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

Fu Hua took a fountain pen out of her schoolbag—

The pen body is made of a warm, smooth wood, the nib is made of 14K gold, and it is packaged in an antique velvet box.

These are things from inside the space.

"Here, consider this a small gift."

"Children don't need such expensive things."

Zhang Wen snatched the box back from Zhang Lei and, smiling, stuffed it back into Fu Hua's arms.

"Huahua, I know you came here to eat. You've already bought a fruit basket, so I can't let you spend any more money. You're still a student."

"This is a gift for my younger brother, it has nothing to do with you, his older sister."

Fu Hua handed the box back to Zhang Lei: "Take it."

"I really like these older sisters."

This child speaks so confidently and is really endearing.

Fu Hua then took out a red velvet box from her schoolbag.

"This is for you, Wenwen. Happy birthday."

"I get a gift too?"

Overjoyed, Zhang Wen gently opened the box at Fu Hua's prompting.

Inside was an antique brown wooden bracelet.

It is engraved with golden intertwined floral patterns, which are delicate and smooth, and shimmer with a warm luster under the light.

This is made of sandalwood and has a faint fragrance.

It must have been sitting in the space for a long time, absorbing the essence of the spiritual spring, so it also has a calming effect.

Zhang Wen glanced at the wooden bracelet on Fu Hua's hand.

They even seem somewhat similar!

It's nice to wear the same bracelet as your best friend.

"I really like this gift, thank you, Huahua."

Zhang Wen thought that a wooden bracelet shouldn't cost too much money.

So she didn't think much of it and happily accepted it.

Zhang's mother came out of the kitchen and greeted Fu Hua warmly, "Dinner is ready. Let's go to the kitchen and eat and chat."

"Okay, Auntie."

"Come on, Huahua, let's go to the kitchen."

Zhang Wen put the bracelet on her wrist and went out with Fu Hua.

The food is served.

Braised carp, shredded pork with green peppers, spinach with garlic, cold mixed shredded vegetables, and a large bowl of seaweed and dried shrimp soup.

In the very center was a cream cake with the words "Wenwen is sixteen years old" written on it in red jam.

"These are all home-style dishes, Huahua, please don't be shy."

Zhang's mother placed a piece of fish belly on Fu Hua's plate, saying, "I heard from Wenwen that you usually eat light dishes. You're still young and growing, so you can't skimp on food."

Zhang Wen always thought that Fu Hua was reluctant to spend money, which was why she always ordered vegetarian dishes.

Actually, Fu Hua just prefers to eat lighter foods.

But being shown concern by her friend's family warmed Fu Hua's heart, and she nodded, "Thank you, Auntie."

Mr. Zhang poured a glass of orange soda and handed it to her: "Wenwen said you were selected for the national research post-doctoral reserve team?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang's mother's hand, which was holding a chopstick, froze in mid-air.

She looked at Fu Hua in surprise: "Is it the mobile station that Professor Yan from Huaguo University is in charge of?"

Fu Hua nodded: "Yes."

The Zhang family is indeed extraordinary; just mentioning the research station tells you who's in charge.

"Incredible..."

Mr. Zhang took off his glasses, wiped them, and put them back on with admiration in his eyes.

"Professor Yan, I've met him once or twice. He's very strict academically. For him to take notice of you... Fu Hua, you have a bright future ahead of you."

Zhang's mother asked with concern, "How often do you go? Won't it interfere with your studies? Huahua, if you have any difficulties, just tell Auntie, and we will definitely help."

One question after another, all of which stemmed from genuine concern.

Fu Hua answered them one by one.

"Mom, the research station also pays Huahua a salary, three hundred a month, so she doesn't have to worry about making a living."

As Zhang Wen spoke, she picked up clean chopsticks and placed a piece of braised pork rib on Fu Hua's plate.

"three hundred?"

Zhang's mother gasped – this was more than her and Lao Zhang's combined salaries.

This research station is truly extraordinary.

After a moment of contemplation, Zhang's father said, "Since we're going down the path of scientific research, we'll need a lot of foreign language materials."

"Son, I work for the Cultural Bureau, and I'm in charge of book imports. If you need any English academic books or journals in the future, just let me know, and I'll help you find a way."

Fu Hua's eyes lit up.

This is exactly what she lacks most right now—in this day and age, it is extremely difficult to obtain cutting-edge academic materials from abroad.

"Uncle, I really need it."

She put down her chopsticks, her tone serious, "Mainly theoretical physics and mathematics, preferably the latest journals. Also... if you can find some Soviet-era mathematical monographs, that would be even better."

Mr. Zhang was taken aback: "You read Russian too?"

"You can see some."

Fu Hua didn't finish her sentence—in fact, she had studied in the Soviet Union for three years in her previous life.

"good!"

Mr. Zhang laughed heartily, slammed his hand on the table, and said, "Leave this to me! I'll go through the database next week and ask my friends abroad for help."

The father and Fu Hua discussed academic books earnestly.

The mother and younger brother stopped with concern.

A strange sense of pride welled up in Zhang Wen's heart—

After finishing their meal, Zhang's mother suggested having cake.

"Make a wish! Make a wish!"

Zhang Lei couldn't wait to light the sixteen colored candles.

The lights were turned off, leaving only the candlelight flickering in the center of the table.

Zhang Wen closed her eyes, clasped her hands together, and her eyelashes trembled gently in the warm yellow light.

Fu Hua looked at her quietly.

The candlelight illuminated Zhang Wen's face, revealing a girl whose features still retained a touch of childishness.

But a certain determination had already appeared in his eyes and brows—

That's the confidence I've gradually built up over these past few days.

After a long while, Zhang Wen opened her eyes, took a deep breath, and blew out all the candles.

The lights came back on, and Zhang's mother asked with a smile, "What did you wish for?"

"I can't tell!"

Zhang Wen blushed, glanced at Fu Hua, and said, "It won't work if you say it out loud."

She cut the first slice of cake, the one with the most cream and the most fruit.

He solemnly placed it in front of Fu Hua: "Hua Hua, eat first."

Fu Hua took the plate, her fingertips touching Zhang Wen's hand.

"You're the birthday person, you eat first."

The two girls looked at each other and smiled.

There was an unspoken understanding in that smile—like having weathered storms together and seen a rainbow together.

After the meal, Zhang's father insisted on driving Fu Hua back to the military family compound.

Zhang Wen squeezed into the back seat, insisting on accompanying them on their journey.

Night had fallen, and the streets were deserted.

The car drove smoothly, the streetlights flashing past one by one.

The light and shadow cast on the car window were bright and dim.

Zhang Wen leaned on Fu Hua's shoulder and whispered, "Today is the happiest birthday I've ever had."

Fu Hua didn't say anything, but gently patted her hand.

The wooden bracelet on her wrist slipped down with the movement.

It lightly tapped against Zhang Wen's wrist, making a very slight "tap" sound.

In the front row, Mr. Zhang glanced at the rearview mirror.

The light just swept across the two girls' intertwined wrists.

The brown wooden bracelet gleamed with a warm luster on Zhang Wen's wrist.

He frowned slightly—this wood, this oiliness, and those faintly visible grain patterns…it was definitely not ordinary wood.

He was in charge of the cultural market and had seen many good things.

This bracelet is made from old material that is at least a hundred years old, and the processing technique is extremely meticulous.

I've never seen my daughter bring this before, where did it come from?

The car stopped at the entrance of the military family compound.

Fu Hua got out of the car and bowed to express her gratitude: "Thank you, Uncle. Thank you, Wenwen."

"Be careful on the road."

Zhang Wen waved from the car window, "See you tomorrow!"

Watching Fu Hua's slender figure disappear into the courtyard gate, Zhang's father slowly started the car.

After driving for a while, Zhang's father suddenly asked, "Wenwen, where did that bracelet on your wrist come from?"