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

Xie Ci withdrew his gaze from the television, pushed his wheelchair to the telephone, and dialed the number of his old leader.

After finishing the call, she whispered to the maid beside her, "Please push me back."

The maid nodded, said nothing, and steadily pushed the wheelchair back to his bedroom on the first floor before gently closing the door and leaving.

The room quieted down, with only occasional sporadic firecracker sounds coming from outside the window.

Xie Ci raised his hand and picked up the frosted glass bottle on the table.

My fingertips caressed the cool bottle as I carefully held it in my arms, as if it were a priceless treasure.

He stared blankly out the window, his eyes vacant, just staring into space.

My mind is filled with that figure I've never seen.

Just then, a melodious and pleasant piano tune drifted into the room.

It's a cello!

Xie Ci's previously unfocused gaze instantly froze.

The cello is Fu Hua's favorite instrument.

The image of her playing the cello in a white dress at the nursing home a few years ago is etched in my mind.

Later, when the two were bored at home,

She would always sit by the window and play all sorts of tunes for him.

He memorized every song, whether gentle or upbeat.

The melody playing in his ears was somewhat unfamiliar, yet it felt strangely familiar to him.

A strange sense of familiarity welled up inside him; every note seemed to strike a chord deep within his heart.

Xie Ci turned his wheelchair, moved closer to the window, tilted his head slightly, and listened intently.

It was already evening, and light snow began to fall.

The holly bushes in the corner were shrouded in cold air, and even the wind seemed to have stopped, adding a touch of tranquility to the air.

The sentries at the gate stood ramrod straight, their eyes fixed on the ground, fine snowflakes clinging to their uniform collars.

The entire courtyard was quiet and peaceful, exuding a warm feeling as the year draws to a close.

Fu Hua sat beside the car, holding her cello, her gaze fixed on the Xie family's courtyard.

In the past, Xie Ci would always be the one to spend the New Year with her.

This year, she came to be with him.

She adjusted the violin, and a deep, warm sound rang out—it was "As You Wish".

No piece of music is more suitable for this moment.

Without any noisy accompaniment, the unique, mellow tone of the cello flowed gently in the crisp winter air.

The mountains and rivers are safe and sound, the fireworks are as usual, but your long-awaited view is finally here.

And I will love the world you love, and wish you the smile you desire.

The melody is gentle and bright, without a trace of sorrow, only peace and expectation.

There are also expressions of everyday life, peace, and prosperity.

Like the warm winter sun, it gradually spread across the quiet military compound.

At first, only a few nearby households opened their windows and poked their heads out to look around.

The soldiers coming and going, who originally walked with a steady gait,

Upon hearing the music, I unconsciously stopped in my tracks.

The sentry's eyes softened.

His gaze shifted slightly, and he listened intently, his previously tense lips relaxing a little.

At the entrance to the building, several young soldiers in uniform, who had just finished training, exchanged glances and stood quietly listening.

They train diligently and act efficiently.

His face was no longer serious as usual; his eyes were calm.

Some people were gazing at the sky where fine snow was falling.

Some people looked at the gray sky and secretly wiped away tears, their faces showing their emotion at the peaceful times.

In the twelfth lunar month, the heating was on in the house, and a thin layer of fog covered the glass windows.

The Fu family gathered around the dining table to make dumplings, with flour scattered on the table, exuding the festive atmosphere of the Lunar New Year.

The deep, warm sound of the cello drifted slowly into the room through the window.

It was the melody of "As You Wish" that suddenly broke the silence in the room.

Fu Xiao paused, his hand holding the dumpling wrapper still, and looked out the window.

He couldn't help but think of his own daughter, Fu Hua.

He can only see her in news reports now.

She was like a shooting star, dazzling and brilliant, but fleeting.

Yet it leaves an indelible impression on people's hearts.

Many people don't know that Fu Hua is his daughter.

Even many of his comrades in the unit were unaware of it.

He had personally gone to invite Fu Hua home for a family reunion during the previous Chinese New Year.

Her attitude was cold, indicating that she absolutely refused to return to this home.

In the past two years, he has lost interest in the idea.

Su Yurou glanced at Fu Xiao and said softly, "What are you thinking?"

"It's nothing."

Fu Xiao shook his head: "I don't know where that sound is coming from? What kind of music is it?"

Fu Youchuan held half a poorly made dumpling in his hand, listened intently for a few seconds,

Looking puzzled, he said, "I don't know, I've never heard of it before, but the voice is really nice, it makes me feel very reassured."

Su Yurou slowed her movements and listened carefully for a moment.

With a touch of professional praise in his tone, he said, "It's the sound of a cello, played exceptionally well. The tone is rich and steady, the rhythm is precise, and the emotion is full. It's clear that this is played by a child with solid skills and a story to tell."

"But are there any kids in our compound who can play the cello? I haven't heard of any."

Fu Songchuan had been silently making dumplings, but now he stopped all movement, his fingertips tightened slightly, and a strange look appeared between his deep-set eyes.

The sound of that cello... seemed familiar; he had heard Fu Hua play the cello before.

"Shall I go out and take a look?"

As Fu Songchuan spoke, he got up and headed towards the door.

Su Yurou immediately called out to him, still holding the rolling pin in her hand, but a smile played on her lips.

"Don't go. What does it have to do with us if someone else is playing the piano? After we finish making dumplings, we need to go pick up your little sister together. Don't wander off. Hurry up and wait for the New Year."

Thinking that Fu Chaochao was returning to China today, Su Yurou was filled with excitement.

Three years ago, when Fu Chaochao was released from prison, Su Yurou immediately used all her connections to send her abroad to study at the best music academy.

Four years have passed, and the mother and daughter still keep in touch by phone.

Today, besides Fu Chaochao, her boyfriend is also coming from abroad.

They have to go to the airport to pick someone up soon.

Fu Songchuan stopped in his tracks, looked at his mother, and a complex emotion flashed in his eyes.

In the end, he didn't say anything more and silently sat back down in his seat.

But his gaze unconsciously drifted to the window, the sound of the piano lingering in his ears, refusing to leave.

Fu Youchuan opened his mouth, as if to say something, but looking at the expressions of his parents and older brother, he ultimately just lowered his head.

After Chaochao was released from prison, the siblings met once.

But those things have happened, and now, whether it's Dad or my older brother,

He couldn't even treat Fu Chaochao as his younger sister anymore.

Only the mother remained immersed in the past.

I still feel that Chaochao is the little girl who used to surround her.

Over the years, the Fu family has done more than enough for her.

Now that she's back in China, she should go find her biological parents.

The thought of having other men in this house makes me uncomfortable.

Fu Xiao was very accommodating to his wife. Ever since Fu Chaochao went to prison, her mental state had been poor.

Five years ago, the troupe disbanded, and she traveled all over the country before returning.

He has lost a lot of weight and his mental state has deteriorated.

If all else fails, treat them as guests.

Anyway, girls will get married sooner or later, so we should just have less contact in the future.

The Fu family continued making dumplings, and the piano music continued, but the atmosphere in the house became inexplicably heavy.

The more the music played, the more captivating it became, especially the line hidden within the melody: "The mountains and rivers are safe and sound, and life is as normal as ever."

It seemed to be infused into the winter air, blowing through every corner of the courtyard.

Many military dependents opened their doors and stood at the entrance, holding their children.

Gently soothing the child, listening to this tender melody together, a warm smile on her face as if celebrating the New Year.

Not far away, by the window of a small building, Xie Ci was in tears.

He could tell from her voice that it must be Fu Hua.