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

"I'm not mistaken, it's Fu Hua, the younger sister you just recognized."

Lin Jingqiu was speechless. After all this time, just how little did this family understand this child?

I know nothing.

"Huahua didn't come to the theater today."

Fu Xiao frowned: "What exactly is going on?"

Lin Jingqiu briefly recounted her encounter with Fu Hua at the musical instrument store in Wangfujing.

Fu Xiao and Fu Songchuan looked at each other in disbelief.

"What about Huahua? What did she say?"

Fu Xiao asked.

She refused.

Lin Jingqiu's voice lowered.

"Yu Rou also refused to let the two meet, but Mr. Steinberg insisted on seeing Fu Hua."

He said that if Fu Hua would talk to him, he would be willing to select one teacher from the theater each year to study in Europe—an opportunity that could transform arts education in the entire theater and even the whole city!

Fu Xiao frowned deeply.

"She refused?"

Fu Xiao's voice was deep, "Why?"

"She said... Fu Hua prioritizes her studies."

Lin Jingqiu paused for a moment, then decided to tell the truth: "Yu Rou said that if she brings Fu Hua to see Steinberg now, Chaochao won't be able to stand it."

Upon hearing this, Fu Xiao's face darkened completely.

He didn't say anything, and turned to walk into the theater.

"Commander Fu!"

Lin Jingqiu quickly followed, "Where are you going?"

"Find Su Yurou."

The most important thing right now is not to settle accounts.

Fu Xiao paused, then turned around. "Teacher Lin, would you please take us to find Huahua first? Let's go now."

"OK."

Lin Jingqiu thought for a moment, with Fu Xiao there,

Fu Hua shouldn't be afraid.

The jeep drove through the autumn streets, the plane tree leaves rustling under the wheels.

Lin Jingqiu sat in the back seat and gave directions to Wangfujing.

Fu Xiao sat in the passenger seat, and no one spoke in the car; the atmosphere was very somber.

Upon arriving at Wangfujing, Lin Jingqiu took the father and son to a musical instrument store first.

There weren't many customers in the store, and the staff looked a little awkward when they saw Lin Jingqiu come again.

"That little girl who was playing the piano just now?"

The shop assistant shook her head. "She left a long time ago. She left with her classmate."

"Didn't you come back?"

Fu Songchuan asked.

"Go check over there. I just saw two people go in; they should still be there."

The clerk pointed to the Xinhua Bookstore diagonally across the street.

The three then headed to Xinhua Bookstore.

The bookstore was packed with people on the weekend. Fu Songchuan, being tall, scanned the rows of bookshelves...

Finally, I spotted that familiar figure in the literature section by the window.

Fu Hua stood in front of the bookshelf, holding a copy of "A Brief Introduction to Special Relativity" in her hands.

Zhang Wen was next to her, flipping through a novel.

The two girls were standing very close together, and sunlight streamed in through the window.

They were coated with a fuzzy, shiny edge.

"Huahua".

Fu Songchuan walked over, speaking very softly.

Fu Hua looked up, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes when she saw her older brother.

When they saw Fu Xiao and Lin Jingqiu behind them, their expressions became even more puzzled.

"Dad, Big Brother, Aunt Lin."

She put down her book. "Why are you two together? Is something wrong?"

Zhang Wen also stood up straight nervously.

Fu Xiao looked at her daughter; she seemed very calm.

His eyes were always like the waters of a lake in late autumn; no matter what happened, he remained calm and composed.

He's more mature than an adult.

She didn't know what being chosen by a world-class piano master meant.

Or do they really not care?

"Huahua,"

Fu Xiao spoke, his voice much gentler than usual, "Teacher Lin said you played the piano at the music store today?"

Fu Hua paused for a moment, then nodded: "Mm."

"Mr. Steinberg heard you."

Fu Songchuan continued, "He wants to see you. Now."

Fu Hua looked at Lin Jingqiu.

Lin Jingqiu quickly stepped forward and said sincerely, "Fu Hua, I know you don't want to study music."

But Mr. Steinberg said that as long as you're willing to meet with him and have a talk,

He is willing to select one teacher from our theater each year to study in Europe.

This is an opportunity that could change the lives of many people, and it would benefit arts education throughout the theater and even the entire city.

She paused, then added, "The meeting will take place at the theater; your father and brother will be with you."

Fu Hua fell silent.

She looked at Fu Xiao; his eyes showed concern, but not coercion.

Looking at her older brother, Fu Songchuan, she saw his eyes were reassuring and he nodded slightly.

Zhang Wen squeezed her hand and whispered, "Huahua, don't be afraid, I'll go with you."

Autumn sunlight streamed through the bookstore's glass windows.

The light and shadow cast on Fu Hua's face.

"it is good."

She put down her book, smiled, and said, "I'll go."

The atmosphere in the VIP reception room of the city theater was even more somber than before.

Steinberg sat on the sofa, holding a steaming cup of coffee.

Commander Wang and the leaders from the Cultural Bureau stood by, none of them speaking.

The only sound in the air was the ticking of a clock.

The door was pushed open, and everyone looked up.

Fu Xiao walked in first, his military uniform crisp and clean.

The stars on the epaulets gleamed coldly under the lights.

He was followed by Fu Songchuan, then Lin Jingqiu, and finally Fu Hua and Zhang Wen.

Steinberg immediately stood up, his gaze sweeping over everyone and landing directly on Fu Hua.

His eyes lit up, as if he had discovered a lost treasure.

"Hello, Commander Fu."

Commander Wang quickly stepped forward to shake hands, "This is Mr. Steinberg."

Fu Xiao shook hands with Steinberg, his manner polite yet dignified: "Mr. Steinberg, I've heard so much about you. This is my daughter, Fu Hua."

Fu Hua stepped forward and bowed slightly: "Greetings, sir."

Her attitude was polite but distant, lacking the nervousness or excitement often seen in people her age facing masters.

It was as calm as greeting an ordinary elder.

Steinberg, however, became even more excited.

He looked into Fu Hua's eyes; those eyes were so clear, and so deep—

It can reflect the sky and also contain the ocean.

"Miss Fu Hua,"

His Chinese was broken but clear. "The piece you played at the music store today... really doesn't have a name?"

"Castle in the Sky".

Fu Hua thought for a moment before answering.

"Sky City..."

Steinberg kept repeating the name.

Her eyes glazed over for a moment. "It's a beautiful name. Did you create it?"

Fu Hua paused for a moment: "No, it was just something I saw in a dream."

She couldn't explain that the piece came from a Japanese anime decades later, and could only offer a vague explanation.

Those present found it unbelievable.

The things in your dreams are your own creations.

I never expected that the girl in front of me could not only play the piano, but also compose music.

No wonder Mr. Steinberg took a liking to him.

"Can we talk?"

Steinberg gestured to the sofa. "Let's talk about music. Nothing else."

Fu Hua looked at Fu Xiao.

The father nodded, his eyes filled with trust and support.

She sat down on the sofa opposite Steinberg.

Zhang Wen sat next to her, her palms sweating with nervousness.

Fu Xiao, Fu Songchuan, and Lin Jingqiu sat in seats a little further away.

Commander Wang and the other leaders also took their seats again.

"In your opinion,"

Steinberg began, his tone like that of a student seeking knowledge, "What is music?"

The room fell silent.

Everyone looked at Fu Hua, waiting for her answer.