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

Looking at the two of them, Fu Songchuan felt a strange mix of emotions welling up inside him.

Fu Hua was always cautious and distant in the Fu family.

He always remained calm and almost indifferent when faced with difficulties and misunderstandings.

Now, she is willing to call Lu Xingzhou "Brother Xingzhou".

In this small change,

There seems to be some subtle loosening hidden within.

Perhaps in the future, Fu Hua's relationship with her family will become as relaxed and casual as that with other people.

Fu Hua and Fu Songchuan escorted Lu Xingzhou out of the residential area.

Back in the familiar courtyard, Fu Hua stood under the lamplight and looked around.

Once upon a time, she was alone.

Things are different now.

With Zhang Wen's care, the trust of the students in Class Ding, and the recognition of Professor Yan,

With Teacher Zhao's tireless protection, now... we have another fellow student to walk alongside.

These tiny specks of light are gradually connecting to form lines and weaving a net.

A path was being paved out beneath her feet, becoming clearer and clearer.

She wanted to keep all this warmth in her heart and breathe it into her lungs.

To counter the constant scheming of their family members.

She pushed open the door.

The living room lights were still on.

Su Yurou was knitting on the sofa, while Fu Xiao was reading the newspaper.

Fu Chaochao's room door was tightly closed, with only a sliver of light shining through the crack.

"You're back?"

Su Yurou looked up and smiled slightly. "Have you eaten?"

"have eaten."

Fu Hua said softly, "At a classmate's house."

Fu Xiao lowered his eyes and reminded Su Yurou, "You forgot, the child said he was having dinner at a classmate's house; it was their birthday party."

"Yes, yes, look at my memory."

Fu Hua remained calm as she carried her laptop upstairs.

Back in her room, Fu Hua put the notebook Lu Xingzhou had given her into her spatial storage.

She sat on the edge of the bed, took off the wooden bracelet from her wrist, and examined it carefully in her palm.

The brown wood gleamed with a warm luster under the lamplight.

The delicate, refreshing fragrance filled the small room.

The scent of the spiritual spring lingers on my fingertips.

Fu Hua closed her eyes, her consciousness sinking into the space.

The spring water still flows, while the gold and antiques lie silently in the corner.

"Not enough."

She murmured to herself, "I need to be stronger and go further."

Only in this way can the mystery be solved.

After washing up, she sat down at her desk and started doing her homework and reading.

With the blessing of the spiritual spring water, her physical condition is now quite good.

Even if I go to bed in the middle of the night, I'm still full of energy the next day.

The next morning, Fu Songchuan drove Fu Hua to school.

I ran into Zhang Wen at the school gate.

As soon as she saw her, Zhang Wen ran over excitedly.

He was also holding a brown paper package in his hand.

She mysteriously handed the paper package to Fu Hua: "My dad gave it to you!"

"What?"

Fu Hua was puzzled.

"Open it and take a look. My dad said you'll need it."

Fu Hua opened the paper package, and inside were three thick original English books—

Mathematical Methods of Classical Mechanics; Principles of Quantum Mechanics

There is also a yellowed Russian monograph titled "Applications of Functional Analysis in Physics".

Each book bears a blue stamp on its title page that reads "Cultural Affairs Bureau Archives."

It was clearly a loan granted with special permission.

Beneath the book, there was a dark blue velvet box.

Fu Hua opened the box; inside was a black fountain pen.

The pen cap is adorned with a small gold star—Shanghai Hero Gold Pen.

This is what intellectuals of this era dream of.

Inside the box was a note in Zhang's neat handwriting:

Books can be borrowed for six months and must be kept in good condition.

May you study diligently and strive to bring glory to the country.

"Uncle, you're too kind."

Fu Hua held the pen; it felt heavy.

She looked up at Zhang Wen, who was winking at her.

The brown wooden bracelet on her wrist gleamed warmly in the sunlight.

"Please thank your uncle for me."

Fu Hua said softly.

"What are you thanking me for!"

Zhang Wen waved her hand, then leaned closer and lowered her voice, "My dad said that if I need any books in the future, I can just say so! He also said... that bracelet of yours is too valuable, and that I should wear it carefully and not lose it."

Fu Hua smiled.

She looked down and flipped through the Russian monograph.

Between the pages are pencil annotations left by previous readers, the handwriting clear and strong.

Another week has come to an end.

On Saturday morning, Fu Hua changed into a brand new beige dress and wore a brown cardigan over it.

The collar and cuffs were carefully ironed.

The brown wooden bracelet was hidden in her sleeve, with only a small, warm corner showing.

When Fu Hua came downstairs, the Fu family members were already sitting at the table.

"morning."

Fu Hua greeted everyone as usual.

"Sit down and eat."

Fu Xiao put down the newspaper and looked at Fu Hua with a look of relief.

Fu Chaochao is going to piano practice at the theater troupe today, and she's wearing a brand new floral dress.

Her hair was carefully braided, and she was sipping milk.

He kept glancing at Fu Hua out of the corner of his eye, knowing that she was going to the research station today.

Fu Chaochao couldn't feel happy at all.

"Wow, our great scientist is up really early."

Fu Youchuan poked his head out of the kitchen, his tone mocking, "I thought you were going to sleep until noon—after all, you're going to be someone who 'brings glory to the country' in the future."

Fu Hua didn't reply and went straight to her seat.

Aunt Liu served breakfast, giving her an extra half bowl of porridge: "Huahua, eat more. You're going to such a far place today, and doing scientific research will be mentally taxing, so make sure you eat well."

"Thank you, Aunt Liu."

Fu Hua took the bowl.

"Huahua, where exactly is the research station located?"

Fu Chaochao put down her milk glass, her voice soft, "I heard those places are all very remote... Huahua, aren't you afraid to go alone?"

"It's very safe inside Kyoto University."

Fu Hua gave a brief answer.

"At the university..."

Fu Chaochao twirled the end of her braid with her fingers, her expression shifting slightly. "I've heard that people who do scientific research tend to have very strange tempers..."

"Every morning."

Fu Xiao suddenly interrupted her, his voice not loud but carrying an undeniable seriousness, "Eat."

Fu Chaochao's face turned pale, and she bit her lip, remaining silent.

Upon seeing this, Fu Youchuan's eyebrows immediately shot up: "Dad, Chaochao is just worried about Fu Hua. She grew up in the countryside and has never seen the world. If she suddenly goes to a place like that, what if she gets bullied—"

"Were you bullied?"

Fu Xiao looked up at him, his gaze sharp. "Huahua is now a formally registered reserve member of the national research post-station."

Professor Yan personally mentored her. Who could bully her? Who would dare to bully her?

These words were quite harsh, and the restaurant fell silent instantly.

Fu Youchuan opened his mouth, wanting to refute, but choked when he met his father's gaze.

He had never seen his father defend Fu Hua in such a tone before.

That kind of resolute and unquestionable defense.

My father has never defended the other children in the family like this.

Su Yurou tried to smooth things over: "Alright, alright, let's all keep quiet. Huahua, it's your first time going, do you want your older brother to take you?"

"Need not."

After finishing the last mouthful of porridge, Fu Hua stood up. "I'll take the bus. Dad, Mom, I'm leaving."

She slung her schoolbag over her shoulder, and a brown wooden bracelet slipped out of her sleeve in the morning light before quickly disappearing back into place.

After Fu Hua's figure disappeared through the doorway,

Fu Chaochao finally couldn't hold back anymore, her eyes reddening: "Dad, I didn't mean anything by it... I'm just worried about Huahua..."