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

The place I was going to was not far from the school; it was just two streets away.

He parked the car at the entrance, opened his umbrella, and walked around to pick up Fu Hua.

The two shared an umbrella and quickly ran into the store.

As soon as the door was pushed open, a wave of heat and fragrance wafted out.

There weren't many people in the shop, just a few scattered tables.

But as soon as the two entered the room, several pairs of eyes drifted over to them.

The man was tall and handsome, the woman was aloof and beautiful.

Standing together, they are pleasing to the eye no matter how you look at them.

The waiter came over, and Xie Ci said something to her while Fu Hua stood aside waiting.

"Fu Hua?"

A voice came from the side.

Fu Hua turned her head and saw Lu Tingxiao standing up from the table by the window.

His face showed surprise, but it quickly turned into a gentle smile.

He walked over and stopped in front of her.

"What a coincidence."

He said, his gaze lingering on her for a moment, "Want to eat?"

Fu Hua nodded.

"Professor Lu."

"Are you alone? Do you want to...?"

Xie Ci was talking to the waiter when he caught a glimpse of a man approaching Fu Hua out of the corner of his eye, and his expression changed instantly.

He ended the conversation in a few words, walked back quickly, and stood next to Fu Hua.

Lu Tingxiao looked at him and nodded politely.

Fu Hua began by introducing, "This is Professor Lu Tingxiao, from the Physics Department of Peking University."

She paused, then looked at Xie Ci: "This is..."

"friend."

Fu Hua said.

Xie Ci felt as if he had been punched in the chest.

friend.

He looked at her; her face was expressionless, and she simply introduced herself naturally.

But those two words, no matter how you hear them, don't feel right.

Lu Tingxiao was slightly taken aback, then a barely perceptible glint flashed in his eyes.

He extended his hand, his tone polite and courteous.

"Nice to meet you."

Xie Ci reached out and shook his hand, his gaze sweeping over him.

From glasses to shirts, from cuffs to shoes, not an inch was overlooked.

"It's been a long time since I've seen such a young professor."

His tone was wistful, with a hint of bitterness.

Lu Tingxiao smiled, didn't respond, and glanced at Fu Hua again.

"Since you're with friends, I'll treat you to dinner another day."

He turned and went back to his table.

Xie Ci put his arm around Fu Hua's waist and walked towards the private room.

Lu Tingxiao sat back down. The person opposite him was holding a wine glass and looking at him with amusement.

"know?"

The man sighed, "That girl is really pretty, it's a pity she already has a boyfriend."

"impossible."

Lu Tingxiao frowned and retorted, "She said she's a friend."

The man opposite him smirked and shook his head.

"Beautiful women are all trouble; you'd better watch out."

Lu Tingxiao picked up his teacup, took a sip, and glanced towards the private room.

"What's most interesting about her is her soul."

He said meaningfully, "Her appearance is just icing on the cake for her."

My friend paused for a moment, then laughed.

"Wow, you're really good at this, giving it such a high rating."

He took a sip of his drink, then spoke again.

"I heard from your aunt that you've been avoiding her lately and haven't been coming home."

Lu Tingxiao lowered his head and ate his food, remaining noncommittal.

If it weren't for his elderly mother, who was always worrying about his marriage and future wife...

He wouldn't have applied for a single dormitory room and moved directly to the school.

"You've been back in the country for so long, and I haven't seen a single woman around. No wonder your aunt is worried. She even urged my mom to introduce you to a girl from an editorial department. Did you know about this?"

Lu Tingxiao frowned.

He put down his teacup, his tone becoming indifferent.

"We've finally managed to get together, so let's not say anything that spoils the mood."

He looked at the person opposite him and picked up his wine glass.

"Come on, it's been a long time, let's have a drink."

"Okay, I won't say anymore."

His friend smiled and clinked glasses with him, then changed the subject.

……

Inside the private room, Fu Hua took off her coat and hung it up.

While hanging the dish, he asked Xie Ci, "What made you decide to eat hot pot?"

Xie Ci stood by the window, looking at the rain outside, suppressing the emotions he had just felt.

"Didn't you say that eating hot pot on a rainy day has the best atmosphere?"

Fu Hua paused, then turned to look at him.

He stood by the window, his back to her, while the rain slanted down outside.

The streetlights were already on, their orange glow shimmering in the steam.

She walked over and stood next to him.

Autumn rain always carries a sense of desolation; there aren't many people on the streets.

Occasionally, cyclists carrying umbrellas would hurry by, their wheels splashing water.

The shops across the street were lit up, their neon signs flashing in the rain.

Xie Ci is right; this location faces the street and offers an unobstructed view of the scenery outside.

Fu Hua looked out the window, a slight smile playing on her lips.

He always remembered the things she said casually.

Fu Hua stood by the window, watching the rain outside.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed that Xie Ci's expression wasn't very good.

His lips were pursed, his eyes were lowered, and even though he was standing right next to her, it felt like there was something between them.

She turned her head and tilted it to look at him.

Are you angry?

Xie Ci paused for a moment, then twitched the corner of his mouth.

"no."

Fu Hua looked at him without saying a word.

Xie Ci felt a little uncomfortable under her gaze, and added, "Really, no."

Fu Hua smiled, took a step forward, and looked up at him.

"You think I didn't tell Professor Lu the truth? Are you his girlfriend?"

He opened his mouth to say thank you, wanting to deny it, but then swallowed it back.

He lowered his eyes and his voice became soft.

"You won't give your reasons, but I won't do anything that would negatively impact you."

Fu Hua looked at him.

The rain was still falling outside the window, and the light from the streetlights shone through, falling on his face and softening his features.

He stood there, not looking at her, but speaking every word earnestly.

Her heart softened.

She reached out and grabbed his hand, pulling him to sit down at the table.

"I'm not saying anything because I don't want you to be talked about by others."

Xie Ci looked up at her.

Fu Hua paused for a moment, carefully considering her words before speaking.

They didn't report their relationship to the military.

It was something she didn't want to do.

It's not that I don't want to be with him, it's that I'm not ready yet, not ready to get married.

It's also possible that they'll never get married in their entire lives.

In short, their relationship is not suitable to be made public.

If this gets out, it won't be good for either of them.

Lu Tingxiao isn't a talkative person, but he avoids talking if he can.

Every time Xie Ci went to pick her up from school, he would choose a secluded spot to wait.

Isn't it just because she's afraid of being criticized?

After listening to Xie Ci, he remained silent for a few seconds.

He looked at her, something churning in his eyes, but in the end it all boiled down to one sentence.

"I don't care about these things."

Fu Hua gripped his hand tightly.

"I care."

Before Xie Ci could say anything more, the door opened.

The waiter brought in a copper pot, steaming hot, and placed it on the table.

Fu Hua released her grip and sat up straight.

"Alright, let's eat first."

Xie Ci looked at her but didn't say anything more.

The copper pot was bubbling and steaming. When the slices of mutton were added, they changed color and floated to the surface.

Fu Hua picked up a piece of food with her chopsticks, dipped it in the sesame sauce, and put it in her mouth.

Xie Ci put the cooked mutton into her bowl, then scooped up some vermicelli, added cabbage, and piled it up high.

"Enough, enough!"

Fu Hua stopped him, "Eat by yourself, don't just keep putting food on my plate."

Xie Ci nodded and started eating as well.

The rain pattered outside the window, while the room was filled with warmth.

Occasionally, someone would push the door open and bring in a cool breeze, which would then be melted away by the warmth inside.

The two ate hotpot and chatted casually.