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

A single lamp cast a dim light, and the elderly couple nestled together.

In these impoverished and difficult days, all that remained was a pitiful warmth between them.

.........

Fu Hua was somewhat troubled by the investment.

However, I still come to Huaning Textile once a month to check on their business.

As soon as I pushed open the door, a wave of heat hit me.

A stove was burning inside the shop, and a tin chimney extended out of the window.

A kettle sat on the stove, bubbling and steaming.

Several customers were picking out clothes. Cai Xiaoyan was standing behind the counter, holding a notebook, talking to a middle-aged woman.

Upon seeing Fu Hua, her eyes lit up. She said something to the woman and quickly walked over.

"Huahua! You're here. Is it cold outside? Come sit in front of the stove and warm up."

She was wearing the store's uniform navy blue smock, her hair was neatly combed, and her complexion was much better than it had been a few months ago.

His face had become fuller, his eyes were bright, and his voice was strong and resonant.

Fu Hua glanced at her and nodded.

You look good.

Cai Xiaoyan smiled sheepishly and pulled her behind the counter.

"Please sit down, I'll get you some water."

Fu Hua sat down on the chair behind the counter and looked at the few customers in the store.

Two young women were gesturing in front of a coat.

A middle-aged woman is trying on a coat, and an old lady is picking out a sweater for her granddaughter.

Cai Xiaoyan brought over the enamel mug and placed it beside her.

"Is this a new arrival?"

Fu Hua asked.

Cai Xiaoyan nodded and sat down next to her.

"Last month we received a batch of wool sweaters made in Shanghai, and they sold exceptionally well. This month we ordered another twenty."

She brought over the ledger. "Look," she said, "this month's turnover is 30% higher than last month's."

Fu Hua flipped through the ledger, looking at each entry one by one.

I remember everything clearly: incoming goods, outgoing goods, inventory, and cash flow.

The numbers are much better than last month, and profits have also increased.

"good."

She closed the ledger. "You did a good job."

Cai Xiaoyan blushed and lowered her head.

"It's because you taught me well."

Fu Hua looked at her, and the corners of her mouth curved into a smile.

"Aunt Zhang, how are you feeling?"

Cai Xiaoyan raised her head, a smile on her face.

"I'm doing great! Since I was discharged from the hospital last time, I've been taking my medication on time, and my blood pressure is very well controlled."

She paused for a moment, then continued, "My mom can't stay idle. Didn't you suggest she set up a stall to sell snacks? She's out every day now, selling tea eggs and roasted sweet potatoes, and business is booming."

How much can you earn in a day?

"It's ten or so yuan when things are good, and five or six yuan when things are bad."

Cai Xiaoyan's eyes lit up. "It's better than going to work, and it's not tiring at all. She only sets up her stall for half a day and then goes home to rest in the afternoon."

Fu Hua nodded.

"No one's giving you trouble, is there?"

Cai Xiaoyan paused for a moment, and the smile on her face faded.

"The vendors nearby all had their things confiscated by the urban management officers. One of them even had his stall overturned."

She looked at Fu Hua, "But my mom is fine. Those people just walked past her stall without even glancing at her."

She paused, then lowered her voice.

"I know, it must have been you who put in a good word for me."

Fu Hua didn't say anything.

She did indeed have Xie Ci and relevant departments make arrangements beforehand.

Cai Xiaoyan looked at her, her eyes a little red.

"Huahua, really, I'm so grateful to you. If it weren't for you, my mom and I would be somewhere right now. We might already be..."

"Alright."

Fu Hua interrupted her, her voice soft, "Don't get sentimental."

Cai Xiaoyan was stunned for a moment.

Fu Hua looked at her, and the corners of her mouth curved into a smile.

"I act entirely according to my conscience, simply for the sake of peace of mind."

She said, "I'm happy as long as you're doing well."

Cai Xiaoyan looked at her, her lips moved as if she wanted to say something, but then she swallowed it back.

She stood up, walked behind the counter, opened the drawer, and took out a cloth bag.

She walked back and placed the cloth bag in front of Fu Hua.

Fu Hua glanced down and saw it was an old cloth bag, washed until it was faded and the edges were frayed.

Cai Xiaoyan opened the cloth bag, inside was a stack of banknotes, neatly arranged, and a bankbook.

"Here is 10,000 yuan, all of my and my mother's savings."

Fu Hua was stunned.

Cai Xiaoyan pushed the money and bankbook in front of her.

"Take it and use it."

Fu Hua looked at her, her expression changing slightly.

"What are you doing?"

She pushed the money back, saying, "Put it away quickly."

Cai Xiaoyan held her hand down, her strength leaving no room for refusal.

"My mom and I have discussed it."

She said firmly, "Take this 10,000 yuan. I heard from Wenwen that you've been busy with scientific research and attracting investment lately. I don't understand scientific research, but I do know about investment, which requires money."

"I know this is definitely not enough, but it's all the love and care my mother and I have for you. You must accept it."

Fu Hua pushed it back forcefully.

"No! Absolutely not!"

Her voice rose slightly, "This is your and your mother's hard-earned money! You've worked so hard in Beijing, I can't take it!"

Cai Xiaoyan looked at her, her eyes reddening.

"You have been kind to me."

Her voice trembled, "Back then, my mother and I were desperate, and you pulled us out of the woods. You saved my mother. Without you, I wouldn't be where I am today."

Fu Hua's tone softened.

"I've helped you, and I've already received the reward I wanted. I can't do anything more..."

"But I'll remember it for the rest of my life!"

Cai Xiaoyan interrupted her and held her hand firmly.

"You're doing scientific research, which is a meaningful and important thing, something that can save more lives."

"I'm uneducated and can't help with anything else. This little bit of money is all I have to offer."

Cai Xiaoyan's eyes welled up with tears.

"If you don't accept it, it means you look down on me and don't consider me one of your own."

Fu Hua looked at her and opened her mouth.

"You still need to live, you need to keep this for self-defense..."

"I have hands and feet, I won't starve."

Cai Xiaoyan smiled, then tears fell.

"Besides, the store is doing so well, Brother Zhang even said that he would raise everyone's wages after the New Year."

She shoved the bankbook into Fu Hua's hand, speaking each word clearly.

"Money is gone, I can earn it back. But someone like you shouldn't suffer."

Fu Hua looked down at the passbook in her hand.

The passbook was old, with the corners rolled up, but the number inside was clearly 10,300.

The money was deposited one by one, the largest single deposit being five hundred, and the smallest being only twenty.

That was money that the mother and daughter had saved up little by little.

She looked up at Cai Xiaoyan.

Cai Xiaoyan stood there, tears still on her face, but she was smiling at her.

Fu Hua held the bankbook, still warm from her body, speechless for a long time.

My eyes started to well up with tears.

After a long while, Fu Hua finally spoke.

"Sister Xiaoyan,"

Her voice was a little hoarse. "Sit down."

Cai Xiaoyan sat down next to her.

Fu Hua placed the passbook on the table and opened it to the first page.

"Let me tell you what my research is about."

Cai Xiaoyan nodded and listened attentively.

"What I made is an artificial heart valve for children."

Fu Hua said, "Some children are born with heart problems, such as damaged valves, and they cannot survive without a replacement."

However, the valves in adults are too large to fit.

Small ones can't be made domestically right now, and imported ones are too expensive; ordinary families simply can't afford them.

Cai Xiaoyan listened intently.

"If my project succeeds..."

Fu Hua continued, "That way, we can produce our own valves that are suitable for children. They're inexpensive and can save many children."

Cai Xiaoyan nodded.

"This is a big deal, it's a matter of life and death."

Fu Hua looked at her.

"But scientific research is risky."

She said, "It might succeed, or it might fail. If you invest this money and it fails, you won't get a single penny back."

Although she knew she wouldn't fail

But the risks need to be clearly explained.