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

Fu Hua always felt that there was something else in his eyes when he smiled.

It flashed by, too fleeting to catch.

After the meal, Fu Hua went to pay the bill, but Xie Ci stopped her, saying, "There's no reason for a young girl to pay for the meal."

"It's a deal, it's on me."

Fu Hua insisted: "This is a matter of principle."

Seeing her serious expression, Xie Ci smiled and gave in: "Okay, you can treat me, but I'll treat you back next time—and you're not allowed to refuse again."

Fu Hua was taken aback: "There's a next time?"

"What, you don't want to eat with me?"

Xie Ci raised an eyebrow.

That roguish air resurfaced. "Still thinking I can't afford to stay at a state-run restaurant?"

"no……"

Fu Hua sighed helplessly, "Fine."

After paying and leaving the restaurant, it was already dark.

The streetlights along the roadside lit up one after another.

The coolness of the autumn night enveloped the lingering warmth of the food.

A small, warm patch of air separated the two of them.

"Where do you live? I'll take you there."

Xie Ci glanced at the brown paper bag in Fu Hua's arms: "Do you need me to help you carry it? It looks quite heavy."

"Thank you, I can do it."

"It's too late, let me take you home."

He thanked her again and offered to see her off.

Fu Hua wanted to refuse, but when she glanced at the bus stop across the street, she saw it was packed with people waiting for the bus.

"Military family compound".

She said softly.

Xie Ci turned his head to look at her, a clear look of surprise flashing in his eyes: "Which courtyard number?"

Number three.

In the darkness, Xie Ci's Adam's apple bobbed slightly.

He paused for two seconds before speaking.

Her voice was a little lower than before: "What a coincidence, my family also lives in the military compound. We're moving there tomorrow, to compound number five."

Now it was Fu Hua's turn to be stunned.

The No. 5 compound of the military dependents' housing is inhabited by the families of officers at the division level or above.

Xie Ci looked to be no more than twenty-four or twenty-five years old...

It seems that his family's previous generation also served in the military.

"Actually, I can take the bus home by myself."

"On the way."

Xie Ci had already started walking towards the bus stop.

The tone was matter-of-fact: "It'll be a good opportunity to familiarize myself with the place."

Buses during rush hour are packed like sardines in a can.

As soon as the car door opened, the crowd surged forward.

Xie Ci stepped aside to block Fu Hua, his arm making a loose circle around her.

He shielded the person between himself and the car door.

"pay close attention."

He spoke in a low voice, so close it was right above her head.

Fu Hua instinctively grabbed the handrail next to the car door.

The car's starting momentum made her sway, and her back almost hit Xie Ci's arms.

Just half an inch away, a large hand firmly pressed against her shoulder.

It's just a gentle touch of the palm through the fabric, a fleeting moment.

"Say it if you can't stand up straight."

The voice of thanks fell from above her head.

The warm breath brushed against her hair.

Fu Hua hummed in agreement but didn't turn around.

The carriage was filled with the smells of sweat and dust.

There was also a smell of chive dumplings, I don't know who was carrying them.

But a very faint scent lingered around Fu Hua's nose—

Like a sea breeze mixed with soapberry leaves, crisp and clean.

It must have come from the person behind you.

The car bumped and jostled.

With each sway, Xie Ci's arms would tighten a little.

Always creating a safe gap behind her.

He didn't get close; in fact, he deliberately kept a distance of a few centimeters.

But its presence is so strong that it cannot be ignored.

Fu Hua stared at the reflections of the two people in the car window.

Xie Ci was a full head taller than her; the top of her head only reached his chin.

The dim light streamed through the car window, casting shadows of varying intensity on his profile, highlighting the sharp, defined lines of his Adam's apple.

He stood ramrod straight, with the uprightness that soldiers have ingrained in their very bones.

A unique, subtle fragrance permeated the space.

Xie Ci's nose twitched slightly, and he immediately recognized that the scent was coming from Fu Hua.

The taste was very special, and his heart trembled. He gripped the armrest with slightly tighter knuckles.

The car stopped not far from the front gate of the residential compound.

Fu Hua felt that this journey was exceptionally long.

"arrive."

Xie Ci helped her out of the car, the two of them walking in silence, one in front and one behind.

"Thank you for bringing me back."

Fu Hua smiled politely.

"What did you call me?"

"what?"

Fu Hua looked up, her eyes filled with confusion.

"I'm five or six years older than you, shouldn't I call you 'brother'?"

He raised an eyebrow slightly in response to Xie Ci.

Fu Hua...

This person is really quite impolite.

If I give her a ride, I'll have to become her brother.

"Thank you, Brother Xie Ci."

A ripple appeared beneath Fu Hua's calm eyes.

Although her address was a little awkward, Xie Ci smiled.

The smile was dazzling under the streetlights: "You're welcome, see you tomorrow, Fu Hua."

Fu Hua nodded, turned around and walked into the courtyard.

She could feel the gaze following her from behind.

Until she turned into the shadows between the buildings.

The sentry at the guard post saluted her.

Fu Hua nodded slightly, but her pace quickened involuntarily.

My heart was beating a little erratically in my chest.

It wasn't fear, it wasn't nervousness.

Rather, it was a kind of... unfamiliar, somewhat warm clamor.

Like hibernating seeds sensing spring for the first time, they stir restlessly beneath the frozen soil.

Xie Ci stood outside the courtyard gate until that slender figure completely disappeared into the night before slowly exhaling.

He took out a cigarette case from his pocket, pulled one out and put it in his mouth, but didn't light it.

The scent of soapberry still lingered in my nose.

But what he felt even more clearly was another flavor—

A faint, refreshing fragrance emanated from Fu Hua, mixed with the scent of certain herbs and trees.

When he got close to her, he even picked up her scent.

This fragrance is very special; once you smell it, you won't forget it.

I didn't smell this way on the train last time.

I wonder what happened to her in Beijing during this time.

I never imagined that fate could be so wonderful.

He will see her again!

Xie Ci took out his cigarette, twirled it between his fingers, and then...

I lowered my head and sniffed myself, but still no light.

He turned and walked toward the bus stop.

The night light blew in my face, but it couldn't dispel the inexplicable restlessness in my heart.

I'll be eighteen next year.

It's still too small.

He felt it was a sin to even think about something for a second longer.

But my heartbeat wouldn't obey me.

Just now on the bus, when the ends of her hair brushed against his chin,

When her back almost bumped into his arms,

That "Thank you, Brother Xie Ci" —

It's so soft and pleasant to listen to.

His heartbeat was like a morning bell and evening drum, each beat striking his chest and making his eardrums vibrate.

Xie Ci took a deep breath, the night wind filling his lungs with a coolness.

Take it easy.

He has plenty of patience.

After Fu Hua disappeared, the two sentries in the guard post began to talk quietly.

"That was... if I'm not mistaken, it was a member of the Xie family, right?"

The younger sentries lowered their voices.

"Yes, he's Commander Xie's only son."

The older sentry watched Xie Ci's departing figure.

"I heard he was just transferred back from the south and made meritorious contributions in the coastal defense forces, so he was promoted exceptionally."

"You look so young, maybe twenty-five?"

"Twenty-four. But don't underestimate him. My former comrades told me that he has caught smugglers at sea and even had a collision with another ship. He's a tough guy."

The older sentry looked on with a hint of envy. "Commander Xie's transfer back to Beijing this time is probably to pave the way for him. This kid has a limitless future."

"Who's that girl with him? I've never seen her before."