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

Xu Jing clenched her fingers, her nails digging into her palms.

Unexpectedly, Fu Hua discovered everything.

These mistakes cannot be denied.

No, we cannot admit defeat.

She can't be driven away!

She opened her mouth, her voice a little dry: "I...I didn't mean to. These are just minor flaws. I'll definitely change them in the future. I've been working on this project for so long and put in so much effort. I can't just let it end like this..."

"A minor problem?"

Professor Yan finally spoke, his voice icy cold.

He picked up the documents and quickly flipped through them, his expression growing increasingly grim.

There was no anger in his eyes, only disappointment and coldness.

Xu Jing is a military professional; we originally thought she would join the team.

This project will definitely be a great success!

To everyone's surprise, she kept making this kind of silly mistake.

Professor Yan thought about it for a moment and then understood the reason.

The project team adopted Fu Hua's method: she participated on the surface but sabotaged things behind the scenes.

Malicious intent!

"Making parameters incorrectly is not a minor issue or problem."

Falsely reporting materials and delaying the project schedule are not minor issues. Repeated errors in basic calculations and tampering with the final reported data are all major problems.

"Don't you, a researcher, understand the principle that a small error can lead to a huge difference?"

Professor Yan gently tossed the materials back onto the table with a soft "thud".

"Scientific research cannot tolerate even the slightest flaw like yours!"

Professor Yan stood up and scanned the entire room.

"Layered encryption is a crucial aspect of military registration; it's not a place for you to practice, do things half-heartedly, or try to be clever."

Any one of the problems listed by Comrade Fu Hua would be dealt with seriously in a regular research institution!

He paused, took a deep breath.

The decision was made: "Xu Jing, from this moment forward, you will no longer participate in any work related to the layered encryption project."

Go back immediately and organize all project-related materials, including experimental records, data drafts, and lists of received supplies, and create a detailed list.

Before leaving get off work today, your work will be handed over to Comrade Fu Hua for review. Other colleagues in the group will take over your tasks.

Xu Jing's face turned completely pale; she had considered the consequences of being discovered.

Thinking that given his position, the worst he would get is a few words of criticism,

She never considered leaving the project team.

Layered encryption—such a great project! If only she were involved...

Whether it's a promotion or taking charge of other research projects in the future, it will be an honor.

Xu Jing said urgently, "Professor, I..."

"go out."

Professor Yan interrupted her, his tone leaving no room for argument, "Go and organize the handover now."

Such a person would never stay in any team.

Xu Jing stood frozen in place for a few seconds, under the silent gaze of everyone.

He suddenly stood up, the chair legs scraping against the ground with a screeching sound.

She kept her head down, her shoulders trembling slightly.

He almost stumbled as he rushed out of the conference room.

The door closed behind her.

Professor Yan rubbed his temples and looked at Fu Hua.

His tone softened, but with a weary resolve, he said, "Continue. Use the correct data and finish the report."

Fu Hua nodded, her face devoid of any extra emotion.

Turn around, use the eraser to wipe away the incorrect data on the blackboard, and rewrite the correct numbers.

Her voice rang out again, steady and clear.

The meeting was brought back to the technical summary track.

After the project summary meeting, Fu Hua followed Professor Yan back to his office.

Professor Yan took off his glasses, rubbed the bridge of his nose, and gestured for Fu Hua to sit down.

"You did the right thing in dealing with Xu Jing today; the evidence was solid."

He took a sip of tea, then looked up at Fu Hua.

"However, aren't you afraid that removing her directly from the group might cause you or the project some trouble later on?"

After all, she was sent by the military to participate in a joint project.

Fu Hua sat opposite, her back straight, and thanked the professor for the tea he personally offered.

He held it in his hand and shook his head slightly: "If we handle it according to the rules, we should bear the trouble. But I think Commander Hua should value the project results and discipline more."

Professor Yan's face showed a hint of approval.

He nodded: "That makes sense. Don't worry, I will personally discuss this with Commander Hua."

The logic is on our side. The military emphasizes discipline and results above all else. Comrade Xu's actions are unacceptable from either side.

He paused for a moment, then tapped his fingers lightly on the table.

Looking at Fu Hua, "However, there's something I need to ask you. Did you... know Xu Jing before? Or is there some other grudge between you?"

At first glance, her questions seem like careless evasions, but upon closer inspection, several seem directed at you, the team leader, or at you personally.

Fu Hua's expression shifted slightly, and she remained silent for a moment.

The shadows of the trees outside the window swayed and fell on her serene profile.

"It's not really a holiday."

Her voice was calm. "She and Xie Ci are old acquaintances. The Xie family patriarch once intended to match them up."

Professor Yan said "Oh," as if realizing something, then shook his head.

He sighed, "I see. Young people really don't know what's important."

These personal matters aren't important; what's wrong is that she brings her emotions into the project and engages in these petty actions, which changes the nature of the issue.

If you hadn't been so well-prepared today, with every single incident documented and witnessed, you wouldn't be where you are today.

She could very well muddy the waters and damage the very foundation of the project.

He looked at Fu Hua, his tone turning serious as he reminded her, "Hua Hua, you need to be more careful in the future. Xu Jing is a soldier, that's true, but you can't judge a book by its cover. Don't let professional bias get you down."

In every profession, there are people with ulterior motives. She may not be willing to accept this loss.

The Xu family's connections and resources are far beyond what Fu Hua can currently match.

"I understand, Professor. Thank you for reminding me."

Fu Hua nodded.

"Why are you being so polite? You're my student, so naturally I'm on your side."

The two then talked for about fifteen minutes about the specific tasks involved in the follow-up work of the layered encryption project, such as report writing and archiving of results.

Fu Hua noted down the key points and got up to take her leave.

She opened the door and slowly walked back to her office.

Upon reaching the door, I paused.

Xu Jing was standing by the window in the corridor opposite the office, clearly waiting for her.

She had changed out of her white lab coat and was wearing casual clothes; her eyes were a little red.

His eyes were fixed on Fu Hua, a look of hatred flashing in them.

Fu Hua remained expressionless, walked over, and took out her key to open the door.

"Fu Hua".

Xu Jing called out to her, her voice a little hoarse.

"Aren't you feeling particularly smug right now? You kicked me out of the project team to settle a personal score; that's quite a clever tactic."

Fu Hua stopped and turned to look at her.

His gaze remained calm: "The project team was dealing with a dereliction of duty. Between us, there is only official business, no personal grudges."

"Oh,"

Xu Jing twitched the corners of her mouth, as if she wanted to laugh, but didn't.

"Of course you can say that. Just because you led a project, does that mean you think you're something special?"

"It's nothing special."

Fu Hua said calmly, "It just means I did what I was supposed to do, and completed the work that you didn't do well."

These words stung like a needle.

Xu Jing's face paled for a moment, and her chest heaved a few times.

She took half a step forward, lowering her voice.

With a sense of desperation: "Don't think you've won just like that. How many years have Xie Ci and I known each other? We grew up together. He knows what I like to eat and what I hate."

We have so much to talk about... How long have you known him? Do you think your relationship will last?