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

Fu Hua put down her schoolbag and went to the kitchen to get bowls and chopsticks: "Why didn't you tell me beforehand?"

I figured you'd be home by now, so I didn't say anything.

Fu Songchuan watched her serve the rice and dishes, a hint of emotion in his eyes.

"You've tidied this place up quite well."

The house was small, but neat and tidy.

The bookshelves were crammed with books, and several pots of jasmine grew luxuriantly on the windowsill, their pure white flowers emitting a refreshing fragrance.

Several foreign language journals and draft paper were spread out on the table.

Everything was in perfect order, just like her.

The two sat down at the small table.

Fu Hua picked up a piece of pork rib; the meat was tender and juicy, with a perfect balance of sweet and sour flavors—it was indeed Aunt Liu's cooking.

"How's things at home?"

She asked casually.

Fu Songchuan was silent for a few seconds, then took a sip of tea: "Everything is fine. Dad is going to work as usual, and Mom... is much better, but she's not talking much anymore. You Chuan has been studying hard lately, saying he wants to take the military academy entrance exam."

Fu Hua nodded and continued eating.

"I heard you went to the Su family to pay New Year's greetings?"

Fu Songchuan asked casually.

"Um."

Fu Hua looked up. "My grandparents are very good to me."

"That's good."

Fu Songchuan smiled and said, "How about we go visit Grandpa sometime? He loves playing chess, and he'll be happy if we play a couple of games with him."

"OK."

Fu Hua readily agreed.

After finishing his meal, Fu Songchuan put down his chopsticks.

His tone became more serious: "Huahua, there's something else. I heard... Commander Hua has entrusted you with the responsibility of outsourcing the maintenance of the military's communication equipment?"

Fu Hua put down her chopsticks: "Yes, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing, just a reminder."

Fu Songchuan carefully chose his words, "My eldest uncle and third uncle... their work is related to communications technology. If they find out about this, they might come looking for you."

What I mean is, don't see them, and don't worry about Grandpa and Grandma, Dad and I are here.

Fu Hua looked at her older brother and suddenly laughed: "Big brother, do you think I'm afraid of them?"

"It's not fear."

Fu Songchuan shook his head. "It's unnecessary. Once you get caught up in those complicated things, you can't shake them off. You have your own path now, just walk it well."

"I know."

Fu Hua continued eating, "Thank you, big brother."

After chatting for a few more minutes, Fu Songchuan got up to take his leave.

Before leaving, he stood at the door, turned back to look at his sister: "Huahua, the Fu family owes you, and we'll pay it back slowly in the future. Just remember, Dad and I... will always be on your side."

Fu Hua stood by the door and nodded: "Big brother, be careful on the road."

After seeing Fu Songchuan off, she tidied up the dishes, and the warmth in her heart slowly settled down.

Fu Songchuan is right.

Some things, once you're involved, you can't get rid of them.

.........

The atmosphere in the living room of the Fu family's courtyard was not so warm.

The eldest son, Fu Lei, and the third son, Fu Ting, were sitting on the sofa, with Fu Xiao sitting opposite them.

The tea on the coffee table had gone cold, and no one touched it.

"Second brother, it's not that we're being nosy."

Fu Lei rubbed his hands together, a smile plastered on his face. "I heard that Fu Hua is now working with the military, taking on communications equipment repair jobs. She earns several hundred or even a thousand yuan per order."

"How can a girl like her manage to balance school and research?"

Third Aunt immediately chimed in, "That's right, Second Brother! We're family, we can make money together! My husband and his family are also short of technical support. If Fu Hua is willing, she can be affiliated with their company; there are plenty of projects!"

Fu Ting nodded: "Second brother, we should keep the good stuff in the family. Fu Hua has the skills, and we have the resources. Wouldn't it be better to combine our resources? Besides, it wouldn't look good for a girl like her to be out in public and dealing with the military. It would be better for her to be affiliated with a legitimate organization, which would also make her look better and be safer."

Fu Xiao remained silent, holding his teacup and slowly turning it.

Fu Songchuan sat calmly on the single sofa next to his father.

After they finished talking, Fu Xiao put down his teacup.

The voice was not loud: "Eldest brother, third brother, Fu Hua is an adult now. She can make her own decisions about her affairs."

Fu Lei's smile froze: "Second brother, what you're saying... We're family, isn't it only natural for elders to care for younger generations?"

"care?"

Fu Xiao looked up at him. "Big brother, are you really concerned about Fu Hua, or about the money she earns?"

The living room fell silent instantly.

Third Aunt's expression changed: "Second Brother, how can you say that? We're only doing this for Fu Hua's own good..."

"For her own good?"

Even as parents, they wouldn't dare say that.

Fu Xiao smiled, but his smile was a little cold. "Fu Hua just returned to the Fu family for the family reunion banquet. As elders, who among you showed her any support? Not a single one of you came."

Last year at the old lady's birthday banquet, she said some unpleasant things. Which of you elders said a single word in her defense? Now that she's successful and can make money, you all flock to her. Is this what you call doing what's best for her? Who believes that?

Fu Lei's smile vanished: "Second brother, what do you mean by this? We weren't even in Beijing for the family reunion banquet, and besides, the old lady..."

"What happened back then?"

Fu Xiao interrupted him, "Back then, you all said behind my back that my daughter was a country bumpkin, that she didn't deserve to be a daughter of the Fu family."

Now that she's doing well, they want to jump on her bandwagon and get a piece of the pie.

"Big brother, third brother, I, Fu Xiao, have been confused before, but not to this extent."

He stood up and looked down at the people on the sofa: "Let Fu Hua walk her own path. Anyone who dares to disturb her, don't blame me for not showing any brotherly mercy."

After saying that, he turned and went upstairs.

Fu Songchuan stood up as well, his tone polite but distant: "Uncle, Third Uncle and Third Aunt, it's getting late, I'll see you out."

Having said that, there's no point in staying any longer.

Fu Lei and the others stood up with grim faces and slunk away.

After seeing the people off, Fu Songchuan went upstairs and saw his father standing in front of the study window, his back straight, but his expression was tired.

"Dad, don't worry too much."

Fu Songchuan handed over a cup of hot tea.

"They won't give up."

Fu Xiao didn't turn around. "I'm definitely going to go find your grandparents."

"I know."

Fu Songchuan walked to his father's side, "But Grandpa... should be able to see clearly now too..."

"See clearly what?"

Fu Xiao smiled wryly, "Your grandfather valued the family's interests above all else his whole life. He used to look down on Huahua, thinking she was worthless, but now that he knows she can make money and has connections, his attitude has changed."

He has many grandchildren, and he would never genuinely care about Fu Hua; he just wants to use every means to tie her to the Fu family's ship.

The night outside the window was deep and dark.

The courtyard of the Fu family's old house appeared empty and desolate under the moonlight.

Songchuan,

Fu Xiao suddenly said, "The person your father has wronged the most in his life is your sister. Now... all I can do for her is to stand in front of her and let her walk her own path in peace."

Fu Songchuan was silent for a moment: "Dad, Fu Hua is stronger than we thought. She doesn't need our protection, she just needs us to... not hold her back."

These words were quite blunt. Fu Xiao paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "You're right."

.........

Fu Lei and his group, having been rebuffed by Fu Xiao, were not giving up.

The next afternoon, they appeared at the Fu family's old house.

In the living room, Grandpa Fu sat in the main chair, holding a chess set in his hand.

The old lady was peeling walnuts next to her, without even lifting her eyelids.