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

Fu Hua lowered her eyes: "My things are often rummaged through at home. There's nowhere safer than on my person."

Though spoken lightly, the words of thanks revealed the bitterness behind them.

The Fu family's complicated family situation is indeed worrying.

A teenage girl doesn't even have a basic sense of security at home.

Valuables must be carried with you at all times.

Xie Ci felt an even stronger pang of heartache.

Looking at her thin shoulders and calm profile,

Xie Ci suddenly wanted to hug her and tell her: From now on, I'm here for you, so you don't have to be so vigilant or work so hard anymore.

Thinking of his impulsive act last time, he raised his arm but then gently lowered it.

Her voice was gentle: "You can keep your valuables with me in the future. There's a safe in my dorm room, it's from the military, so it's safe."

Fu Hua looked up at him, a flicker of emotion passing through her eyes.

She nodded gently: "I understand."

No safe anywhere is as secure as her golden finger.

"Also, I will contact my comrade-in-arms as soon as possible regarding the house purchase."

Xie Ci said, "There shouldn't be any problem on his end, and the price is negotiable. The main issue is the policy procedures... which will take some time."

"No rush."

Fu Hua said, "I can rent it first. I'll transfer the ownership once all the paperwork is done."

She paused for a moment, then continued, "By the way, about your comrade's place... if possible, I'd like to buy the one next door as well. We can combine them later and have more space."

Xie Ci raised an eyebrow: "What do you want to do?"

"I haven't decided yet."

Fu Hua spoke frankly, "It might be a studio, it might be a small laboratory, or it might be..."

She looked out the window. "To open a small shop, you need a stable cash flow."

Fu Hua made up an excuse.

She will only do scientific research in the future; she's just thinking about stockpiling some.

"Open a shop?"

Xie Ci seemed a little surprised. "What kind of business are you interested in?"

"It's not decided yet."

Fu Hua said, "The spring breeze of reform and opening up has already begun. In the south, individual businesses are springing up everywhere. Although Beijing is a bit slower, it's also progressing quickly."

She turned her head, her eyes revealing a clarity beyond her years: "I have vision, I have funds, there's no reason for me to miss this opportunity."

Xie Ci looked at her and suddenly laughed: "Fu Hua, sometimes I really wonder if there's an old soul living inside you."

Fu Hua gave a rare, playful smile: "Maybe."

She got out of the car, and Xie Ci called out to her, "Student Fu."

"Um?"

"Leave the gold to me, you don't need to worry about it."

Xie Ci looked at her and said, "But promise me that no matter what business you do, safety will be your top priority, and you must tell me if anything happens."

"Know."

Fu Hua nodded. "You too. Safety first in gold trading."

The two looked at each other for a few seconds, then Fu Hua pushed open the door and got out of the car.

"Student Fu."

Xie Ci called out again.

She turned around.

In the snowy light, Xie Ci sat in the car, his military overcoat collar turned up.

It made his face look even more rugged.

He looked into her eyes and said very seriously:

"Good night."

Fu Hua stood in the snow, snowflakes landing on her eyelashes and quickly turning into tiny water droplets.

She smiled gently and said:

"Good night."

Xie Ci sat in the car, watching her figure disappear from sight, unable to suppress the smile on his lips.

When Fu Hua returned, Aunt Liu was already asleep.

A bowl of osmanthus and lily porridge was still warm on the stove.

She went inside to tuck Aunt Liu in, then went upstairs to wash up.

The snow stopped the next morning.

Sunlight streamed through the icy windowpanes into the restaurant, creating a warm atmosphere.

When Fu Hua went downstairs, she found everyone else already seated, and no one was saying a word.

Su Yurou, in particular, had a cold expression.

The atmosphere at the dinner table seemed a bit tense.

Aunt Liu served the millet porridge and fried dumplings to the table, letting out a soft sigh.

Fu Xiao sat in the main seat, expressionless, slowly flipping through the newspaper.

Su Yurou sat opposite him, her face pale and her eyes red.

Clearly, he didn't sleep well last night because of yesterday's banquet.

Fu Chaochao and Fu Youchuan sat on either side, both with their heads down.

Fu Hua sat down in her usual corner seat.

As soon as she picked up her chopsticks, Su Yurou spoke:

"Huahua, shouldn't you give your mother an explanation for what happened yesterday?"

The voice wasn't loud, but the reproach in the tone was like a knife stabbing at you.

Fu Hua looked up and casually asked, "What instructions?"

"Are you still pretending to be confused?"

Su Yurou put down her chopsticks, her voice trembling.

"What were you saying at your grandmother's birthday banquet yesterday? Were you speaking to an elder?"

"How could you say that's a remnant of feudalism?! That's your own grandmother!"

Fu Chaochao glanced at Fu Hua and softly chimed in, "Huahua, Grandma doesn't mean any harm. She's getting old, so it's understandable that she's a bit conservative, but it's all for our own good. Can't you... can't you just be a little more tolerant?"

"Tolerate?"

Fu Hua put down her chopsticks, her voice calm, "How much do you expect me to tolerate? Until she spits in my face?"

"Listen to what you're saying!"

Su Yurou suddenly raised her voice, "Is your grandma wrong? Girls should be quiet and gentle!"

Why do you have to show off your basketball game and your research station? You know the old lady doesn't like these things, can't you just go along with her this once?!

That's a harsh statement.

Even Fu Youchuan frowned.

He rarely spoke up: "Mom, you can't blame Fu Hua entirely for what happened yesterday."

Grandma went too far by saying those things in front of so many people.

He paused, then continued, "No matter what, Fu Hua is from the second branch of the family. How can Dad save face if Grandma talks to her like that?"

Su Yurou suddenly turned her head and glared at her son: "You Chuan! Why are you taking her side too?!"

I'm stating the facts.

Fu Youchuan turned his face away.

"Besides, you saw it when Grandpa Lin and Commander Hua came yesterday. Fu Hua... she really is capable. Our family doesn't necessarily have to follow Grandma's ways."

"You've got the guts?"

Su Yurou sneered, "Just because you're capable doesn't mean you can disrespect your elders. Just because you're capable doesn't mean you can turn the house upside down!!"

As she spoke, she looked at Fu Xiao, "Old Fu, say something! You need to discipline this kid!"

If they treat the old lady like this now, how can they expect her to be filial to her parents in the future?

Fu Xiao put down the newspaper, his movements slow.

He glanced at his wife, then at Fu Hua.

Finally, his gaze fell on the bowl of steaming porridge on the table.

"Yu Rou,"

His voice was a little hoarse, "Don't you understand yet?"

"What?"

"Our daughter,"

Fu Xiao pointed at Fu Hua, "She doesn't need to rely on the Fu family."

Su Yurou was stunned.

I didn't understand what it meant at first.

In her mind, if children don't rely on their parents, who else can they rely on?

Even Songchuan has to consult with her on many things.

"Don't you understand?"

Fu Xiao smiled wryly, "Commander Hua personally came to invite her, and Grandpa Lin praised her in public. She won first prize in the math competition."

"Exceptional admission to the research station, special appointment as a military advisor—which of these was obtained through the Fu family?"

He paused, his tone heavy: "It's not that she needs the Fu family, it's that the future Fu family might still need her."

These words were like a pebble thrown into stagnant water, creating ripples.

Fu Youchuan and Fu Chaochao suddenly looked at Fu Hua, their eyes trembling, seemingly lost in thought.