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

That sounds like a childish excuse.

But Professor Yan looked into her eyes—those eyes were too clean, too clear.

There was no hint of lying or flattery involved.

"Alright then." He finally nodded. "Next week then. Be careful on the road."

Fu Hua bowed and took her leave.

When I stepped out of the small building, the sun was already setting in the west.

The red brick walls were dyed a warm golden-red.

She carried the bag of papers and walked along the tree-lined street toward the bus stop.

The thesis was demanding, but she walked steadily.

The essence of the spiritual spring flowed quietly through my body, dispelling the fatigue of the day.

It was already dark when we turned into a small alley to take a shortcut.

"Oh, little girl, all alone?"

A sleazy voice came from deep within the alley.

Three young men wearing floral shirts and bell-bottoms strolled out.

With a cigarette dangling from his mouth, he blocked the way.

Fu Hua stopped and hugged the paper bag in her arms tightly.

She glanced at both sides; there were high walls, and the alley was narrow, leaving her nowhere to retreat.

I kind of regret taking the shortcut.

I was so engrossed in thinking that I forgot the security situation here is not like it is in later times.

"Can I borrow some money?"

The blond-haired boy who was in the lead came over and reached out to snatch her schoolbag.

Fu Hua took half a step back, her back pressed against the wall.

She didn't shout—shouting in a place like this wouldn't make a difference.

Her fingers quietly reached for the wooden bracelet on her wrist.

The consciousness rummaged through the boxes in the space for weapons that could be used for self-defense.

Just then, footsteps came from the alley entrance.

"What are you doing?"

The sound wasn't loud, but it was like quenched steel, hitting the air hard and solid.

The three thugs turned around, and in the setting sun at the alley entrance stood a tall figure wearing a military green shirt.

The light of dusk shone from behind him, obscuring his face.

But that crisp military trousers and leather shoes,

It's intimidating enough for thugs.

"Comrades of the Army and the People's Liberation Army..."

The blond-haired man's voice trembled, "We were just joking with the girl..."

"joke?"

The man walked over, his footsteps steady and powerful.

He walked in front of Fu Hua, turning sideways to shield her from view.

Then he turned around and looked at the three thugs.

The streetlights turned on at that exact moment.

The dim light fell on his face—his features were well-defined, his brows and eyes resolute.

He had a high, straight nose and his lips were pressed into a thin line.

What's most striking are those eyes, like obsidian, calm yet sharp.

His gaze swept over the thugs with undisguised coldness.

"roll."

He only said one word.

The three thugs ran away in a panic.

Fu Hua breathed a sigh of relief; she was really afraid the thugs would pounce on her.

She still can't find a weapon, so she'll have to hide in the spatial dimension for now.

She looked up to thank him, but met a pair of eyes that were looking down at her.

The coldness in his eyes had faded.

It changed to a kind of... ambiguous, half-smiling look.

"Little girl,"

He spoke, his voice gentler than before.

But he still retained the ruggedness unique to soldiers, saying, "Don't walk through these alleys late at night."

Fu Hua nodded: "Thank you, comrade soldier."

After she finished speaking, she picked up the paper bag and prepared to leave.

The man suddenly asked, "Your voice... sounds familiar. Have we met somewhere before?"

Fu Hua was stunned for a moment, then looked up at him carefully.

This face is very handsome, the kind of handsome that exudes righteousness.

But she had no recollection of it.

"Comrade, you've mistaken me for someone else."

Fu Hua blinked.

"Coal truck, two months ago,"

He reminded her, "You said your adoptive parents were going to sell you and you were going to Beijing to find your biological parents. If I remember correctly, it was you, Fu Hua?"

Memories suddenly surged up.

Fu Hua remembered—the night she boarded the coal cart, she was startled by the light of a flashlight.

A soldier shielded her, gave her peach shortbread, and provided her with clothes and a blanket.

After that, he never showed up again.

It seems she did tell the other person her name.

"It's you."

Fu Hua's eyes widened slightly. "I remember... thank you."

If it weren't for those bedding, she would have had a very difficult time back then, before she even had her cheat code.

They may have already been discovered by the railway police and sent back to their place of origin.

"Looks like you haven't forgotten."

He smiled, a smile that softened the hardness on his face.

He revealed a hint of... roguishness that seemed out of place with his military bearing?

"We didn't say much at the time, but your voice was quite unique, and your tone of voice didn't sound like that of a little girl, so I remembered it."

Fu Hua didn't know how to respond.

I don't know how to address the other person.

She glanced at the sky: "Um... comrade?"

My name is Xie Ci, Xie as in gratitude and Ci as in farewell.

"Brother Xie, have you eaten? Let me treat you to a meal as a way of thanking you for your help twice."

"Okay, sure."

Xie Ci smiled slightly, his expression full of joy.

When he encountered this girl who had left such a deep impression on him again, he felt inexplicably excited.

The state-run restaurant was bustling with noise, and the air was filled with the smell of cooking oil.

Fu Hua asked for a corner by the window and ordered one meat dish, one vegetable dish, and one soup: braised pork, stir-fried greens, seaweed and egg drop soup, plus two bowls of rice.

Is that enough?

She asked the person opposite her, "If it's not enough, I'll add more."

That's enough.

He took the tea from the waiter and poured a cup for himself and Fu Hua each. "Judging from your appearance, you must have found your biological parents, right?"

Fu Hua nodded. "Found it."

She then asked, "Brother Xie, are you a local?"

She could tell that Xie Ci spoke with a slight Beijing accent.

"I guess so."

Xie Ci took a sip of tea, his gaze falling on Fu Hua's face. "And you? Why are you out on the street alone so late at night?"

"I graduated from Peking University."

Fu Hua frankly admitted, "I wanted to take a shortcut home by bus, but..."

"Kyoto University? You're a student at Kyoto University?"

Xie Ci raised his chin and pointed to the leather bag. "You've already started writing your thesis?"

"This isn't mine."

Fu Hua didn't hide anything: "I'm still in my second year of high school, I'm just helping out at the research station."

This time, he raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

But she quickly regained her composure: "Wow, you're only a high school sophomore and you're already helping out at the research station? When I was your age, I was still crawling around in the fields."

The words were spoken in a teasing tone, but Fu Hua heard the genuine appreciation in them.

She lowered her head to eat; the braised pork was tender and soft, the vegetables were crisp, and the soup was delicious.

Being with Xie Ci actually makes me feel quite safe.

"How can your parents let you come home so late alone?"

Xie Ci took a sip of tea and asked casually.

"They are busy with work."

Fu Hua glossed over the matter, unwilling to discuss the Fu family's affairs.

Xie Ci glanced at her but didn't ask any further questions.

He eats very quickly, but his movements are clean and efficient.

The bowls and chopsticks made almost no sound.

That's typical of military style.

"What you just did,"

Fu Hua suddenly remembered something, "How come I just happened to pass by that alley?"

Xie Ci paused in his act of picking up food.

He can't exactly say he recognized you a long time ago, but only followed you because he wasn't sure.

With a smile, he explained, "The armed forces department has a checkpoint over there. I was on duty tonight, and when I heard someone talking, I went to check it out. I didn't expect it to be someone I knew."

This explanation is reasonable.