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

It was 11:30 p.m. on the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month.

The arrival hall of Yongzhou Lishe Airport was sparsely populated.

Fang Jingxiu walked out of the gate carrying a simple duffel bag, the hem of his black trench coat fluttering slightly in the warm air from the air conditioner. He didn't bring Secretary Qin with him; it was the end of the year, and he should let her go home for the New Year.

A light, cold rain was falling outside the airport, wetter and colder than he had imagined. He stood by the roadside, hailed a taxi, and gave them the address of Chen Nuo's residential complex.

The car was driving in the rainy night.

Outside the window lay an unfamiliar city skyline at night, the lights blurring into hazy patches in the rain. Fang Jingxiu leaned against the car window, looking at the latest message from Secretary Qin on his phone:

"Boss, we've contacted Secretary Li. The initial situation is: Chen Jianguo is involved in a monopoly case at the Yongzhou building materials market. He's currently cooperating with the investigation, and no case has been filed yet. The key evidence is a record of financial transactions between him and a certain vice mayor, amounting to three million."

Fang Jingxiu stared at the message, his brows furrowed slightly.

Three million.

This number isn't huge, but it's not insignificant either. It's enough to warrant filing a case, but it's not entirely impossible to investigate.

He replied, "Has the source of the funds been investigated?"

Secretary Qin quickly replied: "Secretary Li said they are still verifying it. Chen Jianguo insists it was a normal payment transaction, but the investigation team believes there is a problem with the timing, as it happened right after the vice mayor approved the expansion project of the building materials market."

Time point.

This is the key to the investigation.

If it really is payment for goods, why at that particular time?

Fang Jingxiu rubbed his temples.

He worked at the National Development and Reform Commission for eight years and knew all too well how these kinds of cases often weren't about the magnitude of the matter itself, but rather the scale that the people behind it wanted to achieve.

"Boss," Secretary Qin sent another message, "Do you need me to fly over?"

"No need," Fang Jingxiu replied. "You stay in Jingjing and continue to follow up on the situation. Let me know as soon as there are any developments."

"clear."

It was almost midnight when the car stopped at the entrance of Chen Nuo's residential compound. It was an old-style compound with no access control, dim streetlights, and puddles of rainwater pooling on the uneven cement ground.

Fang Jingxiu paid the fare and got out of the car, standing under the awning at the entrance of the residential area. He didn't have an umbrella, and the shoulder of his trench coat was quickly soaked with dark rain.

He took out his phone and texted Chen Nuo: "Where are you?"

He replied almost instantly: "At home. Brother Xiu, any news from you?"

"Go downstairs," he replied with only two words.

About a minute later, the unit door was pushed open with a "bang". Chen Nuo rushed out wearing slippers, only a thin home sweater, her hair was messy, and her eyes were red and swollen.

She saw Fang Jingxiu standing under the awning and froze on the spot.

Then, she practically sprinted over, her slippers making a "plop plop" sound in the puddles, the rain soaking her hair and shoulders, but she didn't care at all.

"Brother Xiu!" She threw herself into his arms, her voice trembling with tears, "Why are you here..."

Fang Jingxiu was knocked back half a step by her, and his duffel bag almost fell to the ground. He instinctively reached out and caught her. The girl's thin body trembled slightly in his arms, whether from cold or fear, he didn't know.

"Why are you running?" he said softly, his tone filled with a doting affection he himself didn't realize. "Your shoes are all wet."

Chen Nuo lifted her head from his embrace, her eyes shining brightly under the streetlights in the rainy night: "My dad... he's definitely been framed! Brother Xiu, you have to believe me..."

Fang Jingxiu looked down at her.

Rain dripped down her bangs and onto her cheeks, but she didn't wipe it away. She just stared at him expectantly, like a drowning kitten waiting for him to save her.

"I know," he said, his voice unusually steady in the rainy night. "Your father isn't stupid."

If Chen Jianguo really had a problem, he wouldn't have sent his daughter to live with him.

Those around him cannot have political stains; this is common sense and a bottom line.

Chen Jianguo, that old fox, couldn't possibly be unaware of this.

Chen Nuo's eyes lit up even more: "You believe my father?"

"Mm." Fang Jingxiu released her, raised his hand and brushed her wet bangs behind her ear. "That's why I'll rescue him."

The action was so natural that neither of them realized anything was amiss.

That's his charm.

He is unassuming and doesn't make promises he can't keep, but every word he speaks is like a nail driven into an iron plate, resounding and powerful.

He will be there for you, he will support you, he will appear in front of you when you are most helpless and tell you: Don't be afraid, I'm here.

Chen Nuo suddenly realized that she truly loved him.

It wasn't because he was powerful or influential, nor because he could save her father, but because of the aura he exuded that said, "I'll hold the sky up even if it falls," and that calm and reliable sense of responsibility he possessed.

Chen Nuo then noticed that Fang Jingxiu was only wearing a trench coat with a thin shirt underneath.

My shoulders were already wet from the rain, and water droplets clung to the ends of my hair.

"Did you just get off the plane?" she asked.

"Um."

"Have you got a meal yet?"

"no."

"Have you found a place to stay?"

Fang Jingxiu looked at her barrage of questions and laughed: "Are you interrogating me?"

Chen Nuo blushed: "I just... care about you."

"I didn't book a hotel," Fang Jingxiu said honestly. "It's too late, I was thinking of doing it tomorrow."

"Well..." Chen Nuo bit her lip, "Why don't you stay at my place for now? My mother... she took sleeping pills and is already asleep. There are spare rooms in the house."

Fang Jingxiu raised an eyebrow at her.

"It's...it's just for lodging!" Chen Nuo quickly explained, "My house has four bedrooms, but the guest room hasn't been cleaned. My mom is in a bad mood tonight, so I'll stay with her. You can stay in my room..."

She spoke incoherently, her face growing increasingly red.

Fang Jingxiu looked at her embarrassed expression, a hint of a smile flashing in his eyes: "Lead the way."

"what?"

"Didn't you say I was going to stay at your place?" Fang Jingxiu picked up his luggage bag. "Let's go, it's cold outside."

Chen Nuo then realized what was happening and quickly turned to lead the way. After taking a couple of steps, she turned back to look at him again: "Um... can I carry your luggage?"

"No need," Fang Jingxiu said, following behind her. "You go first and watch where you're going."

As they went upstairs, Chen Nuo walked ahead, with Fang Jingxiu following behind. Upon reaching the third floor, Chen Nuo took out his key and opened the door. The room was quiet, illuminated only by a dim, warm yellow nightlight.

"Keep your voice down..." she whispered, "Mom is sleeping."

Fang Jingxiu nodded and slowed his pace.

Chen Nuo led him to the room door: "This room. The blankets and pillows were just changed today. I'll go get you a toothbrush and a towel..."

"Wait a minute." He put down his bag. "Tell me about your father first."

Chen Nuo paused and turned around.

Fang Jingxiu sat down on the small sofa in the living room and patted the spot next to him: "Come here."

Chen Nuo obediently walked over and sat down, but didn't dare to get too close, only sitting on the edge of the sofa.

Seeing her nervous expression, Fang Jingxiu softened his tone: "Don't be afraid. Now that I'm here, I'll see it through to the end."

"Hmm..." Chen Nuo nodded, his eyes reddening again.

"I've made a preliminary understanding of your father's situation," Fang Jingxiu said directly. "It involves a three million yuan transaction, and the timing is very sensitive, just after the vice mayor of Yongzhou City approved the expansion project of the building materials market."

Chen Nuo's face turned pale instantly: "Three million... Impossible! My father wouldn't do such a thing!"

"I don't think so either." Fang Jingxiu looked at her. "So the question now is, what is the nature of this money? If it's a normal payment for goods, why is the timing so coincidental?"

"Someone must have framed him!" Chen Nuo said excitedly. "My father has been doing business in Yongzhou for twenty years and has offended quite a few people..."

"Calm down." Fang Jingxiu pressed down on her shoulder. "This isn't the time to guess. I'm asking you, has your father said anything to you lately? About business, about relationships, anything unusual?"

Chen Nuo tried hard to recall: "He...he told me last month that a competitor wanted to acquire his company, but he didn't agree. That person seems to be...seems to be related to some leader in the city."

Do you remember the name?

"I don't remember..." Chen Nuo shook his head, "but Dad said that the man's surname was Zhou and he was in the steel business."

Fang Jingxiu nodded, took out his phone, and wrote down the information.

"And another thing," Chen Nuo continued, "Dad was organizing some materials a while ago, saying he wanted to keep something in reserve. I didn't pay attention at the time, but now that I think about it..."

"What materials?"

"I don't know," Chen Nuo bit her lip. "He just said to put it in a safe place, just in case something happens..."

Fang Jingxiu's eyes sharpened.

Keep something in reserve.

This is what smart people do.

A cunning old fox like Chen Jianguo would never leave himself no way out.

"Do you know where it might be?" he asked.

Chen Nuo shook her head: "My dad never lets me get involved in business. He says those things are dirty, and he wants me to do what I like cleanly."

Looking into her innocent eyes, Fang Jingxiu felt a surge of complex emotions. Chen Jianguo was protecting his daughter in his own way—keeping her from the dark side and from bearing too much burden.

Just like... what he's doing now.

"Brother Xiu," Chen Nuo asked softly, "My dad will be alright, right?"

Fang Jingxiu looked at her expectant eyes and remained silent for a few seconds.

Then he said, "I will do my best."

This is not a promise, but it is more real than a promise.

Chen Nuo understood. She nodded, and tears welled up in her eyes again, but this time she didn't cry out loud.

Fang Jingxiu felt a sharp pang in his heart as he watched her silently weep.

He reached out and gently wiped away her tears. "Don't cry. Go find me something to eat; I'm hungry."

Chen Nuo then remembered that he hadn't eaten yet, and quickly stood up: "I'll cook you noodles! It'll be quick!"

She jogged into the kitchen.

Fang Jingxiu leaned back on the sofa, listening to the sounds of water, fire, and chopping vegetables coming from the kitchen, and a sense of exhaustion belatedly washed over him.

He closed his eyes and rubbed his temples.

Was this trip worth it?

he does not know.

But he knew he would regret it if he didn't come.

……

After finishing his noodles, Fang Jingxiu paused for a moment when he pushed open the door to Chen Nuo's room.

The room wasn't big, but it was very clean.

Movie posters adorned the walls, the bookshelves were filled with books on directing theory and DVDs, and a half-person-tall Brown Bear plush toy sat on the bedside table. A faint scent of gardenias filled the air, the smell of her usual shower gel.

"Brother Xiu, the toothbrush and towel are new." Chen Nuo stood at the door and handed over a bag. "The water heater is on. Take a shower and get some rest."

Fang Jingxiu took it: "Okay. You go to sleep too, don't be afraid, I'm here."

He spoke the last two words in a low but clear voice.

Chen Nuo's eyes reddened again. He nodded and gently closed the door.

Fang Jingxiu took a hot shower and changed into a clean shirt; he always kept a spare in his luggage. He lay on Chen Nuo's bed, the blankets still smelling of her gardenias. He closed his eyes, but couldn't fall asleep.

The phone vibrated; it was Secretary Qin's latest update: "Boss, we've found that Zhou guy. Zhou Wenqiang, the owner of Ningbo Huaqiang Steel Company. His cousin is Zhou Wenbin, a member of the Standing Committee of the Yongzhou Municipal Party Committee and the Executive Vice Mayor."

Fang Jingxiu's eyes turned cold.

really.

He replied, "Have you clarified the timing of the financial transactions?"

"They're investigating. Secretary Li said he'll personally go and retrieve the files at 8 a.m. tomorrow."

Tell him I'll be at the Discipline Inspection Commission at nine o'clock.

"clear."

After sending the message, Fang Jingxiu glanced at the time: 1:30 a.m. He turned off his phone and forced himself to rest.

He slept lightly that night. He could hear footsteps of people returning home late in the hallway, the meowing of stray cats downstairs, and the occasional sound of a car passing by in the distance.

In his half-awake state, he heard suppressed sobbing coming from the next room; it was Chen Nuo's mother.

He didn't get up, but just listened quietly.

This is the reality he has to face.

It's not about romance and poetry, it's about the mundane realities of life, the pain of separation and death, and the life and death of a family.