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

The car stopped in front of an inconspicuous private restaurant in the city of Goan.

Secretary Qin got out of the car first and opened the car door. After Fang Jingxiu got out of the car, he turned around and took out a paper bag from the back seat, and took out a dark gray cashmere scarf from it.

"Put this on." He handed the scarf to Chen Nuo. "It's cold outside."

Chen Nuo took the scarf; it was soft and warm to the touch, with a faint scent of pine. It was his scent. She carefully wrapped it around her neck; the thick cashmere made her face appear even whiter and more delicate, and her amber eyes shone like stars in the night.

"Where should we eat, Brother Xiu?" she asked, tilting her head up, her voice filled with the excitement unique to a young girl.

Fang Jingxiu didn't answer immediately, but instead reached out to straighten her scarf, making the edges smoother. The movement was as natural as if he had done it countless times.

"Go inside in a moment," he said, his voice steady, "and be polite."

Chen Nuo blinked: "Is... anyone inside?"

"Director Li from the Cultural Affairs Bureau," Fang Jingxiu said. "She came to Donghai for an inspection and heard that your film crew is shooting a movie about Mars, so she wanted to come and see how it's progressing."

He paused, then looked at Chen Nuo: "Aren't you preparing for your internship? If you want to enter this industry in the future, you'll definitely have to deal with her."

Chen Nuo's heart skipped a beat.

She got it.

This is no ordinary meal.

He's paving the way for her.

"Brother Xiu," she asked softly, "did you... arrange this on purpose?"

Fang Jingxiu looked at her, and after a few seconds, he smiled slightly: "Director Li just happened to ask, so let's have a meal together."

He spoke casually, but Chen Nuo knew that there was a lot of deliberate effort involved.

Given Fang Jingxiu's status, he wouldn't need to find anyone special to invite the director of the Cultural Bureau to dinner.

When he speaks, he makes arrangements.

He was genuinely thinking of her.

Consider her internship, consider her future, consider how she should proceed in this industry.

Chen Nuo's eyes felt a little hot.

"Thank you," she said softly.

Fang Jingxiu didn't reply, but simply raised his hand and gently touched her cheek.

"Remember," his voice lowered, with a mature, slightly teasing tone, "in case I'm not around and you don't know anyone, and you get bullied..."

He paused, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes: "I'm not Sun Wukong, I can't fly over to save you right away."

Chen Nuo burst out laughing.

But as I laughed, a deeper sense of emotion welled up inside me.

This is the kind of love my father was talking about.

It wasn't sweet talk, nor was it a grand gesture.

It's about supporting you, helping you grow, paving the way for you, and preparing everything for you before you even realize you need it.

Once he takes a liking to someone, he'll shower them with all his resources and connections.

They protected it like a mother hen protecting her chicks.

"I understand." Chen Nuo nodded earnestly. "I'll definitely do my best."

Fang Jingxiu was satisfied and turned to walk towards the restaurant.

Chen Nuo followed half a step behind him, looking at his tall and straight back, her heart filled with an unprecedented sense of security.

She knew that this man truly cared about her.

He didn't just talk the talk; he walked the walk, little by little, to draw her into his world.

Pushing open the door to the private room, I found two people already seated inside.

The woman at the head of the table was around fifty years old, wearing a dark purple cashmere sweater, a pearl necklace, and gold-rimmed glasses; her hair was neatly styled in a bun. Opposite her was a woman around forty years old, wearing a beige suit, who was looking down and taking notes.

"Director Li," Fang Jingxiu said politely as he entered.

Lischmann.

Director of the Provincial Bureau of Culture.

She immediately stood up, a perfectly timed smile on her face: "Director Fang is here! Please, have a seat!"

Her gaze lingered on Fang Jingxiu for a moment before landing on Chen Nuo behind him. Her eyes were sharp, carrying the scrutiny typical of officials, but quickly softened.

"This is Secretary Zhou," Li Shiman introduced the woman beside her, then looked at Chen Nuo, her smile deepening, "and this young lady is...."

Chen Nuo's heart skipped a beat.

Normally, in this situation, she should introduce herself first, or be introduced by a middleman like Liu Qingsong. But...

At this moment, Fang Jingxiu is here...

"Chen Nuo," Fang Jingxiu said, his voice steady, "a third-year student in the Directing Department of the Film Academy."

He spoke briefly, but Lischmann's pupils contracted almost imperceptibly.

Because Fang Jingxiu introduced it personally.

Given his status, in such situations, it's always been others who introduce people to him. The fact that he's the one introducing someone, especially a young woman, is itself a signal.

Li Shiman was a shrewd person and immediately understood.

"Xiao Chen, have a seat." Her smile became even more friendly, but there was a hint of reassessment in that friendliness. "Film academy is a good school; it's not easy to get in."

Chen Nuo bowed respectfully: "Hello, Director Li, hello, Secretary Zhou."

Fang Jingxiu walked to the round table and casually pulled out a chair. It wasn't the seat next to the head of the table, but the second seat near the door. He gestured for Chen Nuo to sit down before taking his own seat next to her.

This seating arrangement made Li Shiman's eyes deepen.

Fang Jingxiu sat in the second seat and let Chen Nuo sit next to him.

This is tantamount to saying: She is the protagonist today.

The waiter started serving the cold dishes.

The meal consisted of four dishes and a soup; it wasn't lavish, but it was very refined.