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

Fu Hua knew what this meant, but she didn't resist.

Some things are best left to happen naturally.

The project team wasn't entirely peaceful.

Lu Xingzhou brings breakfast to Fu Hua every morning.

A variety of dishes: Monday - fermented mung bean juice and fried dough rings; Tuesday - steamed buns; Wednesday - fried dough sticks with sugar...

He always had various reasons that made it impossible for Fu Hua to refuse.

At first, Fu Hua didn't think much of it.

I assumed it was just because of his relationship with his older brother and their previous teacher-student relationship.

In addition to his previous relationship with Old Master Lin,

It's normal for Lu Xingzhou to take extra care of her.

But soon, she noticed something was wrong.

Lu Xingzhou's gaze towards her became increasingly undisguised.

When discussing technical issues, he would deliberately sit next to her.

At lunchtime, I always "happened" to go to the cafeteria with her.

On one occasion, Fu Hua even worked overtime in the lab until late at night.

Upon going outside, he found Lu Xingzhou waiting downstairs.

They said they were worried about her safety being alone and offered to take her home.

The most obvious example was the last group report meeting.

As Fu Hua explained the algorithm model, Lu Xingzhou watched her intently the entire time, his eyes filled with admiration and focus.

This goes beyond the scope of ordinary colleagues.

When the report ended, he was even the first to applaud.

She also said, "Huahua's thinking always brings a fresh perspective."

The intimate tone, coupled with his expression at that moment,

Several senior researchers in the conference room exchanged glances.

Soon, rumors began to circulate within the project team.

"Have you heard? Engineer Lu and Fu Hua are dating."

"Really? Lu Gong is Old Master Lin's grandson, and Fu Hua is from the Fu family... Although she's independent now, their family backgrounds are quite different, aren't they?"

"What do you know? Fu Hua is capable, even Commander Hua values ​​her. Besides, anyone with eyes can see through Engineer Lu's eyes..."

These words reached Fu Hua's ears while she was adjusting the equipment.

A female researcher in the same lab subtly inquired of her, "Fu Hua, are you and Engineer Lu... dating?"

Fu Hua didn't stop her hands, her voice calm: "No, that's not true. Comrade Lu was my former tutor and also a friend of my older brother, so he's been taking good care of me."

She spoke frankly, but the rumors didn't stop.

While others were whispering amongst themselves, Xu Jing stood alone on the veranda.

His gaze was fixed on Fu Hua, his eyes filled with a cold hardness, neither smiling nor angry.

Only the barely concealed smugness and calculating glint in his eyes...

It flickered lightly in the eyelash shadow, then vanished completely in an instant.

In the afternoon, Professor Yan called Fu Hua to his office.

"sit."

Professor Yan took off his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose.

Her face showed fatigue, but her eyes were very clear. "Huahua, have you heard about some rumors circulating in the group lately?"

Fu Hua sat down opposite her and nodded: "I've heard about it, Professor. Comrade Lu Xingzhou and I are just ordinary colleagues. We got to know each other because of Grandpa Lin, and my older brother also asked him to take care of me, so we became a little closer, but there's absolutely nothing else between us."

She spoke very directly, without the slightest hesitation.

Professor Yan laughed: "Of course I believe you. After almost a year of getting to know each other, how could I not know what kind of person you are? Your mind is all on scientific research, you don't have time to think about those things."

Besides, even if I were to find a girlfriend, it would be Xie Ci.

We can't let others get there first.

He paused, his expression turning serious: "I called you here today not because of this rumor, but because of something else. The project has hit a bottleneck."

Fu Hua sat up straight: "Please speak."

"The real-time performance issue of encryption algorithms has remained unresolved."

Professor Yan pushed a report over.

"The military has given us two weeks. If we can't come up with a feasible solution by then, this sub-project may have to be canceled."

Fu Hua quickly flipped through the report.

The problem is indeed thorny: the existing algorithms have sufficient encryption strength, but the computational load is too large, making them unusable in field environments.

Xu Jing tried hardware optimization, but the effect was limited.

Lu Xingzhou's team conducted extensive testing.

The conclusion is—either reduce the encryption strength or change your approach.

"Comrade Xu Jing proposed this yesterday,"

Professor Yan looked at Fu Hua and said, "We used a simplified algorithm that she had researched at school before. Although it is less secure, it can meet the real-time requirements."

Fu Hua looked up: "What do you mean?"

I disagree.

Professor Yan shook his head. "Military encryption prioritizes security; simplifying the algorithm carries too much risk. But..."

He sighed, "Most people in the team now support Xu Jing's plan, including several veteran technicians from the military. They believe that we should first solve the problem of whether or not we have the technology, and then gradually improve it."

Fu Hua was silent for a few seconds: "What do you need me to do?"

I want you to try another direction.

Professor Yan took out a manuscript from his drawer, which was covered with formulas.

"This is an idea I had many years ago, but I haven't found a suitable way to implement it."

The core idea is to use layered encryption to distribute the computation across multiple time slices. This is theoretically feasible, but in practice… it's extremely difficult to implement.

He looked at Fu Hua, his eyes filled with both expectation and worry: "I know you're busy, but if this direction really works, it will be incredibly valuable."

The problem is... you only have two weeks, and if you fail, you could face a lot of pressure. Some people in the team already think you're too young and inexperienced.

"If we take on this almost impossible task..."

He didn't finish speaking, but his meaning was clear.

Fu Hua took the manuscript and quickly scanned it.

The more I look, the brighter my eyes become.

She had considered a similar line of thought when researching communication technology in space.

Some preliminary mathematical models have already been developed.

However, due to limitations in reality, I have never had the opportunity to put it into practice.

"I'll take it."

She put down the manuscript, her voice clear.

"I'll submit my proposal within two weeks."

Professor Yan looked at her for a long time, then nodded: "Okay, just tell me what kind of support you need."

At the group meeting the following day, Professor Yan announced the decision.

The meeting room fell silent for a moment, then whispers broke out.

"Layered encryption? What's that?"

"Isn't this an old idea of ​​Professor Yan's? I heard he proposed it ten years ago, and it's simply impossible to realize."

"Let Fu Hua do it? How old is she? Isn't it obvious..."

"Just because she's a professor's student, they dared to let her try something like this?"

Xu Jing sat diagonally opposite Fu Hua, and after listening to Professor Yan's words,

She was taken aback for a moment, then smiled.

The smile was very polite and even showed appreciation: "Comrade Fu Hua is willing to take on this difficult task, which is truly commendable. I believe that with her talent and ability, she will definitely bring us a surprise."

That's a beautifully said statement, but if you listen carefully, you can hear the subtle nuances.

The higher you elevate Fu Hua, the harder she will fall if she fails.

Lu Xingzhou frowned, as if he wanted to say something.

But Fu Hua stopped her with a single look.

Professor Yan surveyed the conference room: "Does anyone have any opinions?"

An elderly technician with gray hair spoke up.

His tone was tactful but his attitude was clear: "Professor, it's not that I don't trust Comrade Fu Hua, but this direction... is too difficult."

Two weeks isn't even enough time for theoretical derivation, let alone implementation.

I suggest we adopt Comrade Xu Jing's plan; it's the safest approach.