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

It was already 10 p.m. when the car stopped in front of the film crew's dormitory building.

On a winter night in Museli, the sky is a deep, inky blue, the stars are so dense they look like scattered diamonds, and it's so cold you can see your breath condensing in the air.

Chen Nuo unbuckled his seatbelt and was about to get out of the car when Fang Jingxiu suddenly spoke up: "Wait a minute."

She turned to look at him.

The carriage was dimly lit, with only the faint glow of the instrument panel and the sparse streetlights outside the window. Fang Jingxiu's face flickered in and out of the light, his expression unusually serious.

"I'm flying to Yanning tomorrow," he said, his voice deep and clear. "There's a base there I need to inspect; I might be there for three or four days."

Chen Nuo's heart sank slightly.

But she quickly composed herself and nodded obediently, "Okay, please be careful on your way."

Fang Jingxiu looked at her with a deep gaze: "I might be very busy these next few days, and I might not be able to reply to messages promptly."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "For minor issues, just ask Liu Qingsong. He can handle things on set."

Chen Nuo nodded: "Okay."

"Director Li will also be in Qinghai for the next two weeks," Fang Jingxiu added. "If you encounter any problems that Liu Qingsong can't handle, such as someone making things difficult for you or important work-related issues, you can go to her."

He spoke slowly, each word carrying weight: "Just say it was me who sent you."

Chen Nuo's heart skipped a beat.

This statement carries immense weight.

Just say that I sent you.

This means that Fang Jingxiu lent her his face.

Director Li will help her out of respect for Fang Jingxiu.

This is an invisible transfer of power.

"If," Fang Jingxiu looked at her, his gaze growing even more so, "if even Director Li can't solve this..."

He paused for two seconds.

"Just call me."

Chen Nuo's eyes suddenly felt a little hot.

She knew what the sentence meant.

If even an official of Director Li's rank can't handle this, then the matter must be very serious. And the fact that he asked her to call him means that he will answer no matter where he is or what he's doing.

This is a commitment.

A promise that as long as I'm here, you don't need to be afraid.

"Brother Xiu," Chen Nuo's voice choked with emotion, "thank you."

Fang Jingxiu didn't reply, he just looked at her.

The carriage was quiet for a few seconds.

Then he spoke again, his tone more serious than before: "There's one more thing."

Chen Nuo listened attentively.

"Don't relax in Liu Qingsong's crew," Fang Jingxiu said, his gaze fixed on her face like a searchlight. "You're working as a script supervisor now, which is the foundational stage. You need to learn and memorize every shot and every scene carefully."

He paused, his voice deepening, "This is the foundation. If the foundation isn't solid, even if I pave the way for you and get you into Director Li's support program, you won't be able to keep up."

This was a very direct, even somewhat harsh, statement.

But Chen Nuo understood the deeper meaning behind it.

He was reminding her not to relax or think she could win without effort just because someone was paving the way.

His father's words echoed in my ears again: "He supports you, but he also spurs you on. He will give you resources and opportunities, but he will also keep an eye on you and push you to grow. You must live up to his expectations."

So now, Fang Jingxiu is urging her on.

"I understand." Chen Nuo nodded vigorously. "I will definitely study hard and live up to your expectations."

Fang Jingxiu's gaze softened as he looked at her earnest expression.

"It's not just about not letting me down," he said, "it's about not letting yourself down."

Chen Nuo's heart trembled slightly at those words.

"You're still young, and you have a long road ahead of you." Fang Jingxiu's voice softened. "What I'm giving you is just an opportunity. Whether you can seize it, and how far you can go, depends on yourself."

As he spoke, he raised his hand and gently touched her cheek.

"Chen Nuo," he called her by her full name, his tone carrying the earnestness of an elder, "Don't let me down."

Chen Nuo's eyes turned completely red.

She nodded vigorously, her voice choked with emotion: "I won't, Brother Xiu."

Fang Jingxiu looked at her reddened eyes, and a part of his heart softened.

He withdrew his hand, took a handkerchief from his pocket, and handed it to her: "Wipe your hands."

Chen Nuo took the dark gray handkerchief, which had a faint scent of cedar.

She didn't wipe it; she just held it in her hand.

"Brother Xiu," she looked up at him, "when...when are you coming back?"

Fang Jingxiu remained silent for a few seconds.

"On the 20th of the twelfth lunar month," he said, "after finishing up things in Xining, I'll go straight back to Jingjing."

The 20th day of the twelfth lunar month.

The film crew wrapped up shooting on the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month, giving her three days to prepare.

Her eyes lit up for a moment, then quickly lowered again, her voice so soft it was as if she didn't want to disturb something: "The film crew... will wrap up filming on the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month."

She didn't finish her sentence, but the blank space was clear enough.

See you in Jingjing?

Fang Jingxiu understood.

He looked into her eyes for a long time.

Then, he sighed softly.

That sigh is crucial; it's not impatience, but helplessness, resignation, and the realization that I truly can't do anything with you.

"Chen Nuo," his voice was low, tinged with restraint, "between us..."

He didn't finish speaking.

But Chen Nuo understood.

He was saying that we haven't officially confirmed our relationship yet. So we need to restrain ourselves from saying certain things or having certain expectations.

But she also knew that when a man said he wanted to restrain himself, it was often because he himself was about to lose control.

"I know," Chen Nuo said first, her voice soft but firm. "I know we're not... in that kind of relationship yet."

She paused, looking deep into his eyes: "So I won't ask you when we'll meet, I'll just tell you my schedule."

To retreat in order to advance.

Give him the choice back, but leave the expectations there.

She tilted her head, revealing a faint smile that held both girlish playfulness and adult wisdom: "Anyway... Jingjing City is only so big, right?"

That's a brilliant statement.

It gave him space while also hinting at the possibility.

Jingjing City is only so big; it could be a chance encounter, a coincidence, or everything falling into place naturally.

Fang Jingxiu's heart was gently touched by those words.

He looked at the girl in front of him.

Young, clean-cut, with clear eyes, but his words possessed a cunning and tact beyond his years.

She was waiting, but not passively.

She was gently pushing the pace in her own way.

Such intelligence, such a sense of propriety...

That suited him perfectly.

Fang Jingxiu remained silent for a long time.

It took so long that Chen Nuo thought he wouldn't respond before he finally spoke, his voice a little hoarse:

"The 23rd of the twelfth lunar month..." he repeated the date, as if pondering something, "Where will the wrap party be held?"

He didn't mention that we were meeting, but he asked about her schedule.

This is the signal.

Those in high positions always test others indirectly.

"It might be at Wenyuange, it's not decided yet." Chen Nuo's heart was racing, but his face remained calm. "Director Liu said it depends on what's convenient for everyone."

Fang Jingxiu hummed in agreement and didn't say anything more.

But Chen Nuo knew that he had remembered those words.

"Go on," he said, his voice returning to normal. "Get some rest."

Chen Nuo nodded and opened the car door.

A cold wind blew in, and she hunched her shoulders.

Just as I was about to get off the bus, my wrist was grabbed.

Fang Jingxiu's hand was warm, and although it wasn't very strong, it wasn't easy to break free.

Chen Nuo turned to look at him, her eyes revealing just the right amount of surprise and doubt.

Fang Jingxiu looked at her with a deep gaze, as if he had something to say, but in the end he just let go of her hand.

"I'm wearing a scarf," he said. "It's cold outside."

Chen Nuo touched the scarf around her neck.

His scarf still carried his body heat and scent.

This is the second time he's put a scarf on her.

Repeatedly borrowing personal belongings cultivates habits and fosters dependence.

"Okay." She nodded and got out of the car.

Before closing the car door, she looked back at him one last time.

Fang Jingxiu looked at her, his eyes appearing exceptionally deep in the night, like a deep sea she could never see through.

"Brother Xiu," she said softly, her voice carried slightly by the wind, "Yan Ning is cold, you should wear more clothes."

Concern should be specific and practical.

Wearing more clothes is more important for keeping warm than paying attention to your body.

Then, she closed the car door, turned around, and quickly walked into the dormitory building.

He didn't turn around.

Because she knew that a well-timed farewell was more memorable than a reluctant parting.

Inside the car, Fang Jingxiu watched her figure disappear into the corridor before slowly turning his gaze away.

He leaned back in his seat, closed his eyes, and rubbed his temples.

"Boss," Secretary Qin in the front row spoke softly, "Shall we go back to the hotel?"

"Mm," Fang Jingxiu responded.

The car slowly drove away.

Fang Jingxiu opened his eyes and looked at the desolate scenery flashing past the window. His fingers unconsciously rubbed the fingertips that had just touched her cheek.

On the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, at Wenyuan Pavilion.

He memorized those two words.

Then, very lightly, almost imperceptibly, he chuckled.