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

Autumn comes quickly to Jingjing; the ginkgo leaves turn completely yellow overnight.

Chen Nuo sat cross-legged on the sofa in the rented room, holding a plush toy in his arms, his eyes fixed on the TV screen.

Today is Saturday, and she has no classes. She should have gone to the library to look at materials, but she gave herself a rare day off.

Because the evening news was being broadcast on TV.

"According to our station, the Jingjing New Energy Industry Innovation Demonstration Project was officially launched today in the Economic Development Zone. Guided by the National Development and Reform Commission and led by the Jingjing Municipal Government, the project has a planned total investment of 120 billion yuan and is expected to achieve an annual production capacity of 50 new energy vehicles upon completion..."

The scene shifts to the launch ceremony. A row of leaders sits on the stage, with the mayor in the center and the vice mayors and the director of the Development and Reform Commission on either side.

He was sitting next to the director.

Fang Jingxiu.

He wore a dark gray suit and a blue tie, sitting upright but with a relaxed back, lacking the tension often associated with newcomers to officialdom. When the camera panned across him, he was looking down at documents, his profile sharp and his nose prominent.

Then he raised his head and looked down at the audience. His gaze was steady, sharp, and carried the scrutinizing quality unique to those in a position of authority.

Chen Nuo unconsciously tightened his grip on the doll.

This wasn't the first time she'd seen him in the news; over the past month, Fang Jingxiu's name had frequently appeared in financial news and political reports.

Strategic projects in Jingjing, industrial upgrading symposiums, research visits to technology companies... He is like a rising star, becoming increasingly prominent in Jingjing's political arena.

But every time she sees it, her heart still races.

On television, the host introduced his resume: "Fang Jingxiu, 29 years old, is currently the director of the High-Tech Industry Division of the Jingjing Municipal Development and Reform Commission. He graduated from Tsinghua University's School of Economics and Management with a master's degree. He previously served as a temporary official at the grassroots level for two years before transferring to the Development and Reform Commission..."

Chen Nuo knew all this. She had researched it, and not only that, she had memorized it.

At 29, he's considered young and promising at the division chief level in his local area. But more importantly, his position—the High-Tech Industry Division—oversees all the technology companies and innovation projects in Jingjing City.

This position offers great power, heavy responsibility, and plenty of lucrative opportunities.

Of course, he didn't get promoted through family connections.

In officialdom, those who truly rise to power through family connections are often placed in safe positions, such as vice president of an association or director of a research center. They have the title but no real power; as long as they don't make mistakes, they're fine.

But Fang Jingxiu was different.

He oversees real projects, involving hundreds of billions of yuan in industrial investment every year.

Data doesn't lie. In the three years since he took office, the number of high-tech enterprises in Jingjing has doubled, and the number of patent authorizations has increased by 60%.

These achievements cannot be obtained simply by having connections.

The television camera gave Fang Jingxiu a close-up. He was speaking, his voice coming through the television, steady and powerful:

"...Innovation is not just a slogan; it must be implemented in every technical detail. What we need to do is not only introduce advanced technologies, but also cultivate local innovation capabilities. This project aims to create a complete innovation ecosystem..."

Chen Nuo looked at the screen, his eyes filled with admiration, respect, and a hint of indescribable excitement.

She admired his maturity and composure.

A 29-year-old man has everything he should have: status, power, ability, and that face that makes it hard to look away.

She admired his family background.

What does the Fang family mean in Jingjing?

Her father investigated for three months but only got a rough idea: the old man was a retired provincial or ministerial-level official, her eldest uncle worked in a state-owned enterprise, and her second uncle was in the military. The whole family was large and well-established.

But what she admired even more was his own ability.

My father once said, "What's scary about Fang Jingxiu is that even without a family background, he can still climb to the top. For him, family background is an accelerator, not an engine."

Chen Nuoxin said this.

She had seen too many spoiled brats who relied on their families to get a minor official position, and whose words and actions were full of superficiality.

But Fang Jingxiu was different.

He speaks with authority, acts with method, and even when he speaks in the news, every word is carefully considered and impeccable.

That's real skill.

The television feed switched to the project site.

Wearing a safety helmet, Fang Jingxiu inspected the production line, surrounded by a group of company executives and officials. Wherever he went, everyone bowed slightly, displaying respect.

That is power.

It can make people bow and scrape, and make the rules give way to you.

She had heard her father say that Fang Jingxiu's license plate was white, which meant he was a powerful person.

In Jingjing, vehicles with this type of license plate will not be stopped by traffic police, will not be photographed by cameras, and will be allowed to pass directly at toll booths.

Because he represents not an individual, but power.

The deeper, unspoken rule is that when a vehicle with this license plate travels to another city, local leaders will know the itinerary in advance and arrange reception accordingly.

There's a complete process for deciding which hotel to stay in, what meals to eat, and who to meet.

Why?

Because they didn't know who was in the car, let alone who was standing behind him.

Therefore, it is better to treat someone with excessive courtesy than to neglect them.

This is the game of power, where the unseen rules are more effective than the visible laws.

The news broadcast has ended; let's switch to the next one.

This kind of man is so charming.

Chen Nuo recalled Fang Jingxiu's casual remark about her younger sister in the lecture hall. The inquisitive, speculative, and ingratiating looks in the eyes of Wu Zhenxiong and the others…

That's the chemical reaction brought about by power.

One person, one sentence, can change the attitude of everyone around them.

She wanted that power.

It's not vanity, it's not showing off.

It's the kind of power that allows me to decide my own destiny, rather than having it decided by others.

My phone vibrated.

Chen Nuo picked up the phone; it was a WeChat message from her father: "Did you see the news? Fang Jingxiu's project has started, and he'll be even busier from now on. You need to be careful not to bother him too often, but don't let him forget about you either."

She replied, "I know."

She remembered his slightly damp left shoulder when he held an umbrella on that rainy night, the look in his eyes when he turned his head to look at her in the private room, and his words that the seat didn't matter, what mattered was whether the person sitting there knew the rules.

Every frame is clear.

Chen Nuo put down her phone and walked to the window.

The night sky over Jingjing is rarely starry; only a few stars are visible, appearing dim against the backdrop of the city lights. Downstairs, a couple is arguing, a delivery driver is rushing to his destination, and an elderly woman is walking her dog.

Ordinary human life.

But in her heart, a different kind of fire had already ignited.

It was a thirst for power, an admiration for that man, and an ambition to become like him.

She knew this road would be difficult.

Fang Jingxiu's level of success wasn't achieved through scheming and good looks alone. It required ability, timing, luck, and... his approval.

But she wanted to give it a try.

She wasn't just the woman behind him, nor was she just his sister.

She dreamed that one day, she could sit in a conference room like his, facing the camera, and calmly discuss national affairs.

She hopes that one day, she can also change people's attitudes because of her name.

She wanted that one day... she would be worthy of him.

It's not about family background or beauty, it's about real talent.

My phone vibrated again.

This time it wasn't the father.

It was Fang Jingxiu.

Only two words: "Have you seen it?"

Chen Nuo's heart skipped a beat. She stared at the screen, her fingers trembling slightly.

He was asking about the news.

Chen Nuo's heart pounded, and his fingers flew as he typed: "I read it. You explained it very well."

send.

Then she stared at the screen and waited.

Five minutes later, the reply came: "Which one is better?"

Chen Nuo took a deep breath and typed carefully: "Clear and concise, highlighting the key points. No empty talk, just data and results. Most importantly, just by standing there, you make people feel that this project is bound to succeed."

She paused, then added, "It's about trust."

The reply was quick this time: "You certainly know how to compliment."

Chen Nuo didn't know how to respond. She was afraid that saying too much would seem deliberate, while saying too little would seem cold.

Just as I was hesitating, Fang Jingxiu sent another message: "Are you free tomorrow night?"

Chen Nuo's hand trembled, and his phone almost fell to the ground.

She steadied her breathing and typed: "Yes."

"I'll have Secretary Qin pick you up at seven o'clock."

"it is good."

The conversation ends here.

Chen Nuo put down her phone and sank into the sofa. The television was still broadcasting the news, but she could no longer hear it.

Tomorrow night.

He wants to see her.

Why?

Is the project finally over and I finally have some free time?

Or... does he also want to see her?

Chen Nuo dared not think too deeply about it.

Outside the window, the city is brightly lit and bustling with traffic; it has never lacked ambition and desire.

And she was just one of the insignificant ones.

But Fang Jingxiu is someone who stands at the very top.

My phone vibrated again; this time it was my father: "He asked you out?"

Chen Nuo was surprised: "How did you know?"

"Just a guess," Chen Jianguo replied. "The project has been initially successful, and he needs to relax. And there are only a few ways for men to relax."

Chen Nuo's face flushed: "Dad..."

"Don't get the wrong idea," Chen Jianguo said seriously. "Fang Jingxiu isn't the kind of person who's easily swayed by lust. He's looking for you more because he wants someone to talk to. To say things that can't be said in official circles."

"So what should I do?"

"Be yourself," Chen Jianguo said, "but remember, make him feel that you understand him."

I understand him.

Chen Nuo chewed on those two words repeatedly.

I understand his ambition, his loneliness, and the unspoken pressure he faces in that position.

She turned on her computer and started looking up information.

The evolution of new energy policies, the challenges of phase change energy storage technology, comparisons of similar projects at home and abroad... She was dizzy from reading all of this, but she still insisted on continuing.

She needs to understand.

Even if it's just the basics, you need to understand them.

Because she knew that Fang Jingxiu was surrounded by beautiful women and gentle, considerate women, but what he lacked was someone who could understand what he was saying.

Her mind was filled with images of Fang Jingxiu from the news.

Standing in the laboratory, dressed in a suit, his gaze was calm and composed.

She remembered the first time she met him, in the Waldorf's banquet hall. He sat in a dark corner of the head table, twirling his pinky ring, as aloof as if he were from another world.

At that time, all she wanted was to climb the social ladder and take advantage of his influence.

But now...

Chen Nuo placed his hand on his chest, feeling his heart pounding faster there.

She can't fool herself.

She started to like him.

It wasn't about calculation or weighing the pros and cons; it was just a simple, girlish liking.

I like his voice, I like the way he looks at people, and I like his slightly damp left shoulder when he holds an umbrella.

But she was also keenly aware that this affection was destined to be unequal.

He is Fang Jingxiu, the youngest powerful division chief in the National Development and Reform Commission, and the core of the third generation of the Fang family.

She is Chen Nuo, a film academy student and the daughter of a building materials merchant from Yongzhou.

The difference is like heaven and earth.

Therefore, her affections inevitably included admiration for the strong, ambition, and a desire to "become that kind of person."

She wanted to stand beside him, not as an appendage, but as someone who could stand shoulder to shoulder with him.

Even if this goal seems unattainable at the moment.

The city of Jingjing outside the window is brightly lit. The nights in this city hold the ambitions and desires of countless people.

Chen Nuo turned off the TV and went into the bathroom.

The girl in the mirror was wearing simple pajamas, with no makeup, and long, straight black hair draped over her shoulders. Her eyes held a lingering childishness, but also a burgeoning ambition.

She looked at herself in the mirror and said softly:

"Chen Nuo, you need to wake up."

"But you must also be brave."

I turned on the tap and warm water splashed on my face.

Wash away naivety and leave behind clarity.

It also left behind that budding affection for that man.

And the ambition to become like him.