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

On the evening of the third day of the Lunar New Year, I watched TV and saw the show "Fang Family Restaurant".

The crystal chandelier cast a warm yellow light, illuminating the exquisite dishes on the table.

Lin Wanqing personally prepared several dishes that Fang Zhenguo loved to eat: sweet and sour pork ribs, steamed sea bass, and crab roe tofu—all flavors that Fang Jingxiu had enjoyed since childhood.

The three sat down, and Fang Zhenguo opened a bottle of Moutai, pouring a small glass for himself and his son: "Let's have a good family meal tonight."

"Dad, I'd like to toast you." Fang Jingxiu raised his glass.

The father and son clinked glasses and drank it all in one gulp. Lin Wanqing watched from the side, her eyes full of gentle smiles.

Halfway through the meal, Fang Jingxiu put down his chopsticks and said calmly, "Dad, Mom, I'm going to Yongzhou tomorrow."

Fang Zhenguo paused, his hand still holding the food he was picking up: "Tomorrow?"

"Yes." Fang Jingxiu nodded. "After the New Year, a new energy project will start its first phase of pilot testing in Yongzhou. I need to go there in advance to inspect the site and policy environment."

Lin Wanqing frowned: "Brother Xiu, why are we going to Yongzhou during the New Year? Can't we wait until after the New Year to talk about work?"

"Time is tight," Fang Jingxiu said naturally. "The pilot program is scheduled to start in March. If we don't go now, it will be too late after the New Year."

"Then you don't need to go during the New Year," Lin Wanqing said, putting down her chopsticks with a hint of concern in her voice. "You're busy all year round, can't you at least get a few days of rest during the New Year?"

Fang Zhenguo glanced at his son, his eyes probing: "Is it really for work?"

"Really." Fang Jingxiu met his father's gaze, his eyes frank. "Dad, you know how important this project is to the National Development and Reform Commission's work this year. I'm the person in charge, so I have to go in person."

This statement is watertight; it is both factual and elevates the project's status, leaving no room for rebuttal.

Fang Zhenguo was silent for a few seconds, then finally sighed: "Whatever you want. Work is important."

Lin Wanqing, however, was still unwilling to give up, and playfully slapped her husband: "Isn't it just like your father! When he was young, all he knew was work. He wasn't home for 300 out of 365 days a year. The house was like a dormitory, and we were like roommates. Sometimes we didn't even see each other!"

These words were spoken half-truthfully, with a joking tone, but Fang Jingxiu could hear the heartache in them.

Fang Zhenguo smiled, a rare occurrence, and placed a piece of pork rib on his wife's plate: "Who was I doing all that for? Wasn't it all for this family? Besides, weren't you a workaholic when you were young? Back when Huaxing Group was just starting out, you slept in the office every day, and did I say anything?"

"How can that be the same?" Lin Wanqing rolled her eyes at her husband, then turned to put a piece of pork rib on her son's plate. "Xiu-ge'er, be careful. It's cold in Yongzhou, wear more clothes."

Fang Jingxiu nodded: "I understand, Mom."

"He's almost thirty, how can you be afraid he doesn't know how to be safe?" Fang Zhenguo shook his head, his tone filled with a sense of pride that his son had grown up.

Fang Jingxiu felt a surge of warmth in his heart as he watched his parents bickering.

This is the family he grew up in. Although his parents were busy, they loved each other and loved him too.

Bickering at the dinner table is common, but behind every argument lies deep concern.

Only those who grow up surrounded by love know how to use love to care for others.

Fang Jingxiu suddenly remembered what Chen Nuo had told him about what Chen Jianguo had said.

When he decided to send his daughter to live with him, he said privately, "I've observed Director Fang for a long time. He's not the kind of spoiled brat who loses himself in power. Most importantly, his parents truly love each other."

"How did you know?" Chen Nuo asked curiously at the time.

Chen Jianguo smiled: "To judge a man's character, you have to look at his parents' marriage. Director Fang's parents have been married for over thirty years and are still very much in love. A child raised in such a family understands what responsibility and love are. He will cherish you and won't treat you like a plaything."

Fang Jingxiu was deeply moved when he heard these words.

He hadn't expected Chen Jianguo to see things so deeply.

Indeed, he had seen too many people in his circle who had a wife at home but a bunch of mistresses outside, with illegitimate children everywhere. In such families, children often harbor distrust of marriage and resist happiness.

But he's different.

He looked at his parents. Although his father was serious, he would secretly prepare a surprise for his mother on her birthday. Although his mother was strong-willed, she would stay by his bedside all night when his father was sick.

This marriage provided him with the best emotional education.

Therefore, he would habitually take care of Chen Nuo's feelings, because he saw how his father treated his mother and was subconsciously influenced, evolving into an almost identical behavioral and psychological pattern.

"Brother Xiu, what are you daydreaming about?" Lin Wanqing's voice pulled him back to reality.

Fang Jingxiu snapped out of his thoughts: "Nothing. I was just thinking about... things in Yongzhou."

"Work is work, but your health is the most important thing." Lin Wanqing placed another piece of fish on his plate. "When are you leaving tomorrow?"

"The flight departs at 8 a.m."

"So early?" Lin Wanqing frowned. "Doesn't that mean I have to get up at six? I'll have Auntie make you something to eat tomorrow morning."

"No need to trouble yourself, Mom. I'll just grab something to eat at the airport."

"How can that be!" Lin Wanqing insisted. "It's the Lunar New Year, what good food can you find at the airport? I'll have Auntie make your favorite shrimp dumplings, and you can take them on the plane."

Looking into his mother's concerned eyes, Fang Jingxiu finally nodded: "Okay, thank you, Mom."

The meal lasted until after 8 p.m.

As Fang Jingxiu was helping his mother clear the dishes, Lin Wanqing suddenly lowered her voice and asked, "Brother Xiu, tell your mother the truth... was going to Yongzhou really just for work?"

Fang Jingxiu paused.

He looked at his mother, Lin Wanqing, whose eyes were serious, carrying the intuition that mothers possess.

"Mom..." He hesitated for a moment.

"Never mind." Lin Wanqing suddenly smiled and patted his hand. "If you don't want to talk about it, Mom won't ask. But you have to remember, whatever you do, be careful. The Fang family is now a target of attention; many people are watching."

"I know," Fang Jingxiu nodded. "Don't worry."

After cleaning up the kitchen, Fang Jingxiu went upstairs to his bedroom. He closed the door, walked to the window, and looked at the night view of the Western Hills outside.

My phone vibrated.

It was a message from Chen Nuo: "Brother Xiu, I told my dad you're coming tomorrow. He said... he wants to thank you properly."

Fang Jingxiu typed: "You're welcome. It's nothing."

He also said... he wanted to talk to you alone.

Fang Jingxiu frowned slightly. Did Chen Jianguo want to talk to him alone?

What should we talk about?

He typed: "Okay."

What time is your flight tomorrow? I'll pick you up.

"No need, I can go by myself."

"I'm going!" Chen Nuo sent a determined emoji. "It's my boyfriend's first time visiting me in Yongzhou, how can I not go pick him up?"

Fang Jingxiu smiled as he looked at the words "boyfriend".

He typed: "Landing at 10:30."

"Okay! I'll be at the airport waiting for you at ten o'clock!"

After chatting for a few more minutes, Chen Nuo said she was going to watch the Spring Festival Gala with her mother and logged off first.

Fang Jingxiu put down his phone, walked to his desk, and opened his laptop. He needed to handle a few urgent emails to prepare for his trip tomorrow.

Halfway through processing, my phone rang again.

This time it's Secretary Qin.

"Sir, I've made arrangements in Yongzhou. Director Zhang from the Provincial Development and Reform Commission said he'll send someone to pick us up at the airport, and we've arranged accommodation at the Zhouhu State Guest Hotel."

"Okay," Fang Jingxiu said. "We'll compress the work schedule to the shortest possible time."

"Understood." Secretary Qin paused for a moment. "Also... the Liu family sent another invitation, saying that if you can't come back on the sixth, the eighth is also fine."

Fang Jingxiu rubbed his temples: "We'll see."

After hanging up the phone, he leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.

The trip to Yongzhou was ostensibly for work, but in reality, it was to fulfill Chen Nuo's promise.

He was going to see Chen Jianguo, to check on Chen Nuo's current situation, and to... confirm some things.

About the future, about them.

He should pack his bags.

He opened the wardrobe and selected a few clothes.

A dark gray cashmere sweater and a black overcoat were his usual styles. He also took a few more formal items, just in case he was meeting local leaders and couldn't be too casual.

I was halfway through tidying up when there was a knock on the door.

"Enter."

The door opened, and Lin Wanqing walked in carrying a cup of hot milk: "Still not asleep?"

"Right away." Fang Jingxiu took the milk. "Thank you, Mom."

Lin Wanqing sat down on the edge of the bed, watching her son pack his luggage, and suddenly asked, "Xiu-ge'er, do you... have someone you like?"

Fang Jingxiu paused.

He turned to look at his mother, Lin Wanqing, whose eyes were gentle, without any questioning, only concern.

"Mom..." He hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded, "Yes."

Lin Wanqing smiled, a smile that held both relief and worry: "Whose daughter is she? Who could capture our Xiu-ge's heart?"

"She..." Fang Jingxiu paused, "She's very good. Very smart, very sensible, and also... strong."

He did not mention Chen Nuo's name or her family background.

Lin Wanqing didn't press for details, but simply said softly, "I'm glad you like it. Mom just wants you to be happy."

She stood up, walked to her son, and straightened his collar: "But Xiu-ge'er, you must remember, your marriage is not just your own affair. You need to think it through."

"I know." Fang Jingxiu held his mother's hand. "Mom, I know what I'm doing."

"That's good." Lin Wanqing patted his hand. "Get some rest. You have to catch a flight tomorrow."

"Okay. Goodnight, Mom."

"Good night."

Lin Wanqing walked out of the room and gently closed the door.

Fang Jingxiu stood there, looking at the closed door, a mix of emotions welling up inside him.

He knew his parents would find out about Chen Nuo sooner or later. Then, a tough battle would ensue.

But he was ready.

He was willing to fight this battle for Chen Nuo's sake.