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

"Thanks."

Fu Hua nodded, "Comrade Xu's plan also has its merits, and it can be integrated and optimized in the future."

She spoke very naturally, without a trace of pride or boasting.

It's like talking about an ordinary job.

But the more this happened, the more uneasy Xu Jing felt.

On what grounds?

Xu Jing is also a chosen one of heaven, so why is she inferior to Fu Hua in every way?

Watching Fu Hua's departing figure, he dug his nails deep into his palm.

This girl... is too strong.

He was so powerful that all her calculations and comparisons seemed ridiculous.

But the more this is the case, the less she can let go.

Xie Ci liked Fu Hua in this way.

Sober, independent, capable, and neither arrogant nor humble.

Then she must become someone stronger than Fu Hua.

Xu Jing took a deep breath, straightened her back, and walked out of the conference room.

The road ahead is long.

She will not admit defeat.

In the corridor, Lu Xingzhou caught up with Fu Hua, his eyes filled with undisguised admiration:

"Huahua, you're amazing."

"You're not bad either."

Fu Hua's eyes curved slightly at the corners, and her lips curved slightly, without revealing her teeth.

The smile was as faint as a wisp of steam clinging to the rim of a glass, vanishing quickly, but her eyes remained clear.

It has a gentle, not overly enthusiastic, but appropriate feel.

Lu Xingzhou listened intently to her words, his gaze lingering on her features.

Her fingertips curled unconsciously, and her breathing became lighter.

His gaze lingered on her smiling dimples, and the corners of his lips followed suit.

Fu Hua stopped talking, her eyes flickering slightly: "Brother Xingzhou, did you want to see me?"

Lu Xingzhou snapped out of his reverie: "Professor Yan asked me to tell you that we're having a celebration tonight, and everyone should go to Chunhe Restaurant near the entrance for dinner later."

"Okay, I understand."

.........

Chunhe Restaurant is a long-established restaurant near the Kyoto University campus.

In the largest private room on the second floor, there were two large round tables.

The project team of over twenty people filled the room completely.

The atmosphere was already lively even before all the dishes were served.

Fu Hua sat to Professor Yan's left, and Lu Xingzhou to her right.

She wore a light blue shirt today, and her hair was simply tied into a low braided ponytail.

She wore no makeup, yet her skin was fair and radiant, like the bright moon.

As I entered the restaurant, I kept getting stared at.

Fu Hua's focused and calm demeanor always made her stand out in a crowd.

The dishes were served one after another: braised pork knuckle, steamed sea bass, braised sea cucumber with scallions...

These are all hearty dishes.

Professor Yan raised his glass first: "This first toast is to everyone! Thank you for your hard work these past few days, especially Comrade Fu Hua. That layered encryption solution solved a major problem for our project!"

Everyone raised their glasses.

Fu Hua was holding a cup of tea, which she also raised: "Thank you, Professor, thank you to all the teachers and seniors. This is the result of everyone's joint efforts."

Everyone laughed and downed the first drink.

Soon, halfway through the dinner, several senior researchers came over with wine glasses.

"Fu Hua, come on, let Teacher Li toast you!"

An elderly technician with graying hair smiled broadly, "Young man, you have ideas and drive! You have a bright future ahead of you!"

Fu Hua stood up, still holding her teacup: "Teacher Li, I'd like to offer you tea instead of wine."

The veteran technician's smile faded slightly: "How can that be? What celebration banquet doesn't include drinking? Come on, just one drink!"

Someone suggested, "Comrade Fu, you're an adult now, you can drink alcohol."

"That's right, this is fruit wine, it's not strong, it's suitable for you girls."

"Teacher Li, I don't drink..."

"Just one cup!"

Another researcher nearby also came over.

"Fu Hua, you're not being polite at all. We tech people don't stand on ceremony. Let's have a drink and relax!"

Several young people chimed in, "That's right! Mr. Fu is the star today!"

Fu Hua frowned slightly, about to speak again,

Xu Jing, who was diagonally opposite, suddenly smiled.

She wore a beige dress today, and her makeup was exquisite.

With a gentle and graceful smile, she said, "Dear teachers, Comrade Fu Hua may genuinely have a low alcohol tolerance, but..."

She changed the subject and looked at Fu Hua.

With a perfectly timed teasing look in his eyes, he said, "Don't be so rude. The research team isn't working today. It's just a drink. Do you think drinking will interfere with your research? Or do you think this plan was too easy to come by and not worth the drink?"

These words, seemingly meant to smooth things over, were actually stirring up trouble.

There was a moment of silence at the table as everyone looked at Fu Hua.

Lu Xingzhou stood up and reached for the wine glass in the old technician's hand: "Teacher Li, Fu Hua really can't drink, I'll drink this one for her..."

"Starship,"

Xu Jing interrupted him with a laugh, "Isn't that inappropriate? You and Comrade Fu Hua... are just colleagues. What position or status do you have to drink for her?"

Her tone was light and cheerful, as if she were joking.

But the implication in those words caused the senior researchers at the table to exchange glances.

Recently, everyone in the group has heard the rumors about Lu Xingzhou and Fu Hua.

Lu Xingzhou's hand froze in mid-air, his expression slightly darkening.

Just then, Fu Hua picked up the glass of water in front of her.

She stood ramrod straight, her gaze sweeping over the several senior figures who had gathered around her.

Finally, the light fell on Xu Jing's face, and she smiled slightly.

"Comrade Xu is joking."

Her voice was clear and steady, neither hurried nor slow.

"I am deeply touched by the kindness of all the teachers and seniors, and I truly appreciate it. However, my alcohol tolerance is indeed very low; I get dizzy after just one glass."

It's not that I'm making excuses; I'm genuinely afraid that if I drink too much, my mind will be clouded, and I might say or do something wrong, ruining everyone's fun.

She raised her water glass, her eyes sincere: "In that case, I'll toast you all with water instead of wine. I will definitely do my best in the subsequent experiments and project progress, and I will never let you down. Please feel free to drink as you please, I appreciate the gesture."

After saying that, she tilted her head back and drank the whole glass of water, then showed the bottom of the glass to everyone.

That's a well-chosen way of putting it. First, express gratitude; then, explain the objective reasons; and finally, state your position.

He both respected his seniors and upheld his principles.

It also conveniently shut down Xu Jing's comment that "it's not worth drinking."

After a few seconds of silence at the table, Professor Yan burst into laughter: "Good, water instead of wine is good! For us researchers, keeping a clear head is the most important thing! Old Li, you guys don't make things difficult for the kids, come on, come on, sit back and eat!"

The veteran technicians laughed and gracefully backed down, saying, "Alright! Fu Hua's good intentions are enough! Producing more results in the future is better than drinking!"

The minor incident was thus resolved.

Xu Jing's smile remained unchanged, but the fingers gripping the wine glass tightened slightly.

The banquet continued.

As Lu Xingzhou sat down, he whispered to Fu Hua, "Thank you for earlier..."

"What are you thanking me for?"

Fu Hua poured herself another glass of water. "This was originally my own business."

Looking at her calm profile, Lu Xingzhou felt even more complicated emotions.

This girl will always be like this: clear-headed, independent, and not dependent on anyone.

But the more it's like this, the more it makes people...

He suppressed his thoughts and focused on eating.

By the time the dinner ended, it was completely dark.

The cool summer night breeze dispelled the smell of alcohol, and the streetlights lit up one by one.

People walked out in twos and threes.

Lu Xingzhou walked over to Fu Hua naturally: "Huahua, shall I take you home? It's so late."