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

Fu Hua looked at his reddened eyes, and her heart ached.

She reached out, wanting to grasp his hand that was outside the blanket.

Just as her fingertips were about to touch his skin, Xie Ci abruptly pulled his hand back, tilting his arm to the side to avoid her touch.

His brows were furrowed, his eyes were resistant, his profile was cold and hard, and there was not a trace of a smile on his lips.

Fu Hua's hand froze in mid-air. Without saying anything, she turned around, picked up the thermos on the table, poured a glass of warm water, and held it to his lips.

She said softly, "Drink some water. You've only been awake for a short time, and your throat is still dry."

Xie Ci turned his head to the other side, his lips tightly closed.

His tone was icy: "Leave it there, I'm not thirsty."

He had never rejected her before.

Xie Ci would only obediently take his medicine and drink water if Fu Hua was around.

Fu Hua had already guessed the reason for today's unusual behavior.

The hand gripping the water glass tightened slightly; a few seconds of silence followed.

She slowly withdrew her hand, managing a faint smile.

"Thank you, I don't mind, really, please don't do this, okay?"

Xie Ci remained silent for a long time, his chest rising and falling slightly.

It was as if he used all his strength to slowly turn his head and look directly into Fu Hua's eyes.

A deep pain welled up in his eyes, and his brows were tightly furrowed.

His eyes were red and swollen, and every expression spoke of excruciating pain.

His lips moved several times, but he swallowed the words back.

He couldn't bring himself to say anything cruel to her.

The scalding tears all flowed back into his heart, burning his eyes and making his breath feel dry and painful.

After a long silence, he finally spoke, his voice hoarse, uttering each word slowly and deliberately.

Her voice trembled uncontrollably: "Huahua, my life... is over. You're so wonderful, you deserve someone better. Go away, don't worry about me anymore."

He closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, they were filled with resolute determination.

He only ever had her in his heart, and that's why he couldn't let her down or ruin Fu Hua's life.

Fu Hua stood by the bed, her face pale, her lips trembling slightly, and her eyes brimming with tears.

She tilted her head slightly, stubbornly refusing to let it fall, her eyes fixed firmly on him, without the slightest hesitation.

She looked into his eyes, her tone steady and utterly earnest.

"I love you for who you are, not for your legs, your military status, or the glory you have."

"You are a hero who protects our country. Don't give up on yourself like this, don't deny yourself like this, okay?"

"Taking care of you is not a sacrifice, it's something I do willingly, and I don't feel bitter at all."

"I thank God every day that you are alive."

"You never need to feel like you're a burden to me. I've made up my mind about you for life, and no matter what you become, I will never leave you."

These are the most beautiful words of love Xie Ci has ever heard.

His body was stiff, his eyes were completely red, and tears kept welling up in them.

His fingers gripped the bedsheet tightly, his heart churning with turmoil.

It's a hundred times more painful than training under the scorching sun.

The more determined Fu Hua became, the more he felt unworthy of her.

Even with a heart full of reluctance and love,

He stubbornly turned his face away, his voice defiant: "I've already decided, we have to break up. Do I have to be so blunt?"

Fu Hua felt a pang of pain in her heart as she looked at his resolute expression.

She took a deep breath, her gaze intense: "Is it true that no matter what I say, you're determined to break up?"

Xie Ci answered without hesitation, his voice dry but firm: "Yes."

A hint of heartache flashed in Fu Hua's eyes, and her tone softened.

"In my acceptance speech, what I want is unconditional favoritism, a steadfast choice no matter what happens."

If I were lying in bed like this today, would you leave me?

Xie Ci's lips moved slightly, the words "Of course not" almost escaping his lips, but he firmly blocked them in his throat.

He looked into Fu Hua's eyes, unable to utter a single word, only the pain in his eyes growing ever stronger.

Looking at his reaction, Fu Hua already knew the answer in her heart.

She took a small step forward, her tone gentle yet firm: "So, I won't either. Be good, stop thinking about these things, and drink some water first, okay?"

As she spoke, she picked up the water glass again, scooped up a spoonful of water, and brought it to his lips.

Xie Ci looked at her reddened eyes, at the genuine affection in them, and could no longer bear to look away.

He just stared at her blankly, his eyes red and swollen, and finally, tears streamed down his face, soaking his pillow.

Just then, the ward door was gently pushed open.

Zhou Yun walked in carrying a thermos, a gentle smile on her face, but her eyes were red.

As soon as she entered, she said in a lively voice, "Huahua, haven't you eaten yet? Today is Laba Festival, so I made porridge, stewed braised pork which you both love, and stir-fried a few light side dishes. You two should eat some while it's hot."

Fu Hua quickly wiped the moisture from the corners of her eyes, turned around, and took the thermos from Zhou Yun's hand.

She thanked him softly, saying, "Auntie, I've already eaten. I'll feed you. You can rest for a while."

"Have you eaten? You should rest. You take care of Aci every day, which is more tiring than our work. Auntie will feed him."

Zhou Yun smiled and waved his hand, walked to the bedside, and looked at Xie Ci.

Her voice was full of concern, "Son, how are you feeling today? Is anything bothering you? Mom made your favorite braised pork, eat plenty later."

Xie Ci looked at his mother, his expression softening slightly. He didn't speak, but simply nodded gently.

The resolute look in his eyes ultimately revealed a subtle hint of wavering.

Fu Hua carefully divided the food, selecting tender and flavorful pieces of meat.

After blowing on it to cool it down, I held it to Xie Ci's lips, saying, "It smells delicious."

Xie Ci gently turned his head away, deliberately avoiding her movements, his expression indifferent.

Upon seeing this situation, Zhou Yun instantly understood his son's thoughts.

She quickly smiled and smoothed things over, saying, "It's alright, it's alright, Huahua, you rest. Let me feed you. You should rest for a while."

Fu Hua lowered her eyelashes slightly, hesitated for a moment, and handed the lunchbox to Zhou Yun.

Throughout the meal, Xie Ci quietly cooperated with his mother.

From beginning to end, he didn't give Fu Hua a single glance, nor did he exchange a single word with her.

The two people were so close, yet it felt like they were worlds apart.

Fu Hua sat quietly to the side, feeling a bitter taste in her mouth.

She didn't like this feeling at all.

Distancing, coldness, and indifference made all her affection and companionship seem superfluous and cheap.

After finishing her meal, Fu Hua immediately stood up and reached for the bowls and chopsticks, saying, "Auntie, I'll take them to wash."

As soon as he finished speaking, Xie Ci called out softly, "Mom."

Just two simple words, yet they carry a clear implication.

Zhou Yun was outside the door when he overheard their conversation. Seeing his son's expression and attitude, he instantly understood.

She glanced at Xie Ci, then looked at Fu Hua with pity, without asking any further questions.

Smiling, she took the bowl and chopsticks: "Huahua, you sit down, Auntie will wash them."

After saying that, she tactfully picked up the tableware, quickly walked out of the ward, and gently closed the door behind her.

The ward was now empty except for the two of them, and it instantly became oppressive and quiet.

"Take a rest."

After Fu Hua finished speaking, she got up and slowly walked out.