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

As he came out of the laundry room, he heard lively voices coming from the living room. Fang Jingxiu paused; guests had arrived.

He straightened the collar of his hoodie and walked into the living room.

Sure enough, the living room was already full of people.

Uncle Fang Zhenhua's family, Aunt Fang Wenjing's family, and several other distant relatives. The coffee table was laden with fruit, snacks, and hot tea, creating a lively and harmonious atmosphere.

"Hey, Xiu-ge'er's up!" Uncle Fang Zhenhua was the first to see him, greeting him with a smile. "It's rare to see someone sleep in until this late on the first day of the Lunar New Year."

Fang Jingxiu smiled slightly: "Third Uncle, Happy New Year."

He walked over and sat down in the empty seat next to his mother, Lin Wanqing. Lin Wanqing turned her head to look at him, her eyes smiling: "Dressed so casually today?"

"Relax a bit during the Lunar New Year," Fang Jingxiu said.

His arrival subtly altered the atmosphere in the living room. Although everyone continued chatting and laughing, it was clear that they were all observing him discreetly.

Fang Jingxiu understood this atmosphere all too well.

In a family like the Fang family, every gathering is a mini-political arena. Who sits where, who speaks to whom, and who is valued by whom are all carefully considered.

My third uncle, Fang Zhenhua, is the Party Secretary of a state-owned enterprise, at the level of a department head. My fourth aunt, Fang Wenjing, has a husband who is a deputy director-general at the Ministry of Finance.

The other relatives also work in government agencies or state-owned enterprises, and their positions are all quite high.

"Jingxiu," Fourth Aunt Fang Wenjing spoke up, her tone gentle, "I heard you're getting promoted to director next year?"

The question was direct, but Fang Jingxiu responded naturally: "It's not decided yet; it depends on the organization's arrangements."

"You're too modest," Uncle Fang Zhenhua laughed. "The youngest division chief with real power in the National Development and Reform Commission, who doesn't know you have a bright future? Your promotion to director-general next year is a sure thing."

Fang Jingxiu picked up his teacup, took a sip, and didn't reply.

At times like these, the more you say, the more mistakes you make.

Admitting it seems arrogant, while denying it seems hypocritical; the best approach is to remain silent.

"Oh, right," Aunt Fang Wenjing suddenly remembered something, "I heard that Liu Sihua from the Liu family... seems to have a thing for you?"

The living room fell silent for a moment.

Fang Jingxiu put down his teacup, looked up at his fourth aunt, and said calmly, "Fourth aunt is really well-informed."

"Oh dear, the social circle is only so big." Fourth Aunt smiled meaningfully. "That girl from the Liu family is indeed quite good. She comes from a good family, has a good education, and is beautiful. Jingxiu, you should also consider your personal life."

Lin Wanqing gently patted her son's hand, smiling as she smoothed things over: "Wenjing, let the children handle their own affairs. As their elders, we shouldn't worry about it."

This was a clever way of putting it, neither denying nor affirming, leaving Fang Jingxiu plenty of room for maneuver.

But Fourth Aunt clearly wasn't going to stop there: "Sister-in-law, you can't say that. Jingxiu is at a crucial stage right now; his marriage is a serious matter. The Liu family is a good match for us, and Liu Yang is getting promoted next year. If this happens, it will be great for Jingxiu's future..."

"Fourth Aunt," Fang Jingxiu spoke, his voice not loud, but with an undeniable composure, "I know what I'm doing regarding my marriage."

A few words sealed the deal.

Fourth Aunt opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but seeing Fang Jingxiu's calm yet sharp eyes, she swallowed her words in the end.

The atmosphere in the living room was somewhat awkward.

At this moment, Fang Ming broke the silence: "By the way, I heard Jingxiu went to Yongzhou recently? Are there any new projects there?"

The topic shifted naturally, and Fang Jingxiu followed up smoothly: "Yes, there's a base project we're looking into. Yongzhou has good resources and strong policy support."

"This base is a sunrise industry," Fang Ming, an investor, said with great interest. "Jingxiu, does your National Development and Reform Commission have any new policy guidelines for this sector?"

Fang Jingxiu briefly explained the policy direction, using professional but not obscure terminology, demonstrating professionalism without being incomprehensible to non-professionals.

That's his art of speaking—always knowing what to say in what situation and to whom.

The atmosphere in the living room became lively again, and everyone started talking about work, investments, and current affairs.

Fang Jingxiu listened most of the time, occasionally interjecting a word or two, but every word he said was spot on.

He could sense that in the eyes of his relatives, besides affection, there was even more awe.

This is the sense of distance that power brings.

Even within a family, even if everyone shares the surname Fang, an invisible barrier arises when your rank and prospects far surpass those of others.

Fang Jingxiu picked up his teacup again and turned his gaze to the window. The winter sun streamed in through the French windows, casting warm dappled light on the dark carpet.

He knew why his fourth aunt was so concerned; her husband worked in the Ministry of Finance and had a promotion opportunity next year.

If something happens to Fang Jingxiu, it could implicate the entire Fang family and affect everyone's future.

This is what family is.

One glory and one glory.

The atmosphere in the living room was somewhat awkward.

Uncle San changed the subject at the right moment, talking about the stock market, and the atmosphere became lively again.

At noon, the guests gradually took their leave.

After seeing off the last group, Lin Wanqing leaned back on the sofa and let out a long sigh: "Every Lunar New Year's Day is this tiring."

Fang Zhenguo came out of his study, sat down next to his wife, and looked at his son: "What are the plans for this afternoon?"

Before Fang Jingxiu could speak, Lin Wanqing interjected, "At five o'clock this afternoon, we'll go to Dajue Temple to pray for blessings. Your father has made all the arrangements."

Fang Zhenguo nodded: "This year is your grandfather's birth year, and it's also a crucial year for you. Go and pray for blessings, hoping for peace and good fortune."

Fang Jingxiu frowned slightly.

He originally wanted to go out for a walk in the afternoon, but his parents had already made arrangements, so he couldn't refuse.

"Okay." He nodded.

Lin Wanqing looked at her son with gentle eyes: "Xiu-ge'er, Mom knows you have your own ideas. But some things... you have to know how to weigh them."

This was said in a tactful way, but the meaning was clear: don't ruin your future for a girl.

Fang Jingxiu didn't reply, but simply stood up and said, "I'm going upstairs to rest for a while."

"Go ahead," Lin Wanqing said. "I'll wake you at four."