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

Since joining Fu Hua's laboratory, Lu Tingxiao has also paid close attention to medical-related content.

It is clear that there is still a long way to go from clinical trials to actual approval for market launch and use, and there are many variables along the way.

His brows furrowed slightly, and his eyes were filled with heartache and worry as he looked at Fu Hua.

I couldn't help but gently remind you, "I know you're focused on your research, but don't push yourself too hard. Don't exhaust yourself. Take things slowly."

"Don't worry, senior brother, I will."

Of course she needs to take care of herself.

She is now his only hope to get back on his feet.

Soon, the waiter pushed the food cart in.

The bright red hot pot broth was brought to the table, and as soon as the charcoal fire was lit, the broth in the pot quickly boiled.

The steam rose up and instantly enveloped the entire private room.

The two started eating, occasionally exchanging a few words about the lab at first.

But after eating for a short while, the atmosphere became dull.

Fu Hua gradually fell silent.

She held her chopsticks, staring at the ingredients bubbling in the pot, but her gaze was unfocused, her thoughts drifting into the distance.

Thinking that Xie Ci is still in the hospital, I wonder if he's eating properly.

Have you ever felt sad because you were alone? Have you ever thought of her...?

The more I think about it, the more suffocated I feel.

A sudden tingling sensation in my nose, and tears welled up unexpectedly and streamed down my face uncontrollably.

Afraid that Lu Tingxiao would see, she quickly lowered her head and secretly wiped away her tears with the back of her hand.

But the tears kept falling, and she couldn't stop them.

Lu Tingxiao had been silently observing her, and his gaze happened to fall on her.

Fu Hua hurriedly raised her head, sniffed, and forced a smile.

"This hot pot is so spicy today, it brought tears to my eyes. It's never this spicy before."

As she spoke, she deliberately picked up the water glass on the table and took a big gulp of cold water.

Looking at her reddened eyes and slightly trembling lips, Lu Tingxiao understood perfectly well.

She wasn't crying from the spiciness at all; she was reminded of painful memories and couldn't let go of her gratitude.

He didn't expose it, nor did he ask any further questions.

He silently stood up and went out of the private room to find a waiter.

A short while later, he came in with a waiter.

Have someone remove the still-boiling red broth from the table.

I changed the broth base to a lighter, clear broth.

He even instructed the waiter, "Comrade, could you please bring two more dishes of side dishes to cut through the greasiness?"

After doing all this, he sat back down, his tone calm and gentle: "Since you can't eat spicy hot pot, order clear broth hot pot next time and eat slowly, so you don't choke."

Inside the private room, a clear broth pot simmered quietly on the table.

Without the spiciness of the red broth, even the rising steam felt bland.

Fu Hua stared at the pot of clear soup, a deep bitterness welling up in her eyes, and a self-deprecating smile tugged at the corner of her mouth.

Just now, I was able to use the spiciness to hide my tears.

Now, she doesn't even have an excuse to cry openly anymore.

The sadness in my heart had nowhere to go, so I just kept it all bottled up. My eyes were red, but I didn't shed a single tear.

She picked up her chopsticks and mechanically put the food into her mouth, finding it tasteless.

Lu Tingxiao sat opposite her, taking in her bitterness.

But he could only pretend not to know and silently put some vegetables on her plate.

But every word seemed to fall from a thousand miles away.

Fu Hua simply responded indifferently, her mind already wandering far away.

.........

Meanwhile, in a hospital ward.

Zhou Yun was passing by the nurses' station when she returned and was stopped by Dr. Zheng at the ward door.

Dr. Zheng pulled her to a quiet spot in the corridor, and took the frosted glass water bottle out of his white coat pocket.

He solemnly recounted the events: "Comrade Fu came to see me specifically just now to explain all the post-operative precautions for Comrade Xie, and left this bottle of spring water for me to give to you, instructing you to make sure Comrade Xie drinks it, as it will be good for his recovery."

She specifically instructed that Comrade Xie not to be told for the time being that she was the one who gave it to him. After saying that, she left, looking very upset, with red eyes as if she had just been crying.

Zhou Yun gripped the glass bottle tightly, his fingertips trembling, and he instantly understood.

Without asking further, she could guess that her son was determined to drive Fu Hua away.

That child is so good; her heart and soul are only for Aci.

How heartbroken one must be to be treated so cruelly now.

She felt sorry for Fu Hua, but was also helpless about her son's stubbornness; she was filled with mixed emotions.

Holding a water bottle, he pushed open the ward door with heavy steps.

Upon entering the room, Zhou Yun instinctively looked at the hospital bed.

The scene before her made her heart tighten instantly.

Xie Ci leaned quietly against the headboard.

Instead of closing his eyes to rest as usual, he didn't look out the window.

He just stared straight at the ceiling, the corners of his eyes reddening unnaturally.

There were still tear stains on her cheeks, clearly indicating that she had just cried, and had been crying for a long time.

The ward was empty; Fu Hua was nowhere to be seen.

Even her usual water cup and coat were gone, leaving no trace.

Zhou Yun's heart skipped a beat; all his guesses had been confirmed.

She dared not ask, dared not say a word more, for fear of touching a raw nerve with her son.

I'm even more afraid of stirring up the emotions he's managed to suppress.

Trying to remain calm, she picked up a towel from the side, fetched some warm water, and wanted to help Xie Ci wipe his body to relieve his discomfort.

She tiptoed to the bedside, speaking very softly.

She was incredibly gentle: "Aci, let Mom help you clean and wash up, so you feel better. We'll eat later; I made your favorite pork rib soup today."

Xie Ci didn't speak, nor did he even move his eyes; he remained staring blankly at the ceiling.

The whole person was like a soulless sculpture.

An overwhelming sense of loneliness and regret permeated his entire being.

Zhou Yun didn't dare to say anything, and carefully wiped his arms and neck.

She moved gently, afraid of touching his wound or disturbing him.

After wiping herself down, she opened the thermos she had brought and scooped out the soft, well-cooked food.

She scooped up a spoonful, blew on it to cool it down, and held it to his lips: "Here, open your mouth and eat something. You haven't been eating properly these past few days. How can your body withstand the rehabilitation training?"

He did not refuse her thanks, slowly opened his mouth, and swallowed the food.

He ate quietly, without saying a word, one bite after another.

His face was expressionless, and he made no sound.

Like a puppet without emotions.

Seeing him like this, Zhou Yun felt a pain in her heart that felt like it was being cut by a knife.

Holding back her tears, she patiently fed him spoonful by spoonful.

Xie Ci stopped chewing his food abruptly before he had eaten half of it.

Then, without warning, a hot tear slid down his cheek.

It slammed heavily onto the pristine white sheets, leaving a small damp patch.

The spoon in Zhou Yun's hand froze in mid-air.

Before I could even react, a second and a third tear fell in quick succession.

Large, scalding hot drops fell directly onto the back of Zhou Yun's hand.

Even a red-hot branding iron can't burn as much as a son's tears.

Zhou Yunxin felt a sharp pain in her heart, her eyes filled with panic.

Xie Ci didn't shout or cry; his whole body trembled, and his shoulders twitched uncontrollably.

His once straight back was now slumped over, and he was sobbing uncontrollably.

He was a stalwart soldier, a man who was proud his entire life.

From childhood to adulthood, no matter how hard or tiring it was, or how I was injured and bled while on duty, I never shed a single tear.

But now, he cried like an abandoned child.

So helpless, so pitiful.