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

Zhang Wen looked down and touched the bracelet, then smiled and said, "This is a birthday present from Huahua."

With a sudden stop, the car screeched to a halt on the side of the road.

Mr. Zhang turned around and held out his hand: "Can I take a look at it?"

Zhang Wen, not understanding why, took off her bracelet and handed it over.

Mr. Zhang took the bracelet and examined it carefully by the light of the street lamp.

The more he looked, the more shocked he became—

This wood is top-grade Indian sandalwood.

It's so oily you can almost squeeze oil out of it.

What's even more peculiar is its aroma, a refreshing fragrance with a hint of sweetness.

After smelling it for a while, I felt a sense of peace and tranquility.

This is definitely not something an ordinary family or an ordinary child could produce.

The Fu family joined the army; they might have money.

But these ancient and rustic things may not exist.

"dad?"

Zhang Wen noticed that her father's expression was off.

Mr. Zhang returned the bracelet to her, his tone grave: "Wenwen, this bracelet... is very valuable. Did Fu Hua say where she got it?"

Zhang Wen casually asked this question before getting on the bus.

"Huahua said she found some wood in the countryside, thought it looked fun, and polished it herself."

Zhang Wen gripped the bracelet tightly, her voice lowered, "Dad, is this bracelet really that expensive? I saw Huahua has a similar one on her wrist."

Mr. Zhang nodded.

He was about to suggest that his daughter return it, but then he felt it was inappropriate—

That was a child's heartfelt gift; returning it would be like slapping them in the face.

Besides, Fu Hua might not know that the bracelet is very valuable.

Since it's a token of affection between children, being too concerned about money would be detrimental.

"Wear it."

After a long while, he sighed, "But Wenwen, we can't accept such valuable gifts from others for nothing."

Tomorrow... Dad will prepare a return gift; you can take it to school and give it to Fu Hua.

After getting out of the car, Fu Hua strolled slowly towards the courtyard. The night was beautiful, and the moonlight was bright.

It was a little after 8 p.m. at this time.

The chill of the autumn night crept in through my collar.

She pulled her coat tighter, and the brown wooden bracelet on her wrist swayed gently with the movement.

Because wooden bracelets are not very eye-catching.

So, she would occasionally bring it along for fun.

The shadows of the plane trees lining both sides of the road are cast on the ground, dappled and fragmented under the streetlights.

As Fu Hua approached her doorstep, she looked up and saw two familiar figures walking towards her.

It was the eldest brother, Fu Songchuan, and Lu Xingzhou.

"Huahua, you're back?"

Fu Songchuan saw her first and waved.

Lu Xingzhou also turned around.

He was wearing a gray polyester shirt today, with his jacket draped over his arm.

His eyes lit up when he saw Fu Hua.

He then immediately reverted to his gentle and polite demeanor.

"Teacher Lu."

Fu Hua approached, somewhat puzzled, "Didn't we say there wouldn't be any extra classes today?"

She remembered clearly that she had spoken to Lu Xingzhou about it last week.

This week I need to organize the pre-study materials for the research station, so I'll have to take a break from tutoring.

"I'm not here for extra lessons."

Lu Xingzhou smiled and took out a square object carefully wrapped in kraft paper from his canvas bag.

"I heard from your older brother that you joined Professor Yan's research station. I just happened to be passing by and came to give you a congratulatory gift. I originally wanted your older brother to pass it on."

Fu Hua was stunned.

The streetlights shone from the side, and Lu Xingzhou's expression was very sincere.

There was no politeness whatsoever.

"What are you standing there for? Don't you like it?"

Lu Xingzhou smiled.

Fu Songchuan chimed in from the side, "It's his honor as a teacher. Huahua, you don't need to be so polite, just accept it."

"Thank you, Teacher Lu."

Fu Hua took the paper package; it felt heavy in her hand.

"Let's open it and see what gift Teacher Lu gave me!"

Fu Songchuan's eyes sparkled.

Fu Hua glanced at Lu Xingzhou, and seeing that he didn't care, she reached out and tore open the kraft paper.

Inside were four thick hard-cover notebooks.

The dark blue cover features the words "Science Notes" printed in gold foil.

Turning to the inner pages, the paper is thick and sturdy, with fine horizontal lines printed at the top of each page.

There are also page number indicators in the bottom right corner.

This is a notebook specifically for scientific researchers, and it's very difficult to buy on the market.

"Isn't this quite valuable?"

Fu Hua looked up.

"Not valuable."

Lu Xingzhou interrupted her, his tone relaxed, "It was given to me by the school when I won an award last semester, it's perfect for you."

He paused, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes: "To be honest, Fu Hua, I envy you."

Professor Yan's research station... that's a place that so many students in our physics department dream of.

Unfortunately, the research station only accepts students under the age of 18.

He has no chance.

Fu Hua astutely caught the detail in his words: "'Our physics department'?"

She remembered that Lu Xingzhou had graduated from university, hadn't he?

And it's not Peking University either.

Lu Xingzhou smiled, this time with a slightly shy smile.

With a hint of pride, she said, "Yes, I got into Peking University's graduate program. I haven't told you yet, but it's in the physics department."

The air fell silent for a moment.

Fu Songchuan reacted first, lightly punching Lu Xingzhou on the shoulder: "Good lad, making such a fuss without saying a word!"

"It was also luck."

Lu Xingzhou scratched the back of his head. "I just passed the written exam, and Professor Yan was my interview tutor."

As he said this, his gaze unconsciously drifted towards Fu Hua.

The streetlights reflected tiny specks of light onto his glasses.

It's impossible to see the true emotions in his eyes.

Professor Yan personally interviewed Lu Xingzhou, so his actual level should be quite good.

"so,"

A slight smile played on her lips: "Teacher Lu won't be giving me extra lessons anymore?"

"Why would you need me to tutor you?"

Lu Xingzhou said jokingly,

He then said seriously, "You'll be doing research projects and living on campus in the future. With your current level, I don't have much left to teach you. Besides..."

He looked at Fu Songchuan, then back at Fu Hua, a hint of relief in his smile: "Besides, we'll be fellow disciples from now on."

Although I'm a master's student and you're a prospective team member, we're both under Professor Yan's supervision—by seniority, you should call me "senior brother."

Fu Songchuan laughed heartily and patted Lu Xingzhou on the back forcefully: "Great job, Xingzhou! From now on, I'll have to ask you to take good care of Huahua."

"No, Song Chuan, please don't say that."

Lu Xingzhou quickly waved his hand, his expression turning serious. "It should be Fu Hua taking care of me. You haven't seen the scale of Professor Yan leading his students..."

His senior classmates who were pursuing direct PhD programs, didn't spend every day in the lab until the early hours of the morning?

He's only just started learning; he might need Fu Hua's guidance in the future.

He said this half-truthfully, but his eyes remained fixed on Fu Hua.

The light from the streetlamp fell on his face.

The photo captures the young man's handsome features and earnest expression.

Fu Hua held the four notebooks, the rough texture of the kraft paper digging into her palms, and her expression shifted slightly.

The world is ever-changing!

A little over a month ago, he was a teacher and she was a student.

He was stern, she was respectful.

The boundary was as clear as the Chu River and Han Border.

But now...

They are already senior and junior classmates.

"After that,"

Fu Hua raised her head and looked at Lu Xingzhou seriously and as an equal for the first time. "I'll call you Brother Xingzhou, okay?"

Lu Xingzhou was stunned.

His eyes behind his glasses widened slightly, then a bright and gentle smile spread across his face: "Of course."

The title "Teacher Lu" was officially dropped at this moment.

Instead, a closer and more equal relationship has emerged—that of senior and junior students.

They are from the same sect.

We are kindred spirits.