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

5:25 PM, corridor on the third floor of the National Development and Reform Commission.

Secretary Qin, holding the newly compiled meeting minutes, lightly knocked on the door of room 301: "Director Fang, the minutes of the coordination meeting this afternoon are ready. Would you like to take a look?"

"Enter."

Secretary Qin paused as she pushed open the door.

Fang Jingxiu had already stood up and was putting on his dark gray suit jacket, not his usual business jacket.

The desk was exceptionally tidy, with files neatly stacked on the left and only a closed laptop in the center.

This scene stunned Secretary Qin for two seconds. He was all too familiar with Fang Jingxiu's work rhythm: it was the 27th of the twelfth lunar month, one day before the holiday. According to custom, the leader should have just brewed his second cup of strong tea and was preparing to work for another two hours.

"Just leave it there, I'll check it tomorrow." Fang Jingxiu buttoned the last button of his suit jacket, picked up his personal phone from the table, and glanced at the screen.

Secretary Qin placed the folder in the upper right corner of his desk. That was where Fang Jingxiu usually kept his unread documents. His gaze quickly swept across the desk, and he had a general idea of ​​what was going on.

"Director Fang," Secretary Qin adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and asked tentatively, "Are you... going out? Do you need a car arranged?"

"No need." Fang Jingxiu picked up the car keys and black briefcase. "You should leave work early and give me the car keys."

Secretary Qin took out the set of keys to the Hongqi sedan from his pocket. As he handed it over, a smile couldn't help but appear on his face: "Sir, what is this...?"

He didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was clear.

Fang Jingxiu took the keys and glanced at him: "Mind your own business."

But there was no blame in his tone; instead, there was a rare... ease?

Secretary Qin had been with Fang Jingxiu for five years, ever since Fang Jingxiu was the deputy director.

The two had spent countless sleepless nights together, tackled challenging projects together, and witnessed the ups and downs of officialdom together. Privately, their relationship had long surpassed that of a typical superior and subordinate.

That's why Secretary Qin dared to make such a joke.

"It's rare to see you leave work at 5:30." Secretary Qin smiled and followed Fang Jingxiu out of the office. "I remember the last time you left at this time was last year for the old man's birthday."

Fang Jingxiu locked the office door and turned the doorplate to the outside. There were hardly any people left in the corridor; it was the 27th of the twelfth lunar month, and everyone who could leave on time had already gone home.

"Let's pick her up for a meal," Fang Jingxiu said casually. "It's pitiful that she can't even eat."

Secretary Qin chuckled. "Is she too pitiful, or do you like her too much?"

These were bold words, but the corridor was empty, and Secretary Qin knew that her boss wouldn't really be angry.

Sure enough, Fang Jingxiu just glanced at him sideways: "Are you scheduled for the night shift tonight?"

"I was wrong, I was wrong." Secretary Qin immediately admitted defeat, making a zipping motion as if she were zipping up her mouth. "Boss, I was just saying it offhand. Well... I wish you every success?"

Fang Jingxiu didn't reply and walked straight to the elevator.

Secretary Qin followed half a step behind him and continued to report in a low voice: "By the way, boss, I made some inquiries at the Film Academy, and there are indeed a few rich young men pursuing Miss Chen. The one in the Acting Department, surnamed Wang, comes from a family in real estate; the one in the Directing Department, surnamed Li, has a father in the broadcasting system..."

Fang Jingxiu paused almost imperceptibly.

Secretary Qin observed this and chuckled inwardly. She continued, "But Miss Chen didn't respond at all. I heard she's been incredibly busy this semester, spending her time either in class, with Director Liu Qingsong's crew, or in the library."

The elevator arrived. The two stepped inside.

"Meddlesome," Fang Jingxiu said again, but this time his tone was noticeably gentler.

Secretary Qin knew that the leader had taken her words to heart.

The elevator descended to the first floor, and the doors opened.

There were a few colleagues in the lobby who were always working overtime and competing fiercely. When they saw Fang Jingxiu, they were all stunned. Director Fang actually got off work at this time today?

"Director Fang, so early today?"

"Yes, something's come up." Fang Jingxiu nodded, without stopping.

"Take care, Mr. Fang!"

Stepping out of the main building, the evening breeze carried the dry chill characteristic of December. The ministry compound was quiet, with only a few cars slowly driving out.

Secretary Qin escorted Fang Jingxiu to the parking lot and watched as the leader got into the black Hongqi car.

The car window rolled down, and Fang Jingxiu said, "Let's go back."

"Okay." Secretary Qin nodded, but didn't leave immediately. Instead, he lowered his voice and said, "Boss, if you ask me, Miss Chen is really nice. If you like her, don't be so reserved. These days, good girls are hard to come by."

Fang Jingxiu glanced at him, said nothing, and rolled up the car window.

The car slowly drove out of the compound and turned onto Chang'an Avenue.

Secretary Qin stood there, watching the car's taillights disappear into the traffic, and couldn't help but smile.

He had followed Fang Jingxiu for five years and knew his leader all too well.

At the age of 29, he rose to the position of a powerful department head, which required a combination of ability, background, and shrewdness.

But in matters of the heart, Fang Jingxiu is actually very...pure-hearted.

It's not that I don't understand, it's that I'm too clear-headed, so clear-headed that I dare not start easily.

Because we know that once we start, we have to take responsibility.

In Fang Jingxiu's world, the word "responsibility" carries immense weight.

Secretary Qin took out her phone and sent Chen Nuo a WeChat message:

"Ms. Chen, Director Fang has come to pick you up. He left work early today."

After thinking for a moment, he added:

"He rarely does this. On the 27th of the twelfth lunar month, there were still some minor tasks left to be completed in the committee, which he handed over to his subordinates."

send.

Then he put away his phone and walked towards the subway station, humming a little tune.

It's rare for the leader to have such a breakthrough, so as his secretary, he naturally had to lend a hand.

---

On the bus, Fang Jingxiu glanced at the time: 5:40.

The evening rush hour has just begun; even without traffic jams, it takes 40 minutes to get from Xicheng to Chaoyang.

He opened the navigation and chose a relatively smooth route.

Traffic moved slowly.

As dusk settles and the streetlights illuminate both sides of Chang'an Avenue, the corner towers of the Forbidden City appear and disappear in the twilight. At this time of day, the city is transitioning from its daytime hustle and bustle to its nighttime vibrancy.

Fang Jingxiu suddenly remembered that many years ago, in a winter just like this, he also drove to see someone.

He was only twenty-five years old then, just promoted to deputy section chief, and driving a Passat. He went to see An Qi, to see the woman who would later leave him.

At that time, he had nothing but a sincere heart.

But sincerity is worthless in the face of reality.

Later, he learned to wear a pinky ring, learned not to be easily tempted, and learned to put all his energy into his work.

Until Chen Nuo appeared.

She was like a ray of light, unexpectedly shining into his long-closed world.

The traffic jam worsened as the car entered the East Second Ring Road.

Fang Jingxiu lit a cigarette and rolled down the car window.

A cold wind blew in, dispersing the smoke.

He recalled his conversation with his father that day, the resume of Liu Sihua that was swallowed by the shredder, and Secretary Qin's words that love is like climbing a mountain: if you don't move, the mountain won't come to you.

Yes.

He doesn't move, and she won't wait in the same place forever.

My phone vibrated again.

It was a message from Secretary Qin: "Boss, I just received a notification that the minister has specifically asked you to give a keynote speech at tomorrow's annual meeting summary. I've already prepared the speech and will send it to you for review before 10 PM tonight."

Fang Jingxiu replied, "Okay."

Secretary Qin sent another message: "Also, the situation in Ningbo... is more complicated than I imagined. Chen Jianguo may have already been added to the investigation list."

Fang Jingxiu frowned.

He stared at the screen for a few seconds, then typed: "Specifically?"

"It's not convenient to talk about this over the phone. I'll report to you in person when you get back tonight."

Fang Jingxiu put away his phone, his gaze darkening.

Ningbo, Chen Jianguo, rectification of building materials market...

He knew all too well what those words meant when put together.

If Chen Jianguo really gets into trouble, what will happen to Chen Nuo?

Will she come to him for help?

Will he help?

of course.

The answer came almost without thinking.

Fang Jingxiu gave a wry smile.

It’s over.

He's really hooked.

The traffic finally started to move.

He stubbed out his cigarette and stepped on the gas.

At 6:15, the car entered Guijie Street.

The famous food street was already brightly lit and bustling with people. Fang Jingxiu parked his car in a nearby parking lot and walked towards the alleyway restaurant.

He spotted the figure from afar.

Chen Nuo stood under the streetlight at the store entrance, wearing a beige down jacket, a red scarf, and her hair tied in a bun, craning her neck to look in his direction.

When she saw him, her eyes lit up instantly, as if they were filled with stars.

She smiled and waved at him.

At that moment, Fang Jingxiu suddenly felt that all his family responsibilities, political marriages, and future risks were to hell with.

He wanted to walk towards her.

Right now.

He quickened his pace and walked towards her.