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

Li Yan paused, the key slipping half an inch from his fingertips.

He turned around abruptly, and a warm feeling of spring instantly spread across his eyes.

It's Tan Rongrong.

She was wearing a light pink wool dress and had her hair in a high ponytail.

A white bow hair clip adorned the end of her hair, and she carried a delicate little snack box in her hand.

She stood under the old locust tree by the door, looking at him with smiling eyes.

The voice is so familiar.

Tan Rongrong is Li Yan's younger sister. They grew up together in the orphanage and went to university together.

Besides Professor Gu, the person Li Yan cares about most in his life is this younger sister.

They're not related by blood, but they're closer than blood relatives.

He had previously received scholarships in college, all of which were given to Tan Rongrong.

After all, girls are different; you can't settle for the same kind of thing as him.

She went to university in a neighboring city, saying she was busy with her graduation thesis, and the two hadn't spoken on the phone for a long time.

Unexpectedly, Rongrong suddenly appeared here today.

"Rongrong?"

Li Yan strode over, his voice filled with undisguised joy, even his brows relaxed.

"Why are you here? When did you arrive? You didn't even tell me beforehand, so I could have come to pick you up."

He looked her up and down, noticing that she looked much better than last year, and her clothes were much more refined. The joy in his eyes deepened.

"Have you finished your thesis? Have you been eating properly? You look a little thinner."

A series of expressions of concern, all stemming from an unconcealable longing.

Li Yan was originally a man of few words and somewhat aloofness towards everyone.

He always treated Tan Rongrong with the same patience and warmth.

Tan Rongrong blushed slightly under his gaze, gently took his arm, and leaned her head against him.

In a soft tone: "I just arrived yesterday, and I was thinking of giving you a surprise."

I missed you, so I got up early to make you some pumpkin porridge, which you like. I wrapped it in several insulated bags so it wouldn't get cold.

As she spoke, she handed the food box in her hand to Li Yan.

Her eyes gleamed with a fawning light: "Brother Yan, please try it. I've been learning how to make it for a long time."

Looking at the food box, Li Yan's heart melted.

He was an orphan and had never experienced family affection since childhood.

At the orphanage, he was bullied by the other children.

Every time, Rongrong would stand up for him, protecting him like a mother hen.

She would always save some of the best food for him.

Rongrong gave him the feeling of home.

This bowl of pumpkin porridge was what he craved most when he was a child.

Food was scarce at the orphanage back then; they could only get a bite to eat during holidays and festivals.

Surprisingly, she still remembered.

He took the food box, his fingertips touching the warm bag.

His eyes welled up slightly: "Silly girl, did you make this especially for me?"

"Of course!"

Tan Rongrong nodded vigorously, her eyes sparkling, her gaze full of sincerity as she looked at him.

"Brother Yan is my closest relative. If I don't make it for you, who else will I make it for?"

Tan Rongrong's gaze fell on the small courtyard behind Li Yan.

This is Beijing, where land is incredibly valuable. A small courtyard like this in Shichahai must cost tens of thousands of yuan, right?

Can Brother Yan really earn that much money?

"Brother Yan, is this your home? How long have you owned this little courtyard? The environment is so nice. Is it far from your workplace?"

As she spoke, she looked curiously into the courtyard.

His gaze swept over the green plants by the door, then settled on Li Yan.

A complex light flashed quickly in his eyes, so fast it was impossible to catch.

Unaware of what was happening, Li Yan smiled, opened the door, and invited the person in.

The two sat at the dining table, and Li Yan reached out to tidy her hair, which had been ruffled by the wind.

In a gentle tone, she said, "I didn't buy it; a friend is letting me stay here. In the future, when you come to Beijing, don't stay in hotels; it's not safe. Just stay here, and I'll cook you something delicious."

"Really?"

Tan Rongrong's eyes lit up, then she lowered her head again, her voice lowering, carrying a hint of barely perceptible disappointment.

"It's a pity my university is far away, otherwise I could come to see you every day."

"By the way, Brother Yan, I saw you on TV working on a project with Comrade Fu. You were really impressive. Our school is even inviting her to give a speech."

When Fu Hua was mentioned, Li Yan's eyes softened even more.

She nodded slightly: "Yes, Comrade Fu is a very good person. I can learn a lot from her."

When he spoke of Fu Hua, his tone was full of admiration and gratitude.

In his heart, Fu Hua was not only his boss, but also someone who gave him a sense of belonging.

He was the one who gave him a purpose in life.

As Tan Rongrong listened, her fingers unconsciously twisted the hem of her dress.

The smile on his face faded, and a barely perceptible hint of jealousy flashed in his eyes.

She already knew that Li Yan was with Fu Hua, and she was also aware of Fu Hua's reputation in the industry.

I never expected that Li Yan would speak so highly of her.

Why are there always so many lucky people?

She suppressed her discomfort and moved closer again.

She tugged at Li Yan's arm and said sweetly, "Brother Yan is so amazing! I knew you were the best!"

Are you very busy right now? Going to work? Can I walk with you for a bit, and maybe we can check out your workplace?

Li Yan glanced at his watch; he still had half an hour before work. He nodded in agreement.

"Okay, let's take a walk together. I don't have anything planned for today, so I can ask for a day off and hang out with you."

"Brother Yan,"

Tan Rongrong gently tugged at his sleeve, and the cool breeze lifted a corner of her skirt, revealing her slender ankles.

"I've never been to your workplace before in all my life."

Could you... take me to see it? Just for a quick look, I promise I won't disturb your work.

Li Yan looked down at her, the warmth in his eyes like a cotton quilt warmed by the morning sun, so soft and tender.

He reached out and gently tidied her hair, which had been ruffled by the wind.

Her voice was soft and gentle: "Silly girl, my job is boring and tedious. I've come all this way, why are you looking at my workplace?"

I have nothing else to do today. I'll ask Comrade Fu for a day off and spend some quality time with you.

Tan Rongrong's eyes immediately lit up, as if they were filled with glittering starlight.

But she quickly waved her hand, saying sensibly, "No need, Brother Yan, your work is important! How could I delay your work? Comrade Fu is so good to you, I have to be considerate."

She said that, but she had her own plans in mind.

Going directly to the workplace today felt a bit too abrupt.

Anyway, I'll be in Beijing from now on, so there will be plenty of opportunities.

Li Yan shook his head and patted the top of her head.

His tone was confident: "It's okay, it won't cause any delays. I finished all the recent work yesterday by working overtime."

I'll just let Comrade Fu know. You've come all this way, how could I not keep you company?

"Alright then, I'll listen to my brother."

Tan Rongrong looks extremely well-behaved.

Li Yan washed the dishes and chopsticks, went back inside, found Fu Hua's number, and dialed it.

The call connected quickly, and his voice was as gentle as ever: "Fu Hua, this is Li Yan. I'd like to ask for the day off?"

Fu Hua's cheerful reply came from the other end.

"Yes, Rongrong is in Beijing. I'll spend the day with her and make sure I'm on time tomorrow."