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

After the slumber of her five senses subsided, Fu Hua fell into a second illusory world.

This time, there were no cold and mean family members, no cannibalistic malice from the entire village.

At the beginning, she was an orphan.

Mid-1950s, late autumn.

The mountains and fields were desolate, a cold wind swept through the wild grass, and there were few people on the yellow dirt road.

She had no father, no mother, no relatives, and was abandoned in a dilapidated temple in the mountains to fend for herself.

In the illusion of familial love, she regained her sense of touch.

I've come to understand the warmest tenderness in the world, and I've also come to understand the most profound loss.

A life lacking maternal love is incomplete.

Fu Hua gained and lost, and only then did she realize that she couldn't hold onto anything.

The coldness in her bones, like the dead of winter, was once again frozen.

Through several lifetimes, I have witnessed the wickedness of human nature, betrayal, scheming, and ruthless betrayal.

She harbors an instinctive aloofness and distrust towards everyone and all kindness.

She doesn't believe in sincerity, she doesn't believe in longevity, and she certainly doesn't believe that anyone in this world would be kind to someone for no reason.

Therefore, she preferred to live alone in the mountains like a wild animal.

Until she was ten years old, she huddled in a corner of a dilapidated temple.

His clothes were so dirty they were unrecognizable, and he was silent, numb, with eyes as cold as ice.

Other children of this age cry, fuss, act spoiled, are afraid of the dark, and seek affection.

Fu Hua doesn't know.

She was born abnormal.

Hearing, sight, and taste are all shut down, just like before.

His sense of touch and smell are a hundred times more sensitive than those of ordinary people.

As the wind blows across her skin, she can precisely distinguish the wind speed, temperature, and the subtle tactile sensation of grass and trees rubbing against her skin.

Within a ten-mile radius, the grass, soil, dampness, and the fragrance of flowers, fruits, and herbs...

She could smell it clearly, distinctly, and without any confusion.

It was this extraordinary skill that led her to meet the only master in her life.

The man who came was a man in his fifties surnamed Lin, a well-known traditional Chinese medicine doctor in the mountains.

Mr. Lin had no wife or children and spent his entire life tending a small pharmacy, dealing with herbs and medicinal plants for half his life.

He had witnessed countless hardships and seen the true nature of people throughout his life.

He is extremely cold and strict, rarely smiles, and is always distant and taciturn with outsiders. He never shows mercy to anyone.

That day, he went up the mountain to collect herbs. He passed by a dilapidated temple and spotted Fu Hua huddled in a corner.

Other homeless children would approach passersby to beg, crying and begging to be taken in.

Only she remained motionless, her eyes indifferent.

Even when he was so hungry that his hands and feet were stiff and his eyes were unfocused, he showed no intention of trying to please anyone.

Mr. Lin had lived most of his life, and this was the first time he had ever seen such an inanimate child.

He knelt down and reached out to check her pulse.

A deep, serious voice: "A mute?"

Hua didn't move or react.

She can neither hear nor see, and relies solely on her sense of smell and touch to judge her surroundings.

She smelled the medicinal scent on him, a bittersweet fragrance from being immersed in herbs for many years.

It lacks the filth, corruption, and meanness of evil people; it is clean, calm, and secure.

This aura has an inexplicable sense of peace.

Mr. Lin also noticed that something was wrong with the child.

It doesn't make a fuss, doesn't cry or laugh, and has no reaction to the outside world, like a little wooden doll without any emotions.

But he noticed that the child's senses were extremely sharp.

A breeze carrying a fragrance blew by, and she could pinpoint the subtle movements, turning her head to look in the direction of the flowers.

He was silent for a moment, then finally spoke: "Come with me, and you can live."

With just that one sentence, he brought the helpless Fu Hua back to the small pharmacy at the foot of the mountain.

It took ten years to raise it.

The pharmacy was small, an old building with blue bricks, and the courtyard was full of herbs, with shelves piled high with dried herbs.

The air is filled with a bittersweet medicinal fragrance year-round.

Mr. Lin was strict with outsiders, but even more so with his employees.

He never coaxed the child, never softened his heart, and never spoiled him.

The rules for dealing with Hua were established firmly from day one.

No laziness, no stopping, no daydreaming, no slacking off.

They rise with the sun and work tirelessly until sunset, managing the pharmacy, sorting medicinal herbs, drying and grinding them day after day without exception.

Outsiders all thought the old man was too cruel.

An orphaned girl he found, with no one to rely on, was already pitiful, yet he showed her absolutely no pity.

He was strict with his students every day, disciplining them in every way, and was several times more demanding than when teaching apprentices.

Everyone advised him, "Old Lin, the child is pitiful, loosen your grip a bit, don't push him too hard."

"Exactly, girls eventually have to get married. Aren't you just letting outsiders take advantage of you?"

Mr. Lin would always reply calmly, "To live is to establish oneself."

He never explains or defends himself; all his tenderness is hidden in the details that no one can see.

Fu Hua coldly endured everything from beginning to end.

She carries complete memories of several lifetimes.

I have witnessed the ultimate kindness, and I have also witnessed the ultimate malice.

She doesn't believe in unexpected kindness, she doesn't believe in being taken in for free, and she doesn't believe in the existence of selfless kindness in this world.

She was aloof and taciturn, and for ten whole years, she never uttered a single word.

Everyone, including neighbors, acquaintances in town, and even Mr. Lin himself, assumed that the child was mute and could not speak.

Fu Hua's sense of smell became more acute day by day in this small pharmacy.

She couldn't see the appearance of the medicinal herbs, and couldn't distinguish their roots, stems, flowers, or leaves.

But she can smell it.

She can recognize a thousand kinds of herbs and a hundred kinds of medicinal fragrances with just one sniff, whether they are sweet, bitter, pungent, cool, warm, or dry.

The gentle sweetness of angelica, the extreme bitterness of coptis, the coolness of peppermint, the mellow richness of mugwort, the mild smoothness of astragalus, and the aged aroma of dried tangerine peel...

Thousands of medicinal herbs, each with a distinct flavor, were clearly distinguished under her nose.

She started helping Mr. Lin sort medicinal herbs when she was eleven years old.

Others need to examine the appearance, identify the shape, consult books, and study for years to distinguish these herbs.

She only needs a light sniff to accurately categorize them, never mixing them up or making a mistake.

Mr. Lin was initially just testing the waters, but the more he looked, the more alarmed he became.

He taught her pharmacology, medicinal properties, and contraindications, and personally guided her to touch the medicinal substances, distinguish between dry and wet, and differentiate between fresh and aged.

Fu Hua has an amazing sense of touch; with just a touch of her fingertips, she can tell the degree of dryness, the age of the herbs, and their quality.

Ten years have passed, and the days repeat themselves.

Outsiders only saw Mr. Lin's sternness.

If you are even a second late in the morning, you will be given a cold reprimand.

If even the slightest error is made in the selection of medicinal herbs, the entire process will be ordered to be repeated.

He would point out everything, from improper drying to uneven cutting of herbs, and unclean stove, without any mercy.

Fu Hua never complained, spoke out, or got angry.

With a cold face, she silently redid it, silently endured it, and silently did everything well.

Everyone said that the child was too dull and slow-witted, and didn't even react when scolded.

Only Mr. Lin knew that this child was different from ordinary people.

She is cold-hearted, but not stupid.

She is very perceptive and can complete all assigned tasks perfectly.

In winter, the water in the pharmacy was freezing cold, and Fu Hua's hands were red from the cold, but she still rubbed them together to wash the medicine.

Mr. Lin wouldn't say anything, but at night he would quietly move the heater to her table, silently add charcoal, and do so without making a sound.

She has a small appetite and eats very little all year round, resulting in a thin figure.

Mr. Lin never offered her extra food, but he would cook the softest, most nourishing medicinal porridge for her every day and place it on her table without saying a word.

He simply said, "I'll make it after we finish eating."

It's windy in the mountains, and she's prone to catching a cold if she sleeps at night.

He never reminded her, but every night when he passed by the side room, he would quietly tuck her in.

It didn't stop until she got older.

People in town gossiped that she was a mute burden, an unlucky orphan, and would bring misfortune to her master sooner or later.

Upon hearing this, Mr. Lin didn't argue much, but simply retorted coldly, "My people are none of the business of outsiders."

Ten years, through spring, summer, autumn, and winter, year after year.

He never said he loved her, never praised her, and never spoke tender words.

He would only use the harshest methods to force her to learn to stand on her own two feet, to acquire skills, and to learn to live independently.

Fu Hua's heart was warmed up little by little once again.

She is cold-blooded and doesn't trust people.

But for the past ten years, the daily scent of medicine, the yearly companionship, and the silent protection...

After years of silence, my heart is finally starting to stir again.

She knew that kind-hearted people like her master were extremely rare in this world.

Ten years have passed in the blink of an eye.

The petite orphan girl who was ten years old has grown into a cool and aloof twenty-year-old woman.

The senses of smell and touch reached their peak; the entire pharmacy contained thousands of medicinal herbs.

With her eyes closed, she could understand the properties of all medicines simply by smelling or touching them.

Her medical skills, pharmacology, and prescription expertise have long been inherited from Mr. Lin, and she has even surpassed him.

That same year, Mr. Lin fell ill.

He spent years practicing medicine at his desk, tasting herbs and analyzing their properties, exhausting himself mentally and physically, which led to his sudden and severe illness.

Once a person knows that their days are numbered, they will have worries and calculations in their heart.

From the day he was diagnosed, Mr. Lin became increasingly strict, almost harsh.

Previously, she was only taught to do chores, learn medicine, and practice medicine.

Later, they started forcing her to learn all the survival skills: cooking, chopping wood, making the bed and folding the blankets...

They forced her to see patients alone, to dispense medicine alone, to manage the pharmacy's accounts alone, to repair houses, to chop wood, to keep accounts, and to deal with neighborhood disputes.

If anything is slightly wrong, he will be reprimanded immediately.

Even the slightest oversight will result in immediate and severe punishment.

Outsiders couldn't understand it; they just thought the old man was becoming more and more mean with age.

They relentlessly pressured a child they had raised for ten years.

Only Fu Hua understands.

The master knew he was leaving.

He is aloof and lacks social skills. In the future, he will be bullied and manipulated by others, and he will not be able to survive.

He used his last bit of time to mold her into someone who could stand on her own in the world, without needing to depend on anyone.

Fu Hua's mind was as clear as a mirror, and she never uttered a single complaint.

Ten years of strict instruction and ten years of silent protection have already etched a deep sense of gratitude into her heart.

She is cold, but she is grateful.

She was taciturn, but she remembered affection.

She was obedient every day and practiced diligently, learning all the skills thoroughly and mastering them to perfection.

To ensure that she can survive in this town even without anyone protecting her.

The aroma of medicine from the pharmacy lingered around her nose for ten years without fail.

Human warmth, the gentle touch of herbs, and silent kindness are all hidden within the fragrance of medicine over the past decade.

His dying moments came very quickly.

In late autumn, the grass and trees wither, and the fragrance of herbs in the pharmacy becomes faint and desolate.

Mr. Lin lay on the bed, his body emaciated and his breath weak, no longer possessing his former stern and composed demeanor.

He looked at Fu Hua, who stood silently by the bedside, her head bowed in quiet contemplation.

His eyes held a tenderness and reassurance he had never shown in his life.

Even now, he still believes that the child he raised for ten years was born mute and will remain silent for life.

He spoke slowly, his breath coming in shallow gasps.

His voice was hoarse and aged: "Hua'er, from now on... you'll have to live on your own. Be careful in everything you do."

Dr. Lin took Fu Hua's hand and explained all the necessary details about her aftercare.

Don't trust people, don't rely on people, and don't be soft-hearted.

"The skills I taught you are enough to live on for a lifetime. After I'm gone, this shop will be left to you. People always respect doctors."

He thought she wouldn't hear a response, and that he would never hear her call him "Master" again in his life.

Just as his gaze began to fade and he was about to close his eyes...

A voice that had been silent for twenty years, for the first time, softly rang out.

"master."

Fu Hua's voice was somewhat hoarse and low, yet each word was clear and solemn.

One word, "Master," and the room fell silent.

Mr. Lin's pupils suddenly contracted, his eyes widened abruptly, and he stared at her in disbelief.

Fu Hua looked up, her gaze unfocused, yet her eyes held a deep respect and burning gratitude accumulated over ten years.

"I'm not mute."

"I just... don't want to talk about it."

"Thank you for taking me in, raising me, and protecting me for ten years."

"Your kindness to me is immeasurable, and I will never forget it."

After twenty years of cold indifference and silence, she once again sincerely thanked someone.

Mr. Lin stood there stunned for a long time, his aged eyes slowly welling up with tears.

He slowly raised his hand, gently and almost imperceptibly, his voice unusually gentle:

"Silly child."

"In this world, where can you find so many acts of kindness as heavy as mountains?"

"I'm taking care of you not so that you owe me a favor, nor so that you bear any burden of debt."

"I have spent half my life in loneliness and hardship, with no one to rely on, guarding an empty pharmacy, where every day is desolate and quiet."

"For the past ten years, you have been by my side every day, sorting herbs for me and keeping me company as I tend to the smoke and fire in this old house."

"Everyone says that I saved you and that I have done you a favor."

"But no one knows that you were there for me through half a lifetime of loneliness."

His breathing grew weaker and weaker.

"The bond between teacher and student is not a one-way act of charity."

"They are just two lonely people, finding warmth and comfort in each other in this cold world."

"I'll protect you as you grow up, and you'll stay with me until the end."

"No debts, no obligations, no favors, no compensation."

"From now on, live well, live freely, live openly, without burdening yourself with anyone's debts of gratitude, without stopping for anyone, without being soft-hearted for anyone."

"You were born cold, so you deserve to be free and live your own life."

After saying these words, the last trace of obsession in his eyes dissipated, and he peacefully closed his eyes.

He was strict, aloof, and dedicated his life to healing and saving lives.

In the end, what was left for her was not shackles, not a debt of gratitude, not a burden of obligation.

It is liberation.

It allows Fu Hua to live a good life without any ties, guilt, or psychological burden.

The room was filled with the fragrance of medicine, marking the end of ten years of daily life.

Fu Hua stood quietly by the bed, neither crying nor losing her composure.

The coldness in her bones is still there.

The moment the master closed his eyes completely, the gentle, faint fragrance of medicine that had lingered in the pharmacy for ten years vanished instantly.

Fu Hua stood quietly, remembering her master's ten years of kindness.

But he had no intention whatsoever of staying to practice medicine and help the world.

She understands people so well.

She was an orphan with no one to rely on.

Cold-hearted, lacking in tact and inability to please.

Unfortunately, his medical skills were extraordinary, and his sense of smell and touch were unmatched.

As long as you stay in town and keep this pharmacy running, you'll become famous sooner or later.

A woman with no powerful connections, no family background, and a withdrawn personality, yet possessing extraordinary skills, manages to remain among the people.

This is not a blessing, it's a curse.

It will only attract envy, scheming, extortion, and spying, as well as countless troubles and malice.

My master was kind and generous throughout his life, and he valued the goodwill of humanity.

But Fu Hua was used to the darkness and couldn't be bothered to deal with these petty and sordid human relationships.

She acknowledges the kindness shown to her, but she won't force herself to stay in the mundane world and suffer just to repay it.

After seeing her master off and completing all the funeral arrangements, Fu Hua decisively sold off the pharmacy.

The neighbors were all in uproar, cursing her behind her back for being cold-blooded, ungrateful, and betraying her teacher's kindness.

Fu Hua ignored it all, without the slightest ripple.

She took the money from selling medicine, packed the simplest of belongings, left the bustling village, and plunged into the deep mountains.

Where we come from, we will go back to.

Human life, everyday conflicts, practicing medicine and helping the world, and the world's praise.

She doesn't want any of them.

She was by nature aloof and cold-hearted, naturally suited to solitude in the mountains and wilderness, not to crowds.

For the next few years, she lived alone deep in the mountains, far away from all the wickedness of human nature.

I live peacefully, surrounded by grass, trees, and mountain breezes every day.

She did not regret selling the pharmacy, nor did she regret leaving this world.

Many years later, on a cold night deep in the mountains, a wild beast suddenly attacked.

Fu Hua knew her death was imminent.

In her life, she received ten years of redemption from her master, learning the skills to make a living.

I have experienced the warmth of human kindness and avoided the troubles of the mundane world.

The grudges have been settled, and the kindness has been repaid.

To have lived once is enough.

In the end, she perished in the jaws of wild beasts, without any regrets.

Facing death, she became increasingly composed...