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

The two continued eating, but the atmosphere was somewhat awkward.

After a while, Fang Jingxiu suddenly spoke up: "What...did she say to you?"

Secretary Qin was taken aback for a moment, then realized what she meant: "Miss Chen? I didn't specifically mention her. It was just that last time I took her to school, she asked me some questions about your work. She wasn't asking for confidential information, but rather whether you're usually busy, tired, or whether you eat on time."

Fang Jingxiu paused for a moment, his hand holding the chopsticks still.

"She also said," Secretary Qin carefully added, observing Fang Jingxiu's expression, "that you always stay up late, and asked me to remind you to rest more. She also said... that you have a bad stomach, and asked me to make sure you eat on time."

Fang Jingxiu didn't say anything, he just lowered his head and ate.

But Secretary Qin could sense that the leader's mood had improved significantly.

After finishing their meal, the two walked out of the cafeteria.

The afternoon sun was lovely, warming me comfortably.

On the way back to the office,

"Secretary Qin," Fang Jingxiu suddenly spoke, "If... I mean, if I were with her, what impact would it have on her?"

Secretary Qin stopped and thought seriously for a few seconds.

"There are two possibilities," he said. "First, if you protect her well, she will smoothly enter this circle, gain resources, and grow rapidly. Second, if you don't protect her well, she will become a weakness that others use against you, hindering your career or even causing you harm."

He paused, then looked at Fang Jingxiu: "But with your abilities, I believe it's the first option."

Fang Jingxiu didn't say anything and continued walking forward.

"Relationships are like climbing a mountain," Secretary Qin said softly, following behind him. "If you don't move, the mountain won't come to you. You have to climb it yourself to see the more beautiful scenery."

Fang Jingxiu didn't stop walking, but simply said, "You've been talking a lot lately."

Secretary Qin smiled: "I'm doing this for your own good, aren't I?"

Back in his office, Fang Jingxiu closed the door, stood by the window, and looked down at Chang'an Avenue.

He took out his phone and opened Chen Nuo's WeChat.

The selfie of the girl looking wronged was still on the screen. He looked at the girl's puffed-out cheeks in the photo, his fingers gently tracing the screen.

Then he typed: "What time tonight? Send me the address."

send.

Almost immediately, Chen Nuo replied, "You're done?! [Surprised]"

"Um."

"That private restaurant is on Guijie Street. I'll send you the location! Is 6:30 okay?"

"Can."

"Okay! See you tonight! [Spins around]"

Fang Jingxiu looked at the circling expression on his face and a smile appeared on his lips.

He put away his phone and turned to walk towards his desk.

There was a document on the table, a thick stack of Liu Sihua's resume, which her father had sent that morning, along with a background analysis of the Liu family. It looked like a project evaluation report.

Fang Jingxiu picked up the document and looked at it for a few seconds.

Then he went to the shredder and stuffed the entire document in.

"Click—click—"

The paper was cut into small pieces.

He walked back to his desk, sat down, and turned on his computer.

There is an unread email in my inbox with the subject line "Internal Notification Regarding the Rectification of the Building Materials Market in Yongzhou City".

Fang Jingxiu clicked on it.

The email was short, but every word carried weight.

Yongzhou City recently launched a special campaign to rectify the building materials market, and has already investigated and dealt with several companies that violated regulations. The next step will be to conduct an in-depth investigation into the underlying profit chains...

He thought of Chen Nuo's father, Chen Jianguo.

That building materials merchant from Yongzhou, whose cunning is more numerous than a hornet's nest.

Fang Jingxiu frowned and tapped his fingers lightly on the table.

Should we remind her?

Or...pretend you don't know?

He stared at the screen, lost in thought.

Outside the window, the winter sun gradually dipped to the west.

Traffic on Chang'an Avenue began to pick up.

Another busy workday is coming to an end.

Tonight, he's going to meet a girl.

A girl who makes him hesitate and waver, yet he can't help but want to get closer to her.

Fang Jingxiu closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair.

Many images flashed through my mind: my father's sternness, my mother's expectations, Liu Sihua's shy face, and Chen Nuo's clear eyes.

Feelings are like climbing a mountain.

If you don't move, the mountain won't come to you.

Secretary Qin's words were still echoing in my ears.

Fang Jingxiu opened his eyes, picked up his phone, and sent a message to Chen Nuo:

See you tonight.

There are only three words.

But for him, this already represents a statement.