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

Gu Weimin nodded quickly and repeatedly urged, "You must take care of your health and not overwork yourself. We'll take care of the work, so don't worry."

Fu Hua nodded slightly, thanked them, and watched Gu Cheng and his son leave.

As soon as she opened her office door, she saw a crowd gathered at the entrance.

They chatted back and forth, full of concern, urging her to take care of her health and not to overwork herself.

"Fu Hua, if you're tired, take a rest. We're here in the lab."

"Yes, Huahua, you must eat on time. Health is the foundation of everything, and there are still many days ahead of you."

Looking at the group of people who genuinely cared about her, Fu Hua felt a warmth rise in her heart.

A faint smile appeared on her face as she softly thanked everyone, "Thank you all, I will. You've all worked hard too."

Just then, a familiar voice came from outside the laboratory door.

Professor Yan walked in carrying a large bag of food, followed by an assistant who helped carry the items.

As soon as Professor Yan entered, he saw Fu Hua.

He put down what he was holding and said to everyone, "You've all been busy all morning, let's eat first. I had my teacher's wife cook at home and brought a portion for everyone. Come and get it."

Everyone stepped forward to express their gratitude, took their food, and tactfully dispersed.

Give Professor Yan and Fu Hua some space to talk alone.

The lab quieted down, and Professor Yan pulled Fu Hua to the rest area.

He pushed a warm meal in front of her: "Eat first. No matter what happens, you can't go hungry."

Fu Hua looked at the food in front of her and shook her head.

In a sorrowful tone: "Teacher, I'm not hungry yet, I don't want to eat."

Professor Yan looked at the weariness and dejection in her eyes, and his heart ached with heartache.

He sighed, his tone heavy: "I just came from the military hospital. I've spoken with Xie Ci's parents about his condition; he's seriously injured, I know all about it."

Fu Hua's expression shifted slightly, her heart clenching tightly.

"Huahua, you have to hold on. Xie Ci's recovery will be a long process, not something that can be done overnight."

If you ruin your health, who will take care of him? When he wakes up in the future and sees you like this, will he feel good about it?

Fu Hua lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes concealing the emotions within them.

Her voice was soft: "I know, teacher, I know everything."

But she just couldn't do it.

Looking at Xie Ci, who lay unconscious on the hospital bed with both legs amputated,

She really couldn't eat or sleep, and had no motivation to do anything.

All her thoughts were focused on him, and she couldn't care less about herself.

Professor Yan could tell from her forced composure that she hadn't taken his words to heart at all.

This child has always been thoughtful and burdened with everything on his own, rarely showing his emotions.

He shook his head helplessly, took out a delicate insulated lunchbox from the bag, and gently opened it.

He softened his tone: "This is sweet rice wine with longan and glutinous rice balls specially made by your teacher's wife. It's your favorite. Eat some while it's hot, so your teacher's wife won't worry, and so that we won't worry either."

The moment the lunchbox was opened, a warm, fragrant aroma wafted out.

The sweet aroma of fermented rice wine mixed with the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms wafted through the air.

What a familiar taste.

Plump, round glutinous rice balls, with golden osmanthus blossoms floating in the soup.

Such familiar food,

Fu Hua froze on the spot, her eyes suddenly welling up with tears.

In the past, Xie Ci would always come to pick her up from school.

He would always take out sweet rice balls with osmanthus wine from his car, smile, and hand them to her, watching her eat them bite by bite.

He always thought about her and unconditionally favored her.

No matter how busy he is, he will always pick her up, bring her all sorts of delicious food, and take meticulous care of her.

That tall, handsome man, whose heart and eyes were only for her...

At this moment, he lies unconscious in his hospital bed, permanently disabled.

Tender memories of the past intertwine with the harsh reality before them.

It struck the softest spot in her heart.

She slowly picked up the spoon, scooped up a glutinous rice ball, and gently put it in her mouth.

The moment the warm glutinous rice balls touched my lips, tears welled up uncontrollably.

Like beads from a broken string, large drops fell and landed in the lunchbox in front of them.

Mixed with sweet and glutinous fermented rice balls, and eaten...

The sweet glutinous rice balls turned bitter and were difficult to swallow.

The bitterness spreads from the tip of the tongue to the depths of the heart.

It was very bitter, really bitter.

She never knew she could shed so many tears.

She knew she couldn't wallow in sadness like this, couldn't let her emotions control her.

She still has work to do and thank-you speeches to attend to, so she must be strong.

But at this moment, she couldn't control her emotions.

The sadness in her heart surged like a tide, completely overwhelming her.

She was really in so much pain.

Professor Yan's eyes dimmed slightly, her nose tingled, and her heart was filled with regret and sorrow.

He has watched the two children grow up.

Xie Ci is a good man; he is incredibly accommodating to Hua.

But now, if Fu Hua really insists on choosing him,

They will be burdened for the rest of their lives.

What will she choose?

……

Professor Yan left the lab carrying an empty lunchbox.

Fu Hua stood there, calming her turbulent emotions, and wiped the tears from her face.

To pull oneself out of endless sorrow.

She walked to her desk, picked up the landline, and dialed Lu Tingxiao's number.

My fingertips trembled slightly; my heart was burdened with too many things.

Whether it's the hassle of repeated checks in the lab or the illness that warrants apologies in the hospital,

Each task left her overwhelmed, yet she had no choice but to persevere.

The call was quickly connected, and Lu Tingxiao's deep voice came through the receiver, as steady as ever.

"Fu Hua?"

Lu Tingxiao was somewhat surprised to hear her voice: "What's wrong?"

Fu Hua took a deep breath, suppressing her emotions.

He briefly recounted how relevant departments had repeatedly come to investigate and interfere with the research and development progress, his tone tinged with fatigue.

After listening, Lu Tingxiao did not hesitate at all.

With a confident tone: "Don't worry about this. All your research certificates, project procedures, and filing materials were handled by my personal supervision. Every single one is complete and legitimate, clean from beginning to end, without any problems. They can withstand repeated and thorough investigations by any department."

"They are maliciously targeting you, deliberately using the inspection as an excuse to find fault and make things difficult for the team. I will contact someone and report this to higher authorities."

You can rest assured; I will take care of all the remaining troubles and trivial matters. You don't need to worry about anything.

Hearing Lu Tingxiao's resolute words,

Fu Hua's tense nerves relaxed slightly, and her eyes welled up with tears.

She said softly, "Thank you, senior brother. I'm always troubling you."

"There's no need for such formalities between us."

Lu Tingxiao's tone softened, and he remained silent for a few seconds.

As if carefully choosing his words, he paused for a moment before speaking, "And..."

Fu Hua noticed the hesitation in his tone.

She held the phone to her ear again, her voice soft: "Senior, please speak, I'm listening."