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

It was the 22nd day of the twelfth lunar month, at 9 PM.

At Jingjing Airport Terminal 3, Chen Nuo dragged his suitcase out of the arrival gate.

Filming in the East China Sea has finally come to an end. It took a full month and a half, from the depths of winter to the beginning of spring. Now that we're back in Jingjing, even the air feels familiar.

My phone has been silent since this afternoon.

Her last message to Fang Jingxiu was four hours ago: "Brother Xiu, I've boarded the plane and am heading back to Jingjing! [Excited]"

No reply.

She knew how busy the National Development and Reform Commission was at the end of the year.

With various summaries, reports, next year's budget, and project approvals, Fang Jingxiu, in his position, must be working non-stop on meetings and documents during this period.

She understood, but she still felt a little... disappointed.

"Xiao Chen, is someone coming to pick you up?" Liu Qingsong walked up to her, dragging a suitcase as well. "It's so late, can I give you a ride home?"

Just as Chen Nuo was about to speak, an actress next to him leaned over and said with a grin, "Director Liu, could you give me a ride if you're going that way? My home is in the East Fourth Ring Road!"

"Me too! Director Liu, I live in Wangjing!" another actor chimed in.

Liu Qingsong chuckled, then deliberately put on a serious face: "Overloading will get you fined! Besides..." He gestured towards Chen Nuo with his chin, "I think I should give him a ride, but little Chen doesn't need me to."

The actors all looked at Chen Nuo, their eyes filled with knowing smiles.

Over the past month and a half, everyone in the crew noticed. Director Liu was taking extra care of Chen Nuo. It wasn't just because of Fang Jingxiu's phone call, but more so because Chen Nuo herself was determined.

She performed her duties as script supervisor meticulously, demonstrated remarkable composure in handling Jiang Wen's injury, and significantly reduced the workload for the assistant director during the last two weeks...

Intelligent, sensible, and humble.

Who wouldn't like a girl like that?

"Director Liu, you're joking with me." Chen Nuo blushed slightly. "I can just take a taxi myself."

"Why take a taxi? It's so late." Liu Qingsong waved his hand. "Let's go, my car is in the parking lot."

Just then, Chen Nuo's phone rang.

It was a phone call, not a message.

She took out her phone and saw the name flashing on the screen.

Brother Xiu.

My heart skipped a beat.

She quickly answered the call, holding the phone to her ear: "Brother Xiu?"

Fang Jingxiu's calm voice came from the other end of the phone, the background was quiet, as if indoors: "Have you gotten off the plane?"

"Yeah, I just came out." Chen Nuo, holding her phone, unconsciously straightened up. "Are you... still busy?"

"I just finished a meeting," Fang Jingxiu said. "I'm in parking space B2-D117 in the underground garage."

Chen Nuo was stunned.

"You...you've come?" Her voice was filled with disbelief and surprise.

A soft chuckle came from the other end of the phone: "If you don't come, do you expect me to take a taxi home by myself in the middle of the night?"

This was said so naturally, as if it were a matter of course.

But Chen Nuo knew that at this time of year, he could take time out of his mountain of documents and meetings to come to the airport to pick her up; his thoughtfulness was too great.

"I...I'll be right down!" Chen Nuo said, then remembered something, "How long have you been waiting?"

"Just arrived." Fang Jingxiu paused. "No rush, walk slowly, and watch your step."

"good!"

The phone hangs up.

Chen Nuo stood there, holding her phone, unable to hide the smile on her face.

Liu Qingsong watched from the side, his eyes understanding. He leaned closer and chuckled in a low voice, "Someone's got a crush on you, huh?"

"No way..." Chen Nuo's face turned even redder.

"Go ahead, go ahead." Liu Qingsong waved his hand, his smile meaningful. "Don't keep your friends waiting."

Chen Nuo dragged her suitcase and practically ran towards the parking lot.

Parking lot B2, area D.

From afar, she spotted the familiar black Hongqi H7 and the figure leaning against the car smoking.

Fang Jingxiu wasn't wearing his executive jacket today; instead, he wore a black cashmere overcoat over a dark gray turtleneck sweater. He had one hand in his coat pocket and a cigarette between his fingers, his profile sharply defined in the dim parking lot lighting.

Chen Nuo's heart raced.

She quickened her pace, but because she was wearing a heavy down jacket and dragging a suitcase, her movements were somewhat clumsy. Just as she reached the car, the tip of her shoe accidentally tripped over a raised speed bump on the ground.

"what!"

She lunged forward.

The expected pain did not occur.

An arm firmly wrapped around her waist, the force not strong, but enough to keep her upright.

The scent of tobacco mixed with the cool fragrance of cedar wafted towards her, a familiar and comforting aroma.

"Be careful." Fang Jingxiu's voice rang out from above, tinged with a hint of helplessness. "How old are you? You still walk so carelessly."

Chen Nuo steadied himself, his face flushed red: "I...I was anxious..."

"What's the rush?" Fang Jingxiu released her hand, very gentlemanly, he just helped her up and didn't do anything else.

He looked down at her. "I'm not going to run away."

Chen Nuo stuck out her tongue sheepishly.

Fang Jingxiu watched her childish action, a hint of a smile flashing in his eyes. He raised his hand and casually ruffled her hair: "You're so promising."

The movement was very light and brief, but Chen Nuo froze completely.

He touched her head.

Just like... just like how you treat your girlfriend.

Fang Jingxiu seemed oblivious to her stiffness, took the suitcase from her hand, and walked towards the trunk.

Secretary Qin got out of the driver's seat, intending to help, but Fang Jingxiu raised his hand to stop him: "I'll do it."

He lifted the suitcase with one hand and put it in the trunk.

Her movements were swift and agile, and the lines of her arms were faintly visible beneath her cashmere coat.

Chen Nuo watched his retreating figure, her heart still pounding.

I got in the car, closed the door, and was immediately greeted by a blast of warm air.

"Go back where?" Fang Jingxiu asked, sitting down next to her.

"go home!"

The car slowly drove out of the parking lot.

"What are your plans for the New Year?" Fang Jingxiu asked, his tone as if he were chatting casually.

"Going home," Chen Nuo said. "You have no idea, Brother Xiu, I do this every year: go home, and then gain three pounds. The first thing my acting teacher says after the New Year is always: 'Chen Nuo, you've gained weight again!'"

She imitated the teacher's tone, deliberately lowering her voice and making an exaggerated expression.

Fang Jingxiu was amused.

He turned to look at her, his gaze lingering on her face for a few seconds: "Where are you fat? You're so skinny."

"I've just finished my courses and I'm completely letting loose. I've already gained five or six pounds!" Chen Nuo said earnestly. "Can't you tell? My face is all rounder."

Fang Jingxiu actually looked at it carefully: "I can't figure it out."

"That's because your eyesight is bad," Chen Nuo muttered softly.

Fang Jingxiu laughed again: "There's no need to lose weight. You're thin enough already; any thinner and you'll look like a skeleton demon."

Chen Nuo's eyes lit up: "Then you must be Tang Sanzang!"

She was stunned for a moment after saying that; the joke had gone a bit too far.

Tang Sanzang and the White Bone Demon, that's...

Fang Jingxiu clearly understood this meaning as well.

He paused for two seconds, then slowly replied, "Amitabha."

Chen Nuo burst out laughing.

She smiled so hard her eyes curved into crescents, and she curled up in her oversized down jacket like a little squirrel that had just stolen a pine cone.

Fang Jingxiu looked at her and smiled, his eyes also filled with laughter: "Silly girl."

The car stopped at the red light.

Fang Jingxiu's smile faded, and his tone became more serious: "After the New Year, you will officially join Director Li's young director support program. This is a great opportunity, you should cherish it."

"I know," Chen Nuo said seriously.

"But there are some things I need to make clear to you beforehand." Fang Jingxiu looked at her. "Director Li helped you because of me. In official circles, that's called 'selling favors.' Favors have to be repaid. Right now, I owe her, but later..."

He paused for a moment: "When you grow up, remember this kindness, and repay it. In officialdom, debts of gratitude are the hardest to repay, but also the ones you must repay the most."

Chen Nuo nodded: "I understand."

"And another thing," Fang Jingxiu continued, "once you enter that circle, you'll meet many people. Some will fawn over you because they think you have connections; others will ostracize you, also because they think you have connections. You need to learn to discern and handle these situations."

He spoke slowly, each word a lesson for her: "Remember, don't easily accept favors from others. If you do, you incur a debt. And don't make promises lightly; if you do, you must keep them."

"Then..." Chen Nuo hesitated for a moment, "You've helped me so much, how can I repay you for what I owe you?"

Fang Jingxiu looked at her.

The carriage was dimly lit, but his eyes were bright.

"You're different," he said, his voice soft but clear. "You don't have to pay it back."

Chen Nuo's heart trembled violently.

"Why?" she asked softly.

Fang Jingxiu turned his gaze away and looked out the window: "Because I want to."

Five words.

Simple, direct, yet incredibly powerful.

The carriage fell silent, with only the deep rumble of the engine.

Looking at his profile and his reflection in the car window, Chen Nuo suddenly realized that this man was even better than she had imagined.

The car slowly stopped at the entrance of the residential complex where Chen Nuo rented an apartment.

Fang Jingxiu got out of the car first and helped her take out her luggage.

"There's a difference between men and women, so I won't serve it up," he said. "Get some rest."

"You too." Chen Nuo took the suitcase. "Go back and get some sleep. Don't look at any more documents."

Fang Jingxiu smiled and said, "Okay."

He watched her walk into the building and disappear into the stairwell before turning around and getting into his car.

The car started and drove into the night.

Secretary Qin glanced in the rearview mirror, hesitated for a long time, and finally spoke up: "Boss, what you just said to Miss Chen..."

"What's wrong?" Fang Jingxiu asked, closing his eyes to rest.

"I feel... you're teaching too advanced a subject," Secretary Qin said cautiously. "She might not be able to understand those rules of officialdom at her age."

Fang Jingxiu opened his eyes and looked at the streetlights flashing past the window.

"She understands," he said. "She's very smart."

He paused, then added, "Moreover, she needs to understand all of this for the path she will take in the future."

Secretary Qin fell silent.

He sensed something else in those words: the leader was paving the way for Ms. Chen, and it was a long-term, systematic way.

This isn't just about lending a hand; it's about nurturing.

As the car drove along Chang'an Avenue, the neon lights on both sides formed a strip of light.

Fang Jingxiu took out his phone and opened WeChat.

Chen Nuo sent a message five minutes ago: "Brother Xiu, I'm home. Are you home yet?"

He typed: "On the way."

After thinking for a moment, I added, "Go to bed early."

Chen Nuo replied: "Okay! You should also get some rest [heart emoji]"

Fang Jingxiu stared at the little heart emoji, his finger pausing on the screen for a few seconds.

Then he put away his phone and closed his eyes again.

There was a very faint smile at the corner of her lips.