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

Thursday at 1:50 p.m., in the Great Hall.

Chen Nuo was wearing simple light blue jeans, a white cropped sweatshirt, and her hair was tied in a high ponytail. She only had sunscreen and a little lipstick on her face.

She exudes youthful energy, like any female college student you might see on campus.

She arrived half an hour early, but the auditorium was already packed. Professor Li Zhaonian's standing in the field of materials science, coupled with the fact that this lecture touched on the national strategy of new energy, attracted not only students, but also scholars, business representatives, and even the media.

Chen Nuo stood in the aisle, looking at the huge crowd, feeling troubled.

I came so early to queue but there are still no seats... What should I do?

This is a great opportunity to spend time together.

Fang Jingxiu had said he would come, and she had originally planned to sit near him so they could leave together after the lecture.

But now there aren't even any seats available.

She looked around, pondering a solution.

Should I find a corner to stand in?

Or should we just go outside and wait?

Completely unaware, someone was watching her from the VIP room on the second floor.

Fang Jingxiu stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, holding a teacup, with Vice President Wu Zhenxiong and several department leaders beside him. They were exchanging pleasantries and discussing the upcoming collaborative project between the School of Materials Science and Engineering and the National Development and Reform Commission.

"Director Fang is young and promising," Wu Zhenxiong complimented with a smile. "It's truly an honor for us that you came to attend such an important lecture in person."

Fang Jingxiu nodded politely: "Professor Li's lecture is worth listening to."

His gaze casually swept downstairs, then stopped.

The figure in the white sweatshirt and high ponytail stood out in the crowd. She stood in the aisle, looking up at the full auditorium, her brows slightly furrowed, her ponytail swaying gently as she turned her head.

Like a lost fawn.

Fang Jingxiu looked at it for a few seconds, then took out his phone and tapped on the profile picture of the black and white building silhouette.

Type: "No space available?"

send.

Downstairs, Chen Nuo felt his phone vibrate. He took it out and his heart skipped a beat.

She looked up, her gaze searching the auditorium, finally settling on the floor-to-ceiling windows of the VIP room on the second floor.

Fang Jingxiu stood there, wearing a dark gray suit, holding a mobile phone in his hand, looking at her.

Through the glass and the distance, Chen Nuo couldn't see his expression, but she could feel his gaze.

She smiled at him subconsciously, a smile that contained surprise, helplessness, and just the right amount of grievance.

His eyes seemed to say: Look, I'm late, there aren't even any seats left.

Fang Jingxiu looked down at the girl looking up at him. She had changed from her pale yellow dress into a white sweatshirt and jeans, looking as youthful as a high school student. The surprise and envy in her eyes were like an invisible hand, gently scratching a spot deep in his heart.

The man's vanity was subtly satisfied at that moment.

He put away his phone and whispered to his secretary, Qin Lang, "Go and bring her up."

Qin Lang nodded, turned around and went downstairs.

Wu Zhenxiong noticed this detail and followed Fang Jingxiu's gaze: "Director Fang, that's...."

"A friend," Fang Jingxiu said calmly.

Wu Zhenxiong was a shrewd man and immediately understood.

friend?

A friend who would require Fang Jingxiu's secretary to personally go down and pick them up must have a very special relationship with him.

Two minutes later, Qin Lang led Chen Nuo into the VIP room through a side door.

Chen Nuo stood at the door, suddenly feeling a little awkward. Her outfit today was too student-like, completely out of place with the atmosphere of suits and ties in the private room.

Fang Jingxiu stood up and nodded to her: "Come and sit down."

His tone was natural, as if he were greeting an acquaintance.

Chen Nuo walked over and sat down in the empty seat next to Fang Jingxiu. She could feel Wu Zhenxiong and several other pairs of eyes on her, filled with scrutiny and curiosity.

"How should I address this gentleman...?" Wu Zhenxiong asked with a smile, his gaze shifting between Chen Nuo and Fang Jingxiu.

Fang Jingxiu picked up his teacup, took a sip, and remained silent for two seconds before saying, "Sister."

Two words, a simple and understated description.

But the atmosphere inside the private room subtly changed.

Wu Zhenxiong's smile deepened, and the inquiry in his eyes turned into a kind of understanding: "Oh—so you're Director Fang's sister. No wonder you have such an extraordinary air about you."

The others chimed in:

"Yes, she looks like a lady from a well-to-do family."

"The Fang family has good genes; both the brother and sister are so outstanding."

Chen Nuo lowered her eyes, her fingers gently twisting on her knees.

She knew what they were thinking.

When did the Fang family get a younger sister?

Fang Jingxiu is an only child; this is common knowledge within the circle.

But they won't ask.

Those who are shrewd in officialdom know best how to see through things without saying anything.

"Which university does your sister study at?" Wu Zhenxiong asked kindly.

Chen Nuo glanced at Fang Jingxiu, and seeing that he didn't speak, she answered softly, "Film Academy, third year of the directing department."

"Directing major? That's very professional, and you have an artistic flair." Wu Zhenxiong nodded. "If you need the school's support for your future films, just come to me."

"Thank you, Principal Wu," Chen Nuo said with a polite smile.

A complex mix of emotions welled up inside her.

That is power.

Just a month ago, she went to the department head several times to ask for his signature on a document.

The bald, middle-aged man sat behind his desk, slowly sipping his tea, occasionally complaining about missing materials or incorrect stamps.

She made five trips, and finally, through her father's connections, she managed to get the signature.

And now, the vice principal is smiling and telling her to come find me.

It was all because Fang Jingxiu said two words.

younger sister.

At that time, she felt frustrated, angry, and thought the world was unfair.

But now, sitting here, looking at Wu Zhenxiong's almost fawning attitude towards Fang Jingxiu, she suddenly understood.

It's not that it's unfair; it's just that the rules are like that.

The greater the power, the more the rules will make way for you.

Halfway through the lecture, Professor Li Zhaonian mentioned a case: "Regarding fluid simulation in thermal management systems, we recently developed a new algorithm..."

Fang Jingxiu suddenly turned his head and asked Chen Nuo in a low voice, "Professor Li might be involved in the question you asked last time about the selection of phase transition temperature."

Chen Nuo was taken aback, then realized what she meant. She was glad that she had stayed up all night these past few days and memorized the technical briefing her father had given her perfectly.

"I did some research," she said, lowering her voice, "and the choice of phase transition temperature needs to take into account the working environment, heat load fluctuations, and the stability of the material itself. The algorithm Professor Li mentioned might be used to optimize this choice."

Fang Jingxiu glanced at her, his eyes showing approval: "Hmm."

It was a very simple word, but Chen Nuo felt like her heart was blooming.

She knew she had passed another hurdle.

The lecture continued.

Chen Nuo noticed that although Fang Jingxiu was looking at the podium, he was holding his phone the whole time. He would occasionally look down to reply to messages, his fingers rapidly tapping on the screen.

From his angle, Chen Nuo could glimpse the content on the screen.

Most of it is job information:

"Director Fang, the first draft of the research report has been sent to your email."

"The date for the new energy symposium has been set for next Wednesday."

"Minister Gao asked if you are free tonight..."

The replies were all brief: "Received."

"it is good."

"I'm busy."

Chen Nuo looked at his hand.

Her fingers were long and slender, with distinct knuckles, and her nails were neatly trimmed. The pinky ring on her left hand occasionally glittered in the light of the phone screen.

She recalled her father's words: "A man like Fang Jingxiu, if he's not tempted, he'll give you money and power. Because to him, those are just things he was born with, a drop in the ocean. But for ordinary people, that's unimaginable wealth."

"But if you want to win his heart, you have to make him feel that you are good enough for him."

Chen Nuo looked away and focused on the lecture.

She dared not peek anymore, afraid of being discovered.

The lecture ended with thunderous applause. Professor Li Zhaonian bowed in gratitude on stage.

Wu Zhenxiong immediately leaned over: "Director Fang, the school has arranged a simple dinner tonight, what do you think..."

"No, thank you." Fang Jingxiu stood up and straightened the hem of his suit jacket. "I have a meeting tonight."

"That's a real shame." Wu Zhenxiong looked regretful, but he didn't dare to insist. "Next time, next time for sure."

Fang Jingxiu nodded, then turned to Chen Nuo: "Let's go, I'll take you back."

This was said so naturally, as if it were a matter of course.

Chen Nuo stood up and bowed slightly to Wu Zhenxiong and the others: "Principal Wu, teachers, I'll be leaving now."

"Okay, okay." Wu Zhenxiong smiled kindly, "Come visit the school often in the future."

As Chen Nuo walked out of the VIP room, he heard faint whispers behind him:

"This younger sister of Director Fang is quite something..."

"From film school? No wonder..."

"Being young is great..."

She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms.

She only breathed a sigh of relief after getting into the car.

Fang Jingxiu started the car and drove out of the campus.

As dusk falls in Jingjing, the city lights begin to twinkle.

"Thank you for today," Chen Nuo said softly. "If it weren't for you, I might have come for nothing."

"Hmm," Fang Jingxiu responded, then asked, "How much of the lecture did you understand?"

"About... 70%," Chen Nuo said honestly. "I didn't understand some of the more technical parts."

"Seventy percent is already pretty good." Fang Jingxiu glanced at her. "For someone like you who studies directing to understand this is quite impressive."

Chen Nuo's heart skipped a beat.

Is this... a compliment?

"I'm just interested," she said. "Besides, since you mentioned it last time, I did some more research."

Fang Jingxiu didn't say anything, he just focused on driving.

The car fell silent. Chen Nuo looked out the window at the passing street scenes and suddenly remembered the way the leaders had looked at her in the VIP room.

"Mr. Fang," she said softly, "did Principal Wu and the others... misunderstand something?"

Fang Jingxiu raised an eyebrow: "What misunderstanding?"

"It's about...our relationship." Chen Nuo carefully chose her words, "You said I'm your younger sister, but they should know the Fang family doesn't..."

"What they think is unimportant," Fang Jingxiu interrupted her. "What's important is that you're sitting here now."

This statement is direct, almost cold-blooded.

But Chen Nuo understood the subtext: I don't care what others think, I care about my choices. And you, now, are my choice.

She lowered her head, but a slight smile involuntarily appeared on her lips.

The car arrived at the entrance of the residential area. Chen Nuo unbuckled her seatbelt: "I'll be going now, thank you for driving me."

"Hmm." Fang Jingxiu looked at her. "What are the plans for tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow..." Chen Nuo thought for a moment, "I have class in the morning, and I might go to the library in the afternoon."

Fang Jingxiu took a small box out of his suit pocket and handed it to her: "This is for you."

Chen Nuo was taken aback, then took it.

It was a dark blue velvet box, about the size of a palm.

"Open it and take a look."

She opened the box. Inside was a silver fountain pen with the words "To the future" engraved on it.

"This is……"

"These are souvenirs from Professor Li's lecture," Fang Jingxiu said. "One for each person. There's an extra one, you can have it."

Chen Nuo knew he was lying. How could a souvenir be in a velvet box? And why would it have such words engraved on it?

But she didn't expose her, she just gripped the box tightly and said, "Thank you."

"Go ahead," Fang Jingxiu said.

Chen Nuo got out of the car and stood by the roadside. Only after watching the car drive away did she open the box and take out the fountain pen.

Under the streetlights, she could see that the engravings on the pen were not printed, but handwritten and carved.

To the future.

To the future.

She gripped the pen tightly; the cool metallic touch warmed her heart.

As she turned and walked into the campus, she sent her father a WeChat message:

He gave me a fountain pen, engraved with "For the Future." He said it was a souvenir, but I knew it wasn't.

The reply came very quickly:

"He's testing you. He's seeing if you understand it, and whether you want it. Keep it safe, don't use it in a hurry. Wait until he remembers to ask you about it."

Chen Nuo put the pen back in the box and tucked it into the innermost part of his schoolbag.

She knew she was one step closer to her goal.

Fang Jingxiu, it seems, has also started to take things seriously.