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

The door was pushed open.

The first person to enter was Xu Jing.

Today she was dressed in a neat military uniform, with her epaulets on straight back and her hair neatly tied back.

Seeing that there were already people in the meeting room, she paused.

He then flashed a standard smile: "Professor Yan, Comrade Fu Hua, you've arrived very early."

Professor Yan turned around and smiled, "Little Xu is here? Have a seat, the rest of you will be here soon."

Xu Jing chose to sit down opposite Fu Hua.

The two were separated by a table.

There was a subtle stillness in the air.

Only the cicadas outside the window chirped tirelessly.

"Comrade Fu Hua,"

Xu Jing took the initiative to speak, her tone much gentler than when they had dined together at the state-run restaurant.

"I heard you've been making good progress in the materials lab lately?"

Fu Hua looked up and nodded: "Not bad. How is Comrade Xu adapting to the communications department?"

"fine."

Xu Jing smiled, a smile that lacked some of her former arrogance and instead possessed a more businesslike and proper demeanor.

"The military and schools have different environments, but both serve the purpose of technological development."

As they were talking, the door opened again.

Three young technicians came in this time.

The man in the lead was very tall, with broad shoulders and long legs, and wore gold-rimmed glasses.

Her eyebrows weren't sharp, and her eyes drooped slightly at the corners, carrying a faint smile. When she looked at people, her gaze was clear and peaceful, like warm water washing over the heart.

He was indeed Fu Hua's former tutor, Lu Xingzhou.

Their eyes met, and they smiled slightly.

Lu Xingzhou's eyes would show fine lines, like the early spring sunlight melting away the chill.

He entered and immediately greeted Professor Yan: "Professor, Lu Xingzhou reporting for duty!"

His voice was clear and bright, carrying the unique vigor of a young person.

Professor Yan smiled and waved: "Starship has arrived? Come in quickly, we've been waiting for you."

Lu Xingzhou walked in and glanced around the conference room.

Upon seeing Xu Jing, he was visibly taken aback: "Xu Jing? You're on this project too?"

Lu Xingzhou and his maternal grandfather, Grandpa Lin, and Grandpa Xu were old comrades-in-arms.

So these younger generations have known each other since childhood.

However, as we grew up, we lost touch.

He remembered; Xu Jing studied communications. No wonder she was there.

Xu Jing stood up, her smile becoming more genuine: "Lu Xingzhou? Long time no see, I didn't expect to meet you here."

"Yes, what a coincidence."

Lu Xingzhou walked to her side, and the two shook hands naturally. "I heard you're planning to develop your career in the communications department long-term?"

"Yes, it's part of the organization's arrangements."

The two exchanged a few pleasantries, displaying a familiar demeanor among children of military personnel.

Lu Xingzhou chatted with Xu Jing for a few minutes, but his gaze was unconsciously drawn to the person by the window.

Last year she was a skinny, wiry little girl, but now she's different.

Fu Hua wore a light yellow cotton-linen dress today. The simple design made her skin look very fair.

Her hair was half-tied up, revealing her delicate profile and neckline.

She looked down at the documents in her hand; sunlight streamed in through the window.

A light gold tint was applied to her eyelashes.

Lu Xingzhou's words remained unspoken.

The last time the two met was at the maternal grandfather's house; several months have passed in the blink of an eye.

Back when she was with the Fu family, her eyes always held a cold and distant quality.

Although her features were delicate, there was always a pale, malnourished look to her.

But now...

The girl in front of me had a healthy rosy glow on her face, and her figure seemed to have grown a bit.

He sat there with a calm and composed demeanor.

What's most special are those eyes—clear and focused.

She's still the same, with a kind of clarity and understanding that transcends her age.

"Lu Xingzhou?"

Xu Jing nudged him.

Lu Xingzhou snapped out of his daze and realized he had been staring at Fu Hua for too long.

"Xu Jing, you're busy, I'll go say hello."

Lu Xingzhou coughed lightly and walked towards Fu Hua.

Trying to keep her voice natural: "Fu Hua? Long time no see, how are you?"

Fu Hua raised her head, smiled slightly, her lips forming a faint curve, like a crack melting on ice, a touch of gentle softness hidden within her coldness.

"Brother Xingzhou, it's been a long time! How's Grandpa Lin doing lately?"

He hasn't changed; he's still as gentle and refined as before.

"Grandpa... is doing well."

Lu Xingzhou's eyes flickered slightly, his speech was slow and gentle, his tone as warm as a clear spring flowing over pebbles.

"He keeps talking about you, saying you haven't played chess with him in a long time."

As soon as he said it, he immediately realized that his tone sounded too familiar.

Like an old friend.

Actually, aside from a few tutoring sessions and the connection with Fu Songchuan, they didn't have much contact in their daily lives.

Fu Hua smiled and replied, "I've been busy lately, but I'll definitely go when the project is less busy."

"well……"

Lu Xingzhou responded, but his gaze remained fixed on her face.

He found himself unable to look away from the person he was looking at this time.

It wasn't because she was particularly beautiful, but rather because of her aura.

It possesses a cool and gentle quality, and a unique charm that blends aloofness with approachability.

Like a cool breeze in summer, it's not scorching, but it makes you want to get closer and touch it.

Xu Jing watched from afar, her eyes flickering slightly.

She knew Lu Xingzhou too well; they had grown up in the same compound since childhood.

She knew Lu Xingzhou's personality well.

He appears mild-mannered, but actually has extremely high standards.

Ordinary girls simply don't catch his eye.

But look at it now...

She pursed her lips, suppressing the strange feeling in her heart.

"Everyone, please be quiet."

Professor Yan began, "Let's get to the meeting right away, regarding this communications project..."

The meeting officially began.

Professor Yan explained the project background.

This is a preliminary research project jointly undertaken by the military and a research station.

The goal is to develop a new generation of military encrypted communication technology.

It is difficult and requires a high level of secrecy, but it is of great significance.

"Everyone here is a technical backbone who has undergone rigorous selection."

Professor Yan's gaze swept over everyone.

"Although Fu Hua is young, she has unique insights into algorithms and signal processing."

Comrade Xu Jing has practical experience in the communications department, and Lu Xingzhou and the others were specially selected by Peking University to conduct similar pilot projects...

He assigned tasks.

Fu Hua was responsible for the core algorithm design and simulation testing.

Xu Jing was responsible for hardware adaptation and liaising with the military's needs.

Lu Xingzhou's team was responsible for field environment testing and data collection.

"The project has a six-month timeframe."

Professor Yan concluded by saying, "Time is tight and the task is heavy. I hope everyone will cooperate sincerely and strive for fruitful results."

After the meeting adjourned, everyone left one after another.

Lu Xingzhou deliberately stayed until the end, waiting for Fu Hua to finish packing her things.

He walked over and said, "Fu Hua, I have some thoughts I'd like to discuss with you about the algorithm. Do you have time at noon? If it's convenient, let's have lunch together and chat."

Fu Hua glanced at her watch and nodded: "Okay, there are stir-fries on the second floor of the cafeteria."

"Okay, then I'll wait for you."

The two walked outside.

Xu Jing had already reached the door, but upon hearing this, she paused.

She glanced back and saw Lu Xingzhou talking to Fu Hua with his head turned to the side.

His eyes were focused, and a smile played on his lips.

She had seen that smile before.

Several years ago, when Lu Xingzhou had feelings for her cousin, he looked at her with the same gaze.

Xu Jing turned and walked out of the conference room, her steps quicker than usual.