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

After the banquet ended, everyone took their leave.

Grandpa Fu looked at the "Lone Wanderer" move on the chessboard.

One can't help but sigh, the game of chess is like life.

You think you have victory in your grasp, but in reality, every step you take is fraught with danger.

You think abandoning your child is something you won't regret?

Perhaps, what was discarded was the most important one.

The wind and snow howled outside the window.

Grandpa Fu picked up his wine glass and drank it all in one gulp.

The liquor was very spicy, so spicy that his eyes stung.

Fu Hua was walking alone on the street.

The snow fell even more heavily.

Snowflakes, as fine as goose feathers, fell softly, quickly accumulating a thin layer on her shoulders.

She didn't turn around, but simply tightened her scarf and walked towards the bus stop with her head down.

Both Fu Songchuan and Fu Xiao had just asked her to come back.

But what would we do if we went back?

Looking at those people and hearing those words, doesn't it disgust you?

She never had any affection for her family.

I originally planned to move out of the Fu family's house next year to make do.

I just couldn't hold back anymore.

Fortunately, there's only a little over a month left until the Lunar New Year.

I miss her old apartment so much.

In weather like this, lying on a chair on the balcony,

Brewing a cup of hot tea and enjoying the snow is a wonderful thing.

It's a pity that she doesn't have her own place in this city.

A familiar military green jeep slowly pulled up to the side of the road.

The car window rolled down, and Xie Ci leaned out: "Fu, is the banquet over already?"

Fu Hua paused in her steps.

She never expected to run into him here.

Xie Ci pushed open the door and got out of the car, his military boots leaving clear footprints on the snow.

He walked up to her and casually brushed the snow off her shoulder: "Why are you alone? Where are your dad and the others?"

"Still in the old house."

Fu Hua said briefly.

Xie Ci keenly sensed that something was wrong with her mood.

There was a cold, distant feeling in those usually calm eyes.

He glanced in the direction of the old house, then looked at her: "What happened?"

Fu Hua was silent for a few seconds, then told the truth: "I had a few words with the old lady."

She briefly recounted what happened at the birthday banquet.

This includes the phrase "feudal remnants" and her angry departure from the table.

After saying that, she looked up at Xie Ci and smiled slightly: "Isn't that quite disobedient?"

The snow fell between the two of them and melted silently.

There was no immediate response to Xie Ci's question.

He looked at her intently, then slowly shook his head: "Elders must first be good elders before they can expect younger generations to be polite and respectful."

Fu Hua was slightly taken aback.

"She made things difficult for you in front of so many people, belittling your achievements and efforts. That's not something an elder should do."

Xie Ci's voice was calm and steady, "You did the right thing. If you don't fight back, anyone can treat you however they want in the future."

Fu Hua felt a sense of relief somewhere inside her.

She thought he would advise her that "he is an elder after all" and that she should "consider the bigger picture."

Or at least say something polite.

but no.

He simply stood by her side and told her: You did nothing wrong.

The wind and snow howled as they swept past the street corner.

Xie Ci opened the car door: "Get in, I'll give you a ride."

Fu Hua got into the passenger seat.

The car was warm, with a faint smell of tobacco and his fresh scent.

The car slowly drove into the snow, leaving the brightly lit but cold old house behind.

"I don't want to go home."

For her, the Fu family's place was like a hotel.

Only Aunt Liu could give her a sliver of the warmth of home.

Xie Ci pondered for a moment before speaking, "So, where do you want to go?"

Fu Hua stared at the swirling snowflakes outside the window, remaining silent for a long time.

Suddenly she said, "I want to buy a house."

Xie Ci paused for a moment while holding the steering wheel.

"I don't want to go back to the Fu family home, and I don't want to live on the street."

Fu Hua's voice was full of longing, "I want a place of my own, it doesn't have to be big, just warm."

If she hadn't been underage, she would have already left by the time she received the cheat ability.

They've fallen out with them now.

I'm too lazy to deal with all that nagging anymore. Moving out brings peace and quiet.

Xie Ci's heart tightened slightly, and the image of the girl covered in coal dust at the train station flashed through his mind again.

Thin and small, curled up in a ball.

Yet, there was a clarity and independence in his eyes that transcended his age.

Buying a house now... isn't that easy.

He carefully considered his words of thanks, saying, "You need a letter of introduction from your employer, you need to meet the policy requirements, and you're not even eighteen yet..."

"I know."

Fu Hua interrupted him, "I'm just thinking about it."

She looked out the window, her gaze somewhat unfocused.

Xie Ci drove off in silence.

The windshield wipers oscillated rhythmically.

A clear fan shape was drawn on the windshield.

After a long while, he suddenly asked, "What kind of house do you like?"

Fu Hua thought for a moment: "A large single-level apartment is nice, with a wide view. A small yard is also good, where I can plant some flowers and plants."

She chuckled self-deprecatingly, "But it's too early to talk about these things now. By the time I'm an adult, have saved enough money, and the policies have been relaxed... I don't know when that will be."

"uncertain."

The thank-you speech came suddenly.

"Um?"

The car stopped at a red light.

Xie Ci turned to look at her: "I'll take you somewhere."

Instead of heading towards the Fu Family Compound, the car turned into an alley near Houhai Lake.

This place is not far from the Fu family's old residence, but it presents a completely different scene.

The alley is deep and secluded, lined with old houses made of blue bricks and gray tiles.

Icicles hung from the eaves, shimmering in the snowy light.

Xie Ci stopped his car in front of a small vermilion gate.

"Where is this?"

Fu Hua was puzzled.

Xie Ci didn't answer, but simply took out his key and unlocked the door.

With a creak, the wooden door was pushed open.

Inside was a small courtyard house with only one entrance, but it was kept clean and tidy.

The main house has three rooms, and there are two rooms each in the east and west wing rooms.

There is an osmanthus tree in the yard.

There was a stone well under the tree, and snow had accumulated on the rim.

The snow was still falling, covering the blue brick ground in a thick layer.

The courtyard was quiet; you could hear the soft rustling of snowflakes falling to the ground.

"This is the house of one of my comrades."

Xie Ci walked into the courtyard, his military boots leaving deep footprints in the snow.

"He was transferred to the south a few years ago, and the house has been empty ever since. He asked me to look after it for him."

Fu Hua followed her inside.

The courtyard wasn't large, but it was very well-organized.

The doors and windows of the main house are old-fashioned carved wooden lattice covered with white paper, exuding a rustic atmosphere.

"He wanted to sell, but he couldn't find a suitable buyer."

Xie Ci pushed open the main room door,

"There are many policy restrictions, and it's hard to find buyers. It's a pity that the house is just sitting there empty."

It was cold inside; the homeowner's original furniture was covered with white sheets.

The ground was paved with blue bricks, which were wiped clean and free of dust.

There should be regular cleaning.

There was an old-fashioned desk by the window, with a brass lamp on it.

Fu Hua walked to the window.

Through the window paper, you can see the branches of the osmanthus tree in the yard swaying gently in the snow.

Do you like it?

When Xie Ci learned that Fu Hua liked osmanthus flowers, he guessed that she would like this courtyard.

Fu Hua didn't speak, she just watched quietly.

After a long silence, she whispered, "I like it."

love it.

This little courtyard, this quiet space

This is a world that belongs entirely to me.

There is also a very tall osmanthus tree.

It's something to admire, play with, and even taste!

"If you really want to move out,"

The voice of thanks rang out behind me, "You can stay here for now. My comrade said that the house is just sitting empty anyway, it's better if someone lives here."

Fu Hua turned to look at him: "What about the rent?"