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

"This is Wang Jun, from our company, nicknamed Fatty."

He's an excellent cook; it's a shame he didn't become a cook.

The fat man was the same fat guy from earlier, grinning at Fu Hua.

"Sister-in-law, if you have the chance, I'll let you try my cooking."

Fu Hua smiled gently and said generously, "Okay, when Xie Ci and I come to your place, we'll definitely enjoy it."

Xie Ci led Fu Hua to continue the introduction: "This is Tao Li. He was recently transferred to civilian work in a county in Beijing, not far from our unit."

A tall, thin man nodded, smiled, and said, "Hello, sister-in-law."

"I hope we can get together more often when we have time. Your wife won't mind, will she?"

"Of course not, you're welcome to come to my home."

Fu Hua nodded slightly, her attitude just right.

Xie Ci walked up to a young couple and stopped.

The man sat there; his features looked very honest and simple.

He stood up, shook hands with Xie Ci, and gave him a firm shake.

The woman was wearing a floral dress; she had fair skin and delicate features.

His posture was upright and proper, unlike that of other family members.

He seems more like someone who came from an arts and culture military background.

Her gaze fell on Fu Hua, a smile playing on her lips, but the smile was somewhat faint.

"This is Chen Shi."

Xie Ci said, "My best brother was with me when I was serving in the Southern District."

Chen Shi held Xie Ci's hand tightly, his eyes crinkling with laughter.

"We've been waiting for you!"

He looked at Fu Hua, extended his hand, and said, "Hello, sister-in-law, my name is Chen Shi."

Fu Hua shook hands with him.

Chen Shi's wife, who was sitting next to him, slowly stood up and reached out her hand.

"Sun Jing, I heard you're still in school?"

Fu Hua nodded and gently shook hands.

The hand was cool, gripped very lightly, and quickly withdrew.

Sun Jing smiled and spoke in a kind tone.

His words, however, carried a barb: "College graduates are highly valued these days. If you only have a diploma but don't have a good job, you won't have a good life in the future."

Fu Hua hadn't spoken yet.

"This is between the two of us, so there's no need for you to worry about it, sister-in-law."

Xie Ci lightly rested his fingertips on the rim of the teacup, his gaze calm yet impatient as he looked up.

My girlfriend is a researcher; she has a job.

Besides, even if she doesn't work, a man's job is to earn money and support the family. Haven't I been unable to support my own woman?

He shut her down with a single, cold sentence, his voice as hard as ice.

All the laughter and conversation at the table was immediately cut short.

The air suddenly became still.

The comrades who were just buzzing around immediately fell silent.

Their eyes darted furtively in their direction, but no one dared to utter a sound.

Sun Jing was surprised that this thank-you speech was so disrespectful.

The smile on her face froze at the corners of her mouth, and the sharp look in her eyes just moments before vanished.

Chen Shi pursed his lips into a hard line and glanced at Sun Jing.

With three parts impatience and seven parts embarrassment.

Xie Ci didn't stop talking, asking Chen Shi, "Why didn't you bring the children?"

Chen Shi regained his composure and scratched his head: "He's only three years old, he can't eat much. He's staying with relatives, so someone is helping to look after him."

Xie Ci nodded and then asked, "Is the child feeling any better?"

Chen Shi's smile faded slightly.

"This time, we're staying a little longer because we want to take the kids to see Beijing properly."

Xie Ci patted him on the shoulder.

"The capital has the best medical resources, so you'll definitely get better. If there's anything I can do to help you, just let me know."

Chen Shi opened his mouth and just said "no" when Sun Jing suddenly spoke up.

"The doctor at the military hospital said it would be best to take the child to Anzhen Hospital."

As she spoke, she glanced at Fu Hua before looking away.

"That's the best place to get heart treatment, but we don't have the connections, you know..."

Xie Ci nodded without any hesitation.

"Understood, I will help contact them as soon as possible. If there's any news, I'll come to you."

Sun Jing's eyes suddenly reddened, her lips moved, and it took her a long time to speak.

"Thank you... thank you."

This statement reflects a very sincere attitude.

Chen Shi stood to the side, his expression somewhat complicated.

He glanced at Sun Jing, his lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but then he swallowed it back.

But when he heard Xie Ci agree, the tension on his face slowly relaxed, and he patted Xie Ci's arm.

"This is troublesome, bro."

Xie Ci shook his head and said nothing more.

Fu Hua stood to the side and witnessed the whole scene.

Sun Jing's gaze towards Xie Ci seemed a little different.

He also harbored a faint sense of hostility towards her.

They met for the first time today.

Fu Hua's intuition was always accurate, and she quickly looked away.

Whatever happened, it's all in the past.

She already has children, and she's not the type to dwell on the past.

Xie Ci pulled her to a seat, and the fat Wang Jun had already started pouring wine.

The waiters filed in carrying plates, and in no time the table was full of dishes.

Steamed sea bass, boiled shrimp, roast goose, char siu, steamed scallops with garlic and vermicelli...

Steaming hot, the aroma wafts straight into your nose.

Fatty Wang Jun busied himself pouring drinks for everyone.

While leaning over the table, they kept shouting, "Since Xie Ci is treating us today, we have to give him a good drink!"

"The hospitality of a host must be fulfilled."

Everyone laughed and raised their glasses, clinking them together once.

Fu Hua took a sip of tea.

Xie Ci picked up a piece of roast goose for her.

He whispered, "Try this. I heard it's their signature dish."

As the drinks flowed and the atmosphere gradually warmed up.

Wang Jun's cheeks flushed slightly as he stood up, holding his wine glass, and began to comment on the cuisines from various regions.

"If you ask me, Cantonese cuisine is too bland, Shandong cuisine is too salty, Sichuan cuisine is too spicy, and Huaiyang cuisine is too sweet..."

He shook his head, "Shanxi cuisine is still the best—salty, savory, and delicious!"

Someone nearby chimed in, "Fatty, you're just bragging!"

Wang Jun ignored him and turned to Fu Hua: "Sister-in-law, have you ever tried Shanxi cuisine?"

"I've eaten it."

"So, what do you like to eat?"

Fu Hua thought for a moment: "Stir-fried pork."

Wang Jun's eyes lit up instantly, and he seemed to be set ablaze.

"Braised pork belly! You've ever had braised pork belly? That's a signature dish of Shanxi cuisine!"

"Choose pork tenderloin, slice it thinly, coat it with egg white and starch, and then stir-fry it in oil until it's as tender as tofu!"

Paired with garlic sprouts and wood ear mushrooms, and a touch of vinegar, the taste is just...

He talked on and on, from selecting the meat to knife skills.

He talked about everything from cooking time and seasoning, his spittle flying as he spoke.

Several people nearby tried to chime in, but couldn't get a word in edgewise.

Tao Lichong winked at him and whispered, "It's over, Fatty isn't going to stop tonight."

Xie Ci smiled and shook his head, then placed another piece of food on Fu Hua's plate.

Fu Hua lowered her head to eat, but out of the corner of her eye, she secretly glanced at the person diagonally opposite her.

Sun Jing sat there quietly, picking up the vegetables in front of her with her chopsticks, her movements slow and deliberate.

Looking at the other military dependents, they seemed completely unrestrained.

As soon as the dishes were served, someone immediately reached for their chopsticks and poked directly at the center of the plate.

They would specifically pick out pieces with lots of meat, grabbing a large chunk with their chopsticks and shoveling it into their own bowl.

When eating ribs, they grab them directly with their hands, gnawing on them until their mouths are covered in grease, and then wiping their fingers on the table leg afterward.

He speaks loudly; you can hear him even across half a table.

"Wow, this capital is so different! The food is delicious, even better than what we had for Chinese New Year back home!"

"What kind of meat is this? It smells so good!"

"Hey girls, why aren't you eating? Don't be shy! Eat as much as you want!"

While eating, she smacked her lips and also fed a few of the younger children.

The little ones' eyes lit up, and they didn't even bother to wipe the soup from their mouths.

Left hand holds meat, right hand holds snacks, little mouth stuffed full.

Sun Jing glanced around, her eyes filled with helplessness and disdain.