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

Jingjing City, Beijing, December 28th, 7 PM.

The auditorium on the third floor of the National Development and Reform Commission building was brightly lit, and the annual year-end summary and New Year's Eve party was about to begin.

Fang Jingxiu extinguished his cigarette and locked the last document in the drawer. Secretary Qin knocked and entered, holding his speech: "Sir, there are fifteen minutes left before it begins."

"Hmm." Fang Jingxiu stood up and took the dark gray executive jacket handed to him by Secretary Qin. The jacket was well-tailored, making his shoulders and back look tall and sharp.

He straightened his collar in front of the mirror. The man in the mirror had a calm and sharp gaze, and a clean and distinct jawline. It was the aura he had developed from years of being in the center of power, which was authoritative without being angry.

The two walked out of the office one after the other.

Many people were already walking towards the auditorium in the corridor. When they saw Fang Jingxiu, they slowed down and either nodded or greeted him.

"Fang Chu".

"Jingxiu, you're here."

"Hello, Director Fang."

The different titles reflect varying degrees of closeness in the relationship. Those at the director level or above are called "Jingxiu," those at the same level or with whom they have a close relationship are called "Director Fang," and subordinates or those with whom they have a casual relationship are called "Director Fang."

Every title within the system is carefully chosen; adding or omitting even one word can make a world of difference.

Fang Jingxiu nodded in response to each one, his steps unhurried.

The leather shoes made a steady sound as they stepped on the polished marble floor, like a silent declaration.

Stepping into the auditorium, you are greeted by a wave of warmth.

The hall, which can accommodate 500 people, was packed. The first three rows were reserved for leaders at the bureau level and above, with section chiefs, department heads, and staff members arranged in order behind them.

Seating arrangements are a power map; who sits in which row and who sits next to whom are all meticulously calculated.

Fang Jingxiu's seat was in the center of the second row, with Zheng Guodong, Director of the New Energy Department, on his left and Zhao Ming, Deputy Director of the Development Planning Department, on his right.

The nameplate on the table read "Fang Jingxiu, Deputy Director of the New Energy Department." Although the official appointment document has not yet been issued, this arrangement has already been made internally.

"Jingxiu is here." Zheng Guodong smiled and patted the seat next to him. "Sit down."

"Zheng Si." Fang Jingxiu sat down next to him, and Secretary Qin naturally retreated to the back row of the secretaries' area.

"I was just talking to Lao Zhao about your new energy base project," Zheng Guodong, in his fifties, with gray hair but still very energetic, said. "It's supposed to officially start after the New Year, right?"

"Yes." Fang Jingxiu nodded. "The bidding for the first phase of the project will be completed after the Spring Festival, and construction will begin in March."

"You've got quick on the job." Zhao Ming leaned over from the other side. "Jingxiu, your project is a major focus for our committee this year. I heard that Vice Director Wang specifically praised you at the executive meeting?"

Fang Jingxiu smiled and said, "The leaders value it; we're just carrying it out."

This statement is perfectly watertight; it acknowledges the achievements while attributing the credit to superiors without appearing deliberate.

Here, being able to do things is important, but being able to communicate is even more important.

"You're too modest," Zheng Guodong smiled. "By the way, about your father... is there going to be some work done next year too?"

The topic changed abruptly, but Fang Jingxiu remained calm: "I'm not quite sure."

"He's been in this position for four years, hasn't he?" Zhao Ming lowered his voice. "Next year there will be a reshuffle, and he should be promoted. You'll get promoted too, father and son will be celebrating together, a double celebration!"

Several leaders who overheard the conversation perked up their ears to listen.

Fang Jingxiu picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip, and then slowly said, "What seems real may be fake, and what seems fake may be real. We don't know the specifics, so we can only follow the arrangements."

Saying it means not saying it.

But that's exactly the effect he wanted: neither denying nor confirming, using a universal phrase to steer the conversation away from the topic.

Zheng Guodong and Zhao Ming exchanged a glance and both smiled.

They understood that Fang Jingxiu didn't want to discuss this in this setting.

Just then, the host came on stage, and the party officially began.

Speeches by leaders, awards ceremony, cultural performances... the process proceeded smoothly.

Fang Jingxiu sat in the audience with his back straight and his expression focused. He clapped occasionally, but a sense of detachment remained deep in his eyes.

In such situations, seven parts are performance and three parts are socializing.

He has long been used to it.

When it was the turn of the department-level leaders to speak, Zheng Guodong spoke for ten minutes. After he came down, the host announced: "Next, please welcome Comrade Fang Jingxiu, Deputy Director of the New Energy Department, to speak on behalf of the young cadres."

applause.

Fang Jingxiu stood up and walked calmly onto the stage.

The stage spotlight shone on him, and his dark gray executive jacket gleamed with a calm sheen under the light.

He stood behind the podium, adjusted the microphone height, and the movement was natural and smooth.

The audience fell silent.

"Good evening, leaders and colleagues." His voice, clear, steady, and with just the right amount of magnetism, resonated throughout the auditorium through the speakers. "First of all, please allow me, on behalf of the young cadres of the committee, to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the leaders for their guidance and care over the past year."

The opening remarks were conventional, but Fang Jingxiu's delivery was different; his calm and composed demeanor was something that couldn't be faked.

He spoke about the significance of the new energy base project, the prospects for green development, and the responsibilities of the younger generation.

The draft was written by Secretary Qin, but he spoke two-thirds of it extemporaneously, readily citing data and providing accurate and insightful interpretations of policies.

"In our generation, the transformation of the country's energy structure will take a crucial step." He said, his gaze sweeping across the audience, a resolute strength in his eyes. "This is not a slogan, but a mission."

A round of enthusiastic applause erupted from the audience.

Fang Jingxiu nodded slightly and continued, "Of course, no reform will be smooth sailing. We will encounter resistance, doubts, and even failures. But it is precisely because of this that our generation needs to shoulder our responsibilities and be courageous in taking on challenges."

His tone was calm, but every word seemed to carry weight.

"Finally, I would like to share a sentence with all of you young colleagues..." He paused, his gaze slowly sweeping across the auditorium, "Success doesn't have to be mine, but I will definitely be a part of it."

As soon as he finished speaking, thunderous applause erupted.

Fang Jingxiu bowed and stepped down from the stage.

The entire speech lasted no more than eight minutes, but it was extremely effective, demonstrating both professional competence and political awareness, while also showcasing the vigor of a young cadre.

Back in his seat, Zheng Guodong patted him on the shoulder with a smile: "Well said. Excellent."

"You flatter me, Mr. Zheng," Fang Jingxiu said with a smile.

The applause after his speech at the annual meeting was still ringing in his ears when Fang Jingxiu returned to his seat, and his phone vibrated in the inside pocket of his suit.

He sat down and, under the guise of adjusting his tie, took out his phone. It wasn't a message; it was a photo sent by Secretary Qin.

Here are a few candid photos of him speaking on stage. They were probably taken by the department's publicity office; it's customary to send them to him as a keepsake.

The photos are well taken.

The lighting was just right, and the angle was perfect, capturing his calm and composed aura perfectly.

One of the photos is particularly outstanding: he stands under the spotlight, leaning forward to speak into the microphone, his profile appears deep and resolute in the light and shadow, his left hand slightly raised, as if he is explaining an important point.

Fang Jingxiu stared at the photo for a few seconds, and then, as if possessed, opened the chat window with Chen Nuo.

Select a photo and send it.

The caption was simple: "Just took this picture."

He was stunned after sending it; he actually took the initiative to send her his own photo?

This is completely unlike him.

But the message had already been sent, so withdrawing it would seem deliberate.

He put his phone back in his pocket and continued listening to the speech on stage, but he could hardly concentrate.

What would she say if she saw this?

This thought made him somewhat irritated.

He picked up the teacup and took a sip. The tea had gone cold, and a bitter taste spread across his tongue.

My phone vibrated again.

This is an information notification.

Fang Jingxiu pulled it out almost immediately, and sure enough, it was Chen Nuo.

"[Shocking!] Brother Xiu!!!"

It was followed by a series of exclamation marks.

"I won the lottery!!!"

Fang Jingxiu looked at those words, and a smile involuntarily crept onto his lips. He typed: "?"

The reply came almost instantly: "Here's an extra picture as a reward!!! So handsome!!! [Sparkling eyes]"

Fang Jingxiu's smile deepened. He remembered the sparkling look in her eyes whenever she praised him when they were in Qinghai.

He teased her deliberately, "That's it?"

"Isn't that enough?!" Chen Nuo replied quickly, "I'm going to save this as my screensaver!!!"

Just as Fang Jingxiu was about to reply, another message arrived: "I'm a student, send me one more [poor thing]".

He stared at the pitiful emoji, his finger pausing on the screen.

The annual meeting was brightly lit and surrounded by people, but he suddenly felt that all he wanted to do at that moment was listen to her speak.

He typed: "Promising."

Just about to send…

My phone suddenly vibrated; it wasn't a message, it was a call.

Two words appeared on the screen: Chen Nuo.

Fang Jingxiu frowned slightly.

She was just joking, why is she suddenly calling?

He stood up and whispered to Director Zhang beside him, "Sir, I need to take this call."

Then he walked quickly to the side door of the venue, pushed the door open, and went out.

The corridor was relatively quiet. He answered the phone: "Feeding?"

"Brother Xiu..." Chen Nuo's voice came through the receiver, trembling and choked with emotion, "Brother Xiu... save me..."

Fang Jingxiu's heart sank.

The slight smile that had been on his face vanished instantly.

He stopped, his voice turning serious: "Tell me slowly, what happened?"

"My dad... my dad was taken away..." Chen Nuo's voice trembled, and the airport announcement could be heard in the background. "I just got off the plane... my mom called... saying someone came this morning... and took him away..."

She was incoherent and breathing rapidly; she was clearly panicked.

Fang Jingxiu closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

It's time to come, it's coming.

He gripped his phone tightly, but his voice remained unusually calm: "Where are you now?"

"At...at the airport...just arrived in Yongzhou..." Chen Nuo sniffed, her voice filled with helplessness, "Brother Xiu...what should I do..."

His voice was steady and powerful: "Listen, Chen Nuo, do as I say now."

I heard sobbing on the other end of the phone.

"First," Fang Jingxiu said calmly, "don't panic. Panic won't solve anything. Call a taxi now and go home immediately to take care of your mother. She's definitely emotionally unstable, and you're her only support right now."

"Hmm..." Chen Nuo sniffed.

"Second," Fang Jingxiu continued, "after you get home, have your mother lock up all the account books, contracts, and documents. Whether it's the safe or anywhere else, don't let anyone touch them except you and your daughter. Do you understand?"

"Understood……"

"Third," Fang Jingxiu paused, "don't ask around or look for strangers. I'll handle this. Any unnecessary actions you and your mother take now could cause trouble for your father."

He spoke bluntly and harshly, but it was the truth: during investigations, inappropriate behavior by family members often made things worse.

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone, then Chen Nuo asked softly, "Brother Xiu... will you help me?"

Fang Jingxiu did not answer immediately.

He walked to the window and looked at the traffic below.

On a winter night, Jingjing is brightly lit. The power network in this city is like an invisible net, and behind every light may sit someone who can decide the fate of others.

And he was one of them.

The corridor was dimly lit, and the green light of the emergency exit cast a faint glow on the wall.

He stood against the wall, took out a cigarette case from his pocket, knocked out a cigarette, and lit it.

Smoke rises under the light.

Then he said, "I told you, I would pave the way for you."

He took a drag of his cigarette and slowly exhaled, "I'll take care of this."

There was silence for a few seconds on the other end of the phone.

Then came Chen Nuo's suppressed sobs: "Thank you... thank you, Brother Xiu..."

"No need to thank me," Fang Jingxiu said. "I'll put in a good word with your father and make sure no one makes things difficult for him. But you should also be prepared that cooperating with the investigation will take time—at least three to five days, at most…"

He didn't finish speaking, but Chen Nuo understood.

"I understand." Her voice was still nasal, but much more steady. "Brother Xiu, I believe in you."

"Okay," Fang Jingxiu said. "Now, go call a car and go home. Be careful on the road, and text me when you get home."

"Um."

"Also," Fang Jingxiu added, "don't tell anyone about this for now. Not even your classmates or friends. Understand?"

"clear."

After hanging up the phone, Fang Jingxiu did not return to the meeting room immediately.