yes, Dr. Jiang Wen." Liu Qingsong's face showed just the right amount of praise. "The youngest associate researcher at the Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Professor Li's last disciple. His professional ability is beyond question, and he is also humble. The young women in the group all like him very much."

He was talking about the girls, but his eyes were fixed on Chen Nuo.

Fang Jingxiu didn't speak, he just looked over there.

Jiang Wen said something, and Chen Nuo laughed. When she laughed, her eyes curved into crescent moons, and her dimples appeared and disappeared. The unique charm and sweetness of a mixed-race person was dazzling in the sunlight.

"These past few days," Liu Qingsong continued, "Dr. Jiang has been taking special care of Chen Nuo. He's been teaching her geology, helping her organize materials, and often bringing her food. Young people, you know, it's normal for them to get close and have common topics."

He spoke casually, but every word struck Fang Jingxiu's heart like a small hammer.

Fang Jingxiu remained silent.

But his jawline was a bit taut.

Liu Qingsong secretly observed his expression.

He still maintained that expressionless demeanor, not even flinching, his eyes as calm as a deep pool. But Liu Qingsong knew that this calmness itself was abnormal.

Given Fang Jingxiu's status, he shouldn't have paid so much attention to a junior PhD student in the film crew.

Unless, of course, he cares about the person standing with the young professor.

"Director Fang," Liu Qingsong lowered his voice, as if discussing some trivial gossip, "I heard that Dr. Jiang privately asked Chen Nuo if she had a boyfriend. Don't you think young people these days are all so direct?"

This sentence was like the last straw.

Fang Jingxiu's hands, which were in his pockets, were clenched into fists.

But when he turned around and looked at Liu Qingsong, his expression remained calm: "Is that so?"

It was just two words, spoken in a flat tone, as if saying the weather was nice today.

But Liu Qingsong sensed it.

The undercurrents beneath the calm surface.

It became.

"Young people have their own way of getting along, so we old folks won't interfere," Liu Qingsong said with a smile, trying to smooth things over. "But Chen Nuo is indeed a likable kid—professional, hardworking, and good-looking. Dr. Jiang has good taste."

Fang Jingxiu did not respond.

He glanced one last time in the direction Chen Nuo and Jiang Wen were.

Jiang Wen was pointing to a note in the script, explaining something to Chen Nuo with his head down. The two were very close together; from Fang Jingxiu's perspective, they were almost touching.

He looked away.

I care.

Fang Jingxiu took it to heart.

"Young man," Fang Jingxiu finally spoke, his voice still steady, "it's a good thing to communicate more."

"Director Liu," Fang Jingxiu spoke again, his voice still steady, "have Chen Nuo go to the parking lot later."

He paused, then added, "I'll wait for her there."

His steps remained steady and unhurried. In the dim light of the studio, his silhouette in the black executive jacket appeared exceptionally upright, and also exceptionally… aloof.

That's the attitude of someone who's been at the center of power for a long time. They're used to giving orders, used to being looked up to, and used to controlling everything.

This also includes controlling one's emotions.

Liu Qingsong watched Fang Jingxiu's figure disappear through the door, a knowing smile appearing on his face.

He turned and walked towards Chen Nuo.

"Xiao Chen." Liu Qingsong walked up to the two of them, interrupting Jiang Wen's explanation.

Chen Nuo looked up: "Director Liu."

"Director Fang just told me," Liu Qingsong said, glancing at Jiang Wen as he spoke, "that you go to the parking lot. He's waiting for you there."

Chen Nuo was taken aback, then her cheeks flushed: "Now?"

"Yes, now," Liu Qingsong said meaningfully, "Don't keep people waiting too long."

Jiang Wen's expression was somewhat subtle: "Director Liu, we're still discussing the geological details of this shot..."

"We'll discuss the details tomorrow." Liu Qingsong waved his hand. "Director Fang's time is precious, don't waste it."

That's a polite way of putting it, but it's undeniable.

Jiang Wen could only nod: "Then... Chen Nuo, let's continue tomorrow."

"Okay." Chen Nuo replied, put down the script, and turned to walk quickly towards the door.

She walked quickly, the hem of her pink down jacket billowing slightly behind her.

Jiang Wen watched her hurried departure, then looked at Liu Qingsong, hesitating to speak.

"Dr. Jiang," Liu Qingsong patted his shoulder, his tone gentle but distant, "Focus on your work. Some things are better left unthought."

That's already quite straightforward.

Jiang Wen's face paled, and he finally lowered his head: "...Understood, Director Liu."

It was completely dark outside, and the wind was biting cold. He lit a cigarette, looked towards the parking lot, and a meaningful smile appeared on his lips.

His words just now were intentional.

He deliberately praised Jiang Wen in front of Fang Jingxiu.

He deliberately said that Jiang Wen had feelings for Chen Nuo.

Intentionally... to provoke him.

Because he knew that men like Fang Jingxiu were usually too restrained, too rational, and too good at hiding their emotions.

If you don't push him or give him a little jolt, he might never take the initiative to move forward.

Chen Nuo, that girl, is clearly in love.

He could tell that she genuinely liked Fang Jingxiu; she wasn't after his power or his money, she just liked him as a person.

So he wanted to help her.

I also want to see what it's like when that always aloof Director Fang gets jealous.

Liu Qingsong exhaled a puff of smoke and smiled.

It should be quite interesting.

And at this moment, in the parking lot.

Fang Jingxiu stood next to the black Audi A6, not getting in, just standing there.

He lit a cigarette and slowly smoked it. The smoke rose in the cold winter air, blurring his stern features.

He is waiting.

Waiting for that little girl in the pink down jacket, with a side braid, who had been standing very close to another man earlier.

Thinking of what had just happened, he took a deep drag of his cigarette and slowly exhaled.

A strange, restless emotion welled up inside me, spreading through my chest like smoke.

He doesn't like it.

I don't like her standing so close to other men.

I don't like her smiling at other men.

She doesn't like... Someone asked her if she has a boyfriend.

The emotion came suddenly, but it was intense.

It was so intense that he almost walked over and pulled Jiang Wen away from her.

But he held back.

Because he is Fang Jingxiu.

He cannot lose his composure.

He couldn't let anyone see that his emotions were affected by a little girl.

So he called Liu Qingsong over and, in the most official tone, gave him the most personal instructions.

Tell her to come to the parking lot.

wait for him.

Footsteps sounded.

Fang Jingxiu looked up.

Chen Nuo jogged over, her cheeks flushed from running, her breathing a little rapid. She stopped in front of him, looked up at him, her eyes sparkling: "Brother Xiu, you were looking for me?"

Fang Jingxiu looked at her.

Looking at her cheeks, slightly flushed from running.

He looked into her amber eyes, which at that moment reflected only him.

Looking at the section of her fair neck peeking out from the collar of her pink down jacket.

The restlessness in my heart miraculously subsided a little.

He stubbed out his cigarette and threw it into the trash can.

"Okay," he said, his voice a little hoarse. "Get in the car."