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

Yongzhou, December 29th, 7:00 AM.

When Chen Nuo woke up, it was just dawn.

She pushed open the door and heard a deep voice coming from the living room; it was Fang Jingxiu making a phone call.

He stood by the window, his back to her, wearing the same dark gray shirt from yesterday, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing his well-defined forearms.

The morning light filtered through the gaps in the curtains, casting a soft silhouette on him.

"...Yes, the Yongzhou Discipline Inspection Commission." His voice was low but clear. "I've reviewed the materials; the chain of evidence is flawed. Okay, I'll go there this morning... Thank you, Director Li."

Chen Nuo leaned against the door frame, watching him quietly.

This is his world. On the phone, he talks about things that can determine other people's fates, yet his tone is as calm as if he were discussing the weather.

That kind of composed and strategic demeanor is an aura that can only be cultivated by years of immersion in the center of power.

Fang Jingxiu hung up the phone, turned around and saw her, slightly taken aback: "Awake?"

"Hmm." Chen Nuo nodded. "You...didn't sleep well?"

"I've had enough sleep." Fang Jingxiu put away his phone. "Where's your mother?"

"Still sleeping," Chen Nuo said. "I'll go make breakfast."

"I'll help you."

The two entered the kitchen one after the other.

The kitchen was small, and it felt a bit cramped for two people to stand inside. Chen Nuo took out eggs and noodles from the refrigerator, and Fang Jingxiu naturally took the pot and turned on the tap to get water.

Their movements were so synchronized, it was as if they had lived together for a long time.

When the water boiled, Chen Nuo's mother, Lin Xiuqin, also woke up. She pushed open the bedroom door, saw the two people in the kitchen, and paused.

"Auntie," Fang Jingxiu said first, putting down the bowl in his hand and turning around.

Lin Xiuqin looked at the young man in front of her. His dark gray shirt was pressed crisply, he had broad shoulders and a tall, upright posture, and his eyes were calm and sharp.

Even in a casual environment like home, it maintains an aura that cannot be ignored.

"Director Fang," Lin Xiuqin nodded, her voice a little hoarse, "Thank you for your help."

"You're too kind, Auntie," Fang Jingxiu said. "Just call me Jingxiu."

These words were spoken very naturally, but Lin Xiuqin sensed the weight in them. Asking her to address him by his first name was to reduce the difference in their social status and to express closeness.

"Breakfast will be ready soon," Chen Nuo said. "Mom, please have a seat."

The three of them sat around the small dining table.

Simple noodles, fried eggs, and some leftover steamed buns from yesterday, which I heated up.

Fang Jingxiu ate very attentively without saying a word, but his calm demeanor eased the tense atmosphere considerably.

Halfway through the meal, Fang Jingxiu put down his chopsticks and looked at Lin Xiuqin: "Auntie, I've contacted people in Yongzhou. We can go see Uncle Chen at nine o'clock this morning."

Lin Xiuqin's chopsticks fell onto the table with a "clatter".

Her eyes instantly reddened, her lips trembled as she tried to say something, but in the end she could only nod forcefully: "Okay...okay..."

The sight of her trying to cry but holding it back made Chen Nuo's nose sting.

"However," Fang Jingxiu continued calmly, "we can't say much when we meet. The Discipline Inspection Commission has regulations that prohibit disclosing details of the case during the investigation. We can only check on his health and bring him some daily necessities."

"I know, I know..." Lin Xiuqin wiped her eyes, "Just seeing him once would be enough... just seeing him once would be enough..."

Chen Nuo clenched his fist under the table.

After breakfast, Fang Jingxiu went into his room to change his clothes. He was still wearing dark gray, but this time he wore a cashmere sweater and a black overcoat. He looked neat and tidy, but not overly formal.

"Let's go," he said.

The three of them went downstairs.

Fang Jingxiu was driving a black Volkswagen, a very ordinary model, but the license plate was from Yongzhou, so it was obviously borrowed temporarily.

Low-key.

Chen Nuo thought.

At this time, the more low-key you are, the better.

The car drove towards the Yongzhou Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection's Investigation Division.

On the way, Chen Nuo watched the street scenes rushing past the window, and his palms began to sweat.

This was the first time in her life she had ever been to a place like this.

The censorship department—just those three words sent chills down her spine. She recalled scenes from television dramas: cold, long corridors, iron gates, interrogation rooms…

Her hands trembled slightly uncontrollably.

When the car stopped at the red light, he suddenly reached out and grasped her hand, which was twisting the hem of her dress.

Chen Nuo was taken aback.

"Don't be nervous." Fang Jingxiu looked straight ahead, his voice steady. "It's just cooperating with the investigation, not a conviction."

His hands were warm, with thin calluses on his palms from years of holding a pen. Chen Nuo's hands looked small and cold in his hands.

She nodded, slowly relaxing her hand.

But Fang Jingxiu did not let go.

He held on like that until the green light came on, then he let go to shift gears.

Chen Nuo's face turned slightly red. She glanced at him discreetly, but he remained calm, as if his action just now was perfectly natural.

The car stopped at the entrance of the review department compound.

The security guard, a middle-aged man, saw the ordinary Volkswagen and raised his hand: "What are you doing here?"

Fang Jingxiu lowered the car window and handed over a document, not an ID card, but a dark blue work permit.

The gatekeeper took it, glanced at it, and his expression immediately changed. He stood at attention, saluted, and said, "Please come in, sir."

The railings are raised.

The car slowly drove into the compound.

Chen Nuo saw in the rearview mirror that the security guard was still saluting, and only lowered his hand after their car turned the corner.

That is power.

It is invisible, yet it is everywhere.

Fang Jingxiu parked the car in front of a gray office building. The three of them got out of the car. Lin Xiuqin's legs were a little weak, and Chen Nuo quickly supported her.

"Mom, don't be afraid," Chen Nuo whispered, but her own hands were actually trembling.

Fang Jingxiu walked over and naturally took her hand, their fingers intertwined.

Chen Nuo froze.

His warm, strong hand completely enveloped her icy fingers. The gesture was so intimate that her face instantly flushed red.

"It's alright," Fang Jingxiu said again, this time looking at her as he spoke.

Then he took her hand and walked towards the office building entrance.

Lin Xiuqin followed behind them, looking at their clasped hands with a complicated expression.

Upon entering the lobby, two staff members were sitting at the front desk. Fang Jingxiu released Chen Nuo's hand, stepped forward, and handed over his work ID again.

"Fang Jingxiu from the Development and Reform Commission of Jingjing City," he said. "I have an appointment with Director Li."

One of the staff members immediately stood up: "Director Fang, hello! Director Li has already given instructions. Please come with me."

The three were led to a meeting room on the second floor.

The room was small, with a table, a few chairs, and the national emblem of the capital hanging on the wall, creating a solemn atmosphere.

"Please wait a moment, Director Li will be here shortly." After saying this, the staff member left and gently closed the door behind him.

Only the three of them remained in the room.

Lin Xiuqin sat down, her hands clenched tightly together.

Chen Nuo stood by the window, watching the staff coming and going in the courtyard below, her heart pounding like a drum.

Fang Jingxiu, on the other hand, remained quite composed.

He walked to the table, picked up the tea canister on it, looked at it, and then put it down.

Then he walked over to Chen Nuo and whispered, "When you see him later, don't ask about the case, don't protest your innocence, just say everything is fine at home, and put his mind at ease."

"Mm." Chen Nuo nodded.

"Also," Fang Jingxiu looked at her, "if he has anything to say, listen carefully, but don't agree on the spot. Just say you'll discuss it at home."

Chen Nuo continued to nod.

At that moment, the door was pushed open.

A man in his fifties, wearing a dark jacket, walked in, followed by a young cadre.

"Director Fang!" The man smiled and extended his hand. "Welcome, welcome! I am Li Mingda from the Yongzhou Discipline Inspection Commission."

"Director Li," Fang Jingxiu shook hands with him, "I'm sorry to bother you."

"Don't mention it." Li Mingda looked at Lin Xiuqin and Chen Nuo, "These two are...

"Chen Jianguo's family," Fang Jingxiu said, "would like to meet with him and bring him some gifts."

Li Mingda nodded, his smile fading slightly. "According to regulations, family members cannot be visited during the investigation. However..." He paused, "Director Fang has come in person, so I have to give him face. But the visit can't be long, ten minutes at most."

"That's enough." Fang Jingxiu nodded. "Thank you, Director Li."

"Xiao Zhang, take them to room 207," Li Mingda said to the young cadre behind him.

Lin Xiuqin and Chen Nuo quickly got up and followed the young cadre out.

Only Fang Jingxiu and Li Mingda remained in the room.

Li Mingda closed the door, his smile vanishing completely. He walked to the window, lit a cigarette, and then spoke: "Director Fang, this matter... is a bit troublesome."

Fang Jingxiu sat down opposite him: "What do you mean?"

"The evidence in Chen Jianguo's case is very solid." Li Mingda exhaled a puff of smoke. "The whistleblower materials are very detailed, with accounts, transfer records, witness testimonies... all presented in a complete set. It doesn't seem like a spur-of-the-moment decision; it seems like it was prepared for a long time."

Fang Jingxiu remained silent.

"Moreover," Li Mingda lowered his voice, "someone above has given instructions to deal with this severely."

"Who?" Fang Jingxiu asked.

Li Mingda shook his head: "I can't say. But Director Fang, given your position in Jingjing, you should understand that intervening at this time won't do you any good."

Fang Jingxiu looked out the window without saying a word.

"I heard you're getting promoted to director next year," Li Mingda continued. "It's not worth it for a local building materials supplier."

"He's not an ordinary building materials supplier," Fang Jingxiu finally spoke. "He's my friend's father."

"A friend?" Li Mingda smiled. "Director Fang, we're both in the system, so some things don't need to be said so explicitly. Your friend, is that the girl from earlier?"

Fang Jingxiu did not deny it.

Li Mingda sighed: "Young man... it's good to be sentimental, but you have to know when to stop. You'd better not get too involved in this case."

"It's already contaminated," Fang Jingxiu said calmly. "So, Director Li, could you do me a favor?"

"What kind of help?"

"I'd like to see the report materials," Fang Jingxiu said, looking at him. "Just a look, I won't take them away."

Li Mingda's expression changed: "Director Fang, this is against the rules!"

"I know it's against the rules," Fang Jingxiu interrupted him. "That's why I approached you privately. Director Li, you've been with the Yongzhou Discipline Inspection Commission for five years, haven't you? Shouldn't it be time for a change next year?"

The words were spoken in a very veiled way, but Li Mingda understood them.

Exchange of benefits.

He remained silent for a long time, not even noticing when the cigarette burned to the end.

Finally, he stubbed out his cigarette and stood up: "Give me two minutes."

He walked out of the room.

Fang Jingxiu sat alone in the reception room, looking at the national emblem on the wall with a deep gaze.

He's gambling.

He was betting that Li Mingda would compromise for his future, betting that Chen Jianguo was indeed wronged, and betting that he could resolve the matter without getting himself into trouble.

Two minutes later, Li Mingda returned, carrying a file folder.

"You can only look at it here." He placed the file folder on the table. "No photos, no notes."

"Okay." Fang Jingxiu nodded.

He opened the file bag and took out the materials inside.

I read it page by page, very carefully.

As he looked at it, his brows furrowed.

There is definitely a problem.

It's not that the evidence is flawed, it's that the logic is flawed. It's too perfect, so perfect it's like a meticulously designed trap.

He looked up at Li Mingda: "Director Li, do you believe this document?"

Li Mingda didn't say anything, but lit another cigarette.

Fang Jingxiu understood.

He put the materials back into the file bag and handed it back to Li Mingda, saying, "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Li Mingda took the file bag. "Director Fang, this is all I can do for you. The rest... you'll have to figure out the rest yourself."

"I understand." Fang Jingxiu stood up. "Thank you again."

The two shook hands.

Just then, the door was pushed open, and Lin Xiuqin and Chen Nuo returned.

Lin Xiuqin's emotions were more stable than before. Chen Nuo supported her, and when she saw Fang Jingxiu, a hint of dependence flashed in her eyes.

"Have you finished meeting them?" Fang Jingxiu asked.

"Yes." Chen Nuo nodded. "Dad said... thank you for your trouble."

Fang Jingxiu didn't speak, he just nodded.

The three left the review department.

Fang Jingxiu didn't say anything.

But Chen Nuo could sense that he was thinking.

Think about how to break this deadlock.

She remembered what her father had just said: "Xiao Nuo, if Director Fang really comes... then you're stuck with him for life."

She clenched her fists.

Follow him.

Willingly.