The fake heiress loves to act? The max-level boss isn't interested in playing along.

Just then, Aunt Liu came out of the kitchen carrying a small white porcelain bowl.

She walked straight to Fu Hua's side.

Gently place the porcelain bowl in front of her.

"Huahua,"

Aunt Liu's voice was soft, and she smiled warmly: "Your parents know you like osmanthus porridge, which you love."

It's just been brewed, with rock sugar added. It's good for your lungs, drink plenty.

As the porcelain bowl was lifted, steam wafted out, carrying with it a sweet aroma.

The porridge was cooked until thick and the rice grains were almost dissolved.

Tiny osmanthus blossoms dot the scene, making it quite charming.

Fu Hua paused for a few seconds, then looked up at Aunt Liu.

Aunt Liu winked at her.

His eyes showed concern and heartache.

There's another kind of tacit understanding... that only the two of them understand.

"Thank you, Aunt Liu."

Fu Hua's voice softened.

"Don't thank me, child. This is what your parents told you to do."

Aunt Liu waved her hand and turned back to the kitchen.

His back was slightly hunched, but his steps were light.

They didn't even know what foods she was allergic to.

Would you specially cook porridge for her?

Only Aunt Liu knows the true nature of this family.

She likes foods with osmanthus flowers.

At the other end of the table, Fu Xiao's gaze lingered on the bowl of osmanthus porridge for a long time.

He remembered what Aunt Liu had whispered to him last night: "Huahua is such a sensible child. So sensible that it breaks my heart."

She is never picky about food; she will eat whatever is given to her.

But after observing her for so long, I've realized she actually prefers light flavors.

Osmanthus porridge, lily bulb porridge, millet porridge, stir-fried seasonal vegetables... I don't like oily or overly sweet foods.

At the time, he thought Aunt Liu was being overly suspicious.

But now, looking at the table full of greasy and sweet dishes,

Then look at the bowl of congee in front of Fu Hua...

It felt like a tiny needle had gently pricked a part of my heart.

Fu Hua scooped up a spoonful of osmanthus porridge and put it in her mouth.

The warm porridge slid down my throat, carrying the subtle sweetness of rock sugar and the unique bitterness of osmanthus.

It soothed my dry throat in the early morning.

She ate slowly, savoring each bite.

The brown wooden bracelet on her wrist swayed gently as she scooped the porridge.

The essence of the spiritual spring flowed quietly through my blood.

It calmed the barely perceptible ripples in my heart.

Fu Chaochao looked at the bowl of porridge, then at Fu Hua's calm profile.

The fingers holding the chopsticks tightened slightly.

But soon, she smiled again.

She said to Su Yurou, "Mom, Aunt Liu is so thoughtful. I want to drink osmanthus porridge too, it's good for your complexion!"

Su Yurou quickly said, "Okay, okay, Mom will serve you some. Huahua can't drink that much by herself."

Fu Xiao didn't say anything.

He lowered his head and drank his porridge, only to find his mouth tasted bitter.

After breakfast, students began leaving for school.

Fu Hua slung her schoolbag over her shoulder and said goodbye to her parents: "Dad, Mom, I'm leaving."

"Be careful on the road."

Fu Xiao said.

"Don't forget, noon."

Su Yurou added.

Fu Hua nodded, turned around and walked out of the restaurant.

The brown wooden bracelet gleamed with a warm light in the morning glow.

Her ponytail swayed gently behind her head.

After she left, Fu Xiao put down his chopsticks and let out a heavy sigh.

"What's wrong?"

Su Yurou asked.

Fu Xiao looked at his wife, his eyes filled with complex emotions: "Yu Rou, don't you think... we haven't been paying enough attention to Hua Hua?"

Su Yurou paused for a moment.

She lowered her head to straighten her napkin, her tone slightly unnatural: "Huahua is a sensible child with strong opinions; we don't need to worry about her."

"Not needing to worry about it doesn't mean it doesn't need to be cared for."

Fu Xiao's voice turned somber.

"Look at this table of dishes today, it's all Chaochao's favorites. Do you even know what Huahua likes to eat?"

Su Yurou opened her mouth, but couldn't say anything.

She really didn't know.

Fu Hua has been back at the Fu family home for three months and has never been picky about food; she eats whatever is given to her.

She thought... she thought the child wasn't picky.

"Aunt Liu knows all about it."

Fu Xiao continued, "We know she loves osmanthus porridge and prefers light meals, but we, as her parents..."

He shook his head. "Yu Rou, Hua Hua is also our daughter."

"I know she's our daughter!"

Su Yurou's voice suddenly rose in pitch.

There was a hint of annoyance and embarrassment in her eyes at having her secret exposed.

"But Lao Fu, don't you think this child... is too unlike us?"

So calm, so clear-headed, so decisive! She's been back for months, have you ever seen her cry? Have you ever seen her act cute?

Have you ever seen her like Chaochao, rushing into our arms and saying, "Mom and Dad, I feel terrible?"

She became more and more agitated as she spoke, and her eyes reddened: "Yes, I admit I'm biased towards Chaochao. Because I raised Chaochao myself, she depends on me, and she needs me!"

But what about Fu Hua? She doesn't need anything! We don't need to worry about her studies, we don't need to concern ourselves with her future.

Even after suffering injustice, retaking the exam, Steinberg's performance, and all the gossip...

She carried it all on her own without ever uttering a single complaint!

Such a child... such a child...

She couldn't continue, tears streaming down her face: "Sometimes I really doubt... whether she's really my daughter."

Why does the child I carried for ten months and gave birth to feel so... so unfamiliar with me?

"Yu Rou!"

Fu Xiao interrupted her sharply, "You're not allowed to say things like that again!"

He stood up and walked to his wife's side.

Her voice softened a little, but her tone remained serious: "I know you're upset. It hurts you that Chaochao was wronged."

But you can't neglect Huahua just because you feel sorry for Chaochao.

We cannot assume that Huahua doesn't need care just because she is sensible.

He paused, then looked out the window.

Fu Hua's silhouette as she pushed her bicycle out of the courtyard...

Slender and upright in the morning light.

"This child... has suffered too much."

Fu Xiao's voice was a little hoarse.

"We didn't fulfill our responsibilities as parents during those years in the countryside. Now that she's back, we have to make up for it. Not with money, not with material things, but with our hearts."

Su Yurou wiped away her tears and didn't say anything.

Fu Xiao patted her shoulder: "From now on, ask Aunt Liu to make some of Huahua's favorite dishes at the dinner table."

This weekend... I'll take the two kids out for a walk. It's a family gathering, so please be careful around Huahua; you know how my relatives talk.

After he finished speaking, he turned around and picked up his briefcase: "I'm going to the army. See you at the old house at noon."

The door closed.

Su Yurou was the only one left in the restaurant.

She sat at the dining table, looking at the mess of dishes scattered across it.

And there was that bowl of osmanthus porridge in front of Fu Hua's seat, now completely cold...

My heart felt like it had been turned upside down.

Aunt Liu came out of the kitchen to clear the dishes and saw her sitting there blankly.

She said softly, "Xiaorou, Huahua... actually really likes my steamed sea bass. I made it once last week, and she ate most of it."

Su Yurou raised her head, her eyes still red: "What else does she...like?"

"I like drinking soup. I love mushroom soup and old duck soup."

As Aunt Liu wiped the table, she said, "I also like to eat green vegetables, especially stir-fried ones. I don't like spicy or salty food."

In the military, Fu Xiao had just returned to his office after finishing a military meeting.

The red telephone on the table rang.

"Hello,?"

Fu Xiao answered the phone, his voice serious.

The old man's strong voice came from the other end of the phone: "Second son, today's family gathering has been rescheduled."

"Your mom's birthday is in two weeks. I've invited a few old comrades-in-arms for a get-together, let's have a celebration together then."

Fu Xiao stood ramrod straight, his tone much gentler: "Yes, I understand. So, today..."