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

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

"No rent required."

Xie Ci said, "You helping him look after the house is considered payment for the rent."

"Living in someone else's house for free? That's not appropriate, and besides..."

Fu Hua hesitated for a moment: "Won't this cause you trouble?"

"There's nothing wrong with it."

Xie Ci looked at her and said, "Fu Hua, I know you want to be independent. But independence doesn't mean you have to shoulder everything alone. There's nothing shameful about accepting reasonable help."

He paused and then said, "It's not a problem. This house... does need someone to look after it."

"By staying here, you've solved a problem for my comrade, and you've solved your own problem too. It's a win-win situation."

Fu Hua looked up at Xie Ci, her eyes sparkling: "Thank you."

"No need to thank me, it's what I should do."

Should we?

Fu Hua smiled but remained silent.

The sunlight streamed in through the window, illuminating his face and outlining Xie Ci's strong features.

His eyes were sincere, devoid of pity or condescension.

Only equal respect and... understanding.

"When are you planning to move in? I can help."

"Let me think about it."

I should at least tell Fu Xiao about moving out.

"it is good."

Xie Ci nodded, "No rush. You can keep the key here for now. Come and see it whenever you want."

He took a bunch of brass keys out of his pocket and placed them on the desk.

The key gleamed warmly in the snow.

The two stood in the empty room, neither of them speaking.

Only the sound of snow falling outside the window, softly, like silkworms eating leaves.

After a long silence, Fu Hua finally spoke: "Let's go."

"it is good."

Xie Ci opened the door. "Let's go, I'll take you home first. We can talk about moving after you've decided."

As she stepped out of the courtyard, Fu Hua looked back.

The vermilion wooden door closed silently in the snow.

Like a door leading to another world.

There was no prejudice, no cold looks, and no suffocating rules and etiquette there.

Only one roof, a space that belongs to oneself.

The car drove back into the snowstorm.

Fu Hua leaned back in her chair, watching the street scene flash by outside the window, and felt much more relaxed.

I thought of the antiques and gold in the Spirit Spring Space.

She doesn't actually lack money.

She has enough money to buy a house.

The car drove away from Shichahai Hutong and rejoined the traffic on the main road.

The snow was falling heavier and heavier, and the car's heater was working very well.

Fu Hua untied her scarf and tentatively asked, "Brother Xie, your comrade's house... if he really wants to sell it, around what price?"

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

He glanced at her sideways and asked, "You really want to buy it?"

"Um."

Fu Hua nodded, "If the price is right, I'd like to finalize the deal as soon as possible."

"There are many restrictions on private real estate transactions now."

In his acknowledgments, he reminded her, "I can help with what I just mentioned, the letter of introduction and other things, but there's an age limit..."

"I know."

Fu Hua interrupted him, "I'll be an adult soon, so I want to have a rough idea, and also about the payment method..."

She paused for a moment, then asked, "Can we use gold?"

"squeak--"

The tires slipped slightly on the snow.

Xie Ci steadied the steering wheel, turned to look at Fu Hua,

His eyes revealed undisguised shock: "Gold? You have gold?"

Fu Hua met his gaze and nodded calmly: "Yes."

The source and quantity were not explained.

She admitted it so readily.

Xie Ci stared at her for several seconds, then turned back to look straight ahead.

His fingers tapped lightly on the steering wheel.

He was thinking and weighing the options, processing the information.

A seventeen-year-old high school student has gold in his hands and wants to buy a house.

This is very unusual.

But in the end, Xie Ci didn't ask anything.

If Fu Hua wanted to tell him, she would naturally do so.

She wouldn't tell him, and he wouldn't ask.

Xie Ci's tone was gentle: "Gold trading... is very risky. Market regulations are strict now, and if we are caught trading privately, our special status will cause us a lot of trouble."

"Is that so?"

Fu Hua looked at him. "So, do you have connections? To exchange gold for cash?"

Xie Ci was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded: "Yes, I know a few... in this line of work. They offer much higher prices for gold than banks, and it's safer."

He paused, then said seriously, "Fu Hua, if you need money, I have some here. Just tell me how much you need; you don't need to touch the gold."

"I don't lack money."

Fu Hua shook her head. "The research station pays three hundred a month, and the military communications company also provides an allowance. I just..."

She gazed at the fleeting street scenes outside the window, lost in thought.

She's about to turn 18; it's time to start planning many things.

The safest business starts with a low-asset, fast-turnover model.

Earn quick money, invest steadily for the long term, and diversify your portfolio.

In the future, you will be unable to move an inch without money.

If she wants to focus on scientific research, she can't afford to have any worries.

Everything needs to be arranged in advance.

"But...what?"

Xie Ci's expression deepened: "Doesn't the Fu family give you living expenses?"

"no!"

Fu Hua sighed, "I just don't want to rely on my family. I need lots and lots of money."

"I need my own job, my own house, and a safety net to bear all the risks."

Xie Ci felt a mix of emotions, including heartache.

Children of this age should be carefree, reading and playing.

But she was already planning for the future, calculating risks, and laying out her life.

"I can handle the gold for you," Xie Ci said firmly, "but you have to promise me two things."

"you say."

"First, you must follow my instructions throughout the entire transaction and cannot act on your own."

Xie Ci said seriously, "This industry is very complex; you don't understand."

"it is good."

"second,"

He looked at her and said, "If you encounter any trouble in the future, tell me immediately. Don't try to handle it all by yourself."

Fu Hua looked at him quietly for a few seconds, then nodded: "Okay."

The car turned right at the next intersection and returned to the military family compound.

Xie Ci's car was parked in the yard with the engine running.

The snow was still falling, and the car was quiet.

"When are you free? Shall I take you, or...?"

"You can change it for me."

Fu Hua took out five gold bars from her spatial storage using her schoolbag.

Each piece weighs about two ounces, wrapped in red paper, and neatly stacked together.

She handed Xie Ci with a natural gesture, as if she were only handing over a few books.

"Let's replace these first. We'll talk about it if I need more later."

Xie Ci's eyes trembled as he looked at the gold bar in his hand, then at Fu Hua.

The gold looked so shiny and lustrous when it was taken out of the schoolbag?

The girl's face appeared remarkably calm in the dim light inside the car.

There was no hesitation or unease in those phoenix eyes.

Only open and honest trust.

This kind of trust is heavier than gold.

"You trust me that much?"

Xie Ci asked softly, "Aren't you afraid I'll run off with the gold?"

Fu Hua shook her head: "You won't."

Those three words were spoken with absolute certainty.

Xie Ci's throat moved, and a surge of intense emotion welled up in his heart.

He carefully put the gold bars into the inside pocket of his military overcoat.

Then he said solemnly, "I'll handle it. I've exchanged the cash for you."

He paused, but couldn't help asking, "You usually carry this gold with you?"