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

"Maybe you're right."

In his farewell speech, he said, "Perhaps the current marriage system does have many problems, but Huahua, what I want to tell you is..."

"If you're willing, this house can be our home, not the Xie family's, not the Fu family's, but our own."

He paused, his eyes serious as if he were making a vow: "Here, you can do anything you want. If you want to do scientific research, I support you."

If you want to sleep in, I won't bother you. If you want to never get married, we'll date for the rest of our lives.

In this home, you'll always be the one in charge.

Sunlight streamed in from the balcony, casting bright spots of light on the wooden floor.

The air was filled with the fragrance of jasmine and osmanthus.

The air was filled with the faint scent of new wood from the furniture.

Looking at Xie Ci, Fu Hua sensed the sincerity and earnestness in his eyes.

These words seemed to have cracked open the wall in my heart.

Acknowledgments,

She whispered, "Are you... proposing?"

"no."

Xie Ci shook his head. "I'm telling you that I'm willing to give you a home in a way that you can accept."

As for that piece of paper... we'll get it whenever you want it.

If you never want it in your life, we will never accept it.

He reached out and took her hand: "Fu Hua, I don't understand the道理 (principles/reasons) you're talking about, but I know I love you."

If you love someone, you should give them the life they want, not impose on them the life you think is right.

Fu Hua's fingers trembled slightly in his palm.

Having lived for so many years, she has witnessed far too much kidnapping and sacrifice in the name of love.

The kind of acknowledgment expressed in the thank-you speech—inclusive, respectful, willing to compromise and understand—is appropriate.

This was the first time she had met him.

It would be a lie to say I wasn't tempted.

Why?

She asked, her voice a little hoarse.

Why would you go to such lengths for me?

Xie Ci smiled gently: "Because you are Fu Hua, because your perspective on the world is different from others, because... the person I want is just like you."

He led her to the balcony and pointed to the flowers: "These are all your favorites, jasmine, osmanthus. From now on, the balcony is yours. You can plant whatever you want."

He then took her to see the bedroom.

The room was completely empty except for a bed and a wardrobe.

The white walls were very clean, and plain-colored curtains hung on the windows.

"This place is waiting for you to set it up."

Xie Ci said, "Put your desk here if you want, put your lab table here if you want. Anyway, this house is well soundproofed, so even if you do experiments at night, it won't disturb the neighbors."

She owns her own house and has financial means.

I don't need gifts from men.

But it's always different when he's willing to give.

Looking at the empty room, her mind would involuntarily wander to imagination.

The scene of her and Xie Ci living here,

In the evening, she read in the living room while he busied himself in the kitchen.

If she's in the mood, she might go into the kitchen, hug him from behind, and whisper some sweet nothings.

He has a great physique, and he feels nice to touch.

She didn't mind that kind of scene; in fact, she was a little excited.

Acknowledgments,

She turned to look at him. "Aren't you afraid... I'll never want that piece of paper? Aren't you afraid of what people will say? Aren't you afraid your parents and grandfather will object?"

"Afraid."

The acknowledgment was accepted very readily.

"But I'm more afraid of losing you. As for what others say, Fu Hua, what business is it of theirs how we live our lives?"

He spoke as if it were a matter of course, as if it were something that should be taken for granted.

I could tell from his eyes that he was sincere at that moment.

Fu Hua smiled.

She went into the living room and sat down on the wooden sofa.

He patted the seat next to him: "Come, sit down."

Xie Ci sat down next to her.

The two sat side by side in the empty living room, the sunlight shining on them, warm and bright.

"This house,"

Fu Hua looked around. "I like it very much."

Xie Ci's eyes lit up.

"but,"

Fu Hua turned to look at him, "I can't move in right now. I still have to go to school and do research. It's more convenient to live near the school."

"I know."

Xie Ci nodded, "This house is right here, it has your name on it, it's your house, our home. You can come whenever you want. It's usually empty, but I'll come occasionally to clean it and water the flowers."

"besides,"

Fu Hua continued, "Regarding marriage... my thoughts are indeed different from most people's. As for the kind of marriage you mentioned that isn't a cage, I'll consider it."

Xie Ci held her hand tightly.

"but,"

Fu Hua smiled. "I need time. Maybe a long time, maybe a short time. Are you willing to wait?"

"wait."

He declined the offer without hesitation, saying, "I'd wait a lifetime."

Looking into his earnest eyes, Fu Hua felt a slight stirring in her heart.

She leaned in and gently placed a kiss on his lips.

It was very light and fast, like a butterfly flitting across a petal.

Xie Ci was stunned, then his eyes lit up with immense joy.

He wanted to deepen the kiss, but Fu Hua had already pulled away.

"alright,"

She stood up and straightened her skirt.

"Now, it's time to go to your house for dinner. It's not good to keep your uncle and aunt waiting too long."

Xie Ci also stood up and looked at her.

Her eyes were so gentle they could melt ice and snow: "Okay."

The two locked the door and went downstairs.

As she reached the entrance of the residential compound, Fu Hua glanced back at the red brick building.

The jasmine flowers on the balcony of the east-facing unit on the fourth floor are in full bloom.

Will that place be a home?

Even if it happens, it will only be temporary.

Perhaps I've been lonely for too long.

Amidst the myriad lights of homes, she did not expect any of them to belong to her.

Family ties are shallow, and true love is easily broken.

What she should cultivate is the path of ruthlessness.

The sun was shining brightly, and the wind was gentle.

The car restarted and drove towards the military compound.

Fu Hua sat in the passenger seat, watching the street scenes flash by outside the window, a faint smile always on her lips.

I glanced at her out of the corner of my eye as I thanked her, my heart filled with mixed emotions.

For some reason, he always felt that he had never truly entered her heart.

It seemed as if she might abandon him at any moment.

"Fu, your lips are dry, have some water!"

Xie Ci handed Fu Hua a glass bottle and unscrewed the cap with one hand: "It's cooled down, not too hot or too cold."

Fu Hua smiled brightly, took the spoon, sipped it twice, and handed it back.

He casually tucked the water bottle back into the side of his bag, and then, as if by magic,...

Take out a green food storage container, open it, and hand it to her.

"What is this?"

Fu Hua opened the box; inside were cut fruit.

The bananas were peeled, the apples were cored, and the small pieces were neatly arranged, with a layer of clean parchment paper at the bottom.

Fu Hua's eyes suddenly curved upwards, her gaze filled with surprise.

She looked up at him and asked, "When did you prepare this? You even cut it up and put it away?"

Xie Ci's gaze swept lightly over the food container before returning to the road ahead.

His tone was calm yet considerate: "You didn't eat breakfast this morning, so it's not a good time to eat fruit on an empty stomach. Now is the perfect time."

As they were talking, the car drove over a small pothole.

He slightly lowered his wrist to steady the direction.

His other hand instinctively moved to protect the food container.

Hold it firmly to prevent the fruit inside from spilling out.

There was no superfluous expression in his eyes and brows, but every movement revealed a thoughtfulness that was subtle to the core.

Fu Hua paused her grip on the fruit fork above the food container, glancing up at Xie Ci.

Her usually clear and cool eyes trembled slightly, her eyelashes drooped suddenly, and her gaze softened into a pool of warm water.

The jeep drove into the military compound at 11:30 a.m.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves of the sycamore trees, casting dappled shadows. The courtyard was quiet.

Several children were playing by the basketball court.

After thanking her for parking the car, Xie Ci went around to the passenger side to open the door for Fu Hua.

Fu Hua got out of the car carrying the prepared gifts.

Two boxes of Daoxiangcun pastries and a bottle of Moutai liquor.

There was also a bouquet of lilies and carnations that I bought from a flower shop I passed by.

Are you nervous?

Xie Ci took the wine and snacks from her hand and asked in a low voice.